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Friday, December 4, 2020 • 18 Kislev 5781
Gantz: Blue And White Will Vote To Dissolve The Government
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Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz on Tuesday night announced his decision to support an opposition bill to dissolve the government and hold new elections. “I had no illusions about Netanyahu, I knew his record as a serial breaker of promises, but I thought Netanyahu would rise to the occasion given the scope [of the issue],” Gantz said at the start of his remarks, which were delivered at a news conference in Ramat Gan. However, he said, “Netanyahu does not comply and the public pays the price. Netanyahu did not lie to me; he lied to you. He did not deceive me, but all the citizens of Israel.” “Netanyahu has made the fight against the coronavirus a personal matter, while making everything his personal achievement. The only rule by which decisions are made is an attempt to get out of his trial,” Ganz said. Earlier in the day, Netanyahu released a vidContinued on p.2
WE ARE HERE
FO R YOU
Some of the 63 talmidei chachamim who gathered in Beit Shemesh, Israel, last week to celebrate their annual Siyum Hashas, having collectively completed 853,965 blatt of Gemara, Rashi, and Tosafos. Before the siyum, they were grilled for two hours on the entire Shas by Rav Chaim Weiss, rav of Beitar Illit, and Rav Bunim Schreiber, rosh yeshiva of Netiv Hadaas. (A video of the farher is available at www.shasyiden.com.) For more coverage, see pages 16 and 17.
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What Does Supreme Court Decision – Striking Down Cuomo’s Houses of Worship Limits – Mean? See Page 22
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Friday, December 4, 2020
Israel’s Coronavirus Czar Warns That Country Faces ‘State Of Emergency’ Israel’s National Coronavirus Project Coordinator Nachman Ash said on Tuesday that the country’s rising Covid-19 morbidity represents a “state of emergency,” adding that his office would meet to discuss “immediate steps” to be recommended to the so-called coronavirus Cabinet. Ash’s remarks were made during a situation assessment at the Israeli Health Ministry, after morbidity figures broke a two-month record, according to Israeli media reports. He suggested that Israelis had grown lax with regard to the regulations. “There is a feeling among the public that the corona[virus] has gone,” he said. Israel’s morbidity rate stood at 2.2 percent on Monday, and between Monday and Tuesday, 1,233 new cases were confirmed, according to Health Ministry data. As of Tuesday, there were 10,558 known active cases – 267 of which were classified as serious with a national death toll of 2,867. Israel entered its second nationwide lockdown in September with among the highest morbidity rates per capita in the world. At the peak of the “second wave” of the pandemic, nearly 10,000 new cases were being recorded daily. On Oct. 15, the Cabinet approved the Health Ministry’s proposal for a phased lockdown
Israel’s National Coronavirus Project Coordinator Nachman Ash at the Jerusalem Municipality last week. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
exit, with the criteria for the first stage being a daily average of 2,000 new cases and a basic virus reproduction value of 0.8. After the second phase of the exit was imple-
Tlaib Retweets, Then Deletes, ‘From The River To The Sea’ Post Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) retweeted a post over the weekend that read “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” that was part of an “International Day of Solidarity” picture. The legislator later deleted her retweet, took the picture and then tweeted, “Thinking of my sity Muftieh and family in Palestine today. From Detroit to Gaza, we will always fight against oppression and inequality.” “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is a phrase that is generally interpreted as calling for the elimination of the State of Israel. (JNS)
mented on Nov. 1, however, morbidity figures once again began to rise, leading to fears that the country may be headed back to a third lockdown. (JNS)
INDEX Aliyah Journal – Karoly…67 In
Memoriam.………….88
Anchor – Rahav-Meir……24 Kids………………………….66 Book
Shelf…………….…76 Kosher Delivered………..71
Challenge – Butman…….58
Chronicles – Bluth……….F3
Lashon Kodesh – Klein…60 Lessons in Emunah….….48
Classified………………..96 Letters………………....7, Collecting – Singer………50 M.M.
92
Weiss……..………..39
Community Currents..….64 News Briefs…………..…..44
Covenant – Sacks.……….26 Observations – Weiss……86 D a f … … … … … … … … … 5 4 Psyched – Schiffman……85 Dating
Decoded.……….74 Q&A – Y. Klass……………38
Dear Dr Yael – Respler….F2 Redeeming – Nataf.…….84 Editorials…………………7
Service Directory……….102
Goldwasser……………..38 S i n g l e s … … … … … … … . 7 4
Grandma – Rosemond….79 Soloveitchik – Ziegler……59 Halachic – Schachter…….24 Story – Teller……………..25
I Remember – Fine……….55 Tele-Health……………….82 Im Yirtzeh – Cohen……….74 West Coast………………..80
Gantz
(Continued from Front Page)
eo in which he personally addresses Gantz. “I’ve been saying for a long time: This isn’t the time for elections. This is the time for unity. This is the time to continue to bring vaccines. This is the time to continue our determined war on coronavirus,” he began. “It’s time to continue to help businesses, the
self-employed, the citizens. It’s time to continue to expand the circle of peace, and it’s time to place a unified front in the face of difficult political and security challenges that still lie ahead,” Netanyahu said. At the end, Netanyahu addressed Gantz personally, “Benny, what needs to be done now is to make a U-turn from politics for the citizens of the State of Israel. This is what needs to be done now, and I ask you to do it.” (Arutz Sheva)
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Friday, December 4, 2020
The Jewish Press
You are invited to join Beis Medrash L’Talmud of Touro’s Lander College for Men For a virtual shiur by
HaGaon HaRav ASHER WEISS שליט“א
On the theme ()תפילת עלינו
כי לך תכרע כל ברך
To You will bow every knee (Aleinu Prayer)
Timeless Faith: Eternal Torah Perspectives and the Coronavirus SUNDAY DECEMBER 6, 2020 |
כ‘ כסלו תשפ“א
1:00 PM EST This Shiur is being delivered on the occasion of HaRav Weiss receiving the inaugural Rabbi Raphael Zalman Levine HaCohen Endowed Distinguished Talmudic Scholar Award generously endowed by Mr. Joel Margolis of Albany, New York
To register for the ZOOM shiur visit www.touro.edu/ravweiss For more information please contact Rabbi Moshe Krupka at moshe.krupka@touro.edu
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Friday, December 4, 2020
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American Politics and AMERICAN POLITICS AND Culture CULTURE Prager’s PRAGER’S Perspective PERSPECTIVE BY BY DENNIS DENNIS PRAGER PRAGER
The Israelis Are Amazing – And So Is The Left I always thought no one – including Israel – could pull off something as incredible as the July 4, 1976, raid on Entebbe, Uganda. To remind readers what happened that day: A week earlier, on June 27, two Palestinian and two German terrorists hijacked an Air France Tel Aviv-to-Paris flight with 248 passengers on board, which they diverted to Entebbe Airport in Uganda. At the airport, the hijackers and four additional terrorists – aided by Uganda’s Idi Amin regime – held the Israelis and other Jews, and allowed the 148 non-Jewish passengers to fly on to Paris. BY DENNIS PRAGER The terrorists announced that unless 53 Palestinian prisoners – 40 in Israel and 13 elsewhere – were released, the kidnapped Jews (and the Air France crew, all of whom heroically remained with the Jewish passengers) would be killed. On July 4, the Israelis flew a disguised transport plane filled with Israeli commandos 2,500 miles from Israel to Entebbe. After refueling in Kenya, they landed in Entebbe, killed the terrorists, and BY TOM WOODS saved nearly every hostage – all in 53 minutes. No one had seen anything quite like the raid on Entebbe… until last week. On Friday, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the Iranian scientist considered to be “the driving force behind Iran’s nuclear weapons program for
two decades,” was assassinated in Iran. To appreciate was a communist, condemned the assassination as how remarkable this operation was, consider this: “a criminal act” and “highly reckless” and labeled it Fakhrizadeh traveled a different route to work every “murder” and “state-sponsored terrorism.” day, rode in a bulletproof car, and was accompanied He asked Iran to “resist the urge” to retaliate and by three personnel carriers that transported heavily “wait for the return of responsible American leaderBY WOODS armed bodyguards. ship on the global stage.” In other words, wait until BY TOM TOM WOODS The assassins cut off electricity to the area sur- the Holocaust-denying, Islamo-fascist, America-hatrounding the assassination and disabled all video ing, genocide-seeking Iranian regime is appeased by cameras as well. They a Democrat in the White exploded a car next to House. To the left around the world, Fakhrizadeh’s car and A United Nations had a remote-control spokesman said, “We conIsrael is the villain here, not Iran. machine gun fire at demn any assassination Fakhrizadeh. The enor extrajudicial killing.” tire operation took three minutes. None of the asA spokesperson for the European Union called sassins were killed or even wounded. All 12 (the Fakhrizadeh’s killing “a criminal act” that “runs number of assassins, according to Javad Mogouyi, counter to the principle of respect for human rights a documentary filmmaker for Iran’s Islamic Revo- the EU stands for.” lutionary Guards Corps) got away. A New York Times opinion piece said the asFakhrizadeh is the fifth Iranian nuclear scientist sassination “could strengthen hard-line factions in LIBERTARIAN toTHE have been killed in the last 13 years. One must Iran arguing against a return to diplomacy.” This assume that most, if not all, of these assassinations, statement embodies the naiveté of the world’s left, LINE whether was involved or not, were carried out including liberals: that evil regimes are composed BY TOM Israel WOODS by Iranians – which only shows how many Iranians of “hard-line factions” and “moderate factions.” loathe their liberty-suppressing, life-suppressing, The author of the Times opinion piece, Barbara women-suppressing, Islamo-fascist regime. Too bad Slavin of the Atlantic Council, added that the foreign Western countries and the Western media also don’t ministers of Britain, France and Germany should loathe the Iranian regime (what they loathe is label- “issue a statement condemning the assassination as ing the Iranian regime “Islamo-fascist”). illegal under international law and damaging to the One would think that every decent human be- cause of nonproliferation.” She said, “It would be the ing would welcome the elimination of a man whose ultimate tragedy if Israel’s aggression now led Iran life was dedicated to the annihilation of another to change its calculus and go for weapons.” country. There is, after all, no parallel in the world To the left around the world, Israel is the villain to the Iranian regime’s repeatedly stated goal of here, not Iran. annihilating Israel. And Israel – to the consternaUpon returning to France, Michel Bacos – the tion of European leaders, the United Nations, and heroic captain of the plane hijacked in 1973 who remajor American media – does whatever it takes to fused the opportunity to return to France and insistprevent itself from being annihilated. ed on remaining with the kidnapped Jews – “was John Brennan, the head of the CIA under Pres- reprimanded by his superiors at Air France and ident Barack Obama, strongly condemned the temporarily suspended from duty,” according to The Fakhrizadeh assassination. Brennan, who has nev- Jerusalem Post (Aug. 3, 2006). Such are the values er abandoned the moral values he held when he of our European allies.
THE The LIBERTARIAN Libertarian Line LINE
AMERICAN POLITICS AND CULTURE
PRAGER’S PERSPECTIVE
n Politics and Culture The Libertarian Line
Dennis Prager is a popular nationally-syndicated radio show host, creator of PragerUniversity.com, and the author of several books, including “Still the Best Hope: Why the World Needs American Values to Triumph.”
POLITICS AND CULTURE THE LIBERTARIAN LINE BY TOM WOODS
For The First Time, YouTube Censored Me YouTube has taken down “The Covid Cult” – a video of a lecture I gave that between Facebook and YouTube had nearly 1.5 million views. This is the first time this has ever happened to me. Why did they do it? It violated YouTube’s “Terms of Service” – which apparently include the provision that you may not question lockdowns, which are a brilliant idea and have no side effects. (You can still Tom Woods is a senior fellow at the Mises Institute, host of The Tom Woods Show, and the author of 12 books. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Harvard and a Ph.D. from Columbia University. His e-books are available at TomsFreeBooks.com.
watch it here: https://tomwoods.com/the-covid-cult.) Not one stitch of anything in that video is false, as you can see at the link if you haven’t watched it already. There are now other platforms you can use aside from YouTube to post videos where you can be confident they’ll stay up. That’s a good thing – but it’s also symbolic of the current divide. You don’t need me to tell you that the country was already divided well before Covid came along, but once all this passes – and every pandemic does pass, of course – there will be a profound and lasting division that is probably beyond healing. On the one side, you have people who think half the country selfishly ignored sound public health advice and put people at risk because they wanted to get haircuts. They’re not going to want to make nice anytime soon. Then you have our side. We’re the ones who tried to empathize with people who had lost everything they’d worked their whole lives for; people suffering from depression for whom “social distancing” was a death sentence; people whose medical treatments were indefinitely postponed; people around the world at risk of starvation from supply-chain disruptions; elderly people dying of “failure to thrive” because the deprivation of human contact
had made them lose the will to live – you know as well as I do that it’s a long and very grim list. Now look: I disapprove of making all of life about politics. I can’t stand people who have litmus tests for friendships, etc. I shouldn’t have to investigate what my ketchup company donates its profits to. But I’ll be honest: I don’t particularly want to associate with people responsible for this fiasco. They’re surrounded by collateral damage and the destruction of societies and the things that make life worth living, and all they can do is tell us Covid is bad? They can’t think about more than one thing at a time? Meanwhile, they didn’t bother to notice that the charts of places with radically different policies were often exactly the same. That realization would have disrupted their ordinary course of action: namely, blaming people for the spread of the virus. If the virus spreads no matter what government policies are instituted, it becomes more difficult to portray oneself as morally superior and super concerned with saving human lives. And frankly, imagine the kind of person to whom the expression “Stay home, save lives” appeals. You can finally matter, and all you need to do is… absolutely nothing.
