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February 2000 POSTSCRIPT VOLUME XXXlll/NO. 2 42 Immorality and Violence - The Torah's Viewpoint, Rabbi Shimon Finkelman
4 3 Letters to the Editor RESOLVING TENSIONS IN THE HOLY LAND Rabbi Aharon Feldman
everal months ago, Am Echad -the identity, which we transmit to our chil what to them is the only merit-worthy Agudath Israel-inspired educa dren, that we have the pride of being event for the Jewish people since the Stional outreach effort and media descendants of Avraham, Yitzchak and destruction of the Temple: the found resource - arranged that I be interviewed Yaakov, and that we have a glorious past ing of the State of Israel. by CBS-News on the issue of the polar and await an even more glorious future Why are they ashamed of the defi ization of the secular and religious pop - in this world and in the world-to nition of Jewishness based on Torah? ulations of Israel. The interest of a come. The greatest reason for pride is Because that is what separates Jews national network in this topic would that our lives have purpose, meaning, from the rest of the world, and what, indicate that it is of utmost importance and nobility. in their opinion, makes the nations hate for the State of Israel, as well as for the To a secular Israeli, on the other hand, us. Torah means that we are a nation network's 24 million viewers. I would Jewishness is something to be ashamed with a different vision of life, that we add that this issue is also vital for the of. When I said this, the interviewer are born to serve G-d and that we must future of the Jewish people, as a whole. couldn't contain himself. "Israelis control our lusts for material success The interviewer was a skilled jour ashamed of being Jewish?" he inter and physical pleasure. No nation has nalist and his questions were on target. rupted me in amazement. "The Israelis this vision oflife, and therefore they feel The discussion that follows is based on I know are very proud of themselves!" that this definition of Jewishness is sep some of my responses to his questions. "Yes," was my answer. "They are aratist - besides being old-fashioned proud that Israel has sports teams that and even backward. Thus true Jewish I. BEHIND THE STRUGGLE compete internationally, that it has an ness, to the secular Israeli, is a problem. army, a symphony orchestra, and uni The solution that Zionism offered for he first question he asked was: versities - in short, they are proud that the problem is to redefine what it What's behind the struggle over they have a country which is like all oth means to be a Jew. Rather than the Treligion? ers. They are proud of being Israelis - nation that received the Torah, Jews My answer was that the source of it but not of being Jews. must be redefined as a nation like all all is in difference in perspective as to The historic and obvious definition other nations. In other words, a Jew is what it means to be a Jew. To a religious of being Jewish is that we are a nation a Hebrew-speaking gentile. Jew, in particular to a chareidi Jew, being which received the Torah at Har Sinai, The truth is that only a minority of Jewish is a source of pride. It means that and that has lived by that Torah Jews in Israel are ashamed of their Jew we possess an unbelievably rich heritage throughout the ages. Secular Israelis are ishness. The secular Sefardi Jews are not - Shabbos, YomTov, Torah and mitzvos. ashamed of this. They deliberately hide ashamed of it. Although their grandfa It means that we have a meaningful it from their children. Schoolchildren are thers and fathers were torn away from taught that Jews of Biblical times were their heritage fifty years ago, their Rabbi Aharon Feldman, who was educated in unique not because they received the descendants have never lost their iden American yeshivas, has been living in Israel for the past 38 years, where he serves as Rosh Yeshiv Torah but because of their military suc tity as Jews and they are proud of their as Be' er Ha to rah, in Jerusalem. He is a member cesses. Their history courses practical Jewishness. This is why tens of thou of the Rabbinical Council of Degel Ha Torah and ly ignore the two thousand years of Dias sands of them are now returning to author of several books. The above article is based pora - when we had no land or military Judaism, which is the main reason why on an address delivered at the 77th Annual Con conquests to be proud of - and skip the Shas party has 17 members in the vention of Agudath Israel of America, last November. from the Second Commonwealth to Knesset. In addition, there are hundreds
6 of thousands of Ashkenazi Jews who are and that we might someday interfere for themselves. If some day Israelis do religious. Together, the Sefardim and the with the way they want to conduct their decide to turn to religion, it will at least religious Ashkenazim make up a major lives. They are especially terrified that be able to direct them to Reform, ity of the country. Thus the only ones their children might be influenced by us, claiming that it - and not Orthodoxy that we can say are ashamed of their Jew as so many have already been, to return is authentic Judaism. Reform Judaism is ishness are mainly the secular, Ashkenazi to Judaism. They are aware that their not so "embarrassing." As a Reform Jew Jews - and they are a minority. Why culture is empty, that they have no way one can still be so-called ((religious" and should this worry us? of life to offer to their children. This is remain a Hebrew-speaking gentile. Because the secular Ashkenazi Jews, why tens of thousands of young Israelis although a minority, control the State. flock to the Indian state of Goa every A Third Reason Why They Hate Us They control the press, television and year searching for spiritual fulfillment. radio. They control the utilities, agri What would happen if they would begin ut there isa third reason why they culture, the major industries, the labor flocking to Judaism instead and start hate us. They hate us because they unions. They control the schools and keeping Torah and mitzvos? This would Bare jealous of us. They know that everything that is taught there; they con their society is a failure. Zionism as an trol the judiciary and the police. They ideal is dead, and even religious Zion control the government, which owns • ism is in the process of falling apart. Sec 90% of the land in Israel and which has n spite all of this, the ular Israel has become a spiritual waste the power to tax or to support whatev land. Ben Gurion said that Israel would er they see fit. In short, nearly everything Ireligious community 1s become "alight to the nations:' Instead, in Israel that matters is in the hands of according to a front-page report in The this minority who are ashamed of their flourishing. Why? New York Times, Israel is the world's Jewishness. Because we have greatest exporter of prostitution. Anoth er Israel export is the famous - or infa II. "WHY DO THEY HATE YOU!" responded to this mous - Israeli mafia. Israel's latest con tribution to world culture is that it has f they would only be ashamed of problem the way Jews become a center of "trance;' a form of their Judaism, this would be serious have always responded ear-shattering music which induces a I enough. What is worse is that this trance-like state in its participants, shame leads them to hate those who to threats to their especially for those who first get high on practice Torah and mitzvos, and to do drugs. A recent performance in Tel Aviv everything they can to undermine survival. We have of "trance" drew 50,000 youths even religious life. though it had not even been advertised. This is the second question my turned to Torah Violence in the schools has reached interviewer asked me: "Tomi Lapid, who such a level that it is a high-priority con ran a blatantly anti-religious campaign, learning, to building cern of the government. 50% of all received six seats in the Knesset. Obviously chadorim and yeshivas. teachers have had an experience of being there are a lot ofpeople out there who hate threatened by a student. 15% of the stu you. Why do they hate you?" dents missed more than three days of My answer was that they hate us for school because of violence. The several major reasons. First of all, we mean the end of everything• that Zion response of the government was a mas refuse to submit to their program of ism stands for. sive advertising campaign urging the remaking the Jew. We reject everything This would mean that they would public, "Battle Violence." What the they stand for. We do not accept their have to return to being ashamed of their schools have not been able to transmit definition of Jewishness nor their defi Jewishness. This terrifies them. in twelve years of education, they hoped nition of life itself. We do not approve This is why the establishment has to teach on billboards and in the fleet of their society, which is based on the joined forces with the Reform move ing moments that a message can be read pursuit of lusts and material success. ment and uses all its legal and financial from the side of a passing bus. The phe They interpret this rejection as mean power to see that Reform is recognized nomenon of violence and the general ing that we look down at them as infe as an alternative to Torah Judaism. level of low morality mean that secular rior human beings. And this engenders Reform Judaism is about to be recog Israel society is in serious social trou hatred, just as anyone hates someone nized as full-fledged Judaism with the ble. who looks down at him. power to determine how money should On the other hand, the religious com Second, they are terrified that our be allocated for religious purposes. munity is a viable, thriving society. It is way of life may prevail in the country The secularists are preparing a safety net a community whose members are filled
The Jewish Observer, February 2000 7 with concern for one another. It cares for press consistently vilifies religious Jews. customers or for employment. Already, its elderly and its poor. It has hundreds When an Arab commits a crime, the the huge company, Intel, has been of gemachim (loan funds) and organi media never identify him as an Arab - reported to be refusing to hire religious zations to assist the needy and the sick. in order to protect his civil rights. But workers for its Israeli operation. There is respect for elders. Father and when a religious Jew is only suspected Just three months ago, the Education mother, son and daughter can commu of a crime, the media immediately trum Ministry asked that 40% be cut from the nicate with each other. There is a Shab pet him as a "chareidi." allocations to religious education while, bos and there are holidays when families In a public speech a judge referred to at the same time, it asked that funding get together to share conversation and religious Jews as lice, and the head of the for Arab education be increased by experiences. There is no generation gap. supreme court who was present com 257%. The rulings of the rabbinical Its youth is directed and purposeful - and, plimented him, saying, 'Well done:' The courts (batei din) with respect to mar of course, free of violence. Ask a religious judge did not offer even an apology nor riage, conversion, and mamzeirus have student if he recalls anyone ever having was there any reprimanding action been overruled so many times by the brought a weapon to yeshiva - or even taken against him. Recently, a man secular courts that their power has been having punched a fellow student - and arrested for physically attacking a major virtually eroded. The result is that we he will burst out in laughter at the absur rabbi in Tzefas was fined $200. When have no unequivocal source of knowl dity of the question. Why should secu someone deliberately spilled a cup of edge in the state oflsrael to determine lar Israelis not be jealous! tepid coffee on Knesset Member Yael if someone is an halachically permitted Dayan, he was sentenced to three years Jew. Discrimination, Without Apologies of prison. Most frightening of all, there is a The courts slowly whittle away at committee sitting right now trying to his jealousy, coupled with the ter Shabbos as a day of rest. It is not too dif decide whether yeshiva students should ror that we will influence their ficult to foresee a future when stores and be drafted. If such a law is passed, even Tway of life, breeds hatred. The factories will be open on Shabbos. if it is not enforced or even if the yeshi hatred breeds discrimination. There is When this happens, a Shomer Shabbos va students go to jail rather than obey police brutality towards religious Jews storekeeper or worker will find it hard it, this will be a tragedy of major pro which often goes unpunished. The to compete with mecha'lelei Shabbos for portions. Yeshivos will then be outside
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8 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 the law, with everything that this entails grams for Jewish-Arab youth groups makes no sense and why the only defi - ineligible for any rights, privileges and where boys and girls mix, even though nition of the prototype Jew is someone support. this is a clear encouragement of inter who keeps Torah and 1nitzvos. More In spite all of this, the religious com marriage. There is already much talk in i1nportant, we have to learn to treat sec munity is flourishing. Why? Because we the Knesset and among intellectuals ular Israelis with understanding and to have responded to this problem the way about Israel ceasing to be a Jewish state relate to them with pity and compassion Jews have always responded to threats but merely a state of its citizens. - not with hatred, anger and tri to their survival. We have turned to The time is not far off when Israelis umphalism, which are so common Torah study, to building chadorim and will be faced with the decision: do they novv. We have to begin viewing the aver yeshivas. This is how Jews have survived want to be Jews or not. As the pasuk tells age Israeli as he is: a misguided Jew mis for thousands of years. This is how post us, Ve'af gam zos ... lo me'astim ke'hafer led by self-styled visionaries who, in their World War II Judaism in America was berisi itam: I believe that the bris Avos, folly, believed that turning Jews into gen rebuilt. This is how the Torah commu the covenant that the Almighty made tiles would solve all Jewish problems, but nity in Israel was rebuilt. Without with our forefathers, will always ensure who instead led the nation to a moral, Torah study, we are lost. With it, we sur that the bulk of the Jewish people will social and political dead end. The coun vive and flourish. refuse to abandon their Jewishness. This try is ready for a 1nassive return to This is not to say that the religious means that when faced with the decision Judaism; a change in our attitude will con1munity in Israel is without faults. whether to remain Jews or not, the sec help accelerate the process. We have, as does Jewry in the U.S., a ular Israeli will start searching for his In Yerushalyim, there is a famous problem regarding dropouts. We are not roots. This is already happening to a Chassidic Rebbe to whom people come self-critical enough and we place too re1narkable degree, as an enorn1ous, from all over for his prayers and bless much emphasis upon the welfare of our unprecedented interest in spiritual val ings. For some reason, his Rebbetzin has cdn1munities, even though this might be ues has become a powerful force on the a special love for baalei teshuva (secu at the expense of Kial Yisroel. Israeli scene today. lar Jews who return to their heritage and beco1ne observant of Torah and III. "BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?" We Must Prepare Ourselves mitzvos), and goes to enormous lengths to help them in any way she can. No one ut what about the future? This is n order to make way for this 1nas knew why she developed this affinity, the final question that my inter sive acceptance of Judaism) we have until recently 1ny wife attended a Bviewer asked me: Where will this I to be ready to accept the secular Sheva Berachos celebration which the polarization lead? Israeli back into the fold. In particular, Rebbetzin, despite her advanced age, My answer is that never in history has we have to prepare our communities insisted on holding/or a newly married a lie been able to sustain itself indefi and our yeshiva bachurim to be able to baa! teshuva couple. At that celebration, nitely on a national level. Fascism was reach out to them. We have to be able the Rebbetzin told the guests her fam a lie that could not sustain itself. Com- to cogently explain why secular Judaism ily's story. 1nunism after many years of existence disappeared practically overnight. The definition of a Jew as a Hebrew-speak ing gentile is the same sort of lie. Because of this lie, polarization will continue. 1"he secular will become more secular while the religious will become more religious. The ruling minority that is ashamed of its Jewishness will push Israel more and more to abandon whatever Jewish identity it has left. To a large extent, this is happening as the State slowly loses much of its inherent Jewish identity. There are 400,000 non-Jewish Russian immi grants, 250,000 non-Jewish foreign workers, and one-and-a-quarter million Arabs, whom the government is keen on making full-fledged members of the society. The government runs pro-
---~ ...·-- .....·---·--··-- ...----- ... ---.. ---···------.-·--""'---."--·-----.... _____. The Jewish Observer, February 2000 9 Her father was a grandson of the young man knew that his grandfather He couldn't contain himself. '~re you Bnei Yissas' char, one ofthe great expo had been a great Jew, and even felt him crazy? What are you doing?" he cried nents ofChassidus, and a great teacher self, at least on one occasion, being out. "Those scrolls have the noblest and saint. However, when he was pulled to return to Judaism, but he ideas in all of human literature!" young, he was caught up in the Zion ignored these feelings. His friend merely looked at him ist frenzy ofthose times, and left the fold One day on the kibbutz, he saw a fel quizzically and kept on pulling the to join a Shomer Hatzair group. This low kibbutznik sitting before a pile of tefillin apart, as if to say, "So what?" group went up to the Land of Israel tejillin, tearing them apart and throw The Bnei Yissas'char's grandson where he went to work building roads ing the parshios (scrolls contained was so shocked that he got up and left and took up life on a kibbutz. The within the tejillin) into a garbage can. the kibbutz. He travelled into Yerusha layim and wandered the streets in his shorts and sandals, not knowing where he was going. Finally someone invited him into a beis midrash (synagogue) and began studying Torah with him. For the next two years, he kept on returning to that beis midrash, and became not only a religious few but a learned one. He ended up marrying the daughter of a well-known Chassidic rebbe and together they gave birth to a daughter who ultimately became the Rebbetzin with the special love for baalei teshuva. We have a similar situation before us in our times. There are kibbutznikim tearing apart our tejillin and throwing the parshios into garbage cans. But the Jewish soul cannot abide this. Jews will some day realize that they possess a Torah, which elevates them above all the nations of the world. They will recog nize that nothing equals the wisdom of our sages, and no society lives by the noble values by which the religious Jews live. Some day they too will all walk away from their kibbutzim, but we have to be there to invite them in and to teach them. May that day come soon and may all f:ull-morning Limudai Kodesh Program Teacher Training Program of Kial Yisroel return to Avihem she for 1st and 2ndyea.r semiMry applicants for 2ndyear seminary f1-pplicants only baShamayim (their Father in Heaven). • exciting intensive curriculum • two afrernoons a week May we see the time when the recogni • talented dedicated staff •educational psychology tion of G-d fills the world, and Kial Yis •warm dose-knit environmenr • merhodology • extra-curricular activities, chc:sed • student teaching, model lessons roel and all of mankind will recognize pro~rams, guest speakers, Shabbaro.?~~, •exciting guest speakers on special that the purpose of creation is the ser • opuonal thrce~wc:ek study~tour t'- "<~:t,-,J:-.--, facets of teaching vice of Hakadosh Baruch Hu through in Eretz Yisrael (__~\',):>"(:~}'" • teacher's degree Torah and mitzvos. • '======-·~- '======~ for I st a11d 2nd year seminary applicants PURIMSTORE.COM 0 • •combines full~morning and teacher~ training programs, culminating All Purim Needs in teacher's degree after one year 800-240-1117 lnfonutlon or applkatlon: (718) 51,1-1651 or (ll8)81,9-t,09Z fax (118) 850-82"8 877-PURIM-10
10 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 RESOLVING TENSIONS IN THE HOLY LAND Rabbi Uri Zohar
Twenty-four years after leaving the height of the Israeli entertainment world, Rabbi Uri Zahar remains the most popular celebrity in Israel. Former star of stage and screen - best known for his antics on his long running television talk-show - he abandoned the glamor offame and fortune for a Torah-observant lifestyle, resulting in his becoming the highest profile Ba'al Teshuva in the State of Israel. The details of his return are recounted in his autobiography, Waking Up Jewish. After years of total immersion in Torah study, he has emerged once again in the public eye- this time, as a leading spokesman for the Teshuva Movement.
