"*..,;.,,;,~---.#___,,;' ')..'),.,.,.- ,-,...... ~"'"" ""\'\;'\-.. ") '""''?."<:: ~-..~-:.' ~~-"'"'--~~,,,.,---' "'"t":"~""). ,C"'~""~"Q. ~ 'O."'\>....,~"Q ...... ~,..,~ 't'\.,.,"1'1;!'.°'"'"Q \°f.? "\ '°'\'\?!'~'\. 'r'\\:',...... 'Q ;-;: ...... !;'"~ 'O~~' ""°):
.e... v.""1~°0; "C\-t'>~"i, 'O""\'l"'li':-:4 .....~'"$j"'"'{"~"\ '~ '\l)"'~ ... ~~'q ,"0-....~'f'l "'i?:>t"'>!: o"i"'"l~ ;\'()~'Ill'"\""~;""' 't'>"b-..:q " ... ONE OF THE BEST ASTI WINES ... TASTED IN A LONG WHILE" @P -ARTHUR SCHWARTZ, NOTED NEW YORK WINE CRITIC RABBI MORDECHAI GIFTER i1:J1:J? ji~i~ 1:Jt
e join Kial Yisroel in mourn Torah. Shortly after his bar mitzva, he invited to join Rabbi Eliyahu Meir ing the irreplaceable loss of left home to study in Yeshivas Rabbeinu Bloch and Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Katz W Rabbi Mordechai Gifter rou? Yitzchak Elchonon in New York where ;i~i~? cm~t, Roshei Yeshiva ofTelshe in P'"l~ 1"1, Rosh Hayeshiva of Telshe, in he eventually learned under Rabbi Cleveland, as a member of the hanhala Wickliffe, Ohio, member of the Moet Moshe Soloveitchik, with whom he (administration). He had an electrify zes Gedo lei Hatorah (Council of Torah developed a close relationship. ing hold on the talmidim, and eventu Sages) of Agudath Israel of America, Then, as a 17-year old, he traveled ally became Rosh Yeshiva. who was niftar (passed away) on 23 across an ocean, a continent, and an incal In 1977, Rabbi Gifter established the Teves, January 18. culable cultural chasm to Telshe, Lithua Yeshiva's branch in Telshe-Stone, near Always a student - the quintessen nia. From his first mesmerizing exposure Jerusalem. Two years later, with the tial ta/mid chacham, seeking wisdom, to Telshe, he advanced to eagerly taste and passing of Rabbi Baruch Sorotzkin amassing a remarkable breadth of then imbibe the Telzer experience, fol ?"~t, the Rosh Yeshiva of Tel she in knowledge, constantly probing for lowed by total immersion and ultimate Wickliffe, he was summoned to return deeper understanding .... Forever a ly full identification with Telshe. His to Telshe in America. master teacher - guiding, prodding, relentless pursuit of truth and dedicat In addition to his leadership role in pushing, clarifying, inspmng .... ed hasmada, coupled with remarkable the yeshiva, Rabbi Gifter was actively Incontrovertibly a Telzer - reflecting brilliance, brought him recognition as an involved in con1munal affairs in Cleve the majesty of Torah through total sub outstanding talmid chacham. He became land, as well as nationally and interna servience to Torah and complete an extremely close ta/mid of the Telshe tionally, through Agudath Israel, Torah involvement in its study .... A fearless Rav and Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Avraham Umesorah, and Chinuch Atzmai-Torah leader, clear-minded, Torah-guided, Yitzchak Bloch "!"'11. He became Schools for Israel. compassionate) yet uncompromising, betrothed to the Rav's niece, Shoshana More than serving as the paradigm uniquely articulate - inspiring and Bloch ·nrw, the daughter of Rabbi Zal for generations of American bnei Torah, enlightening his followers. man Bloch "!"'11, whom he married in Rabbi Gifter was the prototype of how Rabbi Gifter was born m America, just before the destruction of an An1erican boy can be elevated and Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1916. His fam Telshe, Lithuania, at the hands of the transformed into a Gadol ba Torah. ily moved to Baltimore where his edu Nazis Ct)'e' Mn". rr::i:~lln cation consisted of the conventional He served as Rav in Waterbury, A fuller tribute to Rav Gifter is being public school and afternoon Talmud Connecticut, until 1945, when he was prepared for a subsequent issue.
------·------·-·------·------~ The Jewish Observer, February 2001 3 - Two years in development ... - The product of two special conferences ... - With the input of over 100 Rabbonim, Mechanchim, Learning Specialists, Mental Health Professionals & Lay Activists ... NEFESH INTERNATIONAL The International network of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals in collaboration with 0HEl CHILDREN'S HOME & FAMILY SERVICES Announces the publication of CHILDREN IN CRISIS bETECTION & INTERVENTION 1 'fdren in crisis IJZ • n C , tei:-;entto , an d in ~ DetectJ.ol'\ \f. Steered and edited by '~Rabbi Shimon Russell, l.C.S.W. \ & Norman Blumenthal, Ph.D. 1i;,
This is essential reading for anyone involved in the prevention or treatment of children in crisis. Includes chapters on: - Elementary school - High school - Psychotherapy issues - - Outreach, crisis intervention & alternative placement - - Insights for Parents - Eating disorders - Substance abuse - Available from the Nefesh office by calling 732-363-2344 THE JEWISH OBSERVER (ISSN) 0021-6615 is published monthly except July and August by the Agudath Israel of America, 42 Broadway, New York, NY10004. Periodicals postage paid in New York, NY. Subscription $24.00 per year; two years, $44.00; three years, $60.00. Outside of the United States (US funds drawn on a US bank only) $12.00 surcharge per year. Single copy $3.50; foreign $4.50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer, 42 Broadway, NY., NY. 10004. Tel: 212-797-9000, Fax: HONESTY, INTEGRITY ... AND THE ORTHODOX jEW 646-254-1600. 6 Avoiding a Two-Fold Tragedy, Rabbi Nissan Wolpin Printed In the U.S.A. 9 A Call for Honesty and Integrity, RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR based on an address by Rabbi Avraham Pam N"v>?v EDITORIAL BOARD I I A Time to Grow... and Improve our Ethical Status, RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Chairman based on an address by the Novominsker Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Perlow N"v>?v RABBI ABBA SRUONY JOSEPH FRIEDENSON 14 Acts of Kiddush Hashem: Like Incense Before RABBI YISROEL MEIR KIAZNER RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN the Almighty, based on an address by Rabbi Elya Svei N"1"7v PROF. AARON TWERSKI
DR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER Z"L REPORTS FROM £RETZ YISROEL Founding Chairman 16 Dateline 5761: Promoting Shmitta Observance, MANAGEMENT BOARD by Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Rashgold, adapted and translated AVI FISHOF NAFTOLI HIRSCH by Avrohom Birnbaum ISAAC KIRZNER RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN 23 "HaKadosh Baruch Hu Is Not Going to Leave You":
RABBI YOSEF C. GOLDING An interview with Mrs. Miriam Brovender, Sarah Shapiro Managing Editor
Published by 30 When Life Gains New Meaning, Mrs. Debbie Shapiro Agudath Israel of America
U.S. TlWJE DISTRIBUTOR ISRAEU REPRESENTATIVE 33 Speaking Up For the Wall, Miriam Zakon Feldheim PubliSiters lnlnl. Media Placemen! 200 Airport Executive Park POB 7195 / 5 Even Israel Nanuet. NY 10954 Jerusalem. ISRAEL PURIM RUMINATIONS BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE BELGIAN REPRESENTATIVE M.T. Bibelman Mr. E. Apter 3 8 Baths, Bullies and Barley, Rabbi Yechiel Spero Grosvenor Works Lange Kievitstr. 29 Mount Pleasant Hill 2018 Antwerp London ES 9NE, ENGLAND BELGIUM INFORMATION You CAN USE FRENCH REPRESENTATIVE SWISS REPRESENTATIVE Rabbi Bamberger Mr. S. Feldinger 42 Things to Say and Not Say to Your Presently Unmarried 21 Boulevard Paixrians Leimanstrasse 36 57000 Metz 4051 Basel Neighbor, Tzivia Ehrlich-Klein FRANCE SWITZERLAND THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product, publication, or service 48 Letters to the Editor advertised in its pages
© Copyright 2001
February 2001 VOLUME XXXIV/NO. 2 THE WAY IT WAS A few more questions, and Newton stood Observer featured a most excellent arti up and reached for Springer's hand. "It's cle by Yonason Rosenhlum entitled "The he following is an actual episode yours." Kiddush Hashem Imperative?' The idea that took place ten years ago, told Springer was speechless ... so simple? so of performing Kiddush Hashem and Tto the author hy one of the prin direct? so immediate? "I see that you're sur avoiding Chillul Hashem is all the more cipals: prised at how quickly we expedited this loan. crucial, given our great successes and Nachum Klein' CPA accompanied his I'll tell you the truth, Mr. Springer. I rarely communal growth in recent decades .... client Irving Springer*, CEO of Horizons take figures on a spreadsheet at face value. Since September I have been a Realty, to present his financial statement to But your accountant- Klein? - well, he had "Partners in Torah" mentor to a cou the Vice President in charge of credit at his one of those black beanies on his head. My ple in Ariwna. We have two phone ses bank. Springer hoped to negotiate a large experience has shown me that a fellow like sions per week, each of which goes for loan for expansion of his cornpany. that, 1vho lives by a higher authority, just about ninety minutes. Until now, my The two 1nen had gone to yeshiva won't misrepresent the facts. I take him at main thrust has been to demonstrate together during their teens, and now n1ain his word." the sterling attributes of our Biblical tained a strong professional relationship for Ancestors, of Chaza~ and of our con over a dozen years. CHANGING PERCEPTIONS tinuous and miraculous mitzva-obser After entering the elevator of the bank vant Jews for generations. Actually, I building, Irving removed his yarmulke from his happened ten years ago. That do not regularly read the news. I found his head and slipped it into his pocket, "When was the way such matters were out about recent financial embar I'm in a non-Jewish establishment, I like my Talways viewed, and hopefully rassments amongst Orthodox Jews proposal to be evaluated objectively. My overt still are viewed. But, unfortunately, that from my Arizona Torah partners, and Jewishness seems to get in the way," he may not always be public perception, as I was speechless in response. It would explained. on occasion an Orthodox Jew or Jew be very constructive if I were now able "Please don't expect 1ne to do the same," ish communal group will - with the best to show them that that was a specific countered Nachum. "My yarmulke always of intentions, or with less than that - individual act, and was completely stays on n1y head, no niatter where." be misguided enough to engage in ille against our communal policies. Once in the reception area, the men hung gal activity. Truly a tragic event. Worse, I believe that anyone can easily up their coats, and Nachum removed his it becomes doubly tragic if people may accept that there are individuals who hat, revealing his black skullcap. then unfairly generalize regarding will unfortunately do wrong. The Into VP Newton's office, they shook Orthodox Jewish ethics. For example, problein here is that this may cause an hands and, seated around a table, Nachum the following, which is excerpted from "unwritten" belief in the public's eye spread his statement in front ofNewton. The a letter from Mr. Charles Sarway of that Orthodox Jews believe that they VP glanced over the figures, asked three or Brooklyn, NY, to Rabbi Shmuel can and should act against the law so four pertinent questions, thanked Mr. Klein Bloom, vice president of Agudath long as they can get away with it. We and showed him to the door. Israel of America: need to actively and puhlicly work to The January issue of The Jewish dispel that notion. 'Not his real name.
6 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 AS THE WORLD AT LARGE ONCE KNEW venting the poretz, the czar, or the anti Derech Eretz, whereby all of one's activ Semitic commandant - a defensive, old ities - including those that may seem e reject outright the unfortu European mindset that allows for bend temporal by nature- must be informed nate misperception of Ortho ing the rules to survive in a violently by Torah guidelines, business dealings W dox integrity, "Get away with hostile world. no less than others. what you can. The only crime is getting Three revered leaders of the Ameri • Rabbi Yisroel Salanter, founder of the caught." But does the world at large still can Torah world went on the record this Mussar Movement, stressed that 90% of know that this characterization is base past November, at the National Conven interpersonal disagreements could be less, as they once knew? tion of Agudath Israel of America, under avoided if only people would consult Are they aware that the Talmud scoring our religious and moral obliga Choshen Mishpat- the part of Shulchan teaches us that the determining factor in tion to conduct ourselves honestly in all Aruch that deals with monetary affairs. the Divine decision to destroy the world our dealings. (See the three articles that One cannot rely on one's subjective during the depraved Dor Hamabul (the Generation of the Flood) was thievery? That during the Ne'ilah prayers that bring Yorn Kippur services to a close, we desperately plead with G-d to deal • magnanimously with us and forgive our ''just as we are makpid that our meat sins, "for You have granted us this Day be glatt Kosher so must our money be of Atonement. .. that we refrain from sullying our hands with oshek (ill glatt yosher. " begotten funds), and return to You to fulfill Your will with a complete heart." Nothing else stands in the way of • atonement; only oshek. Another factor in the Jewish views of follow.) Their messages are urgent, sense of justice or gut feelings. The law ethical conduct: After having lived one's compelling, and - as always - timely. must decide. life, the first question one must answer They spoke to us - individually as well • Reb Yisroel's leading disciple, Reb Sim before the Heavenly Tribunal is: "Did as communally. The fact that they, and cha Zissel Ziv (known as the Alter of you conduct your business affairs with others, repeatedly articulate their strong Kelm) visited his son Reb Daniel, who faith [meaning integrity]?" (We will feelings on the central role of integrity headed a lumber business. On his return to this later, in the article based in Judaism should serve to dispel the return, he reported, "My son Daniel on an address by Rabbi Avraham Pam myth that "Cheating is really OK, as long walks through his lumber yard with N"tn?Yl.) Prime question in prime time. as ...." It never was OK and never will be. Mesillas Yesharim in hand" - not liter Moreover, the Kabbalists tell us that a ally carrying the sefer, but guiding his soul that reports to the Heavenly Throne ETHICS: UNIVERSAL AMONG every step in his business by the prin after having completed its mission on ORTHODOX JEWS ciples of R' Luzatto's classic Path of the earth cannot collect its just reward, if the Just. person the soul has inhabited died with o forget about the myth of a lega • Although there should be no limit as someone else's money in its possession. cy of taking financial shortcuts. to how much one can achieve in Torah It must return to earth, as agilgul (trans SThere is no group within Jewry study or tefilla, that is not always the migration), to repay the money. that does not have a treasured legacy of case. The Vilna Gaon cautions that Haven't we all heard these themes, caution and care regarding integrity in should one shingle on the roof of the time and again? Aren't they part of the monetary dealings. beis midrash where one is studying or essential Jewish outlook on life? Don't • First to come to mind is the credo of praying be held in place by a stolen nail, non-religious Jews and non-Jews rec Rabbi Joseph Breuer ?"~, oft repeated a limit is thereby imposed on the ognize that in essence a religious Jew by Rabbi Shimon Schwab 7"~: "Just as degree of growth one can experience in must be an ethical human being? we are makpid (fastidious) that our meat that building. be glatt Kosher (adhering to a standard A CULTURAL THING WITH JEWS of unblemished Kashrus), so must our VISITING NY? money be glatt yo sher (unblemished in MIDWOOD ome argue that there is a cultural the honesty with which it is earned)." GUEST SUITES thing about Orthodox Jews, aves •To be sure, this reflects Rabbi Samson Ave. J, Brooklyn Stige from generations of circum- Raphael Hirsch's doctrine of Torah-im- 718-253-9535
The Jewish Observer, February 2001 7 (For this reason, says Rabbi Yosef Now you tan Enjoy 111uminanne Torah Insights from Yoizel Horowitz - the Alter of Novaradok - Rav Chiya went to the RABBI YOSEF VIENER trouble of planting flax, to use for weav Jlfara D'asra, Mud as fisroel ol Flatbush ing nets to catch deer, which he then slaughtered. He wrote the entire Torah Captured for your conveniente on Tape on parchment made from the deer hides to use for teaching Jewish chil .."""'--• Spousal Responsibilities: dren. He did not rely on any ready Halachas and Hashkafas af the made materials, because he wanted the Husband/Wife Relationship foundation of his history-making (2 tapes) Torah project to be firm, unblemished by financial shortcuts or compromis • The Rig his and Privileges af es. He could only guarantee that pris the Husband and af the Wife tine quality- prerequisites for unlim •Specific Halachic Obligations ited growth - if he himself initiated this • Practical Solutions ta seminal undertaking from its very Everyday Issues first steps, with full control of the Ambassadors of Torah (2 tapes) integrity invested.) Po rents: Presenting the Halochos & Hashkolos of Yiddishkeit to the Outside WoM • The Bnai Yisas' char quotes the Chas Responsibilities &Obligations sidic sage, Reb Mendel of Riminov in (2 tapes) • Kiddush Hashem I Chillul Hashem • Responding ta Sensitive Inquiries Jgra d'Pirka, that one often sees young • Moving Away from Parents •Teaching Tarah ta an Akum children who are full of promise and • Issues with In-laws potential. Yet, by the time they reach • Marriageand Kibbud their mid-teens, they fail to fulfill that • Doing What They Want vs. promise. The reason, says Reb Mendel, What They Need is because they were fed foods that were purchased with ill-begotten money. They thus never realize their potential. """ From Galus to Geulah: • Similarly, the Sefardi sage, the Chida, !:'- Concepts and Misconceptions ~-,,,,.~;- warns that families that sustain them ·---- ?·.J (2 tapes) selves through dishonest means will not •The Dynamics af succeed in bringing up wholesome Nn1t01Ji Nn.'.li7V Contemporary Hashkala Series children, • i10Ji:J during (Volumes I-IV - 6 tapes per series) Obviously, there is no group within the era of n•1"lJ Among the many topics discussed: the full scope of Orthodoxy that con • Understanding the Change • Avoiding the Curseaf 'Adam &Chava' siders itself exempt from the Torah's eth in aur Daily lives • Sibling Rivalry ical guidelines for conduct of financial • Democracy vs. Monarchy • Gambling with Mitzvas affairs. Should the perception be oth erwise - that some of us do not feel bound by Torah guidelines - that would be a defamation of Torah, a Chillul To order by credit can/ please call: CJ Enclosed is my check for __ payable to Agudath Israel Keren Vad Avrohom Hashem of tragic proportions. 718-438-3904 :J Please charge my credit card: 0 Visa '.:l MasterCard When such defamatory views are Signature ______voiced, we may feel impelled to protest, which may or may not be fruitful. There Card II is, however, one type of protest against this calumny that is incontestably effec Name tive. That is to listen to the calls to integrity issued by our Torah leaders, to think into the implications of their State Zip words, and to guide our actions accord ingly. This would be the most articulate refutation conceivable. •
8 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 HONESTY. INTEGRITY••• AND THE ORTHODOX EW
Rabbi Avraham Pam,...,,,.,..,, Rosh Yeshiva Mesivta Torah Vodaath and member of Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah (Council of Torah Sages) of Agudath Israel of America issues A(ALL FOR HONESTY AND INTEGRITY
EMUNA IN THE MARKETPLACE Torah scholar who knows the laws as set including non-Je\vs, all the more so when out in Choslzen Mishpat (the section of the it can lead to Chillul Hashem, an egre thical conduct in financial matters Shulchan Aruch dealing with financial mat gious sin." In addition, notes the Ran1- is a topic that is very close to my ters). When one has a personal involvement bani, "such conduct has a negative Eheart. There are several common or a financial interest in the matter ( noge'a impact on one's own character and 1nid misconceptions on the subject that bedavar), he cannot adjudicate with the dos, and even worse, such behavior and must be addressed. required clarity and objectivity. As Chaz the people perpetrating it are despicable Chazal say, "The first question a per alhave set forth, "A person cannot perceive in the eyes of Hashem." He cites Devarim son is asked by the Heavenly Court is, his own shortcomings:' Ghazal apply this (25, 16), "To'avas Hashem kol oseh aveil. 'Did you conduct business \Vith emuna, principle even to great rabbinic scholars. All those who act fraudulently are dis faithfully, with integrity?"' ( Shabbos It goes without saying that the same holds gusting in the eyes of Hashem:' The Ram 3la). Emuna also means faith in true all the more with people who have bam writes in conclusion that he Hashem, faith that one's livelihood ulti never learned the relevant laws of Choshen digressed from explaining the Mishna so mately comes from Him, and that con Mishpat. Just as one submits other halacha as to discuss this topic because one can sequently, any unethical financial con questions to a beis din (rabbinical court), not silently ignore such devious conduct. duct will not increase the amount that so should he seek beis din's judgment on any individual was destined to earn. these questions. Yes, he may lose his case, AN UNACCEPTABLE DICHOTOMY Emuna means being straightforward in but even then he should be happy, as the business, straight with one's employees and Talmud states in Sanhedrin, "When one he Chillul Hashem resulting from straight with one's business partners. leaves beis din, he should rejoice that he has financial misconduct is awesome. When there are disputes between partners, not transgressed the prohibition of theft." TThere are some individuals who employers and workers, buyers and sell As a loser, he was spared holding on to the are extremely .1netictilous in their serv ers, one cannot shoulder the responsibil money that was not rightfully his. ice of Hashem in areas described as ity of deciding these issues by oneself. It is A Jew is bound by the same rules of "between Man and G-d," yet they are wrong to assume that there is no halacha conduct no matter whom he deals with, nevertheless neglectful in ethical mat question involved, and therefore one may as the Rambam explicitly states (Laws ters. As an indication of this unfortunate do as one wishes. This applies to the busi of Theft 7: 8), "Should one act dishon dichotomy, there are visibly observant ness dealings of even a wise and erudite estly [with any member of mankind], Jews in jail for misconduct of this kind. the pasuk (Devarim 25, 16) refers to him The Chillul Hashem is magnified and The above essay is based on an address delivered at the recent National Convention of Agudath as 'disgusting in G-d's eyes."' even greater when mosdos (institutions) Israel of America. It was translated and prepared In his commentary to the Mishna in of Torah and chessed display a similar for publication by Rabbi Avrohom Birnbaum, Tractate Keilim (Ch. 2 ), Rambam writes, lack of integrity. True, such cases are very an educator in Lakewood, NJ, whose byline "The Talmud ( Chulin 94) states that it is few. Nevertheless, when a mosad of Torah appears in the weekly English~L:tnguage Hamodia. absolutely prohibited to mislead anyone, engages in such conduct, the stain on the
The Jewish Observer, February 2001 9 reputation of the Torah is dreadful: How Now, vve are familiar with fan1ilies life of a ben Torah, a chareidi Jew or any ironic it is! \rVhile doing son1ething "for that are expected to pay extremely high shomer Torah and mitzvos. A road that the sake of Heaven;' they are desecrat tuition fees for six or eight children can ultimately lead to Chillul Hashem ing the Name of I-leaven! Is it conceiv enrolled in yeshivas. How can they meet can never yield worthwhile benefits. able that one would profane the name their financial obligations? This situation In Parshas Enior, the Torah states, of Hashem ... for the sake of Hashem? Is is not unco1nmon in our con1111unities. "Ush'rnarte1n es mitzvosai, va'asisern such a concept comprehensible? Could In view of his crushing financial burden, osam ... v'lo sechal'lu es Shem kodshi" we possibly be obligated to speak and the father of such a family may be tempt (You shall heed My mitzvos and perform propagate Torah by means of conduct ed to engage in dishonest financial them, and not profane My holy Name). that is the very antithesis of Torah, thus practices, which violate Torah guidelines. Rashi explains the words" U'shmartem bringing shame to Torah? ... But then, does he have an alternative? es mitzvosai" to mean "studying then1," It is surely far better for him to solic because keeping the mitzvos is only pos it charity from his generous brethren sible through study. Rashi then contin than resort to questionable practices. ues: " ... Va'asiseni osam" refers to the 1" Invei There is no reason for hi1n to be actual performance of mitzvos. This ashamed, for it would certainly be pasuk continues, telling us: Yes, we are R~r-( Hagefen preferable to engaging in falsehood and obligated to learn the rnitzvos and to keep [cCfcr deception. To ask for help is not igno the mitzvos, but never (Heaven forbid) r~l. t The Shidduch service minious or shameful. On the contrary, through causing" Shern kodshi, My holy for older singles one is providing his fellow Jew with an Name, to be profaned:' Everybody, espe tLl opportunity to perform the enviable cially a person who is seen as repre C.. A project of N'shei Agudath Israel with mitzva of helping Jewish children learn senting Torah, must be ready to give up Agudath Israel of A1nerica Torah. Even if one still feels uncom his life for Kiddush Hashem, as the pasuk 6619 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 fortable, he should bear in mind that it concludes," Venikdashti besach Bnei Yis Tel. (718) 256-7525 •Fax (718) 256-7578 is far better to pursue this course than roel, I will be sanctified in the midst of one that is not in consonance with the the children of Israel:' There is no jus tification for causing Chillul Hashem when the alternative is simply embar rassment from asking for financial help.
