ELUL, 5731 I SEPTEMBER, 1971 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 8 THE EWISH FIFTY CENTS BS ERV ER

THE PACKAGING OF ERETZ YISROEL

THE JEWISH PEOPLE IN EXILE: Is the End in Sight?

_j ft ~ .~ __ :-, Letters and Answers THE JEWISH OBSERVER

In this issue ...

ThE JEWISH PEOPLE IN E2GLE' IS THE END IN SIGHT? MORDECHAI MILLER ...... 3 FIVE GRAVES FOR SALE, A POEM BY klendel Weinbach ...... 8 OF DIARIES, DECEPTION, AND DEFAULT, Ralph Pelcovitz ..... 9 THE PACKAGING OF BRETZ YISROEL ...... 14

MECHANICS OF JEWISH SURVIVAL ~BOOKS IN REVIEW ...... 20 HARMONY AND DISCORD ...... 20 GROWING UP JEWISH ...... 21 THE TIME THAT WAS THEN ......

THE JEWISH OBSERVER is published LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ...... 25 monthly, except July and August, by the Agudath Israel of America, 5 Beekman Street, New York, New York 10038. Second class postage paid at New York, N. Y. Subscription: $5.00 per year; Two years, $8.50; Three years, $12.00; outside of the United States, $6.00 per year. Single copy, fifty cents. Printed in the U.S.A.

RABBI NISSON WOLPIN Editor As this issue was being closed for the press, we learned of the untimely passing of Editorial Board the great leader of Orthodox Jewry, DR. ERNEST L. BODENHEIMER

Chairman RABBI YITZCHAK MEIR LEVIN RABBI NATHAN BULMAN RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS JOSEPH fRIEDENSON RABBI YAAKOV JACOBS RABBI MOSHE SHERER president of the Agudath Israel World Organization.

THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the In our next issue we will write in greater Kashrus of any product or service length regarding this tragic loss. advertised in its pages.

SEPT., 1971 VOL. VII, NO. 8

p,;~,~d io V.S.A. CROSS BROS. PrinMi; Co. foe. GOLUSEDOM

The Jewish People in Exile: Is the End in Sight?

An analysis of the causes of our current exile, and a search for its termination-based on the writings of Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, n~i~? p•is i'1.

Mordechai Miller

The Sages of Athens once asked Rabbi aspects of life. The preserving agent of affliction Yehoshua ben Chananya: appea,rs to cause further decay in our ranks rather "If salt decays, with what can it be than preserve us as Jews! As a result, a deeper exile salted (so as to preserve it)'" and a harsher affliction unfortunately become His answer was: "With the afterbirth necessary to expiate the new transgressions caused of a mule." by the golus - and so on, ad infinitum. This, then The Anthenians objected: "Can a was the question: when salt decays, what does one mule have an afterbirth'" Surely a mule salt it with? is a barren animal. To which Rabbi In further clarification, Reh Chaim drew atten­ Y ehoshua replied, "Can sa!t decay?" tion to the sins to which our people succumbed in (Talmud: Bechoros 8b). the various exiles of our history. During our stay in Egypt we were guilty of idolatry, and during the period of our Babylonian exile our people inter­ ABBI CHAIM VOLOZHINER, principal dis­ married. Yet, after a comparatively limited Rciple of the Vilna Gaon, explained this enig· number of years, we were granted salvation. Our matic dialogue 159 years ago in a classic address: current exile, however, finds us in ever increasing The Gemara states: "The word bris, convenant, is alienation from our faith, and we see no end. lh'\i,mentioned in connection with both salt and This variation in the nature and duration of each 'I affliction. Just as salt preserves meat, so affliction golus is related to the status of the sar -- or preserves Israel by atoning for their sins" (Bera· ministering angel - of the nation of our exile. chos: Sa). Exile is brought upon our people to Golus is an indication of the supremacy of the sar, expiate our sins. Yet in practice we see that during and no nation falls until its sar falls first. In our our exile we fall into even greater sin in many own exile in Edom we are forever encouraging and RABBI MILLER, who was one of Rabbi Dessler's closest strengthening the sar, rather than reducing its disciples, is vice-principal of the Jewish Teachers Training College of Gateshead, England, His two volumes of "Shabbos Shiu rim" contain dominion. a collection of essays on hashkafah. This very problem is expressed in the Midrash

The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 3 regarding Jacob's famous dream: one regrets any moral aberration leading to too "Do not be afraid, my servant Jacob" (Isaiah, great an indulgence. 44). Rabbi Nachman said, "This refers to Jacob's On the other hand, lust for personal pride, dream: And he dreamed and behold there was a prestige, and power, which is abstract in nature, is ladder standing on the ground" (Bereishis, 28). never satisfied. If, for exam pie, one lusts for Rav Shmuel bar Nachman said, "These are the money in order to buy some specific object - be it ministering angels of the nations of the world. The a house, a car, or a bottle of whisky - this lust will Almighty showed Jacob the angel of Babylon have a limit commensurate with the cost of the ascending 70 rungs, of Medea 52 rungs, and of article. But, as Isaiah says, "There is no end to the Greece 180 rungs. The angel of Edom continued treasury." There is no limit to the lust for money without stop. Jacob became afraid, saying, 'Will of a person who is obsessed with the possession of their angel never fall?' The Almighty said to him, money -- the power of purchase that money gives, 'Do not fear, my servant Jacob. Even if he rises to rather than an actual purchase. A moral aberration sit next to me, I should cause him to descend.' This in search of power or prestige can therefore never is written in Obadiah, 'If you rise like the eagle and lead to a situation where the pursuer feels he has make your nest amongst the stars, I shall bring you had enough and regrets the aberration. Regret and down from there. ' " penitence are not the natural consequences of the aberration. Each Nation and Its "Sar" As we stated, exile is brought upon us to expiate a moral shortcoming. But the type of exile must be XACTL Y WHAT IS A NATION'S sar? Each one which can lead us to correct our moral E nation has its particular characteristics and deficiency. Therefore, the country of exile must also its particular ideology - its spiritual signifi­ have as its characteristic or ideology that very cance. In Rabbinical terminology the sar is the weakness from which Israel suffered, the cause of personification of the specific ideology of a nation, the exile. the ideal which it admires. Whenever the ideology In the Babylonian exile, for example, we were of any nation is held in esteem, its sar is on a dispersed among a people who were notorious for pedestal. The sar falls only when the ideal of the their immorality, and for appropriate reason: nation is discredited by the world at large - but Although at the end of the period of the first especially by the Jewish nation. Temple our People were guilty of the three Ideologies either deal directly with midas - cardinal sins - idolatory, immorality, and mur­ human virtues and vices - or reflect values regard­ der - the root cause of these was, in fact, sexual ing them. These midas can be divided into two immorality. They had shifted their belief to a cult main categories - those of physical lust and those which could enable them to be permissive in their of pride - perhaps the libido and the ego in own lives without suffering from a guilty con­ psychological terms. The Vilna Gaon associated the science - similar to those who choose Liberal characteristics of pride with the vice of anger. Judaism today, to permit a laxity in observance Rabbi Dessler considered the common point in the without suffering pangs of conscience. Whenever two to be the lust for power and personal the root cause of any sin is physical lust, this type aggrandizement - the feeling that"! must rule and of moral weakness eventually reaches a saturation be recognised as ruler, and the very existence of point and the culture of such a nation where this is another independent of me incurs my wrath." the characteristic soon comes to be despised by There is a deep distinction between the effects those who have over-indulged. When the ideology of physical lusts, on the one hand, and the of a country - in this case Babylon - is looked non-physical desires such as pride and power, on down upon, its sar has fallen. The lesson of the the other. All the physical desires have a saturation exile in that nation has been learned, the exile need point when the object of one's desire becomes not continue, and the nation will fall. This is why abhorrent; as King Solomon said in Proverbs: "If Jacob could discern the fall of the attendant angel you find honey, eat only sufficient lest you reach of each nation among whom Israel was to be the saturation point and you vomit it out" (25, exiled .... Each exile was to correct a fault of life 16). The more grossly physical the desire, the in the service of physical desire, and it would in the lower the saturation point and the more quickly nature of things come to an end. 4 The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 saturation point, no limit, no natura1 end. It is worthy of note that in each Since we are in Golus Edom, the question put country of exile where our People have by the Athenian sages becomes relevant: If the salt been driven, their type of Yiddishkeit decays, if the exile is one which does not bring one has always followed the characteristics to see the fall of the ideology - since it is of a of that country. For example, in the character that has no natural end - then how will northern countries of Eastern Europe, such exile serve as a means of preservation? The where the inhabitants are cool and salt has gone bad - there is no regret for this lust stolid, the contemplative academies of for pride, prestige and power, nor does over­ learning, the yeshivas flourished. Jn the indulgence make one sick. The sar rises ever higher ·more southernly regions, where the on its pedestal - as did the angel of Edom in people tend to be more rhapsodic, Chas· Jacob's dream - until it is described as "sitting sidus developed. Jn France, the country with Me" - demanding a worship on a par with the of revolution, we have more baale Teshu­ service of the Creator Himself. We Jews in the exile va - repenters who revolutionized their of Edom look up to achievements of power own lives - than in any other country. worshippers and it is really we who place the sar on Jn England, we have the attachment to the pedestal. Our exile cannot end until the sar tradition which has shown itself in the falls, until we ourselves cultivate an attitude of fact that the majority of Jews in the country buy kosher meat . their Jami· abhorrence for the ideology; yet this seems impos­ lies have always done so. Jn militaristic sible. The Midrash gives us an indication of how this Germany, German Jews learned preci· sion in keeping religious law. Jn all these can occur: He is Edom (meaning "red"), his food cases we have seizecl the principal charac­ is red ("Give me some of this red teristic or the ideology of the nation - pottage"), his country is red, his heroes which could have been the undoing of are red, his clothing is red, and he will be our people - and used it in service to punished by the Almighty clothed in G-d. That is in keeping with the purpose red. of the golus and the reason why we were exiled to those particular countries. The Insecurity of Power ACH NATION - LIKE EVERY INDIVID­ Today's Exile - A Self-Perpetuating Trap? EUAL - is equipped with the means to ac­ UR PRESENT EXILE is of a different sort. complish its reason for existence, and the means 0 The Gemara tells us that the destruction of are colored by the purpose. Red is meant to de­ the Second Temple and the resulting exile were note, as is clear from Chazal, the spilling of caused by a baseless hatred of others who do one blood - whether for creative purposes, as in ritual no harm and who deprive one of nothing - but slaughter or circumcision - or for evil purposes, whose very independent existence is a contradic­ such as murder. When we are told that G-d will be tion to one's own supremacy; the feeling of ani clothed in red in punishing Edom, who is red, this v'afsi od. As Rabbi Dessler used to put it in Yid­ means that the nation will be visited with its own dish, "Yenems sein iz mir a shterr." As a result of characteristic, and its own ideology will, so to this characteristic of pride, power, and prestige, we speak, laugh at it. Power will mock power. were sent into what is called the exile in Edom. Logically a nation has much to gain by the Edom refused to accept the Torah when it was acquisition of power: the means to rule, freedom offered to them because it contained the com­ from the anxiety of attack from others, a sense of mand - "You shall not kill." Golus in Edom is security. The newly expanded power enjoyed by exile in a world which worships power and the world's nations has resulted in a totally prestige - where "might is right" -- where a nation different climate. Before airplanes were developed can be told that they would be given "guns and not nations at war generally had experienced fears of a butter," as the Germans were told some thirty-odd limited nature. War was a localized affair, and the years ago. This is a characteristic that has no action was limited to the battlefield. Fear among