BATILEGROUND FOR THE FUTURE
BIRTH PANGS OF REB URI'S NESHAMA a day: "I will learn five more minutes:' After a year, you've conquered worlds ... s you probably know, I am a ba' al if you keep your commitment. Some teshuva. I met the savior of my how I understood this then. I thought, A life, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchak Sil what's the easiest mitzva to perform? I berman, at a party. I had come from the accepted upon myself to light two can Shomer HaTzair - they inculcated us dles in honor of Shabbos, every erev with all the depravities of the world, and Shabbos, with a beracha. Is there a small I learned well. I was nothing at all. They I was stunned. Where do I begin? Shab er pesach shel machaf? This was the virtually abducted us from Torah, cost bos? How can I keep Shabbos? But the opening. Because I accepted it serious ing me 40 years of my life. For this I do thought of my children kept me at it. ly, earnestly, I knew I would keep it. I not forgive them. Why should they be destined to Gehin even said to myself, Even ifyou are going At this party, Rabbi Silberman nom? to regret it a second later, you keep it! And uttered one sentence to me that saved So what should I do? Then Hakadosh this is what I kept. my life: "I can prove to you that Haka Baruch Hu gave me an opening, pis'chu A week later, I asked Rabbi Silber dosh Baruch Hu gave the Torah on Har Ii pesach shel machat- the proverbial eye man, "Is there a minimum of mitzvos? Sinai, and this is the Torah that we have of the needle that expands. I don't know I don't want the maximum. I just want now." how I thought of it, but I felt that if I to get out of Gehinnom and sneak into I said, "What did you say? You said take one step, I will become open and the back row in Gan Eden, not the first 'prove'?" For me, religious faith was I will change. I will do something, and row." something that humans had invented. then Hakadosh Baruch Hu will help me He said to me, "Yes. There is a min "What do you mean ----""------""____ " ____ The Jewish Observer, February 2000 II two months. There was no other choice. one Talmud Torah in Tel Aviv. Today ation in the media and in the streets, What did the future hold for us? ... We there are tens of Talmud Torah schools. parents yearn for the stability and secu would have to break up our family. It After two days, his manner of speech was rity of a Torah education. A father can was a tragedy. different. The look in his eyes was dif fool himself. He can convince himself of ferent. He was a happy boy. the veracity of all sorts of spurious ide TRICKLE-UP INSPIRATION Then, one day, our daughter - she ologies. But when parents see their chil was still in the chiloni school - came dren involved in drugs or promiscuity, hen a miracle happened. The chil home and she began to talk to her moth and the child is only 12 or 13 years old ... dren saw me putting on tefillin, er about her friend, who did this and when they witness children cursing their Tsaying Kriyas Shema - my oldest that. ... Our son, Ephraim, said, «Ima, father and mother- and he is that father, son was then ten years old. He said to this is lashon hara (evil speech - i.e. slan she is that mother - they become des me, "Father, why do you put your hands der)." She asked, "What do you mean, perate in their search for decency and on your eyes when you say Kriyas 'lashon hara'? It's true. What we are say integrity. And they realize that they will Shenia?" ing is true." only find it in Torah. I explained everything I knew to him. "This is what the Torah says:' He After two months, he said to me, "I want explained to her the differences between BIRTH OF OUR NATION'S SPIRIT to learn Torah." lashon hara, motzi shem ra, and rechilus, My wife didn't say anything. I took as well as some related subjects and their srael today is a tortured place, full of him into the car. "Baruch Hashem," I implications. pain. And this is the place from said. I drove him to the nearest Talmud Then I saw something happening to I where Hakadosh Baruch Hu will Torah, and enrolled him there. There her. The Yiddishe sparks in her heart appear in His full glory- speedily, in our wasn't even were stirred. There was hope. days- because we know the hanhaga of One day, I came into the kitchen, and Hashem Yisbarach, the pattern of Divine Ephraim was doing homework. He conduct of affairs. There is an interior stood up. I went out, he stood up again. and an exterior to Jewry, a guf and a I went in, he stood up. I said to him, "Sit neshama. And Yerushalayim-Tzion is the still! Why are you getting up every place of the neshama of us all. We must minute? Are you a human yo-yo?" all help in the birth of this neshama. He said to me, "Abba, kibbud av Baruch Hashem, I was zocheh to hear (respect for one's father)." the Philadelphia Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Elya I stopped, frozen ... like a stone. I Svei ~""""'1, when he recounted the almost cried. For the first time in my life, words of the Vilna Gaon: The final stages my son was giving me kavod! More than of our extended Galus are similar to that, he started to bring 10rah into our labor pains, and the last seventy years home. He began to talk Torah. He dis of this Gal us are represented by the sev cussed parshas hashavua at the Shab- enty words of Chapter 20 in Tehillim: bos table. I didn't know what to say. "Ya'ancha ... May Hashem answer you I did not know how to read on the day of distress." During these Rashi, but he did; they taught penultimate days, the pain intensifies. him Rashi in Talmud Torah. I This woman in labor is likened to the did not know anything. I felt ayelet hashachar- the hind whose birth that I had to become worthy canal is constricted; and she emits a of his kavod. That's why I series of seventy cries. Hashem then dis began to study Torah. patches a snake who bites the ayala. The Learning Torah, I felt the venom enters her bloodstream, her sweetness, and the wisdom of womb expands, and she gives birth. So, our heritage. I was stunned: too, in our current situation of pain, we "How did they rob us of this anticipate the imminent ge'ulah, when treasure?" Because of the child, Am Yisroel must give birth to its I began to learn Torah. Neshama. This is what is happen It is not simple. The baby cannot ing today. We can create emerge. It is contained by powerful a revolution. This is forces that press against it from all sides. {f the historic success of the Lev L'Achim enrollment effort, secular parents not fantasy. Because We in Bretz Yisroel are at the core of this are registering their children in Yeshivos as a first step on their own journey of the terrible situ- critical situation. We see the snake. It to teshuva. 12 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 wants to bite - to kill everybody. You do for the children." We couldn't under Lev I:Achim accomplished this with not feel it here, in the United States, but stand this approach. It is not in our 3,000 volunteers and 500 professionals, we feel it there. They are fighting hands to send children to a Torah school including 250 who were hired especial against Torah with all their might. if their parents haven't made a com ly for the Rish um-Enrollment Cam I must confess that I was incredulous mitment to teshuva. Nonetheless, he paign. when I heard that Rabbi Chaim said, "Go for the children!" This process is the birth of Kial Yis Soloveitchik ':>"Oil had said that people are So we went for the children, and we roel's neshama, for as we save thousands under the erroneous assumption that saw a miracle. The sitra achra - the and thousands of children, they, in turn, establishing the Medina was the goal of Forces of Evil - actually strengthened the change their homes. It is not fantasy. It the secular Zionists, and that in order impact of our efforts, and contributed is fact. Just as it happened in my own to achieve this goal, they must on occa to the parents' becoming ba'alei teshu house. sion fight against Torah. This is incor va. Whatever the social and cultural rect. In truth (he said), their primary deterioration in other countries, in Notes From the Revolution goal is to negate Torah. Creating the Israe1 it is much worse. Because it is a State is only an excuse. Unfortunately, place of kedusha (intense sanctity), as a Two women from Afula called me the events of the past decades bear him by-product, rishus and achzariyus - on my radio talk show. They said, "We out. For that reason, we need help, espe wickedness and brutality- are also 1nore are children of Moroccan families in cially now that the birth process has extren1e here. Children accost their Afula from 25, 30 years ago. There was begun. parents with violence - both verbal and a Shomer HaTzair club there, where physical. The parents are confronting a they enrolled us and taught us not to A GRASSROOTS REVOLUTION disastrous situation. They see their obey our parents. •rhey are primitive, children become addicted to drugs, and they don't know anything; they have assumed a role among the army promiscuity- I dare not detail the ter told us. 'We will make you liberal and of volunteers on behalf of rible things they are involved in .... Tele modern!' They convened kumsitzen I P'eylim/Lev I:Achim. I travel the vision channels in Israel broadcast and made bonfires Israeli countryside and I talk to the peo things that no one would dare to show for us on Shab ple. Something revolutionary has hap anywhere else in the world. Amer- bos. And we pened these past few years. Several lead ica is a puritan country by com ers in kiruv asked me to talk publicly on parison. The people in control a large scale. l was reluctant, but the of the media have lost their Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Elazar Schach 1ninds. N"1""11>, urged me to do so. I joined a Am Yisroel without Torah group of articulate, dynamic Rabbanim loses everything. We are by on a speaking tour, and we witnessed a nature the most daring of miracle. Thousands of people came to the nations. If we ignore hear us. We needed a police presence in the limits imposed by son1e places to preserve order. And then the Torah, then we are we saw a revolution erupt. liable to commit the Acting on the directives of the most terrible things. So Gedolei Torah of Eretz Yisroel, with the parents seek to shelter encouragement of Gedolei Torah of their children from this America, Lev I:Achim launched an horrible onslaught. And they respond operation dispatching bnei Torah vol to the Lev I:Achim efforts. unteers across the countryside. In effect, Lev L Achim offices recently veri every ben Torah was asked to devote at fied every name of the 7,300 children least one night per week to going out that were recruited from secular and knocking on doors, and talking to homes and newly registered in Torah the uncommitted. And miraculously, schools - including Chinuch Atz thousands of families began to come mai, Shas, and other school net home to Torah. But with a family, it goes works - in the beginning of the slowly. It takes months and months. year. Of these children from homes Then, a year and a half ago, Rabbi that did not keep Shabbos, nothing Aharon Leib Steinman N"1"7111 called a at all, 5,736 were adapting, grow meeting of the administration of ing and becoming mainstreamed P'eylim/Lev I:Achim and said to us, "Go in their new Torah environ1nent. The Jewish Observer, February 2000 13 stopped keeping Shabbos. happiest women in the world. In the "Two years ago, this clubhouse place where Shomer HaTzair had was vacant. The movement is bank taught us to defy our parents, they are rupt. They don't have anything to sell now teaching our children to obey anymore. All their ideologies empty, their parents." depleted. Now Lev L' Achim took over This is in Afula. the clubhouse, and turned it into a Lev L'Achim received a request to Torah school." This was done with open a school near Tzoran - an funding provided by the foundation upscale exclusive suburb of Netanya - established by Gedolei Yisroel - Keren where wealthy people are now build Nesivos Moshe (al shem Rabbi Moshe ing villas. We could not find a suitable Sherer ?··on.) place, so - again with funding from the These two women brought their Keren Nesivos Moshe, our partners in Peylim/Lev L'Achim mentors provide encouragement children there, and as they announced the revolution -we purchased a house and direction to thousands on the radio program, "We are the in Tzoran. As soon as we opened the school, the community began orga nizing demonstrations, which they kept up for months. They came every day, making a racket to disturb the classes. They came with dogs to fright en the children. They scribbled obscene messages on the walls of the building. They kept up these disrupt ing activities for months. As a result, Sherman Park Jewish Initiative the original enrollment of twenty Full Service Community Total Torah Community children was depleted by five. Fifteen •Healthy Job Market •Cheder children remained, sitting and learn •Affordable Housing •Bais Yakov ing Torah in Tzoran, to the accompa •Nurturing Community •Yeshiva Gedola niment of barking dogs, whistles and •Learning Opportunities •Kolle! shouts from the outside. After a few •Shomer Shabbos •Mikveh months, the demonstrators went away, Medical Residencies •Eruv and the school continued. •Community Activities •Wisconsin School Tuition Vouchers For Qualifying Families In the meantime, parents in the neighborhood began to take note of The Torah Co1111n11nity of Rabbi Michel Twerski Invites Your Interests 1-800-226-3129 the children - of how they come to school, how they leave, how they talk, how they dress, how they make mesi bot for Succot, for Shabbat- and they heard the songs. To make a long story short, 96 children are currently enrolled in this school. That is a growth of 650% in one year. Do you own any hot, high-tech stock that has grown similarly? Purim Baskets to Israel This past November, two parents in the school who had been among the call: "Your Presents Abroad" demonstrators against its establish ment, approached Rabbi Eliezer TOLL Sorotzkin, the Director General of FRLL 1-877-A-PRESENT P'eylim/Lev L'Achim. While as a mat www.BasketsTolsr"e/.com ter of principle the school has separate Visa and Mastercard accepted classes for boys and girls, the second grade is an exception. It has only six Kosher LeMehadrin n'iin;i ;i-iv;i J>"""l:l nnJw;i:i teen children in it, and if they were to be divided - 8 boys, 8 girls - neither ------14 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 would be large enough to justify a agenda. He has demands from us, and we The children are our future. They can class. The second graders are only six are resisting. There will be a time - quite change the face of the whole country. years old, so it was felt that they could imminent - when there will be no They can change the face of the entire be kept together. These two erstwhile allowances or compromises. When the nation. But we must do our part. • demonstrators now were demanding day arrived for Am Yisroel to leave Egypt, separate classes for the boys and girls. there was no postponement. They could When Did You Last Do He told them, "Wait a bit. In a month not say, "Let's wait another day:' Accord or two, we'll have more children, and ing to Chaza~ the Jews left Egypt: "Trust· The Mitzvah of Gmach? we'll separate them." ing in G-d and Moshe His servant:' But "'DV 11N ill,11 ')t>::> ON" They asked him, "Would you send only 20%, the dedicated few, responded. 'If you lend funds to ... the poor·. you child to such a class?" They left everything behind and went to This ·w is an obligation. (Mechilta). "No:' the midbar, with children, little babies. For 15 years, our 15 branches In Eretz "We also want separate classes." Where will food come from? How will we Yisroel have issued Gmach loans to the have water? No questions were asked. struggling. Kollelelt, Olim and the Ill. BATTLE TO THE FINISH We are not requested to go to the mid· n•'7T in» Do It Today! bar. Hakadosh Baruch Hu knows that we YOUR GIFT WILL BECOME A REVOLVING he Rosh Hayeshiva said, our era are very frail. But we are expected to LOAN; AN ETERNAL lC/tUS. a time of national birth. The understand what is happening. It's a OZER Aiore the secularists see the 'Jbrah birth. The time has come. I feel it. I'm iii! forces succeeding, the more they chal· not the only one. The country is in agony. 0zer0aum DAL IM lenge us. We are not spreading the word Help this birth. Help this soul to emerge, 28 West 25th Street, NY, NY 10010 of our triumphs. The Leftists are. They to be born, to come to life. (212)924-0023 broadcast our successes in the media, spreading it all over the country. They are mobilizing to fight for every child. It is not incidental that they assigned the Ministry of Education to Yossi Sarid, the fiercest foe of the Olam HaTorah. He took charge of the education of Israel's children, and under his ministry, attempts were made to close the Shuvu schools in Nahariya and Natzeret Illit. They are fighting against the Reshet HaChinuch HaTorani; they are curtail· ing its funding. They are fighting with all their might, because they know that the future lies with our children. The children not only determine the future, they can change entire families ... now. There are scores of groups that are involved in reaching out to our non-reli gious brothers, Baruch Hashem, realiz· ing great achievements. I am not involved in all of them. But I do know what is happening in Lev I:Achim, Arachim, Torah V'Emunah, Ohr Son1ayach ... and many more. Our des Personal responsibility throughout service - NOT JUST "PAPERWORK" tiny as a people depends on the devel· ORIGINATOR OF THE PRESENT RABBINICALLY APPROVED METHOD opments on these frontlines, because this Highly recommended by Gedolai Hador- Here and in Eretz Yisrael is where the soul of our people will 104.l-42ml Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 emerge. This is the basic, most chal lenging struggle of our time. Day & N'.gilt phone: (718) s.i:;t-8925 Rabbi Pinchas Scheinberg ~'\:>'?v is my )))t»r.iNi~r.lNj7 ))l"j7 - )'1:l iNl nlr.ll1)) '1l~ Mora D'Asra. He spoke at a gathering, Kavod Haniftar with Mesiras Nefesh and compassion for the bereaved family. telling us that we are impeding Hashem's TAHARAS ffANIFTAR SHOULD NEVER BE COMMERCIALIZED The Jewish Observer, February 2000 15 RESOLVING TENSIONS IN IHE HOLY LAND Zelda Cutler The Ultimate Salesman: Meir Schuster Selling Judaism to Jews A DAILY PRESENCE AT THE WALL "Working" the Wall wouldn't be stationed at the Wall. unusual except that Schuster has been "I used to be able to pick out a Jew ((Have you been Schuster doing it almost every day for twenty ish kid right away just by looking at ized?" a woman asked a seven years. him;' said Schuster, "but now, due to recent baa! teshuva. She Why does he bother? intermarriage, Jews are no longer dis was referring, of course, to Rabbi M.eir "Someone has to do it," he told us in tinguishable. Schuster, who is responsible for a good a private interview. "What the Nazis "In the ?O's, it was easier to get peo percentage of admissions to the ba'alei couldn't do to us we're doing to our ple to go to classes;' he added. "There teshuva yeshivas in Jerusalem, resulting selves. We're losing more Jews through was a fever in the air. It was a carryover in countless numbers of Jews becoming assimilation and intermarriage than from the hippie generation. Students observant. from pogroms and the Holocaust put were touring the world and searching for His tall figure, a daily presence at together:' 'truth.' But this generation isn't as open Jerusalem's Western Wall, lends itself to So Meir Schuster goes to the Wall day to going to a yeshiva as they used to be. the work he does. At 6'2" he towers over in and day out, talking to all sorts of peo Times have changed and so have mind most people, all the better to size up his ple - rich, poor, young and old. sets. That's where Heritage House comes audience. His eyes coalesce like a The irony is that Schuster is shy. A in." zoom lens, searching for tourists most former roon1mate of his at Yeshiva Ner ripe to learn about the meaning of their Yisroel in Baltimore said that Schuster SAFE, ACCEPTING ... AND JEWISH Jewishness. It is the Western Wall he listened well but hardly ever initiated a chooses because it is the Wall that brings conversation. abbi Avraham Edelstein, execu out the pintele Yid in practically every Yet Schuster defies his nature to do ive director of Heritage House, Jew. what he feels is his mission: selling aid, "Meir Schuster has a direct He views a backpack at the Wall as Judaism to Jews. His target at the Wall approach when he meets secular tourists an open invitation to open worlds. is mostly single men and women, 20 to at the Wall. He asks them if they want "Do you have the time?" he'll ask. 30 years old. "It's easier to work with this to go to a yeshiva class or join a family It's the oldest line in the world, but age group because they have less respon for a Shabbos meal - but many people it usually works. sibility than others;' said Schuster. aren't prepared to make quick decisions "They're usually free to move about. about these things. They sometimes feel Zelda Cutler is a writer and photographer living They're also more open to changing intimidated by this 'in your face' in Spring Valley, NY, with her family. She has writ~ ten and photographed extensively, on assignn1ent, their lifestyles." method. That's why Rabbi Schuster for national papers and n1agazines. This is her sec His role has become more difficult opened the Heritage House hostels. ond appearance in The Jewish Observer. over the nearly three decades he's been ''At Heritage House," added Rabbi 16 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 Edelstein, "there's a warn1) accepting Abraham Yehoshua Twerski every day and then where I was fron1,'' said Mr. environment where visitors don't feel after school. He blossomed there. In Bloom. "I told him I was working on overwhelmed with the 'rules' of religion. 