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T·I·M·E F·O ·R M·U·S·I·C Part IV
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MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE FOR THE CHILDREN OF HASC THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 6 is published monthly except July and August by An Educator's Credo the Agudath Israel of America, 84 William Street, Rabbi Yisrael Blumenfeld New York, N.Y. 10038. Second class postage paid in New York, N.Y. Subscription $22.00 per year; two years, $36.00; 10 three years, $48.00. Outside of the United States "Rebby" (US funds drawn on a US bank only) $10.00 Rabbi Hillel Belsky surcharge per year. Single copy $3.00; foreign $4.00. Send address changes to The Jewish 17 Observer, 84 William Street, N.Y., N.Y. 10038. Tel: (212) 797-9000. Teaching Moral Sensitivity-And Truth Printed in the U.S.A. Heshy Grossman
RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR 27
EDITORIAL BOARD When a History Class Contains Torah Lessons DR. ERNEST BODENHEIMER Yaakov Astor Chal1'1'118n
RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS 31 JOSEPH FRIEDENSON In Search Of Chavie-A Case History RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN Malky Brailofsky MANAGEMENT BOARD NAFTOLI HIRSCH 39 ISAAC KIRZNER RABBI SHLOMO LESIN Confessions of an Outreach "Professional" NACHUM STEIN Eli Gewirtz RABBI VOSEF C. GOLDING 44 Buslnes$ Manager BOOKS IN REVIEW Halacha in Daily Life Published by THE HEALING VISIT. INSIGIITS INTO THE MITZVAH OF BIKUR CHOLIM, / Agudath Israel of America TI!E FIRST SEVEN DAYS /WIN? REFLECTIONS ON TilE LOSS OF A RABBI MOSHE SHERER LOVED ONE/TORAS HAYOLEDES, JEWISH LAWS OF CHILD BIRTH/THE PRESIDENT PATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS GENTILE/TI!E CONCISE CODE OF JEWISH THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not LAW /UNDERSTANDING TI!E JEWISH CALENDAR/AVOIDING INTEREST assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product, publication, or service 48 advertised in Its pages Letters to the Editor © Copyright 1990 : . Poetry: 54 The Fire Within, Elana Aron DECEMBER 1990 VOLUME XXlll / N0.9 55 Real Tears, Sheindel Weinbach Rabbi Yisrael
A teacher of young men draws on the wisdom of "Chovos HaTalmidim" - a guide to educating youth that was written over a half century ago- to help teachers, parents, as well as anyone who deals with young men and women, to be more effective in their efforts to reach their charges. An Educator's Credo
THE LOSS OF AUTHORITY- began to change with the advent of subjugate him, coerce him, and de 50 YEARS AGO! Haskalla in the 19th century, it prtve him of his independence. He changed most radically in the gen reacts with a resistance that esca ore than half a century ago. eration preceding the Holocaust. lates to contempt and often hatred the Piaseczner Rebbe, With remarkable insight, this GadoL towards his teachers or parents. M Rabbi Klonymus Kalmish a Chassidic Rebbi and educator, Instead of paying attention to what Shapiro, 7"::1? prefaced his monu defined those changes and their far is being studied, he spends his time mental work the ChovosHaTalmidim reaching ramifications. scheming his escape from this with a message to educators and "Young people consider them domination and bondage. parents. He perceived a change in selves mature before their time," he The second consequence may be the generations. Not a subtle devia writes. 'They imitate adults before even more devastating. In earlier tion, but a profound change that they are ready to become adults.'' generations, the young person was challenged the very axioms of Jew Chazal warned us that in the gen still willing to receive and absorb ish education. There was a time eration before the redemption, the whatever Torah teachings he was when just about any approach to era known as Ikvesa de Meshicha. offered. A Rebbi was able to convey education could be effective. The chutzpa would be rampant. "That the totality of his personality and talmidim of almost any teacher and youth relies on itself before it has rtghteousness to his talmidim, not the children of almost any parent the under- standing and wisdom to just information and concepts. The became committed Jews, serving do so, is inherent in that chutzpa." ' impressions remained even if they their Creator. While this situation The author continues to delin were to surface only years later. As eate the two-fold consequences of the student's mind and emotions Rabbi Blumenfeld is on the faculty ofYeshivat this phenomenon. Firstly, a young gradually matured, he could draw Neveh Zion, a Yeshiva for Amelican- and Euro~ from this reservoir ofknowledge and pean-bom young men, situated near Jerusalem, person often views every instructor in Harei Yehuda. as a foreign power who has come to sanctity. A young person's outlook,
6 The Jewish Obseroer, December 1990 aspirations, midos, attitudes- his very essence-was profoundly in The goal of fluenced and often molded by this treasury of teachings and values. chinuch-education Not so in the days preceding the Warsaw Ghetto, in which, for most is not to achieve of the war, the author of the Chovos HaTalmidimserved as a Rav. A child any particular was no longer a blank slate ready and eager to absorb Torah. The mode of behavior Rebbi's personality and stature of ten failed to penetrate even the ten for the present but ' der hearts of youth. It was pre empted by suspicion and prejudice. that the student DEALING WITH THE INCREASE should continue to IN "CHUTZPA" live a Torah oday we are in the throes of the period called Chevlei lifestyle even when T Moshiach - the birthpangs of the Moshiach. Chutzpa is more he is on his own. visible, not Jess. Even in the most isolated and sheltered circles, this phenomenon is no stranger. Too live a Torah lifestyle even when he is student has mastered, but how many young people question with on his own. Although every parent motivated he is to continue once the out understanding and rebel with and educator knows that the child external incentives no longer exist. out cause- merely to throw off the will not long remain a child, too We ask. Has he learned? Has he shackles of discipline. While reject many of us only have our focus on learned how to learn? These are ing externally imposed discipline, the present situation in front of our crucial questions. But we must not the young person often fails to cre eyes. This is not just shortsighted. It forget to ask, Has he learned to love ate his own sense of self-discipline. is a pernicious error. "Education is learning? Obedience and discipline One need not guess at the resulting not just obedience, nor discipline of of habit are essentials. But the day havoc this takes on personality de habit. These are merely tools that will come only too soon when he has velopment. Its effect on meaningful educators must use in the educa just himself to obey- if he so Torah observance is disastrous. tional process." (This and other chooses. The solution is not a simple one. quotations not otherwise identified Fortunately, the author of the are from Chovos HaTalmidim See BEYOND TEACHING Chovos HaTalmidim applied his end-notes for source.) 3 perceptive wisdom to the problem The very word itself- chinuch f the goal of education is, as the and presented an outline of what means, according to Rash~ a be wisest of men expressed it, to the educator's response should be. ginning.' But not every beginning is I createafuturecommitment, then Actually, this response is neither considered chinuch. for the Torah to teach is not enough. We must new nor innovative. It is, instead, uses another term when the simple motivate, inspire and penetrate into the essence, the very definition, of connotation of beginning is meant~ the inner world of the talmid and education. Its seeds were sown by "Rather, it is the introduction or afford him the tools to build that Shlomo HaMelech when, in Mishlei, dedication of a person or object to world. But Shlomo HaMelech did he implored "Chanoch la'naar al pi the profession or function that he is more than just reveal the goals of darko- teach the young person ac eventually destined to remain with:'' education. His words reveal the cording to his way so that even The focus is clearly on the future. methodology as well. 'Teach him when he is older he will not stray True chinuch provides the motiva according to HIS way.... " Chinuch from it." 2 tion. incentives. aspirations, atti education- has to be personal. The The goal of chinuch-education is tudes and skills needed to actualize Rebbi and the parent must get to not to achieve any particular mode the student's potential, and the know the student. of behavior for the present- at least imparting of values to make that "If a teacher wants to instruct not exclusively for that period of potential worthwhile. and command alone, he will not feel time when the child is under the The implication is obvious. The obligated to pay special attention to teacher's or parent's tutelage. The criterion for success should not be the talmid... to know his nature or to goal is that he should continue to how much material the child or become personally involved with
The Jewish Observer, December 1990 7 We ask, Has he learned? Has he learned how to learn? These are crucial questions. But we must each talmid. ... But the educator who fl.cult case" today may well be an not forget to ask, Has wants to reveal the hidden trea asset for him and the world tomor sures of the talmid 's soul and in row. He should seize the proper he learned to love spire his spiritual growth ... must moment to relate this expectation to lower himself to the talmid, enter the the talmid and encourage him to learning? thoughts and feelings of this youth use this "mazal" for positive until he reaches the hidden sparks achievement. He may subtly reas of his soul.. .. Therefore, his approach sure him that, as the Vilna Gaon his Rebbi. The Rebbi doesn't lec will not be identical with each young again said, "A stubborn person will ture, he teaches. person. but rather will depend on succeed!" and thathe has a lot going If Kial Yisroel has a textbook on the nature of each child. "7 for him in this respect. The pride pedagogy, it is probably the Haggada The Vilna Gaon explains that and perceptiveness of youth will do of Pesach. Following the Haggada's "man cannot break his ways, that the rest. text, we fulfill the Torah's com is. the mazalinto which he was born. mandment to educate our children I" Mazar refers to certain innate NON-THREATENING GUIDANCE and ourselves to remember the re characteristics and inclinations be demption from Egypt. Even a cur yond one's power to uproot.) He can, he Clwvos HaTalmidim fur sory study of the Haggada informs however, use his free will to channel ther warns that we cannot the reader that the halachic re his potential toward productive simply insist that the talmid quirement to be "marbei le'saper 8 T ends. " Whether we act in a righteous heed his Rebbi's words. This would b 'yetzias Mitzraim- to discuss the way or the converse is totally our not be effective because he will end story of the redemption at length" - choice. It must be, or else we would up considering his Rebbi an an is fulfilled specifically through the not be held responsible for our ac tagonist. 'The time has come when medium of question and answer. A tions. Every personality trait and wemustconveytothe talmidthathe pedagogue knows that if a student inclination can be channeled In a himself is his own prime educator. is led to question a concept and positive way and utilized in serving He is not an immature juvenile, but then think through his own answer, our Creator. But these characteris rather a blossom in the orchard of he will understand the concept better tics do exist and are not to be ignored. Kial Yisroel. And Hashem has im and retain it longer. An educator On the contrary, awareness of them posed upon him the obligation of knows that the more the student is the first step in directing and raising and educating himself to involves himself in this process, the channeling them. Just as it is man's become a servant of Hashem, a better he will integrate the wisdom task to harness these midos, so is it tzaddik and a gadol in Torah." 9 of the Torah into his own life. the educator's task to detect them These few words constitute a to and assist his talmidimin relating to tal approach to pedagogy, as well as REACHING THE them and sublimating them. an attitude of projecting responsi TURNED OFF-STUDENT For example, a Rebbi may ob bility. The parent or instructor is serve a tendency toward stubborn still the teacher, and must remain n our day and age the turned-off ness in one of his talmidim, and may so. But he must teach in such a way student is not uncommon. He well suffer from it in his attempts to that the student feels that he is I resents the structure and disci discipline and instruct the young teaching himself. The Rebbidoes this pline ofeducation, and often harbors ster. But he should keep in mind by asking relevant questions, so feelings of hostility towards his that, as the talmid matures and that the student can think for him parents and teachers. Many such becomes self-motivated, his efforts self and not feel as though he were young people come to Israel in search to excel and attain greatness will be being spoon-fed. He does this by of themselves- or as one of them enhanced by this stubborn deter respecting the student's intelligence put it, "to give G-d a second chance.· mination. The parent or teacher and anticipating his ability to reach Much later he realizes that it was should know that the very thing the proper conclusions, should he "Hashem who was giving him a sec that makes the young person a "dif- respond to the skillful guidance of ond chance." These young people
8 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 distrust anyone who stands in a A MESSAGE OF TRUST his potential. not his reputation, to position of authority. They erect form and determine our image of barriers even before they know you. nce, quite inadvertently, I him- and then convey this message The process of establishing a rap witnessed this phenom in the way that we relate to him. port is not an easy one, but there is O enon. At the beginning of Whether the message is subtly or a technique that often helps. one school year, a particular talmid overtly conveyed, mostyoungpeople When Rabban Yochanan ben had failed to appear in shiur for are sensitive enough to respond. Zakkai charged his talmidim "to several days. 1 visited him in his The faith that we have in our talmi search out the straight-fmward way dorm room and inquired if he was dim is invariably rewarded, and it to which a man should cleave," he feeling better. "Why should you think can make all the difference. accepted Reb Elazar ben Aroch's that 1 wasn't feeling well?" he re In our age of technological explo concept of a good heart "because it plied. 1 explained that he gave the sion. in which most interpersonal included all the others." 10 Possessing impression of being a serious stu relationships are superficial, tran a "good heart" means seeking the dent and that if he hadn't attended sient and even disposable, the need good in others. Even the most embit shiur he probablywasn't feel ingwell. for a sincere and personal. warm tered and dislrusting adolescent, even He smiled- and never again missed and eating Rebbi-talmidrelationship the product of a broken home and is all the more critical. The fact that troubled childhood, has his own set so many of the problems of adoles of virtues. Once the educator has The turned off student cence are rooted in insecurity and identified a particularvirtue he needs poor self-esteem augments this only to convey to his student that he still knows that his need. is aware of it and appreciates it. An educator's credo for these Perhaps it is only the s,tudent's Rebbi is unable to troubled but challenging times honesty in coming to recognize his would reflect the principles articu disdain of authority or his misplaced agree with his behavior lated by the Chovos HaTalmidim: loyalty to his peer group. Whatever Only an education that focuses on the virtue may be, once the young or attitudes, but this the long-range goals of the future person is cognizant of his Rebbi's and that considers the uniqueness appreciation of that virtue, and is does not matter as long of each talmid personally and indi able to sense that the Rebbi is sin vidually, only an approach that rec cerely looking for reasons to accept as he accepts him as a ognizes the innate or acquired vir him as a person. the chances for tues of the talmid and communi rapport are enhanced. He still knows person. cates them effectively. only one that his Rebbiis unable to agree with which enhances his self-image and his behavior or attitudes, but this actively involves the talmid in the does not matter as long as he accepts a shiur that year. Months later he learning process, is worthy of the him as a person. mentioned that that seemingly in name education. n This axiom has an invaluable signtftcant encounter had helped corollary. We tend to live up to our change his self-image. If a Rebbi 1. Based on Chovos 1-faTalmidirn, pp. 9 .. 10 own self-image. Once a young per could give him the benefit of the 2. Ml..<;hlei 22.6. son is labeled a "tough case" or a doubt, and consider him a sertous 3. Based on Chovos HaTalmidim. p. 6. 4. Ra.shi on Devarim 20.5. "disciplinary problem," he often ends student despite a distressing high 5. e.g. The directive calls for Mas'chilin big'nrts ... up unconsciously trying to prove it. school record of problems and de (we begin with dcfan1ation and conclude With A vicious cycle ensues. If. on the tention, then he could also live up to praise)," not "Mechanchin big'nus ... other hand, a Rebbi can help his that image. He did, and became a 6. See Rashi on Bercishis l 4, 14. talmid create a more positive self genuine masmid and ben Torah. 7. Chovos 11aTal1nidim, p. 6. 8. Vilna Gaon on Mishfei 22.6 image. constructive change and lfwe want to give a young person 9. Chovos HaTalmidim p. 12. growth can begin. a second chance. we need only allow 10. PirkeiAvos 2:13.
The Jewish Observer, December J 990 9 Rabbi Hillel Belsky ''REBBY''
Rabbi Belsky. a musmachofYeshiva Rabbi Chaim he friend who picked me up so deeply! Do you think that now Berlin, is principal of the Hanna Sacks Girls High at theairportonmywayto be that he left us. we can transfer that School in Chicago. A long-time friend of the menachem aveil the Freifeld love to the RibbonoShel Olant?" It was family of Rabbi Freifeld, ?"Yr, Rabbi Belsky was T family was a talmid muvhak of Reb a question that was impossible to also a neighbor for several years. when he served as Rao of Agudath Israel of Bayswater, in Far Shlomo. He couldn't wait to express answer. but it was very revealing. Rockaway. his crushing pain. "We loved Rebby Reb Shlomo's legacy was alive.