The Jewish Observer f September, 1971 5 the civilian population started to be felt in this no afterbirth, so can salt never decay. The exile country (England) during the 1914-18 war when must finally achieve its ultimate purpose, the sar there were air-raids; when the sirens sounded, must fall, the ideology of Edom must come to be people rushed to the underground tube stations. abhorred. Although power and pride have no satu­ This, however, was not to be compared to the fear ration point, nevertheless the point will be reached experienced in England during the last world war where they destroy themselves. when, of course, England was far more powerful than in 1914-18. At the end of the Second World War, the The Devaluation of Pride and Prestige acquisition of power reached unprecedented heights. There was an atom bomb - first developed N PRESTIGE WE HAVE WITNESSED a simi­ and used by the United States. This was emulated I lar phenomenon of devaluation. We have seen by the Russians, and both countries then "im­ enormous sacrifices being offered in this worship. proved" their positions by the development of the We were told that the cost of effecting the first hydrogen bomb. How much security has been won moon landing was £10,000,000,000. The world at by either nation that has so accumulated power? large hailed the feat as one of the greatest scientific Here in England we were told by the Russians achievements of all time - though the achievement some years back that six of their hydrogen bombs was basically technological rather than scientific. would suffice to wipe out all inhabitants of this The wonder and admiration of the world was country. This would take a matter of minutes. In aroused - for precisely what? Was this an exten­ the U.S.A. an early warning system has been sion of that territory over which mankind pro­ developed which could give fifteen or twenty claims the sovereignity of G-d? - or merely a new minutes warning of an impending doom; possibly setting for man to proclaim his own dominion, an this would provide time to retaliate. The continued extension of mortal rule to the point where existence of mankind seems to hang on a thread. Edom - the epitome of pride and self-worship - The most frightening thing is that the whole indulges in self-aggrandizement, until "he rises and process could be set in motion even by mistake. sits with Me"? Stockpiles of deadly weapons are kept by each As another format for man's search for knowl­ country. Would both countries not be overjoyed to edge, a moon probe can inspire respect. Indeed, have all these instruments of destruction done even a devotional aspect of the moon-probe was away with on both sides? These stockpiles simply articulated by the astronauts (Americans, fortun­ sit there laughing at their owners. ately) who created a kiddush Hashem on a grand A recent newspaper report stated: scale by quoting verses in Bereishes when they "President Nixon has cancelled Army plans to circled the moon for the very first time. Had the take 13,000 tons of deadly nerve and mustard gas atheistic Red Nation made the first landing, it stored in an American base in Okinawa to a storage would have been a triumph for atheism with an site in Oregon. The decision followed strong attendant desecration - a chillul Hashem. But the opposition in America's Northwest coast to the exercise was not undertaken to read verses in transit and storage of nerve gas there, and among Genesis - it was undertaken in the service of the alternative sites now being considered is national prestige. (It is obvious that even the Kodiak Island, Alaska. Governor Keith Miller of pursuit of scientific knowledge takes a back seat to Alaska pledged to 'oppose the plans with every the prestige factor, for the American Congress means at my disposal.' He said he did not want seems to lose enthusiasm for financial backing for Kodiak used as a 'dumping ground.' space exploration until the Russians display their "The nerve and mustard gas is to be moved from latest achievement.) As an escalating exercise in Okinawa because of islanders' strong objection to self-glory, it cannot be long before mankind fully the munitions being stored there." realizes its emptiness and futility. These sentiments The Almighty comes dressed in red to visit are beginning to be expressed. Immediately after Edom. Power breaks power. Gradually an abhor­ the moon landing, the following appeared in the rence for the whole red ideology is building up. (London) Sunday Telegraph: "If salt decays, with what is it salted'" "With Western man is desperate for a new the afterbirth of a mule" - just as a mule can have horizon. Space supplies it. It is perfectly

6 The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 As another format for man's search for knowledge, a moon probe inspires awe and respect ...

true that this will mean less resources for the poor and the backward nations, at least in the short run. The more intelligence, imagination and treasure spent on penetrating and colonizing space, the less there will be left for the familiar battles against disease and want. Let there be no hypocrisy here. Space is not a philanthropic exercise. It will not help to feed the hungry or clothe the naked. It is, in a sense, highly irre­ sponsible and selfish, almost an aristo­ cratic gesture of contempt by the privi­ leged nations for the bread-and-butter concerns of the less fortunate peoples and classes. But it is difficult to believe that this is wrong. On what day did the triumphant return to earth take place? It was Thursday, the 9th of Av (and this month, Apollo 15 landed on the moon on the same date: Saturday the 9th Av) - the day, we are told, when the mazel of Israel is at its lowest ebb, when so many tragic events in our history took place - but when the mazel of other national sarim is at its peak. The exile cannot end until the sar falls; until we, the children of Israel, are fully cognizant of the wastefulness, the emptiness and the idolatory of the worship of pride, prestige, and power .... £10,000,000,000 were expended at a time when collections are made from door to door for sums of a few pence to join a football pool in order to raise n1oncy for research to fight cancer on this earth. In return we got some rocks which we did not risk handling for fear of contamination, Some years before a moon landing was con­ and which inspired speculative geologists to fix the sidered as a practical reality, Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler formation of the moon to a still earlier date than wrote: previously conjectured. Merely another defiance of the 13ereishes bara elokim ... "In the beginning The destruction of Edom will come G-d created ... " pronounced by the astronauts . only when this world as we know it faces

... but as an escalating excercise in self-glory, man must soon realize its emptiness and futility.

The Jewish Observer I Septeniber, 1971 7 destruction; when the Almighty brings to applaud military might on Yom Ha'atzmaut. We the world to a situation when its very have all the attitudes required to lengthen the foundations will shake: Tranquility will Golus. be undermined, the life of each individ­ Let us try to view the so-called triumphs of our ual will be changed to a life of anxiety, age in the light of the teachings of our Sages, and fear and trouble, the world will dread we shall, please G-d, speedily see the day when the threat of annihilation ... There will then be revealed to all mankind that the (''They will go as inessengers of salvation up on pride and haughtiness of man through Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Eisav conquest of the creation, so to speak, (Edom) and the dominion shall be G-d's." D can bring only destruction. Then all will realize . the emptiness of a materialistic world devoid of spiritual content. -But then the ray of hope! When man abandons hope of realiza­ tion of his ambitions in this respect, the Florida resident wishes to sell light of Moshiach will start to shine -­ burial plot of 5 graves ... the fall of the kingdom of Edom will for $850.00 become apparent to all. As the Gemara says, "Moshiach sits at the gateway of -Ad in recent Anglo-Jewish Rome." When Rome reaches to its ex­ publication treme and its end is seen, then the light of Moshiach is seen. When this world lies shattered, man will rise to regard all in a spiritual light. That will be the annihila­ tion of the kingdom of Edom - and that jfibt ~rabts for ~alt is the light of Moshiach.

This is what is meant by saying that 11Five graves for sale,'' said the ad on Tisha B'Av Moshiach is born. All And I could not help wondering why. destructions, from that of the Temple Perhaps the Floridan decided onward, do in themselves bring about That only "other people" die. the light of Moshiach. Within the de­ structions are hidden the seeds of salva­ "Five graves - $850.00" tion - the very Light of Moshiach. A bargain price for the realest estate A Readiness for Moshiach An opportunity for an investment In a future that is all men's fate. HE WORLD IS BECOMING ATTUNED to Twelcoming Moshiach. Imagine, for a moment, "l;ive graves 11 speaks of generations if every nation would have trust in the wisdom, Of children, grandparents, wives­ justice, and integrity of any one man who would It speaks of togetherness in deaths be entrusted with the task of destroying arma­ Which eludes people all of their lives. ments and devices of destruction of all kinds, how happy everyone would be! "Five graves for sale," cried my heart "Then they shall beat their swords into plough­ In sadness mixed with laughter shares and their spears into pruning hooks." At the constant preparing for death And only we stop this from happening! We look But not for the everafter. up to the sar of Edom, we admire man's techno­ logical achievements as the apex of human en­ deavor, and on another horizon we line the streets Mendel Weinbach

8 The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 A YOUNG, INEXPERIENCED RAV asked Rabbi Akiva Eiger to advise and guide him in his rabbinic Of Diaries career. The young man was seeking a derech, a way to follow. The gaon replied: "For thousands of years men have been sailing the seas, but none have made a path." That there are no formulas, no set Deception fixed rules, in rabbonus, is soon learned by every novice. Still, as a sailor can use the stars and a compass to keep on course, so were there always guidelines and a frame of reference in the rabbin­ and ate - as long as the rabbinate followed the tradition of Torah and concerned itself with the religious and communal needs of the congregation and community. Default Once the rabbinate became a strange combina­ tion of spiritual leadership, social directing and synagogue administration, however, it was only a matter of time until we found "rabbis" who do not believe in G-d; who are ignorant of elementary A Review Article Jewish law, tradition and history; who devote most by Ralph Pelcovitz of their time to political, inter-religious and inter­ racial causes, making of them their real religion. Strangely, in spite of all their non-Jewishness and lack of discipline and restraints, they are discon­ tented and unhappy. This is the prototype rabbi who emerges from the pages of Amen: The Diary of Rabbi Martin Siegel is a reform rabbi serving a temple in Lawrence, Long Island. If the function of a rabbi today is to minister and administer as well as to preach and teach then the author of this Diary certainly does so; but how he does it is a revelation which is of great interest to Orthodox Jews, for it reveals the bankruptcy of reform Judaism in a shocking and sobering manner. It reveals a shallowness and cynicism which should cause congregants of deviationist synagogues and temples to take a hard look at their own insti­ tutions and spiritual leaders. The book also serves as a spur to review the role of the Orthodox rabbi and his position in the American Jewish com­ munity.

"Diary" - an Open Book

THE DIARY KEPT BY MARTIN SIEGEL is at least frank, open, and honest. His candor is the most refreshing aspect of the book, but it is pre­ Edited by Met Ziegler cisely his lack of guile that exposes the emptiness

RABBI RALPH PELCOVITZ is the spiritual leader of t/1e Congre­ gation Knesseth Israel in Far Rockaway, a past-president of the Igud Harabbonim, and contributes to various Jewish periodicals.