1958, Schuster went to Bais Medrash Kibbutz Bar Am, up North. He asked if The atmosphere is Jewish and 'safe: Over La Torah in Skokie, Illinois, transferring I'd go to a class about Judaism. I said no rugelach and coffee, visitors can be led two years later to Ner Israel, where he way. into a discussion of why they came to learned for seven years and subse "About two weeks later," Mr. Bloom Israel and what it means to be Jewish quently received semicha. In late 1968, added, "I got a letter from Rabbi Schus without having to make any decisions. he and his new wife, the former Esther ter saying it was a pleasure meeting me In this relaxed atmosphere, the sugges Garfinkle, made aliya to Israel. and he hoped I enjoyed my stay in tion of going to a yeshiva class or join Shortly after his arrival, he struck up Jerusalem. It was incredible - I hadn't ing a family for a Shabbos meal will often a conversation with a tourist on Jaffa given him my address, yet he tracked me get a more receptive response:' Street in Jerusalem. Rabbi Schuster down at the kibbutz. He wrote that It's because of this desire to insti1l asked the fellow, "How would you like Chanuka was approaching and perhaps Jewish consciousness in the young that to meet a holy man?" and introduced I'd like to visit Jerusalem, that he'd find Heritage House was born. Pained by the him to Rabbi Noach Weinberg, the Rosh me a place to stay. I didn't commit fact that Jewish tourists stayed in Chris Yeshiva of Aish HaTorah. The tourist was myself since I wanted to see what the tian and Arab hotels, Rabbi Schuster inspired to learn Torah. As for Rabbi kibbutz was doing. When I asked a kib founded Heritage House in Jerusalem in Schuster, the incident launched what was butz member, he said, 'Chanuka? We 1984. Consisting of two hostels- one for to become a lifetime of dedication to don't do anything for Chanuka - we men and one for 'i.vomen - Heritage kiruv. Galvanized by his success, he work!' I was on a Shomer HaTzair kib House enables Jews to spend time in the began many such conversations with butz - what did I expect? Jewish quarter rather than the Moslem young people. "I wrote Rabbi Schuster to accept his or Christian sections. And if Jews want invitation;' said Mr. Bloom. "I took so1ne to learn more about their Jewishness, all I. Jonathan's Tale classes at Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem and the better. No one can beat the price of learned about Chanuka during Chanu Heritage House: sleeping quarters are ne such person was Jonathan ka. Interestingly enough, about a year absolutely free. In fact, the hostel offers Bloom (not his real name), a later, when I was learning at Ohr a bonus - a gratis breakfast for anyone O computer specialist, residing in Somayach in Jerusalem, I wound up who'll attend a class at one of the yeshiv Monsey, N.Y., with his wife and five chil helping Rabbi Schuster with his work. as for ba'a lei teshuva. And if one class dren. Back in 1975, he was at the Wall "He has this internal clock;' said Mr. turns into two or three, lunch will be when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He Bloom. "He knows the pace of the Kosel, thrown in, too, at the expense of the turned around to see a tall, thin, unas when the buses arrive and when they yeshiva. suming man who happened to be leave. He's always at the right place at the A recent graduate from Harvard Rabbi Meir Schuster. right time. He knows the hidden mes recalled his reactions to Heritage House. "First he asked me what time it was, sage: 'You're here - you got to Israel ... "We stopped in there one Shabbos for shalosh seudos," he said. "I was wearing You can! Just call shorts but no one seemed to mind. We The Yit:t:i Leibel all sang and talked. Some people asked ''1 wish I could questions about Judaism and the staff Helpline. answered then1 without forcing ideas HOURS: down anyone's throats. The atmos speak to a Monday-Friday ...... 8am -12pm phere was friendly and relaxed. There Monday-Thursday ...... 8pm -11 pm was a nice energy in the room." Sunday ...... 9am -12pm, 9pn1 -1 lpm frum therapist Extra hours Sat. night...... 7pm - 9pin CAPACITY TO IDENTITY WITH SEARCHERS 911szM~~J:;~pw on the phone Chicago ...... (800) HELP-023 chuster can identify with young Lakewood ...... (732) 363-1010 people searching for their roots Cleveland ...... (888) 209-8079 since he himself was a relatively late without giving Baltimore ...... ( 410) 578-1111 S Morris, Union, Essex & Middlesex starter. In fact, his Jewish identity was counties in NJ ...... (877) 4-LEIBEL sparked at the age of 14, in his native For addiction problems call our addiction Milwaukee. To catch up in his Hebrew my name.'' therapist, Wednesdays 11 :30pm to l :30am studies, he learned privately with Rabbi The Jewish Observer, February 2000 17 to Jerusalem ... to the Kosel, the area of called Heritage House which was free. to Jerusalem, I went right to Heritage our ancient Temple.' He takes that and It sounded great, so I agreed. That night, House, which I considered my second he runs with it. He's like the gatekeep his staff helped me move there. It was home, and saw Rabbi Meir Schuster who er who takes you to the next level. It's one of the best moves 1 ever made. was like my second father. I offered him his sincerity and tenacity that people "He convinced me to go to classes at a deal - I would learn Torah but I want respond to. Neve Yerushalayim during the day, and ed his hat as a symbol of his avoda. He "When he spoke to me at the Wall;' at night I'd stay at Heritage House. One agreed on condition I'd learn at Neve Mr. Bloom added, "I thought he was day when 1 sneaked out of class, I ran Yerushalayim for six months. I said one making small talk- only later did I real into him. He waved those large hands month. He said five and I said two. We ize it was part of a plan to make me a at me and said, 'Beth, where are you agreed upon three. In the end, I wound part of Kial Yisroel. going? You're supposed to be in the up learning at Neve for six and a half «He's a true salesman - without any yeshiva!' months and he gave me his hat. Funny, of the Madison Avenue marketing. He's "Every time I headed for the Arab I had always thought it was grey, but one a seemingly unsophisticated man who shuk to talk to the Palestinians, instead day I pulled down the band and saw it is driven to give people a chance to of going to class, Rabbi Schuster would was black. He stands at the Wall for so change their lives - to help them fulfill bump into me. I think he had radar;' she many hours that the sun had turned the what they're capable of becoming. He laughed. "I pointed to his walkie-talkie black to grey. senses when people are in transition and - they didn't have beepers then - and "I started calling Rabbi Schuster open to change. He has a feel for who's asked him, 'Do you have people listen abba;' Ms. Buckwald continued. "He approachable.'' ing to me and reporting back to you on developed a soft spot for me, but the truth this?' is he has a soft spot for everybody. If you 2. Beth Buckwald's Journey "I told him I was restless and want pass by a hungry person, how can you not ed to go to Egypt. He asked, 'Didn't you feed him? How can Rav Schuster walk nother such person was Beth read the Hagaddah? We left there over past a Jewish neshama and not save it? If Buckwald, of Lakewood, NJ. In 3,000 years ago and you want to go you save one life, you save the whole A 1987, Beth was picked up off the back?' world. He'll know a house is full of Shab Wall, as the expression goes, by Meir "In the end, I did go there.'' Ms. bos guests and yet he'll knock on the door Schuster. "He began a conversation Buckwald added, "but I asked him to and ask, 'Can you take one more?' He's with me at the Wall and then asked if I teach me something before I left. He got holy chutzpah. And no one can refuse was Jewish.'' said Ms. Buckwald. "When taught me Modeh Ani. So in Egypt, I him because they know he's sincere." I said Yes, he asked where I was staying, would prostrate myself like the Arabs Continued Ms. Buckwald, "He'll ask and when I told him I had checked into five times a day, saying Modeh Ani- only someone he doesn't know, 'Are you Jew an Arab hotel in Jerusalem, he asked if I'd pray secretly so no one would see I ish?' Who would want to answer that? I wouldn't rather stay at a Jewish place. was facing Yerushalayim and not Mecca. But people aren't offended by him. What I said Yes, but I didn't know there was "I stayed in Egypt for six months," comes from the heart goes to the heart. one. He told me about a Jewish hostel said Ms. Buckwald, "and when I got back It's hard for a person to change a way Not just a cheese, a tradition... ttaolam, the most trusted name in Cholov Yisroel Kosher Cheese. A reputation earned through 25 years of scrupulous devotion to quality and kashruth. With 12 delicious varieties. Haolam, a tradition you'll enjoy keeping. All Haolam cheese products are made in the U.S.A. under the strict rabbinical supervision of: Cbolov Yisroel The Rabbinate of K'hal Adatb Jeshurun, Washington Heights, NY THUKl'I 6KOS. WORLD CHEESE CO. INC. 6KOOllLYI'!, m' 11232 Hao lam. 18 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 of life and to give up what he thinks is merged with Neve in 1980.] ach - and he didn't have a car. We took freedom. There are emotional blocks to "On my second day at Ohr Somay six buses! changing a lifestyle. But Meir Schuster ach, the girls asked if I would stay for "I thirsted for learning;' Mrs. Fried hits people between the eyes. He has Shabbos. All I had with me were jeans, recalled. "I stayed at Ohr Somayach for emmes behind him. He helps people pull so I decided to get my skirts and dress one-and-a-half years and then left for themselves up to a madreiga (status) es from my cousin's aparttnent in Tel Emerson College in Boston. Rabbi they normally wouldn't reach. Aviv. Rabbi Schuster explained that I'd Schuster kept in touch with me. Just "When you talk to people I 0 years have to take a bus to the Central Bus Sta before Rosh Hashana, I received a let later, they're still frum. And not only that, tion in Jerusalem, take another bus to ter from him, asking how I was doing. there's a ripple effect. When Rav Schus Tel Aviv and still another bus to my des He ended with a passage from Shir ter is mekarev (reaches out to) someone, tination. Suddenly he said, 'You know Hashirim - 'Ani l'dodi v'dodi li (I am to that person is then mekarev others. what? It's complicated - I'll take you my beloved, and my beloved is to me): These people get married and produce there: And he did. He took me door-to He pointed out that the roshei teivos (ini frum children who would have been door to Tel Aviv and back to Ohr Somay- tial letters) of the words spelled Ellu/, and totally lost to Yiddishkeit. Rabbi Schus ter is like a shepherd; he watches over all his sheep, wherever they may be;' added Ms. Buckwald. "He's accessible to us all. He doesn't forget us once we become frum. Meir Schuster is with us for the whole ride!)' 3. Travels With Nechama iding with her husband and Invites serious eighth graders to join us even children in Flatbush, Shabbos, Parshas Pikudei, March 9-12, 2000 lliechama Fried works as an Early Headstart teacher for Yeled V'Yalda. She for an exciting weekend in our Yeshiva first met Rabbi Schuster while shopping at an Arab stall near the Kosel on the first JWliivn- T;ra;r C'limm- ~: day of her arrival to Israel in 1977. • Shiurim by experienced, dedicated Rabbeyim Recalling those days, Mrs. Fried said, "I • Close Rebbe-Talmid relationships was in short sleeves and jeans when I • Strong emphasis on Mussar and character development f met Rabbi Schuster. He stopped me and • Dormitory on campus with full time supervision 1 asked what I was doing in Israel. I told • Learning Program with Bais Medrash Bochurim ~ • Full-time General Studies Principal and faculty him I wanted to learn more about my • Fully accredited by AISF (Association ofIndependent Schools ofFlorida) Jewish roots and that I was planning to • Outdoor Recreational Activities/JCC Program go to a kibbutz Ulpan to learn Hebrew. • Full state-of-the-art Computer Lab When I mentioned the name of the ,~,,,~ place, he said, 'That kibbutz doesn't have "Our goals are to produce Bnai Torah ""''" kosher food.' I remember answering, of the highest caliber who excel in 'They don't? But this is Israel!' We did- both learning and mentchlechkeit" 11t keep kosher at home but I wanted to throw myself into the Jewish culture and naively thought that kosher food was part of the Israeli scene. l'\i':i1~~t&:z] "He then said, 'I know a place for Roshei Yeshiva T Established in 1984 intelligent young women with little or Rabbi Rentzion Chait no Jewish background where you can Rabbi Akiva Crunb!att Rabbi Yisroe! Y. Niman learn some Hebrew and also something FOR SHABBOS RESERVATIONS, FLIGHT INFORMATION OR ANY INQUIRIES, about Judaism: That appealed to me Rabbi Mordechai Palgon Mena he! PLEASE CALL THE YESHIVA AT 305/865·8007 because I really wanted to learn about Stephen P. Pollinger, P.D. Yeshiva Toras Chaim• 7141 Indian Creek Dnve •Miami Beach, Florida 33141 my Jewish heritage. So I went to Ohr Principal, General Studies 305/865-8007 • 305/866-9639 F'ax Somayach," continued Mrs. Fried. [Ed. note: Ohr Somayach's women's division An Afflhale of Ye:;hwa:; Rabbe1nu Y1:-.roel Men HaCohen, Chofetz Ch;um of Fore:-.t Hilb, NY ------The Jewish Observer, February 2000 19 • e's a true salesman H- without any of the Madison Avenue marketing. ''irftl~fet!i~~riea~1n~i~11i;~~'f r.:J Physic~' i:le~~16prtl~~vc6brdih'3i16n • he reminded me that even though I was 1%1 f'!ciy skillS/Livil'lg Skillste. eating, dressing · in college and not learning about Yid dishkeit, I should know that Hashem was We can help! still close to me. It was a very non-judg mental letter. He was just making a con Early nection. That's his sterling quality. Intervention "! had heard that he wrote to people Program on kibbutzim, but this was a letter to me ~NE~~~~::. in America - after I had left Israel! It ® touched me. I'd say I'm grateful to him, but that sounds inadequate. He was the Hetcare's team of evaluators and therapists can make a difference. shaliach (emissary) who helped me They are specially trained to provide children with the opportunity become what I needed to become - my to develop their full potential and to help you further promote their name is Nechama and that's just what I development. found - solace - and a life filled with Torah values, which I didn't have before. Au services are free of charge and available at the child's home "It's not that Rabbi Schuster has a line or day care center throughout NYC, Westchester and Nassau Counties. that he feeds to everybody;' added Mrs. Weekdays, Sundays, Daytime & Evening Hours. Fried. "To some people he suggests class es at a yeshiva and to others he suggests :!J Evaluations in your language ill Special Instruction spending a Shabbos meal with a family. !I) Speech/Language Therapy !IJ Parent Training But what impresses me about Rav !I) Occupational & Physical Therapy !IJ Psychological Counseling Schuster is that he seems to have an instinct for what each person needs. :!J Service Coordination & Social Work Services ... and more There was a girl in my class at Neve Joseph 6eliebter, Ph.D. Leah Schlager, M.A. Yerushalayim whom he was mekarev. Executive Director Director of Placement She was from England and carried Netcare, Inc. is a partidpating agency of Comprehensive Networh founded In 1985 around a picture of the queen - so he talked to her about the queen. My mes sage was for me, and her message was for her. The amazing thing about Rabbi Schuster is his long list of accomplish ments despite his incredible shyness. I'm convinced Hashem puts the words into 718-339-2971 his mouth." 718-339-5900 fax: 718-339-8433 4. From Tourist to Manager 1675 E.16th Street Brooklyn, NY 11229 Funded and regulated by the New York State abbi Aryeh Kaplan, a teacher at Department of Health. In New York City by Aish HaTorah in Potomac, MD, the New York City Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Rwandered into Heritage House as Services and in Westchester and Nassau by a tourist in 1986 and wound up as a the County Department of Health. senior manager there nine years later. "Rabbi Schuster was a pleasure to work 20 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 for because of his incredible drive," he "So far, there is no Jewish hostel on so1neone from the office to spend said. "It stems from his firm belief that this beach;' said Schuster. "'fhis is a must Shabbos with you and your family. You assimilation is stealing the youth of - Eilat is loaded with tourists. Besides, can recom1nend a seminar to a friend Jewry." a hostel in Eilat should help combat the or acquaintance. And if you can't do Today, Heritage House has a staff of missionary influence there. 'fhere are those things, then support people who 65, including part- and full-time peo 1nissionaries in Jerusalem, too," he con work in kiruv." ple. 