Take Rashi with you wherever you go! I I"' The Sapirstein Edition Rashi is now available in convenient, Personal-Size booklets that fit into your pocket or purse Now available: Bereishis and Shemos each as a four-booklet pocket set The clarity and reader-friendly qualities of the Sapirstein Edition Rashi have made ii a bestselling and much-used aid in the study of Chumash. So popular, in fact, that the public is clamoring for a convenient small-size version. Responding to this demand, ArtScroll is proud to introduce the personal-size edition of this masterpiece. Available in a series of small 4%"x6" paperback booklets, each with sev­ eral parshiyos, this edition includes all of the features of ArtScroll's classic Sapirstein Rashi: the Torah text with English translation; Rashi in "Rashi script"; Tt'r"' SAµmsT~IN ®tT£01'-l Rashi elucidated in English with annotations to further explain this seminal com­ mentary; and the appropriate Haftaros. All in a size you can put in your pocket or purse, ready to go with you for your daily study. R)\SIJf;:~ Bereishis/Genesis and Shemos/Exodus are currently available; the rest is - ·-_----- :· __ -------- :·_: ·_·-:-·_·:·~-: --·_---~~ ~<::::: on the way. PERSONAL SIZE In Preparation: • Vayikra/Leviticus (3 booklets) • Bamidbar/Numbers (3 booklets) • Devarim/Deuteronomy (3 booklets) THE REBBES OF CHORTKOV An heir to the Chortkov dynasty, Rabbi Yisroel Friedman is the Rav of the Chortkover Kloiz in ~anchester, England. In this comprehensive book, he traces Chortkover Chassidus originating with Reb Dovid Moshe, son of Rabbi Yisroel of Rhizhin; to its vast dissemination to thousands of Chassidim in pre­ war Europe and Eretz Yisrael; from the devastating blows of the Holocaust and its aftermath, through to the present day. This significant work is replete with photos and documents of deep interest to every student of Jewish history. As inspirational as it is informative, The Rebbes of Chortkov brings the reader to the door of the Rebbes' court, where their wisdom and wonders can be seen and felt. In the hands of this talented author and unique authority, the spiritual nobility and dynamic power of generations of Chortkover Rebbes shine on every page. WALKING WITH RABBI MILLER Daily conversations with an inspirational gadol Join the inner circle of Rabbi Avigdor Miller's disciples as they accompany him on his daily walk, seen through the eyes of his ta/mid, Rabbi Mordechai Dolinsky. This was a time when Rabbi Miller could engage in meaningful discussion in a casual context - away from the classroom or podium so closely asso­ ciated with his public persona. In this intimate setting, he shared his thoughts and insights, and often pondered verses from Mishlei (Proverbs). Rabbi Dolinsky recounts with reverent affection what he learned not only through his Rebbe's words, but also through his actions and choices. 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CONFRONTING THE DANGERS OF THE INTERNET RABBI NISSON WOLPIN, EDITOR Dealing With Some Major Moral Hazards in EDITORIAL BOARD RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Contemporary Society, Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, ,. .. V>7w Chairman 10 Staying Away From The Cybe!"-Slums, Rabbi Leib Kelemen RABBI ABBA BRUDNV JOSEPH FRIEDENSON RABBI YISROEL MEIR KIRZNER 14 A Ubiquitous Challenge, An Insidious Trap, Rabbi Aaron Twerski RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN PROF. AARON TWERSKI 16 The Dangers of the Computer and the Internet, DR. ERNST L. BODENHEIMER Z"L a Compendium RABBI MOSHE SHERER Z"l FoundE!rs 21 The Electronic Maakeh, Rabbi Yitzchak Adlerstein MANAGEMENT BOARD AVI FISHOF, NAFTOLI HIRSCH ISAAC KIRZNER, RABBI SHLOMO LESIN NACHUM STEIN The Chazon lsh 7--~1, Fifty Years Since His Passing, Rabbi Shimon Finkelman RABBI VOSEF C. GOLDING Managing Editor 3 6 Post Yom Tov Reflections: Back to Normal? Published by Rabbi Aryeh Zev Ginzberg Agudath Israel of America US. TRADE DISTRIBIITOR ISRAELI REPRESENTATIVE Feldheim Publishers lntnl. Media Placement 200 Airport Executive Park POB 7195197 Jaffa Road SECOND LOOKS Nanuet, NY 10954 Je1usalem 94340, ISRAH BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE BELGIAN REPRESENTATIVE Answering the Call, Avi Menashe M.T. Bibelman Mr. E.Apter 40 Grosvenor Works Lange Kievilstr. 