YASHRUS - THE ULTIMATE PRAISE
n Kohelles, Shlomo Hamelech says: "G-d made man yashar - straight." I • Full Day, Half Day, Or Part Time Programs I • Includes Intensive Limudei Koclesh I Yashrus translates into Kiddush I • Endorsed By Leading Gedolei Yisrael And Educators I Hashem. That characteristic is the beau • Choice of Regular or Lishma Program ty and the ultimate praise of the Jewish I • Dynamic Shiurim By Renowned Mech-chim I nation. • Hundreds Of Successful, Maalot Graduates Worldwide Our Torah is called" Taras Em es;' the I • A Warm Bois Yaakov Ahnosphere • Seled Group Of Students I Torah of Truth: "The Seal of Hashem is • Option of Eight Week Summar Program In Ye.,,sholayim I • The Exciting Altemalive To A Full Year In Eretz Yisroer I truth." Am Yisroel is described as the Our Mechanchim Include: Rabbi Matis Blum, Rabbi Avraham Blumenkrantz, I Chosen Nation; we were chosen to serve I Rabbi Yehuda Cahan, Rabbi Dov Eichenstein, Rabbi Dovid Gibber, Rabbi Yoel Kromer, as an example and a light unto the Robbi Noson Dovid Robinowich, Rabbi Mechel Spitzer, Rabbi Yisroel Dov Webster, nations. Particularly in our times, when I Rebbetzin Yehudis Davidowitz, Rebbetzin Chaya Ginzberg, Rebbetzin Devora Kitevitt, I Rebbetzin Naoma Lerman, Rebbetzin Rivka Oratz, Rebbetzin Esther Twerslcy, the honor of Heaven is at a low ebb, and I Summer In Eretz Yisr•I: Rabbi Dovid Refson - Dean, Rabbi Dovid Kass - Director, I the honor of the Jewish People and the Rabbi Nosson Geisler, Rabbi Leib Keleman, Rabbi Y. Monat, , Rabbi Meir Treibitz, Torah has fallen so low, do we have an Rebbetzin Tzi rah Heller, Rebbetzin Zehava Kass, Rebbetzin Rena Tarshish. obligation to strengthen ourselves and raise K'vod Shamayim, K'vod HaTorah and K'vod Am YisroeL Through such efforts, we will merit the great light of the Divine Presence, the light of the RABii SHOLOM G. GINZBERG, DEAN Torah for all of Klal Yisroel, speedily in 931 Coney Island Avenue 8raaklyn, NY 11 230 I-- For______More Information Phone Or Fax:17181377.0222 liiii& ___ _ I our days. • 10 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 HONESTY, INTEGRITY... AND THE 0RTHODOX]EW
Rabbi Yaakov Perlow N"t:>"'1!1, the Novominsker Rebbe, Rosh Agudas Yisroe/, declares it A TIME TO GROW ... AND IMPROVE OUR ETHICAL STATUS
THE IMPORTANCE OF SHTEIGING times when our 1ninds are focused on Shel Olam is suffering! The sacred com our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisroel munity that is supposed to represent the hile the Yiddish word shteigen who are under constant threat - and we word of Hashem is suffering! is usually reserved in our lex and they are one body, one unit of peo The Rambam introduces the fifth W icon for Yeshiva bachurirn - plehood - how urgent, how vital it is for chapter of Hilchos Yesodei Hatornh with they're expected to shteig, to grow, to each of us to refine, to uplift, his share the words - cwn 1!ln'p '>v pmm ?N-ren !T>:l ?:J advance in their TOrah studies - it in the universal Yisroel Sabba, the body pttrnn1 ,7NW' 'l:l j!n:t 'l1'V1j7l1lr.lNJ"V71"Tli1 should apply as well to all of us: to of Kial Yisroel. '"''P C\?J T1N 177nn N71 1r.ll
The Jewish Observer, February 2001 7 7 A NEGATIVE IMAGE would say it has been replaced by sus promoting integrity and morality, that picion as a matter of course, especially is Kiddush Hashem. If the Torah is e are currently witnessing a in regard to the "ultra" corner of the challila perceived as condoning or cov situation in our midst that Orthodox world. ering up for the opposite of integrity and Wcannot allow us any rest. The This tragedy is, actually, to some morality, that is Chillul Hashem . image of Torah Jews is being perceived extent, a lin1ud zechus- casting a posi Can we ignore this, and continue as dishonest, unethical and lacking in tive light on our much-maligned com comfortably in our ways? Or are we bid integrity. Stories reported in the news munity. The world is focusing a spot den by Hashem to make an attempt, papers referring to Orthodox Jews, light on us and looking at us with a public and private, to try and correct the however exaggerated or unttue they may jaundiced eye - rushing to negative situation? be, are causing Chillul Hashem. These judgment about us, resolving all ambi We may look for all kinds of loop include unacceptable practices con1- guities against us, holding us to a high holes for all sorts of practices. This is mitted either by individuals or institu er standard than others. It is thus true not the place to go into detail, but pre- tions, resulting from a dichoto sumably there are loopholes my in people's minds that for certain exceptional situa separates between glatt kosher tions. I am not writing these and glatt yosher (perfectly words as a paragon of virtue, upright). This conduct is caus and perhaps I should be ing Hashem's Name to suffer telling myself 1r.i~v vrn1p desecration in an enormous C'1nN v1vp :rnN1 - "Address measure. your own needs for better I am certainly aware that ment) and then improve oth some of these perceptions are ers." And that mandate for unfair and untrue, blown out of self-improvement may also proportion by journalists and refer to n1any of our finest, other n1edia representatives most respected individuals only too happy to blacken the and institutions. But one thing image of Torah Jews. We are is clear, Chillul Hashem has no subjected to a double standard loopholes. lf something was that seeks to magnify and pub thought of as acceptable, but licize every wart on our body. later results in Chillul Hashem, But we 1nust also confront the then all the imagined loop unpleasant, painful fact that the holes are nullified, retroac noble character of the Charei tively. For the Mishna says, di community has lost its noble "Whether deliberate or unin- reputation in the halls of gov tentional, Chillul Hashem is ernment and in the mind of the pub that some of the "scandals" are much intolerable. ?17n~ ;>m ;nN1 """ ;nN, lic. There was a time when, as a 1natter ado about nothing, or close to nothing, C'\Vil which means that one cannot give of course, it was assumed that an and merely reflect the unfortunate real excuses when K'vod Shamayim (Heav Orthodox Jew was a paradigm of ethi ity that we have become a popular tar enly honor) is being violated. The cal virtue - the n1ore religious, the n1ore get of accusation and derision. The fact, demands of K'vod Shamayirn supersede ethical. As a result of this general broad however, that our collective i1nage is so all other considerations. And Chillul assumption, the occasional story of an sullied, that the world is ready and anx Hashem exceeds all other infractions. Orthodox failing was seen as an aber ious to assume the worst, is itself a ter If we were to make a serious personal ration; ambiguous Orthodox conduct rible indictn1ent of our generation. accounting, individually and institu was typically resolved by making a pos Hashem yerachem. tionally, and were to con1mit ourselves itive judgment; reporters and district Think for a moment. Very recently, to the idea that the needs of K'vod attorneys interested in headlines and when a Jewish candidate was chosen to Shamayirn are Number One on our list indictments focused their attention run for high political office, the entire of priorities, that everything - every elsewhere. world recognized that he was selected thing we do, in private or in public - Today, unfortunately, we may have precisely because of his reputation for must first be measured by its impact on squandered our exalted image. The integrity and morality) which were seen K'vod Shamayim, we would be making automatic favorable assumption has as flowing directly from his Orthodox decisions in a different way. In light of been eroded to the point where some way of life. If the Torah is perceived as the current state-of-affairs, unless we
12 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 are serious about this cornrnitment, \Ve mal chinuch in our educational institu done - then the probing questions of will have little to answer when the Day tions. We expect our schools to have the young people will be even more diffi of Reckoning comes. best teachers, and maintain the highest cult to answer. standards of education. We strive and The time had come long ago; but EMES AS THE FOUNDATION hope that our children grow up with novv, it is imperative that we seriously, OF THE SOUL Torah ideals, with yiras Shamayim, and even brutally, reevaluate our business sterling character, dedicated to Men practices, our institutional practices, and nd what about the values of emes schlichkeit and Yiddishkeit. Can we see if they measure up to Hashetn's ways, and yosher themselves? Rabbeinu expect all this to happen once they dis the path upon which vve are instructed AYona writes in Shaarei Teshuva: cover around them a less-than-meticu to walk ... to the attribute of ernes, which .'V!JJn 'il'D'r.l Nm '::> n1:1Nn 'lil 7v u:i,,nrni lous attitude toward Choshen Mishpat is the very foundation of the son!. "We are bound to honor the guidelines (jurisprudential law)? Is this atmosphere The well-known Ramban explains of Truth, because it is the foundation of conducive to the kind of chinuch we the purpose of shiluach hake in (sending one's soul." A striking phrase: desire for our children? away the mother bird before taking the We are endowed with Tzellem Young people, married and unmar fledgling) as not being aimed at the wel Elokim, cast in the image of G-d ... and ried bnei Torah, are today asking prob fare of the bird, but designed for our His seal is Truth. Emes, Truth, is the ing questions about these matters, and own betterment: C'r.Jrni1nl:i'nl:i1J::l'lin7 foundation of our soul. Our nefesh is older people are finding it very difficult to accustom us to the pathways of com ?vr.ir.i i71?N p'm - a portion of G-d Him to answer. passion. We onght to begin to do some self Our attribute of ernes derives its The suggestion has been made to similar patterning in our lives, son1e charge from the Divine attribute of e1nes. introduce in our halacha programs in learning, some training, U:J'lii17 What, then, is to become of our nefesh yeshivas and day schools, units on basic nr.ir
Sweeten Shalach Manos with Schmerling
Taste the creamy richness of Schmer!ing' s .,...---/···-·-KL:~·------Choco Blanc, or the '+Jbtle delicacy oi pareve ,,- ,/~J,/,..r" Noblesse Semi-Sweet. You'!lwanttotryeveryvarietyof _/.;;:~~;.,~·,,' Schmerling's quality Swiss chocolates. Our milk chocolates _,.,--;.. .. - .... --:_-:.~ ..11r' ..t?'~ are Cholov Yisrael and our dark chocolates are truly pareve. · " All Schmerling's products maintain the highest standards of Kashruth and quality.
l"Jl'1TRl8UHf?BYTAAM TOVf(XlOPROO\l(T\ BROOKLYN, NY 1122)
The Jewish Observer, February 2001 13 HONESTr, INTEGRITY••• AND THE ORTHODOX JEW
Rabbi Elya Svei N"V~7'1?.' Rosh Hayeshiva of the Yeshiva of Philadelphia, member of Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America, underscores the importance of ACTS OF KIDDUSH HASHEM. LIKE INCENSE BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY he Goan Rav Pam N"P>?'\!I and \r\Then Hashen1 was about to give the 25), with one exception: The commands the Admor of Novominsk Torah to the Jewish People, the regarding the golden altar, which was used TN"P>?'\!I took the courage to Malachim protested that it would vio for incense, appear at the end of Tetza address a painful topic. When it comes late the dignity of the Torah to give it veh (Shemos 30, 1-10). There must be a to n1atters of Chillul Hashen1, ho\vever, to mere hu1nans. "Bestow Your glory on reason for this, and indeed the Seforno one cannot be neutral or indifferent. I the Heavens!" they pleaded. offers the following explanation: The ti.me· would like to add that fretz Yisroel is cur Moshe Rabbeinu responded that the tion of all other vessels was to bring the rently facing a grave crisis - and even glory of Heaven is better served when the Shechina (Divine Presence) into the before those current difficulties, Kial Yis Torah is presented to people, for humans Mishkan, and the commands regarding roel has been suffering a plague))"';> of are beset vvith evil urges, envy and base their configuration and use appear young children dying. These consider less hatred. and Torah enables them to before the mitzva regarding the con ations introduce an element of urgency overcon1e these drives, and even uproot struction of the Mishkan. The ketores, how to this call for introspection and se]f. then1. This corrective po\ver of Torah ever, \'\!as meant to enhance K'vod in1proven1cnt. brings even greater glory to I-leaven than Shamayim - bringing glory, so to speak, According to Chazal, the Malach presenting Torah to Malachi111 vvould. to Hashem. The commands regarding the Hamovess (Angel of Death) revealed to In appreciation for this insight, each ketores thus appear later. Moshe Rabbeinu the power that ketores of the Malachifn presented 1\!foshe I would suggest, then, that just as Moshe (incense offerings) possesses to stave off Rabbeinu with a gift; among them, the Rabbeinu revealed the basis for greater a plague of death. One wonders why the secret of ketores vvas i1nparted to Moshe K'vod Shamayim to the Malachim, they Malach would be willing to share this infor by the Malach Hamovess. The special in turn revealed secrets of K'vod n1ation, which could in effect undermine nature of this exchange beco1nes clear Sha111ayirn to Moshe: that ketores, as a his own mission. TI1e Gemora (Shabbos 89a) with an explanation by the classic com nlediu1n to inspire K'vod Shan1ayini, has reveals the background for this decision: mentator Seforno (Parshas Tetzaveh): within it the power to even over-rule death. The various vessels of the and The above essay was excerpted fron1 a longer pres Mish/am entation on
14 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 n~~ N!JN !7Ni'V~ !Jvj 1n1~ \' ''-""'.' ,_ti-
s the crisis continues in Eretz Yisrael, ing a worldwide initiative to unite A it is imperative that Kial Yisrael call schools and shuls together as a z'chus for upon the weapon Hashem has the Jews of Eretz Yisrael. given us to triumph over Right now, with our tefillos so essential, our enemies-the power of we are mobilizing a campaign to awaken united tefillos. everyone to the tremendous power of But the Chafetz Chaim each person's tefillos and the critical teaches that for our tefillos importance of unity and Shmiras to penetrate the Heavens Haloshon in unleashing that power. -they must come from Now you can link your school or mouths untainted by shul to a united, well-organized coalition V'J:J.p>J ·pN ... i)N"U loshon hora. "n'Jyr.>? 1n'J!:ln to arm ourselves with the most efh~ctive "He is not able to Therefore, on the advice weapon we possess. Tugether we can accommplish properly of Gedolei Yisrael, the mobilize the only real defense for our in sacred matters ... Chafetz Chaim Heritage people-the undefeatable merit of our his prayers are not Foundation is launch- sincere, unified tefillos. accepted above." - Chafetz Chaim
Join hundmds of shuls and schools around the world MISSION STATEMENT Call Alan Proctor today for your slml or school information kit. The goal of the Shmiras Haloshon lnititative is to mobilize a worldwide (800) 867-2482 coalition of concerned Jews to implement a daily commitment to the learning and To sign up your school or shul To sign up your office or learning group observing of the mitzvah of Shmiras Send your name, address, phone number, Send your name, address, phone number, Haloshon. It 1s our intention that the great school or shul name, fax number and school or shul name, fax number and merit of Shmiras Haloshon will amplify the number of students or members to number of participants to: power of our tefillos to protect the Jews Email: [email protected] Email: in itiative@chofetzcha i mus a.org FAX: (845) 352-3605 FAX: (845) 352-3605 of Eretz Yisrael.