The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 9 of the reform community, the hollowness of their Chessed? When the rabbi's wife is seriously ill commitment, and the lack of instruction and in­ for many months, not one member of the Temple spiration coming from its rabbinate, if the author is visits or inquires after her - but then again, the to serve as an example. Religious services are rabbi himself is not too strong on bikur cholim, sparsely attended unless there is a special gimmick, although he does find time to attend a large i.e. a review of Portnoy 's Complaint or a Mother­ number of meetings such as the Five Towns and-Daughter-Night. Confirmation is a matter of Coalition, Clergy Vigil, and Coalition for Commun­ conforming rather than confirming. Bar Mitzvahs ity Control. (It's wonderful not to be tied down to are practiced as a matter of form and an excuse for a Shacharis - Min cha - and Maariv regimen.) a $15,000 party. And the size of the temple build­ Ritual? If this refers to kashrus, the author ing is far more important than the nature of activi­ makes his stand quite clear. "I believe the dietary ties it houses. Admittedly, much of this is true of laws, useful in Biblical times, have little point all synagogues and temples, but there is a special today." Why they were useful then, but not now, flavor to one where the rabbi answers in response is not explained. He does, however, practice what to a confirmand's doubts about the existence of he preaches quite vigorously by permitting bacon G-d, "I don't believe in G-d either, but that has to be served at a Bar Mitzvah kiddush in the nothing to do with being Jewish." There is also a Temple. As for netilas yadayim, its obsolete different touch in his response to a statement by character is taken for granted to the extent that it another young man that he couldn't be confirmed is referred to as an "ancient, and I mean ancient, because he didn't believe in Judaism: "You don't Jewish ritual rarely practiced today." The author have to. You can believe in anything you want." passionately defended this statement personally to Lest you think, however, that this broadminded the writer of this article, claiming that he himself and tolerant attitude is universal, you must read knew of no one who practices this antiquated further in the Diary to learn that there are areas custom! His ignorance of Jewish religious practice that one does not treat so lightly as those dealing (which at times he even cheerfully concedes) is with G-d and Judaism. These are the Vietnam matched only by his disdain for Torah and War, Civil Rights, Black Rights, and inter-religious mitzvos, and is surpassed only by the fervor and relationships. Belief in these fundamentals are dog­ passion he displays in condemning the war in matically insisted upon and put to the test -includ­ Southeast Asia, and by the paranoic animosity he ing co-officiating at mixed marriages. Fortunately, manifests for Albert Shanker for daring to claim not all of Rabbi Siegel's students are happy with that there is black anti-Semitism. this scale of values, as witness the young man at The Author as a Prototype the Woodmere Academy who, when told by Rabbi Siegel that the class would discuss busing that day, HISTORICALLY WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD non­ plaintively asked: "Can't we talk about Judaism observant Jews, defectors from the Torah, and for a change?" even self-haters. Denominational Judaism, how­ It is in this area of values and priorities that the ever, has written a new chapter in our history reader gains insight into the reform movement as which proves with the passing of time to be perhaps expressed and experienced by a rabbi who no the most dangerous and destructive. As an or­ doubt is not exceptional. ganized established religion, claiming legitimacy as T'zedokah? A lone schnorer shows up during the an authentic expression of Judaism, it has suc­ year and is treated with amused arrogance and con­ ceeded in capturing the souls of millions who, descension; while warm approbation is accorded although not necessarily committed ideologically, the generous donor of a sum exceeding $2,000 do in all innocence accept this brand of Judaism as which enables a couple (married?) to take a trip to being correct and proper. This Diary, though Mexico to find themselves. presented as the baring of the soul of an isolated Integrity' While denouncing materialism in the rabbi, is intended to show, as the editor states, suburbs, the rabbi builds himself a $7,000 "through one man, the special nature of his swimming pool in his backyard, which does cause profession." Unintentionally, it also reveals the him some twinges of conscience - but he manages tragic failure of the reform movement, its empti­ to overcome them quite courageously. ness, sham and bankruptcy.

10 The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 There is a passage in this book that especially examine its abysmal shortcomings and catastrophic demonstrates this tragic failure. It relates to a consequences. hypothetical guestion posed to the new confirma­ The reader may ask, what does all this have to tion class in the Temple. "If it were a prerequisite do with us? Undressing in public is vogue, so what to give up Judaism in order to get into a good is newsworthy when a reform clergyman reveals his college, would you give it up'" Thirteen of tlze own nakedness with all its blemishes? fourteen said they would. Initially this response is The answer is manifold. First, this book is being a shocking one. But, on second consideration, why read by many unlettered unsophisticated Jews and should it surprise anyone when you consider what non-Jews who should in all fairness be made aware they are "giving up"? The next guestion should of the tremendous differences between a rabbi and have been "How could you tell'" In what way a rabbi. To the more knowledgeable, it serves as a would their lifestyle and value change? A Judaism much needed reminder of the state of the rabbi­ devoid of Shabbos, kashrus, Torah study, and even nate today, both in its bogus form and in its basic emunah is so amorphous, if not invisible, that authentic one. Finally, it can serve as a challenge to the Torah community, revealing as it does the quality of spiritual leadership in the deviationist camp and the tragic fate of hundreds of thousands A confirmation class of our Jewish brethren who are captives of their own Jewish ignorance and innocence, truly in the in the Temple category of tinok shenishba, illustrating a vacuum we must fill. was asked, "If you The Rabbi - Who and Why had to give up THIS BRINGS US TO SOME QUESTIONS that Judaism to get into are quoted on the flyleaf of the book - questions that are rhetorical to the author, but painfully real a good college, to us: "Who is the Rabbi"' "What is the Rabbi?" "Why am I the Rabbi?" Martin Siegel, we are would you . . . ~" assured, has been puzzling over these questions. He has every right to do so, for they may well represent the most serious questions of our genera­ Thirteen of the tion's religious posture. To him they may mean fourteen would! one thing, but to us it should be an accusing echo from on High. Who, indeed, is the Rabbi and why? The title of Rabbi has in our time become one that is abused and misused as no other appellation, too common among the orthodox and a misnomer we cannot blame these young people for their among the heterodox. In its traditional sense it "treason." How can one be disloyal to a vague, means teacher. Rav also means one who has great undemanding unrecognizable, fossilized religion? I or much Torah knowledge. The Rabbi is the only marvel at the fourteenth diehard who religious leader of his community - its guide, wouldn't "give up" his Judaism. The reform mentor and model. In the absence of prophet, king clergyman sees this response as a "good measure of and kohen, he filled a variety of roles. The piety of the future of the Jewish religion." Unfortunately, the Rav was pronounced, his learning and scholar­ he does not see this response as a haunting and ship was the very essence of his personality, and his demanding question to him: why he and his preoccupation was with the needs of his communi­ colleagues have failed to plant even a seed of ty, be they religious or worldly in nature. What he affirmation and commitment to Judaism, if only to was not, was a mere religious functionary. Marry­ the extent of not deserting.the Jewish people. Nor ing and burying, sermonizing and organizing, al­ does this chilling statistic spur him on to make an though part of his duties, were only marginal. The agonizing reappraisal of non-Torah Judaism and Orthodox Rabbi today may be radically different

The Jewish Obsen1er I September, 1971 11 from his counterpart in European and other communities years ago; nonetheless he still, thank G-d, retains many of these characteristics and purposes many of the duties of his illustrious What need is there predecessors. His focal point is the Shu!: he is for this entire pretense teacher, preacher, friend and counselor. He must constantly continue his own Torah studies and of being a rabbi, dedicate himself to transmitting his knowledge to others. He must instruct and inspire his congre­ when all that the gants to study G-d's Torah and observe His mitzvos. To him, unlike his reformed colleague, the reform clergyman does Almighty and Judaism represent the heart, the could just as well be done soul, and the core of his life as an individual and of his position as a Rabbi. Everything else, important by a social worker, as it may be and noble as it sounds, is secondary. Who is the Orthodox Rabbi' The man who political activist, possesses, hopefully, the qualities and characteris­ or a good publicist tics enumerated above. What is the Orthodox Rabbi? We have spelled it out quite clearly. Why is and organizer? he the Rabbi? In some cases because he is idealistic, dedicated and sincere. In others because Jie drifted into it by chance, rather than by design. In many cases by default - because so many others manners, the author is woefully lacking, as attested were unwilling to assume the mantle of leadership, to by himself. What rankles is that we have been he fulfilled the rabbinic dictum of b 'makom told for over a hundred years that reformed she 'ain ish ... "Where there is no man, attempt to Judaism, while rejecting the ritual and ceremonial be one." An Orthodox Rabbi, however, regardless aspects of Judaism, subscribes fervently to the of the reasons for his becoming one, is still ethical and moral teachings of our faith. In this basically honest to his beliefs, devoted and deter­ book we see the ironic hypocrisy of a wing and mined to preserve what he can, build what he can, denomination that has theoretically enthroned the and salvage what he can until Moshiach comes. ethical and moral prophetic teachings, but whose Considering this definition of the rabbi in tradi­ adherents in deed and action prove themselves tional perspective and comparing it to the activities callous and unfeeling, lacking even the elemental and non-activities of Martin Siegel, the question principles of chessed - an area incidentally where which poses itself of the perceptive reader will be: the ritualistic Orthodox Jews excel! The only act "Why a Rabbi"? What need is there for this entire of chessed we find in the book is the amazing pretense of being a rabbi, when all that he does decision of the Temple Board to re-hire their rabbi, could just as well be done by a social worker, with a raise, in spite of his ideosyncracies, lack of political activist, or a good publicist and organizer? diplomacy, and obsession with things non-Jewish. If in his own words, "G-d is just some venerated anachronism grandfather used to pray to," why Decline of Orthodox Rabbinate deceive people into considering him a clergyman, a man of G-d, a servant of the L-rd, since - in his THE GRACIOUS BEHAVIOR of the Temple view - it is all fraud and sham? It is truly amazing Board brings to mind an old saying that every time that men and women who are basically intelligent you point an accusing finger at somebody, three and knowledgeable in all other areas should not ask fingers point back at you. We have been extremely themselves this question regarding their rabbis. critical of the reformed clergy and establishment It is true that in many cases the rabbi's charm, while being quite complimentary to the orthodox wit and social grace cover a multitude of sins and camp. We must also face up to certain facts, shortcoming. Not so, however, in the case of this unpleasant as they may be. Although one of our Diary. Alas, even in the area of courtesy and good modern myths, well exploded in this Diary, is that 12 The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 the non-orthodox rabbi invariably is respected and sufficient reinforcements or replacements ... The appreciated by his congregation, it is nonetheless Orthodox Rabbi desperately needs moral and generally assumed that non-orthodox congregants financial support from the entire community - the have a greater derech eretz for their spiritual laiety and above all the bnei Torah. Unfortunately leaders than do the orthodox. Though all rabbis are this also is not forthcoming, and yet it is essential at the mercy of their flock - criticized, castigated, if we are to be equal to the challenge. and frequently misunderstood - the tragedy is that After more than half a century of erosion in the in most orthodox synagogues it is even more observant con1munity we are now finally presented so ... When we are critical of the arrogance, with a golden opportunity. On the one hand, the religious laxity, and outright apikursus of reform yeshivos have been providing us with new, larger rabbis, we must also decry the decline and fall of human resources and kochos, and the non­ kvod horabonus in Torah circles. There almost orthodox camp is, in spite of statistics and shrill seems to be a subtle interaction at play here that claims, in disarray. (Hopefully they are also filled could read: "The denigration of authentic rab­ with a degree of self-doubt, if not as yet with bonim is in inverse proportion to the status of self-recrimination.) Some cracks have appeared in bogus ones." the wall reform Jews had erected to shut out their In my own experience, I have found that many heritage. We must watch hopefully through these observant Jews, of varying levels of scholarship, cracks for our opportunity to reach them, even look upon all rabbis regardless of denomination though they have as yet not opened windows to us. with an amazing degree of impartiality. To them We n1ust not isolate ourselves from these "children nearly all rabbis are a strange breed of spiritual of captivity," for if we fail them it will be recorded social directors, weak in piety and Torah learning, that the anti-Torah camp was victorious - not and basically untrustworthy. This unfortunate because of their strength or skill, but because of attitude results in a twofold tragic consequence; it our apathy and weakness. This Diary may be a demeans the sincere honest Rav while it inadver­ mirror of deception, duplicity, and disillusion, but tently gives equal status (dubious as it may be) to we in turn may well project an image of talented, the deviationist rabbi ... Behold the strange committed people who failed by default. anomaly. The liberal orthodox equate all rabbis by recognizing and joining deviationists in "inter­ * * * * * * * denominational" organizations. The pietists do the same by levelling. THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY has for While many modern Orthodox Rabbis may well too long found itself at the mercy of those who suffer in comparison with the giants of the past, scorn what they do not know, and spoil the little they certainly still deserve respect. Unquestionably that they do know. It is our duty to reach out to they gain added lustre when compared to the type A clzeinu Bnei Yisroel and to teach them what we of clergyman personified by Martin Siegel. Let us know - Torah and mitzvos - while we re-acquire at least be grateful to him for this small favor. what we seem to be forgetting - the special wisdom of elevating the honor of the rabbinate as a Opportunity to Regain Losses source of religious leadership and as a potent SINCE THIS BOOK UNMASKS the abject failure counterforce to the practitioners of deception. o of the reform movement to salvage Jews or to insure the perpetuation of Judaism even in a SCHECHTER & HIRSCH'S minimal form, it also presents a great challenge to the orthodox community. We must appreciate the K:~;·Ca7/i88£1111"@' fact that there are countless congregations of EHTlllE OCEANfllONT ILOC,. - 371h 11 3111'1 SI. MIAMI BEACH bewildered captives of a fraudulent, superficial ... is a GREAT Kosher Hotel - you'll love it! Judaism. Are we prepared to follow the Martin • DIAL For Reserval1orn Speok lo Siegels to teach them and guide them? For it will MIAMI SAM SCHECHTER FREE PARl(ING BEACH PRIVATE POOL be so if we abandon them. The Orthodox Rabbis 800 - 327 - 8165 AND FREE! Or Coll N.Y. Off: PL 7-4238 SANDY BEACH must lead in this battle, but there are not enough Evenings & Sunday FA 7- J 742 of them, and the yeshivas are not providing us with