10 The Jewish Observer. December 1990 LOVE AT EVERY TURN
here were so many facets to his personality, that one could T begin almost anywhere, but a logical starting point is his un canny ability to create love at every tum. It was a magical quality that was keenly felt by all those who crossed his threshold. As someone putit, "RebShlomodidn'tlovepeople in spite of their shortcomings, but because of them. He viewed these Reb Shlomo felt that if one could elevate weaknesses as tools by which one the person, he could then transcend his could climb and grow." >n?!JJ l'bd:>N mr.ip N7 "If I had not fallen, I could problem. If one focused on the problem, not get up." Reb Shlomo's example served as however, it was likely that it would an object lesson for my students: Ahavas Ytsroel ls not measured by continue to keep the person hostage. how we treat the special people who are our frtends as much as by how we treat ordinary people. It was through Reb Shlomo's commitment to such people that his Yeshiva came able member of the Sh'or Yoshuv "DON'T BE STRONG... " into being. While yeshivos are.usu community joined the fold when he ally built with a nucleus of excep was picked upfrom the street, where isciple of Rav Yitzchok Hutner tional people who serve as its core. he was literally lost. and taken to the 7"~, and heir to the Slobodka Reb Shlomo's design was for young Freifeld home. Cleaned up andfed, philosophy of romemus men who had difficulty succeeding the young man regained hls compo ha'adam-the lofty potential of within the yeshiva system. sure, became attracted to Torah, and man-Reb Shlomo recognized that "He was a magician," one talmid developed as a dedicated masmid. capacity for growth was closely tied said to me. "He took wood and made For Mother's Day. he wanted to give to self-esteem. Regardless of the it human. Look at me!" And, indeed, his mother a treat. but didn't want to problem or the difficulty, Reb Shlomo he did just that. Any of the hun miss learning-so he invited her to felt that if one could elevate the dreds of talmidlm that make up the spend the day in Far Rockaway, to person, he could then transcend his magnificent Sh'or Yoshuv commu see what he had become. problem. Ifone focused on the prob nity marvel at the stones of their lem. however, it was likely that it own youth. Reb Shlomo always focused on would continue to keep the person In time. baaleiteshuvafound their chizuk, encouragement. and the hostage. way to Sh'or Yoshuv as well. In Reb universal need for it. Whenever a When dealing with a wounded Shlomo, they found extraordinary kinus (Torah conference) took place, neshama. Reb Shlomo would focus patience and understanding. he would only want to know one on the person's capacity for growth. thing: did the people go away "Don't be strong," he would say, "be During Shiva, I overheard a young strengthened. encouraged? He was big"-recognizing that not everyone, baalas teshuva speaking to one of especially concerned about how the nor every situation, had the poten Reb Shlomo's daughters. "I produce women fared. He often commented tial for strength; but there was al commercials," she explained. "Popu that when the Chiddushei HaRim ways an opportunity for greatness. lar consumer items, you know. like had lost his many children, he if one could take a broader view. sojl drinks." gathered women to pray. "Women In dealing with problems, Reb Aftenvards, someone commented are Malchus, royalty," he would say. Shlomo demonstrated a sense of on the incongruity of her remarks in "They have a special ko' ach, special humor that would anesthesize the Reb Shlomo's dining room. "On the powers." anxiety of the person and allow him contrary, " an old frtend countered, He would always make sure that to be more open to growth. Motiva "every Jew belonged inRebShlomo's they had the spiritual sustenance tion and exaltation, then, were the dining room. Professions. like dis they needed: 'They are so self-sacrt keys to growth, not rules and crtti guises, were set aside." ficing in their efforts to promote the cism. This, too, was in line with the Reb Shlomo did not wait to be Torah values of their families. Make teachings of his great Rebbe, Rav approached. One currently respect- sure their needs are met." Hutner, who would quote the Tal-
The Jewish Observer, December 1990 11 mud that tells us that generations It occurred to me recently that he ago tochacha (productive reproof) may have had a deeper reason, one was abandoned because man be Students are willing that penetrated the mindset of the came incapable of maintaining a developing yeshiva student. He healthy perspective about crtticism: to struggle if there wanted there to be no doubt in he would lose his self-esteem in face anyone's mind as to the importance of fault finding. And without self would be a greater of one line. Torah learning is filled esteem, there is no basis for a rela with challenge, and the struggle with tionship with theRibbonoShelOlam. payoff, if they could investment-versus-yield. As a Rebbe It was to this building of ga'avo myself, I have often heard students dekedusha-prtde in holiness-that become great scholars, express their willingness to struggle Reh Shlomo committed himself. It if there would be a greater payoff, if seemed to me that this was his perhaps. Reb Shlomo they could become great scholars, motivation when he would always was there to remind perhaps. Reb Shlomo was there to insist that his students be taught to remind one and all that it was all master one line at a time. This ap one and all that it was worth it... for one line. proach, known by his disciples as I remember Reb Shlomo's frus ''The System," was true on all levels. all worth it ... tration at a meeting of yeshiva prtn In the prtmary grades, small chll cipals that gathered at his home dren mastered one line of Siddur or for one line. several years ago. All he had wanted Chumash at a time. I asked an old from them was to make sure that no talmid whether Reh Shlomo ever student failed. It was hard for him, gave a shiur to the Gemora class. because they focused on "reality "Yes," he replied smiling, "he He nodded. orientation" and he had a sense of taught me." I always had thought that ''The reality all his own. Success builds "How did he do it?" 1 asked-then System" was designed to give the upon success, not failure, and he interrupting myself: "Let me guess. student confidence and to set down saw it as his mandate to convince One line at a time!" solid foundations. everyone that they could succeed.
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12 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 MANY MEDIA FOR THE sweeping, to teach his children and object by naming its identifying MESSAGE OF GREATNESS students to delve deeply into their characteristics, a Torah scholar can feelings and thoughts. Emotions and retrieve it on the simple basis of eb Shlomo communicated their language, poetry, were always recognition, for a talmid chacham is many a profound message alive in conversations with Reb credited with having tevias ayin-his R through music. Many years Shlomo. He was in touch with his discerning eye can be depended ago. Reb Shlomo was teaching eighth own feelings and willing to share upon to identify the lost object. grade boys in another city. He peered them. One Rosh HaShana he spoke Similarly, this doctor of neshamos through the window during lunch to his crowded Beis Midrash about (as Reb Shlomo was called) could time and saw his students emerging making a commitment to fulfill the identify what was lost to someone from a non-kosher restaurant. When mitzva of reviewing the weekly To else's soul without any particular they returned to class, he silently rah portion. "And lknowyourweak sign or signal. distributed Zemiros booklets to nesses," he bellowed, "because I them, and sang with them, "Racheim know my own." It was obvious at bechasdecha ... Have compassion in that moment how he had built his Your kindness ... ," over and over, community. until one student got up and said, Success builds upon "Rebby, ifl felt this way all the time, FOCUS ON OTHERS I would never eat treif." success, not failure, Reb Shlomo served his Creator n sickness as in health, Reb with beauty. Everything around him Shlomo's primary focus was on and he saw it as his reflected the grandeur of life. The I the well-being of whoever came mandate to convince walls of his home were a feast for the to visit him. When speaking to Reb eyes: fascinating paintings, photo Shlomo, one had the feeling ofbeing everyone that they graphs, and artifacts-each reflect held, supported, uplifted. His fa ing some theme of the spirit's reach. therly embrace was unique. The could succeed. It was obvious that he was always Talmud states that while the aver trying, in ways subtle as well as age person can only retrieve his lost ANew Experience in Children's Literature!
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The Jewish Observer. December 1990 13 "Fulfill 'yasichena' with me," he would say, inviting the petitioner to follow the advice of Shlomo Hamelech, and relieve himself of his worries by sharing it with others.
FAREWELL AT SHALOSH SEUDOS
t was ironic that Reb Shlomo was niftar at his Shalash Seudos I table, for that was the scene of Reb Shlomo at his best. DiN '1\!11'! o:i:i7:i m7'Po 1:i 17 t1)) "Fortunate is he whose strength is in You, whose Torah makes inroads into their heart," he would say at Shalash Seudos, as he addressed a gather ing of disciples and guests-giving them fuel for the coming week, with road maps for those "inroads into the heart." In truth, all times were affairs of the heart for Reb Shlomo. With Reb Shlomo's passing, we have been orphaned. "Everyone who was exposed to Reb Shlomo caught a ray," his daughter said. Although it feels as though he took the light with him, he indeed did leave hun dreds of people ignited with his flame, reflecting his glow. His com munity, and all of us, have lost a Rebbe, a father, a leader. But per haps most of all, we have lost our best friend. a
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To send a gift of kosher wine anywhere in the U.S. and Canada please call 1 800 BE THERE (1 800 238-4373). Your Neighborhood bank joins the entire Boro Park Community in joyful celebration of the Festival of Lights. HAPPY CHANUKA from <~:=}> COMMUNITY NATIONAL BANK 11\EJllBERf'DIC and Trust Company of New York OPPORTUl"llTY 15:?.. _ LEl'IDER'""'' Big-bank services . .. small-lawn louch LENDER MANHATTAN STATEN ISLAND BROOKLYN Midtown Oakwood Sunnyside Clifton Great Kills South Richmond Boro Park 489 Fifth Avenue 3155 Amboy Road 1270 Clove Road 155 Vanderbilt Avenue 30 Nelson Avenue 282 Page Avenue 5005 Thirteenth Avenue (212)687-1700 (718) 351-8000 (718) 273·7300 (718) 964-8400 (718)984-8300 (718) 948-2200 (718)436·6900 (Corporate Headquarters) Heshy Grossman
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THE KOHLBERG ATTRACTION years, a group of Jewish educators •The Stage of Social System and has met on campuses of prestigious Conscience Maintenance, universities to study Kohlberg"s "Six • The Stage of Prior Rights and oral development has be Stages of Moral Development" and Social Contract. and come a major factor in ed their specific application to Hebrew • The Stage of Universal Ethical M ucational theory. Mussar Day Schools. Principles. and midas have received renewed Though the debates at Harvard A cursory glance at their tities attention and emphasis in recent and U.C.L.A. are not always within indicates how Kohlberg's system years. in recognition that good the purview of interest of the Torah aims at guiding a person into full character traits do not merely hap Jew. a short synopsis ofKohlberg"s flowering as an ideal moral human pen on their own, but must be in ideas will demonstrate why they being, for at the final, highest stage, culcated into children by parents hold such mesmerizing influence specific laws or social agreements and teachers. over many Jewish educators. are valid only to the extent that they The non-Jewish world, in its own Kohlberg has studied various are in accord with principles of way. has also become keenly aware cultures and suggests that there justice and equality. Purity of mo of the need for developing proper are six stages of development (with tive is a given at this stage. and man ethics and morals, with the theories a possible seventh) that incorporate does what is right because he has of Harvard's Lawrence Kohlberg re universal moral principles shared accepted the validity of certain ceiving much attention in the aca by all societies. These stages range principles and has become commit demic world. Kohlberg's teachings from the most childish self-involved ted to them. have had such a major impact on stage to the most abstract and al Virtue is taught through the recent trends in educational psy truistic. The six stages as delin Socratic method of creating dissat chology and methodology, that at eated by Kohlberg are: isfaction in students regarding their tempts have been made to use his • The Stage of Punishment and inadequate knowledge of the good. findings in Jewish education, as Obedience, The teacher facilitates their devel well. In fact, for the past number of •The Stage of Individual Instru opment by presenting ethical di mental Purpose and Exchange, lemmas, for which the students have
Rabbi Grossman is a 1n1isn1acll of the Yeshiva of • The Stage of Mutual Interper no ready solution. Jn the ensuing Far Rockaway (N .Y .) and is currently a rebbe at sonal Expectations. Relationships discl1ssion, the students become Y.U.L.A. High Schools in Los Angeles. and Conformity. exposed to the opinions of others,
The Jewish Observer, December 1990 17 and are most likely to prefer argu ments based on a moral stage one level above their own. Moral action Since our goal is to produce Torah-observant, is strongly correlated with moral thinking, so it is assumed that the ethical Jews, the promise of Kohlberg to direct person's actions will rise to the level of his thoughts, and a more moral behavior is indeed attractive. human being will eventually emerge from the process. Substitute ''Torah and Halacha" He lectures on ethical sensitizing tioning the foundations that may for "Justice and Equality," and one across the country and has been belie their surface attraction. begins to understand the tantaliz praised for his work by Rabbi Alvin ing appeal this theory holds for many I. Schiff. executive vice president of MORALITY: BY MAN'S Orthodox educators. Since our goal Greater New York's Board of Jewish REASONING OR G-D'S is to produce Torah-observant, Education. His work in the Sinai GUIDANCE? ethicalJews, thepromiseofKohlberg Akiba Academy in Los Angeles was to direct behavior is indeed attrac praised in the L.A. Jewish Journal he stages of moral develop tive. as a more successful replacement of ment, delineated by Kohlberg, Take, for example, .Jerry the "traditional reliance on the study T are meant only to set the Friedman, who serves on the Na of Torah and halacha (Jewish law) framework for defining conflicting tional Council of Jewish Federa and the teacher or rebbe as a role claims and choosing between them. tions as well as on the Los Angles model to instill ethical behavior." They do not attempt to answer the Federation Council, heads the In A closer analysis of the philo question, ls there such a thing as an stitute on Cognitive Moral Educa sophic moorings that anchor objective moral standard?-which tion, based on the Kohlberg ap Kohlberg's system, however, should is essentially a religious question. proach, and has become a nation give pause to those who would rush On the heels of Socrates, who ally recognized expert in the field. to embrace concepts without ques- rejected the idea that "x is just" or
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Name Addre~~ (1!y ' Long-awaited sequel to Legacy of Sinai 18 The Jewish Obseroer, December 1990 "ought to be done" because "x is a becomes obvious that we and soci command of G-d" or "x is in the ety at large are on divergent paths, Bible," Koh!berg distinguishes be and it is precisely this point that tween moral and religious forms of non-Orthodoxgroupscannotgrasp. thinking and discourse. Morality is An approach contrary to Torah is a a decision-making process, and path of falsehood, essentially illu moral principles are exercised by sory-not only without value, but making choices in resolving moral without substance. The Torah Jew conflicts. Moral development, in his cannot grant it legitimacy by ac view, occurs regardless of whether knowledging it as a path to be con the individual has any particular sidered; he surely would not teach religious beliefs. his children to deal with falsehood Torah Judaism takes a different as one of several viable alternatives. approach, for we believe that "virtue" is synonymous with conformingwith G-d's will or command. As opposed to Kohlberg, we believe that moral fLLUMfNATE the laws of Chanukah with judgment and consciousness, are Moznaim's vocalized text of the singularly derived from religious Shulchan Arnch and Mappalt Clearly judgment and consciousness and and accurately translated by Rabbi not from human insight or under Aryeh Kaplan. The lqws of standing. Though this difference in Chanukah includes a digest of major commentaries, -·--:"T:•. approach should be obvious, the as we!! as many headlong rush towards Kohlbergand BEGINNING AT AN EARLY AGE important responsa his friends on the part of some Jew including such \ ish educators does demonstrate that contempomry works a very early age, we begin as those of the they recognize a desperate need to creating an awareness in our renowned Rabbi guide our children in their moral children of the awesome re Moshe Feinstein, zt"L A Extensively examining development. In addition, however, sponsibility that awaits them-that it shows that the pervasive influence custom as well as law, they realize their fullest potential as The laws of Chanukah provides of secular culture filters down to the people of the Torah. In the struggles the reader with a deeper insight Torah community more than we that await them, they should choose into al! aspects of the Feslii,.a! of care to admit. good not only for its material benefit Lights. $6.00 First, then, let us clarify the To or because it is intellectual gratify rah view on the subject: on what ing, but because one has no other basis do we determine what is and is choice if he wishes to be a Torah not moral? BRfGttTEN Jew. To be sure, this is achieved by your yotmg'>ter's 01anukah wilh tile To be sure, every society has its excercising freedom of choice, but whimsical, magical, lhorou~J!ily criteria for what is moral and what in this context it refers to the ability delightful The Chanukah is not, what is good and what is evil. Adventures of Yossi the Dre..amer. to acknowledge one's functional im Written by Leibe! Estrin and In the Torah frame of reference, the peratives and to act accordingly. illustrated by David Se:1rs. this book operative terms of moral thinking Man touches eternity through sub is an enchanting are not limited to good and evil, nor mission to G-d's will, eschewing addition to the to right and wrong, but actually submission to the self; or in the popular Moznaim extend to the realm of emes and libiary for young words of the Brisker Rav, "Bechira readers. Join sheker, truth and falsehood. That chofshis/free will means choosing loveable Yossi is, a course prescribed by Torah is to do what you may not wish to do." as he coqjures up character consistent with the Creator's designs At every level of maturity. man will for the world. and one forbidden by after character confront new manifestations of the in the 01anukah Torah runs contrary to His will same moral conflict: the battle be story and finally which is the essence ofall existence. tween emes and sheker. 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The Jewish Observer, December 1990 19 WHERE KOHLBERG'S SYSTEM FAILS closer analysis of the philosophic roma Torah perspective, there A is no essential difference be moorings that anchor Kohlberg's system F tween Kohlberg's stage one and six, or any other such plateau of should give pause to those who would rush to awareness, conflict. and resolution, no matter how valid they may be in embrace concepts without questioning the their own terms. Kohlberg's moral standards are foundations that may belie their surface man-oriented, with conflicts re solved through the presentation of attraction. moral dilemmas. This method,
which utilizes a rational process, cannot be reconciled with 1'orah's approach to education. which sees human opinion as an irrelevant factor in determining correct be havior. Moral conflicts are not re solved through use of broad prin· ciples, admirable though they may be; to the contrary, any decision that is self-centered, without refer ence to the Divine will, cannot be moral. Though a person may agree that every word of the Torah is true, and conform to its teachings, that alone is insufficient. We are guided by the clear declaration of Rashi(Sanhedrin From a Fledgling Idea 90a), regarding the person who be lieves in techiyas hameisim (resur to a Community-wide rection of the dead), but does not accept its Torah origins: "Mah Lanu Institution u'l'emunaso? V'chi meheichan hu yode'ashekeinhu?What[valuedoesJ his belief [have] to us? And from Masores Bais Yaakov whence does he know that it is so?" \\'hen the new school year recently opeiwd. (Ocean Avenue and An•nuc L). One cannot accept the mitzvos in a it ushered in a new era for Chinud1 Habonos \Iasores Bais Yaako\· responded to a critical sequence of"nishmah v'naaseh-we and the Tllrah community. ~'lasorc.<, Bais shortage of dassrooms for our girls. 'J(Jday, it Yaakov, founded with the encouragement and is a growing institution. helping educate our will understand them and then per direction of leading "li:nah authoritie~ recent daughters in the best spirit of our Mesnrah. form them," for the directives of the !y moved into its new magnificent building Tb date )Vtasores Bai:; Yaakov ha5: Torah are an imperative of nature, 8 ren11lted an impressive faculty with manv years of experience in not the end product of a host of education (including our acclaimed early childhood mechanchos} enlightened choices. Ill developed an ex<:ellen1 limudei kodcsh
20 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 has game in his mouth"-i.e. pow both the depths of the human psyche ers of entrapment. And though his and the secrets of creation. advances are often rejected, we fre While we certainly wish to en quently forget that this confronta· courage children to probe and ana tional framework, within which lyze, the process is a quest to un human beings are rendered vulner cover hidden gateways rather than able to persuasive seductions. is a struggle to accept convincing ar inimical to Torah, where truth is gumentation. The Sages are not paramount, self-evident, and should merely men of superior reasoning, not be forced to compete with alter whose words are open to discus native "truths." sion. Rather, they are standard Torah is not lo be "sold" as a bearers of an image once revealed, commodity to our students, who whose teachings stand as witness: will then weigh and measure its a faithful rendition of Sinai for sub words in light of what they currently sequent generations. It is not divrei hold true. Such an approach holds Chazal (the words of the rabbis of the Torah accountable to human Talmud) that need scrutiny, but standards, and despite its shining rather, the outlook of the recipient, luminescence, its words become who upon recognizing a discordant subject to questioning and scrutiny, note strives to re-adjust his risking weakened commitment and weltanschauung accordingly. even rejection. It is precisely at this point that The words of our Sages must be the weakness of Kohlberg becomes understood not as "interpretation," apparent. Take for example but as "revelation"-every nuance "Sharon's Dilemma"-a classic ex opening vistas of understanding into ample of the Kohl berg approach.