JOSEPH HOCHBERG, Circulation Manager JOSEPH HOCHBERG, Circulation Manager
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us to back Bill Thompson in that contest. agement. Friday, December 4, 2020 The Jewish Press Page 7 We have long admired Mr. de Blasio for his quick Another major responsibility of the comptroller mind, signature open-mindedness and profound is the auditing, vetting and investigating of virtualsensitivity to the plight of New Yorkers of all back- ly anything involving government spending. Here grounds and stations in life. We were particularly again, a cooperative spirit among the comptroller, taken with his understanding of our community’s the mayor, and other public ofcials is essential, religious needs and the need for their reasonable with clear understanding as to where the jurisdicaccommodation. tional red lines lie. Indeed, The Jewish Press enthusiastically supMr. Stringer’s credentials readily recommend ported him in his past races for City Council and pub- themselves. lic advocate. But all the talk of New York as a “tale of two cities” and of “taxing the rich” to pay for everBrooklyn District Attorney increasing spending made us wary. It also obscured on churches California Nevada which The dramatic decision by the U.S. Supreme some of the important, practical things he was sayThe Jewishin Press urges theand reelection of Charles argued that churches were prohibited from Court latethe last ing about cityWednesday, having to paytemporarily its bills and blocking prudent- had J. Hynes as Brooklyn district attorney. Mr. Hynes gatherings in sizes in enforcement of Governor Cuomo’s lim- organizing ly prepare to face a loomingAndrew scal crisis. is a 24-year veteran as Brooklyn DApermitted and has more such core social issues asservices abortion,tosame-sex than earnedentities. being returned to ofChief ce. Over the In response, Justice its On on attendance at religious combat commercial marriage and “stop signal and frisk,” Mr. deproof Blasio’s posi- Roberts years hejoined has transformed reputation of the ofthe court’sthe Democratic-appointed Covid-19, is a truly event. It is positive tionsPresident hardly differ fromTrump those of hisdelivered Republican op- justices ce to where it is now the rst choice of and many of – Ginsberg, Breyer, Sotomayor, Kathat Donald has on his ponent, Joe Lhota – as Mr. Lhota himself acknowlthe most talented young lawyers seeking work in promise to appoint justices to the Supreme Court gan – and stressed that the restrictions “exempt edged in his campaign commercials. Of course, they law enforcement. He also built a staff of more than treat more leniently only dissimilar activities, who hold traditional basic elements of the or are two very differentviews peopleonwith differing ideologi500 lawyers, which rivals the size of many of the such as operating stores, banks, and Constitution. cal approaches. Yet the practical problems that come country’s largest lawgrocery rms. Overseeing its work is laundromats, in which people neither congregate In May and July, the Supreme Court rejected with running a city like New York do not allow for a mammoth responsibility and management expelargeisgroups virtually identical challenges by congregations many radically different options. And so, to take one in rience crucial.nor remain in close proximity for periods.” during his period in ofce he has to virtually identical itstate-imposed virus-related issue as an example, seems inconceivable that a extended Most important, Mayor de Blasio be indifferent any was increasalternative approaches to crime prevention, Roberts went on to write, “The precise question restrictions. Thewould sole difference thistotime the initiated es in crime, as some have claimed. such as rehabilitation programs without activities presence on the court of the conservative minded of when restrictions on particular social incarceraJoe Lhota has Justice served Amy the public as MTA tion, that remarkable in combe have liftedachieved during the pandemicresults is a dynamic Trump-appointee Coney well Barrett, who should chairman and before that as Rudy Giuliani’s budbating recidivism. replaced the liberal-minded late Justice Ruth Bader and fact-intensive matter subject to reasonable get director and deputy mayor. But he never reHe has also attempted to work closely with Continued onBrookp.81 disagreement,” but the Constitution principally Ginsberg. ally connected with the voters and made his case. lyn’s diverse groups, including the Orthodox, in a coSix months ago, the Supreme Court narrowly Mr. de Blasio, on the other hand, has connected – operative effort to bring down crime rates. This has Continued on p.92 rejected to virus-related big time –challenges as evidenced by the lopsidedrestrictions polls in his involved taking into account the differing social dyfavor. He is likely headed for a historic victory on namics of the various communities in an effort to November 5 and will have an unusual mandate to maximize effectiveness of investigation and proselead the city. cution. The approach reflects a hard-nosed assessBill de Blasio has the intelligence, compassion ment about what it takes to enforce the law in manand innate good sense to be a great mayor and take ifestly different circumstances across the borough. our city to new heights. The Jewish Press calls on Mr. Hynes’s opponent, Ken Thompson, brings its readers to vote for him on November 5. much to the table: he has many good ideas and has had important crime ghting experience as an assisComptroller tant U.S. attorney in Brooklyn, but he is relatively A Special Woman The ingwill arecome. often For followed now, by Mr.periods Hynes The Jewish Press endorses Scott M.Charts String- young and his time Re “My Mother, Irene Klass Are Misleading of recovery and great heights of hatov er for comptroller. He is admirably suited for the deserves reelection both in terms of hakoras Tom Woods’ lasthe week – 10ceYears Later” (Nov. 27, page creativity. for what has done for Brooklyn and the Jewish of by dint of experience and demeanor. One of column andmay accumulated the major responsibilities of the comptroller the community, 12): featured is graphs purporting and to for the Soexperience although we be enterwisdom he fourofyears ascontrol Brookoverall management of the ve municipal-worker My father, Cantor Samuel show that mask wearing haswill nobring ingto a the darknext period leftist lyn’s chief prosecutor. union pension funds with combined assets of apGoldman, a”h , was employed by effect on the spread of Covid-19. of government through which we proximately $141 billion. As Manhattan The Jewish Press for nearly 30 But borough he’s conflating mask man- will have to grit our teeth, joy president Mr. Stringer has served as a trustee for Continued on p.67 years and, during that time, my dates with mask wearing. Just among us will emerge anew once family and I became rather close because there’s a mask mandate this era is over. with Rabbi Sholom Klass and his doesn’t mean people are complyEd Yitshaq Levenson lovely rebbetzin, Irene. ing with it. Delray Beach, FL ToHer be considered must be typed. Letters for think publication may, at the editor’s discretion, be abilityfortopublication, recall letters names Does Dr.chosen Woods Covid-19 edited for greater clarity. All letters must be signed – The Jewish Press does not publish anonymous of shortened friends and/or was nothing less than magically spreads from person to A Student of letters. Letters should be e-mailed to letters@jewishpress.com. Opinions expressed in the Letters section are those astonishing. fondly rememperson? Airborne diseases enter Rav Avigdor Miller? of our readers andI do not necessarily reflect the editorial positions of The Jewish Press. Last week, letter writer Yaaber visiting the Klass home in the body primarily through the kov Stern writes (about me), Manhattan Beach and, as the nose and the mouth. It stands to Whither Honesty More problematic than the apWhile many Modern Orthodox “Mr. Greenberger, in his heart of rabbi shared Talmudic sagaci- reason, then, that measures that And Ethics? athy, of course, is the proliferation Jews used to characterize such behearts, must be aware that the ty to guests, we would always reduce the outfl ow or infl ow of Reader Avner Bloch (Letters, of frum Jews who have no com- havior as a phenomenon alContinued found on p.81 lost, but he won’t concede schmooze withcondemns Irene. She will reduce the race Oct. 25) rightly thewould wide- disease-laden punction aboutair cheating, stealing, mostis exclusively in the haredi secspread among frum Jews to spread lying, and what diseases. have you, usually because tor, suchhe’s a characterization is no a disciple of Rabbi ask us apathy how our immediate famof these the was seemingly never-ending money in anthat illicitsofashion longer true (if itwho everproclaimed was). The Miller ily doing, mentioningseries the to make It’s unfortunate many Avigdor Letters our chosenbut foralso publication may,the at the editor’s discretion, of scandals thatmember has engulfed to cover name of each – from people choose to up reject misdeeds and ridi- that the Democratic Party is esbe shortened and/or edited for greater clarity. All letters must be signed – The Continued Jewish Presson p.67 community in recent years. of friends and neighbors. my brothers and parents to my cule scientific findings on topics sentially evil.” does not publish anonymous letters – and e-mailed to letters@jewishpress.com. First, I never read any of Rabson David. like disease control and climate It was her proclivity for change. Science is about gather- bi Avigdor Miller’s sefarim or chesed, though, that I contin- ing data and drawing conclusions books, and although I attended ue to ponder today in a world based on it. It’s regrettable that two or three of his lectures, I don’t where seemingly, and sadly, when conclusions don’t suit peo- recall him making any political everyone is only concerned for ple like Dr. Woods, they push comments. Indeed, until I read Mr. Stern’s letter, I didn’t know himself. them aside. In Shakespeare’s play, MacJacob Pinsky Rabbi Miller had even spoken beth, when the king thanks one Far Rockaway, NY about politics. Obviously, then, I am not a of his soldiers for saving his life, disciple of this great rabbi. But the soldier answers, “There if I It’s Not ‘Farfallen’ I am ever mindful of the late you don’t have be a disciple of any grow, the harvest is your own.” Thank you, Rebbetzin Klass, for Prof. Salo W. Baron’s rejection rabbi to understand the depths your unparalleled guidance to my of “the lachrymose [i.e., tearful] of evil to which the Democrats/ theory of Jewish history.” We leftists have sunk. All you need family and me. Ronald Neal Goldman mustn’t forget that periods of Continued on p.92 intense persecution and suffer-
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Page 8
Op-Ed
The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
Farrakhan, Warnock, & The Jews By MOSHE PHILLIPS In recent weeks, a number of liberal rabbis and others Jews have come to the defense of public figures who connected to Rev. Louis Farrakhan. The latest addition to this troubling list is a group of Jewish activists who last week publicly praised Rev. Raphael Warnock, the Democratic candidate in Georgia’s upcoming runoff election for the U.S. Senate. Warnock’s Jewish supporters are trying to rescue him from embarrassment over the news that Warnock has repeatedly invited a notorious Farrakhan supporter to speak at his church in Atlanta. In addition, in a 2018 church sermon Warnock exclaimed: “Young Palestinian sisters and brothers, who are struggling for their very lives, struggling for water and struggling for their human dignity stood up in a non-violent protest. … We saw the government of Israel shoot down unarmed Palestinian sisters and brothers like birds of prey.” Warnock also hosted Pastor Frederick Haynes III despite the fact that Haynes has called Farrakhan “a wonderful and great man” and “a prophetic leader for our time.” He has also proudly tweeted photos of himself posting with Farrakhan. Rev. Warnock, declared that he was “grateful” for Haynes’ recent guest sermon, and hailed him as his “brother.” Warnock also praised the extremist pastor Rev. Moshe Phillips is national director of the U.S. division of Herut North America. Herut is dedicated to the ideals of pre-WWII Zionist leader Ze’ev Jabotinsky. Its website is www.herutna.org.
Jeremiah Wright, whose anti-American sermons at the Chicago church that Barack and Michelle Obama attended generated headlines during the 2008 presidential campaign. On C-SPAN in 2012 (and probably on many other occasions), Rev. Wright praised Farrakhan as “one of the most important voices in the 20th and 21st century.” He added: “I’m not going to put down Louis Farrakhan any more than Mandela would put down Fidel Castro. Louis Farrakhan is not my enemy.” Equally troubling is the fact some of these same liberal rabbis issued a public statement defending another Farrakhan supporter, Tamika Mallory, who was one of the founders of the Women’s March. Two years ago, Mallory participated in a Farrakhan “Saviour’s Day” event at which Farrakhan railed against his “enemy,” the “powerful Jews.” Mallory proudly posted a video of the speech on Instagram. When some of her feminist colleagues urged Mallory to cut her ties with Farrakhan, she refused, declaring, “Where my people are is where I must also be. I go into difficult spaces.” Appearing on the ABC television show “The View,” Mallory was again asked about Farrakhan and again refused to condemn his anti-Semitic statements. That didn’t stop nine left-wing rabbis from publicly pledging “to remain actively involved” with Mallory and “to continue creating and strengthening relationships across our differences.” They don’t seem to understand that Jew-hatred and associating with Jew-haters is not a “difference.” It’s a deal-breaker. At least it should be.
On the other end of the political spectrum, some seem to think that a few kind words about Jews from the rap artist Ice Cube suffices to make up for his longtime, and continuing, support for Farrakhan. Ice Cube first drew the Jewish community’s attention back in the early 1990s when he wrote song lyrics complaining about “a white Jew telling you what to do.” Here was the song’s solution to that problem: “Get rid of that devil / Real simple / put a bullet in his temple.” Ice Cube makes no bones about his affection for Farrakhan. He has proudly posed for photos with the extremist Nation of Islam leader. In a tweet on June 10, Ice Cube wrote: “The Honorable Louis Farrakhan continues to warn America to this very second and he’s labeled one of your ‘evil names’ and you turn your ears off. Why is the truth so offensive that you can’t stand to hear it?” On June 29, CNN’s Jake Tapper called Farrakhan “a vile…anti-Semitic misogynist.” Very true. Guess who jumped to Farrakhan’s defense? Ice Cube. In a tweet that same day, he wrote, “Watch your mouth Jake.” A video posted on YouTube on September 5 features Ice Cube hailing “the positive message” that Farrakhan spreads. “There’s only a few people out there speaking for black people, and trying to get us to be stand up, respectable human beings and Minister Farrakhan is one of those, and that’s why I support him,” Ice Cube explains. Praising Farrakhan for improving people’s lives
Continued on p.9
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Friday, December 4, 2020
Op-Ed
The Jewish Press
Page 9
Why Are Terrorists Sending Millions To U.S. Colleges? By DANIEL GREENFIELD Open question: Is there any enemy nation or power that isn’t buying up academia? It’s one thing when wealthy enemy nations like China and Qatar do it, but it reaches a new level of obscene absurdity when it’s a terrorist entity – funded by our tax dollars –doing it. It’s not often that I’m surprised, but Mitchell Bard’s research in The Spectator turned up something I didn’t even imagine existed: A new study that I compiled for the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise found that U.S. institutions received more than $10 billion in foreign gifts from Arab sources from 1981 to October 2020. While it is not surprising the wealthy Gulf countries were responsible for the lion’s share, it was star-
tling to see the non-existent “State of Palestine” made nine gifts worth $4.5 million in the last four years. While the amount may sound relatively trivial, the impact can be exponential.
The university did not report the purpose and Harvard would not provide an explanation when asked. Because it fell below the $250,000 threshold required for reporting foreign gifts to the DoE, Harvard did not have to disclose a 2011 gift of $150,000 from the Palestinian Monetary Authority to establish an annual
Why is the PLO putting more of its money on the table? Part of the answer may be that the Gulf Arabs may be less prone to representing its agenda now that they’re pivoting to resisting Iran. The PLO might also want more control over the anti-Israel movement on campuses. U.S. campuses have a sizable pro-PFLP presence and pro-Hamas presence via Students for Justice in Palestine and the Muslim Students Association. While some of these movements had their roots in the General Union of Palestinian Students, the PLO’s direct control is very limited. This perhaps is its bid to influence campuses more directly. In any event, the more we learn about the money that colleges are getting from China and Qatar – and now Islamic terrorists – the worse their treason becomes.
clean – as if that were more important than their violent bigotry. Those who give celebrities and politicians who support Farrakhan a pass are making a terrible mistake. Candidates and celebrities need to be told – in no uncertain terms – that the Jewish community will treat them as pariahs so long as they embrace the leader of one of the largest and most dan-
gerous anti-Semitic movements in America today. Farrakhan’s supporters and fellow travelers must be challenged and ostracized – not coddled, excused, or invited to speak at Jewish or Zionist events. And a candidate for Senate who doesn’t denounce Farrakhan and end relationships with supporters of the Nation of Islam must be challenged on that account. Often.
The PLO and its defenders keep claiming that they’re struggling with a state of miserable poverty. Meanwhile, they’re funding chairs at American universities. Bard goes on to write that the “‘State of Palestine’ also made gifts in 2017, 2018, and 2019 to Harvard of $275,000, $775,000, and $525,000, respectively.” According to the article:
Daniel Greenfield, a Shillman Journalism Fellow at the Freedom Center, is an investigative journalist and writer focusing on the radical left and Islamic terrorism. This article was first published by FrontPage Magazine.
Phillips Continued from p.8 – and refusing to condemn Farrakhan for his anti-Semitism – reminds me of people who made excuses for certain other figures in history because they made the trains run on time or kept the streets
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Page 10
Op-Ed
The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
What’s Behind Iran’s Threat? By HAROLD RHODE Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khame- ishment” he mentioned and then failed to deliver not important in Mideast culture. What matters nei said that there must be a “definite punish- on it, Iranians would see him as powerless and he most in that part of the world is preserving one’s ment” for the assassination on Friday of Mohsen would be humiliated. honor. Fakhrizadeh, the head of the Islamic Republic’s So, when something like Fakhrizadeh’s asBut honor has a different meaning in the Midmilitary nuclear program. sassination takes place, senior leaders such as dle East than it does in the West. To the latter, It was a vague statement, as he didn’t honor involves doing the right thing, to mention whom he thought was responsithe former, it is connected to what other ble or specify the punishment. Why be so people say about you. Honor has a different meaning in the vague, though? Honor and shame are not words The regime’s failure to prevent this commonly bandied about in the West, Middle East than it does in the West. To assassination – like other past assaswhereas in Iran, they are a key part of sinations of Iran’s nuclear scientists everyone’s language and discourse. the latter, honor involves doing the – makes it look powerless. And powIn the West, when something goes right thing, to the former, it is connected to erlessness, in Iranian culture, equals wrong, we might say, “never mind” and humiliation, which must be avoided at then go about our business, often not what other people say about you. all costs. Avoiding humiliation is a daigiving the mishap a second thought. In ly struggle for Iranians, who consider Iran, on the other hand, when somedeath preferable. thing goes wrong, people use the Persian If Khamenei were to be specific about the “pun- Khamenei automatically shift the blame to lower phrase “eib na-dare,” which roughly translates as, officials. Those underlings do the same to those “Don’t worry; what you did won’t cause you shame below them in status. The blame continues to be and humiliation.” In other words, avoiding shame pushed down the ladder, as everyone engages in for an incident matters more than the incident itHarold Rhode received in Ph.D. in Islamic history humiliation avoidance. self. and later served as an Advisor on Islamic Culture Many lower-level officials have accused Israel By using the vague phrase “definite punishfor 28 years in the Office of the U.S. Department of of assassinating Fakhrizadeh, without any knowlment,” then, Khamenei was simply avoiding Defense. He is now a Distinguished Senior Fellow at edge of what actually happened or an investiga- blame for his government’s failure to prevent the the Gatestone Institute. This op-ed originally appeared on JNS.org. tion into what happened. Facts and evidence are assassination of Fakhrizadeh.
Friday, December25, 4, 2020 2020 Friday, September Friday, September 14, 2018
The The Jewish Jewish Press Press
a special report from palestinian meDia Watch
Fatah Offi cial Accuses Israel Of Inventing Fatah Blames Israel For PA Kids Program: Israel ‘Is Deliberately StealthMurder MannerOf OfTwo Injuring Palestinians Yesterday’s Israelis
Killing Palestinian Children’
By Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik By Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik By Nan Jacques Zilberdik
Israel is well-known for its state-of-the art invenSaid Fatah Salfit Branch Secretary Abd Al-SatOn Sunday, a 23-yeartions and innovations in science, technology, and othtar Awwad: “When an Israeli soldierAs directly grabs On the occasion of International Children’s Abbas Advisor Hails Terrorists ‘Martyrs’ old Palestinian terrorist er fields. his body immediately receives Day, Palestinian Duringinathis TV way, program on Islam, Abbas’s advimurdered two of hischildren Israeli were taught that Is- a civilian the listin ofthe Israeli inventions, a Fatah blue or red marks. They a policy that theyand can raelAdding “deliberately” targets sorhave on religious affairs coworkers into a factory officialmurders explainedthem. on offiThis cial PA TV that Israel has injure in a certain way.... can’t reveal Barkan Industrial Zone. and the The PA’scameras supreme shari’ah come up with aofway of injuring I’ve seen their bodies A Fatah official, howevdemonization Israel was Palestinians that is this policy that they implement. judge, Mahmoud Al-Habundetectable by any camera. Even though it is possi[injured] in this way blue and red marks by the er, fedeffectively to young blamed viewersIsrael by the bash, taught viewers that ble for the eye to see “the blue and red marks” of the occupation forces, which the cameras are incapable for theofmurders. “Israel,” he host an official PA TV’s Palestinian terrorists are injuries, the camera cannot record it. of revealing.” wrote Fatah’s The Best kids’ on program, “Facebook “dear” and “great martyrs”: page, “is incapable of proHome”: “We have already bid tecting anyone thathost steals TV children’s Wafarewell to our beloved ones, the He laa Palestinian Al-Battat:land.” “Unfortuour leaders, and our martyrs, also declared that no Israeli nately – and this is a very including Martyr Yasser is safe until the Palestinian painful thing that I want to Arafat, Sheikh Ahmed Yaspeople gain “its rights in its tell you about – a number of sin [the founder of Hamas], homeland.” friends have lost their right Martyr Abu Jihad [a terrorHamas, meanwhile, to livethe because the ist responsible for the murcalled murders “a occupaherois deliberately killing der of 125], Martyr Abu Iyad iction operation” and a “natural the Palestinian children, [head of the Black Septemresponse to the Israeli occuand this is a very painful ber terror organization], and pation’s crimes.” Islamic Ji thing.” other great martyrs.” had also justified the attack (Official TV,that “The (Official PA TV, as “natural,” and PA added “the settlements are,”aNov. legitiBest Home 21) “Reexamination,” Nov. 11) mate target for people of the resistance.” Official PA TV News reThat Al-Habbash reveres The movement alsoas called peated this libel well, murderers of Israelis is no for more attacks, claiming IsraelencouragmurdersPalestinians handing out candy to celebrate surprise. Palestinian Media ing people to out inti-in Palestinian “carry children Watch has exposed numerthe murder of two Israelis. fada againstsummary the settlement “random execuous statements by Al-Habterror, until its removal and tions”: bash that show he believes the liberation of the West Bank from the settlements and the settlers.” PA TV reporter: “The the conflict between the In the Gaza Strip, people rejoiced over the murders and some gave out Palestinian children are Palestinians and Israel is a sweets to celebrate.
being subjected to random summary executions, and there is no security for their lives that are threatened by danger at every moment. Every one of them – on the road or at home – is a candidate to be the next martyr.” (Official PA TV News, Nov. 20)
Page 11 Page 11
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This is not the first time the popular host Walaa Al-Battat has instilled fear in Palestinian children. In 2015, she told kids that they were in danger of being murdered by Israel “everywhere” and “all the time.”
war between “two projects: Allah’s project vs. Satan’s project.” Abbas’ advisor added another role model to his list when he posted on Facebook an image of Sheikh Izz A-Din Al-Qassam (pictured left), the leader of a terror group in the 1930s (Hamas’s official terror wing is named after him – the Izz A-Din Al-Qassam Brigades). Al-Habbash added that he was the first to promote holy war in the name of Islam: “The first who waved among us the flag of Jihad for the sake of the religion.”