The Jewish Observer I September, 1917 13 The Packaging of ~rr~1c24 Vli~rrCG>~ll

What are you planning for your escape ? A skiing trip? Lolling in the sun of the Riviera? A globe circ­ ling search for the comforts of home away from home? An encounter with your past? A glimpse of your future? A sampling of the panoply of the world's religions? Whatever you are seeking - or whatever you are seeking to escape - Israel will answer your quest. At least that is the way the travel-guide cards are stacked. Check your choice below, but pre­ pare your itinerary carefully, or you will find yourself colliding with the wrong tour:

0Eretz Yisroel D wf1r iinly i!:auh

D Fun S/JOt of the l1ear Cast 0 MODERN ISRAEL

UPPER GALILEE

EGGED TOURS BROCHURE: Leave the Guest House for Nebi Vusha Fortress and Palmach Memorial. Proceed to SAFED (TSEFAS), capital of UPPER GALILEE. Explore the Artists' Quarter nestling in the picturesque Old City, the birthplace of the Cabbalistic Movement.

There is a sunny hillside in Tsefas that serves as the final resting place of some of our greatest leaders. There is no aura of desolation or smell of decay as one wanders among the stones that markthe graves of the Ari-Zal, the Mabit, and Reh Yoseif Caro. The hum of bees and occasional wild flowers seem to hint at some spiritual vitality that still echoes and re-echoes from an ancient past. This spell of timelessness was almost destroyed a short weekly pornographic journal, and hedonist philoso­ while ago. phy - all of the same name) made a bid for govern­ Uri Avneri, of the Olam Hazeh (political party, ment financing of his reclamation project, and he

14 The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 ilmost won it. He was planning to build a night­ Sacred Capital of the North?" I ask. 'f11e Mexican club-gambling oasis in Sfad, as a Las Vegas of the tourist doesn 1t have to know everything. \!ear East. Off to nearby Meron. "Over the hill there is the At the last minute he lost out to two enterpris­ burial site of the Big-rebbie, Shimon bar Yochai," mg Breslaver Chassidim - Rabbi Shlomo Gottlieb, explains our guide. who came to Tsefas as part of a Vaad Lehafatzas "Can we spend a few minutes there?" -to mur­ Hatorah project three years ago and is now a Rav mur a prayer, to shed a tear? there and Yaakov Klein, a kolel fellow in Jerusa­ "Sorry. I have a strict schedule to keep. I get my lem's Mirrer Yeshiva. They are raising funds and orders from the Ministry. You don't expect me to soliciting supports to build a shikun on a hillside, defy the govern1nent." My fellow tourists - two young brothers from Australia, a couple from South Africa -- they all nod in agreement. You don't fight the government. Second clay. Kfar 1\lachurn. "Taveria ('J'iberias)?"

out of the stones of the ruins that were the Ari's shul, the Chakal Tapuchim Shul, and the Shu! of the White Tzaddik. According to legend, the city of J erusalcm could not bear the greater glory of her sister city to the North ... Tsefas was rocked by earthquakes, most severely in 1837; and suffered attacks by the Druzes (Burial place of Reh Meir Baal Haness, Rambam, in 1833 ... the Arabs in 1929 ... only 1700 Jews Reb Moshe Chaim Luzatto) were left by 1948. iJerusalem)

The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 15 MOUNT HERMON More From Akiva Lichtman: A visit to the Technion. A side trip to Caesarea, The year-round snow-peaked Mt. Hermon stands the tomb of Baron Rothschild, and we return to as a sentry, guarding the northern frontier of Israel, Haifa again: direct to the Bahaiin Shrine. The tour day and night, 'round the calendar. director gives us a thorough lecture, so we might appreciate where we are. "They took the best of Skiing has become the new rage in Israel with Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and formed the the opening of the slopes of Mt. Hermon. Although Bahaiin religion. " one may only reach the skiing area with special "Is a course in comparative religions a prere­ military clearance, on a recent Saturday over 3,000 quisite to becoming a tourist guide?" enthusiasts were on the ski paths. No reply to the pest from Mexico. The religious community fhds this official sanc­ tion of public desecration on the Sabbath out­ Next, a visit to the Carmeletan Monastery. The Egged guide is quiet. The tour is being conducted rageous -(HATZOFESH, Mizrachi daily). by Brother Friedman, an apostate from South Africa. His sister had also converted, he tells us, MOUNTAINS OF GILBOA and she is a nun back in Johannesburg. Brother Friedman then gives us the historical background From a letter to The Jewish Observer: on the "noble Crusaders - who fought so valliantly Our guide, who was a Chassidic Jew, was a gruff to redeem the Holy Land from the heathens. It was -looking fellow, but he was very soft-spoken. How they who built this Monastery on the slopes of many times had he conducted this tour? How Mount Carmel." many times has he repeated this same spiel? I Apparently Brother Friedman does not know of wondered. - Then I stopped wondering. We were the path of carnage, looting, and rape the Cru­ at Mount Gilboa. saders left in their wake as they travelled through "That rocky protrusion is where Shaul the King Europe. Apparently he is unaware of the ruin to was defeated by the Philistines. The long-distance which they laid the community of Jews that lived archers sighted him and they killed him - as you in Israel at that time. know from your Tanach ... He was Moshiach The brothers from Australia eagerly buy picture Hashem - G-d's own annointed. If he had only postcards showing views of the monastery and also lived up to Shmuel's demands and Hashem purchase a book, "The Mighty Crusaders." The Yisborach's expectations, then all creation would couple from South Africa have a whispered confer­ have reached its ultimate purpose; if only . .. "He ence with Brother Friedman. choked on his words for a minute. "I wonder if On the way out 1 remark, "Too bad our friend they knew what they were doing when they killed wasn't around during the Crusaders' heroic travels him ... Right over there - in cold blood . .. Shaul through Europe. Even his conversion papers would Ve 'Y ehonoson hane'ehavim - beloved and en­ have been of little help to him under the circum­ deared in their lifetime, not separated in death" stances." (Shmuel Il:l, 23). Tears flowed freely from his My campanions look at me with puzzlement. eyes. He turned away and led us back to the bus. O.K. Egged, carry on. -Norman Wisdom, Brooklyn, N. Y. (HAMODEA)

HAIFA/ ZIRHRON / CAESAREA BEERSHEBA, THE NEGEV & DEAD SEA

EGGED TOURS BROCHURE EGGED TOURS BROCHURE Morning city tour of HAIFA, Israel's Drive south via GEDERA and KIRYATH· largest port, will include: Mount Carmel GATH. Reach BEERSHEBA, proceed across with Panorama Road Observation Point; the golden-domed Bahai Shrine, and its exotic the desert in the direction of SDOM, passing Persian gardens; the Technion (Technologi­ en route NAVATIM, DIMONA IThe new cal Institute); Prophet Elijah's Cave, and industrial city in the desert). and METZAD­ French Carmel. TAMAR - a ruined Roman roadside fort.