29 Mount Pleasant Hill 2018 Antwerp London ES SlNE. ENGlAND BELGIUM BOOKS IN REVIEW FRENCH REPRESENTATIVE SOUTH AFRICAN Rabbi Bamberger REPRESENTATIVE 21 Boulevard Paixhans Mr. V. Taback 57000 Metz PO Box 51552, 4 2 Zorei'a Tzedakos: Contemporary Stories of Divine FRANCE Raedene, Johannesburg 2124 SOUTH AFRICA Providence, by Dr. Meir Wik/er, reviewed by Rabbi Labish Becker SWISS REPRESENTATIVE Mr. s. Feldinger Leimanstrasse 36 4051 BaS<>I, SW!TZERlAND 4S Letters-to-the-Editor THE JEWISH OBSERVER does not assume responsibility for the Kashrus of any product, publication, or service advertised 46 Black on White, a poem by Mrs. Faygie Borchardt in its pages © Copyright 2003 November 2003 VOLUME XXXVl/NO. 9 he invasive and corrosive effects of the warning them of the irreparable harm that can Internet on Jewish homes and result from allowing their children access to individuals has proven to be a cause of computers and the Internet. deep concern to our community's In addition, the Agudath Israel Conference of Tleadership. This problem was the subject of Synagogue Rabbonim sponsored a meeting this several sessions in last spring's Torah Umesorah past September on the topic of "The National Convention, where hundreds of Torah Enhancement of Kedushas Habayis," specifically as educators and a number of prominent Roshei regards home use of computers and the Internet. Yeshiva gathered to discuss pressing educational More than 60 prominent rabbanim from matters. Since then, Torah Umesorah issued a throughout the New York Metropolitan Area and letter to be sent to all Day School parents beyond were in attendance. This gathering was Recognizing And Dealing With Some Majo1 NEGOTIATING WITH AN ALIEN ture, are we consciously- and uncon­ tained without the use of the com­ ENVIRONMENT sciously - absorbing? Are we careful puter and Internet, that the Internet enough, sensitive enough, to prevent is a basic living aid which saves peo­ hese times of chevlei Moshiach - foreign values from penetrating our ple money, and provides necessary the stonny era prior to the advent Torah lifestyle? information; even divrei Torah. An Tof Moshiach - are fraught with office cannot function without a dangers everyvvhere. But \Ve have cer­ ORTHODOX MODERNITY: computer, and this is the way children tain guidelines taught to us in the ACCOMMODATION OR are being trained to learn, to play, to Torah, which enable us to invoke CAPITULATION? study, to do homework. n1axin1u1n racha111i1n v'chassodiln - Divine mercy and con1passion - in our he defenders and promoters of TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES lives. "fhe first thing to do is to con1- Orthodox modernity would mit ourselves to live fully Jewish lives, T make it appear that we're suc­ ll this may be true, to one extent uninfected by the virus of alien value cessfully meeting the challenge, at or another. \'\That, however, are systems. Yes, we all adjust to certain least most of the time. But we are not. Athe consequences of this wonder demands of our host society, and \'Ve Modernity, unless constantly rein­ of technology? You may or may not be accomn1odate ourselves to many ele­ forced with strong Torah values, aware of all the gruesome facts that are nients in the prevailing culture. VVe do with n1ussar and yiras Shamayim festering as a result of Internet use, or this technologically, even socially! But and strict behavioral parameters, is a computer with a little gadget called a David HaMelech ren1inds us, he V\'arns 1naking serious inroads in our fam­ modem. Our families, both children and us, "Vayisarvu vngoyiin vayilindu n1a'a­ ilies, in our youth, in many ways that adults, have open access to the worst scihe111- They mixed \Vi th the gentiles we tend to sweep under the carpet, pornography. The finest people, other­ and learned their ways" ( Tehillim 106, pretending not to notice that the yiras wise frun1 and observant, have fallen vic­ 34). If accommodation is necessary in Shamayim is slowly ebbing away. tim to the ugly attraction of gilui arayos order to econon1ically survive, vve Worse yet is that recently, accommo­ (promiscuity). The Internet, with the may feel that we must adjust in certain dation with modern technology has flick of a button, invades a Jewish ele1nents of our lifestyles; we niay not, created a spiritual 1nonster, a ravaging home, a Jewish soul, and makes moral however, allt)\V their spirit or their disease that is destroying the very disaster.