Israel is behind efforts to “flood the Palestinian street with drugs,” according to Commissioner of the PLO Political and National Guidance Authority Nasser Nimr Ayyad. Calling for a national campaign to fight drugs, Ayyad aid there are “frantic attempts to turn Palestine into a producer of this destructive plague by turning agricultural lands into nurseries of death for the production of drugs:” According to the official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Ayyad spoke of “the efforts of the occupation and criminal drug dealers to flood the Palestinian street
with all types of drugs and to make it easier to obtain them through low prices.” Last month, the head of the PA Preventive Secu- and drive “Our tenacity rity Force Muhannad Abu Ali similarly blamed Israel for drug production and drug usehave among Palestinians. enabled us to achieve Last year, the Abbas-appointed dean of Islamic schools and PA TV host Imad Hamato explained on results outstanding TV that among the “bad” things Israel has “given to ourand clients.” the world” is “the use of drugs for and pills,” stated that Israel in cooperation with the CIA spreads “mood enhancers” and “hallucinatory substances” to Rothenberg, Esq. - Scott “destroy what remains of our children’s values.”
*****
PLO Official: Israel Is Trying To Flood The Palestinian Street With Drugs
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
Several Israeli Museums Open Doors After Closures Due To Covid-19 The Tel Aviv Museum of Art reopened on Tuesday, December 1, amid coronavirus restrictions. Other museums in Israel permitted to open their doors again on Tuesday include the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv, and Haifa’s Madatech – the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology and Space. “We are pleased and excited to reopen the museum’s gates to the general public and hope that all museums and cultural institutions in Israel will join us and reopen soon,” said museum director Tania Coen Uzzielli in a statement. “The museum is one of the safest spaces to visit as we strictly adhere to all Israeli Ministry of Health guidelines. A mix of wonderful and new exhibitions of Israeli and international art awaits visitors, along with classics and masterpieces by the great masters.” Visitors have to order tickets online, and admission to all museums will be limited. Museum workers prepare for the re-opening of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art after being closed during lockdown since mid-September. (Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90)
ZOA President Asks Saudi Arabian Minister To Fulfill Promise To Feature Israel On Saudi Maps The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) last week welcomed reports of meetings between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Saudi Arabia but noted that the country’s minister of state for foreign affairs still hasn’t fulfilled his promise to ZOA President Morton Klein to display Israel on Saudi Arabian maps. Last February, according to a statement by the ZOA, Klein and ZOA Chair Mark Levenson “traveled to Saudi Arabia with other Jewish organizational leaders” and were “delighted by the Saudi officials’ warm hospitality and statements of friendship, and their desire to improve relations with Israel and the Jewish community. The statement continues, “After a beautiful and exceptionally eloquent speech by His Excellency Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, ZOA President Morton Klein was honored to ask the first question during the Q&A. Mr. Klein stated:
“‘We’re all delighted and heartened to hear about your desire to improve relations among the Saudis and the Israelis. Your words of wishing to educate young Saudis about the appropriateness and mutual benefits of enhanced relations with Israel was especially encouraging. However, in this room, directly behind you, is a very large map of the world, which shows every country on earth, yet wrongly does not show Israel. Instead, the large map shows “Palestine” covering all of Israel. “‘How can Saudi Arabia educate Saudi youth and other Saudis of the mutual benefits of promoting relations with Israel and to end antagonism toward Israel if Israel is not even shown on the Saudi maps? “‘The maps send the opposite message from the message that you want to promote. Official Saudi maps in Saudi Arabia and the maps we saw on the Saudi airline that we flew in on also didn’t show Israel – sending the wrong message that either Israel doesn’t exist or shouldn’t exist.’” According to the ZOA, “Minister Al-Jubeir
turned around and looked at the wall map and seemed genuinely surprised to see Israel missing. He immediately and earnestly promised that he would immediately see to it that the maps are corrected. He promised [Klein] and all of us that the next time we visit, Israel will be indicated on all official Saudi maps, including the Saudi airline maps.” After the Q&A session was over, Klein said he went over to Minister Al-Jubeir and the latter privately reiterated his promise to him. “We have not been in Saudi Arabia since February,” said Klein and Levenson, “and thus do not know firsthand whether or not the maps were corrected there. Regrettably, we have been told that they have not been changed. We also noticed today that the map on Saudi Arabia’s official travel website still does not show ‘Israel’ and instead covers Israel with the word ‘Palestine.’” The ZOA said it looks forward to Minister AlJubeir fulfilling his promise to correct Saudi Arabia’s maps.
Report: IRGC Commander Killed In Airstrike At Iraq-Syria Border A commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was killed in an airstrike at the Iraq-Syria border, Iraqi security and local militia officials said on Monday, Reuters reported. According to the report, the identity of the
Safety Messages
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IRGC commander, who was killed in a vehicle with three other men, had not been confirmed. But two Iraqi officials claimed that the vehicle had been transporting weapons across the border and was hit in the airstrike after it entered Syria. The officials said that Iran-backed Iraqi militias
helped retrieve the bodies. The incident comes on the heels of the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh near Tehran. Fakhrizadeh’s funeral was held on Monday in Mashhad, Iran. (JNS)
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Friday, December 4, 2020
The Jewish Press
Page 13
AARON KLEIN The The Jewish Jewish Press Press
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The designation not only sanctions MJN’s asnow allows President Obama to use a Bush-era military doctrine to capture Jamal terrorists overseas. The State Department document designating MJN as terrorists does not mention the Benghazi attack. Rabbi Packer This despite an October By 2012 WallBen Street Journal report that ofghters afliated with Jamal’sHouse group Director the Jerusalem Heritage participated in the Benghazi attack. Earlier this month, The Daily Beast quoted rently being considered this very sensitive sources conrming MJN’sduring involvement at Benghazi. andRecently, potentially very of the Trump a new UNgenerous Security time Council resolution added MJN to itsremains list of sanctioned al Qaeda Administration to be seen. Moregroups. on this Unlike the State Department description, the soon. UNFor resolution details MJN’s alleged involvement his part, Prime Minister Netanyahu conin the attack on the U.S. special mission and neartinues to call for “unity” and the preservation by CIA annex. of the current coalition government. One has A UN narrative summary of the sanctions res-to wonder why Netanyahu doesn’t present a budget olution reads: “Muhammad Jamal set up a trainASAP if maintaining the current is so ing camp in Libya where Libyan government and foreign violent extremists were trained. Some of the attackimportant to him. ers The of the U.S. part Mission in Benghazi on 11 care Septemfunny is, his voters couldn’t less. ber 2012 have been identi ed as associates of MuThey haven’t elected him to be a pious spiritual hammad Jamal, and some of the Benghazi attackleader, but a cunning political hawk. It seems ers reportedly trained at MJN camps in Libya.” Benny Gantz, of thequoted army, still Earlier thisformerly month, the thishead reporter inmight not really understand how this political formed Middle Eastern security ofcials saying it gamemilitants works – from at least as well as the master, was the not Muslim Brotherhood who sprang terrorist leader Muhammad Jamal from Bibi Netanyahu. prison in 2011. The Muslim connection may serve WhatBrotherhood Is Potentially at Risk as further evidence of an Egyptian role in the Beng• Further action against Iran and Iranian hazi attack. proxies: Israeli military beenAway hammering Turkey and forces Qatar have Moving awayFrom at pro-Iranian terrorist forces operating Friendly Relations With U.S. It’s not only Saudi Arabia. Now major throughout Syria. Some estimates haveU.S. theallies numTurkey and Qatar are discussing developing closber of casualties inflicted on terror groups as over er with at the expense of Ameri50 relations in just the pastRussia few weeks. ca, according to informed Middle Eastern securiIn addition to the assassination of the Iranity ofcials. an In nuclear scientist, there are reports of another a shocking development, the security ofIranian Revolutionary Guard commander being cials further said Qatar and Turkey are leading serecently as well. All of thisofwithout anyrelareal cret talkskilled to study the possibility renewing tions with Syria and Iran in response President Iranian response. Clearly more can betodone to conObama with Tehran over its nutain theopening Iranian dialogue threat, but will the current opporclear program. tunity be missed? Qatar and Turkey, along with Saudi Arabia, • Legalizing the Young Jewish Communities: were deeply involved in supporting the insurgenIn the past week, both representatives for cy targeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister regime. Those countries are said to be some of the Benny Gantz haveof announced theirnuclear-weapsupport for lebiggest opponents Iran’s alleged ons aspirations. galizing upwards of 70 small Jewish communities According the security cials, Turkey,over Qatar built on statetoland in Judeaof and Samaria the and Arabia are disappointed with Obama’s past Saudi 25 years. This would be a major accomplishoutreach to Iran and what they view as a U.S. failment for those communities and their residents, ure to act militarily in Syria. as well asview for the surrounding, larger Jewish com“They America has losing major credibilimunities. ty,” said one ofcial. It’s foreign unlikelyministers that theof Trump administration The Qatar and Turkey, the of cials say, have been quietly discussing will object too strongly to such a move,aifchange at all, in toward Syria and Iran alongawith closer butattitude it’s important to point out that significant strategic with Russiawere thatnot could includein number ofrelations these communities included weapons and oil deals. areas set to become part of sovereign Israel under Last week, the Daily Mail reported Saudi Arathe Trump “Plan chief, of thePrince Century.” bia’s intelligence Bandar bin Sultan, The legalization of these communities said his country will make a “major shift” awaywould from its relationship with the U.S. in protest of Obama’s Continued dialogue with Iran and inaction in Syria. on p.20
Friday, 4,2020 2020 sets but Friday, December August 30,
Hizbulah Behind Recent Terrorist Attacks Militants acting on orders from the Iranianbacked Hizbullah were responsible for a spate of killings and attempted terrorist attacks in Israel during the past month, according to information shared with this column from informed Middle Eastern security ofcials. This past Friday, the Palestinian Authority arQuitetwo thecells politically tumultuous week in Israel rested consisting of Fatah militants in and Middle Let’s quickly what’s hapthe the West Bank East. who admitted upon see interrogation to being so recruited by another Hizbullah to carry attacks pened far before crazy thingout happens! against Israel, the security ofcials said. The ofcials said the cells wereJob being directed by Iranian Nuclear Scientist Security Qais Obeid, an Israeli Arab and a grandson of forAsKnesset most folks are probably aware, there was a mer member Diyab Obeid. Obeid defected major assassination in the Middle East last week. to Lebanon and became a senior ofcer of Hizbullah. The The head of Iran’s nuclear weapons program ofcials further said Hizbullah directedwas the gunned downout in attacks the street just outside cells to carry in the name of theofAlIran’s Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, capital city, Tehran.the military wing of Fatah. The attacks were alsomany to be conflicting carried outdetails in the There have emerged name of the Abu Musa Brigade, a small group about how the attack was carried out. Onebased narin Syria allied with Fatah. The ofcials said the Abu rative says a large group of up to 12 shooters atMusa Brigade is not known to have any serious extacked Iranian istencethe in the West Monty Bank. Burns’ convoy. Another says there was some of remote-controlled Earlier this month, kind this column rst reportgun, possibly controlled fromHizbullah a satellite, that shot ed that the Iranian-backed is nancing cells of the Al Aqsa Martys Brigades, the military up the convoy and then self-destructed. wing of PAway, President Mahmoud orEither a Nissan pick-upAbbas’s truck Fatah was defiganization. nitely involved in the attack, and that’s how you The security ofcials, meanwhile, said there is know these guys were serious. They weren’t going information that Hizbullah-nanced militants were tobehind rely on a Ford; they needed to be sure it Spewas a spate of killings here in recent weeks. going to start! cically, the ofcials said the jihadists were beWho it? That’s is hind thedid murder earlierthe thisquestion month ofeveryone Israeli reservist Seraiah was bludgeoned tosodeath asking. No one Ofer, has who taken responsibility far; at his home Habika,and in the northern Jorhowever, dueintoBrosh the timing incredible precidan Valley. sion of the assassination, I humbly suggest that There were media reports here Israel’s Shin Bet it could not have been done without both U.S. and Security Service was investigating a possible crimIsraeli knowledge without help from local ininal motive in thatand attack. dividuals. In my of mind, real question is The security cialsthe saidonly there is information how much of a role each played. the Hizbullah-backed cells also carried out the deadly Iran shooting monthrevenge, of Gal Gabriel was haslast vowed again.Kobi, Butwho it also killed to by make a Palestinian sniper in the citydeal of Hebron. wants a possible sweetheart with a Kobi hadincoming been on reserve dutyadministration. during the Jewish potential Joe Biden In holiday of Sukkot. the meantime, Israel has put its forces on a highFinally, the ofcials said there is information erthat level of alert andnanced instructed Jewish institutions Hizbullah- militants carried out a around the world to do the same. So much the drive-by shooting on Road 446 in the Westfor Bank “anti-Israel doesn’t equal anti-Semitism” last week targeting an Israeli car. No one canard. was inin that Itjured totally doesattack. and therefore everyone should be on alert. Waswon’t The be Muhammad Jamal Network Iran asking Jews if they are Zionist Involved In The Benghazi Attack? before they try to harm them. G-d willing, if they Is the State Department hiding the involvement do they willMuslim continue to be very unsuccessful. of try, an Egyptian Brotherhood-linked terrorist group in the Benghazi attack? GoingNations to Elections, Probably AWe’re new United report ties perpetrators of Benny the attack to the Muhammad Jamal Network, Gantz, the head of the Blue and White or MJN. Party, announced that unless an annual budget is presented for consideration very soon, his party Aaron Klein is Jerusalem bureau chief and senior will support opposition efforts to disband the curreporter for WorldNetDaily.com. He is also host rentofgovernment andradio announce new elections. an investigative program on New York’s While this is not a done deal, it seems like Isra770-WABC Radio, the largest talk radio station el isinheading elections inbetween the next months. the U.S.,toevery Sunday 7-9few p.m. His website is KleinOnline.com. How this will affect the numerous initiatives cur-
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MPs Complain To Amazon JewiSh newS fRom down UndeR Over Alexa’s Anti-Semitic Responses Dispatch from the culture War front By Doreen Wachmann Jewish Press UK Correspondent The All-Party Parliamentary Group against a special report palestiniantomAmazon eDia Watch Anti-Semitism hasfrom complained that its electronic home-device assistant, Alexa, was giving anti-Semitic answers to questions about Jews, Israel, and the Holocaust. Non-Jewish MPs found that, in answer to a query on whether Jews controlled the media, Alexa replied, “Jew Watch claims that Jews control the world’s financial systems and media.” To the question on whether the Holocaust was a hoax, Alexa replied, “Holocaust deniers claim the Holocaust was a hoax, or an exaggeration, arising from a deliberate Jewish conspiracy.” Amazon has launched an inquiry into the matter. Boris Johnson’s New Chief of Staff Is Jewish Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, who left last month after a power struggle in 10 Downing Street, has been succeeded by the chairman of World Jewish Relief. The new chief of staff, Daniel Rosenfield was educated in Manchester and went on to work at the Treasury under former Chancellors Alistair Darling and George Osbourne. He subsequently had a successful career in the financial sector. A member of the Jewish Leadership Council, Rosenfield has described Judaism as “pretty central” to his life. Shiva Services Now Permitted – In Shul Shiva services will be allowed in United Synagogue shuls as the UK emerges this week from lockdown and adopts a tier system to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, services have not been allowed in homes. The new shul shiva services can be either part of a regular service or a separate service once a day with a maximum of 15 attendees, plus the rabbi, for up to an hour. Attendees will not be allowed to sit with the mourners, but
can pass by at a safe distance to show respect. In tier 2 areas like London, socially-distanced shiurim, support groups, and meetings with the rabbi or welfare team, may now take place in shuls. These cannot take place in tier 3 areas like Manchester.
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Funder Of Arutz Sheva Passes Away Yankel Plitnick – a supporter of Israeli settlements and early funder of Arutz Sheva – passed away last month at the age of 97. He was the son of Rabbi Zalman Plitnick, Liverpool’s communal rabbi. After running a Liverpool kosher wine shop, Plitnick left for London where he became a successful property developer. In Hendon, he funded the youth minyan at Hendon Adath Yisroel Congregation. The shul’s former leader, Rabbi Pinchas Roberts, told The Jewish Press, “He was very charitable. He never married, but he had a sister Esther Shlomowitz in Lakewood. I heard that whenever one of her children married and needed a house or a flat, he would buy it. He did things very quietly.” After the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Yankel became a staunch supporter of the Israeli settlement movement Gush Emunim and financed Arutz Sheva’s pirate radio ship in the 1980s. Likud-Herut UK chairman Zalmi Unsdorfer said, “At that time, Israel’s left-wing establishment had all three major Hebrew newspapers in their hands, as well as the two main television channels and almost all of the radio stations. The only dissenting voice for the right and the promotion of Greater Israel was being broadcast from the MV Eretz Hatzvi [ship] anchored just outside Israel’s territorial waters. From such choppy beginnings Arutz Sheva grew into the formidable media presence it is today.” Plitnick also funded institutions all across Israel. He was buried in Bet Shemesh.
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
Shas Yiden - a Bracha Amidst a Pandemic - 853,965 blatt By Rabbi Eliezer Sandler Last week, sixty-three incredible young talmidei chachomim gathered in a hall in Beit Shemesh. Their wives did not attend this year due to the current health situation, which also prevented the 12 Shas Yiden avreichim geonim in London from attending. They were all celebrating their annual Siyum Hashas, having collectively completed 853,965 blatt of Gemara, Rashi and Tosfos! Prior to the festive meal, the avreichim geonim underwent two hours of grilling questions on the entire Shas. The examiners are recognized as leading talmidei chachomim – Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Weiss, Rav of Beitar Illit and Maran Hagaon Harav Bunim Schreiber, Rosh Yeshiva of ‘Netiv Hadaas’. Both examiners are known as geonim charifim and bekiim in Shas. Without any papers or references on the table before them, they reeled off some 150 questions that included: asking for page citations, facts, logic and for detailed information that basically required knowledge of the Talmud by heart. Amazing Prowess The questioners were both amazed at the prowess of each of the avreichim geonim. Questions that were ‘thrown’ at the avreichim geonim received a thunderous response from all, simultaneously. (A video of the farher is available to be viewed on the Shas Yiden website www.shasyiden.com, which has videos of past annual farhers.) Over the 12 years since Shas Yiden’s inception, its successful growth and the mastery of Shas by the avreichim geonim has captured the attention and imagination of the gedolei Torah all over, and who have been effusive in their praise at how they have made the idea of becoming a Shas Yid achievable and popular. After personally examining the Shas Yiden every year with searching questions, Maran Sar Hatorah, Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, exclaimed “Zei kennen Shas” (They know Shas!) and then agreed to become the Nasi of Shas Yiden.