'fhe organization pron1otes various cedes, "but they have free reign in Eilat Meanwhile, Meir Schuster is moving kiruv projects, such as "Study With a because there aren't many counterforces. worlds by staying in one place: at the Buddy;' which provides one-to-one In Jerusalem, there are yeshivas but Eilat Wall. Torah learning, an outreach program at is a spiritual desert. We'd like to change "Tell us;' we asked him. "Every day Israeli universities called Dor Le'Dor that. at the Wall for 27 years. Don't you ever (Generation to Generation), a two-year "The truth is;' added Schuster, "we all get bored?" kiruv se1ninar to train 20 yeshiva kolleleit have the ability to effect some type of He laughed as though he didn't for outreach abroad, progran1s for change. Every Jew has an obligation to believe the question. French-speaking tourists, and a weekly do kiruv. There's so much that can be "Bored?" he asked. "Sure. If no one magazine on the Internet to spread done - you can invite a neighbor or shows up!" • Torah learning [their website is http:\ lwww.Heritage.org.il; their e-mail address is HeritageUi2netvision.net.il]. There's also a follow-up staff in three continents- North America, Europe and for careful attention to your South Africa - to make Shabbos place ments and recommend centers of10rah individual needs, call us today! learning for those who leave Israel to (914) 354-8445 return to their native countries. ( ( Five thousand people a year pass through Heritage o))n 111111 n:i)~) House," Rabbi Schuster said proudly. "We feel that everyone who YESHIVA TORAS CHAIM comes to us gains something, whether TALMUDICAL SEMINARY/DENVER we refer them to a yeshiva class, rap with nn BEIS MEDRASH AND MESIVTA HIGH SCHOOL them, or set them up with a family for a Shabbos meal. Heritage House staff has AN ESTABLISHED MAKOM TORAH LED BY TALMIDJM OF a list of approximately 120 families in RAV AHARON KOTLER, )":::n Jerusalem for anyone who might want +FOR THE MOTIVATED AND SINCERE to experience Shabbos in a warm, Jew BOCHUR ish environn1ent while away from home. + WHO SEEKS TO ACQUIRE AN "If after spending time at our hostels, ADVANCED LEVEL AND A SOUND one decides not to marry out of the DERECH IN LEARNING faith, we feel we're successful;' added Schuster. Over the years, thousands of +IN A WARM, POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT people have become shomcr Torah and +WITH REBBEIM WHO FOCUS ON EACH INDIVIDUAL TALMID mitzvos after going through Heritage House. Some develop slowly. Someone APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR recently came up to me and asked, 'Rabbi Schuster, do you remen1ber me? BEIS MEDRASH AND grn GRADE-ELUL 1'"\!.ln Ten years ago you took me to a class at To receive an application and arrange for a farher: a yeshiva. I never saw you after that, but Please call 1-888-629-8200; Fax: (303) 623-5949 I became [rum.' I get this type of com- 1nent often." Schuster is not limiting himself to Rabbi Yitzchok Wasserman Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kagan .Rosh Yeshiva .Rosh Yesbiva Jerusalem. Now underway is his plan to create two more hostels (one for men, Rabbi Tzvi Mordechai Feldheim Menahe! one for women) on the beach in Eilat. ----··-----·------·- The Jewish Observer, February 2000 21 GUESTS OF HONOR Drs. Ehud and Rose Veron Arbit Director of l'leurosur;gery, Staten Island University Hospital; Pediatric Attending Physician HUMANITARIAN AWARD Dr.Jerome Finkelstein Director Burn Center, Staten Island Unh,ersity Hospital KESER TORAH AWARD Harav Peretz Steinberg Rav, Young Israel of Queens J!,1//cy KESER SHEM TOV AWARD Mr. David Weber Brooklyn, NY MEMORIAL DINNER DEDICATION Reb Beryl (Bernard) Tepfer, z"I Kew Gardens Hills, NY ClWRMAN ij Rabbi Jacob Spitzer, renowned askan ~ x Phone for journal ads and reservations: 914-354-1366 ~ Fax: 914-354-1435 Merkas f-Iakollelim D'Shikun Square J 5 Roosevelt Ave. 1 I New Square, N.Y. 10977 FACING CHALLENGES OF TECHNOLOGY Caveat Emptor: The Ubiquitous PC iven the safety consciousness •A simple tuner card will furnish the without at least one family that is becom that pervades our society, we PC with TV capability and a sixty-nine ing dysfunctional because of a father who Ghave become accustomed to dollar video camera is all that is need finds the computer screen more fascinat lengthy instructions and warnings that ed to make the computer into a video ing than his wife or children?) accompany prodncts. Stepladders have phone. PCs come equipped with the warnings not to stand on the top step needed modems and sound cards, so the t is not my intention to call for a ban and that they are not to be placed in process of creating a videophone is of the PC. The PC is ubiquitous. It's front of a door that opens out. Electri LEGO-like in simplicity. A child can eas I here and not going away. But it is not cal appliances come with warnings ily put in a video camera, use it exten a toy erector set or a sophisticated type informing the user not to wet the sively, and remove it before the parents writer. Parents and teachers need to be wiring or the plug. And the list goes on. come home and are none the wiser. aware that the PC can be misused and More recently, manufacturers have been •Although it is an exaggeration to say abused. When such product misuse take charged with the responsibility of warn that the PC can become a VCR, since no place, spiritual peril is likely to follow. ing users about product misuses that VCR tape will fit standard PC drives, Buyer beware. • constitute a danger to life and limb. with little effort, the PC can be adapt Thus, auto manufacturers are required ed to serve as the functional equivalent to warn consumers that infant seats of a VCR. A CD-ROM does fit the stan JUST IN TIME FOR PURIM! should not be placed in the front seat dard PC. Commercial outfits will con of the car facing forward, and manu vert VCRs to CD-ROMs at anyone's facturers of meat grinders are required request. Nor is that needed. There are !!!n:iitj nii'C:i to warn users not to utilize the grinder commercially available CD-ROMs if the safety guard that protects against which contain within their slim, silvered bCC,c) ice ,,bee, be~t· accidental engagement of the user's sides, the worst filth created since the hand with the grinding mechanism is beginning of time. removed .... • Your ability to detect the presence Cl.,,,~ ")"))' C,y The products, in and of themselves, of objectionable CD-ROMs is circum are harmless, but grave danger comes scribed. They can be carried in a slit in into being when put to uses that are the cover of a Gemora. It is possible to n~n~'D ~," M~il'D ffY,, ·u~o improper. In that spirit, I suggest that put a mesechta on one part of a CD disk, i'llln mi ll':JK :li'l"r, IM'ID r~ ""tli"l 1in=' 1:11 every PC sold to a Torah-based home and inappropriate material, password ll'l'll' ~ '111'1 include the following warnings: protected, on another. Attention: All parents who would •Computer games are addictive. Chil refuse to allow a television set, a VCR or dren who spend many hours playing them a videophone into their home, please be become virtual zombies. And those whose To order call: (410)-486-4200 advised that the PC you have just pur addiction is only moderate may suffer sig Fax: (410)-486-4882 chased can be easily transformed into nificant decline in their studies. (And while each of the aforementioned uses: we're at it, is there a Jewish community or check your local bookstore The Jewish Observer, February 2000 23 ___ gThings Better at Boni teen-age yeshiva boy in summer camp or something he should n6t be again. Chaim (my younger brother), as seeing or doing. I can speak for myself: well, has been damaged by the fact that rare, free, many times I have seen things on the we have Internet. I know for a fact that uncommitted time, I would like to dis Internet I certainly should not have, and he has seen damaging things on the web cuss a matter that I have hegun to think every time it has been a step back in my on quite a few occasions. Each time I about: next year. growth. I have tried to stay away, and ((caught" him) I told hhn to cancel his As a new year in the same yeshiva have been successful many times. And screen name. I am asking on my own awaits me, what is going to be different? although I do not have any access to the selfish behalf to get rid of our Internet What is going to be improved in my Internet for a while already, you have a access completely because it is a threat development, hopefully, as some kind of screen name which 1 know the password to me. However, the effect it has on hen Torah? For the most part, when fin to, and it is therefore a constant battle Chaim (although perhaps it is not my in yeshiva, in the dormitory, I'm a pret when I am home. I simply go down place to decide) is an additional reason. ty good boy. I try to learn and I "do well:' stairs, and \Vith a few touches of some If we need e-mail, we can use Juno. There is certainly plenty of room for keys, see things which we are supposed I honestly believe that we do not need improvement, but for the most part, to stay tar away fron1. the web and America Online that badly. there are no terrible problems. You are not responsible for my And even if you need it for work, it is When I come home for Shabbos or shortcomings regarding self-control, still worth getting rid of for its out during the week, however, there is a and I am certainly responsible for my weighing negative effects. I hope you will totally different situation. I have want actions. This past year, I have waged bat see things from the same point of view ed to discuss this for a while. It is just tle every time I was home, and for the now that I have expressed myself on the hard for me to do so in person. It is most part have been successful. I know matter. I have not become a fanatic, this much easier in a letter. After a week of that it is wrong for me to allow myself is basics. usually learning pretty well, going home to see such things, but I also know that Even disregarding the fact that we are is always a challenge. There are a few ter it is normal - that if a person has access frum Jews, any home that has any goals rible distractions or yeitzer haros in to such things, he will sometimes lose for itself and its children should view yeshiva. At hon1e, however, there are the battle with his yeitzer hara. I do not something like the Internet as a major many. The fact that we have Internet want to be nichshal in this test anymore. roadblock. I therefore ask you - or access in our house is a constant yeitzer Even if it would have no effect on me rather, beg you-to get rid of our Inter hara for me. Maybe I am different than and I would never turn it on, the mere net access. all others, but I do not believe it is pos presence of such a yeitzer hara in our Although it is not nearly as bad as the sible for anyone to go on-line and not home is a disruption. Internet, television is also damaging. I The above letter was sent by the author to his I hope this is written without sound cannot speak for you, but I can speak for father, who then shared it with his son's n1ena ing disrespectful. It is my opinion that myself and say that it certainly is a con hel. He extended pennission to The Jewish even the greatest of people, when such stant "growth-stunter" for me. Whenever Observer to publish excerpts of the letter, with I'm home, I say to myself that I will not the understanding that certain changes be a yeitzer hara is literally at their finger included, to protect the family's privacy. tips, are bound to stumble time and turn on the TV; but many times, I do. I 24 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 have not been brainwashed. I see on n1y of me. I feel as strongly about this as any hope I do not sound like I am being self own, clearly, that it is bad for me. Suri thing I have ever felt. Even if it is meant righteous, telling you, my father, what and Chaim would be so much better off for you (the TV), and it is not bad for his home should look like. Quite the if we had no TV. For you, maybe TV is you, the fact is that we all have access to contrary, it is my lack of righteousness not damaging. But I know that there has the TV. I guarantee you that by getting which causes this to be necessary. not been even one occasion in my life in rid of the TV, you will see a major Once again, I guarantee you that just which I have watched TV and not seen change in myself, as well as your other removing these two items from our something I should not have. I am thor children. home will bear great fruits and results. oughly convinced that the difference I hope you have read this letter, keep You have no idea how a small move like between a home with a 1'V and one ing in n1ind that this is all coming fron1 this can literally change our lives. I hope without, is extreme. my heart and mind, not anyone else's. you have heard my side objectively, and vVhat I am telling you is all my own I do not feel that I have organized my I really believe you agree with me on thinking and observations over a peri thoughts as convincingly as I would have this, deep inside. Please reply. od of time, and nothing has taken hold liked, but please consider it so. I also Thank you. Your loving son ... ~oyable entertainment · Tomh Chinuch to the elight of your children! . WHAT'S OUR NUMBER? Sh o. A delightful collection of inspiring and heartwarming (s11l CUCUMBER Shabbos stories that will keep your chHd spell-bound (282-8623) for hours. //for our Shmiras Halashon AVAllABlE FROM Al!IW11ERE IN THE COUNlllY ~~l1\l~Q\I&~ Give your chid a chance to acquire a real understanding and .sensitivity for Shmi 24 HOURS ADAY f DAYS AWEEK ~s l ~~Jf, proper speech through these real life stories. See dromiitk' 6 INBOUND 1800 Is) &OUTBOUND '11':~~ Available at our local se orim stores or call ,•'l SUPPORT OORAH1S (732) 901·4422 DI' (1•800) 686·3486 Distributed by Sameac.h Music. l~0 OUTREACH PROGRAMS -----~------·'"--·---·------The Jewish Observer, February 2000 25 TIMELESS TREASURES: INSIGHT AND COMMENTARY Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky I. being the reckoning of the months is the Bachaya, who refer to a profound kab passage in Pirkei d'Rabbi Elazar(Ch. 8), balistic secret when using the term sod ashem created the world as a which states, "On the twenty-eighth of ha'ibbur. In fact, the Ramban alludes means of revealing that which Ellu~ sun and moon were created ... And to the concept of sod ha'ibbur in such H He chose to reveal to mankind. Hashem was calculating leap years .... He a context many times. Thus in Bereishis There are the overt revelations, such as then gave this over to Adam Harishon ... 38,8, when explaining the episode of Krias Yam Suf (splitting the Red Sea), who transmitted this to Chanoch, who Yehuda and Tamar, the Ramban and the Divine communication at Sinai, then became privy to the sod ha'ibbur .. .." declares that the events unfolding which shook the world and imposed an Pirkei d'Rabbi Elazar then traces this were in accordance with the sod ha'ib awareness of I!ashem in everyone. "fhen chain of tradition as it was passed on to bur. This expression is also associated there are subtle miracles, divined by the Noach, then to Avraham ... until it was with an understanding of yibbum. (See few. And, as we burrow deeper and transmitted to the Sanhedrin. also the Ramban, Bereishis 46,12 and deeper, we come to "Divine Secrets"; It is quite clear fro1n all these sources Shemos 21, 10.) In all these references, Divine revelations for but the very select that sod ha'ibbur refers to calculations it appears that sod ha'ibbur alludes to few. When we have struck the core of needed to determine the Jewish calen something in kabbalistic realms, relat these secrets, we are at the "sod ha'ibbur;' dar. ing to the souls that are born or reborn the deepest, most intimate secret in the Yet this is vexing. While predicting into this world. Ibbur thereby means universe, which only the greatest of kiddush hachodesh (convening the new pregnancy or conception, for it deals chachmei Yisroel have access to. month) involves a complex formula, it with souls coming into this world, per Thus, «I have administered an oath, haps as a gilgul. O' daughter of Jerusalem ...." R' Zeira Similarly, Rabbeinu Bechaya's com said that these six oaths are that ... Israel mentary in both Parshas Bo and Emor, not reveal the "secret" to the nations of when dealing with topics that relate to the world (Kesubos 111). kiddush hachodesh, refers to sod ha'ib What is this secret that Israel is bur as the process of reckoning the kid enjoined not to reveal to anyone? dush hachodesh by a formula. On the Rashi states: Some take this to mean other hand, in many other places the sod ha'ibbur, some assume this to (such as Devarim 3, 26,), he explains mean the hidden aspects of the Torah. sod ha'ibbur as the process of gilgul (an Tosafos states: This refers to the sod explanation given in the Zahar R. M. ha'ibbur, as it says (Shabbos 75a), "For Bamidbar 2lb a). this is your wisdo1n/' meaning the sod The Ohr HaChaim makes a similar ha'ibbur. point in Vayikra 25, that sod ha'ibbur is a process whereby part of a neshama II. participates in another person's mitz is hardly the greatest wisdom known to va activity. hat is this sod ha'ibbur? There mankind. Even in the times of the seem to be two very divergent Gemora, the nations of the world had IV. W meanings to the words "sod advanced knowledge in astronomy. ha'ibbur."The Gemora in Shabbos (75a), Secondly, now that the formula is et us sum up the opinions and which Tosafos quotes, says it explicitly known to everyone, does that mean that the problems: In the Gemora and refers to the formula for reckoning the it is no longer a secret? Or perhaps there LMidrash, it appears that sod years- leap years, equinoxes etc. In addi is another, more precise formula hidden ha'ibbur is the arithmetic calculation tion, in Rosh Hashana 6b, we have a from us? of when a new month or leap year statement concerning the timing of the But the truly puzzling point is that should occur. This raises the following new moon, which the Gemora quotes as it does not seem that the ultimate secret issues: a) Is it not already revealed? b) having been taught in sod ha' ibbur. Ras hi of creation should be a dry astronom Did not the secular world possess this, explains that this "sod ha'ibbur' is a ical calculation, apparently lacking any as well? c) Of what significance could Bereisa, which was transmitted in a substantive content. this be? veiled form. On the other hand, if it is a deep Most explicit about sod ha'ibbur III. kabbalistic secret, why do the above mentioned Chazal refer to it as the Rabbi Lopiansky, author of Time Pieces, a collec tion of essays on the Festivals, serves as a con n the other hand, we find mechanism of ibbur hachodesh? Why tributing editor to The Jewish Observer. He is Rosh many Rishonim, especially the do the Rishonim comingle these two Beis Midrash in the Yeshiva of Greater Washington. 0 Ramban and Rabbeinu terms? 