This ready-made program includes seforim, posters, Sponsored by the Yad Avraham Institute and as a z'chus for J\Jl'!l ln) p J'J:i rr ,'Ji:lln> i111i1' ,J111>ND ,OOJiJN )lr.'.ll)J tapes, sign-up forms and support materials. The Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation• 6 Melmck Dr.• Monsey, New York 10952 (845) 352-3505 ·FAX (845) 352-3605 REPORTS FROM BRETZ YISROEL Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Rashgold
Dateline 5761: Promoting itta Observance
I. HELPING THE HEROES originally caused us to be expelled from This is indeed a difficult test. It is a test our land. They are therefore doing more of emuna. A test of simple Yiras s we find ourselves in the inidst for us than we are doing for them. In Shamayim. A test of love ofEretz Yis of the Shmitta year of 5761 their merit, we will be able to live peace roel - and even more than that, it is a A(2000-2001), we have a deep fully in our land. They are shielding us test of whether we really yearn for the interest in the increased Sh1nitta obser from harm with their pure, simple faith final Ge'ula. vance in accordance with halacha in in Hashem who co1nmanded us to rest Eretz Yismel. To appreciate the signifi the land during Shmitta and promised II. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW cance of bringing as n1any of the His blessings to those who observe it. approximately 350 fanning settlements What is our monetary donation in he mitzva of Shmitta is stated on the agricnltural map of Israel into co1nparison to their amazing mesiras nu1nerous times in the 1brah1 yet Shnzitta observance, \VC quote an arti nefesh? Just imagine a business1nan, a Tfor almost 1500 years following cle published before an earlier Shmitta, professional or a clerk being told to stop the exile from Bretz Yisroel, the Jewish penned by the late writer and faithful working for an entire year. In essence, people were unfortunately not afford emissary of tbe Gedolim of previous gen that is what these farmers are being ed the opportunity to fulfill this mitz erations, Rabbi Moshe Schonfeld, 7"!: asked to do. Every believing Jew knows va. There \¥ere simply no Jevvish farn1- The Gedolei Yisroel have called on that the Torah commands that the land ers working the land during tbat entire us to join the effort and help those men rest during Shmitta. He should recog period. This all changed when tbe Jews of rare heroism and strength of spirit, nize that he has an obligation to these of Eastern Europe began emigrating to the farmers who keep Shmitta. The farmers who are keeping Shvi'is on Bretz Yisroel in the mid-lSOO's. Many of Gedolim have commanded us all to behalf of Bnei Yisroel. Aren't all of us them arrived, hoping to work the land contribute to Keren Hashvi'is. They call obligated to go above and beyond our and 1nake Bretz Yisroel a prosperous, and tve answer. They command and we means and become partners in saving agriculturally self-sufficient country. obey. This is not a regular tzeddaka or and protecting Eretz Yisroel? In 1849 tbe question of Shmitta obser chessed appeal. Our farmers and agri During this Shmitta year, the Torah vance first came to the forefront. Fron1 cultural workers who work by the community will in essence be under then on, there have ahvays been sever sweat of their brow through sheer toil going a test. Is the kedusha of our land al farmers who observed Shmitta with during their six-year work cycle, are not ofreal import to the1n, or is it just a con great self-sacrifice. Many others, who in need of charitable donations. They venient, nice sounding slogan? Is the longed to observe this niitzva were, are our shlichim, our proxies. They are Torah community only ready to par unfortunately, unable to withstand the the messengers of the entire Jewish ticipate in demonstrations when the extreme hardships that Shmitta obser nation who have assumed with joy and land of Israel is being desecrated and vance entailed. love, without seeking hetterim, the defiled? Or are they also ready to Thus, sixteen Shmittos ago, in 5649 burden ofrectifying the very aveira that de1nonstrate their devotion to Eretz Yis (1888-1889), the leaders of the Chovevei Rabbi Rashgold is associated with the Merkazfor roel in a positive sense, to make sacri Tzion Movement (actually a religious Slunitta~Observant Fanners. The above article fices to increase the holiness of the land group) decided that ways would have to \Vas adapted fron1 the Hebrew by RabbiAvrohom that Hashem gave to our forefathers? be found to circumvent Shmitta obser- Birnbaun1 of Lakewood NJ.
16 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 vance if a new yishuv based on agricul Yeshaya Karelitz, ., .. ,,!. The Chazon !sh arise in modern-day farming. This sefer ture were to be developed. They feared threw himself heart and soul into find had a tremendous impact on both the that if Shmitta were to be observed even ing legitimate halachic ways for Jews to batei midrashim of Bretz Yisroel and its once, it would set a difficult precedent keep Shmitta without having to rely on religious farmers. The Chazon !sh later for all subsequent Shmitta years that the questionable "helter mechira." The remarked, "When I was learning Mish would follow. Out of this concern, they Chazon !sh had one nlain goal, • to non-Jews. These rabbis had acted in which he renders detailed halachic Shmitta observance1 citing G-d's prom without being aware that Jerusalem's decisions on the practical proble1ns that ise of redemption at the conclusion of rabbis had strenuously objected to the "helter" and its alleged need. (For a fuller discussion, see Leo Levi's article, "Shrnitta: Its Meaning, Laws and His tory;' in JO, Nov '79) .... In 5649, only a handful of farmers, in Petach Tikva, observed the Shrnitta that year. This tendency changed little for the next four Shrnitta years. In advance of the Shmitta year of 5670 (1909-1910), one of the great poskirn of the time, the Ridvaz (Rabbi Yaakov Dovid Willensky, ?-llr, who resided in Tzefas at the time) invested great effort to encourage the farmers to SMILE keep the Shrnitta without any leniencies, despite the extreme difficulties. He felt that proper observance of Shmitta was the key to bringing closer the final C1 Redemption. The Ridvaz wrote a sefer titled Beis Ridvaz wherein he outlined all of the laws and gave practical advice enabling farmers to observe Shmitta. G For the following four Shmitta years, the number of actual Shmitta observers remained minute, with most farmers This Purim, when you send your litde ones out to deliver succumbing to the pressures of the Mishloach Manos, send HEESE times, which did not allow for resting along somethingspecia!-Haolam Cheese. Cheese, you're giving wholesome goodness the land. We, who live in 1nore pros Haolam Cheeses add variety -nature's finest gifts for this spec la! holiday. perous times, are certainly not in a posi to "Shalach Manos" -a wheel ofHaolam So this Purim, don't give stale cake, loose popcorn, or crumbling cookies. tion to judge these people and their pre Gouda or Muenster, our popular Smoked Cheese Sticks, or your favorite triangles. Give the gift that's good for you ... and carious situation. And when you give a bottle the little ones, too! of wine, a nice piece of fruit, and Haolam This year, smile, give cheese, and say .. The Pattern of Increased Observance HAPPY PURIM! n the 1930's, a marked change with regard to Shmitta observance took place. The main impetus for the I THI:: l'IOST TRVSTf:D MJllf: 11'1 CHOWVYISROf:L CHf:ESf: change, was the a/iya to Bretz Yisroe/ in 1933 of the Chazon Ish, Rabbi Avraham The Jewish Observer, February 200 7 17 the Tochacha: "And I will remember My Gedolah of Agudas Yisroel in Marien •In 5712 (1951-1952), the Satmar Rav covenant ·vvith Yaakov ... v.rith Yitzchak bad in 1937, the delegation from Eretz ., .. ,,, exhorted: "Combating Sl11nitta and with Avraham, and I will ren1en1- Yisroel headed by Rabbi Yosef Tzvi observance pushes off the true redemp ber the Land." Just as the patriarchs) Dushinsky, ?"~l!) announced its inten tion, while supporting it spreads its devotion cries out to be remen1bered, tion of keeping Shrnitta according to advent." ... Rabbi Pinchas Epstein (of so) too, does the Land! halacha. The members of the Yishuv the Beis Din Tzedek of the Eida • Prior to 5698 (1937-1938), three of Hayashan, led by Agudah leader Rabbi Hachareidis) echoed this statement, the religious kibbutzim of that period, Moshe Blau, ., .. ,,, and Rabbi Eliyahu "The keeping of Shmitta represents declared their willingness to observe Nachun1 Porush, 7":::n can1e to their aid, shafts oflight from the beginning of the Shrnitta, Kibbutz "Machane Yisroel" in raising funds to so111ev.1hat alleviate the redemption." That same year- the first the Guele, Yishuv Hano'ar Ha'agudati precarious financial straits i1nposed on Shmitta since the founding of the State in Kfar Saba, and Kibbutz Chafetz those early n1en of spirit in the v.1ake of - Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Halevi Herzog Chaim in Gadera. At the third Knessia their Sl-unitta observance. joined in the call for Shmitta observance because he felt the State's sale of farms to Arabs as n1eans of avoiding Shrnitta restrictions was of doubtful validity. Dear Yad Eliezer, The Vision of Rabbi Mendelsohn So much is spent to make a memorable affair, ntil the Shmitta year of 5733 The photographer, the band, (1972-73), only a handful of the makeup ••• ond the hair. U small, religious farm settle Sheva Brochoa outflta, ments affiliated with the Agudath Israel a bracelet and a aetting, or Poalei Agudath Israel, observed without a diamond ring can there be a wedding? Shmitta according to halacha. In The lilt ia endleu... advance of the Shmitta year of 1973, a cuffeinka and a tie revolution was begun, spearheaded by The budgeu overdrawn, Rabbi Binyamin Mendelsohn,';··"', Rav and there'• 80 much mu to buy. of the religious settlement of You1ve given m opportunity to really comprehend . Komemius. Rabbi Mendelsohn did his the value o/$1000 utmost to ensure that the farmers liv and how much we ovenpend! I ing on his settlement would be able to There's great pleaaure in knowing keep Shmitta in its entirety, without rely another couple will dance too. Your work ia tremendoua ing on leniencies. The faith that he How can we thank youP implanted in his farmers along with full use of the increasing technological and Sincerely, agricultural breakthroughs helped these Mimi and Dovid farmers v.rithstand the economic pres sures of Sh1nitta observance. During that year, Rabbi Mendel sohn established Merkaz Haartzi This poem wa.c; received by Yad Eliezer along with a wedding sponsorship. I:Chaklaim Shomrei Shmitta, the Cen- You too can change the life of a soon to be married couple! Sponsor a Yad Eliezer wedding· Imagine how much more beautiful your own wedding will be. The Gitty Perkowski Simcha Fund ofYad Eliezer Rabbi and Mrs. Zevi Trenk Mr. and Mrs. Zolly Trapper 1586 E. 9th St. 1102 E. 26th St. Brnoklyn. N.Y. 11230 Brooklyn. N.Y. 11210 Wedding sponsorships are $1000 for a whole 1537 50th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 wedding aml $500 for a half of a wedding. (718) 854-2911 18 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 ter for Shtnitta Observant Farn1ers (hereinafter referred to as the Merkaz), to guide people in the practical, opera tional aspects of keeping Shmitta, with out resorting to the Chief Rabbinate's hettcr. That year, his efforts resulted in son1e seventy independent fariners joining in Shrnitta observance. He vvent straight to the farmers themselves and lit up their individual sparks of cmuna, until they reached the level of wanting spread over 180 settlements. From the farmers spent the year learning Torah to be included among the Shomrei Galilee through the Negev, over 120,000 \.vith a special en1phasis on learning the Shmitta. Dunams of agricultural land rested. myriad laws of Shmitta. The Ko/lelim That Shrnitta, the 1nain innovation \Vere named after the unforgettable Shmitta 1980: was the expansion of the network of Kol askan and talmid chacham, Rabbi Partners In The Mitzva lelim founded by the Merkaz, where 500 Nachum Halpern, 7"~!, who served not farmers from tens of settlements joined only as an enthusiastic supporter of n 1979, 11300 ne\.v farmers in over to learn Torah. These farmers observed Keren Hashvi'is, but also served as 70 settlements accepted upon them not only the letter of the law by refrain treasurer of the Keren for 1nany years. I selves Shrnitta observance for the ing from working the land, but more coming year of 5740 (1979-1980). This importantly, the spirit of the law. Behind III. SHMITTA 5761: NEW CHALLENGES commitment can1e in the wake of the laws of Shmitta lies the ultimate pur intense lobbying efforts by members of pose of Shtnitta, giving farmers a year uilding on the extensive innova the Merkaz. These farmers pledged to off to work on cultivating their spiritu tions already implemented dur be under the supervision of the Merkaz al growth rather than their land. These Bing the previous Shmitta, the and to follow its guidelines in all Shmit ta-related matters. Thousands, both in Eretz Yisroel and in the Diaspora, heeded the call of the / Gedolei Torah and gave generously to help those brave farmers keep Shmitta, thereby acquiring a share in this precious mitzva. As a result, Keren Hashvi'is was able to meet its obligations, providing TraVeQ1i"The Name You Trust / for the farmers as promised, keeping them on their feet until well after the • Incoming calls from anywhere ....J (9 ] ~ in the world (Where Available) Shn1itta year \Vhen they could once again -.I Voice mail • Call waiting • Caller ID begin to profit from their produce. If l J -1 -t • I•-ml-•ml-11111-im•-•••- .. •Itemized bill • Spare battery & more! The support given by Keren Hashvi'is in no way co1npensates the farmers for • Lowest Rates Guaranteed! • Fax & Text Message Service • Same-Day / Next-Day delivery nationwide • Student Specials their massive loss of revenue and prof it. It only provides them with enough to Travel Agents & Corporate Accounts Contact Josh Mehlman, President maintain minimal living standards as Discount Student Rates! well as enough to enable them to restart working their fields and re-enter the market after letting their fields lie fal low for a year. Shvi'is Kollelim: The Growth Factor of Shmitta 5747 n 1987,over 900 new farmers joined Shmitta observance, bringing the I total number of farmers to 2,200 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 19 Merkaz began laying the groundwork Since the last Shmitta year of 1994, the ers have either sold or leased their lands in preparation for this Shmitta, a year agricultural industry in Bretz Yisroel has to bigger farmers, who have taken out ago. To begin with, the Merkaz contacted undergone major changes and innova long-term loans - often at considerable all the farmers across the land who could tions. For a farmer to remain on the "cut interest - to buy or lease these plots of conceivably undertake Shmitta obser ting edge" of the market, he must invest land. It is therefore an enorn1ous loss for vance, signed then1 up and provided large sums in expensive technological present-day farmers to let the land lie fal them with the advice and direction equipment. As a result, the small farm low. Not only will they not have the ben required for them to prepare themselves ers have basically been "pushed off the efit of the millions of tons of produce and their property in time for the Shmit map," and only farn1ers who own large normally produced, they must also con ta year. These preparations included tracts of land can justify the enormous tinue to pay off their large loans if they practical and agricultural guidelines invest1nents in technological equip wish to remain viable. Another aspect of combined with halachic guidance based ment required for farming in the year note is that with large-scale farms, the on decades of expertise in the field. 2000. Basically, all the once-small-farm- farmer nlust employ many workers, who themselves, with their families, will not have any source of income if their employer rests the land during Shmitta. Jn light of this entire new set of indus try rules, many farmers who have kept Shmitta previously, and would truly like to observe it again, are faced with a dilem n1a of enormous proportions. 'fhis requires special encouragement on the part of the Merkaz, which must under stand the mindset of the farmers and the magnitude of the test they are facing. Jn addition, they must research the various halachic and practical solutions that will enable them to keep Shmitta in spite of the difficulties. Even n1ore i1nportant, farn1ers require monetary compensation, LORADO ROCKY both to help them pay off their loans and to enable them to cover minin1al living MOUNTAINS expenses. The sun1s needed are consid A summer Project of Yeshiva Toras Chaim/Denver erably larger then ever before. 'J>reJt1tfi~ aK e;aifiYc5Jr° 20 The Jewish Observer, February 200 I in accordance with halacha, without the Last Shmitta, the Merkaz encouraged duce the equivalent of three years need to resort to hetterirn which most Shmitta observance in over 200 settle yield in one year. The Shomrei Shrnitta poskim deem unacceptable. ments across Israel; this year it has wit are already no\v experiencing that Even though there are, in general, less nessed an increase to over 270 settle beracha, and so too will their partners farmers than there were during the last ments. The projected budget for this who help them to achieve the Torah's Shmitta cycle, the number of Shmitta year is in the vicinity of $13 million dol goal. Remember: the bemcha of Shmit observers has still risen. This is due to lars - a small price to pay for a spiritu ta was given to all of Kial Yisroel col the ever-growing teshuva movement and al revolution. lectively, and therefore, the way for those the success that Shmitta observant After all, the Torah promises that if who are not involved in agriculture to far1ners had experienced in previous Shmitta is kept, Hashem will bestow a participate in the mitzva is to provide Shmitta years. special blessing that the fields will pro- assistance to those who are. • some Questions You May Have wanted to Ask ... And some Answers Why is it our job to help farmers who First and foremost, Keren Hashvi'is has Inasmuch as Shmitta is simply one of are Shomrei Shviis? Does anybody help wide support from Gedolei Yisroe/ of pre the 613 mitzvos, why should I go out other businessmen keep Shabbos and vious generations and present-day of my way to support the Keren any YomTov? gedolim, both in Israel and the Diaspo more than I would for other worthy There is no comparison between the two ra, representing every group of observant causes that seek my assistance? above cases. The Midrash in Vayikra states Jewry without exception. They call on all The mitzva of Shmitta Is unique in that that people who keep Shmitta are of our Jewish brethren, wherever they may it is the only mitzva for which the Torah termed "Giborei Korach - men of be,. to generously support Keren Hashvi'is. specifies the reward and punishment. The immense strength." The Midrash The day-to-day affairs of the Keren are reward for those who keep Shmitta as well explains, "It is customary for a person to run by a board of rabbis and communi as for those who facilitate its observance do a mitzva that takes him a day, even a ty leaders who undertook the burden of is set forth with the promise of Hashem, week, or at most a month. A year, how meeting a budget and overseeing the "Vetzivissi es birchasi-1 will command My ever, is unheard of! And thfs person watch Keren's wide range of activities. blessing." On the other hand, if Shmitta es for a full year as his field lies fallow and is desecrated, the punishment is severe. his vineyards lie barrenf Is there a What is the criterion by which The Midrash lists Shmitta together with stronger person than that?" farmers and settlements qualify for the three mitzvos for which one is obli We see from the above Midrash that assistance? gated to give up one's life, rather than the nature of Shmitta observance is Any agricultural settlement or farmer transgress, as causes for exile from the land incomparable in difficufty and commitment who wishes to keep the mitzva of Shmit (Bamidbar Rabba, Chapter 7): "Galus comes to any other mitzva. Those who under ta, receives the full benefit of guidance to the world because of avoda zara, gilui take its observance, then, should deserve and monetary assistance. Today, Keren