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The Jewish Observer. December 1990 21 SHARON'S DILEMMA cessful business.,. 1b Relive the Unforgettable The security officer turned to Moments ofa Historic Event: Sharon and her best friend Jill Sharon. "What's the name of the walked into a department store to girl you were with?" he asked. shop. As they browsed, Jill saw a Sharon looked up at him silently. blouse she really liked and told .ieome on now; come clean, "said Sharonshewantedtotrytheblouse the security office. "If you don't on. While Jill went to the dressing tell us, you can be charged with room Sharon continued to shop. the crime or with aiding the per Soon Jill came out ofthe dress son who committed the crime." ing room wearing her coat. She Question: Should Sharon tell caught Sharon's attention with Jill's name to the security oificer? her eyes and glanced down at the Why or why not? Whether you were part of blouse under her coat. Without a word. Jill turned and walked out Teacher/Facilitator this unique demonstration of Kiddush Probe Questions Sheim Shomayim and Kavod HaTorah, or of the store. Moments later the store secu Sharon's Dilemma were unable to be there, you will want to rity officer, a salesclerk, and the 1. Would it make any d![fer· have a copy of the official recording of store manager approached Sha ence if Sharon and Jill did not the entire proceedings, to hear every ron. 'That's her, that's one of the know each other very well? Why inspiring word spoken, every stirring girls. Checks her bags.,. blurted or why not? note sung, every "Omein Yehei Shmay the clerk. The security officer 2. Is it ever alright to lie? To Rabba" proclaimed. pointed to a sign over the door breakthelaw?Ifitis, underwhat saying that the store reseroed the circumstances? your copy now of your Get right to inspect bags and pack 3. Woulditmakead\fferenceif COMMEMORATIVE TWO-CASSETTE SET ages. Sharon gave him her bag. Jill had recently reported Sharon encased in an attractive customized "No blouse in here,,. he told the for cheating on a test at school? binder, including a copy of the Souvenir manager. "Then I know the other Why or why not? Program that was distributed at the girl has it, " the clerk said. "I saw 4. What would happen to so occasion. Only a limited number of sets them just as plain as anything. ciety if everybody were to lie, available. Submit your order while the They were together on this." The steal, or disobey laws whenever supply still lasts. You will treasure this security officer then asked the theyfelt like itorto protectfriends? commemorative set for years to come! manager if she wanted to follow 5. What would the storeowner through on the case. '"Absolutely,,. want Sharon to do? Why? The nis commemorative set has he insisted. '"Shoplifting ts getting security officer? Why? Her par· been produced by popular request as a to be a major expense in running ents? Why? The police? Why? public service, and is available for an this store. I can'tletshoplifl:ers off What obligation does she have to SIS contribution for each set (plus $2 the hook and expect to run a sue- each of these people? I postage/handling). An excellent gift item. Order extra sets for friends and family! Wreu"ht lren DIGEST OF MEFORSHIM ~~a ,tnp7 ,n:i ,t,,p7 AGUDATH ISRAEL PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENT IN8E,TRU4illBLE! 7":.-T illu7x 7xmw l"11i11Y.l 84 William Street, NYC 10038 INEKPEN,IVE ! A\1ailab/e at Enclosed please find my contribution of S for-· sets (SIS per set) of the 9th Atf\>ntien: ~ LEKUTEI Siyum Hashas of the Daf Yomi recording. l am including S2 additional for postage and handling. Y~hives cfo Yitzchok Rosenberg D 10 West 47th Street, Room 503 Kellelim New York, NY 10036 Name:------8-le-Batim . (212) 719-1717 Address:------GAii THE 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Medrash, Megilos and Talmud. City, State, Zip:------! 'htenQler Proceeds of sales distrihuted Check or money order must accompany this coupon. VenQIQr new' Please allow 4 weeks for delivery. an1ong Yeshivas and used for 7111 reprinting of volumes out-of-print Proceeds will he utilized to further the sturJ.y of Daf ll~-1C.18 PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME Yomi throughout the nation.
22 Tiie Jewish Obseroer. December 1990 This dilemma is designed to cre ate genuine conflict in the individual n~~n p~Y tzlj~~n n~~ participant, and to provoke a lively class discussion of the issues in proudly announces the opening of its new Mesivta volved. Students are encouraged to take a position and defend it, but at the same time to empathize with ,,~i,,nn ,,~r.l ~n::i" rir.l and tolerate contrasting views. l(HO"?VJ r"OVJi?Nl "'::110 :ii l"liili l"l1M'VJJ:l Observers of a class discussion following the presentation of such Our Ninth Grade Rebbi will be the outstanding 'µl'IZI dilemmas have described the classroom atmosphere as "student --- RABBI DOVID FINKELMAN - orien ted" -"debate-like" - "frus· MESIVTA ME0R HATALMUD'S filGH STANDARD trating-no clear answer" while the teacher's facilitative role has been OF 1ll'n Will· INaUM.: charactertzed as "open to all ideas" "did not have the answer"-"quiet • A comprehensive lf'll 'I'll) focusing on the Jr.)'Tll! appropriate to each ltlll'lll.l level much of the time." • Complete 4 year curriculum of 1111t•p:1 ..111.lm und n:l':m Clearly, the utilization of this and • Fully accredited English department similar di1emmas, and the manner • A warm niin D1Pll with sensitivity to the development of each 1"1.1'm in which it is presented, should • Emphuls on l'l1'!1.l and rilt ,-rt pose almost insurmountable prob • Centrally located, convenientto residents of Flatbush and Boro Park lems for those of us who view ethical behavior and sensitivity as func tions of Limud HaTorah and Registration is noto open for ninth grade for the coming school gear of:ram-N"JZ'Jl Mussar-the source material where For information please eontact the yeshiva at 1774 58th Street or call one carries out his and her quest for eternal truth. The "Dilemma" story RA81!1 USHER DAVID RABBI DOVID FINKEIMAN is designed to arouse feelings of Rosh Yeshiva Menahel personal loyalty and friendship, and 718-837·5006 718-851·7784 to direct students to focus upon and clarify their own opinions.
S. ll. "EZBA" INF.Al\T'l' AID :1-1"'Un-·-D ARE YOU MOVING? IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED This iS a.n tmGENT APPEAL to Aid Mothers in l!:retz Yl.Sroel INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? Who Afe In Dire Need To We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the JO to your home. Please Furnish Their New Born In" attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address fa.nte With. Layettes, Bla.nkats, Sweaters, Et.c .. and computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the In The Merit Of address label. This G:reat Mltzvah ADDRESS CHANGE FORM MSJ'.TheAJ.JILJgb.fjy Bless You (Affix label here) In El11 Wa.lks OfLife .ll!JUfo.t'l141d .11,y: llebeh The Jewish Observer, December 1990 23 In contrast, the Torah Jew is cer sonal view can only be viewed as a system in the hearts and minds of tainly obliged to be aware of these hindrance from a perspective that our children. feelings, but they are to be viewed as envisions absolute truth as an objec Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, N"1''°nl. pitfails, rather than as a source for tive reality. The mere hint of friend writing of the necessity for shimush decision making, Ki hashochad ship would disqualify a judge from talmidei chachamtm (apprenticing yaaver einei clmchamim-one's per- legal proceedings, all the more so the Torah scholars), points in amaze lay individual, who must eliminate ment to the diligence with which any personal bias if there is to be any our sages attached themselves to hope of moral development. their teachers, even to the extent of 0 PENS 0 BUTIONS °KEYRINGS entering their private quarters to ° CALENDARS 0 WEARABLES A TRADITIONAL ALTERNATIVE observe firsthand how a Jew should behave. "Torah hi v'Wmod ani 0 DESK ITEMS 0 MUGS erhaps a fresh look at a more tzarich-it is Torah and I mustlearn" Low Prices • Rush Service traditional approach would (Berachos 62a). CITICOM (718) 692-0999 P bear fruitful results as we And what of the students of today, strive to preserve our own moral many ofwhom rarely have the oppor- Sh'mos Series III The Commuter's Chavrusah Learn Sb'mos with Rabbi Yissocher Fl'lllld, Magid Shiur, Ner Israel Yeshiva Turn yourcommute time into learning time. You'll explore loscinoting Holochic issues in the latest series oltopes from Robbi Frond's popular weekly shiur at Baltimore's Agudoth ~roel. Join him in the bois medrosh os he examines the progression of Halacha lrom the Chumash through poskim to current responso. Each tape concludes with Hashkolo ond ethical applications related to that Porsha. Starting with series III, every lull sefer ordered comes in a convenient album. It's a fine gilt for a friend, relative or yourself. Sh'mos/Series III Q No. 129•Sh'mos--Giving English Names Q No. l30•Va'eyra--The lssurol Entering a Church Q No. 131 • Bo--Sephardic vs. Ashkenazic Pronunciation: Is There a Correct Way? Q No. 132 • B'shalach--Standing for Krias Hatorah O No. 133• Yisro--Honoring In-Laws O No. 134 • Mishpatim--Hashovas Aveida: Returning Lost Objects O No. 135• T'rumah--Living Above a Shul Q No. 136• Titzaveh--Purim Costumes: Anything Goes? Q No. 137 •Ki Sisa--The Census: Can Jews Be Counted? Q No. 138•Vayakhel/Pikudei--The Melacha o!Tying Knots TO ORDER, send $7 per tope {includes shipping and handling). OR send SSS for the entire Sh'mos/Series III, a $70 value. Acotologue listing oll of Rabbi Frond's lopes will be included with eoch order. Moke check poyohle lo Yod Ye Nome ______Add1ess City _____S.lote_Zip_ (ALSO AVAllABLE AT EICHLER'S ANO OTHER FINE BOOKSTORES) Tod Yethiel is o qualified 11011-profit orgonizotio11 dedicated to the memory of R:eb Yed1iel be11 R:eb Nochmon Dovid Holeivi. 24 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 tunity to even see a flesh-and-blood standing of the Torah. "-Rabbi talmid chacham, much less come in Shlomo Wolbe, in Alei Shur p. 76 contact With the truly great sages of HOTLINE yesteryear? What are they to do? THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER TO JERUSALEM How does one know that when hallenging students to grow In lime of illness. surgery or one hears {Torah] from a Jew of beyond themselves-beyond crisis. special prayers will be modest stature that it should be their limited perceptions received as though he hears it C recited al the Western Wall and from a person Wise in Torah? The is our definition of moral develop al our Yeshiva in Jerusalem. passage says. "[Let these matters) ment. The proper role of the teacher that I command you today .... " And in this setting should be to inspire not just from a wise man, but as his students to broaden their hori CALL 24 HOURS though it were from the zons. This cannot be accomplished 1 (800) 545-PRAY Sanhedrin.... And not. .. just from by merely exposing them to differ the Sanhedrin, but as though it were from Moshe. And not. .. just ent ideas. but rather, by demon A FREE PUBLIC SERVICE OF from Moshe, but as though from strating through word and deed how The American Rabbi Meir the "one shepherd"-G-d Him an individual can subsume and Baal Haness Charily self. ... --Kohelles Rabba, 12: 11 submerge his own identity to the KOLEL AMERICA It is not divrei Chazal (the words of the rabbis of Talmud) KADDISH that need scrutiny, but rather, the ourlook of the recipient, Mishnayoth. Yizkor & Yortzeit who upon recognizing a discordant note strives to re observed with a minyon in our Yeshiva Heichal Rabbi Meir adjust his weltanschauung accordingly. Baal Haness in Jerusalem. CALL (718) 871-4111 Rabbi Wolbe highlights this pas directives of the Torah. In short, he sage as illustrating that the value must recreate Maamad Har Sinai 132 Nassau St., N.Y., N.Y. 10038 and impact of a message is not the assembly at Mount Sinai-where dependent upon the greatness of the entire nation was reborn. His the teacher. To the contrary, one position is never neutral. for he who listens properly can find the must act as guide, to measure the words of the most modest of indi students' responses on the scales of viduals as illuminating as if they truth and falsehood: to locate the were uttered by G-d Himselfl sheker inherent in every difficulty, Shmias haozen-proper listen and to bring his charges closer to ing, the second of the foriy-eight emes. qualities by which Torah is ac Moral growth will never be Rabbi Zelig Pliskin quired-is the key ingredient of achieved by an approach that de Director of Aish HaTorah's Counseling shimush talmidei chachamim. mands less, for unless change is Center and bestselling author of Teaching our students to listen expected from our students, they Gateway to Hdpplness, Love Your properly to the words of our Sages, Will merely co-opt whatever infor Nelghbor,PowerofWords "to abandon the urge to speak mation they acquire to their pre on one's own and develop new presents a kaleidoscope ofTor ah wis modes of thought, but rather find existent mindset. Only minor ad dom, practical psychology, and real sustenance and support in listen justments Will be made to satisfy life tips on these important topics: ing to the words of the Rav with any conflict, rather than the com •Happiness: A Torah Approach to Emotions precision and exactitude. plete transforma~\on that emes •Teaching Children about Lashon Harah "To be sure, we are not speaking sometimes requires. • Identifying Personality Types of blind acceptance, but a deep •Growth Through Torah and all-encompassing compre Though the teacher need not be a hension, to the greatest extent world class scholar. he must be true possible. to the Torah he teaches. A disem 4 tape set only $ l 9.95 "... not to surrender in any way a bodied understanding of the lesson (<1dd $2.SOsh!p.&.hand.) ~ direct understanding: to the extent he is teaching is not Truth. Only if a student serves his Rav, he will Aish HaTorah il.Ces increase his knowledge. strengthen he fulfills the task set out by Mesi/as Audio Center from Yeslwrim-"'she'yisbarer v'yisames 900 Forest Ave. DcpL U6 lem his Wisdom, and purify his inde Lakewood, NJ 08701 pendent approach to an under- etzel ha'adam, ... that [these teach- The Jewish Observer, December 1990 25 ingsJ be clear and truthful to him" - can he be portrayed as a living manifestation of an emes worthy of Subscribe now to emulation. The truth will speak for itself- "Chochmos bachutz tarona birchovos titein kola-wisdom will The Jewish Observer resound in the streets, and give voice in the avenues." To adduce support from external sources can and$AVE only detract from its glistening per fection. 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July 26 71ie Jewish Observer, December 1990 Yaakov Astor When a History Class Contains Torah Lessons Map showing the Allied landings on the coast of Normandy, June 6, 1944 ~ D-DalJ for Operation Overlord. the liberation of western Europe. teach English and American dent that even secular historians to us. but Hitler was just a couple of History at one of the local could only sit back in amazement. simple twists of fate away from wip I yeshivas in the afternoon. Sev June6, 1944wasarguablyoneof ing out his most powerful foe, and enth grade. Call me suicidal. but I the most important days of this tightening his hold on Europe for actually enjoy it...usually. At the century. On this day. "0-Day," the the unforeseeable future. very least, I attempt to learn some seemingly impregnable armor of After several days of discussing thing for myself. Nazi-occupied Europe was pierced: the event with my class, I pulled out I stress to the boys that if we are the largest invasion force ever as a copy of Cornelius Ryan's The going to spend our time on secular sembled-5,000 warships. 