Hagaon Harav Bunim Schreiber conducting the farher, with Hagaon Harav Moshe Samet and Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen looking on
Meeting the Challenge and more The avreichim geonim effortlessly followed the questioners’ changing from masechta to masechta. Questions ranged from - how many times does such an expression or ruling appear in a particular tractate to complex reasoning from one tractate to another. Someone unfamiliar with Talmudic study would have been very hard pressed to follow the pace of questioning and the complexity. When Rav Weiss finished his testing of the avreichim geonim, he said that he very much regretted being unable to meet with the Shas Yiden on Shabbos, for dialoging with them would be the highest and
most fulfilling oneg (pleasure of) Shabbos. After concluding his searching examination of the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim, Rav Bunim Schreiber commented “I sat with them for a long time and discussed many subjects from all over Shas, and I am a witness that their mastery and incredible knowledge is unlimited. It was an inspiring and heart-warming sight to see tens of avreichim geonim rising to the house of Hashem to become great scholars in all of Torah.” For more information and to donate to Shas Yiden, please call 718-702-1528 or write to: 1274 49th Street #562, Brooklyn, NY 11219.
Note from Sar Hatorah to the 63 Siyumei Hashas
25 Marcheshvan 5781 (Note: The Nasi of Shas Yiden, Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, was unable to attend the Siyum, which he does every year, and penned a note to the Shas Yiden.) In honor of the Siyum Hashas of the kollel avreichim geonim Shas Yiden under the leadership of our friend Hagaon Harav Avrohom Halevi Eisen, shlit”a. It is difficult for me to participate on this Yom Tov of these tens of talmidei chachomim, gedolei Torah; they are all outstanding in Torah. They know the entire Shas on which I have personally tested them and saw that they are knowledgeable in the entire Shas. I send my best wishes that they should acquire knowledge of the entire Torah to learn, to teach, to guard, to do and to fulfill all the words of Thy Torah in love. And may the Gaon, our friend (Rav Eisen) shlit”a, merit to open many more kollelim and to cause Torah to grow and be glorified.
Chaim Kanievsky
L-R Hagaon Harav Moshe Samet, Hagaon Harav Chaim Weiss, Hagaon Harav Bunim Schreiber, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen
The Pozna Rov, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen reciting the Kaddish in memory of his father
Friday, December 4, 2020
The Jewish Press
Shas Yiden – the ‘Disruptive Technology’ of Torah Learning
“Shas Yiden is the ‘disruptive technology’ of the Torah world today,” exclaimed one of the most ardent monthly supporters of the Shas Yiden kollelim network in Israel and London, UK. Disruptive technology is an innovation that significantly alters the way that consumers, industries, or businesses operate, and sweeps away the systems or ‘habits’ it replaces because it has attributes that are recognizably superior, he explained. “Ever since Shas Yiden came on the Torah scene 12 years ago, its impact has been felt throughout the Torah world. The five kollelim where 75 incredible avreichim geonim and baalei middos (people of noble character) are groomed, have become an integral part of the world Torah landscape. “Every avreich completes the entire Shas five times each year (13,555 blatt), knows it b’al peh and they have regular public farhers. Thus, today such proficiency is not only acclaimed and accepted, but many across the Torah world are trying to emulate their example, boruch Hashem. “Not only are they amazing, but I have never had such fulfilment from any of my charity giving. It hasn’t cost me a dime. Whatever I donate in any particular year, is returned from my investments, and more. For me, it is a ‘disruptive tzedakah’ as well. Thank you, Shas Yiden.”
Hagaon Harav Bunim Schreiber conducting the farher
Shas Yid avreich gaon from Beitar Illit making the Hadran, with Hagaon Harav Moshe Samet and Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen looking on
The Pozna Rov, Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen reciting the Kaddish in memory of his father
Shas Yiden avreichim geonim
Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen, Hagaon Harav Shmuel Landau – Dayan of Belz in Beit Shemesh, Hagaon Harav Moshe Samet
Hagaon Harav Moshe Samet, Rosh Hakollelim reading out the letter from the Nasi of Shas Yiden, Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, with Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen looking on
Hagaon Harav Avrohom Eisen handing out gifts and envelopes with a cash gifts for the wives of the avreichim geonim
Sample Questions from the Siyum Hashas Farher To Watch the Farher click on: w w w.shasyiden.com QUESTIONS: 1.
2. 3. 4.
When Tannaim and Amoraim are about to lecture on a particular masechta, they have opening ‘styles’. How many are there for Maseches Megilla and where are they recorded? Which similar sugya is to be found in Brochos, Shabbos, Eiruvin, Pesachim and Succah? What was the name of Abaye’s father? Where are to be found 2 chapters in 2 masechtos of 2 different
5. 6. 7.
orders of the Mishna, both in the same place in its Mishna, and they both begin on the same page number and the same side of the folio, in the same location and row number? Who is the Amora who appears a few times in the Talmud, made a statement which was strongly questioned and he was shamed, and in the end it was known that he was correct? Where in Shas are the sugyos that mitzvos require intent? Where is the law of “Bari veshema” (“Clear and Perhaps”) to be found in Shas?
ANSWERS: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Fourteen – Megilla 11a, and according to Hagaos Habach and the Gra – another 2 Dmai ha lo chazi lei – is not suited for him, that if he wishes he can render his possesions hefker and he is rendered poor, and the dmai is now suited for him as it says in a Mishna – Brochos 47a Keilil – Rashi, Zevachim 118b Perek Keitzad, Yevamot 16 and Bava Kama 16
5. 6.
7.
Rava – Gittin 29b, 77b, Bava Metzia 81b, 97a, Avoda Zara 22a; and also Rav Papa – Bava Metzia 81a Brachos 13a regarding the Reading of Shma; Eiruvin 95b regarding Tefillin; Pesochim 114b regarding matza and maror; Rosh Hashanna 28b regarding shofar Kesubos 12a and 16a; Bava Kama 35b and 118b; Bava Metzia 37b
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
Please Share Your Memor es W th the approach of the yahrze t of my s ster, Rebbetz n Ed th Bloch, a”h, I – on behalf of her fam ly – am reach ng out to everyone whose l ves may have ntersected w th hers. (She of course served as a Ba s Yaakov Chumash teacher, the d rector of the Shalom Sen or C t zen Center, and the organ zer of the Women's Fr day N ght Torah Study Group.) We are, m y rtzeh Hashem, plann ng to put together a booklet for her yahrze t le' lu n shmasah and are seek ng contr but ons n the form of letters, essays, and notes from those who knew her. We would be espec ally apprec at ve of subm ss ons from people descr b ng the nfluence Rebbetz n Bloch had on the r l ves. Please send contr but ons to ed thblochmemor al@gma l.com. Chana Levy
Conservatives And Environmentalists – Can Lawmakers Be Strong In Both Arenas? By Marc Gronich Some advocacy groups and lobbyists keep scorecards they release to the public reflecting how state lawmakers voted on various bills important to their limited universe of supporters. Some legislators don’t like this method of keeping the pressure on their voting record because it makes their voting record more visible than they would probably like it to be. Many state lawmakers told The Jewish Press they don’t even consider the myriad of memos issued by the groups either opposing or supporting a measure. There are lawmakers who will say publicly that they eschew the scorecards and vote according to the pulse of their constituents. But privately the real story appears to be that the lawyers for the legislative conference will tell lawmakers about which groups oppose or support a particular piece of legislation. This way there is plausible deniability and truthfulness on the part of the lawmakers that they do not read the
memos from advocacy groups when in reality the memos are read to them in privately held meetings prior to the legislative session. Two groups which have released scorecards for decades are the Environmental Planning Lobby and the New York State Conservative Party. The vast majority of state lawmakers who scored high on one list scored low on the other. “I never read the memos in opposition or support of a bill from the advocacy group,” Senator Simcha Felder (D – Midwood / Borough Park, Brooklyn) told The Jewish Press. “I’ll skim the issue myself.” Felder, who joined the Republican caucus from 2013 – 2019, when the GOP was in the majority and now sits with the Democrats who are in control of the Senate, said he understands how his votes on environmental issues have shifted in the Continued on p.20
Friday, December 4, 2020
Darkest Before The Light We are approaching the holiday of Chanukah when the nights are long and dark, and the days and light are short. There is an expression that it’s always darkest before it gets light. What is it about the darkest point that has to come before the light can shine? Why must we experience such pain before we are saved? Every person goes through their trials and experiences. If we were to compare the tests we receive in life from the Almighty as black balls of darkness, we could then imagine what type of vehicle or vessel we need to carry these balls with us throughout our lifetime. Some cars are only for two people while a bus or a truck can carry that much more. All of our memories and experiences stay with us from the time we are little until we leave this world after 120, please G-d. All of us have different ways for storing all the memories and events that we go through in life. With each year that goes by, we grow and so does our vessel. Hashem, in His infinite wisdom, created the human mind with the great ability to forget or to blur out the hard and dark moment. This kindness that G-d instilled into our human mechanism
is a great miracle. All the black balls we accumulate throughout time can literally wipe us out. Therefore the Almighty makes sure to carry these dark moments in his memory bank for us throughout our lives. Why do we need such darkness before it gets light? In order for us to receive something good and full of light, the only way is through the darkness. Even when Hashem created the world, it’s written that G-d created the evening and the morning and they were called one day. The night came before the day. The darkness before the light. This is true regarding each and every one of us. The experiences that we have, all follow this same pattern. The greater the darkness, the greater is the light. However while we are going through some hard times, we rarely feel or see any light. Hashem knows if we don’t go through the darkness we will not appreciate the light. And the light is such a great gift that G-d wants to make sure we receive it in the proper way. Right before we fall into the darkness we are usually filled with pride and loftiness. We think we know it all and have it all figured out. And then Hashem sends us some kind of fastball and we get knocked down. And after we fall we aren’t so proud anymore and we feel modest. G-d sends these balls of experiences to set us on the right path. The harder the ball, the harder the fall, the greater the light and the way up to a better place. There are many vessels that carry merchandise or any matter in their spaces. Some have room to carry small items while others can store an enormous amount of things. As people we too have different capacities to handle certain experiences in life. Some can handle only small experiences and for them it’s a lot, since it fills
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their entire vessel. And yet there are some people whose capacity to handle life’s fastballs are much greater making their vessel larger with more room for storage. All these vessels and storage places have to do with our neshamas, our special and unique souls. We are all sent down to this world with a mission and a purpose. As Jewish people we are all responsible for one another. We are all the children of Israel, and we must be there for one another at all times. If there is a child that is weak or has less of an ability to carry something heavy, then one of the older and stronger children must help out the younger, weaker child. Since we are all connected, if Hashem wants to send a hard and dark ball to someone who won’t be able to handle it, a different soul with more strength and ability to handle the fall comes forth to Hashem and pleads on behalf of the weaker soul, to send that ball their way. So when someone is going through hard times that can’t be imagined, they are actually doing it on behalf of many other souls that just wouldn’t make it if the ball was thrown their way. So when we see someone going through great hardships, we must understand that they are suffering for us as well. Each family has its suffering and experiences. However if we realize that we are all carrying the load of so many others that can’t carry so much, we are strengthened that G-d chose us to help so many others through our pain. May the great light that comes after the darkness shine over us and heal our pain and suffering, and may the darkest moments pass from all of Am Israel and bring the great light of the redemption, please G-d, today. May the small light of the Chanukah candles light all the darkness of the night.
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
Covid in Israel The number of new Covid-19 cases in Israel continues to rise steadily. We are now back above 10,000 active cases. The number of seriously ill patients
continues to decrease, but it’s once again feared that more serious cases are right around the corner. Some officials are suggesting that certain restrictions, like a nightly curfew, should be imposed soon and some are even suggesting another lockdown will be necessary in the near future. It remains unclear when the first vaccines will arrive in Israel and begin to be administered. One of the most consistent characteristics of the pandemic has been its uncertainty. For now, many Israelis are sensing the end of the Corona plague, but are uncertain as to exactly when we will see it. One thing that we are certain about is that Chanukah is coming up next week and it’s a time for miracles, so watch out!
colleagues. She scored a perfect environmental record this year and had a score of 84% last year. Continued from p.18 She says she has not been endorsed by the group even with a strong environmental voting record. past year or two. “I vote the way I would want things to be,” As“It’s clear that as a result of my being part of semblywoman Melissa Miller (R – Atlantic Beach, the Democratic caucus a lot of issues that in the Nassau County), who is wrapping up her second past I would have voted one way I now voted an- term, told The Jewish Press. “I don’t vote the way other way,” Felder, who ran unopposed this year, my party would vote. I try to apply common sense. said. “If it became an issue I felt very strongly I’m not voting for an endorsement. I feel like I’m about then it doesn’t matter to me whether I’m making a difference.” with the Democratic caucus or the Republican One Nassau County lawmaker who reads the caucus. I’m gong to vote my conscience. If they memos doesn’t put much stock in these scorecards were issues that really did not have an impact on even though he had a perfect environmental score the community I represent and/or they were not this year and a rating of 88% last year. He says afissues of conscience that I felt strongly about, then ter reading the memos, he then votes according to I voted whatever they voted. I voted how every- the way his constituents would want him to vote. one else voted in the caucus because it “I take all these scorecards with didn’t become an issue to me.” a grain of salt because some of them, In 2016 Felder received the Oil depending on the organization, will Slick award from the Environmental penalize you for whether you cosponPlanning Lobby as having the worse sor a bill or not cosponsor a bill. Some record in the Senate on environmental groups penalize lawmakers for not issues. This year and last year his ratcosponsoring a measure that never ing was in the low 90s, scoring among made it to the floor for a vote but the the best environmental records in the lawmaker voted against the measure Senate. Among 19 measures importin committee,” Assemblyman Ed Ra ant to EPL, Felder voted the wrong (R – Franklin Square, Nassau Counway on one bill and was excused from ty) told The Jewish Press. “We’re more voting on another. pro-environment, certainly down here In the lower house, freshman Ason Long Island. The environment is semblyman Simcha Eichenstein (D – Assemblyman Ed Ra important to me, it’s important to the Midwood / Borough Park, Brooklyn) district, in particular water issues and has a perfect environmental voting record two things like that.” years running, according to the EPL scorecard. The 10-year incumbent says he takes a full “I don’t consider myself an environmentalist dive into researching issues important to his conbut then there are those who have reached the stituents. conclusion that I am and then there are others “At the end of the day the bills I vote on I never who have reached the conclusion that I am not,” consider that this is a pro-environment bill,” Ra Eichenstein told The Jewish Press. “I really don’t said. “I always vote what I think is in the best incare about these labels. I really don’t know what it terest of my district. I think my district is pro-enmeans and, to be honest with you, the interpreta- vironment. I read the memos in support or in tion of these labels – there are different definitions opposition to a measure that advocacy groups disbased on who you talk to. I try not to get caught up tribute. We’ll get a snippet about a bill and which in that. I really don’t care about the labels. I care groups are pro or against it, but I do go and seek about the bills.” the specific whole memo so I can read the organiThere is one issue that Eichenstein says he will zations reasoning on it.” never support. You can review the entire scorecard by going “I look at each bill for what it is. Some people to https://eaaction.org. Mainly for tax purposes, have attacked me for not being an environmental- the board of the Environmental Planning Lobist because I opposed the bag ban and I opposed by, which releases the legislative scorecard, this the bag tax. So it’s in the eye of the beholder as year changed the name of the organization to Ento what the interpretation of an environmentalist vironmental Advocates Action. The board of the is,” Eichenstein said. “I’m very much opposed to lobbying and advocacy effort of Environmental the plastic bag ban. I think it’s a tax on the mid- Advocates changed its name to Environmental dle class people. I voted against an entire budget Advocates NY this year as well. bill because that was in it. One environmentalist With a supermajority or veto-proof majority in group saw that as a huge unforgivable offense and both legislative houses for the first time, it seems another environmentalist group looks at it as if it the New York State Conservative Party is losing was a stand alone bill.” ground with the number of members who accept One member of the state Assembly, who is the party line when running for office. Many libJewish, says she does not always vote with her eral and ultra-liberal candidates were swept into
office this year making it more difficult for conservatives to push their agenda. Last year, Felder and Eichenstein, the two Simchas as they are known, scored a 15% rating in the conservative party’s scoring of 20 pieces of legislation in each house. To view the details of the scorecard you can go to https://www.cpnys.org/ ratings. Meanwhile in November’s election Eichenstein received more votes on the Conservative Party line than on the Democratic line. In addition, Eichenstein got the highest number of conservative party votes in the state for any Assembly candidate. Felder got one of the highest number of conservative party votes for a state Senator in the state. “Despite a low scorecard rating, Felder and Eichenstein get the Conservative Party endorsement because they are overwhelmingly popular with the community including the registered conservatives in the districts,” Jerry Kassar, the chairman of the state Conservative Party told The Jewish Press. “The two Simchas continue to receive the Conservative Party endorsement because of what goes on privately beyond what is seen publicly in the scorecard rating. Our ratings are a generalization for the state. I am disappointed in the numbers that both of them have based on those ratings, but I do also believe that there are counterbalancing arguments in their cases which are valuable to the party in Brooklyn and I respect that.” Kassar does admit that in this case perception becomes reality. “Eichenstein got 12,000 votes on the conservative party line for the state Assembly. Clearly he is perceived in the community as being extraordinarily conservative and I believe that is due to the way he communicates with people on issues that do not necessarily make it into our ratings.” Receiving a party endorsement is dependent upon the county chairman and the local committee. Kings County Conservative Party Chairman Fran Vella-Marrone says she is not pleased with their low ratings but they are not in danger of losing the party support. “I will have conversations with both of them about their scorecard,” Vella-Marrone told The Jewish Press. “It’s not that cut and dry or black and white that you could say you could just replace them with someone else (who is a true Conservative). They have a certain support within their community as well, so it’s not that easy to just swap somebody out. I am disappointed and I will have conversations with him (Eichenstein) about that and we will discuss that. Felder always told us when he has come before our committee that he votes his conscience. There are certain instances that are his core values that he will vote his conscience and I believe that he would do that.” The next legislative session begins Wednesday, January 6.
Packer Continued from p.14
allow for better infrastructure, including better electricity and water, as well as future development and growth. All the political pieces seem to be in place, including support from opposition parties, like Yamina, but will the current opportunity be missed? • Normalization with more Arab countries: Both Israel and the Trump administration have been emphatic that more Arab countries are interested in normalizing relations with Israel. With this in mind, Trump advisor and son-in-law
Gronich
Jared Kushner has recently flown to Saudi Arabia and Qatar for non-publicly specified reasons. It’s believed by many that this trip and many other efforts are geared toward bringing in more Arab countries to join the “Abraham Accords” in the next few weeks/months. Saudi Arabia has already announced that its airspace will now be open to Israeli flights traveling to the UAE and elsewhere. Relations are warming up, but will the current opportunity be missed?