arayos, shefkhas damim and desecration our unflinching support. Hashvi'is is the singular central author of Shmitta." As a general rule, we can ity uniting the entire agricultural com not quantify the reward or punishment Who is standing behind the multi munity that wishes to observe the for mitzva observance, unless they are specif faceted project called Keren Hashvi'is? Shmitta. ically delineated in the Torah. • Digest of Meforshim Unde Moishy, Mordechai Ben David, ~v1p? in:::i ~v1p7 and other top-of-the-line 7""Yt ivv?N 7N1r.rv l""mnr.i Jewish enterJainers ,-'\'vailable at are available LEKUTEI clo Yitz.chok Rosenberg to visit 1445 54th Street seriously ill Brooklyn. NY 11219-4228 children • MAXIMIZE YOl/1/ CHllD's PoTENTIAL 718-851-5298 thanks to • PRIVATE SESSIONS AVAllABlE ON All 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Medrash, mn nnr.iv GRADE lEVElS IN HEBREW AND ENtlltSH nl'J'e.'l"'Ct7 Megilos, Talmud, and Tehilim. ~l~ ::1.Vl'' ,, re ;nn • LEARN/Nil IN A FUN AT~E Proceeds of sales distributed a1nong A Chessed project run by • ClASSES GtVEN AFTE11 SCHOOi Yeshivos and used for reprinting of Agudath fsrael of America • SEPARATE CLASSES FoR G1111s S Bors volun1es out-of-print in conjunction with Suki &: Ding Productions For More Information PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME To setup an appointment, call: Call Mrs. Schonfeld (212)797>9000 fxtA2 • M·P, 9-5 (718) 376-5545 The Jewi5h Ob5erver, February 2001 21 Shmitah. Every seven years, thousands of Israeli farmers are out of work. This year is one of them. Ovadia Levy is taking a that come from non year off So are his fielc;ls. religious backgrounds, is Levy is one of some immense. Many will take 5,000 Israeli farmers who on part-time, non-agri are not harvesting their cultural work, while crops this year in obser some will study in spe vance of Slimitah, the cial Kollelim. But almost sabbatical year for our all of them \Viii receive fields and crops in Eretz assistance from Keren Yisrael. Giving up their main, and often Hashviis, the organization committed to only, source of income is a sacrifice in the nurturing the growing trend of Slimitali name of keduslia, anc:I a growing number of observance by easing their burden. Israelis - both secular and religious - have taken pn this important mitzva. Your help will makea differe9ce i.n enhanc ing the kedusha of.Eretz.Yisrael. Answer the With a rapidly expanding market fueled by call of leading Gedolei Torah by helping us immigration, observing Shmitah is an help 5,000 farmers overcome the chalc increasingly costly decision. The nisoyon of lenges and travails of the Slimitah year, notworking the fields, especially for those today. I I wish to help the more than 5,000 farmers Help make it YES • in Eretz Yisrael who are observing Shmitah. aspecial year Enclosed please find my contribution of $______for 5,000 Israeli ADDRESS farmers and C!TY/STATEIZJP ------ their families! PHONE ------ •'f'ea~e sett(! !JB~r 1~~.dea~;61epo~1~1p~1~n~f~, ~~t ... §'l;·2l~[ J WHY TELL THE STORY out of his car by tn.10 Palestinian policen1en ~but at another point he beating itself isn't what in tilne. It becornes apparent that she seerns n1ost interested in for her, the rnain story isn't the T discussing. Yet the reason I've cruelty. As she sees it, to convey the con1e here, to her harne, for an rneaning of the event that has intervicvv, is to find out 111hat actu changed her life, first she has to ally happened. The few, brief news take a few steps back, ta a differ paper accounts hadn't provided ent era altogether. details. That her husband had taken a AUNT OSNA'S BLESSING: FROM 1vrang turn and had ended up in a HER EARLY DAYS UNTIL HER Palestinian village, I had already LAST read in The ferusalem Post. That he had been speaking to her on his cel ((My Zaidie, Eliezer lulrzr phone when the connection Krulovetsky, catne was lost; that when someone finally got An interview with 1\1rs. to A1nerica in through, a 111an speaking Arabic had 1901, and brought over the family ansivered, "f!e's dead," and then hung Miriam Bravender, whose fron1 Baranovitch at the turn of the cen up ... these uncorroborated reports I had husband, Rabbi Chaim tury. He saved up money and brought heard through the grapevine. over my great-grandparents, 111y great Miriam Bravender nods ivhen I say Bravender, survived a aunts and uncles, my cousins, and got that there had been little about it in the violent Arab beating them all set up in New York. The rela papers. "Why didn't the sernlar press call tives lived with them in their house nte? An Israeli reporterjfom Maariv ca1ne when they arrived, then he would find to the hospital when my husband arrived Ramallah, and were taken to the Pales them housing and jobs. My grand that first night, and asked permission to tinian Police Station, where they 1vere mother's two younger sisters, Malka and take pictures ofhim, but publishing a pho beaten by a crowd and dragged through Osna, \Vere among those whotn he tograph of Rabbi Bravender in thilt con the streets. The two men died. Their bod brought over. dition did not seem right. For what pur ies ivere mutilated. "Osna Zuckerman got married when pose? I felt the reporter was looking for a So as we in Israel are pressured, frorn she vvas over 30, which was very uncotn certain sensationalisni. It's a shan1e. IJ'they within and without, to bring to cornple mon in those days in an Orthodox fan1- had publicized the story, maybe we could tion the destruction ofour country called ily. She only wanted to marry a man with have avoided the lynching. The story ofthe the Oslo Peace Process, it's my intention yiras Sha1nayim, vvho \vouldn't work on lynching was almost exactly parallel." to accurately record Rabbi Brovender's Shabbos, and at last she found what she The incident to which she is referring personal encounter with the particular was seeking when she n1arried Meshu took place a week after the one that brand of uninhibited violence that char lum Yoel Zuckerman. Osna had three involved her husband, Rabbi Chaim acterizes Arab culture. But Mrs. Braven children. Those three children have over Bravender. Two Israelis on reserve duty, der doesn't seeni to be responding exact 150 grandchildren, and at the time of one a father ofthree and the other a new ly as I expected to the gist of my inquiries. her death, Osna was zocheh, beli ayin lywed, took a wrong turn, ended up in "My husband has his story," she says, hara, to have just had her sixth great "and I have mine," whereupon she great-grandchild. Sarah Shapiro of Jerusalen1 is a frequent con tributor to these pages, most recently with "Speak begins, not with the evening of October "October 5th, that Thursday, turned ing of Stunning Accidents" (Feb. '00). 5th - when Rabbi Bravender was ordered out to be a very unusual day. That n1orn- The Jewish Observer, February 2001 23 ing, we went to Osna's levaya (funeral). Israeli soldiers. I asked him where he was alone in the house. And I was over She died at the age of 102. I know Osna going, and he said he was going to fol whelmed with a fear that I've never had as well as I know n1yself. We were very, low the car in front of him that had an before in my life. I've experienced all very close. I can't begin to tell you about Israeli license plate. It was already dark, kinds of situations in connection with who this pure woman was. Her en1una and I got nervous. I said, 'V\There are you war here in Israel. There have been many temima (pure faith), her love for Kial Yis going? How do you know where you're times I was very afraid. But this ... it was roel. Everyone felt special with her. Her going?' All of a sudden I heard a sound fear of the unknown ... it took over every warmth was overwhelming. She always - an unfamiliar sound - and the 1nobile bone in my body. It must be what's blessed \Nhoever \vas in her presence that phone turned off. I dialed him back. meant by the fear on the Day of Judg Hashem should always give us every There was no answer. I kept dialing and ment. I think it's what HaKadosh Baruch thing good. She would always say, dialing and all of a sudden somebody Hu wants us to feel on the Day of Judg 'Don't worry, Hashem has to help. He answered and I could hear it was an ment. will help.' \\Then the beating was going Arab. I shouted, 'Mi zeh? Mi zeh? I want "I decided there would be no purpose on, just hours after her petira (passing) ed my husband to hear me, I wanted in telling the children yet what was going - I really think she was crying up in him to know I was calling, that I knew on, that I should try to deal with it by Sharnayim, 'You can't let this happen! something was happening. The Arab myself. So I called a friend in Efrat and You 1nust do so1nething!' said, 'Mistake, 1nistake; and hung up." said, Tm scared. I'm terrified.' I told her "At 6:40 that evening, I was talking what had happened. She said, 'Let me to my husband on his cellular phone. He THE CURE BEFORE THE AFFLICTION call the Moked [central command] in was on his way back from Efrat early, to Efrat.' In a n1inute, Danny, in charge of be 111enachen1 ovel Osna's son, and was ( ( That was the Thursday before the Moked, called me and said, 'Give me calling to say that he would be a little Yorn Kippur," Miriam the number of his mobile. Don't worry. late because the tunnel in the Gush had Bravender continued. "My It will be all right.' Danny dialed my hus been closed. Two Palestinians who had girls were out doing shopping for the band's nun1ber. There \Vas no answer; thrown firebombs had been shot by approaching Succos festival. So I was and finally after many tries, someone picked up. Danny said, 'Where is the owner of the car?' And a man said in Arabic, 'He's dead. We just killed him.' "Now, Danny had the good sense not to call me back with this news. He called a friend in Efrat, and said, 'Sit down. I have information to tell you, and I don't know if it's accurate.' He ran out to the yeshiva in Efrat and told the boys to start •The Z'chus of Living, Breathing and Experiencing the Kedusha of Eretz Yisrael • • The Torah Touring &perience of a Lifetime! •Daven by the Kosel Ha 1Maravi •Climb saying Tehillim for the matzav (the gen Matsada • Inspiring SINurim • Shabbos in Tzfas • Meron • Amukah • Amazing 1 eral situation). He didn't want to say yet Workshops • Kevrei Tzadikim • Experience Yerusholayim in Oept'1 • Delicious Hotel what he had heard from Danny. Style Meals• Swim in the Kinneret • Shabbos in Yervsholayim •See Gedolim •Kayaking I in the Yarden •Rosh Hanikra •Fully Equipped Modem Gym •Underground Caves • "By this time, an hour later, my Eilat • Air Conditioned Dining Rooms• Banana Boating • Ein Gedi • Biblical Zoo • Har I daughters had returned from shopping Hatzofim • Beautiful Campus & Dormitory• Snorlc:ling • Paddle Boating • Minhorot and I was getting phone calls from the Hakotel •Campfire •Tour the Galil • Mearot Eliyahu Hanavi •Light & Sound Desert I Experience •Golan Heights• Gamla •Cable Cars • 8e1er Sheva •Make Wonderful army and the police, so of course they International Friends • Yad Vashem •Swim in Yam Homelach •Bedouin Tents • Mearat I felt something and I had to tell them. Shem ancl Ayver in Tz/os • Climb Incredible Mountains • Achdus • Tzipori •Our Own They started screaming and crying, cry Olympic Pool • Har Hamenuchos • Shmiras Halashon Rally • Rabbi lev Leff • Ancient I Susya • Oceanarium Experience• Jeeping •Nacho/ Mo;'rosa •Hotel El Arlzei in EiJat ing out to HaKadosh Baruch Hu." • Kanyan Ha 1aclom •Meo Shearim • Rebbe's Tisch •Flower & Fruit Decoration •Camel I Miriam smiles to herself with a look of Rides •Color War •Kever Rochel• Kever Dovid Hamelech • Simcha Dancing • Teverio • Mearat Cfiazon • Na ch al Amud Nature Trail • Climb Sand Dunes• Mearaf Hakemoch I deep satisfaction. "They did some • Oegem Beis Homikdash •Hay Rides •Banyas •Mock Wedding• Swim in Hatzbonei great davening. River • Sunset Kumzitz by the Ocean • Cave of the Choshmonaim • Pekien • Coral Reef• I "How come I answered the phone at Underwater Obse1Vatory • Breathtaking Vistas • and Muc'1, Much Morel Just Ask Any of our Wonderful Macbane Brocha Campers! 6:40? Usually I would have been in my l!mll'l'IPl' office working then. [Miriam Broven der does marital and adult counseling.] Ho\v co1ne the Arab answered n1y hus I A Safe, Secll'e, Warm Atmosphere In Macnlflcent Yael Blnyamln band's phone when I called, and then Undet the Dltectlon of Rabbi Sholom & Mts. Chaya Glnzberg I when Danny called? Upstairs, HaKadosh L 1066 £ 23nl Street Brooklyn, NY 11210 (718)377-0234 24 ------· The Jewish Observer, February 2001 Baruch Hu was ringing the bell: 'Now is sa\v him in the en1ergency roon1, it was \Vere long bruises, long red scratches, the time to daven. I will do My part, you too painful to look. We greeted him, very raw, all over his body. The infection do yours.' And the yeshiva bachurim then had to walk away to cry. Only then was spreading to the rest of his body. He were davening out there in the yeshiva. did I realize what could have been. received a tremendous amount of intra· 'Avinu Malkeinu, rip up the bad decree. Hashem had rachamim (compassion). venous antibiotics. He's still on antibi- Avinu Malkeinu, tear up the bad "They X-rayed him in the hospital for otics. When the dentist arrived early the decree ... .' Even weeks later, after Succos, an hour and a half. He had turned gray next morning and looked at his face, he that line kept coming back to me. from not breathing properly, so right thought he'd have to do extensive work, "And while all this was going on, and there in the emergency room they per- but found that there was no damage, beli my daughters were crying out and say formed an emergency procedure on the ayin hara, to his teeth. There were bruis· ing Tehillim, something else was going on with me. "I have a study session three times a he adults in my childhood• ingrained in week with Shifra Slater on Nesivos Shalom, the sefer of the Slonimer Rebbe. Tme that we are never alone. Never We've been doing it for a year and a half, and it has had a tremendous impact on alone. They ingrained the idea that when my life. That evening, throughout the hours that I was waiting, I had the sefer faced with a difficult situation - no matter open, and I just kept reading a few para· graphs again and again. I kept hearing how overwhelming - all we have to do is the Rebbe say over and over again, 'We cry out, and He is there. So because of are the children of HaKadosh Baruch Hu. HaKadosh Baruch Hu is not going how I was brought up, it came naturally. to leave you.' I was listening to the Slonimer Rebbe, and it was as ifhe were speaking to me. I was engrossed in the membrane of his lungs - they couldn't •es and cuts right next to his eyes, but not words I heard him whispering in my delay it. He was released Sunday morn in his eyes. All around his ears, but not ears: 'We are the children of HaKadosh ing, Erev Yorn Kippur, but then had to the ears themselves. Then he had anoth Baruch Hu, HaKadosh Baruch Hu is not be brought back on Monday Chol er operation to draw out and drain the going to leave you.' and I heard myself Hamo'ed because of a life-threatening pus from inside his leg. saying to the girls, reassuring them, shoshana (cellulitis) infection in the "HaKadosh Baruch Hu prepares the everything will be O.K., HaKadosh muscles, from being dragged along the cure before the affliction. The Slonimer Baruch Hu will help. This is because of ground. It looked the way it does when Rebbe had such a love for every Jew, and the emuna temima of my grandmoth· a child falls and bruises himself, but they after Shifra introduced me to his writ· er, and of my great aunt Osna. I grew . up in my grandmother's house and I always used to hear her say a Yiddish .i1Wi1v C'iOi~W n~~ CiiO' C'l'~i1 (1) ~W'' W'i (;1) expression,' HaKadosh Baruch Hu is just and His decree is just.'" i1":m "" n"iN N"r.n nmm I I ' , Nt:''" W'1 (rl} tl':ni:i 7"T m?:>•i1 i!:lo O\VJ i:in:> '' . i:i ., N ,,,,,, o•n\V •1 on THE PILLOWS OF TEFILLA i11'.l 'lJ? 11'ln1 111'.lNn ON i1J:>i1'.l THAT PROTECTED HIM ~'l!l1ij7 'l!liip 'l!l11j7 0'11'.l1N1 O'IV'1j71'.l\V i1~~J~~~: 1~~~ ((How is it that my husband on?!:ln n•:i? onn? mNi\Vl Oi1'l'Y i'i1 didn't die from the beat i1Y'l!l i1niN:> o?w:i i1Nli1 ,., l'N '' ing? It's as if Hashem ,i1?Yn~,~~;~ ~~~;~~ wrapped him up with pillows. His 'lN i1))'1!l i1n1NJ ,Oi1'l'))J 'l'))1 'l'))J NO:>J tn1N ' body and face were bleeding from i•:imi i1p'l!lmi i1p:in01 :ipY' mni:i •1i:i:i 1'.l1 om:>t being kicked and beaten and dragged, nnuo i•i1''1!l U"i11 .t:1':')1:"! (1) :on?iNl ii1n ., ., N two ribs were broken, one of his lungs ominN i1J1i1 ?JN t"l)i1 :>":> mnm!:l O'l'YJ N :i was perforated. The Arab who answered :omn:i o•ii:il pr.in po!:l1 T"Y o•p?m the phone thought they had killed 7llM l'lV:"!'? n1~1:i ;nwn him. When we got to the hospital and 718. 856-6671 I Size of Sign 11 x 8 I The Jewish Observer, February 200 I 25 ings and I started to learn his Torah - I was brought up, it came naturally. I to tell myself, Stop! Focus! I'm not which she suggested that we study grabbed his sefer and just kept reading alone. I need You desperately now, this together on the phone mornings from this paragraph over and over and over: very n1ornent. You are still with rne, it's 8:15 to 8:30 -1 started taking the sefer 'Even in ti1nes of darkness you have to hidden but I can allow myself to feel the wherever I go. know that HaKadosh Baruch Hu loves concern, Your love. I've been preparing all "I am frum from birth, and was us and takes care of us: It's the truth, n1y life for this r1101nent. I sense in every nursed on tefilla. The adults in my child even though we don't kno\v it. part of' my being Your protection and hood ingrained in me that \Ve are "That moment when I heard the warmth and love. I'm safe. My husband never alone. Never alone. They voice of an Arab, a stranger, it brought is safe. I have You. For the three hours ingrained the idea that when faced with to mind Nachshon Wachsman, of of that terrible fear, during which I did a difficult situation - no matter ho\v blessed inemory - hovv it \Vas when he n't know vvhat \Vas going on and the fear overwhelming - all we have to do is cry \Vas out there somewhere in the hands of danger all around was overwhelm out, and He is there. So because of how of enen1ies, darkness covering all. I had ing, all-encon1passing, I read those lines again and again and again, right up until the moment I heard my hus band's voice again. 'Ahava rabba .. . .'I They Don't Want Charity, read again and again the lines that • The Working Poor • Large Families • Olim • Kollel Families HaKadosh Baruch Hu loves us. Count • Senior Citizens • The crisis-stricken how many times in the paragraph before the Shema those words appear: All struggle to survive in the difficult Israeli economy. Ahava rabba. You have to know that and And this year in violence - wracked Eretz Yisroel, add: to start to believe it. 