11,000 Longest Day, my source for facts. To studies we have to gain something planes. and 200,000 soldiers-con prove to them the incredible hash from it. Concerning English, I ex verged on the shores of Normandy. gacha pratis ofD-Day, I volunteered plain to them the value of being able France, all in one long day! The to open the book at random and lo express oneself clearly in writ invasion was so successful that the read a section aloud. I opened to a ing-especially in today's media combined Allied forces pushed for page directly tied into the previous oriented society. As for history, l try ward and were able to sink the day's discussion on 0-0ay: What to demonstrate how Torah Jews dagger of defeat into the heart of was Hitler \!1"' doing that morning? should read history with an eye out Hitler's "impregnable" Germany for the hashgacha pratis-the Di within one year. THE SLEEPING FUHRER vine Providence-in events. In our In retrospect, the casual reader most recent history-lesson, this point of history might be hard put to he Great Dictator was fast came across clearly; in fact the comprehend how such a large inva asleep that morning, after a hashgacha pratis was so self-evi- sion could fail. Upon closer inspec T late night of partying. The tion, however, the line between total officer responsible for awakening Yaakov Astor Jives in Monsey. N.Y. This is his victory and total defeat was very him in case of an emergency ratio first appearance in "J11eJewish Observ~r. thin, indeed. It is incomprehensible nalized that the reports of Allied The Jewish Observer. December 1990 27 attacks in France were not really "Desert Fox ... so named for his ge request. to say the least. This wor unusual. In truth, he was terrified nius in engineering great victories ried the "Desert Fox"; if the invasion of having to stir the Fuhrer and risk for the Nazis in North Africa. Hitler were to come, he would need to facing the wrath of his foul temper. had put Rommel in charge of forti mobilize the tanks immediately. Thus, we have our first bit of hash fying Northern Europe against the Waiting for permission from the gacha pratis. anticipated Allied invasion. Experts Fuhrer in Germany could cost him However. Hitlerhad capable mili agree that Rommel's genius was the precious hours. On the morning of tary men fighting for him. There greatest threat to the Allied forces. June 6. therefore. Rommel was al fore. at first glance. it may not seem Where was Rommel on June 6? most 1,000 miles away from important that he be informed After five and a half months in Eu Normandy. and the tank division immediately... at first glance. rope preparing and waiting for the was still dependent on the orders of The plot thickens. though. expected invasion. he decided he Hitler. had to pay a visit to the Fuhrer. Why And the Fuhrer. on whose word THE MISSING GENERAL did he have to visit him now? Be rested the mobilization of the tank cause Hitler had ordered that the division that could have stopped the he most capable ofGermany·s huge division of tanks defending invasion, was fast asleep. generals was a man named Normandy should be under his The plot thickens even more. T Erwin Rommel, the famed personal command-an unusual THE CROWDED AGENDA btainingcontrolofthetanks the hat rack was not Rommel's only 5416 16th Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. O reason for leaving the site of the invasion; it may not even have (718) 871 -2278 been his main reason. He wanted to return to Germany because he needed a short reprieve from the strain of guarding 3.000 miles of European beach. trying to stay one ((STETSON)) step ahead of the Allies. Further more. June 5 seemed a good time to ~.HABIG temporarily leave the front for an other reason: his wife's birthday was coming up. KANGOL • LONDON FOG Her birthday was June 6. CAPS• TIES Rommel had another reason for leavingwhenhedid. Weather reports called for a continuation of the gales and storms that had been besetting Northern Europe. which made inva sion highly unlikely. The weather YOUR CAR IN ISRAEii also worried General Dwight D. TYPE OF CAR Eisenhower, the man in charge of the Allied invasion forces. In fact . .. the invasion force had actually headed out to sea on June 5, only to be called back because of the weather. Late on June 5, General Eisenhower received a report that surprisingly predicted a partial clearing for the morning of June 6. Had Rommel Mayed around a little longer. he tco might have received that report. Eisenhower's decision-making process is clouded in mystery. He was aware that the weather alone could turn the invasion into the greatest military defeat in history: 28 The Jewish Obseroer. December 1990 History is replete with seaborne ar madas suffeling disasters. Yet after long. intense thought. for a reason he himself could not recall. he de cided to take the huge Iisk. As for history, I try to demonstrate how Torah Jews should read history with an eye out for the hashgacha r=-= :-....,.-.... ~- :-=.-.,-.....: .-.. .-. - .,,...... !'."""' ------=-- --- pratis-the Divine ----....r:;, Providence-in events. ~t JI. re you related to t t In our most recent lit leading Rabbinic and tit history lesson, the tt Chassidic dynasties? t t t1 t You may find the surprising answer in the new revised edition of ·'t hashgacha pratis was THE UNBROKEN CHAIN, the comprehensive record of illustrious 1, so self-evident that even Jewish families from the 15th-20th century. This book connects us ~ ~t to famous Rabbinic families and Chassidic dynasties of the past in an 1 secular historians could tI t unbroken chain of scholarship, royalty and renown. t t only sit back in ~t THE ~ amazement. flt UNBROKEN flt flt CHAIN tit THE ENDLESS STRING OF SPECIAL FACTORS ~It •2 DELU:::L::::::::NVOLUMES f1 , hese are just a few of an •, •OVER 40 GENEALOGICAL CHARTS , 1, endless stling of hashgacha ' •OVER 6,000 FAMILY NAME INDEX T pratis events related to the ,1, •THOUSANDS OF BIOGRAPHICAL ,1, pages I opened randomly, the SKETCHES ' hashgacha pratis which turned D 1 Day into the beginning of the end of , COMPUTER CENTER FORJEWISH GENEALOGY t1 t Nazi Germany rather than what could have been (dare we think about 1 it?) the end of the beginning. I have ~ '~~.-·:~::::::~f;~:~::: ...... ~ .. not even touched upon the Nazi war t games scheduled for the morning of June 6, which drew away from the battle areas more than a half-dozen tt P·U·B·L·I·S·H·E·R·S t,t top-ranking German military offic 180ParkA,'enue· Lakewood Nj08701 ·(201)905-3000· Fax (201)367-6666 ers, who were scheduled to stage t1 t U.K. and Europe l Palm Court. Queen Elizabeth Walk, London N16 England ~ that very morning a mock invasion: I Israel Rechov M1shkalo' 18/6, Har Nof,Jerusalem 1 a mock invasion of the Allies on I t Please send for our free Book List ' Normandy! I also did not mention '1 2 Volume h/c $69 95 · Postage and handling $8 00 per set , the Providence that left the German 1 air force with only two fighter planes C...1£...:-a...... ~:>E::--G-:-a-==--....~..!t The Jewish Obseroer, December 1990 29 in the area, where the day before mined for a Torah lesson; don't leave there were over 1251 (The class es the front to visit your wife just be pecially enjoyed the report of the cause it's her birthday. BIG German air force commander's re sponse that morning to the call from KING SOWMON'S LESSON APPLE headquarters suggesting that he put COPY & PRINTING his wings on alert. "Alert! Alert!" he f course, the greatest lesson CENTER shouted into the phone. 'Tm alert! is that it reminds us ofwhat 87 NASSAU ST My other pilot is alert! We're all 0 King Solomon. in his wis NEW YORK, NY 10038 alert! You idiots only left us with two dom, said, "The heart of the king (212) 9624282 planes!") and his ministers is in the hand of (212) 267-9478 What can we glean from all this? Hashem." Who told Eisenhower to This is no such thing as coinci invade despite the risk? Who in dence: even secular studies can be spired Rommel to leave the front just when he did? And who saw to it that, fifty or so years beforehand, a baby who was to become General Rommel's wife should be born on June 6? ...Who made Hitler get the idea that he should have control of CONCERN FOR mobilizing the tanks? Who made him sleep late that morning, and THE LIVING is a comprehensive who made his aide not take the collection of laws and customs reports of a possible invasion relating to death and mourning. seriously? ...Who put in the minds CONCERN FOR THE LIVING of the Nazi commanders to schedule • provides a concise formulation of war games for June 6, and to leave essential laws and traditions a mere two planes in the invasion + explores the background and reasons area?... And who caused all the other myriad "coincidences"? To quote for many varied customs TARcuM/FEL011111M ---' • and is written with great clarity and sensitivity-valuable to scholar Uncle Moishe: "Of course, it was and layman alike. - A Targum Press Book. H.C. $12.95 Hashem." On a deeper level, the king and his ministers are our own head and heart. KingSolomon'sstatementwas not only directed toward hashgacha klalis, Divine Providence over world events; it also refers to ha.shgacha pratis, Providence governing the Tochnit details of our individual lives. If we but gaze into our own lives perhaps BAISYAAKOV we will see how a little spark of evil can grow and rise to hold great Bayit Vegan, P.O.B. 16406, Jerusalem, Israel power. We might also see how we can overcome it when we enlist Di A seminary program for the Bais Yaahov vine assistance. Our obligation as high school graduate. teachers and individuals, then, is to teach others and ourselves about all the hashgacha pratis inherentin • Intensive program of Limudei Kodesh • Outstanding mechanchim everything we do. We can then, per • Tiyulim • Warm atmosphere • College accreditation haps, come to realize (among other • Teacher training program with certificates things) that evil can be confronted • Emphasis on midos and character and defeated; that, in fact, it has no For more information contact P0.8. 16406 purpose other than to be the victim Jerusalem Israel 02-422-062 of that great and awesome D-Day or call 718-846-4695 or 718-441-9495 promised us in the future, which we Rabbi Yehoshua Freilach, Dean are all anxiously awaiting. and can Rabbi Mordechai Adelman, Menahel in our own small way help bring about. • 30 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 Malky Brailofsky Insek av1e• IT DOESN'T PAY TO BOTHER most of the household chores. And unlike most children, who receive a he general system of educa cheery, "Thank you, darling, the tion used in our yeshivas and laundry was folded beautifully," and T Bais Yaakovs today is prob then later. "Good night, you were a ably as good as it will ever be. very good girl today," Chavie mer Teachers strive to abide by it. prin ited none of these. Bitter, unhappy cipals aim to enforce it, and parents round in my mind. How true they parents either could not or would may, at times. try to fight it. Some seemed! not tell her. times, though, a lack of sufficient Most of my students were point Isita wonder. then, I mused, that resources may force Torah schools ing at the proper places in their Chavie behaves as she does? She to sidestep some painful situations, Siddurtm. chanting the words of probably imagines herself trapped even though they are mandated to "AshreC with vitality. Admittedly, in a cage, with the world one big deal with them. Sometimes, a wise, two were examining the cracks in prison around her. Good for duties, more-experienced member of the their desks, and one was fingering good for tasks. but for little else. administration may advise a novice her new bracelet. Chavie, though, Why should she smile? Why should teacher to budget her time and ef sat in a world of her own. she raise her hand? Why should she fort in a way that seems to deprive a An onlooker would surely have study? Noone cares, noone needs student of some desperately needed concluded that Chavie was deaf. Or me. Noone thinks I am important. attention. A student like Chavie. dumb. Or both. But she was none of The girls were davening Fortunately, I didn't listen. these! She sat low in her chair, her Shemoneh Esrei by now. Chavie "It really doesn't pay to bother thin hands resting limply in her lap. stood motionless near her desk, her yourself with Chavie. She has never Her Siddur was still open to "Adon Siddur lying limply in her hands. A participated in any type of school olam"; she hardly bothered turning fresh wave of pity washed over me, work whatsoever. I'm afraid that the pages. Her head was bent so, and my heart ached for her. Maybe she will never be a student. Just let that it was nearly parallel to her I could do something. her be; it would prove a wasted desk. Sad dark eyes stared blankly The principal's words crept back effort to try to get her to cooperate at the pages. Her lips mumbled in into my mind. "Just let her be-it nothing has ever worked." audibly; not a sound escaped them. really doesn't pay." I fought a quick As I watched my elementary I thought of the sketchy details inner battle, and one more glance at school class daven, these words. that I knew. Not as lucky as most Chavie told me who had won. spoken to me by the principal at a Jewish children, who come home "I'll show them," I thought fiercely. private meeting, echoed round and each day to a loving, happy home, "We're going to take this Chavie and Chavie's home was ravaged by replace her with a new one. A happy Mrs. Brailofskylivesin Brooklyn. N,Y, Her poem, ~High in the Hills ofYerushalyim.~ was featured marital strife. The oldest of the brood one. A caring one. A loved one, and in JO, June '89. of children, she bore the brunt of a loving one." The Jewish Observer, December 1990 31 THE LONG, LONG "QUICKEST ROUTE" he quickest route to success, I concluded, was an outpour T ing oflove. I was so sure that once Chavie sensed that I truly cared for her and that I had confidence in her abilities, she would shine. A story that Avi Shulman once told in a lecture strengthened me in my resolve. He described a poor beg gar who sat on a broken crate on a street corner selling shoelaces. All day. as passersby approached his comer. he would call out, begging them to make a purchase. One day, the bank president.from Rabbi Shlomo Braunstein Rosh Yeshiva, the next block passed by ourfriend. Robbi Zachariah Gelley Darchei Noam, NY He had often observed him riding in Rav. Khal Adath his shiny black limousine, and now Jeshurun, N.Y. Robbi Moshe Meiselmon Rosh Yeshiva. he approached with a gait so sure Rabbi Berel Wein Toras Moshe, Jerusalem Rav, Cong. Shaore Torah, N.Y. and certain. The seller held his breath Robbi Or. Herschel Fried Robbi Moshe Sherer as the entrepreuner edged closer to Educational Consultant, President, Agudath Israel the milkbox. Agudath Founder of "Chush" of America "Please. kind sir," he whispered. Robbi Oovid Olewski Israel of Rebbitzen "Would you care to buy a pair ofnew Rosh Mesivta, Zahavo Braunstein black shoelaces?" Bois Yisroel-Gur, NY California Principal. Ateret Torah, NY "Well. "the president bent down to For more information call {213) 937-1675 examine the wares. "You know that I only deal with merchandise that is of the finest quality. Are these laces the best that money can buy? Hmmm. ... Yes. they lookquiteelegant. I will take two pairs. Thank you very much. and good luck." The beggar stared at his customer 1111 LJ~' ''I L1Dll as tucked his pµrchase into his smart Presenting a New Cassette Tape by leather case and strode quickly on. "Did you hear what he said?" he RAV NOACH WEINBERG, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivas Aish Ha Torah asked himself. "He said that these laces are top quality. That's quite .. Seizing The Moment.. nice. if I can sell merchandise to please the bank president himself. Through these accounts of fascinating, true-life experiences you will: then maybe I can get a decent job and eam a decent salary. You never Iii LEAlllil how to approach non-Frum people know." In time, this poor. seemingly Iii UNDERSTAND the issues non-Frum people want to deal with worthless man had worked his way !II FEEL the excitement of changing someone's life up the economic ladder. occupying an enviable position in a local firm. COST: $5 (Includes shipping & handling) As the girls closed their Siddurim I reflected that Chaviewas very much like this man. She had no aspira tions, simply because she felt that <> she would never succeed. Well, I Call (718) 3 77-8819 for information about our New York programs. resolved. I will give Chavie a taste of success. And I'm going to make it 32 The Jewish Observer. December 1990 taste so good. that she will want lo my goal. Nothing. know how lo handle kind words. lick the spoon over and over again. l began walking up and down the Yet. But how can l show a student rows more often during davening. I thought of how to get Chavie to success when the pages of her participate more in the les notebook are consistently sons. Her notebook was a blank? How could l possibly collection of papers, most of show her that she could earn "It really doesn't pay to bother them bent and blank, a few a passing grade when every covered with illegible mark lest paper is handed in mostly yourself with Chavie. She has ings. She literally never raised blank? her hand in class. neither to Forget il, l told myself. never participated in any type of ask a question. nor to answer Forget the scholastic part of one. Chavie. Worry first about schoolwork whatsoever. Just let Before the Chumash lesson Chavie, the starving Jewish the next day. I approached child. WorryaboutChavie, the her be." Chavie quietly. and urged her student, later. Just love her, to attempt to write notes. and show her that you do. The "Just write the hard words rest will follow naturally. in every pasuk," l coaxed. As I passed Chavie' s desk, I would "This way. you'll be able to say the pat her back gently. Repeatedly, l pasuk for me tomorrow." FINDING THE TOOLS OF LOVE would place her finger at the proper She didn't even look up as I spoke. word in the Siddur, stroking her Her eyes glued to her desk. she o here l was. I had a goal. l cheek as my hand moved back. simply shrugged, ending the con had a dream. But I had the At recess one day. I complimented versation. S backing of noone. And l did her on how pretty her hair looked. "This is going to be a slow go," I not know which tools to use to But she didn't even acknowledge decided, "if it's going to go at all." achieve my goal. I just knew that it my words; just looked sadly right A week later. the class took a had to be achieved. And nothing past me. as if l wasn't there. I knew Chumash test on two perakim. As was going to come between me and that she had heard. but she did not usual, ninety percent of Chavie's 7n1JJ ni?'