Friday, December 4, 2020
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
News and Analysis
Supreme Court Grants Temporary Restraining Order Against NY Gov. Cuomo’s Restrictions On Attendance At Houses Of Worship By Joey Aron, Esq.
The United States Supreme Court, in a decision issued last week Wednesday, granted a motion for a temporary restraining order enjoining New York Governor Cuomo from enforcing executive orders he had issued that set strict limitations on attendance at houses of worship. The governor’s orders had limited attendance to 10 people in “red zones” and to 25 people in “orange zones,” which he claimed was necessary to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Agudath Israel of America and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn both filed lawsuits against the governor’s orders. Agudah asserted that Cuomo had specifically targeted the Orthodox Jewish community in defining the boundaries of the red and orange zones, and cited remarks he had made to support that contention, while both groups claimed that the governor’s orders treated houses of worship much more harshly than comparable secular facilities, and thus violated the Free Exercise clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provides for freedom of religion. While the lawsuits are pending – a process that can take many months – each group filed an application for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent enforcement of the governor’s orders during this period. The TRO applications were denied at the federal district court level, as the courts found that the public health emergency justified the restrictions on attendance at houses of worship. Both groups appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which likewise
denied their applications. Relying on a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year in a challenge brought by a California church, South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom, the Second Circuit held that Cuomo’s order did not violate the Free Exercise clause because while it did burden the groups’ religious practices, it also impacted comparable secular public gatherings such as schools and restaurants. In a dissenting opinion, Second Circuit Judge Michael H. Park determined that the governor’s orders should be subject to strict scrutiny – the biggest hurdle a restriction on a constitutional right can be subjected to – because they were not neutral in their application. He noted that the strict capacity limits applied only to religious institutions, and that in the same red and orange zones, pet shops, liquor stores, and other businesses the Cuomo considered “essential” remained open, free from any capacity limits. By singling out houses of worship for unfavorable treatment, Judge Park said, the orders specifically and intentionally burdened the free exercise of religion in violation of the First Amendment. Agudah and the Roman Catholic Diocese appealed the denial of their TRO applications to the U.S. Supreme Court. In Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo the Court jointly granted the applications. The Court agreed that the governor’s regulations treated houses of worship much more harshly than comparable secular facilities, and noted that the petitioners had followed all public health guidance, implemented additional precautionary measures, and operated at 25% or
33% capacity for months. “The applicants have clearly established their entitlement to relief pending appellate review. They have shown that their First Amendment claims are likely to prevail, that denying them relief would lead to irreparable injury, and that granting relief would not harm the public interest.” The Court stated the challenged restrictions were shown to violate “the minimum requirement of neutrality” to religion. Even leaving aside the governor’s statements demonstrating that the orders were enacted to target the ultra-Orthodox community, the Court held that they were far from neutral because they singled out houses of worship for especially harsh treatment. For example, in a red zone, while a synagogue or church could not admit more than 10 persons, businesses categorized as “essential” could admit as many people as they wish. And the list of “essential” businesses includes things such as acupuncture facilities, camp grounds, garages, and others whose services are not limited to those that can be regarded as essential. The Court found the disparate treatment even more striking in orange zones: While attendance at houses of worship is limited to 25 persons, even nonessential businesses could decide for themselves how many persons to admit. So hundreds of people could shop in a large store in Brooklyn while at the same time nearby churches and synagogues were limited to 10 or 25 people for a worship service. The Court concluded that the orders are not Continued on p.23
Friday, December 4, 2020
Aron
to “rational basis review,” whereas here, violation of an explicit First Amendment right is at stake and strict scrutiny is required. Voting with the majority, Justice Gorsuch wrote, “It is time – past time – to make plain that, while the pandemic poses many grave challenges, there is no world in which the Constitution tolerates color-coded executive edicts that reopen liquor stores and bike shops but shutter churches, synagogues, and mosques.” Chief Justice Roberts dissented. He conceded that the governor’s restrictions “may well violate the Free Exercise Clause,” and that numerical capacity limits of 10 and 25 people “do seem unduly restrictive.” The Chief Justice explained that he dissented in this case not because he felt there was no Free Exercise violation but solely because Cuomo had since revised the restrictions on houses of worship so that none of those identified in the applications were subject to any fixed numerical restrictions. Therefore, he found it unnecessary to rule on the question of whether the original restrictions were unconstitutional. While restating the position he took in the South Bay case involving Covid-19 restrictions
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restrictions to comparable secular gatherings, such as lectures, concerts, movie showings, Continued from p.22 spectator sports, and theatrical performances, and neutral laws of general applicability and must treats more leniently only dissimilar activities, therefore be subject to the stringent constitutional such as operating grocery stores, banks, and review of “strict scrutiny” (as Judge Park had laundromats, in which people neither congregate urged in his dissent), meaning that they must in large groups nor remain in close proximity for be narrowly tailored to serve a compelling state extended periods. The great public health risk, interest. The Court held that while stemming the combined with the fact that comparable secular spread of Covid-19 is unquestionably a compelling gatherings were also affected by the restrictions, interest, “it is hard to see how the challenged “should be enough to decide this case.” regulations can be regarded as ‘narrowly tailored.’” She noted that religious worship services, Indeed, the restrictions are “far more restrictive in which large groups of people gather, speak, than any Covid-related regulations that have and sing in close proximity indoors for extended previously come before the Court, much tighter periods of time, are deemed by medical experts to than those adopted by many other jurisdictions facilitate the spread of Covid-19, while bike repair hard-hit by the pandemic, and far more severe shops and liquor stores and the like don’t feature than has been shown to be required to prevent the customers gathering in the same way. “Justices of spread of the virus at the applicants’ services.” this Court play a deadly game in second-guessing Not only is there no evidence that the the expert judgment of health officials about the petitioners have contributed to the spread of environments in which a contagious virus, now Covid-19, the Court noted, but there are many infecting a million Americans each week, spreads other less restrictive rules that could have been most easily,” Justice Sotomayor wrote. adopted to minimize the risk to those attending Why did the Supreme Court reverse its earlier religious services, such as tying the maximum decision in South Bay, the California case in attendance at a religious service to the which it upheld Covid-19 restrictions size of the church or synagogue: “It is hard against participation in church services? to believe that admitting more than 10 The simple answer is that Ruth Bader “It is hard to believe that admitting more people to a 1,000-seat church or 400-seat Ginsburg, who voted with the majority than 10 people to a 1,000-seat church or synagogue would create a more serious in that case, has been replaced by Amy health risk than the many other activities Coney Barrett, the new justice appointed 400-seat synagogue would create a more that the State allows.” by President Trump, who voted with In a sharp reversal from its ruling in the the majority in this case. So we now serious health risk than the many other South Bay case earlier this year, the Court have a Supreme Court in which the did not defer to the arguments made by the majority of justices do not automatically activities that the State allows.” governor that the public health emergency defer to pandemic-related public health justified the harsh restrictions. “Even concerns when reviewing restrictions on in a pandemic,” the Court wrote, “the constitutionally protected rights, such as Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten. in California – that it is “a significant matter to the right to assemble in worship services. The restrictions at issue here, by effectively override determinations made by public health While the Second Circuit has yet to hear barring many from attending religious services, officials concerning what is necessary for public and rule on the underlying cases, the Supreme strike at the very heart of the First Amendment’s safety in the midst of a deadly pandemic” – Justice Court has made clear that restricting religious guarantee of religious liberty.” Gorsuch wrote that if Cuomo were to reinstate the activities while allowing similar secular activities However, it is important to note that the Court restrictions, the applicants could then return to in the name of protecting public health must be did not hold that government cannot impose the Supreme Court and that the Court could act subject to “strict scrutiny,” that government must restrictions on houses of worship. It only said that quickly on those renewed applications. So even demonstrate a “compelling interest,” and that the houses of worship cannot be treated differently Chief Justice Roberts has made clear that he could proposed restrictions must be “narrowly tailored” than secular institutions. A governor could, well rule in the future that stringent Covid-19 to advance that interest. Practically, the Supreme therefore, still impose stringent restrictions on restrictions on houses of worship, such as New Court’s decision in this case means that it is now attendance at houses of worship, as long as similar York’s original executive orders, might violate the likely that any Covid-19 executive orders that do restrictions are imposed on secular institutions Free Exercise clause. not treat religious institutions similarly to secular and as long as those restrictions are justified by Justice Breyer, in his dissent, stated that he institutions can be successfully challenged in “compelling government interest” (such as if there opposed issuing an injunction in part because federal court. is a major outbreak of Covid-19 in the area) and none of the applicants are now subject to the fixedWhile individual federal judges may still are not stricter than the public health situation capacity restrictions that they challenged in their choose to defer to the cited public health concerns requires. applications, as the governor has changed their over the right to free exercise of religion, a house Justice Gorsuch, in a concurring opinion, areas to yellow zones where they can now hold of worship now has a very strong precedent to rely wrote even more strongly against the restrictions services with up to 50% of maximum capacity. upon in arguing against restrictions that fall more at issue. “According to the Governor, it may be He agreed with the Chief Justice that if the heavily on religious institutions than secular unsafe to go to church, but it is always fine to pick governor does reimpose the red and orange zone ones, and is likely to get a favorable ruling if such up another bottle of wine, shop for a new bike, or restrictions, the applicants could quickly refile a case ultimately makes its way to the Supreme spend the afternoon exploring your distal points their applications with the Supreme Court and be Court. However, the Supreme Court’s decision and meridians. Who knew public health would heard. in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo so perfectly align with secular convenience?” he Furthermore, while he conceded that the does not provide clear and defined guidelines as wrote. “The Governor is remarkably frank about restrictions imposed by the Governor were to exactly what a governor can and cannot order this: In his judgment laundry and liquor, travel severe, he noted that given the sharp rise in in imposing Covid-19-based restrictions. Those and tools, are all ‘essential’ while traditional Covid-19 cases, nationwide and in New York, would still need to be analyzed by the courts on a religious exercises are not. That is exactly the kind there are very strong public health and safety case-by-case basis. of discrimination the First Amendment forbids.” arguments to be made for allowing such severe Lastly, it must be noted that the Supreme Court Noting that there was a willingness to defer to restrictions. Therefore, he wrote, it is far from has only issued a temporary restraining order, not executive orders restricting attendance at houses clear that “the balance of equities tips in [the a final ruling. The cases are still moving forward of worship at earlier stages of the pandemic, Justice applicants’] favor,” or “that an injunction is in in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. During Gorsuch wrote that “even if the Constitution has the public interest.” the time that the TRO remains in effect, however, taken a holiday during this pandemic, it cannot Justice Sotomayor, who also dissented, stated Governor Cuomo is prohibited from reinstating become a sabbatical.” He further explained that that her main reason for dissenting was that the and enforcing orders limiting attendance at Jacobson v. Massachusetts, a 1905 U.S. Supreme restrictions on attendance at houses of worship houses of worship in red and orange zones to Court case upholding a mandatory vaccination were a necessary means of preventing the spread fixed numbers and levying fines against houses of law which Cuomo cited in support of his orders did of Covid-19 in areas facing severe outbreaks of worship that do not abide by those restrictions. not support “cutting the Constitution loose during the virus, and that the courts should not prevent Joey Aron is the founding attorney of Aron Law, a pandemic.” That decision involved an alleged public officials from issuing orders they deem PLLC, a boutique law firm in Brooklyn, where he violation of an implied constitutional right (the necessary to protect the public health. She wrote focuses on FOIL litigation and matters pertaining right to “bodily integrity”) and was subject only that New York does apply similar or more severe to religious discrimination.
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
Halachic Corner With RAV HERSHEL SCHACHTER INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY
ELLIOT RESNICK, JEWISH PRESS CHIEF EDITOR
Should A Person Halachic Corner With To Endanger Himself Rav Hershel Schachter Save Another? Rishomin quote a Yerushalmi that we don’t have that says you’re obligated to put yourself into a safek sakanah [possible danger] to save someone else from a vadai sakanah [definite danger]. Others hold that it’s permissible, but you’re not obligated. Others hold that it’s not even permissible. It’s forbidden.1 Rav Soloveitchik said his grandfather, Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, paskened like the first opinion. So, if there’s a cholera epidemic, and someone is deathly sick, the healthy people are obligated to try treating him even though it’s contagious.
Rav Chaim Soloveitchik himself helped sick people during a cholera pandemic and survived. Some of the other people who helped did not, but he felt like the Yerushalmi that you’re obligated.2
1. See Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat, 426, and commentaries. 2. Nefesh HaRav, page 97
Rav Hershel Schachter is rosh yeshiva and rosh kollel at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Over Zoom, he gives a weekly Tuesday night shiur, 8:00-9:30, on Hilchot Shabbat (meeting ID: 913 8591 7840) and Friday shiur at 10:30 a.m. on the parshah (meeting ID: 968 6636 5881. E-mail Rabbi Yaakov Taubes (Yaakov. taubes@yu.edu) about joining Rav Schachter’s daily Gemara shiur.
TORAH FROM A TV ANCHOR BY SIVAN RAHAV-MEIR
to spend the drive to the event arguing, accusing, and worrying about being late – that’s unnecessary suffering. That’s a personal decision you make. It seems to me that Chani would have explained the corona pandemic as necessary suffering. To our dismay, the pandemic is a fact. But it’s not necessary that we become addicted to screens, to eating junk food, to wasting time, to cutting social ties, to sinking into pessimism. The pandemic doesn’t exempt us from decisions on how to behave. May we all distinguish between necessary and unnecessary suffering, and experience as little suffering as possible. (translation by Yehoshua Siskin)
Necessary Vs. Unnecessary Suffering Last week marked three years since the passing of Chani Weinrott, whose struggle with cancer was an inspiration to many. In this period of corona, I have been reminded many times of the advice Chani used to give on the need to distinguish between necessary and unnecessary suffering. She explained that her disease, for example, was necessary suffering. It was a reality with which she had to cope. But to become depressed, to argue with everyone, to stop fulfilling her dreams – that would have been unnecessary suffering. That kind of suffering was a matter of choice. Here’s an example from everyday life: Your family gets into the car and it’s clear you’ll be arriving late to an event – that’s necessary suffering. But
Political Cartoons
Sivan Rahav-Meir, a ba’alas teshuvah, is a popular Channel 2 News anchor, the host of a weekly radio show, and the author of “#Parasha.” Every day she shares short Torah thoughts to over 100,000 Israelis – both observant and not – via Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp.
Friday, December 4, 2020
RABBI HANOCH TELLER
ings to put the responsible parties behind bars. Accordingly, Rabbi Sholom Ber Hecht, who was appointed to head the Lubavitch committee dealing with the riots, called Yankel Rosenbaum’s brother Norman in Australia. Rabbi Hecht explained that the Lubavitch community’s attempts to dialogue with the police and government had failed – but that if a family member were to become involved, perhaps the wheels of justice might begin to turn. This was a most unusual request, as murder investigations are the province of the police department. Families are usually only called upon if there is a request for eyewitnesses. Norman Rosenbaum was the only one in his family up to making the trans-world trip and accepting the challenge. Naively, he thought that he could quickly prod the police into doing their work; in no time, he learned otherwise. Indeed, he discovered that if he did not personally direct the investigation into his brother’s murder – entailing door-to-door visits, combing the crime scene, and investigating the hospital, literally becoming a private investigator – it would not be done.