'fhose words ... now businesses and factories depending on Arab labor, they jun1p out at 1ne." settlers suffering most from the Intifada, tourism and hotel employees, farmers observing Shmitta and "LET'S GO BACK TO THE STORY" 221,000 victims of record unemployment, at 10% and (MRS. BROVENDER) still spiraling. Yet, thousands of poor, but proud Jews will not accept outright Tzdokah. ( ( The taxi my husband had fol lovved \vas that of an Israeli Arab, and suddenly he found But Before Pesach, himself in Bait )ala. Two Palestinian police1nen stopped him, and \Vaved on easily, the most expensive time of the year. Matzo, wine, food, clothing and endless expenses, cause a financial crisis. the other cars as they signaled to him to get out of his car. He locked his doors and gestured that he just wanted to turn They'll Take A Loan. around, but the road was too narrovv, a single lane, and there were cars before A n"n) interest-free loan, offered with wannth and caring. preseives dignity and self"pride. For Chai years, Ozer Dalim has issued loans year-round. him and behind him. Then they took Now, our 19 volunteer-staffed branches are swamped with Pesa ch loan requests. their rifles and started banging on his windshield, so he got out and started The Fund is revolving. Your gift will helpfor Pesach andforever! explaining to them that he had made a ONLYYOURHEIPWILLMAKEITHAPPEN! mistake. They didn't want to listen. They grabbed him and threw him against a Sendyourmostgenerouscootribution,today. wall - this was happening very quickly Then yourPesach Simcha will be multiplied by having made theirs possible. - on a dark, narrow street. He savv them calling someone on their mobile phones JbwOGimP.SdWiidleJ Hen!ismygifttobeusedasa""""'1Joan.111enarewlving and all of a sudden there was a band of fliM 26 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 they could have used it on him. hands, and lifted up his clothes and is one of the many things about the story "The thing I c~1n't understand, aside wiped off some of the blood. With hind that amaze n1e: Hnshe1n closed his fron1 his survival, is that he didn't pass sight, \Ve understood that they \Vanted n1outh. out. He stayed conscious the ,vhole time. to clean him up a little before handing "They put him into a detention cell, The beating lasted between five and him over to the Israelis. where they gave him a drink of \Yater. He seven n1inutes. He says now that the pain "One of the 'doctors' at this point wasn't able to breathe and he asked for was a chessed, because vvhile it \Vas going n1ade a little speech, in \vhich he was say an inhalator, but they didn't have one. on, he got so involved in the pain that ing hcnv \Vonderful Arabs are. He said, He became avvare that in the other roorn, he wasn't able to think. He says that had 'You're a very lucky n1an, because if you a Palestinian official was negotiating \Vith he been able to think, he might have had been an Arab and we \Vere Israelis, an Israeli officer. At that point, he asked gone crazy. It seemed to him like a scene you \vould have been long gone.' No\V, the Israeli if he could use his cellular from the Holocaust. The Palestinian my husband is not the type to keep quiet phone and that's when he called me." policen1en stood by \Vatching as it was at such a 1non1ent. He is a person who lv1irian1 Brovender pauses here and going on. by nature will say what he thinks. This her eyes, cast do\vn, are averted .... I can "Then a jeep arrived - it see1ned to him to can1e out of no\vhere - and all L.S. of the 1nen ran a\vay. Out come tvvo TYPE OF CAR OR SIMILAR PRICES policen1en \Vho \Vere apparently of a A FIAT PUNTO 3 DR. '12 higher rank than the first two, and they B FIAT PUNTC>"S"DR~- 126 pushed him into their jeep. This is when c. PEUGEOT306 U02 he realized they were not going to kill C2 MITSUBISHI CARISMA 224 NT MiN181iS 7 SEATS 455 him. Only later did I find out how it was MT MINIBUS 10 SEATS 518 that the second jeep arrived. After • Qp_i;l,. __ 9Qf':t~A- 189 Danny spoke to the Arab who had my DAEWOO LANOS 217 husband's phone, he called up high F s_u;z_~~-' -~~-l:~No_ 1.~ ___ 2~~- G TOYOTA COROLLA 1.6 273 authorities in the Army, who called high x CHEVROLET CAVALIE_i:t_ 322 er authorities, 'vho got in touch with the XL PEUGEOT 406 2.0 357 sx Cfoi_EV_ROLET _MALIBU 399 Palestinian police and said, '\!Ve know _y_~ \(O_Ly~-~~7'.Q 6?~ you have hin1.' EX MERCEDES E240 770 Toll free: 1·800·938·5000 KX MAZDA MPV 693 "rfhe second pair of Palestinian KT -GMc SAVANA- 763 Tel in NYC: 212·629·6090 policemen drove for about five tninutes. FREE• one di\)' car rental " www.eldan.co.il My husband didn't know where they for each nignt spent at [i.DAN ; were taking him. Then they told my hus ELDAN HOTEL JERUSALEM • lf1l'f, 'Valld Low 5Nson Only " • band to get out of the jeep, and he found <;roup 8 c.u / Exe:. ms. himself being directed towards what turned out to be the Palestinian Police Why did the Choletz Chaim & R'Chairn Ozer Grodzinsky start Ezras Torah? building in Bethlehem. This very police headqu;:lrters got blo\vn up a \veek or so TO SAVE later, when a bomb that was being pre pared, for use against Israelis, blew up TALMIDEI CHOCHOMIM in the building prematurely. FROM THE PAIN AND SHAME OF POVERTY. R" C~oiin 010! Gmd1in"y In an ideal world, those who devote their lives to Torah Emergency Medical Funds, Wedding Assistance, Yam Tov Stipends, "In the compound at the entrance to would be recognized as the spiritual heroes that they are. Simchas & Special Needs Grants & Loans. that building, the two policemen stood Support Ezras Torah's Zedakah Proarams and make that Make a life of Torah devotion and commitment an and watched as another group of Arabs ideal a reality. everlasting edifice that will bring us the Rabbonim. Oayonim In Eretz Yisroel today, Ezras Torah provides Housing, and Leaders of tomorrow! came and beat him up for another three, four minutes; then they told the n1en to STANO UP FOR TORAH! HELP EZRAS TORAH'S stop. The policemen helped him up and COMMITTED SCHOLARS AND FAMILIES STAND STRONG! took him inside where he was met by y.-ES';1-iiiiiii.ii_o_i.ii ------···------·---·------The Jewish Observer, February 2001 27 see that she is crying, and that she is "After the Holocaust, Chaim Hamo'ed, it would have been for a focused on regaining control of herself. Zandweiss ended up in Siberia. After fif father to be there in the hospital to "When he said my nan1e, I said, 'Chaim, teen years, so1nehow he got out via guide and advise me, son1eone knowl ho,v are you?' And he said, '!1111 alive. In Poland, and from there came to Israel. edgeable about medicine and surgery Bethlehem.' He had lost his wife and his child in the who would have known how to direct After so1ne n1oment'>, she continues. Holocaust, and he never remarried. My the doctors and tell them what to do. "His voice sonnded horrible. Then he hnng mother-in-law finally located him here, If I had written a letter to HaKadosh up. Later, he explained to me why he hung and my husband put up a keren tzeddaka Baruch Hu, a little selfish part of me up. He was unable to focus. His head was fund in his name, Keren Chaim would have said, 'Please, don't leave not so grounded, and he \Vasn't sure that veChessed. The 4,000 shekels was money me alone here to n1ake decisions. I that official was really an Israeli. my husband had collected for that can't do it.' "The Israeli army then called me to fund and had planned to distribute on "On Thursday morning in the hos tell us that he was safe but wounded, and Erev Shabbos Teshuva. pital, one of my daughters came to me they were transferring him by armored "I feel that this uncle was crying out, and said, (There's son1ebody here to see army ambulance to Gilo, and from there 'This tzeddaka is in my memory. You you.' It was a twenty-one-year-old boy by civilian ambulance to Hadassah Ein have to do something. You have to let and his parents. This young man had Karem." 1ny name live on. You have to save him. once been one of my husband Chaim's At the idea of Gilo as a safe haven, He's carrying on iny me1nory.' talmidim, and he had come back to Miriam and I exchange ironic glances, "On Friday, October 6th, the morn spend this Elul in the yeshiva. He had now that Gilo is being shot at daily from ing after the incident, I started getting lost his father when he was five years Bait jala. "Before being transferred, phone calls from all over the world. Peo old, and his mother had brought him though, first he was taken to the office ple had seen the paragraph that had up alone. My husband had been like of the governor of Bethlehem. He pro appeared on the front page of The a father to him. I said, 'Binyomin, how duced Chaim's briefcase and told him Jerusale1n Past, and \Vere asking ine what are you?' and his eyes filled with tears. to open the briefcase and check that they could do to help. I said that they He said, 'I only want to see the rabbi everything was there. My husband should please give thirty-six shekels to for two 111inutes, I'm not going to dis knew where he had put everything and any tzeddaka of their choice, and that this turb him. I just have to see him.' it seemed that everything was still money would be for hoda'a, thankfulness "It is \.vritten, 'May you ahvays be there, even including the $300 in cash to HaKadosh Baruch Hu, and for a refua blessed to be givers and never have to that he had had, but then he checked his shleima (full recovery) for Chaim ben take.' So my husband has tried to fol wallet and there were 4,000 shekels miss Sara Rachel. I didn't want to mention low that, and it's very difficult for him ing. He said so, and the official pre that fund in particular, but when peo to take. But lo and behold, the boy's tended not to hear. ple in both Israel and America started mother, Chavy Nei1nan Hirschman, "This is part of the miracle. hearing about what had happened to the had in later years married Dr. Sholom "We believe that teshuva, tefilla, and stolen 4,000 shekels earmarked for tzed Hirschman, who for twenty-eight tzeddaka remove the evil decree, and daka, they started sending in money to years had been the head of the know that tzeddaka saves a person it, and in the end, there was more 1noney Depart1nent of Infectious Diseases at from death." Miriam smiles her smile in the fund than before the incident. Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. He again. "V\~1ere was the 4,000 shekels?" "My husband's former talmidim was the doctor for the Satmar Rebbe, from all over the world, some dating the Klausenberger Rebbe, the Lubav REPLENISHING THE MISSING back thirty years, started setting up tefil itcher Rebbe. And now, the TZEDDAKA FUNDS los and Tehillim groups for his refua Hirschn1ans had con1e to Israel to shleima. And a thousand people came spend Succos with Binyamin. ((Before the Holocaust, my out on the streets of Riverdale saying "This is where my wish came true. mother-in-law had been told Tehillim for his recovery. So, all these This man walked us through the by the Rebbe in Rokitna, in people were crying out, 'You have to let experience we were about to under the Ukraine, to leave, and so she did. him live. You have to let him work."' go. The doctors knew who he was and Later on, her whole family was killed in felt tremendous respect for him. He the Holocaust. With one exception, she A HEAVEN-SENT was in Israel until just after Succos, found information about how each fam DIRECTOR OF TREATMENT directing my husband's treat1nent, and ily member had perished. But for the when he left, he said, 'We're leaving next twenty-five years, she didn't know (( If I had been granted a wish the country, but we are just a phone what had happened to her late brother, when my husband came back call away. Call me at any hour, day or Chaim Zandweiss i1"V. to the emergency ward Chol night."' 28 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 LEARNING NEW DIMENSIONS that it was the day of a chasuna (wed I am \vitnessing once again the miracle OF CHE:;SED ding) at which he had been asked to be of birth. And somehow the continuity mesader kedushin (officiate). I thought of HaKadosh Baruch Hu's kindness .... I ( (We've learned so much he had forgotten about it. He said to me, can't put it into words. They say that a about what chessed is. 'Make arrangements for leaving the hos child born brings a refua to a family. I VVhen you're a recipient, pital at 3:00 so that we can get to the cha feel very much Hashem having mercy you learn about it in a whole new way. suna on time.' He got dressed up in his upon His Creation. Now I'm crying for For instance, in Hadassah Hospital on Shabbos clothes and it was like the begin happiness, with hakoras hatov. When I Simchas Torah, my husband wanted to ning of a closure. The experience start say the morning davening now... things go to the shul downstairs but he could ed with the dosing chapter of the story I've said a million times, all of my life ... n't get off the bed. A chassid was there of a great woman who built her bayis all of a sudden the words jump out at on the ward for his father, and he said, ne'eman, and now he had the zechus to 1ne. They have a personal ineaning for 'Wait here, I'll be back in five minutes.' help a young couple at the beginning of me now. I cry out as I have at the He came back with a wheelchair and their building a bayis ne'eman. appointed times during the year) but no\.v said, 'Come, we're going down for Min it's different.All the daveninghas become cha.' My husband was so overwhelmed. a personal tefilla, and as I daven, I feel "Chessed is about doing. It's about hear the• Slon that now I own this tefilla. I join all the getting the job done. Making it happen. ,, I generations who have cried out at times That's what we saw, over and over again. imer Rebbe's of sorrow, and my small little voice "Why is it so difficult? Why do we becomes greater by tenfold, because all procrastinate, avoid it, turn away fron1 words over and over these generations are crying out with me. those moments that HaKadosh Baruch again. 'HaKadosh "What my husband went through is Hu presents to us? It's so sin1ple, yet so part of our history, like what Jews have hard. A phone call, a smile, an encour Baruch Hu loves us, gone through over the centuries, and aging word. Noticing what the other per we are his children,'" what many other Jews are going through son is in need of. We are all so busy, so now during these days. The blows are preoccupied - with valid reasons, of coming. But the tefillos are overcoming course. If we open up, just a tiny bit, • the blows. rfhe n1oment of connection that's all it takes to begin our journey. "Last week, we had the zechusofthe has come. The rewards are so great and fulfilling, bris of the first Brovender grandson, may Hashem guide our first steps, and \vhose father, our son Eliezer Menashe, ( ('kthe levaya of Osna in Amer from there, on and on. is named after Zaidie Eliezer. ica, on the day before the inci "I thought I understood a lot about "I hear the Slonimer Rebbe's words ent, her son Aharon said in his people, and interpersonal relationships. But over and over again.' HaKadosh Baruch hesped, 'It is a time of trouble for Yaakov, I just think that what happened has sen Hu loves us, we are his children,' and here and from it he shall be saved."' • sitized both of us in such a profound way. "This is the love that HaKadosh Baruch Hu has for us. For each of us. Prim• P•l•c• HaKadosh Baruch Hu gives each person Oloe'7K9 i1'0"19 a • 7 k1 1 1 • Hotel his or her own special talents for how PRIMA PALACE to do chessed, and each individual's tal .JERUSALEM (Formerly "MERKAZ") ents are unique. No two people have the ,.. Glatt Kosher same talents. We have an obligation to ,.. Luxuriously Refurbished develop these talents, to keep develop ,.. Close to Admorim, Yeshivot ing them, to sanctify HaKadosh Baruch Hu's Name in the world. & Kotel. "I don't think either of us will ever ,.. Shul &Mikva on Premises be the same." For Further Information & Reservation Please Call: LINKING UP THE GENERATIONS Prima Palace Hotel 2A Pines St. Jerusalem ( ( The morning before the day of Tel: 972-2-5311811 ,Fax:972-2-5381480 my husband's discharge, he Prima Hotels Israel LTD 105 Hayarkon St., Tel Aviv woke up and remembered Tel: 972-3-5275660 Fax:972-3-5275665 -----~· --~-----~~-· The Jewish Observer, February 2001 29 t was a typical Thursday afternoon. "It weighed over 30 pounds" My heart was racing. I had visions of I had just finished cleaning the I sat down. tragedy, of all the dreadful things that I chicken and peeling the potatoes in The girls stumbled over their words, could have happened, but, thank G-d, preparation for Shabbos, when I glanced each one trying to be the first to tell me didn't. at my kitchen clock and noticed that in what had happened on this peaceful As the children told the story, I found a few minutes iny t\iVO youngest daugh Thursday morning. "A lady living near myself alternating between blessed relief ters would be arriving hon1e fro1n by noticed an Arab throw a big suitcase and cold fury that someone, anyone, school. I quickly began setting the table into the garbage." would dare even consider har1ning iny for lunch. "No, he gently placed it in the bin." precious children. The "hostilities" had Already I could hear their excited "She thought that probably the Arab hit too close to home. chatter as they bounced up the stairwell. had stolen the suitcase and placed it "Oh, Mommy," 1ny rosy cheek, "Eema! I bet you didn't hear yet what there until he could retrieve it later." excited daughter interrupted her sister, happened today in our school:' They "She sent her husband to investigate "the bomb was placed right where our were so excited to tell n1e about their day and \vhen he sa\v all the vvires attached class always plays jump-rope." that they had not even closed the door to the bag .... " Ribbono Shel Olam! behind them. "He disconnected the mobile tele "Nu?" phone that was attached to the \Vires." hat night, as I lit a Yahrzeit can As I stood there watching their faces "He really shouldn't have done that. dle for my father, I found myself flushed with excitement, their ponytails The police told him it was dangerous." Tgrateful that I was only lighting all messed from the wind, I waited to "\1ery." one candle. As I watched the singular hear the usual news - the latest school "It was right before recess, then he flame ignite and flicker, I had visions of party, the books that were lost, the ran to call the police ...." white, gray boxes, cold hard earth and teacher vvho gave too 1nuch homework. "The principal locked the front door, endless emptiness. I quickly shut that Instead my daughter looked at me and so we missed out on recess." train of thought and turned away to said, "We had a miracle, a nes, today in "Baruch Hashern!" begin the evening routine. I refused to our school." "A few minutes after the recess bell allow myself to think beyond the fried "A nes?'' I said, iny mind on their rang, the police arrived." eggs and buttered bread, the clean paja lunch as I quickly placed their plates on "But before they arrived, the tele mas and braided hair, the bedtime story the table. "Probably she forgot her phone conne :ted to the bomb rang." and Krias Shema. But as I tucked my chil morning snack," I thought to myself, "But it didn't go off because that dren into bed that night to give them "and her best friend had miraculously lady's husband-" their goodnight kisses, I was surprised brought a spare sandwich." "It wasn't her husband, it \Vas her to discover that my cheeks were wet. "Eerna, there was a bomb in school." son." Every day, every minute, miracles are I stopped dishing out the mashed "The lady's son disconnected it." happening. So many tragedies are abort potatoes. ''There were lots of a1nbulances, and ed, life continues. Here in Yerushalay "It was set to go off during recess'' fire engines." im, we strongly feel the Hand of Hashem I placed the pot with the potatoes on "We saw everything through the guarding us, daily. No, not daily, but the table. window of our classroon1." every single second. Not always are \Ve Mrs. Shapiro, a professional writer in Jerusale1n "\Nhen it was all over we said Hal aware of these miracles; we only hear of vvhose byline appears weekly in the A1nerican le!-" those who were killed, of the bombs that Yated Ne'c111m1, has also had articles published in "- without a beracha." exploded. But so very often calamity has tlorizons and The ]ewis/1 Ho1nen1aker. 30 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 been avoided by a mere split-second; we hours later I was boarding the plane to are not aware of the many bombs that attend my mother's funeral. Those almost exploded, but, Baruch Hashem, things that had been so crucial a few did not. hours before suddenly lost their impor l"his miracle ren1inded n1e of son1e tance. thing I had recently learned. Before Standing with bowed head watching 'VJjltlng New.York? Yaakov Avinu 'vent to meet Eisav in an the casket, which held my mother's Beautiful rooms, with kitchen facilities, in atten1pt to appease him, Yaakov turned body, slowly being lowered into the the heart of Bora Park, by day or week. to\vards Hashern and said, "I am unwor earth, was a most hun1bling experience. Near Shuls, take out foods, etc. Profits to thy of all the acts of kindness:' ( Bereishis Somehow, in the face of death, it Mifal Torah Vodaas. 