26 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 v. its relationship to the sun. This is a the year and the styles of the year, with straightforward one-to-one relation the winner of the presidential race. As n order to understand the sod of sod ship, which can always be expressed as many times as it may "work," it is never ha'ibbur, we will try to analyze it on a formula (excluding the effect of taken seriously.) I three different levels, which in con other planets on it). If we take two plan This actually is one of the great prob cert will give us a fuller picture of this ets that orbit the sun, then the rela lems that vexed the creators of the sec extraordinary sod. The three levels of tionship between their respective orbits ular calendar. For the year is based on explanation will deal with a) the tech can also be expressed in a clear equa the revolution of the earth around the nical formulae, b) the conceptual impli tion, for they possess a common sun, while the day is determined by the cation of the formulae, c) and the eso denominator. We can even go a step fur rotation of the earth on its own axis. teric meaning behind this. ther, and make a formula connecting They are not intrinsically related to each Let us turn to the formula itself. We the use of fuel on earth and the earth's other, and therefore there is no clear sys are accustomed to having formulae for rotation around the sun. The reason is tem - let alone formula - for creating a wide range of natural phenomena. that they are directly related; when the systematic years out of days. What There are formulae for gravity, planetary sun is not shining on the earth, there evolved was an increasing patchwork of orbits, and many other astronomic phe is an increase in the use of fuel for heat makeup days and leap years that give a nomena. It does not seen1 at all strange ing and lighting. But there is no formula convenient method, though not a real to us that there should be a formula for to correlate the price of fish in Los formula, for organizing such years. ibbur hachodesh as well. But there is a dif Angeles with the price of potatoes in It is much more complex to create a ference concerning ibbur hachodesh that Moscow. For even though every busi system that converts a solar phenome does not make it at all likely that there ness has its tidal flow of peaks and ebbs, non (days) into a lunar phenomenon (a would be a formula; we are dealing with and a good businessman can pick up on month), when the two are completely two phenomena that have no real intrin it and intuitively predict its future fluc unrelated. The challenge is even more sic correlation. We will explain. tuations, there is no way that he can cor staggering when we add a third, com It is fairly simple to produce a for relate two completely different func pletely unrelated phenomenon - the mula for any planet's theoretical orbit, tions. (Witness the regularly reported solar year - and mesh them together. which depends mainly on its mass and cute correlations between the wine of True, we can create a complex ad-hoc Your tax~deduct!ble contribution made payable to Tir;edokah V'Chesed can Rabbi Ellyohu Fisher 1739 50th Street • Brooklyn, NY t 1204 ···--·--··------The Jewish Observer, February 2000 27 calendar) but a relatively sin1ple system meetings for everyone. That is fairly easy. VI. that keeps repeating itself, and is good However, when company A has to set up for thousands of years, is extraordinary. a meeting with company B, so that here is a second and deeper level (There is still a greater complexity to lawyer C and accounting firm D are pre of sod in the sod ha' ibbur, which the Jewish calendar, in that we factor in sent, there is a major headache. But Twe named the conceptual level; the visual lunar month, the religious imagine evolving a system so that one this is based on the Maharal's explana needs of Yorn Kippur and Hoshana can n1eet any company's representative, tion in Be'er Hagola. Rabba, and the consequences of one with any given lawyer and any given Science develops formulae in two year's calendar on the subsequent year.) accountant at any tin1e! Mind boggling, ways. The first is from the observational Anyone who is in charge of setting no? It would simply be done on an ad to the causative; the other is in the reverse. up a meeting knows the challenge of hoc basis. This is the technical wonder For instance, an unknowledgeable coordinating unrelated calendars. For of the ibbur shanim and molad: A com person would never imagine that the example, a CEO sets up a company work plexity of unrelated events governed by moon has any effect on earthbound phe schedule so that Fridays are open for a relatively simple system. nomena. Yet, month by 1nonth) he would observe the tide rise and ebb as the different phases of the moon came and went. He would still have no clue as Subscribe or gi,ve a gi,ft of to the reason for this apparent cause and effect, but the phenomenon would be an undeniable fact. He can therefore create The Jewish Observer a calendar predicting the tidal flow. We have a similar system of research today, where if a compound is proven and $ave! effective against a disease, we will try hundreds of similar compounds, despite WHY NOT GIVE OR GET A PHESENT the fact that we do not understand the THAT WILL LAST AN ENTIRE YEAH? mechanism behind their effect. This is the mode of science that goes from the Subscribe, or give a gift at these reduced prices observational to the causative. anrl The Jewish Observer- filled with the views Then there is the reverse mode. For of leadin~ Torah thinkers on current issues- will be example: we have become convinced delivered each rnonth, directly to your door. that gravity is a universal constant. We then assume the n1ovement of heaven The longer you subsciibe for, the larger your savings. ly bodies to be the result of gravity. Next Of course, this offer is unconditionally guaranteed; we predict the orbit of any given body you may cancel al any time and receive a refund fOr in relationship to other bodies. If we find all undelivered copies. the orbit of a planet that does not agree with our predictions> we then assume So order loday, and the ve1)1 next issue \\'ill he on the presence of yet another body, and are its \vay to you as soon as possible. willing to predict its existence and position with consummate certainty. J.0. SUBSCRIPTION SAVINGS CERTIFICATE This is the difference between the way '!.J YES, I want to take udvantag(' of this 1noney saving offer! Euler 1uy ortler as follows: in which other nations determine this for l.J ~E\\i SUBSCHIPTION U RENE\VAL W GIFT J\am .. _.. ______mula, and the way in which Kial Yisroel !'.~A *Ol TSUJE O:>.ll- rs~ Addn::~~ attains it. The nations of the world may 0 :3 years Covf'r Prit·f' $105 Your t•ost $60 $% be able to come up with a similar for City ___ 0 2 years Corer Prin· S70 Yonr cost $44 $61! mulation to produce the practical appli :'late ____ Zip ______0 l yt'ar Cover Prif'f' $.)5 Your cost $24 s:~6 cations of the system. But it is a mere os.. ndgifltanlhwn: ___ ----- curiosity for them, for they do not per ~~Gillu :l Enclosed: S ____ rn ceive the presence of an intrinsic reason UBSERVER Charge Ill}: LI Ma~l,.rCard Cl VISA for this phenomenon. Not so Kial YisroeL Suite l:~OO. 84 William Stret>1, Nt>w Ynrk. NY JOO:lB '11or J~1n1/r 0/1.1en·er I-< f'"/,/;.,Jwd mmrthly e.tr<'pl }nly 11ml Ari;tu.,/. We understand that the entire complex !'least' al/o11 4 - 6 ll'O<'ks fi1c d,./irw_1. web of the movements of the sun and the 'Oul>id<> L5.A. jll'i<·~ r~fleets $12 ,.,Im pn v»ar In ,!~foiy ,.;, >hippin~ ,-,1"1e. Fon·i~n paym<'nl mLhl lw m;id~ in l -"- o!ollan;. ~it!wr lw died, moon was created for the purpose of Sigualun• ___~ dta\\n on a l~U!k in th~ L.S._A. or by l fS:! or Ma;tnCard. kedushas haz'man-the sanctity inherent ------··· 28 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 in tin1e. Their relationship is intrinsic to nioon it states," ltti1n ba'a be)aruka ve'it kefira. If we just assume a Divinely deter their being, for they are not two separate tim be'katzor" - the moon's path is mined world, where men's/ actions entities that happen to simultaneously unpredictable (Rosh Haslwna 25a). The have been totally precast, then avoda affect the earth, but rather they are two word "shana" (referring to the solar year) (mortal effort in Divine service) and elements of one entity of kedushas haz' also means to repeat itself; the word reward-and-punishment become mean man-the sanctity inherent to time. Other "chadash" (lunar month) means new. ingless. Any effort to do good is mean nations perceive the relationship; we The sun shines in the day, where it is sole ingless, and thus wasted. understand the relationship. That is why ruler, unopposed by any force, repre On the other hand, if we assume total it is our wisdom in the eyes of the gen senting an uncontested determination; free will without an overriding Divine tiles, explains the MaharaL But what is this the moon struggles against a backdrop Providence, we then have curtailed Divine intrinsic relationship? of darkness, representing the tug-of-war omnipresence and omniscience, and that of free will. is kefira (see also Ramchal Da' as Tevunos) VII. These two axes of determinism and regarding the "Fifth Form of Kefira" - that free will, when taken separately, lead to G-d is bound by our free will. e then come to the third level of the sod ha'ibbur, which is W the deeper meaning attrib uted to it by the sifrei Kabba/a. It is beyond our capacity to understand the great secrets locked therein, but let us understand the guiding principles behind it. (These points are alluded to in the Avodas Hakodesh 4, 2, of Rabbi Meir ibn Gabbai- the Maharal's"rebbt in kabbala - in the Ramchal's Kinas YESHIVA KETANA OF MANHATTAN Hashem Tzevakos), and others. Wl1en we deal with issues of emuna, we are able to understand many issues Announces that it is accepting with varying degrees of depth and cer tainty. There is one issue, however, which alimited number of pre-school the Ran1bam leaves as an unanswerable question, and that is the concept of and Grade 1-8 registration applications yedi'a (Divine omniscience) versus bechira (man's free will). The Rambam for the coming school year of 2000/01. (Hilchos Teshuva 5) says that these two factors co-exist fully, yet the human • Nursery through 8th Grade Program being is not capable of comprehending overseen by the Menahel, Rabbi Hillel Mandel it in a truly fundamental way. • Outstanding faculty of renowned Rebbeim If we were to re-word the Rambam, • Strong emphasis placed upon midos and we would call it the determinist com independent learning skills ponent of the universe, which is pred • Celebrated Secuif Studies Program icated from G-d's omniscience, versus the voluntary co1nponent, which is • Highest score of any boys Yeshiva on New York State predicated from our free will. 4th Grade RA exams Both these components are reflect •After-school gym, art, writing, choir and Kriyas HaTorah programs ed in a physical embodin1ent in our uni • Hot Lunches • School Bus Service • Resource Room verse: the sun and the moon. About the sun, it is written," Ein kol chadash tachas hashemesh" (Kohelles I), there is noth For additional information call: (212) 769-1790 ing new "under" the sun; concerning the Rabbi Hillel Mandel moon we say "1nechadesh chadoshin1," Menahe/ Hashem makes new months. About the Rabbi Yerachmiel Milstein sun it states, "Shernesh yodda nte'va'o" (Tehillirn 104, 14), emphasizing the reg ularity of the sun's appearance; about the The Jewish Observer, February 2000 29 VIII. meant to merely serve as a steppingstone which gives us the true picture of the to Hashem's total rule) who wants to take world - a world where man has total free he other nations of the world the place of the primary wife's son. Yish- will to do right or wrong; and yet Haka have gravitated to one or the 1nael submitted to circu1ncision as an act dosh Baruch Hu has the total ability to Tother of these two axes - each of free will; Yitzchak had it imposed on override and direct this man's destiny. defining its particular, respective kefira. him, as an act of acceptance of Hashem's We recognize our guilt for doing wrong, Eisav gravitated to the sun, and in his overriding providence. Yishmael was a and we recognize that Hashem can over mind the element of the kefira of deter- man of the desert, which is hefker- not ride our wrongdoings and forgive us. 1ninism rose to dominance. Eisav was controlled, not owned, not ruled by any This is the deeper understanding of born red and hairy, and followed that one. Eisav is the man of the field; a field the sod ha'ibbur, describing the extra lifestyle (whilst the Gemora in Shabbos is owned, worked and harnessed for the ordinary yichud (unity of G-d), as the shows that even one born with a red needs of the farmer. Ramchal explains it. (There is a yet mazal may use free will). He told The nations over the centuries have deeper point concerning gilgul and Yaakov, "Hinnei anochi holech lam us - vacillated from a vision of a totally ibbur, which is the personal variation of Behold, I am going to die," so there is unstructured world, ruled by a thousand this point. It is beyond the scope of this no use in exercising free will. There was whimsical gods, where anything goes, to discussion to explore it further, but it only one beracha to be given, and if one directed by a rigorous scientific bent contains the essence of what we have Yaakov would receive it, he - Eisav - of mind, which accepts a strict cause described in a more global way.) The would not. (And, indeed, Yitzchak told and-effect approach, leaving little room understanding that bridges and unifies him that his acquisition of the beracha for free will. the seemingly absolute divide between would eternally depend on how Yaakov Man, as a free-willed being, and G-d, as would exercise his free will.) IX. the all-encouraging force and provi Yishmael, on the other hand, lacked dence of the universe. in his belief in Hakadosh Baruch Hu's ial Yisroel alone amongst the overriding providence. He is the son of nations has the vision and scope x. a maidservant (i.e. free will, which is K that combines the two axes, hat an awesome sod! It is breathtaking in its technical W expression; it is immeasurably - deep in the understanding of the cause and effect of that expression; and it touches the heart of the most profound issue of G-d and man on its deepest level! • Full Day or Hal Day Programs XI. • Includes Intensive Umudei Kodesh I • Endorsed By Leading Gedolei Yisrael • Dynamic Shiurim By The Foremost Mechanchim:'311...... et us conclude with one more • Hundreds Of Successful Maalot Graduates Worldwide point. Shabbos is a day that Haka I • Choice of Regular ar Ushma Program I Ldosh Baruch Hu imposes on us. It • A Warm Bais Yaakov Atmosphere - Select Graup Of Students is determined by Hashem and teaches us • Option of Eight Week Summer Program In Yerushalayim that He is Supreme Creator. • The Exciting Alternative To A Full Year In Eretz Yisroel I I Yom Tov, on the other hand, is called Our Renowned Mechanchim Include: Rabbi Avraham Blumenkrantz1 Mo' ed, which can refer to two people I Rabbi Y. Cahan1 Rabbi Dov Eichenstein, Rabbi Dovid Gibber, Rabbi Yoel Kramer I Rabbi N.D. Rabinowich, Rabbi Mechel Spitzer, Rabbi Yisroel Dov Webster getting together. A meeting of two peo Rebbetzin Chaya Blumenfeld, Rebbetzin Y. Davidowitz, Rebbetzin Chaya Ginzberg ple takes place only when their lives I Rebbetzin Devora Kitevits, Rebbetzin Naama Lermon, Rebbetzin Esther Twersky I intersect. 1'hus, to have a "meeting" Summer In Eretz: Yisrael: Rabbi Dovid Refson - Dean, Robbi Dovid Kass - Director between Hakadosh Baruch Hu, the Robbi Nosson Geisler, Rabbi Leib Keleman, Rabbi Y. Manat, , Rabbi Meir Treibitz, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller, Rebbetzin Zehova Kass, Rebbetzin Rena Torshish Omnipotent, and Kial Yisroel, whose essence is free will, we must pick a time when the calendars of sun and moon mesh. Thus every Yam Tov is set so that the chodesh of the moon and tekufa - RABBI SHOLOM G. GINZBERG, DEAN I the solar season - are properly syn I 931 Coney Island Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11230 chronized, and ever the twain shall ·- For More Information-- Phone Or Fax:17181377.0222-- . meet. • 30 ------The Jewish Observer, February 2000 THE WORLD OF THE BA'AL TESHUVA Eric Simon Of Coats and Fires An Erstwhile Reform Jew's Challenge I. WHERE WE'RE COMING FROM led, in just a few years, to my wife's than maintaining exemplary character halachic geirus, our becoming shomer traits day in and day out. Volunteering Shabbos and our move to a nascent on occasion at the local homeless shel Lasting Impressions ... Through observant community. ter is easier than treating one's co-work Disinformation What my wife and I discovered was ers with respect day after day after day. that the overwhelming bulk of what we I find it ironic and telling that my wife any of us have opinions on a had thought about the Orthodox was and I, politically and religiously liberal host of issues, from Bosnia to simply untrue. More important, we Jews, were attracted to Orthodoxy in M the Brooklyn Museum. How came to realize that Orthodox Jews truly substantial part because of its attention do we formulate them? The same way care about how they treat their neigh to ethics. everyone does: through the media and bors, how they speak to one another and Another example of Orthodox atten sometimes from our elected leaders. the ethical dimension of daily life. tion to ethics that we came to not only Just two years ago, I was a liberal Jew, Simply seeing the beauty of Orthodox witness but experience is hospitality. I active in the Refor1n movement. I served family life, and Shabbos, and the atten can't count the number of times I was as my temple's vice-president and as a tion to ethical detail with which Ortho implored by an Orthodox acquaintance member of a Reform regional board; I dox live, made all the difference. ( someti1nes someone I had just met, or sat as well on a National UAHC Com only "met" through e-mail) to mission. Orthodoxy: An Improbable Portal to Ethics please come spend Shabbos with them. What did I think of the Orthodox? and Concern In fact, the first time I took up some Self-absorbed. Uncaring of the rest of one on such an offer, I received three Jewry. Addicted to power in Israel. Self had been a good religious school stu more invitations before Shabbos had righteous. Never questioning anything. dent through Reform Sunday and ended. Someone even asked if my fam Leading dull, boring lives, and adhering I Hebrew school, even after my Con ily wouldn't mind splitting up, because to the minutia of ritual, all the while firmation. I paid attention in class, and he didn't have any guests that particu considering <'ethics'' as at most ('extra my teachers loved me. We learned a lot lar Shabbos and desperately wanted credit." Their women, of course, are sec about ethics and morality, but nothing some. Another time, while visiting ond class citizens - and the poor in a particularly Jewish context. Crown Heights for Shabbos, our host kids, brainwashed and, on Shabbat, live Imagine my surprise when, some noted to her son that there were still a in a prison, unable even to play games time during my 30's, I first happened few empty seats, and would he mind or watch TV. upon the concept of lashon hara. Why bringing home a few bachurim from shul Where did I get this information? The hadn't I heard about the idea earlier? after Ma' a riv. He came home with same way everyone else does: from the If ever there were a mitzva that was at eight hungry young men. The host's media. And, in my case, Reform lead once relevant, ethical, and impervious reaction: she was delighted! There was ers as well. from the charge of being "old fashioned room, and plenty of food. Although I grew up in New Jersey ritual,'' I thought, this was it! And it When we moved, because of the tim and have spent much of my subsequent made me think: if the Reform philos ing of our selling and buying, it life to date in a suburb of Washington, ophy, despite its rejection of so many looked for a while as if our family might D.C., I never once spoke to an Ortho mitzvos, considers those ethical in be homeless for a few weeks. Not dox Jew until I was in my late 30s. nature still binding, why have most a problem. Two families in our new When, though, my wife and I finally Reform Jews never even heard of neighborhood told us we could stay did meet Orthodox Jews in person, we lashon hara? Why can so few name a with them. These offers came from both had our perceptions thoroughly shat positive ethical mitzvah beyond those men and women who didn't even con tered. And we were put on a path that in the Asseres Hadibros and "Love sult their spouses (because they knew the Eric Simon, who served as a UAHC Regional your neighbor"? answer would be yes). One of them Board Member and as a member of the Execu Reform leaders exhort the move came from a family in a small house tive Comn1ittee of the UAHC Commission on ment's adherents to help the poor, and, with two children; another came from Synagogue Affiliation, is currently active in kiruv (outreach) and Torah-educational activi to their credit, many do. But writing a a family with