A Successive HAVE Tribute To Lion Of I GOT A Justice Norman TO TELL YOU Rosenbaum, z”l RABBI HANOCH TELLER
(Part 3) The uncontested facts of the atrocities committed during the Crown Heights riots of 1991 portended a harrowing forecast for the future. A community had been subjected to a pogrom by agitators who flagrantly called into bullhorns in the middle of the day – and just feet from the police – for the death of the Jews. An innocent scholar was murdered, and the mayor had no inhibitions in viewing it (initially) as a robbery gone bad. What was there to do when no one was willing to assume responsibility, acknowledge errors, or adopt a failsafe for the future? The Lubavitch community of Crown Heights felt like they were being left out to dry. The police had not posted a reward for solving Rosenbaum’s murder, appointed an investigative team, or done anything but obstruct proceed-
Continued on p.36
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Friday, December 4, 2020
COVENANT & CONVERSATION RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS, Z"L
Be Thyself Editor’s Note: Before his passing, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks prepared a year’s worth of Covenant & Conversation columns based on his new book, “Lessons in Leadership.” The Jewish Press is honored to publish these columns, which are being distributed weekly by The Office of Rabbi Sacks. I have often argued that the episode in which
the Jewish people acquired its name – when Jacob wrestled with an unnamed adversary at night and received the name Israel – is essential to an understanding of what it is to be a Jew. I argue here that this episode is equally critical to understanding what it is to lead. There are several theories as to the identity of “the man” who wrestled with the patriarch that night. The Torah calls him a man. The prophet Hosea called him an angel (Hosea 12:4-5). The Sages said it was Samael, guardian angel of Esau and a force for evil. Jacob himself was certain it was G-d. “Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw G-d face to face, and yet my life was spared” (Gen. 32:31). My suggestion is that we can only understand the passage by reviewing the entirety of Jacob’s
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life. Jacob was born holding on to Esau’s heel. He bought Esau’s birthright. He stole Esau’s blessing. When his blind father asked him who he was, he replied, “I am Esau, your firstborn” (Gen. 27:19). Jacob was the child who wanted to be Esau. Why? Because Esau was the elder. Because Esau was strong, physically mature, a hunter. Above all, Esau was his father’s favorite: “Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebecca loved Jacob” (Gen. 25:28). Jacob is the paradigm of what the French literary theorist and anthropologist Rene Girard called mimetic desire, meaning, we want what someone else wants, because we want to be that someone else. The result is tension between Jacob and Esau. This tension rises to an unbearable intensity when Esau discovers that the blessing his father had reserved for him has been acquired by Jacob, and so Esau vows to kill his brother once Isaac is no longer alive. Jacob flees to his uncle Laban’s home, where he encounters more conflict; he is on his way home when he hears that Esau is coming to meet him with a force of four hundred men. In an unusually strong description of emotion the Torah tells us that Jacob was “very frightened and distressed” (Gen. 32:7) – frightened, no doubt, that Esau was coming to kill him, and perhaps distressed that his brother’s animosity was not without cause. Jacob had indeed wronged his brother, as we saw earlier. Isaac says to Esau, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing” (Gen. 27:35). Centuries later, the prophet Hosea says, “The L-rd has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds. In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; as a man he struggled with G-d” (Hos. 12:3-4). Jeremiah uses the name Jacob to mean someone who practices deception: “Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan; for every one of them is a deceiver [akov Yaakov], and every friend a slanderer” (Jer. 9:3). As long as Jacob sought to be Esau there was tension, conflict, rivalry. Esau felt cheated; Jacob felt fear. That night, about to meet Esau again after an absence of twenty-two years, Jacob wrestles with himself; finally he throws off the image of Esau, the person he wants to be, which he has carried with him all these years. This is the critical moment in Jacob’s life. From now on, he is content to be himself. And it is only when we stop wanting to be someone else (in Shakespeare’s words, “desiring this man’s art, and that man’s scope, with what I most enjoy contented least”) that we can be at peace with ourselves and with the world. This is one of the great challenges of leadership. It is all too easy for a leader to pursue popularity by being what people want him or her to be – a liberal to liberals, a conservative to conservatives, taking decisions that win temporary acclaim rather than flowing from principle and conviction. Presidential adviser David Gergen once wrote about Bill Clinton that he “isn’t exactly sure who he is yet and tries to define himself by how well others like him. That leads him into all sorts of contradictions, and the view by others that he seems a constant mixture of strengths and weaknesses.” Leaders sometimes try to ‘hold the team together’ by saying different things to different people, but eventually these contradictions become clear – especially in the total transparency that modern media impose – and the result is that the leader appears to lack integrity. People will no longer trust their remarks. There is a loss of conContinued on p.30
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Sacks Continued from p.26
fidence and authority that may take a long time to restore. The leader may find that their position has become untenable and may be forced to resign. Few things make a leader more unpopular than the pursuit of popularity. Great leaders have the courage to live with unpopularity. Abraham Lincoln was reviled and ridiculed during his lifetime. In 1864 the New York Times wrote of him: “He has been denounced without end as a perjurer, a usurper, a tyrant, a subverter of the Constitution, a destroyer of the liberties of his country, a reckless desperado, a heartless trifler over the last agonies of an expiring nation.” Winston Churchill, until he became Prime Minister during the Second World War, had been written off as a failure. And soon after the war ended, he was defeated in the 1945 General Election. He himself said that “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” When Margaret Thatcher died, some people celebrated in the streets. John F. Kennedy, Yitzchak Rabin and Martin Luther King were assassinated. Jacob was not a leader; there was as yet no nation for him to lead. Yet the Torah goes to great lengths to give us an insight into his struggle for identity, because it was not his alone. Most of us have experienced this struggle. (The word avot used to describe Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, means not only “fathers, patriarchs” but also “archetypes.”) It is not easy to overcome the desire to be someone else, to want what they have, to be
what they are. Most of us have such feelings from time to time. Girard argues that this has been the main source of conflict throughout history. It can take a lifetime of wrestling before we know who we are and relinquish the desire to be who we are not. More than anyone else in Genesis, Jacob is surrounded by conflict: not just between himself and Esau, but between himself and Laban, between Rachel and Leah, and between his sons, Joseph
It is as if the Torah were telling us that so long as there is a conflict within us, there will be a conflict around us. and his brothers. It is as if the Torah were telling us that so long as there is a conflict within us, there will be a conflict around us. We have to resolve the tension in ourselves before we can do so for others. We have to be at peace with ourself before we can be at peace with the world. That is what happens in this week’s parsha. After his wrestling match with the stranger, Jacob undergoes a change of personality, a transformation. He gives back to Esau the blessing he took from him. The previous day he had given him back the material blessing by sending him hundreds of goats, ewes, rams, camels, cows, bulls and donkeys. Now he gives him back the blessing that said, “Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to
you” (Gen. 27:29). Jacob bows down seven times to Esau. He calls Esau “my lord” (Gen. 33:8), and refers to himself as “your servant” (33:5). He actually uses the word “blessing,” though this fact is often obscured in translation. He says, “Please take my blessing that has been brought to you” (33:11). The result is that the two brothers meet and part in peace. People conflict. They have different interests, passions, desires, temperaments. Even if they did not, they would still conflict, as every parent knows. Children – and not just children – seek attention, and one cannot attend to everyone equally all the time. Managing the conflicts that affect every human group is the work of the leader – and if the leader is not sure of and confident in their identity, the conflicts will persist. Even if the leader sees themself as a peacemaker, the conflicts will still endure. The only answer is to “know thyself.” We must wrestle with ourselves, as Jacob did on that fateful night, throwing off the person we persistently compare ourselves to, accepting that some people will like us and what we stand for while others will not, understanding that it is better to seek the respect of some than the popularity of all. This may involve a lifetime of struggle, but the outcome is an immense strength. No one is stronger than one who knows who and what they are. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was the former chief rabbi of the British Commonwealth and the author and editor of 40 books on Jewish thought. He passed away last month.
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Coffee House Brews Up Acts Of Kindness In Boro Park By Baruch Lytle Jewish Press Staff Writer A coffeehouse in the heart of Boro Park, Brooklyn has found a way to serve a little kindness during this Covid pandemic. “Lost a Job?” reads a message on a post-it board outside Milk Crate Coffee at 1278 49th St. “Things a little tough right now? Enjoy a coffee already paid for by a stranger…take a post-it to the counter for a free coffee!” It’s a community project of chesed and goodwill sponsored by the people of Boro Park. The idea is simple: A patron comes in, purchases a post-it note for the price of a coffee, then writes a message of encouragement on a post-it note and sticks the note on the post-it board. Anyone who desires can come in, pick a post-it message off the board, and take it to the counter to claim a free drink. It’s proven to be an opportunity for those who have the heart to give and those who need a message of encouragement to connect in a
unique way. “I come in probably everyday,” said patron Jonathan Weiss. “I work in the neighborhood. I think it’s sad what people are going through. Many people are not working, many people are suffering.” Weiss said he’s never seen anything like the postit board but purchasing a post-it and writing a special message felt very fulfilling. “It’s a way of giving to somebody else or just making their day. It’s always nice when some subtle thing you do can affect someone else in a good way,” he said. The idea came from Boro Park resident Hadassa Swerdloff, who stops in the coffee house a couple times a week while running errands before her kids come home from school. “I saw a picture of this being done in a small town and I thought this is such an easy act of kindness.” She says she immediately thought of Milk Crate, which serves coffee and espresso beverages as well as breakfast and lunch offerings in a casual-comContinued on p.35
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Friday, December 4, 2020
? Is It Proper...? IS IT PROPER...? IS IT PROPER...?oper...? Is It Proper...? IS IT PROPER...? Is It Pr ? ?
Is It Proper...? Is It Proper...?
?
Is It Proper...?
IS IT PROPER...?
?
Is having a natural birth advisable, inadvisable, or a value-free decision? If by natural birth, one
IS IT PROPER...?
means giving birth in a hospital Is It Proper...?
or other medical center without an epidural or other anesthesia, then I would say the following: Experiencing pain during birth was a curse given to Chava, but one need not make an effort to fulfill a curse. (Even without pain, childbirth is at least uncomfortable and the curse is realized at least minimally.) However, if a woman chooses not to have an epidural or another anesthesia, she definitely has the prerogative to do so since these treatments themselves present possible dangers, and a woman’s positive emotional state and sense of security are factors in reducing the threat to life presented by the birthing process. If, however, by natural birth one means giving birth at home, my feeling is that one should not have a natural birth if there is a complication in the pregnancy such that special emergency equipment and expertise during birth may be necessary. In such an instance, having a home birth would amount to playing with the health of the mother or baby – or both – and would be proscribed by the mandate to guard one’s health. If no complications are indicated, my experience based on cases I am familiar with has been that having the baby in a hospital is always better in case, G-d forbid, an unforeseen emergency arises. However, if the woman feels strongly that the hospital environment is dangerous and she will be very agitated if forced to have her baby there – or she absolutely wants a home birth – then her emotional well-being is taken into account and she may perhaps be allowed to give birth at home if no complications are anticipated and all precautions are taken. (From the rabbi’s wife: I don’t think home births are proper under any condition. One never knows what emergency may arise during birth. I believe a woman giving birth at home is putting the life of her baby and herself in possible danger. True, many home births go well, but one is still taking a chance, chas v’shalom, of needing emergency medical help and not being able to get it in time.) — Rabbi Zev Leff, rav of Moshav Matisyahu, popular lecturer and educator ***** There are divergent views by experts whether a natural birth is beneficial to the baby and/or the mother. Since the halachic concern in this situation is health, there is no halachic position on the question. As far as hashkafa goes: The argument that we should follow what’s natural is not convincing since Adam was charged with improving this world. If it isn’t clear, though, that what we’re doing is an improvement, there is no reason to arbitrarily go against nature. Modern scientists are learning that there is purpose to aspects of Hashem’s creation that are not superficially obvious. The mother’s mental health is also an import-
?
Is It Proper...?
ant consideration. If she feels strongly one way or the other, her wishes should be followed. — Rabbi Yosef Blau, mashgiach ruchani at YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary ***** Natural childbirth generally refers to going through labor and delivery without aid of medications and pain relievers such as epidurals. Each woman needs to decide what would be best for herself. The prime consideration must be for her own health and the healthy delivery of her baby. For some women, a natural childbirth is a wonderful experience, especially if they took suitable classes during pregnancy. Others, though, will prefer to benefit from the advances in medicine that diminish pain. Natural childbirth classes generally want the father, as well as the mother, to prepare for the upcoming birth. It is advised that the husband be with his wife throughout the labor and delivery. Although some have raised halachic objections to a husband’s presence, Rabbi Haim David Halevy, the late Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, offered justification (Asei Lekha Rav 4:58). Modern research has found that the husband’s presence can be helpful to his wife during delivery. Although our mothers and grandmothers were perfectly able to have children without their husbands being present, it is possible that contemporary women may feel an absolute need for their husbands to be present during delivery. Without their husbands there, women today may feel they will suffer greater pain and be in greater danger. For women who feel this way, Rabbi Halevy believes that the husbands should be present in the delivery room since this is a matter bordering on pikuach nefesh. — Rabbi Marc D. Angel, director of
the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals ***** There seem to be two discrete questions here. The first question is: Should a person using something artificial to interfere with a process that Hashem put into nature? And my answer to that is: Absolutely one should. If you live in a generation where there are anesthesias to ease the pain, I believe a person would be foolish not to make use of them – especially when taking into account the severity of the pain involved. The other question is: Is there a danger involved? The Mesilas Yesharim explains that if there is a danger that’s both known and common, one has to be careful about it. If the danger isn’t known or common, however, one is not allowed to worry about it because that’s where bitachon comes in. The determinant factor in this issue is strictly the science. What does medical science tell us? Are epidurals safe and common? What are the side effects? What are the rates of injury? If the answer is that there is an element of danger, then a person would be absolutely within her right to say, “I don’t want to take a chance – it’s too risky.” But if the science tells us that there is no known credible or likely danger involved, then I believe bitachon would say: Trust Hashem. Hashem runs the world, and I’m supposed to trust Hashem to protect me in whatever situation I’m in. (One last comment: We’re not allowed to be afraid of the possibility that some danger might be found years from now if right now it’s been well studied and well-documented that there is no known and common danger. In such a case, you have to trust Hashem and know that you’re doing the right thing.) — Rabbi Ben Zion Shafier, founder of The Shmuz
Friday, December 4, 2020
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Lytle Continued from p.33 ®
fortable setting. “Somehow in the middle of Boro Park they have such a community vibe. It’s really a neighborhood coffee shop,” she said. Swerdloff says when the offering first began, she witnessed a woman with a baby stroller come in and read all the post-it notes before choosing the one that made her smile the most and took it to the counter for her free coffee. “It’s the note that makes a difference,” she said. “When the idea got introduced to us, I absolutely loved it,” said Milk Crate employee Sarah Milson. “I’ve seen a lot of people filled with joy when they see the post-it message. I really think it’s affecting the neighborhood and putting more smiles around.” “Boro Park has some of the best people on earth,” said Milk Crate owner Joshua Roth, who also said he’s seen patrons come in and buy as much as $100 towards post-it messages.
Sarah Milson and Joshua Roth behind the counter.
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“It’s funny because at first no one wanted to actually write a note – and we’re like, okay, you bought a coffee and now you have to write a message – it’s kind of the whole thing. Then, once they start writing it, they get all excited and giddy – [they realize] some stranger is going to read this and I’m going to make someone’s day. It’s like getting back to humanity,” he said. “It’s not coffee out of pity; it’s coffee out of friendship,” said Swerdloff. “We’re in this together. There’s no embarrassment. People feel good to give and people feel good to receive. There’s no such thing as too much kindness.”
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Friday, December 4, 2020
Teller Continued from p.25 Norman was a well-known Australian barrister and law professor. Alas, how could a lawyer specializing in taxes and white-collar crime delve into this field? The leap, Norman explained, was not as august as one might imagine. Rosenbaum’s line of work was investigation-intensive, and although it had never concerned a murder, the fundamentals were not dissimilar; all that was necessary was some (major) adaptation. Norman arrived for the first time in New York at the end of October 1991 and conducted a press conference at 824 Eastern Parkway, adjacent to Lubavitch headquarters. The ladies and gentlemen of the press corps had a very clear agenda, and it was not to report the news. The Crown Heights riots, at least the Lubavitch and Rosenbaum take on them, did not sit well with them. In liberal New York City, with a liberal mayor and an exceptionally liberal media, Rosenbaum was about to turn back the clock. It was bad enough that Ed Koch and Rudy Giuliani had labeled the disturbances a “pogrom� and that the NYPD had become the laughingstock of the world. Rosenbaum was about to rub their noses in it, and also do the unthinkable in liberal Gotham: accuse the Black community of violating the civil rights of a 29-year-old white scholar. Primed by politicians, the press corps were on a mission to break the Australian whom they had assumed would be as clueless and inept in English as other chassidim and chareidim they had encountered – just easier prey as he was a foreigner. Those in the Dinkins administration, apprehensive about the Lubavitch community’s calls for an investigation, thought that they had hit the jackpot when they learned that a Lubavitcher from Australia would be the point man; the nerd’s acclimation would begin when he met the press. Norman Rosenbaum began the press conference
by stating, in his peculiar Melbournian accent, that he was in New York as a representative of his family to ensure that everyone responsible for his brother’s murder would feel the full weight of the law. He did not get much further before the media began their assault. “How long are you here for?� (A question he was asked twice.) “For as long as it takes.� “But you are a law professor – how long of an absence can you justify?� “I’ll get people to cover for me.� “Do you realize that this can be very expensive?� “Haven’t you heard?� Norman dead-panned to a very disappointed audience, “I’m independently wealthy, and money is no object.� “Why do you seek revenge?� “I am not looking for revenge; I’m looking for justice.� “What do you think about the African-American community?� “I have no thoughts.� “But they murdered your brother.� “A ‘murderer’ murdered my brother, not the African-American community.� The reporters were disillusioned by their inability to crack Rosenbaum and his declaration, “Nobody murders my brother and gets away with it!� This was not going to go down well with City Hall. The press conference, and how Rosenbaum handled it, demonstrated – to the relief of New York’s (religious) Jewish community’s leadership – that Norman Rosenbaum was nobody’s fool. He was competent, articulate, and committed to his mission. It also revealed that despite the prodding of a disingenuous press, Rosenbaum would not stoop to further deteriorate the relations between the black and Jewish communities. Nothing he would say would encourage violence or vigilantism. Rosenbaum met with Mayor Dinkins and the Brooklyn DA and was appalled at how inept the
investigation had been. Norman Rosenbaum was the former federal tax prosecutor for Australia and also chaired the country’s fiscal intelligence, but one didn’t need his investigative background to recognize the outrageous incompetence of the NYPD, Brooklyn DA, and the Justice Department. Investigation 101 mandates that you gather all of the evidence and subpoena footage. None of this had been done. Something was alarmingly askew as to how the investigation was being handled. Because of the total dearth of evidence, Sherlock Rosenbaum ended up going from door to door in the black neighborhoods of Crown Heights asking questions, speaking to people – some of whom were very sympathetic (and plenty who were not) – and gathering more information from his own footwork and detective work than the NYPD possessed. But uncovering evidence that the police preferred to cover up would not advance his investigation. Wherever he went, Rosenbaum encountered obstructionism. Up against a wall, he required assistance to scale it. Thanks to Norman Rosenbaum’s insistence, his brother’s murderer would face trial. To be reported in our forthcoming column, please G-d. Rabbi Hanoch Teller is the award-winning producer of three films, a popular teacher in Jerusalem yeshivos and seminaries, and the author of 28 books, the latest entitled “Heroic Children,� chronicling the lives of nine child survivors of the Holocaust. Rabbi Teller is also a senior docent in Yad Vashem and is frequently invited to lecture to different communities throughout the world. His most recent film is “Reb Elimelech and the Chassidic Legacy of Brotherhood.� The DVD is available in Jewish bookstores and at www.hanochteller.com. Rabbi Teller now also hosts a podcast about the early struggle to build the State of Israel, as well as episodes on moral sensitivity, entitled “Teller From Jerusalem.� It’s aailable on all podcast platforms.
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BY RABBI YAAKOV KLASS
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass
Forgetting To Mention Rain In The Amidah (Part II) Question: Recently the chazzan in my shul created a stir when he didn’t include the proper mention of rain during chazaras hashatz. Our rabbi didn’t require him to repeat the Amidah, but many congregants felt the rabbi erred and murmured their discontent. Who was right and how can we, in a tactful way, prevent such a lapse from occurring again? A Concerned Congregant Answer: The Mechaber, in his discussion regarding Mevarech HaShanim, the ninth blessing of the Amidah, states as follows (Orach Chayim 117): “The recitation of Birkat HaShanim in the rainy season must include ‘Veten tal u’matar li’veracha’ (lit. ‘May You give us dew and rain for blessing’). In the Diaspora, we begin offering our petition for rain in Maariv of the 60th day of tekufat Tishrei [which in most years corresponds to the night of December 4]. In Israel [where there is a greater need for rain], we start reciting the petition on the 7th of Marcheshvan and continue reciting it up till [and including] the Minchah before Pesach.” The Mechaber writes further: “Individuals [residing in places] that need rain in the summer don’t ask for it in Birkat HaShanim but rather in Shome’a Tefillah. This rule applies even to [residents of] a large city, such as Nineveh, or a whole country, such as Spain or Germany. We consider it like the petition of an individual and it is included only in Shome’a Tefillah. “If an entire country needs rain in the summer and an individual there erred and included the petition for rain in Birkat HaShanim, he may [the Rema adds: if he so chooses] repeat the Amidah as a tefillat nedavah, a voluntary prayer, without asking [for rain] in Birkat HaShanim.” The Rema is reconciling the view of Rabbi Yosef Caro in the Shulchan Aruch with the one he expressed in Beit Yosef, his commentary on the Tur, where he quotes the views of the Mahari Abuhav, Ramban, Rambam, and the Ran in relation to a statement of the Rosh quoted by the Tur. The Rosh allows individuals to say “Veten tal u’matar” in Mevarech HaShanim if an entire country needs rain. The above authorities probably agree with the Rosh in principle but not in practice, for the Rosh’s ruling was never widely accepted in spite of its cogent reasoning. The rule of not requesting rain out of the proper season is considered steadfast. The case we just mentioned – where the Mechaber allows a request out of season in Shome’a Tefillah – is the subject of a discussion by the Taz (ad. loc.), who explains that it’s permitted for a congregation [to include this request in Shome’a Tefillah] only in the si-
Rabbi Yaakov Klass is chairman of the Presidium of the Rabbinical Alliance of America; rav of Congregation K’hal Bnei Matisyahu in Flatbush, Brooklyn; and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press. He can be contacted at yklass@jewishpress.com and Rabbi@igud.us.