!JTl Everyone knows the power of prayer at To rush your Tefillah request to Eretz Yisroet. the Kosel! Unfortunately. people throughout the world contact the representative in your area: can only be 7?!:!nT.J there during a rare visit. We solved the problem' Through our method of foxing your Mr. & Mrs. Gelber 718-236-6814 requests to prominent Talmidei Chochom·1m ln Rabbi & Mrs. Moskowitz 201-363-4401 Yerusholayim, your prayers can be answered! A & personal representative will daven at the ;n1!:) for all Rabbi Mrs. Trenk 718-339-6526 your needs: health, pornoso, sh'1dduchim, raising Rabbi & Mrs. Feuereisen 718-633-6002 children. etc. In addition. your donation will help Rabbi & Mrs. Sutton 914-356-0717 impoverished Kolel families throughout lsroel Please mail your tax-deductible This project is endorsed by the following Gedolim: nvi1 :iiln nl'V' ,ONO tHiilN :ii:i donation to: inll1Nl'l ,l"t;,i' l'IVll'l lil'I Rabbi & Mrs. Zevy Trenk nvi1 :ii1n n:a'V' ,t"O tl1N1 :ii:i 1586 E. 9th St. j10l'l'lllUl'l i1niNl'1 ,U~")Q li'1.>' :ii:i Brooklyn, N.Y.11230 The Jewish Observer. December 1990 33 paper was blank. Some questions had scribbles on the appropriate MALOHN blanks. On impulse, 1 filled in the answers near some of the questions MIFAL BIG that she had left empty. Then 1 VISITING NEW YORK?? APPLE made big red checks near those Beautiful rooms. with kitchen COPY & PRINTING numbers. Every scribble that she facilities, in heart of Soro Park CENTER had made was neatly crossed out, by day or week. Near Shuls, and 1 printed the correct responses 87 NASSAU ST neatly nearby. These questions, too, take-out foods, etc. Profits to NEW YORK, NY 10038 Mifal Torah Vodaas. (212) 962-4282 were awarded bright checks. With a (212) 267·9478 flourish, 1 marked a big 75 on the Call f718J 851·Z969 paper. Under the mark, I wrote "Chavie, 1 see that you have done beautiful work. You have made me truly proud. Let's see ifyou can keep on making me so happy. 1 am sure To Schools and Organized Groups that you could!" When I presented the tests to the Planning Trips to Washington principal, as was the rule, she looked Add this newest "must" stop on any at me in surprise when she hit Chavie's 75. Her questioning glance Orthodox tour of the nation's capital: demanded an explanation. "l am trying a new method," I THE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF explained. "No, ofcourseshedidnot AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA deserve this mark. I gave it to her as a present. I think I know what I am Gust a few short blocks from the White House). doing. Just have patience, and we Be briefed on the most important current activities in Agudath might see fantastic results." Israel's advocacy for Orthodox Jewish rights and interests. I received a frown and a this-is-a Visits must be arranged in advance. For information, write or call: b!t-ridiculous look. Undaunted, I hurried to the classroom to return Agudath Israel of America Washington Office the papers. Suite 411, 1730 Rhode Island A\>ellue N.W., Washington, O.C. 20036 Was I in for a disappointment. (202)835-0414 Chavie didn't even smile when she saw her grade! I expected at least some sign of satisfaction. But I re ceived none. I bit my lip in despair. Perhaps there truly was no way to reach Chavie? The days turned into weeks. I constantly tried, by subtle move TORAH STUDY ments, to convey to Chavie that I By Rabbi Yehudah Levi loved her and was proud of her, and This contemporary classic discusses the wanted to be even prouder. Fellow parameters and practical applications that relate to teachers took notice of my cam the mitzvah of 'Talmud Torah'. paign, and as Chavie had several sisters in the school with similar problems, they asked me how I was going about it. I related the method that 1 used to mark her last test as an example of what I felt was the primary goal: reaching the neshama inside, not the scholastic ability. 'That's insane. How can you give a 75 when she deserves a O?" "How?" I replied grimly. "With a pen." 34 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 THE PAGES WERE COVERED WITH SENTENCES ne day. l glanced at ChaVie's notebook. The pages were Ocovered with neatly-written sentences. How beautiful her handwriting actually was! Each let- ter was perfectly formed. as if she had been writing this way since first grade. Her lonely eyes lit up like a lantern as l told her so. She slowly began raising her hand in class. At first. even when she spoke lo me. she would still stare down at her desk. But as she got used to speaking and being spoken lo, she would look straight at me as we conversed. The English principal was wail ing for me as I left the school build ing one day. "l want to tell you that ChaVie is improving tremendo11sly in her studies. l was told that you were working on her, and so l thought you would be interested to know. She has begun showing great inter est in all aspects of the program." l thanked her politely. noting si lently that had l showed her that RABBI AVROHOM GOLDBERG, D!R!;{:T Otfrr~ Shidudiim S\T\'in·~ !(ir: 0 Single D \Vidowc>d 0 DiHinTd MODUVYIT n:i:s 1\LL 1\{;J;s Call: (718) 338-2170 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 35 test paper crowned with a 75, she would surely have berated me for THE Yl'I"I'Y LEIBEL my foolishness. 1 looked forward to the following HELP-LINE ! week with trepidation. I had sched uled a major Chumash test on an A Free Service of the Yitty Leibel Chesed Fund entire parsha. 1 wondered what Chavie would show. The day before. • Marital problems? • Fear of break-down? I called her aside, reminding her • Overpowering stress? • Parent-child friction? again to study as well as she could because I expected big things from Do you have problems like these and are afraid or ashamed to talk to her tomorrow. anyone? ... Do you want a trained, wise, warm professional who will The tension in the class was pal talk to you on the phone? pable. The girls quickly turned over Some of the Torah _community's highly skilled psychologists, social the test papers and began working. workers, and therapists are ready to help. Your consultation will be It was a challenging exam, and they treated with the utmost discretion. You may remain anonymous if you prefer. They understand. They're trained. They have Ahavas YisraeL worked feverishly. At the clang of the recess bell. many had still not H 0 U R S finished. Chavie, too, was still writ Sunday through Friday 8:00-12:00 Noon ing. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday 9:00-11:00 PM Finally, the papers were collected. Wednesday, Thursday 8:00-11:00 PM I stole a quick glance at Chavie's. Every blank was filled in! I marked her paper the moment I Dial (718) HELP-NOW (435-7669) arrived home. Chavie had truly This project has been approved by leading Torah authori!ies. earned a 96! I read and reread her answers in disbelief. So this was the girl that would never succeed in school! This was the girl who should not even be bothered with! P.S. live at present only a couple of blocks away from Chavie. Of I ten, I pass her on the street. walking alone or with friends. The Volume 1-C covers the morning blessings and the other day. I saw her conversing with 'Reading of the Shma', corresponding to two classmates on the corner. Her Chapters 44-88 in the Shulchan Aruch. happy face and animated way of speaking bespoke true joy and confi Volume 1-D covers the laws of Shemoneh Esrei, and extends until Chapter 127 in the Shulchan Aruch. dence. I tried to compare herwith the Chavie who sat low in her seat, eyes never once looking upon me. I could not. There was simply no comparison. That first Chavie was gone. A new one had come instead. • 36 The Jewish Observer. December 1990 ~IStORY IS up ~OR adoption In 1988, under the direction of Hogoon Rav Avrohorn. Pam, Shlito and the endorsement of.oil leading Gedolim, the Adopf1on program was born This bold new plan, now encompassing 34 towns and villages throughout Israel, hos already mode moior inroads 1n Torah educof1on_ Concerned, dedicated committees "odop!" individual areas and provide the loco! Chinuch Atzmoi Torah Schools with the resources they need for expansion and development. Now as never before, thousands of Russian immigrants and others are flood SUNDAY JANUARY 20, 1991 RECEPTION 5:00 PM• DINNER 6:00 PM LE CHATEAU 413 AVENUE P BROOKLYN, NEW YORK CAMPAIGN CHAIRMEN YEHOSHUA MEHLMAN• YAAKOV SAFIER• SHOLOM SELENGUT • SHIMON SOLOFF JOURN,\L CHAIRMEN CHAIM HOROWITZ • ABRAHAM C. NUSSBAUM NEW CHARTER PRESENTATION: CHARTERED IN 1989: BEER SHtVA • BET SHEMESH CHADERA • PARDES CHANA CHATZOR • CHOLON • HERZLIYA DIMONA •GANE! TIKVAH LEVAN DA, TEL-AVIV• NETIVOT YAHUD OHR AKIVA • RANANA • YAVNEH TORAH SCHOOL FOR ISRAEL CH/NUCH ATZMAI TO PLACE RESERVATIONS & JOURNAL ADS PLEASE CALL: 212-248-6200 • FAX 212-248-6202 @Raisin Bran. In a word, Premium. Of all the words you could use to describe Plus, POST Raisin Bran has big, crispy POST Raisin Bran, one word says it best: flakes made from whole wheat and wheat PREMIUM. bran for high fiber and great taste. First, it's improved to taste even better. POST Raisin Bran. So good, we call it And, POST refuses to settle for small raisins "PREMIUM". and chooses only big, select raisins. POST.® Making each day count the Kosher way.® Eli Gewirtz Confessions of an Outreach ''Professional'' hrough an act of Divine Providence and the confi Thousands of the individuals whose appetites T dence of a few benevolent in dividuals. I served for a period of six have been whetted are thirsty for more years as a Rabbi in a small New Jersey community. Ff'win Rivers. 1 information, further clarification and additional Friends who were familiar with the level of religious observance in this Shabbos experiences with Frum families. Only a community often wondered what on earth a nice Jewish boy was doing in small percentage are having their thirst quenched. a place like this. (Sometimes I did, too.) As Jewish outreach became more fashionable, however. people unique demand exists for non-pro Thousands of the individuals whose wondered less why I chose to live fessional volunteers to augment the appetites have been whetted are and work there, and more about the existing resources. thirsty for more information. fur "what"s and the "how"s of what I ther clarification and additional was doing. In time, I developed a THE PROBLEM Shabbos experiences with frum reputation. for better or for worse, families. Only a small percentage as an outreach "Professional." he problem. if you can call it are having their thirst quenched. Whether or not that title befits that, is the unprecedented This point can be illustrated, for this writer certainly merits further T success of the various out example, when considering the de probing, but it is not relevant to the reach efforts. Connecting with one's mand generated by Aish HaTorah's point intended here. A more critical Jewish roots is "in" these days. Discovery Seminar. During the last question is whether the concept of People from all walks of life are year alone, more than 3,500 indi an outreach "professional" fosters taking classes. attending seminars, viduals from secular backgrounds the impression that outreach be joining beginners' minyanim and attended Discovery Seminars held longs exclusively in the hands of even talking about Judaism in the in North America. This is in addition professionals. While the hundreds workplace. Take, for example, the to approximately 1.200 American of gifted individuals who have number of recent Jewish Obseroer students yearly, who attend the dedicated their lives to outreach articles on Kiruv Rechokim as a ba seminar during their visits to Israel. unquestionably deserve kudos for rometer of the spiraling interest in If these people were left for the "pros" their outstanding achievements, a outreach-related information. to teach and invite for Shabbos. this would give each professional the Rabbi Gewirtz, currently living in the Har Nof 1. The Shul, Congregation Taras Emes, the Day responsibility for 30 more individu section of Jerusalem, is on the facultyofYeshiva School, and theTalmudTorah in Twin Rivers are als than they currently study with, Aish HaTorah and maintains a private practice part of the Shalom Torah Centers educational in family counseling. network. and an equal number of additional The Jewish Obseroer, December 1990 39 guests who are comfortable drop ping in on them for Shabbos or a midweek "personal" shmooze. Tak "MY CLIENTS ARE AMAZED ing this hypothetical absurdity a bit AT THE SERVICE ANO further to consider the needs of last year's some 4,500 participants and SAVINGS ON THEIR -=----=-"-=== growing expectations for the future, INSURANCE-BUSINESS INSURANCE one quickly realizes the futility of OR PERSONAL" One Blue HUI Plaza, Suite 1024 this idea. Think of all the dishes. Peorl River. NY 1096.5 /RV/NB SAFRIN Tel' (914) 620-1800 PINCHAS MANDEL Over 35 Years Experience in Kvura in Eretz Yisrael •Dedicated to Kavod Haniftar with personal responsibility throughout service •Highly recommended by Gedolai Hador - Here and in Eretz Yisrael- "SO WHAT CAN I DO?" 1569 - 47th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11219 Day & Night Phone (718) 855-5121 'm glad you asked. Get on the phone (after you finish this ar Honesty - Integrity - Reliability I ticle, of course) and call one of d' \Jnd(:'htood and prarti( ('d by orw artivt> in the 1ndu;try rnort' th<111 half d rpntury. the Kiruv organizations in your area Taharas Haniftar Should Never Be Commercialized tovolunteeryour help.2 Offer to learn with someone one evening a week, offer to teach a class, offer to open your home to a couple or a family, or just say "I want to help." This is not a call for contributions (though I'm ARE YOU MOVING? sure these will not be refused). It is a plea for your time and your tal IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED ents. INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? We need your help to ensure proper delivery oi the /0 to your home. Please attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address and computer processirig numbers that are printed above your name on the address label. ADDRESS CHANGE FORM {Affix label here) "WHAT, ME? TALENTS?" Name------ any otherwise talented people tend to shy away Address M from outreach because of City, State, Zip ______the perception that they are not Date Effective------2. To a!>sistin the follow-upofDiscovery Seminar Plea~<> allow 6-8 wt.'t>k' ior all changpo to be reflt'cted on your mailmg lalwl. \VE \VILL NOT BE participants. call Aish HaTorah at (718)377-8819. RESPONS!BLE FOR BACK ISSUES MISSED unle'i'> you notify u> 8 WE'f'b pnor to your movp For infonnation about exisling outreach centers in your area. call AJOP at (212) 221-2567. 40 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 qualified. don't have all the answers, Noach Weinberg of Aish HaTorah, anyone. He threatened to close the or because they have no experience. should serve to dispense with the "I facility if the problem wasn't cor It is true that some people are not don't know anything about out rected within 72 hours. cut out for outreach. If you are reach" myth. Rabbi Weinberg met a I pleaded in vain with the woman. blatantly intolerant. obnoxious, fellow who claimed he didn't know When I reasoned that the Kosher uncaring or insensitive, in-reach the first thing about Kiruv Rechokim food was tastier. she said, 'Tm 95 would probably serve you better for but had successfully helped a 95- years old. Do you think I know from the meanwhile. If the above is not a year old woman back to the fold of taste?" Telling her that Kosher food selious concern. chances are that mitzva observance. 