four children. A third fam ties in Northern Virginia. check to a charity is a good deal easier ily told us that if we needed storage, he ----··----- The Jewish Observer, February 2000 31 would park his car on the street so that adults had come to shul to hear it, to «How can a reasonable person be we could store things in his garage "for review it, to internalize it anew! As anything but repelled by the need of as long as you need:' a somewhat jaded Reform friend of so many Orthodox and Chassidic Jews We found that personal ethical ideals mine put it: "For Reform, being a good to out-pietize each other?" Rabbi Sime (like being nice to neighbors, not gos person is a good idea; for the Orthodox, on Maslin, then-president of the CCAR siping, engaging in acts of hospitality it's also the law." (the Reform Rabbinic organization) and so forth) were actually being lived We also discovered what Shabboswas asked in a cover story of Reform Judaism in Orthodox communities all around. like. From the outside, it seemed like a Magazine. In the same piece, which inci I recall my first visit to a charedi host of ridiculous restrictions. It takes dentally won an award from the Amer neighborhood. Shabbos morning, we experiencing a few tastes of olam habba ican Jewish Press Association, he refers found ourselves in this huge shut filled to realize that Shabbos is really about to chareidi "tribal exclusivism ... obses with black-hatted "ultra-Orthodox." freedom from the mundane. One can no sion with the punctilios of ritual. .. con My host had raved about what a bril more understand Shabbos from a lecture tempt for Kial Yisroel... manner of liant man the rabbi was, and I was curi than understand love from a book. dress ... romanticization of the past, and, ous to see what his sermon would be We learned as well what a kehilla is, yes ... fanaticism ...." He questions as like. Would he rail against the larger soci what it means to be part of a Jewish well the authenticity of any group ety? Deliver a learned discourse that community, united in Torah-values whose members "relegate women to would soar over my head? and ahavas Yisroel. A frum communi inferior status." As it turned out, it was indeed a ty, we learned, is one where neighbors Reform Judaism Magazine is sent to learned discourse, but perfectly com not only share values but regularly share the home of every family that is a mem prehensible. It was parshas Mishpatim, meals, borrow freezer space, keep an eye ber ofReform's over 900 congregations and the rav's address, on the Jewish view on each other's children, lend a hand in North America. of human servitude, culminated in an and just drop in to say Good Shabbos. exhortation to the congregants to That lesson opened our eyes. II. BRINGING OTHERS HOME redouble their efforts to be more pleas Another important thing we came to ant people, to "respect cleaning ladies, realize was that strict observance was garbage men, and others who work for n't an indication of mental iinbalance. How is a Reform Jew able to hear the other us." I was struck that this was the kind After our first Shabbos with a frum fam side of the story? of thing I heard in second grade but not ily, my wife and I both remarked, very much since, one of those obvious "Everyone seemed so normal." Now ince we have become shomer Shab things that everyone learns but all too please stop a moment and consider bos, we have tried to do all we can few actually practice. And here a learned the implication of that statement. If that Sto expose our non-observant rabbi was reminding Torah-knowl observation was a pleasant surprise to friends to our way oflife. Approximately edgeable adults about the importance of us, just imagine what the average once every six weeks, we host a Shabbos ethics in everyday life. And those Reform Jew thinks about the Orthodox. dinner at our home for thirty or so of our non-observant friends- and not the same 30 each time! Some have expressed interest in (and have shown up at) Shabbos services, some are taking a taharas hamishpacha class from the local rebbetzin - but all of Ar honu· - in rhe car - or whenever the rin1e is right for _you, experience rhe flavor them have now experienced Shabbos and exciten1ent of a Mussar Shn1uess that inspires hundreds of Bnei Torah weekly with someone who is shomer Shabbos ar the foren1osr Makotn Torah of our rin1es. 1 and still "normal. ' T\1e beis n1edrash Sh111uessen given at Reth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood, Experiencing something firsthand is b_y the Mashgiach, Ha Rav Marris_yohu Sa\0111011 .i'\"D''"Jtv, are now available on rape, via a convenient subscriprion progran1. powerful - indeed, it can outweigh much media negativity. Understanding fhrough your annual subscriprion, you will receive an audio tape of each Shn1uess, de!iVered right to _your door. YOu 1na_y also order fro111 a co!lection of past begins with experience. Sh111t1esse11 given at the Yeshiva In series fonn. So how can non-observant Jews more effectively be helped to experi FOR SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION AND LIST Of TOPICS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE CALL TODAY: ence? v 731· ~ I xr Z?a r • rl ' 3 " 81Mii053 ,, Consider the obstacles that must be overcome. Not only must the ~BETH MEDRASH GOVOHA AUDIO "media/perception" problem, but also ~ 617 SIXTH STREET - LAKEWOOD, NJ 08701 the fact that Reform and Orthodox pray 32 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 in different places, live in different determined expression to that pintele Yid tion of somewhat traditional "'l'en Prin neighborhoods, eat in different restau within. The Jew who wants to hear the ciples" was not the result of the Reform rants, go to different summer camps, organ on Yorn Kippur wants to be uplift leadership trying to lead the movement, read different publications and go to dif ed by the sounds - because he can't be but rather of its attempt to "catch up" ferent schools. uplifted by the prayer service, which is to where many active Reform Jews One Orthodox Jew once confided to in a language he doesn't know, follows already are. me that, in his opinion, "the lack of ade a tefilla-structure he doesn't recognize, And those active Refor1n Jews are, in quate concern for kiruv by [rum Jews is and expresses themes he doesn't under the truest sense of the phrase, the a combination of a hopeless attitude that stand. "tinokot shenishbu" of the Talmud. And n1ost An1erican Jews are a lost cause and Is that a rejection of traditional only the [rum community can "redeem" a fear that interacting with 11011-frum Judais1n? Of course not. You can't reject them. will pollute them or their families." He something you don't know. Why do so didn't condone either stance but sug many Jews spend such large sums Will kiruv pollute your families? gested that they may be the roots of the of money to belong to temples - espe problem. cially when they only show up two days can't answer that question other than I am writing this to tell The Jewish a year? The expenditure - and the two to wonder if anyone can really Observet's readers that many Reform days, for that matter - come from that I imagine that helping a Jewish Jews care deeply about Judaism, and that pinte/e Yid. Many of them care deeply nesharna express itself could be spiritu none of them should be regarded as "a about being Jewish; they just don't know ally dangerous. And those who can, lost cause:' how. They are serious Jews, working might benefit from talking with any of Just as there is n1isinformation in the without information or role models. the many [rum Jews who have success minds of Reform Jews about the Ortho In my experience, the younger gen fully helped other Jews return to their dox, I'm afraid that the converse is also eration of Reform Jews is particularly heritage; that conversation might well true. What do Orthodox Jews think receptive to learning more about help other, happier, things become of Reform Jews who want to hear a state Judaism and becoming more observant. imaginable, like actually being a catalyst ly organ during Yorn Kippur services, or I believe that Reform's recent formula- for other Jews' spiritual growth. of J{efonn women who wrap the1nselves in a tallis to daven? J)crision or revul sion, perhaps? A thought that they are hypocrites for daring to call them selves "serious Jews"? Well, many are Jews who are only try ing to grasp onto the few tangible sym hols of Judaism that they have come to know. To most Jewish Observer read • T'1e Z'chus of living, Breathing and Experiencing the Keclusha of Eretz Yisrae/ • ers, Judaism is a 24-hour-a-day, seven • The Torah Touring Experience of a Lifetime! •Daven by the Kosel Ha'Maravi •Climb I Matsocla • Inspiring Shiu rim • Shabbos in Tzfas • Maron • Amukoh • Amo zing days-a-week occupation. On any day Workshop• • Kevrei Tzodil The Jewish Observer, February 2000 ------· 33 We mustn't forget our greatest ing Jew is a role model for other Jews, that his actions reflect on the way his resource, the special siyata d'Shmaya, whether they like it or not. religious commitment is regarded. And Divine assistance, that Jews radiate as I can't tell you how often I've heard the all one has to do to make a bigger dif they observe mitzvos: Shabbos; the love, entire Orthodox movement characterized on ference is to be sensitive when a less devotion and respect that parents and the basis of a single comment that someone's observant Jew "reaches out" by indicat children have for each other; the tzenius wife's second-cousin reportedly made ten ing that he or she is Jewish too (which that characterizes the observant Jewish years earlier, something like "He said that we can happen in myriad ways), and take woman. These things are powerful, weren't real Jews:' advantage of the overture by making they have an impact - even if it takes Furthermore, the Orthodox response friendly conversation. Such "teaching time for it to be fully realized. We dare to this "not real Jews" slur - "of course opportunities" abound, in supermarkets, not keep the Torah for ourselves as a pri they are real Jews; if your mother was a bank lines and offices. And each one vate possession; we must invite others Jew, so are you" - is woefully inade ignored is a powerful chance to act on into our homes to see its influence and quate, and displays an insensitivity to the ahavas Yisroel squandered. to share it with them. deeper underlying problem. It is unre Indeed, having rebuilt itself from the Every frum Jew needs to confront Chaz sponsive because the comment ("You ashes of the Holocaust and succeeded al's statement that "kol Y1Sroel areivim zeh aren)t real Jews") is made in the same in raising children and grandchildren bazeh" - ''All Jews are intertwined with and sense someone might try to insult a male committed and faithful to the Torah, responsible for each other;' and decide by saying "You aren't a real man:' Of Orthodox Jews now face a new chal whether to treat it as a mere cliche or as a course, the person isn't speaking bio lenge: the rescue of as many Jews who solemn mandate. 'When a generation or two logically in the latter case, and not are drowning in secular culture as pos down the line, we look back at the toll that halachically in the former case. The sible. Some know that they are drown raging assimilation took on 21st century comment is made to denigrate the Jew ing and seek a lifeboat; others may American Jewry, what will we tell out grand ish expressions of Reform Jews. not yet have seen the tidal wave, but all children we did to stem it? And what will we Such speech is a direct cause of why are open to being helped to safety. tell the beis din she! ma'ala after 120 years? so many Reform Jews hold Orthodoxy I know a couple in a pleasant New At the very least, we must all be ready in such low regard. The Chofetz Chaim Jersey community. They are both intel to engage anyone who expresses even the teaches that continuing violations of ligent, friendly, easygoing and toler slightest curiosity about our Judaism - lashon hara is the reason we are still in ant. One summer day, sitting in their and never, ever, say or do anything that exile - sinas chinam being its direct backyard, I noticed a group of teenage could confirm other Jews' negative sus result. Do intelligent people make snide girls in the driveway of the house picions about us. Every outwardly look- comments about the lack of knowledge across the street. They were all wearing of first graders? Would we ever criticize long dresses with long sleeves. "Do you or penalize them for their merely rudi have an Orthodox family Jiving across mentary knowledge of geography or the street from you?'' I asked. "Yes," was mathematics? A Jew who is complete the answer. I posed a second question: ly unobservant all year except that he "Have you ever met them?" attends a first-night seder and eats some The answer: "No." matza is a Jew who is still trying to con I was disturbed - and astounded - to nect to his past. Instead of focusing on know that an Orthodox family could live 1537 50th Street, the fact that the glass is 98% empty, we across the street from another Jewish Brooklyn, NY 11219 have to realize that the 2% that is there family (one that was identifiably Jewish, {718) 854-2911 consists of a precious Jewish soul deter if for nothing else than the menoras in mined to connect in some small way their window on Chanuka) and never with his religious heritage. have met them. There is a Chassidic story about a But there are also pro-active opportunities wealthy person who needed to warm galore, beyond Shabbos invitations. himself in winter. Instead of building a fire, warming everyone else in the Brooklyn NY I I 2 I 8 n observant Jew who lives in a room, he opted to don a warm coat. large metropolitan area, as so Most of you who are reading this are We make "housecal!s" Amany do, and commutes to work extraordinarily wealthy - you have probably meets a hundred non-obser Torah, the key to our glorious tradi vant Jews a day. All one has to do to tion. But do you use it as a blanket or, make a positive impression for Jewish as Ghazal indeed characterize it, as a observance is to be conscious of the fact fire? • 34 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 MUSINGS Sarah Shapiro Speaking of Stunning Accidents . ,,,,,, t:\te on \s\am\t I \a 09'"' r 25 Years Ago, But the Tapes Nixo!~rut Play On s the middle eastern sun moves of the sun. the puny moon, only one ger, brighter heavenly body and oblit across the corner table in this four-hundredths the sun's diameter, lies erate it from our view. To so1ne believ A downtown Jerusalem cafe, I sur four hundred times closer to Earth ... ''. ers, this coincidence serves as proof as vey the August 9 headlines of the Inter Glancing out the window to take this the existence of G-d:' national Herald Tribune, making my way in, I find that the central fire is shining ! lean back in my chair. leisurely from one to the other, and right in my eyes and therefore embark ... by stunning accident ... this coinci through the hill of whipped cream atop upon the elaborate business of moving dence ... my cappuccino. All things being equal, to the other side of the table - rear I look down upon the plaza - all the nothing in this coffee shop, nor in the ranging purse, water glass, newspaper, people sipping cappuccinos at their Ben Yehuda Plaza out the window narrow ceramic vase with its wilting tables, each table with its flower; each down below, nor even in the tragedies pink rose, the now empty coffee cup, and customer with his newspaper, and water that I will unfold, re-fold, and leave on then myself. glass. They, too, are leaning back. Lean the table when I go, are apt to shake me Resume reading: "The puny moon, ing forward in conversation, skimming from the pleasant mindlessness that is only one-four-hundredths the sun's the headlines. The Israeli men survey the the hallmark of my daily newspaper and diameter, lies 400 times closer to Earth. passers-by. Under the umbrellas they sit, coffee ritual. Thus the moon exactly matches the sun protected from morning's growing heat, One paragraph does jar me slightly, in apparent size in our skies, as though and in the cool shade of a few potted though, and I linger. In a piece entitled, they were two halves of the same grape trees, slender and young, in the full leaf "A Stunning Show by Sun and Moon;' fruit. ..." of mid-summer. about the total eclipse due to occur on Did they ever tell us that in science Am I imagining things, or isn't that August I I, Dana Sobel of the Washing class? All I remember is Mrs. Warren in 400: 1/400 ratio a little over the top? But ton Post writes: "Only Earth and the third grade, announcing ominously: "If according to the reporter, who must moon - and no other planets or satel the Earth were one inch closer to the know what she's talking about, it was lites in the solar system - can figure in sun, in one instant it would have one of the conditions essential to the the ceremony of totality. By a stunning burned to a crisp." emergence of life on this planet. accident of cosmic gravity and geo1ne The waiter, familiar with my routine, A lucky fluke, as well, I suppose, that try, these two bodies alone possess the comes by to ask if I'd like another cup there's such a thing as roses, and precise size and distance relationships to and I lose my place, then find it again: humans who for unknown reasons like periodically extinguish the central fire " ... as though they were two halves of the having them on the table. ------same grapefruit. When the new moon And that in summer when the trees Sarah Shapiro of Jerusalem is a frequent con tributor to these pages, most recently with "Rabbi dogs the sun across the daytime sky, it are full, they serve as shade for the tables Scheinberg's Laughter" (Dec. '98). can sometimes step in front of that big- on the plaza. The Jewish Observer, February 2000 35 "* "But I don't want to be here by myself. Can't you stay a few more min ne afternoon, my daughter Yehu utes?" he world had frozen. People were dit and a friend had gone after "I'm really sorry, Yehudit, I just have like statues. Somewhere, a baby 0 school for frozen yogurt. They to go." Twas crying were heading up Ben Yehuda, which is a So Shiri went to her bus-stop, and Then all at once, chaos and screaming pedestrian shopping area off-limits to Yehudit, disappointed, was about to set and Yehudit found herself running out traffic, when Shiri suddenly said she off towards home, too, when she passed side. Before her stood a teenage girl, with wanted to go home. "What do you a bookstore and stepped inside to a long silver nail sticking out of her face. mean?'' said Yehudit. This was so unchar browse. Then there was another explosion. acteristic of her friend. "You're joking:' Then came the explosion. People were running in all directions. "No, I really waut to go." She told us later that it was so deaf Yehudit ran, not knowing which way to "How come? We just got here!" ening, it rocked the world. run, then she was back where she and 'Tm just feeling so tired." Then there was silence. Shiri had been, and at her feet lay a body. Suddenly, from within all the scream ing, a certain sound was being screamed, something familiar. "Yehudit! Yehudit!" Shiri was running at her, they were falling into each other's arms. ''I've been looking all over for you!" They were sobbing. "I heard it and came back! I couldn't find you FREE anywhere!" COMPUTER COURSE n that double suicide bombing, For Women Coping On Their Own four people were killed. Some of the injured are still undergoing reha (Widowed, Divorced, Separated) I bilitation, such as the son of a woman 30 Houre of lnetruction - Day Classes I met last week at a bris. Someone else For More Information or To Register, I know told me that of the four who died, one was her doctor's fourteen