16 The Jewish Observer/ September, 1971 Next stop is the lowest place on earth - than surrender to the Roman Army. Suicide is SDOM, 1292 ft. below sea·level. View the not usually associated with valor, butthis was their vast development project at the Potash and only alternative to complete surrender. The de­ Bromide plans, and swim in the DEAD SEA. fenders of Masada consecrated this spot with their If Jerusalem is the highest place in Israel spiritu­ lives before they did so with their death. Sacred ally as well as physically then the Dead Sea area as scrolls, a carefully constructed pool with the pre­ the lowest geographic spot should represent the cise measurements of a mikvah, and a synagogue lowest spiritually also - and somehow it does. The were found among the sand-covered wastes of this sands seem to burn with the fires that consumed sun-soaked hill overlooking the Dead Sea. Sdom and Amorah, and one wonders how much of modem society would be spared from a similar ANCIENT FORTRESS IN MASADA searing judgment . .. The pillar of salt that repre­ NEW TOURIST MAGNET sents Lot's wife juts out as a reminder that even in its destruction evil has an attraction ... There's a distinct chill beneath the scorching sun. -EZRIEL TOSHA VI

ABOUT WOODSTOCK AT THE DEAD SEA by Nechemia Myers The Ministry of Tourism, in its effort to sell a new-style Israel to potential visitors, has an­ nounced that this summer it will be sponsoring two "Woodstock-style" festivals hard by the shores of the Dead Sea. While some doubts remain about the ability of well-meaning but square bureaucrats to create a Woodstock atmosphere, they should at least be able to find ample local talent for their worthy endeavor. Israel boasts dozen of semi-professional and professional groups, each with their own style, busily puncturing eardrums from one end of the Holy Land to the other. Even though most musi­ Located on the western shore of the Dead Sea, cians are Sabras, the groups tend to sing in English Masada, once the Palace of King Herod, was the last because, they claim, Hebrew is not suitable for stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their revolt their style of music. However the members of against the Roman legions during the first century Avnei Hakotel (Stones of the Western Wall), B.C.E. English-speaking immigrants who specialize in reli­ Lower left is one of the Roman camps which gious rock, manage to sing in Hebrew. surrounded Masada and a youth hostel constructed Southwest (U.S.A.) Heritage Israel Bureau at the foot of the mountain. In the background is the Dead Sea and the Moab Mountains of Jordan. MASADA Two cable cars, each with a 40 passenger capaci­ ty, are now regularly ascending Masada in a matter EGGED TOURS BROCHURE of minutes to deposit their passengers near the top Facilitating access to the Dead Sea and of the 1300 foot mount for an unrivaled view of Masada is a soon to be completed road the Dead Sea area and the Negev. These cars run stretching from Jericho to Ein Gedi. seven days a week, including Saturday. (Israel Sun­ Photo) Masada is a sacred spot. After suffering a merci­ "Clearly a desecration of the ideals of the less siege there for three years, approximately 960 martyrs of Masada" - Shlomo Lorencz, Agudath men, women and children took their lives rather Israel representative in Knesset.

The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 17 JERUSALEM (OLD CITY) JERUSALEM MAY BECOME ISLAMIC EGGED TOURS BROCHURE CULTURE CENTER Drive to Damascus Gate and then proceed by foot through Nabulus Road to the Holy JERUSALEM (ZINS)-"Jerusalem has all the in­ Sepulchre. Pass through the Old Jewish gredients for becoming a center of Islamic Culture" Quarter to the Wailing Wall. Proceed to the - Mayor Teddy Kollek said at an Arab-Jewish cul­ Gate of the Rock (Mosque of Omar) tural program held here in the Kahn Theatre under -Mosque El·Aksa to St. Stephen's Gate the auspices of the Hebrew University. He envis­ (Lion's Gate), Pretorium, through Via aged an Arab Univeristy and Theatre in Jerusalem. Dolorsoa and back to Damascus Gate. P.M.: Proceed through Refa'im Valley, via Church Under the Jordanians, he noted, cultural freedom of Elias, to Rachel's Tomb. was suppressed in Jerusalem and a University was deliberately not set up. Maurice C. Hirsch, Jr., member of the Jewish Federation Board of Directors (St. Louis) went on a UJA junket to Israel last winter. JERUSALEM (OLD CITY) _CONT'D. He recorded in his diary: EGGED TOURS BROCHURE "Now it's like a new place - no Mandelbaum Gate, no barbed wire; the Hadassah Hospital on Continue to BETHLEHEM, and visit the Mt. Scopus, the Mt. of Olives, now all within access Church of Nativity. Then to HEBRON of the Jews of the world. (Tombs of Patriarchs). Return through the "Before entering the Turkish gate to the Old Wilderness of Judea to the Mount of Olives - (observation point overlooking Jerusalem) City, our guide, Jerry Avnon, led us in prayer, and via Kidron Valley (Garden of Gethse­ thanking G-d for sustaining us and bringing us to mane). this joyous occasion. This made us all realize again that Judaism is not just a matter of organizational More From Norman Wisdom: life. That it has meaning and religious and spiritual roots . .. BETHLEHEM was dusty. Seymour warned me "It is a welcome trend in Jewish life that we against the Egged Tour that spends 45 minutes in again welcome the religious along with the organi­ the Nativity shrine and hardly stops at the Tomb zational values. of Rachel. So I avoided them. The domed structure "As we walked up to the military checkpoint is virtually "on the Road to Ephros." We said approaching the Wall, I wondered - just how will I Tehillim, while traffic whizzed by behind us. react after all this time? By the time you get there Somehow tears were released, and we felt we were you are not sure how to react. Sometimes people joining "Rachel, sobbing for her children." tell you something is so good so many times that the real experience becomes an anti-climax. I was HEBRON: consciously worried. I knew of the traditional sig­ nificance of the Wall as the remaining outer Wall of The kivrei avos (graves of our forefathers) was a the Second Temple, but how would I react? highpoint. I knew that the shrines were in the "As I walked up to the Wall, it was a strange hands of the children of Ismael, not the children of experience, like being 'zapped.' I went up and put Isaac, so I did not rely on the impact of my first my right hand on the wall. I saw the scraps of encounter. Instead, I rehearsed a reaction in my paper containing the thousands of prayers, and said mind: Here are resting the roots of our people. my own personal prayer of thanksgiving that Jeru­ Everyone of us - any goodness in us - stems from salem is again in Jewish hands. I leaned my fore­ them." Once there, the tapestries, and Islamic head against it. It was almost like an electric symbols were non-existant. All I felt was the avos charge, and all of a sudden 1 was an integral part of and we, their banim. everything that happened. The full sense of the whole continuum since Abraham became crystal JERUSALEM: clear ... Everything that has happened to every Jew since Abraham really happened to me!" - St. Moshe was thwa;·ted from entering Israel. He did Louis Jewish Light, February 10, 1971 not even have an opportunity to taste her fruits.

18 The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 Not that the Manna was lacking in flavor, but your prophets ... 0 that I could sprout imagine all the mitzvos-of-the-soil you can roll on wings to wander afar, to find my way your tongue with each bite! amidst your ruins. I would fall to my I watched Mattis, who is a Brisker, go through face on your earth - how I cherish your his maaser-ritual, and I wondered how much plea­ stones! - how I delight in your very sure could be left in an orange by the time he'd dust! but to stand near the graves of our finish. I was wrong. After all the separations. and fathers, to marvel at the choice spots of conditional declarations, something was added Hebron. I'll pass through your woods, your ... I recalled that first surge of emotion that hit cultivated stretches. I'll stand in Gilead, me when I stepped off the plane in Lod - that and marvel at the hills beyond. feeling of "these are the stones my elders cried for, Happy is he who chooses to dwell in my ancestors died for" - and that same feeling your courts! came back to me with each bite. "Taking terumah Happy is he who waits and then suc- and ma'aser" are part of experiencing Bretz ceeds in seeing the rising of your light! Yisroel, and I could not imagine it otherwise. Indeed, there are all kinds of goals, all sorts of itineraries, when one visits Israel ... "Whatever your reason, be it religious_. sentimental or just for the pure pleasure of travel ... Histadrut Tours will guide the neophyte traveler as well as the trav­ eler who constantly moves around the world ... "Today one can freely visit the Sinai Desert, Rachel's Tomb, Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip; then too one can see where the heroes of Masada fought the filGR.EEKLINE~ Roman legions, or see the Camel Market in Beersheba and the skin-divers in Eilat TAKING THE TRIP OF YOUR CHOICE and the Artists and Sculptures working in Sajad ... There is a wealth of pamphlets, guidebooks, "Walk the Alleys of Jaffa ... a world­ travelogues advising one on how to see the Holy po pular and thrilling artists colony Land. No preparation can compare with a reading ... see Jerusalem ... the Dead Sea ... of the words of Yehuda Halevi (1080-1145), who The young can dance the Hora, the adults expressed his ecstatic yearning for Eretz Yisroel in can sit on the shores of the Mediterrane­ terms often repeated, but never matched ... His an, sip Israeli wine ... the golden-age classical "Tzionim" are an emotional outpouring of group can leisurely view beautiful Israel a spiritual thirst. Through his immortal words the and derive joy from their prayer ... " added dimension of significance of vineyards, BENJAMIN HAGA! STEVERMAN valleys, deserts, cemeteries become almost tangible. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I dream of the return of your captives, Before embarking on his uncompleted journey I am a harp to your songs. My heart to Eretz Yisroel (Ercv Rosh Chodesh Elul, longs for Beth-el ... where the Shechi- 5685/1925 ), the Chofetz Chaim wrote an open nah did dwell ... where no sun, no letter of farewell to "Our brethren Children of moon, no stars, but your Divine pres­ Israel," in which he summed up his entire goal, his cence did illuminate. 1 choose to pour full itinerary: "To go up to our Holy Land ... to my soul where G-d's spirit poured forth beg forgiveness of her stones and to express love on your noble ones. for her soil ... " 0 that I could wander about in those On the other hand, can there be more than this places where G-d revealed himself to one kind of trip to Eretz Yisracl? o

The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 19 The Mechanics of Jewish Survival

THE MIRACLE OF JEWISH SUR VIV AL is ulti­ There was a desperate need for new leadership mately rooted in the inscrutable plan of the and for a renewal of communal authority - and Creator. The mechanics of the miracle, however, this could only be provided by Rabbinic le~der­ can be discerned in the peculiar interplay between ship. As a result, the role of the Talmudic scholars the ever-changing circumstances of Jewish exis­ in the communites changed: whereas before the tence and the reaction of our people to these function of the talmidei chachomim was to partici­ experiences. Somehow, it found in its Torah heri­ pate and provide guidance in communal govern­ tage the strength and the direction for coping with ment, now the relatively few scholars left emerged the challenges that it encountered, and for develop­ as the central authorities in their localities. This ing ways of overcoming them, with varying degrees was a necessary development that, in due course, of pain and success. led to the formal crystallization of the communal "professional" rabbinate; but it first had to weather grave difficulties - reflected in a number of bitter and destructive controversies between COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION Rabbis. These controversies usually were disputes HARMONY AND DISCORD, by Rabbi Eric between contenders for authority over the com­ Zimmer (New York, 1970; Bloch Publishing munity involved in each particular case. According Company, $5 .25} to Rabbi Zimmer, they resulted from the fact that, at the very time when a "professional" rabbinate One of the ways in which Kial Yisroel assured its was needed, the caliber of the Rabbis available had survival is treated in a most interesting and well sunk so low, and they were primarily motivated by researched book by Rabbi Eric Zimmer, Harmony a desire for power, prestige and remuneration. This and Discord, which deals with Central Euroipean review~r, however, is not convinced at all that this Jewry during the fifteenth century, a major period is the explanation. of change and readjustment. "The organization [of It is true that the leading Torah authorities of the Jewish Community in Medieval Europe] pro­ the time were quite critical of the scholarship of vided the means whereby it was able to survive and their inferiors - but this was probably justified in succeed .... However, toward the end of the any period of Jewish history, and their depressing Middle Ages ... a manifestation of disintegration criticisms must be taken in that spirit. Moreover, versus consolidation was noticeable." There ensued even outstanding personalities were involved in a struggle between harmony and discord, which the some of the disputes, like Rabbi Israel of Bruna. In author sets out to analyze. reality, therefore, these controversies must be seen The Black Death and the pogroms it set off in as a practically inevitable result of the fact that this Central Europe during the fourteenth century dealt was a time of flux and readjustment. A new an almost fatal blow to the old-established Jewish institution, that of the recognized and exclusively communities. The resulting chaos undermined the accepted communal Rabbi, was evolving; but this authority of the community organizations over was not a planned development, formally adopted their members; thus, for instance, their rabbinic and regulated, and its practical implications for a courts were spurned and increasing use was made variety of circumstances (e.g. when there were of the Gentile courts (despite the cheiram against several Rabbinic authorities in a town, or when a this). new one moved into it) had to be slowly and