1~his is his story: cost me much more than the stan you can make a significant differ I own a 300-bed nursing home. dard meals, only strengthened her ence in someone's life. You may not 297 beds of which are occupied by resolve. "So give me the other stuJf know it all. but you know consider non-Jewish clientele. Ever since we and I'll save you money." I reminded ably more than the person coming opened. I made sure to serve Kosher her that Kosher food was healthier in with no background. You may food to the few Jewish residents. and more hygienic than that 'treifa not have all the answers. or even chazarei · but she didn't budge. most of the answers, but 1 have yet One day, just as the State repre "Well what did you do?" Rabbi to meet the person who refused to sentative was about to complete a Weinberg asked the nursing home make a commitment to Judaism routine inspection, a 95-year old owner. because a particular question hasn't woman walked up to the inspector been satisfactorily answered or be and said she wanted to .file a com "I already told you. " he replied. cause some issue hasn't been ad plaint. "I'm being discriminated "But you didn't! You say that you equately clarified by one particular against because I am Jewish," she helped this woman becorne more person. A good cholent is sometimes insisted. "He doesn't serve me the observant!" worth more than a thousand words. 3 same food as everyone else!" The inspector demanded an explanation. "I did," he said. "She now davens, The following story, related by Rabbi says lights When I explained that I could not. in brachos, Shabbos good conscience, serve non-Kosher candles. keeps Shabbos ... the 3. For the benefit of those who would fed more works!" secure knowing some of the 1nost con1monly food to a Jewish person, the inspec asked ques!ions and ci cross-section of select tor said ii was unconstitutional for Rabbi Weinberg couldn't under responses to these questions. Aish HaTorah will me to impose my religious beliefs on stand. "I thought you told me the shortly be publishing a guide to outreach. r----·-·------: .. :---~,,,,''"'"' ~11~ \ 11N1!l17 77!l111171 11077 Nl JHE for YOUR nr.i7~ ~. FUNDRAISING or VISUAL PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN IMAGE CONSIDER a The finest in CUSTOM DESIGNED Video Production LUACH or DIARY (7 l 8) 85 l - l 3 14 . DISCREET <:ONl"l!Jf:NTli\J, Rabbi Aryeh Schechter CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST RABBI AVROHOM GoLDBERG, M5.,M.E.d . . SOFER S"TAM VN!"VJ:RSITY CERTJDEIJ ft\MILY COlJNSJ:LOR DR. BENZION Counseling: 1235 49th St. SOROI'ZKIN D Marriage D Individual Brooklyn, NY 11219 NY STATE LICENSED 0 F 11w Jewish Observer, December 1990 41 woman didn't budge." give up!" This, of course. doesn't address the "Yeah, " he said, "but I also told While this story is not what we other major hurdle: "OK. 1 realize you that the inspector threatened to call run-of-the-mill kiruv, it does that 1 ought to get involved, but my shut me down. Ich hub gehat a underscore the point that determi real problem is that 1 don't have the breira?? I don't know exactly what nation is more important than ex time." did it. but I knew that I just couldn't perience. and that we are capable. THE TWIN RIVERS - LAKEWOOD EXPERIENCE he most challenging opportu NOW AVAILABLE nity I experienced during my T six years in Twin Rivers was TO AGUDATH ISRAEL MEMBERS the day when two community members asked whether they could study Torah "just like they do it in COMPREHENSIVE the yeshiva" i.e., with a chavrusa. The problem was that there weren't MAJOR MEDICAL enough resources within the com HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM munity to satisfy this need. Lake Available to New York State residents only wood, home of Bais Medrash Govoha, on the other hand, had For Information Call: such resources in abundance. It would be simple enough, I figured, 212-797-7388 to find a suitable chavrusa for both these men from amongst the multi Between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM tude of capable men in the Lake wood community. I quickly real ized, however, that there was not only a vast ideological expanse separating the two communities, but that they were physicallytwenty l,N'':J', il?,,~ il:J'lV' two miles (and thirty-five minutes) 735 Avenue C, Bayonne, NJ 07002 apart from eachother. Who, in their rtght mind, would want to give up THE OUT-OF-TOWN YESHIVA more than two and a half hours of WITH THE JN-TOWN CONVENIENCE their free time after spending a whole day learning or working, and schlepp twenty-two miles to teach Alef-Beis • MESIVTA • BAIS MEDRASH • KOLLEL to one person? I tried my luck. After three trtes, the voice on the other Now accepting applications for end gave a resounding, "No prob ninth and tenth grades for Elul 5751 lem!" • Outstanding staff of experienced Mechanchlm • Highest standard of Llmudlm • Accredited English department under the dlrectton of Rabbi Shmuel Horowitz, Principal Four years and some • Ninth graders spend Shabbos at home fifty pairs of chavrusos • Newly renovated dormitory • 25 minutes from Boro Park and Flatbush later, a group of local • Transportation provided women pleaded for a For registration and Information contact: Rabbi Yookov Licht, Menahel similar program for (201) 339-7187 Evenings: (201) 905-4056 women. Now this was Rabbi Oovld Magid Rabbi Ylsroel Ehrlich impossible! Roshe/ Yeshiva 42 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 Four years and some fifty pairs of growth in Yiddishkeit, your nachas chavrnsos later, a group of local will grow by leaps and bounds. women pleaded for a similar pro Warning: The impact of this mes gram for women. Now this was im sage is likely to last about another possible! The Lakewood women, two minutes. Get to the phone now. mostly Kolle! wives. longed to spend and make that call. • a few precious moments with their husbands who spent most of the NEWSLETTERS day studying. How could 1 dare ask Concept Thru Completion them to give this up one night a week? When pushed to the point 0 WRITING 0 PHOTOS where I feared being accused of 0 DESIGN ° PRINTING prejudice, I called the first of several names that were recommended. This time it didn't take three calls. Four of the first five women contacted agreed.' Notwithstanding their real time limitations, these men and women somehow managed to make the time. Theirinitial concerns about whether they were suited for this responsibility dissipated shortly after they began studying and real ized how much they had to offer. The impact that this program had and continues to have is immeasur able. Suffice it to say that plans for building a mikveh and an ernv this year would probably never have come about without the assistance HEIR TO THE THRONE of the more than two hundred people by Shmuel Rothstein from Lakewood who volunteered their time and energy. Heir to the Throne is the pow People often wonder whether they can really make a difference, whether erful story of Ordan, a young their efforts will really change some Crown Prince who is deeply im one. Admittedly, it is almost impos pressed by the enthusiasm of his sible to recognize the impact you are having. Malting significant changes Jewish subjects as they welcome the Baal Haminhagim, the in one's life requires more than infor great Spanish sage, as the new Rav of Tirnau. Turbulent mation and friendship, and the fil events ensue as Ordan sets out on a great odyssey that will tering process often produces forever change his life. Colorful, exciting, inspiring and changes that aren't always immedi ately gratifying. Even the "pros" informative, Heir to the Throne will fill your winter nights struggle with this one. Nevertheless, with hours of warm reading pleasure. the real answer to the question of whether your efforts will make a (hardcover 514.95 softcover Si 1.95) difference is an unequivocal "yes!". Your efforts will definitely change Available from your local bookseller or order directly from the publisher someone. You! As you are challenged I<~ to clarify difficult concepts. your understanding will grow. As you ex ©i~ pose others to the beauty of the P·U·B·L· I·S·H· E·R·S Jewish home, your midas will grow. IBOParkAvenue • Lakewood,NJ08701 · (201)905-3000. Fax:(ZOI )367-6666 And as you expertence your student's U.K. and Europe: 1 Palm Court, Queen Elizabeth Walk, London, Nl6 England Israel: Rechov Mishkalov 18/6, Har Nof, Jerusalem 4. The statistics, appr0Xin1ately 700/o oflhewomen Direcc order: add Sl.95 plus .50 each additional book agreeing, as compared to around 40% of the men Please send for our free Book Llst approached, remained constant throughout the progrant. The Jewish Observer, December 1990 43 BOOKS IN REVIEW Halacha in Daily Life 4916 13th Ave., B'klyn, N.Y. 11219 (718) 854-2911 FAMOUS Cholov Yisroel • Shomer Shabbos THE HEALING VISIT, INSIGHTS servations on child patients and Under the Supervision of INTO THE MITZVAH OF BIKUR children of patients, and how they Kha! Adath Jeshurun CHOLIM. by ChanaShofaos and Bat should be handled. I genuinely be Open for Breakfast Tova Zwebner (Targum/Feldheim, lieve that anybody who reads this Luncheon and Dinner Southfield, Mich.. 1989. $10,95h.c. book will have a new approach to Catering • Parties • Meetings $8.95p.b.). This slim volume should the mitzva. 222 West 72nd Street be considered required reading for THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS by Dr. (212) 595-8487 everybody. It not only restates the Meir Wikler (distributed by the basic rules governing this mitzva, United Hebrew Community of New but presents them within a frame York, 1990) and WHY? Reflections work of ideas which help the reader On The Loss Of A Loved One, by truly to understand and observe the Rabbi Yitzchak Vorst (Feldheim, duty of visiting the sick. The au SprtngValley, 1990. $4.95p.b.)were thors show that it is not really a wrttten to help mourners. Dr. Wikler INVESTMENT matter of visiting but of helping the composed a brtef guide to the tradi patient- and this requires deep tional observance of shiva, de MANAGEMENT empathy, sincere caring. and signed for those unfamiliar with the thoughtfulness in action. rudiments of the halacha; thus there The reader cannot but note how is no discussion of the funeral and its much effort went into the writing of laws, of the services in the house of this book. The authors interviewed mourning. and of the laws applying Fee Only. many people and gathered case after shiva. Within the limits that No sales or commissions. histories-some that will inspire us the author set himself. this is a and others that will serve as warn useful pamphlet. Rabbi Vorsfs es ings as to what one should avoid. say has a very different purpose; it (914) 352-1919 This was a labor oflove; the authors records the author's feelings and speak out of the depths of their own thoughts upon the loss of his three experiences ofserious sickness, and year old son, which he decided to "words from the heart enter others' share with others, to help them if hearts ... But this is not a depressing G-d forbid-they should suffer be Feivel Kirshenbaum, rh.o. book. It reads easily. and offers a reavement. And he truly succeeded Registered Investment Adviser wealth of difficult ideas on how to in wrtting a deeply moving and in cheer and help patients. Of par spirtng text, lyrtcal in language and ticular value are the author's ob- style. and containing a wealth of 44 The Jewish Observer. December 1990 insights. Life after death, the Holo THEPATHOFTHERIGHTEOUS THE CONCISE CODE OF JEW caust, the meaning of G-d's good GENTILE, by Chaim Clorjene and ISH LAW, vol. two, by RabbiGersion ness. and many other topics are Yaakov Rogalsky (Targum Press, Appel(Ktav, New York, 1989, $22.50 touched on-and indeed brought to Smithfield. Mich., 1987, $12.95) h.c., $14.95 p.b.), compiled from life-by the stories included by the focuses on a rather unique area of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch and Tra author. As a source of strength to halacha-the seven laws of the chil ditional Sources. This volume es others, this little book is a fitting dren of Noah. As the authors point sentially follows the patterns of monument to Rabbi Vorst's son. out, this is a subject that has nor the first volume (reviewed in JO TORAS HAYOLEDES, JEWISH been of practical concern ever since Feb. '82). It contains an introduc LAWS OF CHILD BIRTH. compiled the earliest part of our history. In tion to the subject matter of this by Rav Yitzchok Silberstein and Dr. modern limes.it was brought to volume-prayer and religious ob Moshe Rothschild translated and public attention by Aime· Palliere servanceofShabbos-followed by an edited by S. Ludmir (Institute of who wrote The Unknown Sanctuary English rendering of the Halachos Halacha and Medicine, Bnei Brak lo recount his road to Noachidism of Shabbos as found in the Kitzur Hospital Maynei Hayeshua, Bnei and died a martyr's death at the ShulchanAruchand ChayehAdam; Brak, 1989. $17.95). This is a hands of the Nazis. But it was only since the Kit'zur does not contain a comprehensive compendium very recently that adherence to the systematic presentation of the 39 touching on practically every ques Noachide laws became a subject of forbidden forms of work, the author tion that can artse from before the practical interest in some non has added a section explaining them onset of birth to the mother's recov Jewish circles-and they will find which is based on Chayeh Adam ery. For the ordinary layman, the this book very useful. The authors and Kalkeles Shabbos (this section basic rules are given in brief in the outline the seven Noachide laws (as also includes a special discussion of more than ninety chapters of the well as some others commonly ac electrical equipment and appli book (the language is clear but a cepted by men of morality, such as ances). There are almost 900 notes. more idiomatic editing of the trans honoring one's parents and giving which elaborate on the text and lation would be desirable); but this charity) and fill in many of their discuss contemporary applications work is of particular value lo the details by drawing on the halachos and problems; the sources for these more learned user who can take that are binding on Jews. This re notes are given in Hebrew, and a full advantage of the wealth of halachic viewer does not presume to evalu index and glossary complete the references and additional informa ate their halachic conclusions; but book. It is clear that an enormous tion given in the elaborate Hebrew in a world as corrupt and de-mor effort has gone into this work, and it footnotes. They make this work an alized as ours, adherence to the is indeed a very fine and complete essential reference tool for all who standards of morality here outlined presentation of the issues that arise are concerned with psak halacha. would be an enormous blessing. on Shabbos. Ii-MATANA Uncle Moishy, IMPORTANT NOTICE Mordechai Ben David, TO OUR CANADIAN I I GALLERY and other Top-Of-The-Line AND OVERSEAS 4906 18th Ave.. Brooklyn. NY Jewish Entertainers SUBSCRIBERS! (7181851-4448 are available to visit Jewish books. Talleisim. Mezuzos. Seriously Ill Children The simplest- way to pay for personalized Tallis bags. thanks to your subscription is through Tefi/lin bags. Yarmulkas and VISA or MasterCard. They Cha/ah covers. cassettes. lucite. ;nn nnr.:i'll sterling silver. Judaica and jewelry. change your payment into USA currency without any sur ALL AT SUPER A New Chessed Project Run By DISCOUNT PRICES! Agudath Israel of America charge. We cannot accept for eign checks (even Canadian GRAND OPENING in conjunction with Suki & Ding Productions of new store at 1917 Ave M checks in $U.S.), only checks To set up an appointment, call: Between E 19th St. & Ocean Ave. drawn on a bank in the U.S.A. 718-692-3661 (212) 797-9000 ext. #57, M-F, 9-5 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 45 There are obvious difficulties in careful to spell out in the notes that the first opinion is definitely any popular presentation of com differences of opinion among the preferable-butcanonerelyon this? plex dinim in English, since such poskim. But can the layman for Rabbi Appel, to be sure, warns in works tend to be read rather than whom this work is obviously de the preface that the notes are meant studied, as Hebrew works usually signed handle all this information to be generally informative, and the are. (An example where a reader when looking up a topic in this reader is advised to consult his Rabbi may not get the full picture, although book--orwill he perhaps be tempted, for a definitive decision. Yet we all the author generally gives copious when faced with such differences. know how many people, given a cross- references. on p. 37 he