31, 11) The Sefas Emes points out that became impossible to be arrogant. each ti1ne Hashem bestovvs goodness There is nothing like the stark reality of Call (718) 851-2969 upon His people, it brings His people a funeral to force a person to face his No T.V.'s to even greater levels of humility. When limitations and ultimate mortality His people see how much goodness Hashern has given them, they come to the realization that they are not really -;ru(( Servtce e~IUIUUnlty worthy of being the recipients of such • HEALTHY JOB MARKET bounty. Since they are aware that their • AFFORDABLE HOUSING successes are from Hashe1n, they cannot • NURTURING COMMUNITY allow then1selves to become arrogant. • LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES And so, feeling just a bit smug about • SHOMER SHABBOS my lofty thoughts on humility, I con MEDICAL RESIDENCIES tinued with the evening routine. e COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES ashen1 has a way of rnaking sure that His lessons are under • CHEDER • KOLLEL stood. Just a few short days later, H • SAIS YAKOV e MIKVEH I was sitting drinking my last cup of cof • YESHIVA GEDOLA • ERUV fee and eating my toast with cheese, enjoying those precious few niinutes of peace before jun1ping into the business of the day. I was, as usual, working hard in my attempt to remain in control. A deadline for an article \.vas just a few short days away, and my plan was to spend most of the day sitting across from the computer screen." Kochi v'ot sem yadi," "My strength and the might ''PEOPLE WHO of my hand" - I had quickly forgotten what I had been taught just a few days DON'T HAYE AN earlier. As soon as the telephone rang and I AGENT-WHO TAKES heard my sister's voice on the other end, I had no questions. Even though I asked, CARE OF THEM?'' "Is everything alright?" I had no doubt that it was not. When my husband heard CALL ME FORA FREE me say, "Baruch Dayan haemes,'' he PROTECTION REVIEW. understood as well. My mother had MARTIN LEVY passed away in her sleep just a few hours Exclusive Agent ~ before. 103-20 Metropolitan Avenue Within an hour, I had finished mak Forest Hills, NY 11375 Allstate. ing all the arrangements for my flight Bus (7181 268-1700 You're in good hands. FAX (7181 268-4354 to St. Louis that evening, and a few short © 2000 Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, ll!inois. The Jewish Observer, February 2001 31 While the men from the St. Louis fort a mourner; Hashem had coin Kolle! worked hard to cover the grave manded His nation to en1ulate Hin1. In with the icy cold dirt, I felt as though the face of such chessed, it was impos they were covering my mother with a sible to feel arrogance, to think for even warm blanket of love and respect. a second that "kochi v'otsem yadi." Through the cold numbness of mourn Between shiva calls, I delved into the ing I felt the warmth of their kindness. classic sefer, Gesher HaChayim. There it While facing life's ultimate conclusion, is explained that without death, life only chessed shel emes- a true act of lov would lose its value. Only when some ing kindness - was able to bring any thing is finite are we able to value it, for sense of coinfort into the vacuum of my only then do we realize that eventually heart. it will come to an end. Only when we Later on, I found myself the recipi fool ourselves into thinking that we are ent of a community's generosity. As I sat immortal, that our lives our endless, do on my stool, not able to accomplish, we forget to value and make full use of bound to n1y aveilus, I discovered a com the time we have. munity dedicated to Torah, running to When we are faced with death, and perform chessed. grasp that our very life is given to us 28 Weaver Avenue, Newport, RI 02840 Just a few days earlier, I had been as a chessed from Hashe1n; when \Ve Tel.: (401) 849-0051 •Fax: (401) 847-5902 www.kosherbedandbreakfast.con1 given a strong lesson in bitachon and have obtained some level of humility humility, which I had permitted myself in realizing that our lives are not for Enjoy the freedom and convenience of a to forget. And now I was rudely remind ever; then, and only then, can we begin kosher guesthouse, located only minutes away from ed, as I sat unkempt, unable to do any to count our precious hours and truly the Touro Synagogue, thing for myself, completely dependent value them. The shiva brings the full the oldest synagogue in North America upon others for all my needs. Boxes of value of our days into perspective for food were prepared by total strangers; in thinking about death, one ultimately For reservations call: 1-888-465-0051 Jews that I had never met came to con1- comes to life. II ,,~ ~PJ:~271~ THE NEW BAIS YAAKOV SEMINARY 1ro:l""ais Yaalrnv Seminary @Join thr mm111 trrlmilYos mlto kwe s1m·ess'/pt!l11 am1pletri) our program! ~(!pend the upcoming year within FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CHINUCH: M Outstanding content and quality of training <..:;;;:::; the right institution, with the M. Special Education - exceptional program in both right chevrah, with the right content. Limudei Kodesh and General Studies FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN COMPUTERS: M. Challenging progra111 of Limudei Kodcsh M Cutting edge technology M. Fan1/ty of Exceptional (,{i/iber M. Fully networked 32 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 REPORT FROM EREIZ nsROEL Miriam Zakon Speaking Up For the Wall The Regular Mispallelos at the J(osel Find Their Voice How far is it from the Kosel HaMaaravi to the Israeli Supreme Court building? By car, when traffic is light, the trip takes about ten minutes. In history, close to two millennia separates the ancient stones of the second Beis HaMikdash from the stunning stone and glass edifice built in the past decade. Spiritually, the distance between the holiest spot on this earth - site of the Akeida (the binding of Isaac), of Yaakov's dream, of two Temples - and the home of modern-day Israel's bastion of secular ;ustice seems almost unbridgeable. And yet, on this balmy day in Cheshvan, about sixty men and women sit in a gleaming courtroom in the Supreme Court building, waiting for justice, hoping for justice, wondering if justice is possible in this place, at this time. At issue is the Wall. I. WOMEN OF THE WALL: private homes or in rooms off the A BRIEF HISTORY main sanctuary of more liberal modern Orthodox shuls. The t begins - and this is a motif that concept of women's tefilla groups will be constantly repeated is becoming increasingly popular I throughout this article - with among some streams of liberal feminism. A feminist conclave, to be modern Orthodoxy, despite the exact: the 1988 gathering of the First fact that Rabbi Joseph B. International Jewish Feminist Con Soloveitchik 7"~T and, later, 7":t' ference in the Jerusale1n Convention Rabbi Hershel Schachter of Center. At the end of the proceedings RIETS-Yeshiva University, came about one hundred participants trav out very strongly against them. el together to the Kosel for a group But back to those ancient walls, prayer. In an enthusiastic mixing of to the place where the Shechina spirituality, feminism, and Judaism rests even in these restless times of (careful: we're going to see this volatile Yaakov class joining together for dav galus. The Women of the Wall, Israel's con1bination of ingredients again and ening, or a group of women getting ne"\vest and certainly most controversial again), the women decide to organize a together to finish all of Sefer Tehillim. women's tefilla group, decided to meet "women's tefilla group" at the Kosel every (If you want to know why this isn't spir every Rosh Chodesh at the Kosel at 7 a.m. Rosh Chodesh. Thus is born the N'shot itually satisfying, you'll have to ask a There they hoped to read their Torah, HaKotel, Women of the Wall (WOW). feminist; personally, I think it's a won wrap themselves up in their tallitot, sing The issue of "women's tefilla derful way to connect to HaKadosh aloud their joyous paean of praise to groups» is a con1plex one, with many Baruch Hu.) In many women's tefilla G-d (the issue of kol is ha hadn't halachic ran1ifications, and is not with groups, women take the roles tradi occurred to most of them, or, if it had, in the scope of this article. To under tionally held by Jewish men. They wrap had been dismissed as a chauvinist con stand the Women of the Wall, though, then1selves in a tallis and read from a cept" and a male problem). a short explanation of the concept is Torah, proudly picking it up for hag What the members of WOW hadn't necessary for those unfamiliar with it. bah. Depending on the group's reliance reckoned upon - or perhaps some of A "women's tefilla group" is not a Bais on piskei halacha, they may or may not them had; but I'm not here to ascribe make a beracha on the laining, may or motivation or sit in judgment- was the !vliriam Zakon is Senior Editor at Targum Press may not say Barchu or Kaddish. Some violent reaction to their break vvith tra and editor of Horizons: The Jewish Fa1nily Jour members routinely don tefillin; others dition. Many of the people who gather nal. She has authored and translated many books for both adult readers and young people. do not. Women's tefilla groups meet in regularly to daven there vvere horrified The Jewish Observer, February 2001 33 by this open challenge to Mesora. The chauvinistic religious men \\rho \.Vere ter WOW: Who They Are women's voices raised in their joyous rified and threatened by this show of paeans of praise to G-d raised serious egalitarianism. Few wondered what so 've met several of the Women of the problems according to the Torah that He disturbed the frequenters of the Wall by Wall, and one of them is a dear had given the Jews. The sight of women this display that they would go to such I friend of mine. (Wanting to keep flaunting avant-garde fen1inist practices lengths, and no one bothered asking that friendship intact, I rarely discuss at the most revered place in the collec them. Instead, they merely sent photo WOW with her.) The disconcerting tive Jewish consciousness outraged journalists to the wall each month for truth is that many of the "bad guys" in those who can1e to the Kosel to stand terrific photo opportunities of \Vomen this story are not bad guys at all. The before Hashem, rather than to make a bedecked in tallitot, holding up Torah ones I've n1et are almost all ba'alos teshu stand. Most were upset, many were dis scrolls. Often, the journalists far out va from An1erican ho1nes. Most of then1 gusted, and son1e showed their abhor nu1nbered the wo1nen who joined the are quite strict in their observance of rence by shouting at the women or vio tefilla group. many of the 1nitzvos. Son1e cover their lently demanding that they leave. If chareidi-bashing and photo ops are hair, and dress in accordance with the That's when the police came. And the here, can politicians be far behind? dictates of tzenius, and, except for those politicians. And, close behind them, the Within a short time Anal Hoffman, a who sport colorful Bukharian kip pot on photographers. Jerusalem city councilor and member of their heads, you often can't tell the play the rabidly left wing Meretz party, had ers without a scorecard. The ones I spoke The Media Darlings become a regular member of WOW, and with have strong spiritual bents that can had taken the cause under her politically leave a prosaic Bais Yaakov grad like t took only four months, a lot of savvy wmg. myself breathless. invective, and a few thn)\Vl1 chairs to In the n1eanti1ne the provocations The fact that so many of these I change the Women of the Wall continued, the violent responses con women are sincere is what makes their from a small group offeminist-leaning tinued, the police intervention contin behavior so much inore heartbreaking. \Von1en to a cause celebre of the Israeli ued. In accordance with police requests, The question begs to be asked: If these left and the An1erican Conservative and the WOW began to meet for davening women honestly want to serve HaKa Reform movements. The Israeli media, at the Kosel, followed by lainingin tallis dosh Baruch Hu, and if they have reject with its strong anti-religious bent, and at a nearby site. The members, though, ed 1nodern \Vatered do\.vn versions of the American media, \Vith its fe1ninist saw this uneasy compro1nise as a tem Judaism, why, then, have they set them reflexes and good-natured lack of porary one, and four n1onths after their selves up against the sa1ne rabbanin1 who understanding of the complexities and first meeting, Anal Hoffman and WOW determine the halacha that they wish to nuances of halacha, loved it: a group of took their case to the Israeli Supreme live by? Though I am no psychologist, spiritual women trying to do nothing Court, asking that they be allowed to nor a clairvoyant who can see into the more than stand before their G-d, their pray openly with Torah scrolls and tallis deep recesses of the heart and 1nind, iny voices silenced by violent, abusive 1 at the Kosel. discussions with these Woinen of the Wall and other "Ortho-feminists" (what a \vord!) has convinced me that, while they are sincere in their acceptance of Jewish precepts and thought, when those mitzvos and hashkafos collide with feminist theory and belief, femi nis1n takes precedence. Thus, one of the prominent members of WOW person ally told me that she lays tefillin every WILL BE STARTING THE day, has been doing so for years, and sees in the fact that she has a chazaka i1D'? OF l'?1n IN CONJUNCTION (established commitment) in this prac tice a halachic imperative to continue. WITH i1l."i i1i1' AFTER nPD I asked her if, under strange circu1n The Kollel is under the guidance of Rav Chaim Kohn. stances, there was only one pair of tefill in and it could either go to her or to a Please contact the Yeshiva Office Jewish male, who would get it. She hedged and wouldn't answer me. Fem 201-833-5920 inism vs. Halacha. Fe1ninis1n wins. 34 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 Had the WOW maintained only this II. KOLOT HAKOTEL As I walked through the moist dim membership of searching ba'alos teshu VOICES OF THE WALL ness of the Kosel tunnels where many of va and ba'alos-teshuva-in-training, the \Vomen daven, I mused upon my though, this would not be an issue for t was right after the May 22 Supreme good fortune. Here I was, child of the attorneys and publicists; it would have Court ruling that l became person Diaspora, grandchild of Holocaust been a kiruv opportunity and challenge. I ally involved in the WOW saga. My kedoshim, able to daven here at the place But the reality of WOW is that though experiences from that point on can, I where Shamayinz touches earth. There many of their devoted members are sin believe, give us some valuable lessons in was a peace here, one reflecting Hashe1n's cere and are Orthodox in inost of their activisn1 and involve1nent. Name of Shalom. And I, along with sev practices, and 1,vhile the group itself con Rosh Chodesh Sivan had been a fair eral hundred other blessed women, was sistently maintains that it follows ly intense day for me. It fell on a Sun here to feel it. Orthodox interpretation of Je\vish lavv, day. On Motza'ei Shabbos I had joined I walked through the plaza that many Conservative, Reform, and anti a group of won1en at the Kosel. For sev backs the Kosel area to get to where I'd religious groups are quietly underpin eral months we had been gathering parked my car. On my way out I passed ning WOW's battle. The treasurer of together to say Tehillim for a terminal my friend, a member of the Women of WOW's international group is a \Von1an ly ill woman, a young mother of five who the Wall. She and two others were com rabbi from the Jewish Theological Sem was a cherished friend and neighbor. ing for their Rosh C'hodesh women's inary, and the moderator of their e-mail The group, which numbered anywhere tefilla group. They were flanked by three list is another JTS woman rabbi. One of from fifty to two hundred, found great or four journalists. I felt disturbed; the the two signatories to the Supreme chizuk in this weekly obligation that we'd serenity \Vas someho\v sullied. Here was Court petition, and WOW's unofficial taken upon ourselves. controversy and publicity walking into spokesperson, is Ms. Hoffman, the Since Shabbos had ended late and the peace, breaking it apart. Meretz activist, whose husband heads thus our Tehillim recitation had taken Not long afterwards, I read about the Jerusalem's largest Reform synagogue. us close to nlidnight, it \Vas only about Supreme Court ruling on WOW. The five hours later that I found myself at the media reporting was laudatory towards A Decade of Argument Kosel again. The vasikin (sunrise) dav those heroic women, conten1ptuous of ening at the Kosel is an incredibly pow those terrible nlen who \Vere trying to will not tire the patient reader with erful and wonderful thing and, shaking stifle them. This was, it seemed, con1- a litany of the developments of the off the temptation to grow lyrical about pletely a male vs. female thing. Women I next ten years. Basically, the issue it, as I often do, 1 will merely advise the at the Kosel had been silenced, gagged, ping-ponged from the Court to the reader to go and see for him or herself. muffled, and now they wanted more. If Knesset to Commissions and back to the As one possessing nocturnal rhythms, only the men would let them. Court. The police intervened occasion early rising is a difficult thing for me, but Wait a minute! I raged. Silenced? Sti ally, the newspapers took pictures. I try to go at least once a 1nonth1 on Rosh fled? I thought of the women who come Chairs and insults were sometin1es Ch ode sh. regularly to daven at the Kosel at dawn. hurled. A compromise was offered: let the WOW meet at Robinson's Arch, a site near the southern wall that halachic Jonah's Fashion Inc. authorities and historians agree is part of the original retaining wall of the Tem ple, just as is the Kosel. The compromise was rejected by WOW attorneys. More briefs, more confrontation, more pub licity. • We make skirts and jumpers, solids Finally, on May 22, 2000, a three and plaids, from size 5 thru judge panel (two women and a man, junior and pre-teens none religious) banged its collective • Bais Yaacov blouses made from gavel and came to a verdict: the State of our own custom made Israel had six months to ensure that the (extra heavy) material Women of the Wall be allowed to pray peacefully, with Torah and tal/is, at the Kosel itself. And that's when so1ne of us found a voice. The Jewish Observer, February 2001 35 There are more than two hundred of afiei- all, is the most disturbed by the I made just a few phone calls, found them, every day, in frigid winter da\vns goings-on at the Kosel as a result of the out that there were 1nany won1en out or brutal su1nmer n1ornings. Were WOW presence? The wornen. Someone there who felt the same outrage at both they silenced? I thought of my friends should speak up for us. In the consulta what WOW was trying to do and what who would never miss our Motza'ei tions of Court and Knesset and endless the media was saying. That's how Shabbos Tehillim group, even if it Commissions they'd heard the opinions Kolat HaKotel, Voices of the Wall, n1eant con1ing late to a fan1ily simcha of the police, of the WOW attorneys, of came into existence. or n1issing a n1uch-anticipated event. the rabbinate. But who was listening to In the n1edia coverage- one radio com the women who actually davened at the What We Tried To Do; What We Did mentator actually said that the Kosel? Someone should do something. Supre1ne Court was now allowing So1neone .. .. he Kolot HaKotel agenda was women to pray at the Kosel HaMaar After checking the idea with my really quite simple. We wanted to avi (implication: until llO\N won1en had Rav, I called the Am Echad office. I'm Tlet the media know that there been banned) - and, especially, in the a frum woman, I told them. I daven at were many women out there - educated words of the WOW people them the Kosel a lot, I'm disturbed by the sit wo1nen, articulate wornen, many of selves, I felt their contempt for me, for uation. Any ideas? Am Echad, an then1 successful professionals) who the way I davened, for the way my organization that was the outgrowth of were disturbed by the Women of the grandmother had davened. My way of the last visit to Eretz Yisroel of Rabbi Wall. We wanted to remind the Israeli life, my mode of prayer \vas, as Ms. Moshe Sherer 7":.r, is dedicated to help public that the Women of the Wall - Hoffman so gracefully put it, "a stain ing battle prejudice, particularly in the like all women - were welcome at the on the State of Israel." Israeli media, against chareidim. The Kosel, but only if they respected its tra Someone should speak out on behalf director, Yonason H.osenblum, was ditions; not if they were using it as a of the women, I thought indignantly. very supportive, offering his impres place to preach their rather outdated Someone should tell the media that it's sive experience in helping to form an brand of masculino-fe1ninism. We not a men against wo1nen issue. Who, organization. wanted to remind people that the tra ditions of the Kosel were what gave it its meaning; vve wanted to tell then1 that you don't build a McDonalds at the Taj Mahal, you don't wear shoes in a mosque, you don't ignore the traditions For careful attention to your of a national or holy site. \Ale wanted individual needs, call us today! to find an effective response to their (914) 354-8445 provocative actions. We \Vanted to get the violence away from this holy place. 