Esav: “With Lavan the rasha I lived, and I kept all the mitzvos.” Rashi writes: Not only did Yaakov keep all the mitzvos; he didn’t learn from any of Lavan’s bad ways.” Yaakov’s statement seems strange for what difference did it make to Esav whether Yaakov RABBI DOVID GOLDWASSER kept the mitzvos or not? Did it matter to Esav what Yaakov learned or didn’t learn? The Noas Desheh explains that Yaakov made this statement for the following reason: Esav “I have been diminished by all the kindnesses thought he had the upper hand because for 20 and by all the truth that You have done Your ser- years he fulfilled the mitzvos of honoring one’s vant, for with my staff I crossed the Yarden and parents and living in Eretz Yisrael while Yaanow I have become two camps” (Genesis 32:11). kov hadn’t. However, Yaakov had a very difficult Yaakov Avinu was speaking of Hashem’s time keeping mitzvos under Lavan, and the schar great kindness in sustaining financially and of a person who overcomes a difficult challenge is RABBIhim DOVID GOLDWASSER was concerned that perhaps his merits had run much greater than that of a person who doesn’t out due to this kindness. work hard or go through a challenge. It was this The Zera Shimshon asks: Why wasn’t Yaa- message that Yaakov wished to convey to Esav. kov worried when During World War he was saved earliII, the Germans ocer from Lavan and cupied Lublin. One What difference did it Esav? Why didn’t he year, as Sukkos apworry that he had no proached, the Jewish make to Esav whether Yaakov zechuyos left? community realized The Zera Shimthey had no way of kept the mitzvos or not? shon answers: Begetting an esrog for cause Hashem had Yom Tov. Rav Aryeh promised Yaakov beTzvi Frommer, zt”l, fore he started out that he would have shemirah searched all over for an esrog but to no avail. He elyonah – Divine protection. “Behold, I am with davened and beseeched Hashem for divine assisyou, and will keep you wherever you go and will tance in finding an esrog, and a great miracle ocbring you again into this land. For I will not leave curred – Rav Frommer found one! you until I have done that which I have spoken of The esrog was shriveled and old. Its color had to you” (Bereishis 28:15). turned from bright yellow to melancholy brown. Because of this promise, Yaakov didn’t worry Yet, the joy in Lublin was great that Sukkos. that he had lost any zechuyos when he was saved Each day, many people lined up and waited their from Esav and Lavan. But when he received turn to shake the esrog and had more feeling and abundant material wealth from Hashem, he was emotion when they did so than ever before. afraid. He feared that this wealth came at the The greatest level a person can reach comes expense of his zechuyos. from striving to keep mitzvos – especially when According to the Midrash, Yaakov said to it’s difficult.
Pofearls Wisdom
When It’s Hard...
P earlsofWisdom
lent Amidah. The chazzan, however, doesn’t say it aloud in his repetition. The Taz also quotes his father-in-law, the Bach, who writes: “We [even an entire congregation] should never ask for rain in an untimely manner even in Shome’a Tefillah; rather, we should seek divine intervention by fasting and saying Selichot.” The Bach states further: “I have heard that in the midst of a drought, two great rabbis instituted the recitation of ‘Veten tal u’matar’ as part of Shome’a Tefillah, and both died that very year. This was seen as a result of having ‘forced the Hand of Heaven.’” Based on the Mishnah and Gemara (Berachot 29a), Rabbi Yosef Caro rules: “If he asked for rain (matar) in the summer season, we obligate him to repeat the Amidah. If he didn’t request rain in the winter season, we obligate him to repeat the Amidah, even if he asked for dew (tal). However, if he asked for rain but did not include the petition for dew, he does not have to repeat the Amidah.” As we noted earlier, the petition for rain is different than the mention of rain as a praise of G-d in the blessing of Mechayeh HaMeitim. If one said “tal” instead of “geshem” as part of that blessing, one doesn’t have to repeat the Amidah. However, one must repeat the Amidah if one said the wrong petition in Mevarech HaShanim. This view is shared by most halachic authorities with the exception of the Mordecai, who suggests that if one asked for dew only in Mevarech HaShanim during the rainy winter season, one need not repeat the Amidah. He bases this statement on the Jerusalem Talmud, which states (Ta’anit 1:1): “R. Ze’irah said in the name of R. Chanina: If an individual specifically mentioned
dew during the rainy season, we do not make him repeat [the Amidah].” The Gemara (ibid.) adds: If he said “geshem” in the summer season, we make him repeat the Amidah [because he didn’t utter the word “tal” – see Korban Ha’Edah ad. loc. s.v. “Umishani hahu delo idcar…”). The Gemara asks: “Didn’t we learn [in the Babylonian Talmud, Ta’anit 3a] that our Sages didn’t require us to mention ‘dew’ or ‘winds’ (Mashiv haruach)?” It answers: “We cannot equate one who curses [requesting rain in the summer] with one who has not prayed [i.e., he has not asked for the appropriate precipitation for the season] and does not curse; that is, he mentioned tal (dew) and [thus] we do not obligate him to repeat the Amidah.” The Gemara (the Jerusalem Talmud, ad loc.) then asks: “But did we not learn [in the Babylonian Talmud, Berachot 29a] that if one didn’t ask for [rain] in Birkat HaShanim or make mention of the Divine attribute of providing rain in the blessing of Techiyat HaMeitim, we do obligate him to repeat the Amidah?” The Gemara answers: “That’s only if he didn’t mention [or petition for] either dew or rain.” The implication is that if he mentioned or asked for dew, that’s sufficient. The Mordecai writes that some say “Veten tal li’veracha” even in the summer, and this practice establishes a chazakah, a presumption of regularity, for them. Subsequently, should they not include a request for rain in the winter, they won’t have to repeat the Amidah. However, we see from the preponderance of other views, all based on the Babylonian Talmud, that if one did not specifically ask for “rain” in the winter season, a petition for “dew” is insufficient, and one has to repeat the Amidah.
Friday, December 4, 2020
How Much SelfSacrifice Do We Have? As we get ready for the sweet festival of Chanukah, it behooves us to brush up on its spiritual messages. That way, it won’t become a holiday of mere gastronomic delight with latkes and sufgoniot nor will we fall into the trap of allowing Chanukah to become, chas v’shalom, an Xmas look-alike. A common thread that runs through most of the amazing events of Chanukah is mesiras nefesh. The brave Maccabees risked their lives to defend the Holy Temple and their nation from the wicked Syrian-Greeks; the legendary Chanah and her seven sons gave up their lives rather than bow down to Antiochus HaRasha’s idol; the kohanim zealously searched for a jar of oil with the seal of the kohen gadol to light the menorah even though tamei oil could have been used bedi’eved since the entire congregation was contaminated; and the daughter of the kohen gadol protected her modesty with an incredible act of bravery, killing the wicked official who wished to take advantage of her, thus jump-starting the Jewish conquest. Chanukah therefore is a time to take stock and ask ourselves if this element of mesiras nefesh is present in our spiritual lives. When we are tired, do we push ourselves to get up early to make minyan? Or do we succumb to temptation and say our prayers quickly at home before dashing off to work? Do we exercise self-sacrifice in pushing ourselves to attend a shiur after a hard day’s work? Or do we cave to our physical laziness and just go home and read the paper? Is there an element of mesiras nefesh in our relationships with our children? Do we find the time – although there is never enough time – to take interest in their learning, character development, and personal happiness? Finding this time is a mitzvah of the highest priority since if we, their parents, don’t attend to these needs, who will? Mesiras nefesh doesn’t only mean putting one’s life on the line for one’s spiritual beliefs. Rather, anytime a person pushes himself beyond his natural physical tendencies to fulfill the will of Hashem, he is following in the footsteps of the great Macabees, the heroes of Chanukah. The Aleinu Leshabei’ach, on Parshas Vayishlach, tells a fascinating story about the venerable Rav Shach, zt”l. Rav Shach, already a very old man, had to spend some time at the hospital. One day, he informed his family that he desired to go to the floor beneath his to visit someone. Rav Shach knew this person was treating his wife poorly and wanted to talk to him about being a better husband. The family was aghast as Rav Shach was ill and very aged. But despite their pleas that he not exert himself, Rav Shach was adamant. They then suggested that instead of escorting Rav Shach downstairs, they would ask the man to come up to Rav Shach’s room. This idea, too, he vehemently vetoed. At this point, when reading this story, I thought to myself that Rav Shach probably was banking on the impression he would make on the man by leaving his sickbed and trekking downstairs. Perhaps the difficult visit would make the man realize the severity of the issue. But that just shows how little I understand the minds of our gedolim. Rav Shach explained that he had tried to im-
prove the shalom bayis of this couple many times to no avail, but he thought that perhaps if he took heroic measures to be moser nefesh – to get out of his sick bed to help save a marriage – Hashem would bless his efforts with success in the merit of his self-sacrifice. This vignette introduces an entirely new angle to mesiras nefesh. Sometimes a spouse says, “Why should I go through so much trouble? My mate won’t appreciate it anyway?” or a parent thinks, “Why am I investing so much energy in this child. He just takes it for granted?” Even if their suppositions are accurate, the superhuman effort might still be effective for Hashem might take note of this additional exertion and in its merit bless them with Divine assistance. In the merit of our acts of mesiras nefesh – both small and large – may Hashem bless us with long
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The Jewish Jewish Press Press The
Friday, March December 4, 2020 Friday, July 5, 1, 2019 2019
Behind the News in Israel By Tzvi Fishman, Jewish Press Israel Correspondent
Otzma Yehudit Deal Sparks Rav Eliyahu Celebrates Assassination Of Uproar Top Iranian Scientist
Destroyed Carlebach Moshav Comes Together, Records Song
Sivan Rahav-Meir Is Coming To America
elections in Israel, suggest they come hereservant’ to live, Rabbi Kahane thethat Knesset pushed head of thefrom snake, Israelinbe1988, no longer in what is said: ‘Give IYour strength to Your Sunday morning, in his daily morning shiur, the By Tzvi Fishman hardest for the controversial union. Prime Minis- serve in the IDF, and join us on shiva calls to Jewish (Tehillim, 86:16). Rav Shmuel chief Correspondent rabbi of Tzfat, spoke remembrance, G-d forbid. Jewish Eliyahu, Press Israel ter Benjamin Netanyahu himself led the initiative, families victimized by Arab terror.” “In a secret action that amazed the world, with “We are not to sit idle and wait for Hashem to about the assassination of Iran’s top nuclear sciIn response to the uproar over the union, Netfearing the strength of the new left-wing party led entist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, on Friday. no one knowing how it occurred, he was assassi- make a miracle. That was fitting during the Exanyahu said, “Look at the double Lapid and former IDF Chief Staffpopular Benny TV The merger ofgroup Otzma – headed for- of by An optimistic of Yehudit men, womLast of week, journalist bridging theleft’s gaphypocrisy between and Israel and in theby center theYair country. “In Modim of the Amidah, we proclaim: ‘and nated, as if from out of nowhere, and this wasn’t odus from Egypt, in accordance with G-d’s plan: standards. condemn a right-wing bloc that can mer Kach activists with the Bayit HaYehudi andthe Gantz. Diaspora Jewry. en, and children from– the burnt-to-theand Jewish Press columnist Sivan Ra-They Joining group at the recording the first time we have ‘The L-rd shall fight for you, and you shall hold for Your miracles which the Left’s Are ability to form a coalition, while at Baruch Marzel, a longtimehav-Meir student of Rabbi KahNational Union of parties triggered explosion you concerned about your ground moshav Mevo has Modiim gath-an studio announced that prevent she is headwasofthe singer Yehuda Katz, acted with such bold and your peace’ (Shemot, 14:14). This is when we were are with us every day.’ theStates same for time children they workleaving to include Islamic a leader in Otzma Yehudit, told ThetoJewish protest. home for extrema year ered this week in a Jerusalem studio to well-known forane ing on shlichut the United his and upbeat repertoire weak. But David epitomized Israel’s strength, saydaring swiftness. Today, I could not help “I don’t know why we“We recited istshusband, in the Knesset orderintoa create a left-wing bloc Press, don’t delude ourselves into believing that (Her In aa letter hisofstudents, Moshe Lichtenand in living foreign land? record small to song hope, “WeRabbi Won’t a year with her family. of Carlebach hits. Last week in Petach ing, ‘Give Your strength to Your servant.’ Know“There is a Midrash but give thanks to the of their own.” Bibia suddenly decided to Yedidiya embraceMeir, our ideology. stein, co-rosh yeshiva of will Yeshiva Har Etzion, It’s only for a year. And I think Give Up,” praying that it go viral. is a well-known journalTikvah,wrote he joined group of has popular ingThe that his strength came from Hashem, heRabbi went which speaks about four Holy One “who Blessed Bein any Tachanun this morning. Wefundraising should was simply to ist stay in power and pre- Press thatMembers anyone way with a His Jewishthey’re Press excited. asked For Libby them Kahane, it’s an advenhimself.) The Jewish recently of thehelps moshav choir tolda union Israeli singers in amotivation lively forth to battle against Israel’s enemies, and this is kings, each with a differHe for the miracle and election.” cult glorifi es power andhas violence…will bear the vent the Left from winning the Kahane’s widow, forWe’re her reaction thethem brouhaha. ture. trying totoget ready, spoke with herHe to added learn more. The that Jewish Press support been concert. have recited Hallel!” ent request regarding the the greatest Kiddush Hashem…. kindness He performed that as he soon as “I the elections are The over,Jewish the union be- “I don’t like the falsifications that appear in many responsibility for around the desecration Hashem“In thata will Press: pouring in from the globeof for strange way,” said, can’t “We and havespeeches,” to give thanks to the One enemies ofwill Israel. David for us when Friday afternoon tween National Union, and Otzma Yeresult they sit in the Knesset as representa- help she replied. “MyHoly husband What you be do- articles butBayit thingYehudi, that up Blessed Be He over the death of this snake – to said: ‘I will pursue my when our soldiers sucwill dissolve. tives of religious Jewry.” never preached genocide, as some journalists claim. ing in America? inhudit Heaven, Reb Shloceeded in killing the head of the snake – the lead dance and celebrate like on a Yom Tov. I don’t enemies and overtake them; I will not turn back Yehudit, he said, stands for Israel being a He never called for the killing of Arabs. He favored Respected author Rabbi Benny Lau said he would mo isOtzma so happy that this Rahav-Meir: I give why weIsrael’s recitedArab Tachanun this to morning. We nuclear physicist of the atomic-bomb projectthat in catastrophe till theystate. areisdestroyed’ (Tehillim, 18: Torah 38). Asa said Jewish “That means true Jewish education in even “go to war” to torpedo the union, asserting transferring population Arab lands bringing a weekly shiur in know should have recited Hallel! We have to say thank Iran. that he lacked strength and would only chase his our schools, judicial systemJerusalem based on that Jewish law, Otzma Yehudit stands for racism reminiscent of the Klal Yisrael a together. I will be to safeguard Jewish lives and the country’s Jewish thank you, thank you, Holy One Blessed Be “It is written: enemies away. Yehoshafat said heHashem, would Judaism instead democracytaking, as thethat constitution of you, Nuremburg Laws. ‘They have said, Come and let The majority. kindness and of genbezrat He. We are not blind, seeloved yourJews. salvation with us cut them off from being a nation that the name only sing a song of praise. Chezkiyahu said: I will the nation, thefrom aliyah from all over the In response, Rabbi Baruch Kahane, son of Kach erosity “He didn’t hate Arabswe – he Even when of people all of all Jews to Yeshiva University’s eyes. Wefrom feelthe Your love for andabandon we reof IsraelRabbi shall Meir no longer be told in remembrance’ (Te- over lie on my bed and You of perform miracle. Ob- opened world, the defi ‘Who is the aCollege Jew?’ according founder Kahane, The Jewish Press, he was outlawed Knesset, he us, didn’t the and country, andnition all Stern in Manhillim, This was theirKing plan, and the planthe of over viously, Davidhas was greater than the Thismy is turn our love love for for the you,State. forever ever.”to say Halto halacha.” “I guess83:5). that means Joshua, David, Yehuda his great He and continued hattan. Inrest. addition, the world, been