to choose the path of convenience? smattering of knowledge, are willing stresses the need to cover the top For example, on the subject of heat to pasken their own questions. It burners with a blech, without spe ing food on an electric stove turned would appear to me that a popular cifically referring to p. 159. where on by a timer on Shabbos, note 25 work in English should clearly spell note 30 advises that it is best also to (page 157) states: "Some authorities out the proper course for action, cover the controls.) forbid it. Others permit it, especially albeit with a proviso to consult a Butin the case of this volume, its if necessary for a sick person .... " Rabbi in any case, because of the very completeness causes a more Careful reading of the entire note possibility of special circumstances. serious concern. The author is very will probably convey to the reader and with differences ofopinion given in Hebrew footnotes. UNDERSTANDINGTHEJEWISH CALENDAR. by Rabbi Nathan INSURANCE BROKERS & CONSULTANTS Bushwick (Moznaim, New York Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Life & Health Jersualem, 1989, $10.00) is a work that truly achieves what its title promises. Based on the premise that the Jewish calendar is easy to un derstand, if only it is presented sim 718-851-7000 ply and clearly, with calculations using our plain basic arithmetic, this book leads the reader through • PROFESSIO/'IAL SERVICE • the fundamentals of how our heav • QUALl7Y l/'ISURA/'ICE CARRIERS • enly bodies function, and then shows • COMPETITIVE PREMIUMS • how our calendar is put together. The chapters on astronomy have excellent illustrations (and a most BARBARA GOLDGRABEN/HESHY SCHWEBEL/EZRA HES interesting discussion of the Mazolos), and the calendar calcula tions are in the form of extremely simple charts. This book should clarify the subject of the calendar to anybody who reads it. Ad*ustable; Shtenders. AVOIDING INTEREST, by Rabbi -ADJUSTABlf FOR All SIZES Moshe Goldberg (Box 82, Staten Is -STEEL CONSTRUCTION land, N.Y. 1989) isyetanotherofthe valuable pamphlets published by -GLOSSY BROWN FINISH Rabbi Weinberger as a service to the -LIFETIME WARRANTY community. Despite the seriousness -FORMICA BOOKREST of the prohibition on taking or pay -YESHIVA INQUIRIES WELCOMED ing interest. many people transgress -SATISFACTION GUARANTEED through ignorance of the many ways ONLY $74.9S +$5.00 SHIPPING in which interest intrndes into our daily life and activities. This pam NYResidenu please include sales tax phlet defines interest. shows vari ous areas when it might be an issue, Luria Company Inc. ~I and in particular explains the Heter IIN 190 Burda Avenue !ska through which otherwise for New City, N.Y. 10956 USA bidden business and loan transac tions become permissible. ltdeserves CALL OR WRITE TODAY! (914) 634-6323 the widest circulation. • 46 The Jewish Observer. December 1990 REPUBLIC From all of us at NATIONAL BANK Republic National Bank, OF NEW YORK a Happy and Joyous Chanukah. fifth Ave.• at 40th St. New York NY 10018 (212) 221-6056 BRANCHES: MANHATT/\N ·BRONX· BROOKIYN ·QUEENS· ROCKLAND· WESTCHESTER MEMBER FDIC the medical ethics committees of two hospitals and on a committee that reviews information given to Letters volunteers for medical research. As a result of my work, I have become ••••••••••• to the very familiar with medical proce ••••••••••• dures, terminology, jargon and eu ••••••••••• phemisms. I know what questions Editor to ask when I need information. I can still, however, read a research protocol and consent form and dis cover later that I had missed the care decisions, and direct the agent MAKING USE OF THE entire point of a study. to consult with and follow the "HALACHIC HEALTH CARE Last year, along with several other guidance of a particular Orthodox PROXY" close family members, I was involved Rabbi or Orthodox Jewish institu in decision making for a relative tion or organization. It is the issue who was no longer able to make To the Editor: of consulting a rabbi on medical health-care decisions for herself. She In his article (Oct. '90), Chaim halacha that concerns me, but not was in a large hospital, which meant David Zwiebel discusses the need because I am opposed to such that my communications with her for a Halachic Health Care Proxy consultations. My concern has to doctor-who was elsewhere on when an observant Jew becomes do with the level of the decisor's premises-was only by telephone. I unable to make medical decisions. knowledge of medical procedures struggled to ask the light questions, In the document. an individual can and terminology. Let me illustrate. and he struggled to answer my name an agent to make his or her As an attorney, I have specialized in questions. All of this was relayed by health-care decisions, specify that medical-legal affairs for a number of another relative to her rabbi. As I Jewish law is to govern the health- years. At the present time, I sit on look back, I feel that I did not ask the light questions. I also think that I misunderstood the doctor's answers concen1ing my relative's prognosis. Why were we created? What How could we have framed proper is our purpose on earth? And she'eilos when our information was incomplete? how can we live nwre My point is that if I, as a profes satisfying, fulfilled lives? sional, had difficulty in communi cating with doctors, then consider ation should be given to choosing The answer to these and other halachic autholities who are also fundamental questions can be conversant with medical terminol found in the Aggadata of the ogy and who know what questions Talmud. to ask of the treating physicians. In The Vilna Gaon, in a little an age of medical specialists, it is known work, explains 20 likely that the patient's treating crucial passages of Aggada physicians will be strangers to the ta; and now, Rabbi Aharon family or agent. It is also likely that Feldman expands upon the patient's representatives will not the Gaon's powerful ideas know what questions to ask of the in this new and vital text. physician nor will they understand This is more than just a the answers that are ~ translation; it is an en- provided ... Under such circum ~\\l\\'01'~ gaging and stimulating discus- stances what she'eilos can be asked sion of what it means to be alive. and what answers can the decisor In every way imaginable-this book will stretch give? the mind as it delights the heart. From the author of The River, The Kettle, and The Bird. I respectfully suggest that the Agudath Israel of Amelica develop Visa & /'v1asterCaid ac;CepJed Send-for yOur free_ copy guidelines to deal with this issue. of our 1991 catalog, listing over 70 new_titles. JOAN MOND LEBOVITZ West Har{ford. Conn. 48 The Jewish Obsemer. December 1990 response runs the full gamut from sponse. WHEN DOWN SYNDROME keeping and raising the child one Should we opt for foster-home STRIKES YOUR NEIGHBOR'S self, foster care and/ or group home care or permanent adoption, pro FAMILY situations, to placing the child for ponents of raising one's Down syn permanent adoption. drome child approach us on the To the Editor: If one can get past the pain, and street, in shul, in the market, and Eveiybody at some point in their with tremendous acceptance raise pointedlyaskuswhatkindofhuman life will experience death. Only one the Down syndrome child like a beings we are to give up our own family in a hundred will experience brown-eyed member of an all blue child. Others, with somewhat more having a Down syndrome child. eyed family, then kol hakavod. If. finesse, refer to inspiring articles There are veiy clear cut halachic however, raising a Down syndrome like Mr. Milch's or "So ... we love her guidelines of what to do when child spells dysfunctional family anyway" in Mrs. Sander's Times of someone is l"n niftar. But there is no patterns and marital dissolution, Challenge. After all, they reason, halachic right or wrong in how one G-d forbid, then you must consider since those responses are the only is to respond when one has a Down alternatives. So, as stated, there is ones published in frum reading syndrome child. The only criteria no halachic right or wrong attached material, they must be the only le are: Can you, your spouse, and your to one's response. Yet too many gitimate one. other children handle the pain. people are only too ready to express stresses and pressures involved in their judgment, thus adding more The Ambivalent raising such a child to adulthood? I pain to those who already shoulder But Vociferous Middle know. because I've had the oppor more than their fair share. tunity to discuss this matter with We parents and siblings of Down Somewhere in between the out Gedolim. You see, I am a member of syndrome children are all too fre spoken advocates offoster care and/ that special fraternity ofpain-with quently harangued by insensitive, or adoption and the pontificating acceptance that one enters when smug individuals who feel it their proponents of raising one's Down one has a Down syndrome child in personal mandate in life to let us syndrome child lies the ambivalent his family. know that our response was the but vociferous middle. Their less I am writing this letter because I wrong one (according to them). direct message, which nevertheless am concerned that Mr. Milch's Advocates of foster home care comes across loud and clear. is: By "Reflections of a Parent" (JO. June and/or adoption are only too eager ail means keep and raise your re '90) is being interpreted by some to to inform us that our other children tarded child yourself-it's a won the detriment of others as the best will never be able to find a decent derful thing you are doing-but don't possible (and therefore only legiti shidduch because we lacked the bring him or her with you to my mate) response to dealing with a good sense to hide ourdiriy laundiy, house, my shul, my pizza shop, etc. Down syndrome child. as it were, instead of airing it in Frequently the chevra that encour Unfortunately, there is no one public. We receive ominous warn aged the family to keep the Down "best response" that applies to all ings-as if Down syndrome were syndrome child now ostracizes it for people. The best possible response catching!-about the effect that having such a child. This is particu is what is practical and workable for raising a Down syndrome child will larly true outside of the New York you and your family. "Frumness" in have on our other children's mental area, which has the most to offer in and of itself does not dictate or health and on our own, which is terms of frum social services and determine one's response. And this already questionable given our re- support networks. YOUNG PEOPLE OF MARRIAGEABLE AGE MUST BE TESTED in order to prevent the scourge of Tay-Sachs disease from striking the next AN URGENT generation, in accordance with the directives of the Gedolei Hadar. SCHOOLS and YESHIVOS: REMINDER Please call 718-384-2332 if you are interested in having testing done for students. Genetic counseling is also available. FROM For information call: (718) 384-6060 CHEVRA DOR Confidentiality assured. CHEVRA DOR YESHORIM, INC. YESHORIM 160 Wilson Street. 1-B, Brooklyn, NY 11211 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 49 Because there is no given right or Considering a move wrong, one's choice is necessartly based on a subjective evaluation: toMOIYSEY? Can I handle it? Can my spouse handle it? What about my other children? How wiU it affect my par for careful attention to your ents, my brothers and sisters? Some individual needs, call us today! fortunate ones get guidance from their Rebbes or Roshei Yeshiva. For (914) 354-8445 most, it is a painfully lonely, private decision. Therefore. we parents, siblings and family members of a Down syndrome child have our dark moments when we ourselves ques tion the correctness ofour response. Please don't interfere with our deli Only cate balance of pain and acceptance 70 by interjecting unsolicited opinions THE( minutes which are almost always unhelpful t/iroL and very hurtful. What we all need from is sensitivity. understanding and HOTEL + MOTEL support, not overt or covert con N.Y.C. demnation and criticism. In the zechus of controlling your LAKEWOOD, NEW JERSEY harmful impulse to judge the le Located on Madison Avenue; Corner of Jrh Street GLATT KOSHER gitimacy of our response, may you CHOLOV YISROEL and yours be spared from the ne "Come Experience a Touch of Home" cessity of formulating your own re BAR MITZVAHS I SHEVA BROCHOS I SHABBATONS I SEMINARS sponse to what is, in its most fa Under Strict (201)363-5000 I (201)363-9603 Rabbinical vorable light. a very big ntsayon. Supervision NAME AND CTIY Only 15 Minutes from Great Adventure. WITHHELD By REQUEST ------··------AUTHOR'S RESPONSE As a parent of a child with Down syndrome and one who shares a unique vulnerability, I am sensitive Pesach Tikvah-Hope Development, Inc. to your concerns and appreciate the 18 MIDDLETON ST., BROOKLYN, NY 11206 significance of the questions you raise. f 7t •• 875-6900 The article, however, was not A Comprehensive, nn!> intended to represent a definitive Family Care Agency illi>Jl response to the birth of a child with Offering A Wide Range of Services Down syndrome. Of course, there to the Jewish Community. PESACH are situation where the appropriate response will be radically different • Marital Counseling TIKVAH 'IHtl>OOOOFHOff'. • Psychological Services from ours. Rather, the article por • Sheltered Workshop • Complete ConRdentiality trays, as the title indicates, the re • Continuing Treatment Program • Medicaid-Medicare-Third party Reimbursement flections of a parent. One family, •Respite/Recreation Programs •Professionals Who Ne Shomrei Torah Umitzvos one situation, nothing more. !tis for • Psychiatric SeNices • Treatment Conducted in Yiddish, Russian, • Residential Facilities Hebrew and English that reason that the article did not • Group and Individual Therapy • No Waiting List address the very important halachic issues confronted by parents who Affiliated with Major Metropolitan Area Hospitals Including are personally touched by Down Beth Israel, Coney Island, Woodhull, and Interfaith Hospitals. syndrome e.g. prenatal testing, LICENSED BY NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH abortion, placement for adoption or in an institution. (And indeed, they 50 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 are each serious areas where there not merely a Down syndrome child. can be a clear-cut objective halachic Rather, a unique individual with right or wrong.) Similarly. l as the character. personality and identity. parent of a toddler could not ad As any child, she yearns for love and MALOHN equately write of the day-to-day security, while she struggles for in MIFAL concerns faced by parents raising dependence. And yes ... she is a an older child with Down syndrome. child ... with Down syndrome. The VISITING NEW YORK?? Instead, the article was a per mind may not absorb as quickly; Beautiful rooms. with kitchen sonal essay, revealing the emotional the speech may not be as eloquent facilities. in heart of Boro Park thought process of one family as and the muscles may not be as by day or week. Near Shuls. they adjusted to and accepted a strong. But, in her inimitable fash take-out foods. etc. Profits to daughter with Down syndrome. The ion, she provides a unique spark, a Mifal Torah Vodaas. purpose? To create a connection to freshness that allows her to con the many isolated individuals facing tribute on her level and in her Call (718J 851·2969 similar pain, questions, and special way. fears ... we are not alone. To inform EPHRAIM MILCH the community that you need not observe with pity; despite the struggles and pain, there is enor mous joy and happiness. Satisfac tion accompanies the challenge. To open a dialogue among parents, educators and leaders. to give at tention to these critical issues. To foster a willingness to interact with a person despite the presence of a handicap. To engender greater compassion, sensitivity and under standing of all human beings. I am troubled by those who con tinue to focus on the negatives. No positive comments; only harsh, in dicting criticism. Her birth was the miracle of life and must not be DEEP IN THE compared to death. We must de stroy the misconceptions by being RUSSIAN NIGHT open and proud and thereby allow Aaron Chazan people to witness th~truth=sl:!~is Deep in the Russian Night is the story of an indomitable Jewish hero HEBREW ACADEMY who survived fifty years of oppres OF-CLEVELAND sion under Communist rule with his publishes over 50 Educational ltems faith intact. An important record of Jewish life in Russia from for H_ebrew Day Schools the time of the Revolution until the rise of the baa/ teshuva ~.