20 The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 painfully faced. New procedures had to be estab­ lished, and halachic guidance found for new situations. The important point to remember is that this BOOKS challenge was met. As Rabbi Zimmer himself emphasizes, "These same Rabbinic leaders guided biographical extracts in this collection do indeed the kehiloth in inter-communal endeavors. They show a pattern of close family relationships. But were instrumental in uniting the scattered com­ the reader will vainly seek for more than a trace of munities in successful ventures when external the religious values and loyalties that, according to pressures required accord ... " (p. J 70). Thus, even the editor, these family relationships inculcate and this difficult period in Jewish history shows how that would indeed guarantee Jewish survival. The new solutions in the spirit of our Torah heritage sad fact is that almost all those represented in this can be found as new situations arise, difficult as volume, in growing up, grew away from Jewish the transition may often be. D values - at best looking back upon the ways of their fathers as curious relics of the past. FAMILY LIFE AND TORAH EDUCATION There are exceptions of course. Anne Frank was never given a chance to grow into adulthood; so we GROWING UP JEWISH, by jay David (New York, do not know which road she would have taken. 1970; Pocket Books, $0.95) Edna Ferber, as she stresses repeatedly, came fron1 a family without any religious identification in the THE TIME THAT WAS THEN, by Harry first place; she cannot be said to have turned her Roskoleno (New York, 1971; Dial Press, $8.95) back on her education. Glueckel of Hameln, on the other hand, did represent throughout her life the Another facet of the process of Jewish survival is very epitome of the ideal Jewish wife. But what treated in an anthology edited by Jay David, about the others chosen here to represent Jewish Growing Up Jewish (New York, 1970; Pocket growing up' Books, $0.95 ). It is a fascinating book to read - Is Jewish spiritual survival really typified by Leon but leaves the reader with many questions. de Modena, restless Renaissance Jew and con­ "Growing up Jewish was and is something firmed gambler ... Solomon Maimon, the bitter unique," the editor points out in his introduction; rebel with his violent hatred of Jewish tradition ... it has always meant acquiring "a way of life that J ael Dayan, truly "liberated" sabra, "typical of a the Jews took with them into the Diaspora and people who have turned religion into a nation­ which has bound them together and enabled them ality" ... Zechariah Nissim, the only other repre­ to survive throughout the centuries." What is the sentative of Israeli youth, who reports on how he way of life? The author sees it in the particular was led to drop his Yemenite upbringing? Or by patterns of Jewish family life, and specifically in those from the New World who are found here and the traditional devotion to education. Further­ so well illustrate the editor's comment that in this more, he emphasizes, the education of the Jewish country the old "laws and customs fell by the child aimed to make all aspects of his personal and wayside as Jews adapted themselves to their new public behavior subject to the rules ordained by land"? G-d. By and large, the attitudes here expressed Growing Up Jewish seeks to illustrate these toward a traditional Jewish life where "every detail points. In it "twenty-five Jews relive their child­ is made subject to divine ordinance," range from hood in the Old World, the New World, and the condescending tolerance and com passionate nos­ Promised Land. Their experiences, spanning four talgia to outright contempt. If Growing Up Jewish centuries, present the history of a people in an were a true picture of what has been happening to intensely personal way" (from the bookcover). the Jewish people, it would be telling a story of Moreover, in the editor's view they show how they national failure and disintegration rather than of a all "have retained with certain variations, their triumph of Jewish family life and education. In common heritage and way of life." actual fact, of course, the book does not give an Most, though by no means all, of the auto- accurate picture.

The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 21 If you read Yiddish and take joy in a real "Yiddish vort" - you will find a rich treasure of Hashfofo and inspiration in the

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22 The Jewish Observer/ September, 1971 To be sure, it does 1nirror, in very moving view, had enough sustenance in their vision of fashion, many of the outward vicissitudes that G-d .... But if G-d was enough for men like my were the lot of the Diaspora Jew - whether in the father, their sons, in time, changed the tokens of Tzarist army or under Nazi terror, amidst the more value. G-d became success. Success became genteel antisemitism of the Western world, in the money" (pp. 15-16 ). This is not the account of an misery and swcatships of New York, or caught outsider, writing with academic detachment, but of between the upper and nether millstones of assimi­ one who lived it -- the author ran off to sea at the lation. But as for the inner life of the Jew, in the age of thirteen, and became a migrant worker, a face of his fate, there is in this book at the very labor organizer and activist, a poet and journalist. best only appreciative remembrance of things past, As we read his description of his formative years, but no sign of inspiration or loyalty to the heritage we cannot but feel admiration for those who of the forefathers. Yet, in reality, such inspiration struggled to keep the spark of Torah burning and loyalty was passed down, to our very days, under the conditions of those days, and for all even if Growing Up ] ewish does not record the those who, thanks to them, survived as whole Jews. fact! Survive they did - and slowly, painfully, It must be admitted that it is much harder to authentic Torah Yiddishkeit established itself on find autobiographical documentation of the suc­ American soil, just as it had always reemerged from cesses of Jewish family life and education than of periods of travail in other lands and ages. It is in its failures. In general, the writing of memoirs was this direction that Jay David should have looked if never very common among us. Not only our great he wanted to show what it means to grow up men but even the simpler folk were preoccupied Jewish and play one's part in Jewish survival. o with what they would consider more constructive pursuits in the service of their Creator. Yet there have been many exceptions. In the eighteenth RASH!, by J\Jaurice Uber (New York, 1 970; Hermon Press, $7.50) century, for instance, Reb Yaakov Emden com­ mitted the story of his life to paper. In our century This biography of Rashi was originally written in the autobiographical writings of such diverse per­ French, on the occasion of the eight hundredth sonalities as Reb Jacob Rosenheim, Rabbi Moshe anniversary of Rashi's death, and was published in Blau, or Bernard Drachman, and Nina Adlerblum, English in 1906 by the J cwish Publication Society. highlight the many different settings and circum­ The Hermon Press has established a fine record in stances under which Jewish parents managed to re-issuing major Jewish historical writings that have bring up their children as good Jews in possession gone out of print, and the present volume repre­ of the fullness of their Torah heritage. sents an important addition to its list. For the It should not be a surprise to anybody that these serious student of Jewish history it will be a useful efforts did not always succeed - the burdens of source of information - as long as he will re­ human weakness and the golus experience were member that it has to be used with great caution. powerful obstacles. Anybody who, for instance, This is due, in the first place, to the passage of opens The Time That Was Then, an "intimate time since the book was originally written. A great chronicle of the Lower Eastside, 1900-1914 ," is deal of material has been published since, some of bound to be deeply saddened - not only by the which puts in question a good many theories and poverty, the suffering, the trauma of adjustment to statements that the author put forth, or fills in a totally new world, to which the teeming masses of immigrants were exposed, but by the over­ whelming and destructive impact which they had on them. c1p "The Jewish immigrants, from my parents' total TRADITION PERSONNEL AGENCY "At Your Service With All Your Employment Needs" PHONE 256-2300 - ...... -----~·"1 WE DELIVER 256-9171 I•- i...;,~,,., I SELF SERVICE Need A Shomer Shabbos Job? SHOLOM'S ALL-RED I GLATT KOSHER Looking For A Shomer Shabbos Person? READY FOR POT OR FREEZER I MEATS• POULTRY • DELICATESSEN • BARB-Q For Fast, Efficient and Courteous Service UNDER STRICT SUPERVISION OF RABBINICAL. BOARD OF FLATBUSH !K \\. 4.'!ll SL. ;\L'\\ York.;\. Y. !OOJh • ."f1J.J994 SHOLOM B EICHORN 6818 BAY PARKWAY Open Monday night by appointment only -----·---____:•:_Rc:Oc_oc_K=L V'-"N'-. -'N'-'.v_c·_c'-e'_c20'-4'--"\ The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 23 gaps left by him. A very minor example: whereas But, more fundamentally, caution in the use of Liber pointed out that the Responsa of Rashi have this book is indicated because of the author's basic not yet been gathered into one collection, this has orientation. He is a true child of the Haskalah, and since been done since by I. Elfenbein. reflects its spirit in a variety of ways. As against the somewhat patronizing and apolegetic tone which marks his praise of Rashi and defense of Tal­ BURIAL IN ERETZ ISRAEL mudism, there is his great respect for modern Chevra Kadisha Perushim -Ashkenazim scholarly theories and his critical and rationalistic approach to a good many traditional ideas and OF JERUSALEM teachings. This orientation not only colors his Founded 5616 ( 1856) writing, but leads him astray in his interpretation and evaluation of some of his material. Yet, in PINCUS MANDEL, sole representative contrast to many of his academic colleagues, Maurice Liber had a deep sympathy and an Over 19 years experience essentially positive approach to his subject matter interment in all parts of Eretz Yisrael and to the past of our people in general, and it is these qualities which enabled him to perceive and 111 PENN STREET, BROOKLYN, N. Y. 11211 portray some of the essence of the subject. D Day and Nite Phone 855-5121