year old daughter, who had been seated at one of the outdoor cafes. So if I were that girl's mother, would I say, If G-d is there, why couldn't He make her sit one table over? Why not! Why J'onah's Fashion Inc. couldn't she have gotten up to leave a few minutes early! Why! Girls Yeshiva Uniform Manufacturers One inch closer... one inch farther away.... Can't you stay a few n1ore min utes? • We make skirts and jumpers, solids Of cosmic gravity and geometry, these and plaids, from size 5 thru two bodies ... junior and pre-teens A stunning accident, too, naturally (though in this case, of course, one of • Bais Yaacov blouses made from those unexplicably lucky ones) that our own custom made next winter when the trees are bare, the (extra heavy) material people at the tables won't need shade - all leaves and coolness - but instead, the sun. In any case, G-d made the front page of the International Herald Tribune. That's surely proof of His existence. • ------·-·------·------·------~----~------36 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 MUSINGS Rabbi Hillel Goldberg Tuesdays With Morrie - on Saturday rofessor Morrie Schwartz, the see the change, but others do not. Or, thing and everyone out there, then there hero of bestseller Tuesdays with if they do, they only mouth the words, is you. A murky film. Impermeable. PMorrie, is told by his doctor that but do not understand. Between you and the world. he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis If they do understand, it is only It is not a question of failing a test or (ALS), Lou Gehrig's disease. It is, in because they remember when the same losing in the stock market and getting author Mitch Albom's phrase, "a brutal, shattering experience happened to "depressed" -which is curable by pass unforgiving illness of the neurological them. ing the next test, or making a better systen1." "fhere is no known cure. It is But now, it is not happening to them. investment. Being upset, or sad, or terminal. Only to you. defeated, or frustrated, is not usually Stunned, walking out of the doctor's Only you live it. clinical depression. With depression, office, Professor Schwartz's mood is They do not. there's a distance, an invisible divide. described by Alborn: Many such walls: Nothing can pierce it, at least for now. " ... the sun was shining and people One is death. The wall has fallen. were going about their business. A Life is fine, or it might even be very One is left to cope alone. woman ran to put 1noney in the park troubled, filled with a loved one's suf Another example: sin. To be in the ing meter. Another carried groceries. fering. But there is life. grip of a desire or habit that you know Charlotte (Professor Schwartz's wife) Suddenly, there is death. is religiously wrong is absolutely isolat had a million thoughts running through A wall descends. ing. Guilt before G-d can foster an her 1nind: How ntuch time do we have A veil. enveloping solitude. left? How will we manage? How will we You are the world: in two different These experiences multiply: infertil pay the bills? worlds. ity, absolute power, addiction, impris "My old professor, meanwhile, was "Don't they know what has happened onment - any experience that erects a stunned by the normalcy of the day to me?" partition around my life. There is me; around him. Shouldn't the world stop? No, they don't. then the normalcy of the day around Don't they know what has happened to Many such walls. n1e. 1ne?" Two totally different lives. No, they don't know. hysical disability, for example. The world does not stop. One can walk. Suddenly, one uess what. One such experience The professor, given a death sentence, Pcannot walk. Everybody else is is actually positive. Blessed, in lives in a totally different world now. walking, running, exercising, even limp Gfact. The veil has fallen. ing. But you - you cannot walk. Yes, a wall descends; but it does not A wall. Your life and theirs: a wall, absolute divide me from others. It unties me with Professor Schwartz is completely ly impermeable, divides between you others, with nature too. re1noved from "normal" life. and the world. A veil descends. From everyone. Or poverty. Others eat. They even A film. From everything. overeat. Their world is how to lose Pick you metaphor. His life is qualitatively different. weight. This experience unites n1e even with Unexplainable. A wall: you have no food. Life is myself. Only he understands. hunger. Life is torture. Some people Even with G-d. He is alone. around you may remember this, but it This is not death. Absolutely alone. is not happening to them. It is hap This wall keeps me from the pains of There are many such walls. pening only to you. depression, poverty, disability, divorce. Life changes, often in an instant. You A wall. It is even higher than happiness. Rabbi Hillel Goldberg is executive editor of Den Another example: depression. Oth A wall. ver's Intennountain Jewish News and active in a wide ers function. With ups and downs, per Between life and life. variety of outreach efforts, including the nzikveh haps. The full flux oflife rolls over them, Between life as it is, and life as it tea111 of Torah Comn1unity Project. A frequent con but within a clear, defined frame of nor should be. tributor to these pages, he was represented by the book review on Reh Elyah: The Life and Accon1- malcy. With clinical depression, a veil And can be. plishments ofRalJbi Elyah Lopian (Jan. '99). descends. A film divides. There is every- Shabbos. • The Jewish Observer, February 2000 37 RESOLVING TENSIONS IN THE HOLY LAND Ezriel Toshavi Kav L'Kav, Opening Lines of Communication he virulently anti-religious news vided by the organization Kav I:Kav. Kav Jewish contact for this self-anointed intel and entertainment has created a I:Kav, an outreach effort organized by lectual elite. Lecture themes are carefully Tsituation where any sort of gen the Karlin-Stolin Chassidic communi chosen so as not to sound overly religious, uine communication with observant ty, is uniquely placed to interact with but somewhat "intellectually spiritual;' and Jewry is seen by many as "consorting secular Israelis on a daily basis. They they pull a surprisingly high turnout. with the enemy." (See Yonason Rosen have a three-story building right off of The presenters are drawing from the blum's "Media Darlings" in last month's Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Street, the heart of ranks of Israel's observant scientist, edu JO.) Those from Western and European secular Israeli culture. Many years ago, cators, and professional speakers to give backgrounds view the situation as a kind this building served the religious com their audiences an eye-opening glimpse of "gang warfare" where any sort of munity of the area. As the neighborhood of Judaism that offers them how intel recognition of religion is like a "loss of changed character and the religious Jews lectually rigorous Judaism can be. Audi turf." Instead of wishing listeners or moved away, the building fell into dis ences are stunned. Here they have a high viewers a "Shabbat Shalom" at the end use. Twelve years ago, it was given to Kav ly intelligent person - who is clearly of the week, the media opts for "Sof observant - displaying mastery over shavua na'ima,""Have a nice weekend." complicated intellectual and philosoph In this climate, the simple dialogue ical topics. Israelis are not known to be that is needed to break stereotypes hard shy when it comes to challenging lectur ly has a chance to begin. The media pro ers, or asking difficult - if not openly hos mulgate the concept that we chareidim tile - questions. Yet, to their surprise, the are either threatening or just plain presenters deftly handle the questions primitive. Outreach efforts, of course, do with a degree of aplomb that amazes. make some inroads. But for the group After the event, a highly experienced that views itself as the intellectual elite team of follow-up workers mingles of Israeli society, talking with the obser with the crowd to help fan the first few vant is something that "is just not done." sparks of Judaism that have been ignit So what can be done? ed in the evening's talk. Over pastries One very successful opening is pro- and refreshments, the lingerers may talk long into the night about real Judaism and how it just might find a place in the Digest of Meforshim life of these busy Israelis. Kav I:Kav is having an appreciable '"1p7 in::i '"1p7 I:Kav to try to make an impact in the impact on Israeli society and creating spiritual wasteland of Dizengoff. Qui change. The people they reach would '::"'Yr 1JJ1''m 'mlow l"mno etly, in a way that would not raise objec not normally attend a lecture on 1\vailablc at tions from those who stream to the area, Judaism - or be particularly interested LEKUTEI they have built up a solid record of get in entering into discourse with an (}o Yitzchok Rosenberg ting through to the most secular of observant Jew about the deeper issues JO West 47th Street, Room 503 New fork. NY 10036 Israelis. Shattering stereotypes, diffusing of life. Yet, Kav I:Kav provides a com (212) 719-1717 anti-religious sentiments, Kav I:Kav fortable venue on their "home turf" of 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Medrash, shows them that Judaism is not the Dizengoff. Megilos, Talmud, and Tehilim. "antiquated relic" it is portrayed to be. Audiences come in convinced that Proceeds of sales distributed an1ong That Judaism is alive and vibrant. That Judaism is something relegated to yes Yeshivos and used for reprinting of it can speak to them at the highest intel teryear, and leave with the profound volu1nes out-of-print lectual level and that it can help them realization that there is wealth, power, PRICE: $8.00 PER VOLUME improve the quality of their lives. and beauty in Judaism that they had Kav L'Kav specializes in providing never even imagined. • 38 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 Yosef Gesser hen seeking guidance in I've never seen one so bigt" I shuddered, are not in ihihabit ~£\·ecogni;i~g them· halachic matters, we are some realizing how I had been spared what for what they are, and thus oft~n failto W times so concerned with the might have been a serious calamity. detect them. "letter of the law;' e.g. the final decision Some time later, in view of what had I subsequently came across an insight of a poseik (authority in Jewish Law), that transpired, I asked a she'eila as to from one of the Chassidic masters, the we overlook the "spirit of the law;' i.e. a whether I was required to "bentch author of the classic Bnei Yissas'char, possible lesson from a ruling in a given gomeI" (recite the thanksgiving blessing which gave me insight into the partic- situation. Consider the following: for deliverance from peril) in shul. I In the summer of 1987, my wife and phoned one of Israel's foremost poskim, I were visiting Bretz Yisroel. One Rabbi Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, evening, we were aboard an Egged bus N"1"'ro, venerable Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshi returning from Efrat, where 1ny wife's va Torah Ore and mora hora'a (recog uncle lives, to Jerusalem. Since that time, nized rabbinical authority) of Kiryat a road inaccessible to the Arabs has been Mattersdorf, and related the pertinent constructed between these two points, details of what had taken place. I which reduces this trip to seven minutes. expected the rav's reply to be brief - At that time, however, the Hebron either Yes, I was required to say the bless Jerusalem artery was the only route. ing; or No, I was not. I was sitting on the "window seat," "Do you realize the tremendous with my wife next to me, when suddenly, chessed that Hashem performed for some kind of com1notion originated you? He saved you in a most incredible fron1 outside the bus. Whatever it was, way!" The Rosh Yeshiva was quite it seemed to be a portent of something moved by my account and continued in ominous. A soldier, of whose presence this vein for another minute or so. He MEHL CATERERS I only now became aware, flew down the then ruled that in this particular situa aisle from the back, grasping his rifle, tion I was not required to recite the Is Pleased Tu dashed out the door, and started shoot beracha. This incident had occurred dur Announce ing into the darkness. Almost everyone ing the Nine Days period prior to Tisha hastily exited the bus, but my wife and B'Av (when Kial Yisroel's mazal is at a That We Are I were too frightened to move. low). And, the Rosh Yeshiva added, he A young Israeli, sensing our discom was aware of similar incidents that took Accepting Bookings fort, ca1ne over to reassure us. Only then place during this period. He always cau For Your Simchas did we find out what had happened. He tioned people to avoid any risky activ picked up a small boulder that had ity during this time. smashed through the window directly #:===== behind me and was now sitting on a seat esides answering the question I Terrace On The Park that had fortunately been vacant. The had posed, Rabbi Scheinberg Mehl Caterers rock was courtesy of some Arabs. I asked Bmade me realize the significance the Israeli, "Does this happen often?" of what had taken place. In effect, he had New Award Winning Chefs Fealwing Nouvellt Cuisine He replied nonchalantly, "Only about provided me with a concise but funda With Traditional Tastes once a month." Then added, somewhat mental lesson, namely, the in1portance Now With Largest Dance Floor In N,Y.C. taken aback, eyeing the large rock, "But of appreciating the numerous chassadim Chtck our 25/Ji Anni•mOJy Sp The Jewish Observer, February 2000 39 ular set of circumstances in which my which He conferred upon Israel? what happened. wife and I had found ourselves. In Hal The answer to this perplexity involves The ruffian of the story represents le/, we recite, "Praise Hashem, all a parable of a blind man, and a ruffian those nations that viciously plot to nations, extol them, all peoples. For His who sinisterly places an obstacle in his entrap the Jews, who, similar to the blind kindness has overwhelmed us, and path. For some reason, before the blind man, know nothing of the evil designs Has hem's truth is forever. Praise G-d!" man reaches the obstruction, he decides that are pending. When these fail, the (Tehillim 117). The Bnei Yissas'char to alter his course somewhat, and nations become prime witnesses to questions a seeming incongruity here. astonishingly walks around it, contin how Hashem bestows kindness on His The first verse calls upon the nations to uing on his way unharmed. people by not allowing these plans to praise Hashem. Yet, in the context of the The sightless man knows nothing of come to fruition. This chapter in Hal second verse, we, the Jewish people, are this great miracle in which Hashem le/ underscores this by stressing that our referred to as beneficiaries of His kind shielded him from harm. His adver enemies - would-be perpetrators who ness. Why should the nations sing sary, whose plan was foiled, is only too have seen firsthand how their evil praise to Hashem for the kindness aware of it, and is dumbfounded by designs have been thwarted - are in the most ideal position to understand the necessity to laud Hashem, Who has rained down His beneficience upon us in a most extraordinary manner. It hurts This compelling insight pertains to those acts of Divine compassion of 1oc II which we are not cognizant. But the con viction that they exist makes it even I more incumbent on us to offer thanks for the countless examples of which we are aware. Interestingly, one of the pre eminent mussar works, Chovos HaLevovos, offers this same example of • a blind man to illustrate how most of humanity fail to recognize even those benefits that are clearly visible to aJll. They include the smooth operation of our bodily functions, the availability of It hurts the food and drink we consume and the clothing we wear) the mountains, lakes) and other natural phenomena that delight our senses, the numerous prod ucts and services that make our lives more productive and satisfying; in short, all of the myriad benefits that are constantly accruing to us by the grace of the One Above. Of course, we duti It feels better just to talk about it. That's fully bentch gomel and recite other why we're here. Our staff is made up of caring and sensitive individuals. Together, appropriate berachos upon experiencing we can help you explore your options. We manifestations of Hashem's kindness can refer you to recognized professionals when they are called for. Logic dictates for counseling, legal advice or help in finding a safe environment. We can also that, in addition, we should attempt to put you in touch with some very special establish the attitude in which we Rabbis. But in order for us to reach out to actively internalize their message and you, you must first reach out to us. make it part of our lives. Confidential Hotline 1.888.883.2323 When issues of Jewish law and cus (Toll Free) tom arise, in addition to conscientiously 718.337.3700 following the ruling of a competent Do it for yourself. (NYC Area) authority, we should be open to absorb ing any underlying messages that res- Do it for your children. Shalom liJsk Force 1s a 501(c)(3) charitable orgari1zation onate from the circumstances. • 40 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 ay I· use your columns to son plan, project or learning aid which traveling from ~o&a ti> th~ sliaiotti share an idea with your read had as its goal teaching our talmidim Torah Academies of Central New Jersey Mers - in response; one might that they have an achrayostoward their did think about it ... and did something say, to the inspiring articles you've assimilated fellow Jews. The recent about it! For the past two years, helped been featuring on the World of the Ba'al passing of two giants of our generation by the generosity of Steve Eisenberg, the Teshuva, as well as to other topics fea - Rabbi Moshe Sherer of Agudath children of Shalom have been prepar tured in JO .... Israel and Rabbi Dr. Joseph Kaminetsky ing and distributing "Project Esther" Project Esther is such a good idea that of Torah Umesorah, both of whom ded shalach manos packages to enormous I wish I had thought of it. In fact, I icated their lives to the benefit of their effect. Students, teachers, parents and the thought I had thought of it. .. but it fellow Yidden - helped to give the community at large have all benefited. turns out that the Shalom Torah Acad thought even more urgency. emies in New Jersey, together with an What would happen if, as a part of rs ago, Shalom pioneered the energetic young askan from NYC our Purim preparations, every Rebbe oncept of "Partners in Torah:' named Steve Eisenberg, beat me to it! and Morah at every yeshiva/day-school Torah Umesorah has since devel A year and a half ago, Yonason would teach about our responsibility to oped it into a national network of Rosenblum of Jerusalem and Gary Tor Kial Yisroel? What if every teacher said chavrusa pairings between Torah literate gow of Detroit shared the podium at a to the students that when school Jews and beginners. Perhaps now is the Shabbos afternoon session of the resumes after Purim we will be writing time to expand Shalom's Project Esther National Torah Umesorah Convention. a poem or composition/doing art pro concept to schools across the country. Their subject was countering the dread jects/sharing the story about the shalach There have been highly successful fully negative public perception of manos parcel that each of us (teachers ventures in kiruv rechokim, such as Shab Orthodox Judaism in the included) gave to someone who might bat Across America, that capitalize on the secular/Reform/Conservative Jewish otherwise not have gotten any Purim enthusiasm and excitement that comes world. Rabbi Rosenblum gave us many package