10 put it succinctly, we wanted to n1ake a Kiddush Hashem. You can.! Just call It wasn't going to be easy, though. The Yit:t:i Leibel We wanted media attention, but we Helpline. vvanted to remain firmly in the pro tective gates of tzenius. We wanted to HOURS: Monday-Friday ...... 8a1n -12p1n focus on the Kosel, but we did not want I'vlonday-Thursday ...... 8pn1 -1 l pin to make it a mere backdrop for our Sunday ...... 9am -l 2pn1, 9p1n -11 pin activities. We wanted our voices to be Extra hours Sat. night ..... 7pm - 9pm measured, not strident, but still heard in an era when you have to screan1 to ~,11sc;~~~f-;~pw be noticed. 4 Complicating the matter still more Chicago ...... (800) HELP-023 \Vere the increasingly dangerous times Lakewood ...... (732) 363-1010 Cleveland ...... (888) 209-8079 in \vhich we \Vere living. As a 1natter of Baltimore ...... (410) 578-1111 fact, our first planned activity - a Detroit ...... (877) 435-7611 Tehillim gathering at the Kosel to v1hich media were not to be invited - For addiction proble1ns call our addiction was canceled when it seemed that the therapist, Wednesdays l 1:30pm to 1:30am situation in Israel's settlements was 36 The Jewish Observer, February 200 I deteriorating: though we felt our issue to follow the action. ple, men and women, taln1idei \Vas in1portant, questions of pikuach Strong as our legal point might have chacha1nim and rabbanim, \Vomen of nefesh took precedence, and we felt that been, it never got its day in Court. The chessed, well-known educators. I learned pursuing the issue at this time 1night judges, so concerned about the stifled that the greater the person the simpler be seen as somehow belittling the voices of the Women of the Wall, did it is to deal \Vith him or her, because of physical suffering and danger to our fel n't seem really interested in hearing the humility of the truly accomplished low Jews. other \Vo1nen's voices. At the discretion person. I learned that the best-known With the increasing violence in granted to them by Jaw, they chose not Torah personalities would not do any Israel, we were ready to put our own to accept the "friends of the court" thing before they had the approval of issue on hold. The Supreme Court, brief; at least officially, the points scholars even greater than they. though, did not take a timeout; at the made there were not taken into con I learned that the media may not be request of Attorney General Elyakim sideration. quite as biased as we think it is. Often, Rubinstein, who himself did not like And that's that. Kind of. The upshot I suspect, this "bias" is less a function of the Supreme Court's May 22 verdict, of this rehearing was that the justices prejudice than it is of ignorance. Kol the case was to be reheard by a 9 judge will go to visit the Kosel site, inspect Hair is a local Jerusalem weekly pub panel (a very rare occurrence in Israeli both Robinson's Arch and other pos lished by the prestigious Ha' aretz news jurisprudence, pointing up to the sen sible compromise areas, and issue a rul paper. It is often virulently anti-religious. sitivity of the case). This rehearing ing some time in the future. Tune in And yet, after their reporter had a short would give us our opportunity to say later for further details ... telephone interview with one of the our piece. While we did not accomplish much Kolat HaKotel representatives, "our" Together with Am Echad, Kolot in our attempts to influence the Court, side of the issue was displayed fairly, just HaKotel submitted a "friends of the vve were very successful in the media as was WOW's. After the first Supreme Court" brief to be filed in the case. coverage. \Ale were quoted on, among Court decision, The Jerusalem Report ran Shorn of the legal jargon, it brought up others, the CNN.com web-site, seen by a long, fawning tribute to Anat Hoff an in1portant, and hitherto ignored, millions, through a story filed by the man. They published another long point: the jurisdiction of the Court in Associated Press; we received mention story after the rehearing, in which they this matter. It showed how up until now in most of the Israeli papers, both in took a much more critical stance, the Supreme Court has involved itself English and in Hebrew; several radio thanks at least partially to a lengthy in questions of access to holy places, but programs gave us extensive coverage. interview they had with one of the never questions of rituals. Did the In all those venues, we brought home members of Koiot HaKotel. Court wish, the brief asked, to become a 1nessage the average Israeli or secu I learned that people can make a dif the "gabbai" of the Kosel, deciding lar Jew had never heard before: there ference. Without financial backing, which group gets to pray and which are women who don't want this kind without experience, a group of women not? If the Women of the Wall were of feminism at the Kosel. There are managed to get out a message, n1ake a considered traditional (a point which women who are happy with the role dent in the seemingly impregnable wall the Court's initial verdict seemed to be traditional Judaism offers them. of anti-religious prejudices. making) why shouldn't other "tradi And I learned that when you think, tional" Jews - including Jews for J - III. WHAT I'VE LEARNED "Someone should do something be allowed to hold their services there? ABOUT ACTIVISM about it;' that someone could, just pos Why shouldn't the Temple Mount sibly, be you. • Faithful be allowed to hold their serv learned many things from my short ices on the Temple Mount, a right that stint as an activist. I learned, first, The Once-in-a Lifetime Purchase they had been demanding for years? I how much we owe our askanim, our that you should never have to use: In conjunction with the filing of the political and social act1v1sts. It's a brief, we held a press conference, twenty-four hour a day job, this inviting foreign and Israeli inedia to activism; phone calls at all hours, inter KARKAIN join. At the press conference we views and meetings and endless details BRETZ YISKOEL screened a short video, in which many to be arranged. I learned how much we different women spoke of what the owe the families of askanirn, giving up Call Rabbi Gavriel Beer for Kosel meant to them, and why they, as their husband/father (or wife/mother) at information on obtaining women, could not support WOW. In dinnertime, in the evenings, on days off. cemetery plots in Beth Shemesh addition, at the Supreme Court hear I learned how remarkable Jc1al Yisroel and other locations in Israel. ing itself, we made ourselves available can be. One of the perks of this post was to the many journalists who had come the chance to meet many incredible peo- 011-972-2-656-9427 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 37 PURIM RUMINATIONS Rabbi Yechiel Spero WHAT IS THERE ABOUT AMALEK? without his older brother looking ot a hint. Not a trace. Not the after him. Yet, Amalek - now slightest vestige is to remain. represented by Haman - N The Torah states it quite clear feels the need to attack ly:" Macho timcheh es zechff Amalek." us once again. Why? Every last zikaron (reminder). Con Is it because he's a cerning Amalek, we, as a nation, bully and this is are commanded to do so. his revenge? It We aren't required to go to introduces seen1s such extremes with other us to An1alek, we are implausible nations, no matter how fresh out of Egypt. G-d has and uncon deserving. Mitzrayin1 shown the world what He has vincing. So enslaved us for 210 years. in store for those that harm His then, why They slaughtered our chil children. We are on the cusp of does he, dren and bathed in their greatness, about to receive His must he, blood. Yet, there's no men- most precious of gifts when use aggres tion of a mitzva to be rid of their very Amalek attacks us. Rashi tells us that this sion? n1en1ory. Ironic, isn't it? I-laving been is to be compared to a scalding hot One n1ay subjected to uncivilized treatment for bath that is cooled off by the one suggest that a few centuries, it is only the audacious who is willing to burn himself the answer lies fellow who assaults us on the way out by jumping in. This strength in an intriguing that we cannot tolerate; not the real ens our question even Midrash. The browbeater. The question is a demand more: Why burn oneself Midrash speaks of a ing one: Why? What could be so inher by jumping in? Would it n1eeting between ently evil about Amalek to warrant such not be sttzarter to Mordechai and Haman. an edict? ignore the "bath" After plotting and schem If we are to find a solution to our altogether? ing, Haman is prepared to problem, we must get to kno\v our Many years carry out his plan when he nemesis a little better. Viho is he? later we n1eet encounters a discussion transpiring What are his grounds for agitating and Amalek again. in the Beis Midrash. And it was then causing disruption? Is there any rhyn1e The scenario that he knew that his plan would not and reason as to why or when Amalek this ti1ne is succeed. What did he witness there? The rears his ugly head, or is it just a mat quite different Midrash continues that he saw Mordechai ter of happenstance? All too often, from the discussing laws of kemitza (taking and things seem to be going well for us when afore1nen measuring of the Omer offering). It was suddenly he appears. A menacing fig tioned one. at that moment that Haman realized this ure whose sole an1bition is generating Seemingly, we small fistful of barley would offset the com1notion - or better yet, destruction are no longer I 0,000 silver coins that he had given King - for Kial Yisroel. What motivates this the envy of Achashveirosh to facilitate the murder of predator nation? And furthermore, is imperious the Jews. What is the meaning behind this there something about the Jewish peo nations. We Midrash? Should the mighty and ruth ple that threatens the nation of Amalek? are barely a less Amaleki really be afraid of a few Can't they just ignore us and pretend we shadow of our grains of barley? And how are we to don't exist? former self. understand it in terms of getting to We are vulner understand our archenen1y? LAUNCHING A HISTORICAL SEARCH able and quite vincible. Much THE INITIAL ENCOUNTER e'd do well to travel the pas like a young sages of tin1e to learn 111ore boy who used erhaps re-examining our W about this most unseemly of to feel secure engagements will shed light on nations. The first time that the Torah playing in the Pthis matter. Hashem has lifted us playground, out of Egypt. Our relationship has Rabbi Spero is a Rebbi in the Talmudic Acade but now no begun. We have become intertwined my of Balti1nore. This is his first appearance in these pages longer feels safe with our Creator, linked together as 38 The Jewish Observer, February 200 I one, as a Father to His child, as a Bride sin of Adan1 Harishon1 is to be found in pared to sacrifice himself to stage this groom to His bride. And it is precisely "doubt" and uncertainty. Amalek, dis historic diversion. And it came in the at that joining that Amalek is threatened. guised as the Nachash (primal serpent), wordage of "Asher korcha - That Amalek is the antitheses to our con presented enough of a safek to lure chanced upon you ...." The expression nection with Hashem. p'mv, the com Adam into the aveira. Prior to our korcha is related to the tertn tnikra, bination of two words - p'm pv, which receiving of the Torah, once more which means "happening," conveying n1eans literally "to cut off one's eye;' tries Amalek alters the fruits of Moshe's the sentiment, "Don't think that you're to sever the association that Kial Yisroel ascension to Sinai from receiving a flaw- special and that's why you were saved; enjoys with Hashem. Savoring our inde pendence from Mitzrayim, Amalek engages us in battle, and as long as the hands of Moshe are raised, we are vic torious in combat. The Mishna asks, "Did the hands of Moshe wage war? • Rather, this demonstrates that as long he Splitting of the Sea is not a daily as the eyes of our nation were elevated occurrence, so it is incumbent upon us towards G-d, vve vvere triu1nphant. The T instant we abandoned Him, we \Vere left to look for and find other venues to powerless." We look to the Almighty in our times of need, and He responds to recognize the Yad Hashem in our mundane us in kind. It is that "eye," the eye with which we look to Hashem, that Amalek lives. One of them is our parnassa. n1ust cloud over. In fact, not only is it his job, it is his very existence. The Sefarim Hakedoshim (sacred lit • erature) tell us that the gematria (numerical value) of the word p'mv is 240. This is the same gematria as the less gift to one that required to be shat it was si1nply coincidental.", word p~o, "doubt." Kial Yisroel relishes tered simply to keep it whole. "Maybe The con11nunication of "Vayikra el a relationship of Hashgacha Prattis, and Moshe is dead," the people said, falling Moshe;' appearing as Hashem address since the beginning of time Amalek has into the trap of safek, doubt. Mission es Moshe, denotes chiba, adoration, the been contesting that very idea. The accomplished. very emotion Amalek is determined to Gemora asks, "Where do we find Haman And finally, Shaul HaMelech wavers prevent. Conversely, the phrase" Vayik in the Torah?" and the answer is from if only for a day, postponing the Divine er" (without the N) is chosen when the pasuk, "Hamin ha'etz asher commanded execution of Aggog, King Hashem chances upon a Haman or a tzivisicha... Have you then eaten fron1 of Amalek, and the effect is nearly fatal. Bilaam, for to them, that is precisely the tree that I commanded you not to (See Shmuel I ch. 15.) Had we had the what G-d's communication with them eat ... ?" (Bereishis 3, ll) The word necessary vision and clarity then, history was; an accident, a random meeting. "harnin" in that pasuk is a question. would have been changed for eternity. How appropriate, for Targum Yonasan Hamin and Haman are written with the This clarity of vision that we speak informs us that Bilaam was the prime same letters, and that is the source for of was witnessed by the lowliest of hand disciple of Amalek. In fact, the names Haman in the Torah. maidens at the splitting of the Red Sea. ofcv?:i and p?:i contain within them the But closer scrutiny of this Gemora Chazal tell us that even the great name of p';r.iv. allows us to discover much more. The prophet Yechezkel could not perceive An event of the caliber of Krias Yam root of Haman's existence is to be found what the maidens had seen; the attach Suf, however, does not take place in every in a question. (The word "Hamin" forms ment at Krias Yam Sufwas such that the generation. Or does it?! the question syntax in that pasuk.) very existence of Amalek was at stake. Amalek can only exist when there is We were on the brink of fusing togeth AS COMPELLING AS doubt in this world. At the moment that er as "Yisroel veOraysa veKudsha Brich THE SPLITTING OF THE SEA doubt has been removed and there is Hu chad hu - There is a unity between total and absolute clarity, Amalek will G-d, Torah and Israel"; simultaneous hazal tell us "Kash in mezonosav cease to be. ly, "skepticism," masquerading as she/ adam ke'kriyas Yam Suf It is Unfortunately, Amalek has tasted Amalek, was on the verge of vanishing Cas difficult for the Almighty to some success. The source of the initial entirely. Desperate, Amalek was pre- provide sustenance for man as it is to The Jewish Observer, February 200 7 39 split the Sea:' Neither one is difficult for His relationship with us was one of Nissan. The first barley grains of the year G-d. Yet Chazal compare the two. The "Haster aster es panai- I will conceal My are sifted through, and the flour is mixed Splitting of the Sea is not a daily occur face." We were in Amalek's home terri with water to produce this korban, there rence, so it is incumbent upon us to look tory, so to speak. This concealment con by permitting the" cha dash" grain - that for and find other venues to recognize formed fully to the Amalekian concept, is, any grain that sprouted after the pre the Yad Hasheni in our mundane lives. and Haman was prepared to use this vious Omer (16 Nissan), which is for One of them is our parnassa. It is our opportunity to enact his decree. But just bidden until the next Omer. The Mish opportunity to look beyond the hap as the wheels were being set in motion, na calls it one of the four days that the penstance in life and say, "Yes! This too his worst nightmare occurred. He saw world is judged. BaPesach nidonin al is a continual reminder that we are con Mordechai discussing and involving ha'tevu'a. The Almighty proclaims, nected to our Father in Heaven." A daily himself in the Omer. And he knew he "Havi'u lefanai Omer kedai shetisbarech dose of Krias Yam Suf, if you will. was in trouble. lachem tevua shebisados - Bring the Purim was a time of just that. We The korban haOmer is an offering Omer before Me so that the grain in the were unable to see the Hand of G-d, for that is brought on the sixteenth day of field will be blessed:' Much is depend ent on this korban. The success of the entire year is at stake: What type ofyear will it be? Our eyes are turned to You, Rib It hurts bono Shel Olam. Please. True, we might not be able to see You as we have in the 1oc II past, but we know You are listening to our pleas. We feel You holding us so tightly, om es IC and through this embrace we appeal to You, "Let it be a year of plenty." Simply put, the Omer is, perhaps like no other, the korban of emuna. The Yorn Tov of .,•• Pesach is, in the words of Chazal, the • Yom Tov of emuna. How befitting that we celebrate it by not only eating matza, the Michla de'Mehemnusa - the food of faith - but by offering the kor ban Omer-the offering of faith, the kor ban of e1nuna, as well. It hurts At the end of the Seder, we recite a pizmon (poem) "Va'amartem Zevach Pesach:' In mentioning the story of r Gideon and the Midyanim, we state "Nishmeda Midyan bishvil tzlil ha'Omer. o. Midian was destroyed because of the Omer." The soldiers of Gideon had lost faith and his army had dwindled to a It feels better just to talk about it. That's loyal battalion of 300 soldiers. He then why we're here. Our staff is made up of overheard a dream about a huge barley caring and sensitive individuals. Together, cake that came rumbling through their we can help you explore your options. We can refer you to recognized professionals camp. Upon hearing this, he knew that for counseling, legal advice or help in he would be victorious. Chazal tell us finding a safe environment. We can also that it was the day of the Omer offer put you in touch with some very special Rabbis. But in order for us to reach out to ing; what day is more fitting and appro you, you must first reach out to us. priate? Although the Yad Hashem was perhaps not as evident as in previous Confidential Hotline 1.888.883.2323 tin1es, nevertheless, they were capable of (Toll Free) "seeing" and feeling the Yad Hashem 718.337.3700 through the Omer. (NYC Area) Do it for yourself. The Omer is indicative of the con Do it for your children. Shalom Task Force ts a 5.0Hc)(3) charitable organization nection that has rescued us in our 1nost 40 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 troubled times. Rabban Shimon Bar had banded together with the Reishis contested our very existence. Either we Yochai was asked by his students, "Why Tevu'asa (first crop - an allusion to remove that challenge or we will no was it necessary for the Manna to fall Jewry) ofYisroel to balance and triumph longer exist. daily; would not once a year have suf over the Reishis Goyim (first nation to On Purim we read Megillas Esther. ficed?" He answered them with a para attack the Jews after the Exodus) of But more. Through the Omer we are ble. A king had an only son whom he Amalek. And finally, after three days of megaleh (reveal) the hester (concealed), cherished dearly. He provided him with fasting and praying, on the sixteenth day and by revealing that which is hidden, sufficient food for the year, but his son of Nissan, the day of the Omer offering we uncover the mask of Purim and ful never came to visit him. Disheartened, - Haman was hanged. No. There was no fill our commitment to Milchama he resolved instead to give his son food Krias Yam Suf this time, but it did not LaHashem Ba'Amalek midor dor! - the every day, thereby enabling him to see matter because they had the Omer and eternal battle with Amalek throughout the child he treasured so. The same holds they knew the message it carried. I'm the generations. • true for Kial Yisroel. Anxiously, in the here for you. You might not always see Me, desert, we would wonder, "How will I but I see you; I'm holding onto you tight feed my child today?" "Eineynu mey ly and I'll never let go. achalos Zach - Our eyes are focused on And so they must be erased, for their You." The manna, with its daily ration, very existence prevents ours. There can was our answer. It afforded our Father be only one survivor. Hence, at our the opportunity to see us when we might defining moment as a nation, the Brooklyn NY I 1218 not have had the insight to visit Him on instant we arrived as a people, Amalek We make "housecalls~ our own accord. attacked. The reason is quite apparent. No wonder that the daily portion of Having realized supreme revelation (718) 972-4003 the Manna was called ... Omer! was imminently at hand, he was left with :i-,.,~ no alternative. However, by threatening .,b=tv THE REASSURING our adherence to our Creator, Amalek MESSAGE OF THE OMER r.