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24 The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 converted ... but not necessarily according to halachah. Letters to the Editor Shabbos is the official day of rest . . . But equally officially, the Minister of Labor liberally issues Shabbos work permits. Rabbinic courts have juris­ dicition over personal sta­ tus ... but subject to regu­ lation by the Knesset, and judicial review and inter­ ference by the Supreme Separation: an Abandonment author envision a society in which the Court. of Kial Yisroel name of G-0 may not be invoked in a The Chief Rabbinate is public school or publicly supported established by Law ... but school in Israel? Shall we be content if the legislation it needs is To the Editor, only Chinuch Atzmai schools and not used as a means of apply­ I have just read your February and government supported schools may ing pressure and obtaining May issues and could not help com­ deign to teach Jewish children Torah Rabbinic ''cooperation.'' paring the lead article in each. In the in Israel? I am sure that even the most In the light of this situation the February issue Rabbi Bezalel Zolty chauvinistic Agudist can not be that alternative of a separation of State and confronted the problem of "Religious selfish. religion must at least be weighed - not Law in the Land of Israel" and sug­ It is indeed ironic that an organiza­ (as our correspondent insinuates) out gested several ways in which the tion can support public aid to paro­ of a selfish lack of interest in the Orthodox community could exert chial education in the U.S. and at the whole Klal Yisroel but, on the con­ more influence on the law and life­ same time propose that the system trary, because it might be the only style of Israel. In the May issue Rabbi which presently forbids or hampers way to provide the Kial with Torah Nisson Wolpin discussed "The Con­ such aid be introduced where it could free of political taint or compromise. tinuing Crisis in Israel - State and do even more harm. Those of us living Obviously, it would be a sad day if Religion on a Collision Course." How­ in golus should try to transport our­ such separation did indeed become ever, the only ameliorative suggestion selves to Israel and not to transport inevitable. Yet, here too, our corres­ put forth in that article was that golus to Israel. pondent sees implications that are religion be separated from the state in MYRON KIRSCHBAUM necessarily warranted. Such separation need not mean the Israel just as it is in "most democratic Flushing, New York societies." elimination of the Chief Rabbinate, The suggestion shocked me for but merely freeing it from political several reasons. First, separating Separation: an Option We interference. Even without formal church and state and eliminating the Must Consider "separation," some form of civil mar­ chief rabbinate would create a situa­ riage for "hardship cases" (Mamzeirim, tion in Israel very similar to the woeful Reply to Mr. Kirschbaum: etc.) seems almost certain to come - one which we face here in golus. The THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not and, on the other hand, even if civil conservation and reform movements champion or advocate the separation marriage should become generally would become every bit as legitima­ of State and religion in Israel, but it is sanctioned, many observers believe tized as they are in the United States. still an option we are forced to con­ that the ordinary Israeli would stiH Not only would their influence grow sider. Obviously the ideal situation, for want a "kosher" rabbinic marriage, to tremendously at the expense of Ortho­ which we fervently hope, is a State protect himself and his children. The doxy but thousands of Jews - perhaps governed in accordance with the situation is certainly not analogous to not Agudah members but Jews none­ Torah. But "wishing it does not make the United States in this respect, and theless - would be duped into non­ it so!" In actuality, we have a troubled Conservatism and Reform will fail or halachic marriages and divorces. These partnership in which one crisis is fol­ (G-d forbid) prosper irrespective of people wish to be married halachically lowed by another and, above all, in their power to "marry and bury." but are not sufficiently learned to which religion is put into a Procustean Nor does separation of State and discern the fraud inherent in conser­ bed (a S"dom-Bettl, if you will) - religion necessarily mean an iron wall vatism, surely - and even reform. stretched a little here, trimmed a little between them, as in this country. In Second, as anyone familiar with there, all for the sake of maintaining most democratic countries no such constitutional law knows, the separa­ the uneasy partnership. wan exists (and constitutional history tion of religion from state in one Some random examples: does not indicate that it is apt to rise generation can lead to a complete To be registered as a Jew, gradually); the name of G-d is not break in future generations. Does the you must be so born, or outlawed in their schools, and paro- The Jewish ()bserver I September, 1971 25 All these Heinz ods bearthe@Seal.

&Wii? @The seal of approval of THE UNION OF ORTHODOX JEWISH CONGREGATIONS OF AMERICA 26 The Jewish Observer f September, 1971 psuedo-messianism of his own creation "I know: the paths of the soul, in its place. overgrown, often know only the night, ! 71 Though Wiesel has eschewed con­ a very vast, very barren night, without LETTERS CONTINUED tinued writing about the Nazi era, the landscapes. And yet I tell you: we'll topic must remain in public view. But get out. The most glorious works of as Rabbi Scherman points out, as a man are born of that night. historian or theologian of the Nazi era chial schools receive government "I know, little one: it isn't easy to do Wiesel is unqualified to speak for the subsidies. The current conflict be­ live always under a question mark. But orthodox Jew. tween Mifdal and government over who says that the essential question Rabbi Scherman's review is to be ha.s an answer? The essence of man is erosion of religious control over lauded for another reason. All too Chinuch Mamlachti Dati has in any to be a question, and the essence of often, the popular picture of the the question is to be without answer. case made many new converts to the orthodox Jew is formed from litera­ view that it is better to have govern­ ture with which we are unfamiliar but "But to say, 'What is God? What is ment-subsidized independent Torah which non-orthodox and gentile asso­ the world? What is my friend?' is to schools (as per Chinuch Atzmai) than ciates expect us to be conversant. A say that I have someone to talk to, government-operated ones. review of such writings is often in­ someone to ask a direction of The Slogans are cheap to come by - but valuable. depth, the meaning, the very salt of a dangerous substitute for searching man is his constant desire to ask the thought. Golus does not need to be question ever deeper within himself, to transported to Israel - it is there, as SAMCHOLECK feel ever more intimately the existence everywhere, thanks to our imperfec­ Brooklyn, New York of an unknowable answer." tions; and we have to contend with (Tower Beyond the Wall, page 187) it - there as everywhere, albeit in ever-changing forms. The present form of government in Israel, a secular "The Real Elie Wiesel": You are probably acquainted with a parliamentary democracy, is itself an Defamation of a Man story taken from the Shevet Yehuda expression of golus. Which is the best and His Generation of Shlomo hen Virga, telling of a way to strengthen the rule of Torah shipload of Jews who were expelled under these conditions is a question from Spain in 1492. They were travel­ that deserves the most careful scrutiny ing on the open sea when plague broke from all sides. D To the Editor: out amongst the passengers. The cap­ Rabbi Sherman's article "The Real tain hurriedly landed the passengers, Elie Wiesel" unmistakably implies that witnessed the death of his wife and "The Real Elie Wiesel" Mr. Wiesel is guilty of blaspl1'>my and two sons, and then with eyes heaven­ an Invaluable Contribution heresy. Rabbi Scherman has accused, ward called out, "0 Holy Creator! indicted, tried, convicted, and sen­ You have gone out of Your way to try tenced this man all in one breath. Has to have me abandon You. Let me tell To the Editor: he ever bothered to pick ~up the You now, once and for all, that no Rabbi Nosson Scherman has per­ telephone to ask Elie Wiesel what he matter what You do You will not tear formed a valuable service by his cri­ believes, or for that matter what he me away from You." tique of Elie Wiesel. Those familiar observes? He would be shocked to find This is the answer I infer from with the literature of the Holocaust that he davens in the Gerer Shtibel on Wiesel's works. It is tenacious and cannot help but realize that Wiesel the West side, that he puts on Tefillin, stubborn clinging to the beliefs and fails to adequately portray the enor­ that he is a Shomer Shabbos, that the observances of our Torah. Please re­ mous courage exhibited by those Lubavitcher Rebbe sends him Erev member that an unquestioned faith is orthodox Jews who died al kiddush Pesach Matzos, and that he actively an untested faith and a tested faith is a Hashem and who served as bastions of supports many tzedaka mosdot in sound faith. Rabbi Scherman owes courage to their brethren in their last Eretz Yisorel. Wiesel and the entire sheiris hapleitah days. Wiesel has reduced the surviving Rabbi Scherman claims that Wiesel an apology. remnants of the European shtetl to questions. Doesn't every functioning fictional terms and has substituted a mind ask questions? The Jewish in­ LEWIS BRENNER tellect, faced with the inferno of Brooklyn, New York Auschwitz had good reason to ques­ tion. But Eli Wiesel at least affords EV 7-1750 answers. His own return and life as an MOVING? observant Jew are enough living testi~ mony to his faithfulness and devotion. Be sure to notify us in He also answers some of Rabbi advance so that your copies Scherman's challenges in some of his will continue to reach you. literary works:

The Jewish ObserVer I September, 1971 27 Rabbi Scherman Replies: being considered at all. Obviously the finding itself after the tragedy of article is a consideration of Wiesel the World War II, but it means very little Elie Wiesel The Author writer; its subject matter is the con­ to the average, indiscriminate reader siderable body of literature he has picking up one or another of Wiesel's - Not the Man - produced. To condition the impact of books. Under Examination. any writing on an interview with the In any case, Rabbi Brenner's state­ author, a record of his charities, the ment can only have validity if Wiesel's source of his matzos - or, indeed, work is indeed an affirmation of Rabbi Brenner draws some strong whether or not he eats matzos at all - Torah. The truth is, however, that conclusions from my article, strong is hardly a compliment to the writer. every one of his books - even the more enough for him to demand an apology Either his work can be judged on its recent ones - contain many powerful to the entire sheiris hapleitah. An own merits or it is a failure, and Wiesel passages condemning the Creator for objective, thoughtful reading of the the writer is hardly a failure. the death of His people. article would make it amply clear that "What else can 1 say about my In The Gates of the Forest Gregor his assertion that the survivors of the tale? . . . A novel as you very well (Gavriel), the hero, has a debate with Holocaust have been slurred is entirely know, is not to be explained; it is to the "Rebbe" concerning the Holo­ without foundation. But it is primarily be read. If there is a secret in it, it caust. The Rebbe finally succumbs to to defend Eli Wiesel that Rabbi must be communicated as such . , . n Gregor's unyielding accusations against Brenner has written, and here, too, he (bookjacket, Beggar in Jerusalem) G-d. missed the mark. Rabbi Brenner infers from Wiesel's "So be it!" he shouted. "He's To read the article as a condemna­ works "a tenacious and stubborn cling. guilty; do you think I don't know tion of Eli Wiesel the man is to ing to the beliefs and observances of it? ... Yes, He is guilty. He has be­ misread it entirely. No, I never made a our 1'orah." I know of few others who come the ally of evil, of death, of telephone call to Mr. Wiesel. Nor do I draw such an inference. It is true that murder, but the problem is still not recall a listing·of his telephone number a chronological reading of his works solved. I ask you a question and dare in any of his books - no doubt an shows that he is coming closer to you answer: What is there left for us oversight of the publisher. Nor are his observance, or at least to belief, as the to do?" personal good marks relevant because years go by. This could make a differ­ That was the turning point for he, as an individual human being, is not ence to students of one tortured soul Gregor. "What is there left for us to

Let us finish this task begun with so much dedication .

WE DEVOTE our efforts and resources toward reaching out to children who are being brought up away from Torah. Our work and contribu­ tions to institutional camps and youth programs are prime examples of this. WE DO OUR BEST to follow up these efforts by enrolling these children in yeshivos and girls' schools. Operation Reach, of 156 5th Avenue, New York, is one of the most successful endeavors in this direction. BUT WHO is to underwrite the tution fees for children who are ureached", convinced, and enrolled? YOU CAN HELP by contributing to the Shmuel Wald Memorial Scholarship Fund Zeirei Agudath Israel of Boro Park 4511 14th Avenue Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219 Send your contribution to this fund today, and finish the job still undone.