at all? What if each school pro from great numbers of people partici of the facts needed to refute the flood vided the teachers with some printed pating in the same mitzva at the same of disinformation being spread about enclosures for the shalach manos pack time. Closer to home, think of the Daf Torah observance. Mr. Torgow fol ages that told the story of Purim and the Yo mi Siyum HaShas or the Tisha B' Av lowed with examples of things that we Jewish· tradition of gift-giving and gatherings organized by the Chofetz as individuals could do to help foster a achdus that it teaches? Perhaps modeled Chaim Heritage Foundation. The thrill more accurate, positive image of on the touching and inspiring Am of participating in a massive joint effort halachic Jews. One point he made was: Echad advertisements that were Rabbi greatly enhances its impact. "If, of the 200 or so shalach manos pack Sherer's last great gift to Kial Yisroel? The beauty of Project Esher is that we ages you prepare, twenty would be set Think of it - younger grades could don't have to choose a day or create an aside for your non-frum neighbors, focus some of their pre-Purim arts and arbitrary event that can be shared by all friends and relatives, think of the impact crafts toward decorating a particularly of our talmidim. That day was estab it could have!" special shalach manos basket - special lished thousands of years ago for us by Well, that did get me thinking. After because this basket might be the recipi Mordechai and Esther specifically to fos thirty years in chinuch, and a dozen years ent's only shalach manos - maybe their ter rei'us- camaraderie- among all of collecting the best and the brightest first! Older children could work on writ Kial Yisroel. Perhaps this is the year to teacher-made curricular materials for ing their own special explanation of the bring Project Esther to your school and the Torah Umesorah Creative Learning Megilla to enclose with their gift package. community! • Pavilion, I could not recall a single les- And everyone could benefit from think ing aobut and planning how to expand If you are interested in bringing Project Esther Mrs. Kramer, is director of Torah Umesorah's the joy of Purim while performing a kid to your school, your principal can contact Creative Learning Pavilion in Los Angeles, Shalom Torah Centers at (732) 363-5700 or Mrs. which serves as a resource of teacher-made learn dush Hashem of enormous magnitude. Shana Kramer at (323)936-0814 to discuss ing materials. Well - the dedicated mechanchim details. The Jewish Observer, February 2000 41 POSTSCRIPT Rabbi Shimon Finkelman IMMOULltt VIOLENCE THE TORAH'S VIEWPOINT n his very timely and insightful arti ity had caused him to lose sight of basic To what can this be likened? To cle, "Freedom Vs. Limits" (Jan, '00), social mores, a point where the world someone who is mentally ill and per I Rabbi Brafman writes that Chazal became filled with robbery. This is what ceives everything exactly the opposite see a definite connection between Rashi means when he states that "their of someone who is mentally sound. immorality and violence: "The Gemo decree was sealed only on account of rob Similarly, these sins, which bring a per ra at the end of Nedarim says that an bery:' Rampant robbery had defined the son to spiritual derangement, brought adulterer would resort to murder if nec depths of man's immorality. the generation of the Mabul and the essary to continue his illicit affair, based Similarly, the sins of Sodom began people of Sodom to a pitifully low level. on the pasuk, 'Ki ni'eifu vedam biyedei with immoral behavior, as implied in the Thus, an immoral person is liable hem ... "' The implication is that the verse, ''And the people of Sodom were to act violently - not merely to satis adulterer would resort to violence if that exceedingly wicked and sinful to G-d" fy his passions, but because immoral is what is needed to satisfy his lusts. In (Bereishis 13, 13; see Rashi there and also ity breeds violence. fact, an immoral person's tendency on verse 13, 10; see also Bamidbar Rabba towards violence goes far beyond that. 20, 22). Their immorality went t is not coincidental that the "New The Slonimer Rebbe, N""""'1, Rabbi unchecked to the point that the entire Morality" of the 1960's coincided Shalom Noach Berezovsky, cites the populace saw nothing wrong with I with a sharp increase in violence episodes of the Mabul (Deluge) and the engaging in behavior described in the across America. How unfortunate that destruction of Sodom to illustrate this Torah as an abomination. And this is American society fails to see the con point (Nesivos Shalom, volume I, p. 115). what produced a land known as a seat nection! Regarding the Mabu~ writes Nesivos of cruelty and violence. But the lesson should not be lost on Shalom, immorality was the primary Nesivos Shalom explains: our community. As Nesivos Shalom cause of the world's destruction. But what Immorality is a sin deeply rooted notes, Yoseif HaTzaddik, who epito degree of immorality was necessary for in the thought process. Therefore, it mized kedusha and tahara, sanctity mankind to lose its privilege to exist? It causes the sinner to become "mental and purity, was also known for his had to reach a point where man's deprav- ly deranged" in a spiritual sense. He compassion. "And Yosef, he was the adopts a way of thinking that is anti ruler over the land, he was the Rabbi Shimon Finkelman, a rebbe in Yeshiva Darchei Torah, Far Rockaway, NY, is a frequent thetical to truth, so that in his mind, provider to all the people ... " (Bereishis contributor to these pages, including "Windows robbery and cruelty are proper and 42, 6). As viceroy of Egypt, Yosef was of Heaven;' in Mar. '98. He is the author of sev acceptable. This is how cruelty became certainly in a position to delegate eral biographies published by Artscroll Mesorah the "official culture,, of Sodom and authority and have others handle the Publications, as well as a recent book on the sig Amor a. distribution of food during the nificance and celebration of Lag B'Omer. hunger years. But being a man of enor mous compassion, he insisted on act ing as "provider" to ensure that every starving individual was cared for. (This interpretation is attributed to the Shach). Yosef's levels of purity and compassion were, says the Slonimer Rebbe, interrelated. Thus, as one strives to enhance his levels of kedusha and tzenius, he is further developing within himself to: Board President J. Gordon 314·644-5730 the attributes of chessed and rachmamim. • 42 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 ber is 45,000 [27,000, Israel - 15,000, N. Mosdos Press Literature, a junior high school America - 3,000, rest of world] which English Literature textbook, edited by translates into 3/4 of a million Orthodox Mrs. Judith Factor. Jews from birth until twenty years of age, In reviewing this book, it was obvious il").)j?. how much time and effort were invested Every single frum Yid is an olam malei in choosing text material that would not (complete world), and it would be wrong only meet or exceed any standards set forth to dismiss hundreds of thousands of by the Boards of Education, but most WHEN EVERY JEW COUNTS Orthodox Jews, as if they did not exist. important of all, a textbook that any ben MENACHEM BERGER Torah could feel confident about, without To the Editor: Monsey, NY concern that the book have any inappro We are indeed fortunate to have priate material. It is gratifying to know that amongst us Yonason Rosenblum, who is we can now offer secular reading mater such a talented and articulate spokesman NEED FOR APPROPRIATE SCHOOL ial while using our Torah as our moral for Torah Judaism. TEXTBOOKS: A GRATIFYING RESPONSE standard, and still keep within the I would like to correct a bit of misin required educational framework. formation mentioned in the lead to his To the Editor: In speaking with the educators article ("Media Darlings;' Jan. '00). Ortho Over a year ago, I wrote a letter to The involved with the publication of these text dox Jews, who keep Shabbos and kashrus, Jewish Observer, discussing the need for books, I was excited when they informed have Besiyata DiShmaya grown far a secular curriculum suitable for yeshiv me that an entire series of English Liter beyond the numberof 1.2 million world as and Bais Yaakov schools. At that time, ature would be available on a high school wide, nj]p. I expressed my concern that in the fields level very shortly, and that other subjects, The present, accurate estimate for ofliterature, science and history, textbooks such as Science and History, will be forth Orthodox Jews in Eretz Yisroel is between and materials currently available were not coming at a later date. This added project 900 thousand and one million; in North proper for us to use. involves a lot of planning and cost, and I America, between 550-650 thousand; After that letter was published, I was think that we should all be very grateful and in the rest of the world, between 120- contacted by many educators from differ to Mosdos Press for undertaking such an 150 thousand= a total ofbetween 1.67 - ent institutions across the country who important project. 1.8 million!! shared the same sentiments. They felt that Since my opinion may not be enough For the readers' information, an accu the time had come for us to provide our to encourage all educators and principals rate count [census under Torah guidelines] schools with appropriate learning materi to follow up on this matter, may I point of first graders [from Orthodox homes] als. Therefore, I was elated to receive Cleve out that Rabbi Elya Svei N""'7v has given worldwide has been taken, and the num- land's Mosdos Ohr HaTorah's publication, his highest recommendation to Mosdos Press and Rabbi Aharon Dovid Goldberg N"'°"", who are spearheading this project. I look forward to the success of this . . . project and thank all those involved. TYPE OF CAR OR SIMILAR RABBI EUEZER GROSS ROSH HAYESHIVA A FIATPUNT03DR. _ '126 .. --e vW POL0--5oR-.--·-- :-_~7 YESHIVA GEDOLAH OF Los ANGELES --c:;--C P'EUGEoT'i.i06RENAUi.T cl.10 ______!_?".~ C~ -~~~-~_B_!§'til CAR_l~-~-·---.. MORE APPRECIATION --::NT MINIBUS 8 SEATS MT -MINl8-U$10$£.i.fS___ _ FOR RABBI ROGOW ?":ir • 0 KlA PRIDE I OAIHATSU SIRION _i?- DAEWOO LANOS - ' ------"'.__ .-NJSSANAijJi'E~--- To the Editor: G ;-MAZDA'LANTIS'1".a--·· I would like to comment on Rabbi Ben ---=-!(__:_~ • GMC SAVANA 798 x 7CITROE:N XANll'A ____.. ·- 3So zion Rand's magnificent article on Rabbi XL •M.uoA 626 I PEUGEOT 400-2~0 385 -sx- •-cHEvROLET-MAUBlt-- -·6s8 Mordechai Rogow ?·:ir (Dec. '98). Ki- -;-MAZDA' ti~----·---- 763 I believe that Rabbi Rogow, affection -vx-· . VOLVO 940 -- -933 -j"'l!"'" • LAN[>:;ROVER DiScovERY"" -- 980 for details &.. reservation: ately known to his students as Rebbe, USA &. CANADA demonstrated a unique combination of AC!\')' 76 room hotel, within~ Toll free: (1) 800-938-5000 traits through which he was able to serve walkmg distance of the old city as an exemplary model of a Rosh Yeshi and Jerusalem's tourist area. Tel In NY: 212-629-6090 va to our contemporary American 24 King David• St.Jerusalem http:/ /www.eldon.co.il/ community. The Jewish Observer, February 2000 43 We learn the characteristics of an ideal sins? Don't talmidim need someone who noticed this-worldly features, if at all. He Rav from the description in Malachi I. "speaks their language;' understands walked with a slow, measured gait, his eyes Among these are" Torah y'vakshu mip their values, and appreciates their needs invariably fixed on the ground, always pre ihu (they will seek Torah from his to build a close relationship? How can occupied in learning, hardly paying mouth), rabbim heishiv me'avon (he a true malach succeed in saving this (or attention to the goings-on around him. turned back many from sin), ki malach any) dor from sin? I recall when the yeshiva (Hebrew The Hashem Tzivakos hu (for he [virtually] Because Rabbi Rogow synthesized ological College in Skokie, Illinois) com is an angel of Hashem) ...." The question this unique combination of middos to pleted a new classroom building on its arises: if a teacher is so far removed from such an extent, he was able to successfully campus, and the shiur room was moved the mundane pursuit of olam hazeh (this teach, influence, direct, and attract his next door to the new building, Rebbe for world), how can he serve as a powerful talmidim in accordance with the teach several weeks thereafter would continue influence on his students? How can they ings of Chazal based on Malachi. to arrive at the old shiur room where he relate to him, seek Torah from him, and Let me give a few examples: would wait a few minutes for the be influenced by him to turn away from • Rebbe was someone who hardly bachurim before remembering that his classroom had been changed! • Bechinos (examinations) were a use ful tool to encourage review of the class ow:.~·.•:,, .•• material ... Rebbe took it very personally KOLEL CHIBAS JERUSALEM if his talmidim did not do well on the bechina for he felt that it was surely his ~ HEB MEYER BAAL HANESS fault, and not theirs. He was seen to sit Founded;~ i sJo CElllBAI. OfFICE: •1282 49th ST.· BROOKLYN, N. Y. 11219 •718-633-7112 ·FAX 718-633-5783 quietly crying in the shiur room when the class did poorly (like the angel that he was). The students knew this, and did their utmost to avoid causing pain to their beloved Rebbe. The bachurim would stay up 'ti! all hours of the morning review ing their learning so as to do well and pro vide satisfaction to their Rebbe. • Even though HaRav Rogow was somewhat distant from us, he was also very close. He knew what to say and when The Pillar OfTzedaka V'Cbesed In Eretz Yirnlel to say it ... always encouraging and full of words of chizuk. Kole/ Chibas Jerusalem When he would meet with members Reb Meyer Baal Haness of the Board of Directors who were some Call us for aPasblia in your home, business or SbuJ, times of culturally different backgrounds, II will be a Segulab for Yesbuabs, Refuabs, Hatzlocba they were always won over by his humil and Nacbas for you and your entire family. ity, honesty, and desire for their welfare. • During the heavy snow of typical Chicago winters, when Rebbe's normal transportation arrangements were sus pended, special substitute drivers were pressed into service, among them my father, 11")). Rebbewould always try to find some topic of conversation in common with his driver to demonstrate that they The "Minhag Yisroel" Continues! were co-travelers, not that he was being chauffeured. Do your children & grandchildren •At a luncheon remembering the 40th have a Reh Meyer Baal Hanes Pushkah? anniversary of the yeshiva, Rebbe spoke, Call or fax us with their names & addresses mentioning the midrash that if non-Jews and we will send them apusbkah and a only knew the protection korbanos offered Beautiful Cballab Cover. on their behalf in the Reis Hamikdash, they would form a guard around the Temple 44 The Jewish Observer, February 2000 to protect them. Similarly, if rl1ey only real repeating his main point over and over, CLARIFICATION ized what profound protection was pro accenting the idea in-between by waving vided to the world by the learning of Torah his hand in the air, and slapping it on the The article "Making My Way Home· by the bachurim in yeshiva, they would table. "How can one not put all his ward," which appeared in the January de1nonstrate corresponding appreciation. strength in serving Hashen1? How can one issue of The Jewish Observer, vvrote about This was to help us understand the true be mivatel (waste) even one minute from the sacrifices many ba'alci teshuva make significance of our learning endeavors. learning Torah? How can one daven with on their journey back to their roots. • The Rebbe could create the exact out full kavana? How can one not learn While some people may have thought mood needed for the moment: At the from the Avos the ways to serve Hashem they recognized the characters, the pro yeshiva's hesped for Rav Aaron Kotler ?··lll, properly? How can one not do complete files of "Elizabeth Goldner" and "Jen the Reis Midrash was packed with teshuva to cleanse his neshan1a before nifer" and "Larry Winters" were actual talmidim and hundreds of baalei battim Hashem?" Thus the aloof soft-spoken ly composites of various people sharing from the Chicago community. When "angel" could powerfully turn the hearts a con1mon struggle. In each case, the Rebbe got up to speak, there was a hush. of his talmidim back to Hashem. story's main artery reflects the true Before he began to speak, he requested It was through my years of learning drama of a 111evakesh ha'emes, a seeker from all those assembled to arise from with Rebbe that I came to understand that of truth; yet much personal data was their chairs and join him in sitting on the it is possible to combine together the altered. The author, Debbie Maiman, floor for several minutes as a demonstra pesukim of Malachi. apologizes for any embarrassment that tion of our mourning for the terrible loss SHABSAJ SLAE inay have resulted from cases of "mis to Kial Yisroel. The experience of that Brooklyn, 1VY taken identity." scene of an entire congregation sitting on the floor in aveilus remained with me long after I forgot the details of the hespedim. CHEVRA OSEH CHESED • Rebbe always encouraged us to max OFAGUDATH ISRAEL imize our Torah learning as much as pos sible. When asked where it was better to BURIAL PLOTS learn at night, in a beis midrash or at home, IN ERETZ YISROEL Rebbe answered that one should learn where he learns the best. When it was Intennent in a Shomer Shabbos Beis Beautiful rooms, with kitchen facilities, in pointed out that when the voice oflearn Olam near Beis Shemesh the heart of Baro Park, by day or week. ing is heard in a person's ho1ne at night it Please pboriti or Write to: Near Shuls, take out foods, etc. Profits to Mifal Torah Vodaas. provides shemira (protection) to his home, Chevra Oseh Chesed of ~dath Israel Rebbe asked, "Who says that when some 84 William Street.Ne\\! Turk, NY 10038 Call (718) 851-2969 one learns in shul., that is not considered (212)7.97-9000 No T.V.'s as having the voice of Torah in his home?" • His talmidin1 were drawn close to him through strong bonds. Talmidim would walk the five miles from the yeshiva in Skokie to Rebbe's house in Chicago's Albany Park section on the second day of Shavuos to be m'kablei p'nei Homv (greet and spend time with the Rav), often in Chicago's famous sweltering summer heat and humidity. •Perhaps the unusual synthesis which we have discussed can be exemplified in the manner by which Rebbedelivered his talks. When Rebbe began to speak, he did so very quietly. One had to strain to hear his soft-spoken words. Everyone im1ne diately beca1ne still so as not to n1iss a word. Gradually there was a development of a central idea, and a buildup to the main theme. It was at this point that the Rebbe spoke so very loudly, almost screamed, The Jewish Observer, February 2000 45 DO IT YOURSELF presents a•"'• ·~in.,.,., "I~""~ ~'l/!'r ~""' ,,,:=Ii~ l:i'TIC 'f'::t ')')"::I ;'l')I l"ll"l'IC\:l l'\'r'J"l'\11::1 V'llW ll~"l"I 1:11\:l 'll::I\)) J"l~Mlrl:I\ 111'01i''O 'llr\IO J"IUC'D 11Dll11'1:11 lll'\'"11'' r.ll:l"'l l"'f:l'l7 11C 'lllll:"' )'lllll"ln:I l"l~l';I ,,:.'\'IV ''O tt~V8S C.'l"~l)J"l)l'ltli'111'1"1'Di':ll"l'C M~·~; We've Been A Part of Jewish Tradition for ~. .,..,.,,~,~ (718)972-354? (718)633-%8! 250 Years, Every Stitch of the Way! , Fa• (718) 853-1~77 DMC, the world's leading producer of embroidery, tapestry and needlecraft threads, has been part of many mitzvos for 250 years. It's the thread used to embroider tefillin bags, challah covers, and yarmulkes. Now, we want to make you, the students of yeshivos SHALACHMONOS.COM and )ewish day schools, the experts! 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