-?f1J.1> movement during the sixties. Harrowing and inspiring. A work l 71" J]...,. of living history. ( h/ c s 15.95 s/ c $12.95) \1,~ Available from your local bookseller or directly from the publisher (.~ ©-~$ -- ·------~·-!.... P·U · B·L· I·S·H·E·R·S Cata'log sent upon request. 180 ParkAVenue • Lakewood, NJ 08701 • (201) 905-3000 • Fax, (201) 367-6666 'Send $LOO !Or-hahi.:IHn)'.! to: U.K.: 1 Palm Court, Queen Elizabeth Walk· London, Nl6 England· 01-809·3723 HEBREW ACADEMY PUBLICA1JONS DEP'f. Israel: Rechov Mishkalov 18/6· Har Nof, Jerusalem· 02-538·935 Direct order: add S1.95 plus .50 each additional book _1860_ Sou!h _iayl_or_Rd,, GJeVe-lahd Heilolhts, Ohio 44118 Please send for our free Book List The Jewish Obseroer, December 1990 REFLECTIONS OF children. This is a growing social GUIDANCE FROM RABBI A READER problem that is all-too-often not KOKIS'S ARTICLE ON TRAGEDY REGARDING SPECIAL given the attention it deserves. On CHILDREN'S NEEDS one hand, several organizations have indeed made outstanding contribu To the Editor: tions, i.e. special programs at over l have been a long-time subscriber To the Editor: night camps, seminaries offering to The Jewish Observer, but l have The JO as well as Ephraim Milch special ed. training. and more pro never written a letter to the editor. deserve a Yasher Koach for the grams within the yeshivas. Yet, the It is only two months since we heartwarming and inspiring article frnm community has a long way to have lost our precious newborn at "Reflections of a Parent" (Summer, go towards providing for children birth. After having an extremely 90). The issues raised in the article with disabilities on a level that at difficult pregnancy. which consisted apply not only to parents of Down least meets (if not exceeds) the stan of almost five months of complete Syndrome children. but to the in dard of the secular world. All too bedrest. thls tragedy seemed to me creasing number of families facing often parents must choose between like a big slap in the face. challenges and hardships that range keeping their child in a Torah envi However, after reading the from mild learning disabilities to, ronment versus offering them su Tammuz 5750 issue of The Jewish G-d forbid, critical illness. perior quality services in the public Observer, I am looking at our or school. Perhaps it is time that deal, in a completely different per The author recommends that a mechanchim, teachers, and com spective. Rabbi Kokis's article, parent make an effort to shift form munity leaders put this issue on a "Coming to Grips with Tragedy" gave asking "Why me?" to "What can we front burner so that children with me a completely different outlook do?". Taking this point a step fur all forms of disabilities can receive a and subsequently brought comfort ther. it is worthwhile speculating first rate education in a Jewish en to my troubled heart and mind. The how we as a Klal can more effec vironment. question of "Why me (us)?"is slowly tively address the needs ofall special Through our community assum disappearing. My emuna is as firm ing more responsibility for ad as it's ever been, and my faith in EVENT PLANNERS dressing this issue, not only will the derechHashemisstrongerthanever. 0 0 0 burden of individual parents be Your article has certainly helped to DINNERS MEETINGS VIDEOS eased, but the important message heal the wound and make some ° FUNDAAISEAS ° CONVENTIONS of" Kol Yisroelareivimzeh lazeli' will sense in the fairness of G-d's judg 0 PARLOR MEETINGS be communicated to all our chil ments. dren as well. l tnily believe in the imminent coming of Moshiach when we will be MRS. S. LEBOV1CS able to "burst out in song". Los Angeles. 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'91 (201) 905.3000 · fax, (20!) 367· 6666 Yavne Teachers College Jn U.K. and Europe: 01·809·3723 In Israel: 02-538-935 2470 Bishop Road/Wickliffe. Ohio 44092 I (216) 944-1767 52 The Jewish Observer, December 1990 THE EXTRA BURDENS OF children? And G·d help him who CLARIFICATION has several daughters! He's already TODAY'S MECHANCHIM borrowed to the hilt for tuition and In Rabbi Elias' reply to Rabbi Green - sending said daughter(s) to a good blatt in Nov. '90 issue, Rabbi To the Editor: seminary. Greenblatt's reference to "voices of At the recent convention ofTorah Commiseration and inspirational Moderation" (which seemed to be in Umesorah, someone brought up a speeches are simply not sufficient contrast to the Gedolim who spoke problem that people in chinuchface: to address the issue. I would like to out against the Steinsaltz Talmud) On the one hand, we are encouraged make a suggestion which might was termed "inappropriate". Rabbi to dedicate our lives to chinuch for work, if there's a true desire to re Greenblatt, however, meant it to be the betterment of Klal Yisroel and solve this problem. And that is that in contrast to the "strident" defend presumably our own spiritual ad the MosdosHachinuclr-the schools. ers of Rabbi Steinsaltz; in the cir vancement, accepting a much re Bais Yaakovs, etc.-contribute to cumstances, there is of course noth duced material life style. But then the costs ofmarrying off the children ing inappropriate about it. The au we find it, financially, virtually im of their staff, and helping to support thor regrets the misunderstanding. possible to find suitable bnei Torah their children in kollel for a set for our daughters. That seems to be amount of time. an unfair sacrifice to demand of us. It's part of one's livelihood. In his In response, one of the respected well-known responsum regarding Rabbinic figures present answered the Yissochor-and-Zevulun ar that the ideal should not be aban rangement, Hagaon Reb Moshe doned: and as for other concerns, Feinstein ?")It repeatedly stresses one must have bitachon(despite, pre that Zevulun's responsibility in· sumably, the practical difficulties). eludes providing the wherewithal Certainly it's true that the practi for Yissochor to marry off his chil cal difficulties do not invalidate the dren in a respectable manner. That ideal, but we do need a practical clearly includes kest (support); it's approach to an extremely vexing part of the livelihood. Certainly, it's problem. no less a need than health insur Without going into details, to ance or pension funds. make a wedding and provide the More to the point, it can work in Missing caption: The above photograph, which accompanied Yehoshua Weber's report and usual necessities for a young couple, a similar way, with the school analysis. MFrom Kiev, With Hope- (JO. Nov. '90). can cost in the tens of thousands of making payments in a special fund, was not identified. It was taken at the farewell dollars. And it's neither realistic proportional to the wages of the banquet, at which the author took leave of his nor fair to expect the klei kodesh to staff person. No doubt we have Mstudents" in Kiev. and led them in the culmi be the first to drastically lower the nating activity of reciting the appropriate berachos sufficient administrative experts for the various foods that were served. The standards. who can devise the mechanics of a author was in the SoViet Union as a shaliach of We encourage our daughters to plan. The point is that the institu Agudath Israel's Vaad Lehatzolas Nidchei YlsroeL want to marry a ben Torah. who will tions bear what is in fact their rightful headed by Rabbi Mordechai Neustadt. spend at least some years learning responsibility. I -·----·------.. ------"··---"·----"·----·---,.----~ in a koUeL But to do so, the bochur I can already hear the screams of NOTICE requires a relatively large amount of pain: the Mosdos haven't got the The following is the text of article VI financial support. He's being real money, they're drowning in debt, I! of the Beth Medrash Govoha, Lake wood, N.J. by-laws, which are cur istic, too, since the koUel does not and so on. But how much would it rently in full force and effect, and are pay anywhere near a living wage. add up to in proportion to the total carried out in practice. Where is this support to come from, budget? ARTICLE VI if not from the families? It's probably easier to pay directly Beth Medrash Govoha shall maintain And since Boruch Hashem there towards the marriage costs through a nondiscriminatory admissions policy are many well-to-do people in an endowment fund than making and shall at all limes be in compliance with applicable federal, state and local business and the professions who the necessary general increase in regulations in regard to admissions, also want a ben Torah for a son-in salaries. And it's a forced savings accommodations, educational oppor law, and can afford to provide the for the Rebbeim for the specific tunity, student aid policies and employment. required support, the melamdim or purpose of easing the burden of Qualified men of the Jewish faith are roshei yeshiva or communal work marrying off their children. admitted to Beth Medrash Govoha and ers, the klei kodesh who are woe If we truly wish to keep our most are uniformly accorded all rights, fully underpaid, are left in the talented people in chinuch, we must privileges and benefits, without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin. lurch-brutally so. find a solution to this problem. Beth Medrash Govoha shall maintain RABBI SHAUL KAGAN a policy of Equal Opportunity in Em- Which melamed can extend Pittsburgh, Pa. $10,000 a year or more to his koUel The Writer heads the Kolle/ Bais Yuzchok in Pittsburgh ... ~~-~-~~~~.----~----·-----... - _____ .., __ ,__ __J The Jewish Obseroer, December 1990 53 Elana Aron ,-··-·----· ... ------.. ------"--.-.------··------... ------·--·------: 'L-----··------·------~·-.. -.-----·-·-·' -----·········------ SINGLE & DOUBLE The Fire Within BREASTED MEN'S SUITS Her name had been uttered so many a time And what was said was always the same "You should have seen her," went the familiar line. SILBIGER'S "She was a fire, a burning flame." • Slacks • All Wool Coats But as 1 entered the room 1 saw no fire. There sat a woman, all alone. • Rainwear • Sports Jac~ets She looked so frail, she seemed so tired, SALE RACKS As if her being was etched in stone. FOR Her body sat limp, she could not speak, And then I noticed the slightest stir. ·BIG BARGAINS 1 searched her eyes, so heavy and weak. 1769 51 St. Brool I pulled the string, undid the knot, The tears streamed thickly down her cheeks, • Full Burro! /knef11s fur lhe Fomrly And lo, inside the box, As she sliced layer after layer. (Ch.Jdren up lo rhe age of 20 yt"ors, • Blood Bonk Benet•'~ lor ihe ~om•ly I heard a squeak, and lifted it, And as I watched, I saw her lips • fvpry1hrng comed our in orrnrdcmr" w11h H0iocho "It rolls about and knocks. Move in heartfelt prayer. It cannot be a nwuse," I thought, (718) 436-1458 "And I don't think it's blocks." "What kind of tears are those?" I asked, Or"'"~ ro Agudlst ...... Society "Is it pain that makes you cry?" 84 Wlllf- Str.et Gingerly, I lifted up "A pain? I guess so, darling child, N- York, NY 10031 The lid, and lo! Behold! Sit down, I'll tell you why. There lay a doll with cheeks so pink STATEMENT Qi' U\YNERSH!P, And sUky hair of gold. "A teardrop is a precious thing, M!\NA\'.!EJ\l'ENT Al>!DPll!Pl.JLM'iON. 'fAct:of Qct:Ober,23, 1002,-SecUon 43691 A gift from Hashem above, Tltl•39, l.Jrtited States Code) A little bottle at her side To soften pain. make whole again lAi Title 'of Publica:t1on: The Jewish Obset:ver Read: "Drtnk me, little dear, A broken-hearted love. J3.-,,,tsSriF0221.001s 2:_ oate'orFiUng-sept 11, i990 _ , And when I cry.just wipe my eye, 3. 'f:'rt:quertcy_-Of ~ssue, Monthly, except July Md For I can shed real tears." "Like a raindrop--a pure tear August._-]\;: :NO. or iSSW$ pUbltShed annually Ten,_B,., Annual $ubscriptlOnJ?ri~22.00. Can bring immense relief. 4. Lotatton, of Known Offite of PuhllCatfon: 84 "Real tears!" I told my Bubbie It can make a person grow Wmiarti -§tttet, New York. N.Y.' i0038 6. Names arid_Addtess-of PubltSher. Editor, and When I showed her my new dolt Much stronger through his grief. Managing-Edltot: Pilblisher.:....Agudath Israel of "Real tears, dear Rivky? I think not. Amenca; Cht. Editorial Boatd...,.Dr, Ernst L. BOderihelnil':r_'. 84 \Vllllatn St., N.Y.C4" Managfog Tiwse are not tears at alL "And when with sorrow one ts faced, Edltor.:....Rabbi Nis!iQn Wolptn, 84 Wmtam Street. This diamond is a shame to waste, N.Y.c.:10038 1. ~ Agudath tStiid ofAmertba. 84 WIUlruTi. "A tear is something from the heart, For if you weep just for yourself. Street. New Yotk.,N.Y, 10038 A heart that oveljl.ows, The tears will not yield all their help. 8., Kriown bondhoidera. mortgages and' -Other security holders owning or-holding 1 percent or It can express pure happiness, more to --total' atn:()unt of bonds. mortgages t>t But usually tells of woes. "So when you cry, think of another. ,'Other $e(!Utifles! none _9._ The purpose, function, 'iind t10nproflt status. Someone with pain, an ailing brother, of this _organtzatlon and the cxetnpt status of A tear is something left unsaid, Think of the ones who cry for bread, federa1 tncome UiX:_purposes have not changed durlllg precedlng 12 :months. And yet-it's crystal clear. Think of those suffering in bed, 10.A. T-ota:I n·o. cop1es pnnted {net press runl; It is a dewdrop from the soul, average no. ciipjes each JsSUe-durtng prec:ed1ng Think of the deaf, think of the blind, 12 months: 15.000. Actual number of coptes of That is a tear, my dear." So many tragedies you will find. single Issue published neatest to filing date: 15.000.-B, Paid dtculattorr-1. Sales through_ dealers and 't:art1ets. street vendors and counter WhUe riding on my bicycle, ''And when you share your tears with them, sales: a.vetage no. -copies each issue during I fell and scraped my knee, precedlng-12 months: 4,400. Actmil-number Of Those tears wUl be gathered by Hashem, copies of single tssoe published nearest to filing It hurt, and even though I tried And placed into a heavenly cup. date 4.388. 2. Mail -subscriptions: average no. To be as brave could be, copttS eacll :issue-dui::tng prectding 12 mofiths: All the tears of pity will add up. 9.200. Actual number Of copies of single 1ssue pubtished neattst to filing date 9.283. C. 'Total I felt the tears smart in my eyes paid citcula.t1on: average no. coples each 'JsSue ''.And when the world has its full measure dunng: prtceding 12mpnths:_13.600. Actual no, And trickle down my face. Of suffering-then will come the pleasure of copies of single tss_ue publiSh_ed nearest ,to Then Bubbie kissed me tenderly, -filing-date. r3.67L' :0, F'ree'dtsirff:iuttOn (includ~ Then will we see the glorious days ing S&mJ>lesl-by_nurll <:arr;1er or-uther means: And wiped away each trace. Of Moshiach's times, a brand new phase. aveI'l'lge no. copies each issue dufing p~lng l~ months. 1.100; actual no. of copies of-single Jssue nearest -to, flll_ng dah!: _980. E. Total "Are these real tears?~ I asked her then, "And so, my sweet, when you see me peel dlstrlbUtlort (.sum,ofC and_ DJ~ a~ _no. copies each,, dunntf preeeedlng 12_ months: 14,700. And looked up in her eyes. And shed a tear-know it's for real Actuat no.: or cop1e-s of s:lngte_ lssue published She shook her head and smUed at me, For when I cry, I cry for others, neateSt to-m111gdate.14.-'t51.- F.t, omce-use.left· -ovet;utia.ccounted, s:poiledafterprhttlng:aVerage And said in a voice so wtse, For suffertng chUdren, suffertng nwthers, no. copies each--1ssue during _precedtng 12 months: 140. Actual nutribefof copies <>fstrigle issue - j'>ubHshed_, nearest to, nnng date: "The tears that one sheds for oneself For all the pain that is on earth 120.- F2. Retur:ns_, from> n-ews -agents 160/ Are not the ones that count I cry for all my tear is worth 129'. _G. 'l'OUII- {$um__ of E _and _f'J: average no COJ)ies each issue durtng pretedl.ng 12 months: Those are the tears that stay on earth And pray for a better, happier day. rs.®o. Actual no.- coptes of single issue pub To Heaven do not mount." When Moshiach willfmally come to stay." lished nea:rest to flllng,date, 15,000. I certlfythat the statements made by me above are correct and complete, Mrs. Weinbach, a published author and poet. lives in Mattesdorf, Jerusalem. Her poem, HSeed of The Jewish Obsetvet Hope. H was published in JO, Oct. H90. The Jewish Obseroer, December 1990 55 0 This is not a dry, literal trans· lation; each phrase is ex· plained so that the student understands the reasoning and flow 0 The question·answer sequence is introduced so that the 0 Separate notes that explain unfamiliar student will know where the ideas without interrupting the flow of 0 Introductions to the entire i:ractate and Gemara is taking him the Gemara to each topic, wherever necessary Who is this for? Sancti\:>n~ ~ a br9ad s,pe~ttu~.~f;'~~J~Tdi"~ti 11'1 Eretz - a p~icipant in a .. 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