------~ e can now return to the intriguing Midrash we men I ARE You MOVING? I W tioned earlier. Haman was I I ready to annihilate us. The Jews had I IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED I eaten from the party of Achashverosh. INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? The bond between the Father with His I I children was growing weaker. With I We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the Jewish Observer to your home. I Clouds of Glory no longer present, Please attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address and computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the address label. clouds of uncertainty had rolled in to I I provide the perfect backdrop for I I Amalek's scheme. He would finally win. Doubt would dictate and uncer I I tainty would govern once and for all. Set I Affix old label here I to prevail, only one thing could foil his I I plan. And it happened. The Yam Tov of Pesa ch was here and I Name ______I the Jewish people were moved to do I I teshuva. The clouds were dissipating. I New Address ______I The bond had tightened. Kimu vekiblu City, - They fulfilled and again accepted the I I covenant they had previously assumed I State, ______.Zip I at Sinai. They had started to see once Date Effective ______again. The kemitza (handful) of the I I Omer grain offering would cause I Send address changes to: The Jewish Observer Change of Address I Haman's demise. He too knew the pro 84 William Street, New York, NY 10038 I Please allow 4-6 weeks for alf changes to be reflected on your malling label. We will not be I found message of the Omer. The Reishis responsibfe for back issues missed unless you notify us 6 weeks prior to your move. Ketzirchem (initial harvest) of the Omer I I L------~ The Jewish Observer, February 2001 41 INFORMATION You CAN USE Tzivia Ehrlich-Klein have zoomed by. If you lead a very busy, complicated life, and you fear commit Things to Say ting yourself in advance, ask the invit ed person to write the invitation on his/her calendar as definite-but-tenta tive. If something unexpected co1nes up, and Not Say to the other party will understand. (Should something come up, don't cancel the invitation, but, rather, postpone it to Your Presently another "definite-tentative" date.) People usually remember to invite Not-Presently-Marrieds around a hol Unmarried Neighbor iday; this fluny of invitations is rare dur ing the rest of the year. Thus, if the invi Evel)' neighborhood has its Not-Yet-Married, Divorced, and/or Widowed tee is busy when you call, ask for a date, Singles. Perhaps Hashem puts them here to give us an opportunity to a month hence. This lets the person really put into practice our ideas and ideals of chessed. It is one thing know that you really are interested in having him/her join you, and not just to sell raffle tickets for a yeshiva or to bake a cake for a new mother, and looking for a Yam Tov mitzva. quite another to realize that the divorced neighbor downstairs probably Chol Hamo'ed presents the possibil needs help getting her mezzuzos off the doorposts in order to get them ity of many painfully lonely meals Suc checked evel)' few years. Yes, it is hard not being married in the religious cos and Pesach invitations should there world, especially as so much of our life depends on religious Holy days, fore not be restricted to the Chag ceremonies, shul, and our daily responsibilities as a Jew. meals. If you're not sure of the time, tell them to call you between X and Y This is an attempt to specify some of the more glaring, yet general, "help o'clock on that day. Worse comes to needed" areas that the reader surely recognizes, but sometimes overlooks. worst, your family will wait 15 minutes until your guest arrives. The wise reader will attempt to think of others, more specific to the presently Pre-fast and break-fast meals are also not-married people with whom they themselves come into contact. good times to host the Not-Currently Marrieds. It is emotionally difficult, and Invitations the person, and let him/her say, "Thank a little absurd, to cook an entire seuda you, but I've already been invited:' for one. It can also be depressing. ~ver be embarrasse.d, or think it If at all possible, don't wait until the IS unnecessary, to invite a not last minute to invite a Not-Presently "Come Back Again" and Npresently-married person to a Married person; it makes the person feel Other Special Invitations meal. A person gets a wonderful feeling that he/she is only an afterthought. An from being wanted or thought about, invitation to a Shabbos meal proffered s a Not-Now-Married guest is and that is just what an invitation does. on Tuesday is inordinately superior to leaving, do not say, "You must It is irrelevant how often the invitee says one made on Thursday, no n1atter how Acome back sometime." The "no"; the mere fact that he/she is being good the intentions. unspoken response is, "So if you want given the chance to say "no" is of value. Designate 10-15 minutes to sit down me, invite me. What do you want me to If you see a Not-Now-Married on the with your calendar and go through the do, invite myself for next week?" street, do not say, "Do you have a place to entire year. Write down the na1nes of A Not-Currently-Married guest who is go for Shabbos/ Chagl etc.?" It is a thought - single/divorced/widowed people you not invited back a second time will less, even mean, question. VVhat do you want to invite, and schedule a call to always wonder what he/she did wrong that expect the person to answer you, if they each two to three weeks before the des caused him/her not to be re-invited. This don't? "No, no one thought of me"? Invite ignated Shabbos/ Chag. Make certain to feeling is very unpleasant, especially as give yourself, and them, enough time there is no one with whom to discuss if Mrs. Ehrlich Klein of Jerusalem is the author of On Bus Drivers, Dreidels and Orange Juice (Feld beforehand so that your table doesn't get anything was said or done wrong. If at all heim), A Children's Treasury of Sephardic 1i:lles filled up with other last-minute invitees. possible, make an effort to invite the per (ArtScroll), and Happy Hints for a Successful Aliyah This way, the Not-Currently-Married son back at least a second or third time. (Feldheim)_ She writes for many publications in will not be left out because you forgot If, for whatever reason, you prefer not to Israel, England, and the USA and has edited To [)well in the Palace (Feldheiin), an anthology on all about them, and eight months will have that person more than once a year, life in Bretz Yisroel, among other books. 42 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 hook the invitation to a particular holi Extra Touches day, or Parsha, so that the person feels that RABBI this is "their" seuda - such as the Tisha you walk out of shu/, make a point MORDECHAI B'Av break-fast meal or Parshas Noach. of talking to the Not-Currently-Mar It can be an act of special considera ied person. It is depressing to walk GIFTER 7":tt tion to invite those who are Single/Wid out of shulby oneself into the throng of cou owed/Divorced for Chanuka candle ples all chittering away and searching for ENGLISH lighting (after they lit at home) followed their spouses. Better yet, walk - talking- part LECTURE SERIES by latkes or sufganiyot. Few singles go of the way with the single, or stand and talk through the mess and bother of making for a few minutes outside. these traditional dishes for themselves, It can be difficult to walk into a simcha Series #1 7 even though they miss them. In addition, alone; in fact, it is even more difficult to go O 1 First Night of Selichos - 5741 it is nice to be included in a family circle to a simcha at night alone. Even getting 0 2 Yomim Nore'im - 5744 during the candle lighting. Otherwise, it dressed becomes a chore. Call a ::J 3 Aseres Yemai Teshuvah - 5745 can be a particularly lonely few minutes. Single/Divorcee/Widow and offer to give 0 4 Aseres Yemai Teshuvah - 5746 A woman should preferably not make him/her a ride or ask if they would like to ::J 5 Pesach - 5746 Havdalla for herself. If you know any share a cab - a considerate gesture, even if 0 6 Elul - 5747 unmarried woman, anywhere, invite her the offer isn't accepted. CJ 7 Before Maariv T. B' Av - 5747 to hear Havdalla .. . as often as possible. When baking a cake, get in the habit of 0 8 Chol Hamoed Pesach - 5748 Neighbors in an apartment building do not pouring off a little batter into a small tin 0 9 Aseres Yemai Teshuvah - 5749 realize how demeaning it is to have to go foil, throw-away pan. Widows and wid 0 10 Chanukah - 5749 knocking on doors each week, asking, "Can owers are rarely going to bake for them ::J 11 Pesach Thoughts - 5749 I come to hear Havdalla?" Having children selves, and they will always appreciate D 12 Yeshivas Bein Hazmanim in tow makes it even more demoralizing) receiving a small, freshly baked cake for 0 13 Diversity In Orthodoxy and makes one feel inordinately worse .... Shabbosor Chag. 0 14 Chanukah - 5750 Invite the person first. Ask a Not-Now-Married woman if she CJ 15 Derech Halimud Ifshe arrives early for Havdalla, tell her needs help checking her mezzuzos. Virtu 0 16 Purim to come in and sit down and wait with you. ally no organization or" mezzuza checker" CJ Entire Series of 16 tapes It is very hurtful to be told, "My husband makes house calls, and, unless the woman isn't back from shul yet. [Go away and] is particularly handy (which she probably COST: come back in ten minutes." "fall< to her isn't), getting little plastic cases off the door $7.00 per tape if purchased while she is waiting even if you are in the post without cracking or completely break individually kitchen cleaning up. It is much nicer than ing them is daunting to say the least. $6.00 per tape if more than 5 tapes purchased telling her to sit [alone, by herself] in the $90.00 for all 16 tapes dining room. Be dear that she should e point is for each of us to think of $96.00 for all 16 tapes w/album return each week. the other - the neighbor or friend If for some reason you will not be Tiwho doesn't have everything that we home, tell the Single/Divorcee/Widow have ... to think of them, and to realize what Series #178 before Shabbos; don't make her suffer the is involved in not having what we ;i":i do 0 20 tapes on Sefer Hachinuch ignominy of knocking on a door for have. • Havdalla and having no one answer it. COST: If a child comes with their Not-Cur $90.00; $96.00 with album rently-Married parent, be sure that you have explained to your own children, SAVE $12.00 - order whatever their ages, the importance of both series with album making guests feel comfortable, i.e., for only $180.00 wanted. It is inexcusable to allow a child to go running off with his or her friends Check boxes of tapes ordered before Havdalla, or before or after the Send payment to: Shabbos!Holiday meal, while a little Tapes guest sits alone quietly, "listening" to the 0 A C H E S T A A S PO Box 504 adults talk. Hachnosas orchim applies to all ages - both in extending it, and in 516.569.4949 Wickliffe, OH 44092 receiving it. 718.237.2988 Postage and Handling included. ---~·--·------~------The Jewish Observer, February 2001 43 TZEDAKAH~ DON' You will have many kids come to your home on Purim to collect Tzedakah for many worthwhile organizations and Yeshivas. Please give them Tzedakah. Have a freilichin Purim <1510 16rn AVENUE • BROOKLYN, NY 11204 RABBl :~OMlN YEHOSHUA ZlLBER A YE VEROVOH A VE"WE "1:.JJ't l1\!.11n' PJJ'JJ J"1n ERErz BNEl·BRAJ<, YISR~EL 4 N.'.111 l>.JN n111''0 j:t1.J l).J Shevat 5761 I hereby suppopt the Work to raising funds for "G of .Rabbi Pinchas Friectrn widows, Orphans ifts for the Poor" on ?>...... ~- an Shlita, .Pertaining sev and destitute f, • "'"'ill, on behaif f eralwhom.arede.stbi am.Wes comprts· o numerous ed. to be leaders ot lClaJ ~ of Torah Scholars... The distrlbutton · i.sroel. with th 18 conducted via m e help of two other Rabbo Y son Reb Yechiel A'""'h niJ:n. .. v om Shllta The funds raised Will b be responsible for this e distrtbutect on Purim, Kecta.s . · Vekadin and I Will Th~ funds delivered Via. Ra . Obligation of "Gifts bb1 PJ.nehos Fried.man the money is rece1V:. tbhef Poor" Lemehactrm Min~ serve to flllflli the e ore Purim). a.tnehactrtn (even if May all those that sustenance, heave P8.rt1cJpate in this M1tzvah merit offspring, OffsprJn~:sistance, Phystcat health I /;ng ~e abundant of the Torah. 0 Will neither .Interrupt n;r 0 Vision, living cease from the Words The g'.reatness of involved Your merit in Tzedak is Unmeasurable· ah & Chesect in Whi"'..,.. you a.re All monies will be distributed under the guidence of one of the Gedolei Yisroel, HaRav HaGaon HaTzaddik Binyomin Yehoshuah Zilber H"l"~lll of Bnei Brak (known as Binyomin HaTzaddik). c•Jt•JH~ nuno received by the following deadlines will be 'n mrvl delivered on Purim. In Bnei Brak 10:15 AM (New York time). In Yerusholayim 5:30 PM (New York time). THIS AD IS SPONSORED BY: MR. DOVID LEDERMAN lln1lH '1 l''i11n l'lH l"V~ ~·ir1 111 ~H1lll' '1 l "mn ll of occasions gone on the record as a life time admirer of both her late father and Rabbi Kotler. The letter-writer published last December is a different Chana Poupko. We extend our apologies to Chana (Poupko) Ausubel for the mis taken reference. Also: When Mrs. Leah Oriel's Letter From Jerusalem (January 'OJ) was initially typeset, a number of typo graphical errors crept in. These were subsequently corrected, and were to be PS: "KID DUSH HASHEM IMPERATIVE" called a special assembly of our high transmitted to the production-and school students and discussed the entire graphics house that prepares JO for its To the Editor: article with them. press-run. During the confusion gen Our high school students have been I would like to give a copy to each of erated by the recent move of The Jew saying, in unison, three kapitlach of our mechanchot with the purpose of ish Observerto new quarters (along with Tehillim since Rosh Hashana for the having them solicit a personal kabbala the parent organization, Agudath Israel matzav in Eretz Yisroel. I have felt, how from each of their students to be fol of America), the uncorrected file was ever, that, while the tefillos are very lowed up weekly. Even if the Kiddush apparently sent by mistake. Our important, they are still not quite Hashem achieved in this way is small, it apologies to the author and the readers enough. should be one that can be carried out for not doing justice to a poignant We just received the January issue of in daily life. I would also like to include article, which deserved to be presented The Jewish Observer and I was enthralled a copy of the article in our weekly without any errors. N .W. by Yonason Rosenblum's article on Kid newsletter distributed to our entire dush Hashem. It so inspired me that I parent body, so as to inform them of what their children are working on. I hope that you will respond favor HAT PLUS ably to our request. RABBI SHNEUR AISENSTARK, PRI~CIPAL To our Israeli Hats • S~irts • Ties •Accessories Beth Jacob D'Rav Hirschprung Montreal, Quebec subscribers: Your#l Stop for EDITORIAL APOLOGIES Quality Hats Due to last month's Israel WE ALSO DRY CLEAN LARGEST SELECTION A letter to the editor (Dec. '00) from & RESHAPE HATS OF CHDSONJM TIES JN Mrs. Chana Poupko protested what she labor work stoppage, (All work done on prfJm1ses) BROOKLYN perceived as a slight to Rabbi Zerach 1368 Coney Island Avenue Warhaftig in Dr. David Kranzler's arti many subscribers received (71 S) 377-5050 cle, "The Grand Escape" (JO June '00). Major credit cards accepted • We ship UPS In his response, the author called their issues late. Although attention to Rabbi Warhaftig's disre it was beyond our control, CHEVRA OSEH CHESED spectful dismissal of the wartime OF AGUDATH ISRAEL hatzala efforts of the Rosh Hayeshiva Rabbi Aharon Kotler •,.·,;r, along with we are sorry for the incon BURIAL PLOTS those of the great lay leader, Irving Bunim ';>''!.In this context, he referred venience. Please accept IN ERETZ YISROEL to Mrs. Poupko as the daughter of Mr. Interment in a ,Shomer Shabbos Beis Bunim, and suggested that she protest our apologies. Olam near Beis Shemesh this denigration, as well. The Jewish Observer Please jJho~ i)~ Wrtte to: While Mr. Bunim does have a Chevra Oseh ~ '1 ~th Israel daughter who had been Mrs. Chana 84 William Str~~li~~¥ork. NY 10038 Poupko (widowed, she is now Mrs. (212) 197-9000 Chana Ausubel), she has on a number 46 The Jewish Observer, February 2001 I l~ti~~,!,.,i~i~ll-~~'~ . 23Sbvat576l desh Parsbas Y1sro, ErevSbabbosKo K \\el in Mesivta Torah 0119 c:M.:11 ,.,. 0 r= ,,,. :~11 . d mbers of our · I Tuey : Several disti~gu1sdhe :e~ed fund entitled ~zras Y~sro~~erished tabltshe a c d •hich are imp ~~9'- Vodaas ha~e es ious time to assist the nee y " f financial support. fl!i! 7/45£,.,t 0 devote their prec h lack of sufficient means J'. ctudents of our -r h d by t e . h are 1onner" j and crus e everal individuals W. 0 If sufficient means ~.A'~""' ; Amongst t~em ~e ~o not have an estab\ts~e~ an~ s~ed Torah Scholars Holy Ye.sh1va w o here are also man_y d1stt~gu1s he aforementioned of subsistence. T . ) who are in dlfe straits. T .t as their duty to " (Talmidei Chachomim . their plight and see I > dedicated v~luntee:s s~:;~e~s. alleviatethe1rpressmg friends and quest front my . .., 0 w f re l respectfu IIY re with generosity. 1" There o come these worthy volunte~rs which is dedicated to brethren towel p rim are approaching a time h Ezras Yisroel Fund that the days of. u Ibeseechofyoutosupportt e throughout the year Maranos L'evyo~1m~ciouschesed fund that ope~ate~ their fellow Jews. ·this worthy an pr\ ays open to fee\ the patn ° L'evyonim,since and their hh~art:n: ~n fulfill the Mitzva ofMat~~:: day of Purim. Through t s, - distribute the money 0 d trustees wi 11 the esteeme ., of"charity and . h that in the men 7 it be the will of\he alm1g tyf 1"''tn nnn>tn n-nN nninoi,ini Ma Y . h f \fil\tnent o 1 " ' chesed" we will ment t e f~ordechaiand Esther . .,oiiasitwasinthedayso . "th 1 1 · Chasodim w1 Signed in honor of those who are Gom e1 blessings of abundant peace forever. Rabbi Avrohont Yaakov Pam ' -'· -·::-~' - -. ' ' ' - ' AllMoney .• WillBe Distri~Qt~d.On The pay,Qf f'urim · to countless truly ne~dy famme.s in our mid~t; andwitbsubst~ntia.I sums received byeachfamily,· onecan'fimaglne the transformation. 11 "From a Brok~n 11eart to a true ~illl~has Purfm THIS CAMPAIGN IS WE ACCEPT •Sil• Pledges may also be called into our HOTLINE at RUN BY VOLUNTEERS WITH NO OVERHEAD. EVERY PENNY (718) 871-4644 GOES DIRECTLY until Purim at 4:00pm (NY time). All money will be advanced and TO THE CAUSE!!! distributed on Purim. IL\VIWAB onrWR TINi ~· o(MBSI SHIMON SCHWAS ~'m' on th~ This is a great Rav's ·last gift to his beloved people. In the last years of his distinguished and productive life, Rabbi Shimon Schwab, the ·famed Rav of Khal Adath jeshurun in Washington Heights, NY, taught the Siddur to his congregants. A lifetime of learning, thought, piety, and perspective were poured into .these stimulating .and inspiring lectures; Th.anks to the diligence and devotion of Moshe Schwab, his father's last teachings become the treasure of all of us, in this 600- page volume: Our daily conversat;ions with the .Creator will be enriched beyond belief thanks to this book. No serious J~w should be without .it. .ECHOES Of GLORY THE.STORY OFTHE/EWJ:, ~~-· IHTHI!. CLASSICAL ERA - 1$0 BQ..150 CE HERALD OF DESTINY THE.STORY OF'l'HE /EWS 1HTH£ MEDIEVM. W - 110..1610 llabbl hr