28 The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 do?" The book closed with his resolve and hard before testing it. A recovered tions. But we are not dealing here with to return to religion as he put on smallpox victim is immune, but a a defense of the First Amendment. Tefillin for the first time in years. smallpox epidemic is not the generally Wiesel's questions are a barrage against In the more recent Legends of Our recommended method of immunizing the foundations of emunah. Any in­ Time, Wiesel writes autobiographicaUy populations. The faith that survived dividual may raise these questions in of his soul-searching concerning how, the Holocaust or even some of W,iesel's search of answers. Certainly we all or whether, to observe his father's stronger books is, indeed, a sound need and want answers to the ques­ yahrzeit. Again, the Creator stands faith. tions of Auschwitz. To pose these condemned for a "useless" death, but Indeed, we understand and attempt questions in such compelling form, after winning his case, Wiesel con­ to share in the agony of those who however, then to present them to cludes that he will observe the yahr­ experienced the trauma of the Holo­ people not equipped to deal with zeit traditionally as proof of his own caust. This is why we have made a them, and not cope with them but to impotence. point of examining Elie Wiesel the suggest that after what happened one I find it hard to see how this "What author, but not Elie Wiesel the man. can no longer believe in G-d---- to do is there left for us to do?" attitude But not everyone is ready for that this to endanger the faith of thous­ represents what Rabbi Brenner calls a sort of test any more than the ele­ ands, not to strengthen it. "tenacious and stubborn clinging to mentary school student is ready for an The story quoted from Shevet the belief and observances of our SAT. Y ehuda is truly beautiful and inspir­ Torah." A clinging to ritual perhaps, It is true, as Rabbi Brenner says, ing. One wishes Elie Wiesel could have but hardly to Torah! A fair reading of that every functioning mind asks ques- echoed it, clearly and unambiguously. the sum total of Wiesel's works, in­ Nosson Scherman cluding his later books, can only yield the conclu5ion that the prosecution Feldheim Publications: Orthodox Literature against the Creator carries the day Special 32nd ANNIVERSARY SALE intellectually and emotionaHy, despite also celebrating establishment of our Israeli Branch the flashes of inspiration and the protestations of "What is there left for MONTH of ELLUL only (August 22 - September 20) us to do?" 1 /3 off list price - wide selection of books "An unquestioned faith is an un­ List Price Sale Price tested faith and a tested faith is a !ill! Duties of the Heart-Chovoth Halevavoth 12.50 sound faith," Rabbi Brenner says. This 8.34 Mishneh Torah-Maimonides-2 vol. 12.50 8.34 is very good rhetoric, but what does it Gates of Repentanoe-Shaarei Teshuvah, R. Jona 7.75 5.17 mean? A tested faith is sound only if it The Ways of the Righteous-Orchot Zaddikim 10.00 6.66 withstands the test. But faith is a Path of the Just-Mesilat Yesharim 6.75 4.50 fragile thing and one must think long The Psalms-S.R. Hirsch-2 vols. 19.50 13.00 The Hirsch Siddur 9.75 6.50 Chapters of the Fathers-S.R. Hirsch 2.95 1.97 Fundamentals of Judaism-S.R. Hirsch 6.00 4.00 Timeless Torah.S.R. Hirsch 8.95 5.97 for that note of distinction Students Guide through the Talmud-Chajes 6.50 4.34 Give Us Life-Chofetz Chaim 4.50 3.00 at your SIMCHA Who Wants to Live-Chofetz Chaim 3.95 2.62 Ethics from Sinai·Bunim-3 vols. 22.50 15.00 822 Montgomery Street The World of Prayer-Munk-2 vols. 15.00 10.00 Jewish Identity-Litvin-Hoenig 8.75 5.83 Brooklyn, N. Y. 11213 The Royal Reach-Lamm 7.95 5.30 Universal Jewish History·Biberfeld-2 vols. 7.50 5.00 or call Judaism and Psyc::hology-Amse/ 5.95 3.97 Jewish Leaders-Jung 6.00 4.00 (212) 774-5174 -5176 Men of the Spirit-Jung 8.50 5.67 Ramban-Chave/ 3.50 2.33 Stories of Elijah the Prophet-Klapholtz 5.00 3.33 ZELMAN STUDIOS Tales of Baal Shem Tov-Klapholtz 5.00 3.33 Vistas from Mount Moriah-Levi 4.50 3.00 For the finest in creative These books are available at all better Jewish Bookstores. If you would like to color photography order these books from us, please send a check for the books plus 50' postage "The nzost recommended for one book; and an additional 25' for two books or more, ptus 6" N.Y .S. tax. name in fine photography" PHILIPP FELDHEIM, Inc. Jerusolem Office: 623 Cortelyou Road "The House of the Jewish Book" FELDHEIM PUBLISHERS, Ltd. {off Ocean Parkway) 96 EAST BROADWAY 39 TACHKEMONI STREET Brooklyn, N. Y. 11218 NEW YORK, N. Y. 10002 JERUSALEM, ISRAEL Tel. 633-5500 We Wish All Our Customers a ilJltl ilfl'nlll ilJ'nJ

The Jewish Observer I September, 1971 29 AGUDAH CHARGES ZOA PRESIDENT 'SUBVERTS RESCUE EFFORTS FOR RUSSIAN JEWS' The president of the Zionist Organi­ the struggle for Soviet Jewry exclusive­ claims that there is no 'appreciable zation of America, Herman L. Weis­ ly into an 'aliya' issue, the ZOA seri­ number of Soviet Jews' who wish to man, was accued by "subverting rescue ously harms any prospects of actually come to the U.S.A. A simple check efforts for Russia's Jews" by his helping save the physical and spiritual with the HIAS or anyone familiar with "adamant refusal" to drop his public life of Russia's Jews. the situation would determine that opposition to legislation in the U.S. "The proclamation at the T'filoh there are many Russian Jews who Congress opening America's doors to Assembly for Russian Jewry held this desire to be reunited with their 30,000 Jews from the Soviet Union. winter at Manhattan Center made a families in America, but all their This charge was leveled by Agudath major point: If we are to have any efforts have been frustrated by Soviet Israel of America, which declared in a impact on the Russian authorities, officials. statement that "the ZOA leader's they must be given to understand that "It is deplorable that the Zionist stand recalls bitter memories of post­ the Jews of Russia are motivated Federation of American has not pub­ war politics by certain Zionist repre­ solely by the desire for freedom to live licly disassociated iteself from the sentatives who harassed any rescue as Jews, and those of thetn who seek ZOA statement on aid for Russian efforts for Jewish refugees which to emigrate, do so not out of political Jewish emigration to the U.S.A. The brought them to any other land than considerations but only because of silence of the American Jewish Confer· Israel." their desire either to be reunited with ence on Soviet Jewry, which should their families or to find fulfillment in not permit itself to be dominated by the pursuit of their Jewish aspirations. ZOA influences, also raises further The Agudath Israel statement By diverting this aim solely into an questions about its comprehension of further declared: "Playing politics 'aliya' campaign, the ZOA is subvert· the real issues concerning Soviet with Jewish lives, even when moti­ ing the interests of Russian Jewry. Jewry, by a body which seeks recogni­ vated by a lofty ideal, is reprehensible "ZOA president Weisman is also tion as the central Jewish agency in to Judaism. Moreover, by transforming uninformed about the facts when he this area." O OUTSTANDING SEASON FOR AGUDIST CAMPS "AMEND THE 'WHO IS A JEW' The summer educational projects of NOW," THOUSANDS OF Agudath Israel of America in the 0 ORTHODOX YOUTH WRITE United States and in Israel are enjoy· PREMIER GOLDA MEIR ing a highly successful season. The American camps, Camp Agudah for Thousands of young Orthodox boys and Camp Bnos for girls, located boys and girls in camps and yeshivos in Ferndale and Liberty, N.Y., have throughout the United States have their highest registration in history and been mobilized to flood Prime Minis· Chevra Kadisha have reached a new peak in giving ter Golda Meir's office in Jerusalem D'chasidim • Hor Hornnuchot youngsters great physical and spiritual with letters urging her to amend the Founded 1856 benefits. The campers hail from every "Who Is a J ew"law to conform with part of the United States and from Orthodox law {Halacha). The letter· writing campaign, part of an intensive BURIAL IN JERUSALEM other American countries. The camps in Israel for North educational program of Zeirei Agudath \:\[) .\LL CDIE !TRIES I:\ ISRAEL American children, sponsored by Israel of America, the Orthodox Agudath Israel, are also proceeding Jewish youth group affiliated with • with unparalleled success. Camp Sdei Agudath Israel, urges the Prime Min­ Chemed International for boys and the ister to amend the "Who Is a Jew" law m..\..\lin B..\kOD€Sh "Live and Learn" project for girls of to read "according to the halacha" the Beth Jacob Teachers Seminary of because "it is a stimulant to inter­ SOCl€ty Jerusalem, were filled weeks before marriage and assimilation in the 44 CANAL ST. their departure from the United United States." NEW YORK CITY 10002 States. Initial reports from Israel tell Zeirei Agudath Israel, in a campaign of the huge benefits that the children directed by national coordinator Nr. E. Broadway Sta. "F'' Train are reaping. Rabbi Menachem Lubinsky, also In Canada, Agudath Israel of organized in all camps and youth JJ;1_, ~x '.\it,· l'bonc' Toronto is in the midst of a highly settlements throughout the United WA 5-2277 successful season at its extremely States and Canada, a special day of efficient summer camp near Port prayers on the 15th day of Av on the In Canada: Carling in Ontario. The first half of the "Who Is a Jew" law, for which the Chevra Kadisha summer the camp was open for girls, famed Chairman of the Moetzes of United Jewish Con9re9ations and the second half is filled with boy Gedolei HaTorah, Rabbi Moshe Fein· Montreal Tel.: 273-3211 campers from the various parts of stein Shlita, issued a special proclama· Canada. D tion. 0

30 The Jewish Observer IS eptember, 1971 AGUDATH ISRAEL TO PRESS Meanwhile, the Legislative Co1n1nis­ FORWARD ON GOVERNMENT sion of Agudath Israel has participated AID FOR NON.PUBLIC SCHOOLS in a series of sessions in Albany with top officials of the New York State fli. Despite its keen disappointment Education Depart1nent to protect the tlauth over the U.S. Supren1e Court ruling interests of Torah institutions in the last month which outlawed certain new guidelines and regulations which ®rrqrntran government aid programs to religious are currently being prepared to enable non-public schools. Agudath Israel of the non-public schools to benefit from American will "work with greater zeal the New York State non-public school to create new concepts for govcrnn1cnt aid programs. D aid within the framework of the guide­ lines established by the Supreme Court." Rabbi Mo~he Sherer, executive president of Agudath Israel of America, which had played a key role Order Now- in recently-adopted government aid legislation in New York State, stated that the war to achieve equal educa­ The Original Spero Foundation tional choice for all our citizens is far from lost despite this temporary setback. There will be many victories PACKAGED SUKKAH for the Yeshivas in years to come, as we develop government aid programs The Lifetime Easy-To-Assemble Portable Sukkah which will meet the test of constitu­ WALLS: Made of tionality. The Legislative Commission SIZE1 71,4' long, s~· wide, yellow DORA • HUE of Agudath Israel has already spent and 71,4• high. Will accom­ DUCK. Weight 10 oz. modate up to 10 J>t!nons, per square y11rd. Mil· many hours studying this problem dew-Resi!lant 11nd water. FRAME and FITTINGS: Repellent. since the Supreme Court decision, and Made of an alloy of DECORATIONS a re ai1k 1creened on upper expects to announce its findings in the aluminum and m11gnc1ium, four walls in maroon near future." lhree.quarter inch diameter color, will not fade. pipe which will not ru•t LIGHT: We furnish The Agudath Israel leader also an electric fixture com­ or corrode. No tooh neces• plele with 25 fl. water• declared that the recently-enacted 111ry with our patented proof wire, 10.:ket, plug and plHtic shade. New York State laws are structured fitting• to HUmble or di•· mant]e, other than one ROOF: We furnish differently than the Pennsylvania law three wooden or barn• 1mall wrench which we boo 1lrip1 acron the which the Supreme Court struck furnish, top 10 hold Fixture and S'cha~h. down, and there is hope that the

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