Asked for his to husband AIPAC calling Otzma Maccabee, and David Ben Gurion were all racists overwhelming. and I will be lel on Yom HaAtzmaut and teach students that MediLikereaction we Yehudit “racistand andsisreprehensible,” Marzelextensively said, “AI- nat Yisrael was holy, even though its leaders misused too.” Otzma Yehudit is suing Rabbi Lau for slander. are traveling all brothers PACmamash.” has a leftist agenda. Before theyNorth interfere with their power in evil ways.” Interestingly, Likud, which fought hard to expel ters, around America, Last week, the Israespending Shabbatot in li government allocated Jewish communities, 80 million shekels tomeeting people and ward the restoration of talking about Israel and Sivan Rahav-Meir Back in June, Avner Shalev, chairman of the the displaced communiTorat Eretz Yisrael. Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Center, anty. Shoshana Sheiner, The World Mizrachi Movement, teaching them as much English as posnounced he would be stepping down after 27 years their moshav, which was founded in however, who has lived on the moshav which is organizing our shlichut, has sible before we take off. in the post. Two months later, Prime Minister AnforInterview with “IHazon Teitelbaum Do you have a game plan? When 1975 by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and 38 years, is skeptical. will be- Founder arranged a Haim full schedule of meetings Benjamin Netanyahu offered the position to Brigyou parachute into Los Angeles, devastated by a fire in late May that lieve it when I see it,” she told The and events. adier General Effi Eitam, who used to head the normalcy into fascism, black into white, and no one left the stunned residents with little Jewish Press. “I remember how long North America is a big place. for example, and are introduced to By was Tzvia Fishman Mafdal Party and member of Knesset from stands up tofrom oppose them. ToWhat them,can evenone intermarmore than the clothes on their back it took before the evacuees Gush couple from Israel someone at a kiddush on Shabbat, Jewish Press Israel Correspondent 2003-2009. riage is a virtue. how do you stimulate a connecand a suitcase or two of personal be- Katif were permanently resettled in hope to accomplish? Ever since the announcement, a wave of pro- Right The has come people in goes, Zion a little candle tion? longings. new homes. now time I only trust in for the Jewish As the saying testOver from the political Left has marred theHazon, nom- to rise up and say “No!” There beup noaroom just two days,represent 120,000 people With Torah. That’s the common But the donations only a joined Hashem.” cancan light roomfor filled with darkination, which must be approved by the governpoisonous distortions very wella social movement founded 2018,toafter one its are small percent of the vast sum in needed ness. Ourthe Sages teach that the redemp- denominator for all Jews, the cultural The of police still investigating thethat undermine ment. told Jewish Press decision our existence. advertisement was The removed the the Prima Park rebuild Eitam the community. Many offrom the 55 tion of Israel comes slowly, slowly, a glue that binds us as a nation. Both possibility thatsprings the fire,of which eruptwas supposed betwo finalized two weeks ago, but is Hazon a grassroots as the op-dawning of day. the Israeli Sabra from Tel Aviv and Hotel in Jerusalem ago.by Theedgiant bandestroyed homestowere notweeks covered littlemovement at a time, like on Lag B’Omer,Why was an act of Arab the matterToday, has “A turned into political carnival ow- posed to an initiative rabbis? ner proclaimed: father andamother family. The insurance. the still-dazed fire= a Hopefully, our example will inspire re- wealthy Jews from Boca Raton, Floriarson. Shoshana harbors no doubts. “I of leading ing to the fact that the Blue and White Party has Great spiritual leaders areligious gifts from heaven. courage to be normal.” The following response victims are temporarily quartered inday, in couples from In Israel to become da, have the same starting point from to agree to all new government appointments as the Continued meantime,on wep.47 are makingshlichim sure thein voice Israto and boycott threats by radical leftists, thecomplaints religious moshav of Chofetz Chaim thisofall-important goal of Sinai. That’s the pulse we all share. per the Gantz-Netanyahu el’s majority gets heard. the hotel took down the ad. rotation agreement. “All appointments are ofupHazon on thealongside trading But many rabbis have come out in support of the Haimnew Teitelbaum, founder block – ‘this appointment forHesder me, this appointRav Dror Aryeh of the Sederot Yeshiva, has movement: Rav Shmuel Eliahu, Rav Tzvi Tau, Rav ment you’ – like kidslawsuit tradingagainst candy,”the hePrima said. Shlomo Aviner, Rav Dov Lior, Rav Yehoshua Shapifiled afor breach-of-contract When askedand what behind the opposition, Eit- ra, and Rav Yaacov Ariel, to mention just a few. Park Hotel its lay advertising agency. “It’s outraam replied that The he isn’t giving interviews What’s new about your message? For many geous,” he told Jewish Press, “that a until tiny the miissue resolved. foroverwhelming Yad Vashem years, charedi rabbis have rejected Israel as norityiscan impose A itsspokesperson beliefs over the also refused to discuss matter, saying the Interview Mechinot Programin Head RabbitheYitzhak Nissim the forerunner to Mashiach part because majority of Israelis who the cherish theAn normalcy of dethe with cision out which of its jurisdiction. Jewishwas family, has insured our existence from Torah doesn’t govern it. Indor, ofgirl theinAlgamor Victims Tzvi Yehuda Kook taught that the holiness is yelling at you, telling you what to do, sometimes theMeir beginning of chairman time.” different? Every 18-year-old boy and Israel must serve notRabbi of Terror says he’s a of Israel is not measured in the level Yiddishkeit Teitelbaum, 38,national is the father of But fiveorganizing and lives in The IDF is founded on discipline. In of basic training, without any reason, compelling you to do exercises and in the armyOrganization, (or do service). is every high Israeli Holocaust survivors demonstrate outside the Jewish Agency building against Effi Eitam’s nomof its individual citizens, in itsand enabling the dein- chores until you are exhausted, and you don’t have the the settlement Migron. Aofreserve offi cer in the soldiers go through the but difficult frequently school graduate to serve? Thirty years ago,IDF, the group letter inofready support Eitam and sending it all ination as the new chairman of Yad Vashem on November 24. (Photo: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90) gathering ofexperience the exiles of and the resettlement Eretz luxury of walking away. he studied under Sedan andis Rabbi Yigal learning how to takeoforders. IDFthe decided the answer to Eli thatEducation, question no, and thus humanizing to Minister ofRabbi Higher Zeev Elkin Yisrael, its defense ofcommanders. millions Jews, its fulfi ll- determination. Levinstein, who office are called both outspoken defenders of To- talk In addition, with all personal of the advances The transition from being a freeof and independent teenpre-army whose academies “mechinot” were (Likud), is in charge of Yadborn. Vashem On the level, heweis have surto the reserve Theand inspiration ment the Torah commandment to keep Eretz Yis- prisingly rahThe values in Israeli society. achieved ingentle protecting rights of religious soldiers, director of the Mechinot Program and its 56 of and the soft-spoken. I once spent a operations. his of words accompanied us throughout the war. under Jewish to sovereignty. The Jewish Press: What led ayou to form Ha- rael“He it’s not easy to him be dati in Tzahal. To succeed, a beginacademies isisRabbi Yitzhak Nissim, former IDF tankShabbat with and his family at their home in “There a new form of terror against Israel,” toldnational us, ‘I enlisted serve Tzahal and Me- Advertisement on Prima Park Hotel promoting the Now that job the settlement the traditional zon? ningcommunity soldierfamily. needs aNov lothotel of That’s job ist who in Press. reserve“It duty as a commander in dinat Yisrael andphysical a career the of The onmotivation. the Golan the Heights. he told still Theserves Jewish is carefully planned “Our istotobecome takeJewish groups of soldier these ofwith removed ad the dueHis to country been fortified,that the next our reIsrael to be aPre-MilJewish of religious mechinot. We strive to instill our students the Teitelbaum: Army Rabbinate. Hewas alsoestablished heads clearhas understanding therephase was aofprice to pressure library ofbyhistory books was expansive, as was his war of intellectual terror, led by the the Elisha leftist elite in the radical leftists. undisciplined, apathetic, demption must include be strengthened our knowledge state, but recent years, foreign elements, backed pay with a burning spirit of Religious Zionism, a love for itary Torah near Neve in theanti-Israel Shomron. thatlargely could my life. I by amreturning a soldier to of the of Torah. Israel andinAcademy heavily funded by Tzuf foreign, Torah culture. by great financial resources, waged war to alter nation. moral the ILand practices ofIndor Israel, over a the broad will understanding of the vastagainst majority of Jewish of The Jewish Press: Howhave would you describe You are too.’ asked what the arguments Eitorganizations. These radical liberal groups…have know-it-all kids and turn them into Whatallexactly are proposing? Arrestthe Jewish state. The Hazonsociety MoveIsraelis whodestiny, wantwere. Medinat Yisrael history and a spirit of idealism, to be anda miserut Jewish mechinot? nomination He replied: “We knew that as you a young officer in the Yom am’s found their identity way intoofallthe segments of Israeli ingminiature women dressof immodestly? Searching ment wasNissim: createdwith to remind Am Yisrael that theinto To- Kippur with Jewish values. So institutions, nefesh foris the nation founded onall the Torah and Tanach. Rabbi Post high-school learning programs versions Yehoshua Nun “One the absurd charge bypublic Daniel Blatman, War, who he stopped an advancing Bin Syrian tank state and government their tentacles reaching homes for non-kosher food? rah is the foundation of our nation. Marriage, converand the country’s culture must be in accord with the When a young person understands the inner before one’s induction in the army. Secular mechinot that the educational system and army. Their goal is to force with a bazooka and machine gun while res- a professor of history at Hebrew University,meanand Yehuda HaMaccabee.” When we speak about the true Jewish identity sion, kashrut, Shabbat, and the sanctity of the kotel sacred traditions of Torah and Torah law. ings of Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael, and Medinat Yisrael, focus on Zionism, character building, and physical turn Israel into a liberal secular society and strip cuing wounded Israeli soldiers. He won a medal Eitam has no understanding of the Holocaust and anddistinguished a return to Torah values, we mean a public must remain true to Jewish tradition and Torah law That no more permits for gay parades, no serving inmeans thethe IDF becomes privilege and not an the obtraining religious mechinot focus on Religious Zi- for lacks ability to alead and promote service for this valor. on There can thus away itswhile Jewish character.” level. We are still a long way from establishing modin order for Israel to fulfi ll its divine mission of being government recognition of same-gender couples, no ligation. onism, Torah, Tanach, and midot along with strenuous Indor is a reserve lieutenant colonel in the IDF. be no question regarding his dedication to the institution created to preserve its memory. The esty patrols on the streets. We fi rst need to conduct a light unto the nations. granting them fi nancial support, no more liberal lecager who does whatever he pleases to being a disciOnce the student begins his career in Tzahal, group tiyulim. fact is that his grandparents were murdered in “During the [1982] war on the Syrian front,” Indor Jewish nation.” a national program ofex-soldier public education the turers Since the family is for the orders cornerstone of our nation, or curricula in remain the country’s public schools that is a serious challenge for many people. does the mechinah in touch with him? We strive to strengthen a student’s emunah while plined Thesoldier strapping has aregarding formidable said, “while waiting to move forward, laws of modesty, the honor due to women, and the it must be preserved in holiness. A father, a mother, contradict Torah values, no more government fundIn addition, army conditions are Spartan and rigid. Absolutely. For example, at the Elisha Torah Acadkeeping him attached to Hashem’s down-to-earth manContinued on p.41 Lieutenant-General Effi Eitam gave a pre-battle physical appearance and walks with a look of
Leftists Protest Appointment Of Effi Eitam To Head Yad Vashem Group Wants Judaism At Center Of Jewish State
Making Soldiers Out Boys
Friday, December 4, 2020
Fishman Continued from p.40
their home in Latvia, and his mother served as a nurse in the Red Army for four years in the fight against the Nazis. “Another empty charge is the old libel that Eitam is a fascist racist opposed to the Arabs in Israel and thus disqualified to represent an institution that emphasizes the importance of morality, tolerance, and peace.” I asked Indor if he had spoken to Eitam and, if he had, how Eitam has been reacting to the brouhaha. He told me: “The last thing you could accuse him of is being a crybaby and a complainer. Like many veteran combat soldiers, he has a stoic approach to life’s trials and challenges. This isn’t his first run in with the leftists and their witch hunts. At the height of his military career, Eitam was a secular kibbutznik from Ein Gev on the eastern shore of the Kinneret. People predicted that he was heading to become a future IDF Chief of Staff. “When he unexpectedly became a baal teshuvah, the media attacked him mercilessly. One wrote that she couldn’t stand to look at ‘the large beard and big purple kippah of the Givati division commander.’ He was falsely accused of commanding his soldiers to beat an innocent Palestinian to death, a slander that has resurfaced again…. From then on,
his way up the military ladder was blocked. “The same tactics are being used now to delegitimize his appointment as head of Yad Vashem. Yair Lapid opposed the nomination, citing Eitam’s ‘radical statements,’ even though his father, Tommy Lapid, when he held the same position, would speak out freely against charedim and Arabs. The Anti-Defamation League in America also joined the chorus against Eitam, citing his ‘problematic moral record.’” In the letter to Elkin, Indor writes: “The appointment of the Yad Vashen director is not the personal battle of Brigidier General Effi Eitam, but a national issue. Behind the efforts to sabotage the nomination lies the wish to de-Judaize the Holocaust and transform it into just one of many international cases of genocide. All efforts of this sort to distort history and erase the horror perpetrated against the Jews must be uprooted. “The attempts to deny the anti-Jewish root of the Holocaust, and to transform it into a type of ‘universal malfunction’ that could be perpetrated by any country, including Israel, against its enemies needs to be derailed before it gains international T:10" momentum…. “Precisely a man who has fought bravely for our country, and who values the unique character and heritage of the Jewish people – traits epitomized by Effi Eitam – is the right man for the job.”
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Friday, December 4, 2020
Antique Judaica Roadshow BY TSADIK KAPLAN
Auction AllStars: Chanukiot Chanukah is fast approaching, so I thought I would detail some of the most expensive and interesting antique chanukiot that have appeared at auction in the last decade, concluding with a chanukiah formerly owned by one of the most famous personalities of the 20th century. In May of 2009, an incredible offering of antique Jewish ceremonial objects came to be auctioned at Skinner in Boston. These pieces were originally sold at auction in New York City in 1949, and before that were part of a private collection in Paris; some of the objects were illustrated in a lavish book published in 1930. As is typical with Judaica that has an iron-clad provenance dating to before World War II, many of the items in this sale set auction records (for the time).
Undoubtedly, the star of this auction was a magnificent chanukiah in silver, dating to 1787 from Galicia. Standing over 18 inches in height, the backplate imitates the Eastern European style of Torah arks, displaying two columns and a pulled-back curtain revealing a door in the center. The most visually arresting part of the chanukiah is at the very bottom, which depicts men dressed in 18th century synagogue attire lighting a representation of the Temple menorah. Against a very conservative estimate of $60,000-$80,000, this chanukiah sold for $314,000. Just a few months after the auction in Boston, another silver chanukiah with pre-war provenance appeared at Sotheby’s in New York. That example, hailing from mid18th century Germany, had been passed down from one generation to
the next from a 19th century collector of antique books and objects, Selig Meier Goldschmidt (182896). Goldschmidt was noted for many things in his lifetime, notably among them as the patron and supporter of Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch. The backplate of this chanukiah is embellished with elaborate rococo ornamentation. Flanking the oil receptacles are two figures on a pedestal: on the left, Yehudit holding the head of Holofernes; on the right, young Dovid HaMelech holding a slingshot. Estimated at $200,000-$300,000, it sold for $542,500. Today this chanukiah is the centerpiece of the impressive Judaica collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and is on permanent display there.
Going ahead a few years to November 2014, a rare, green glazed ceramic chanukiah came up for sale at Kedem Auctions in Jerusalem. This chanukiah was manufactured in a displaced persons camp in Munich, Germany in 1947. The truncated tree with sprouting leaf is the symbol of She’arit Hapleta (the surviving remnant), a term used to refer to Holocaust survivors. Unlike other DP camp-made Jewish items, extant examples of this chanukiah are quite scarce; about ten are known to exist, including one example in Yad Vashem. Given an estimate of $7,000-$10,000, it sold for $23,370. In June 2017, a curious, if not somewhat disturbing, chanukiah came up for auction at J. Greenstein & Co. in New York. Made of pewter, this example, (originally) rather plain in construction and appearance, was made around 1910, its form and material being a faithful copy of pewter chanukiot that were popular in 18th century Germany and during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A desire to “have the style of Judaica akin to what our grandparents had” became somewhat in vogue for German Jews wishing to buy objects to use for Shabbat and chagim. This type of “re-issued” pewter chanukiah is not particularly collectible today, and is worth at most $300 or $400. However, this particular example was expertly engraved with a laurel wreath, the name “Isidor Wollenberger,” the years “1914-1915,” and finally, “Kriegsjahr” (“war year”), next to a depiction of the famed German military award, the Iron Cross. Isidor Wollenberger (1869-1928) was found to have been buried in a Jewish cemetery in Germany, and obviously was too old to have served in the German army during the First World War. Apparently, the engraving is some sort of patriotic homage paid by Wollenberger to Germany during the war, which of course, in hindsight, is beyond tragic. Given an estimate of $3,500-$5,500, it sold for $7,366. The oldest European dreidels in existence date to the 18th and 19th centuries. All are made of wood, and the few examples that are known reside in the collections of the Jewish museums of New York, Ber-
lin, and Basel. These types of truly old wooden dreidels have never appeared at auction. The oldest dreidels that do appear on the marketplace, including at auction, are from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, are made of cast lead, and hail from countries such as Germany, Poland, and the Ukraine, with most examples selling for well below $100. Dreidels made of pieces of cast sheetbrass expertly soldered together by artisans at the Bezalel School in Jerusalem dating from the 1920s also appear regularly, sometimes achieving prices as high as $1,000. In December of 2018 at Sotheby’s, a record price for a dreidel at auction was realized. Made in the modern era – 1965 – a charming silver and gold dreidel bearing depictions of children and a bird, deer, and dog was given an estimate of $10,000-$15,000, as it was created by the artist Ilya Schor, whose Jewish ceremonial objects have become extremely collectible of late. The dreidel realized a price of $23,750. Seen in the final photo is a triangular chanukiah in brass. Above the oil wells is the Hebrew “For the Commandment is a lamp, and the Torah is a light” (Proverbs 6:23). The rest of the backplate depicts two small animals, along with a large-winged beast in the center, mythological in origin. This chanukiah belonged to… Sigmund Freud. Yes, that Sigmund Freud, the “father of psychoanalysis,” who among other things, was vehement in his declarations against religious observance of any sort. Freud was a collector of antiquities, including objects belonging to cultures long extinct. While this chanukiah is quite old – dating to the 13th century – and is exceedingly rare, why did he choose to own it? Do we apply the “Pintele Yid” idea to Freud? Or is there a sinister explanation, like the chanukiah representing a culture Freud thought would become extinct? We’ll never know. This piece is one of only two medieval-era chanukiot known; the other example (featuring different animals) is on permanent display at the Bernard Museum of Judaica, located inside Temple Emanu-El on Fifth Avenue. If this type of chanukiah ever appeared at auction, it would likely be given an estimate of $100,000-$200,000. For the Freud example, I think the estimate would be double that because of the provenance. This chanukiah has been on display at the Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna since the museum was founded in 1971. Do you have a Jewish ceremonial object that you want to know more about, including the current market value? E-mail me photos and a brief description along with your name and city and state, and it may appear in my next column! Reach me at tsadik613@gmail.com. Tsadik Kaplan is a collector, certified appraiser, and speaker/lecturer on the topic of Judaica. He is the author of the book “Jewish Antiques: From Menorahs to Seltzer Bottles” (Schiffer Publishing).
Friday, December 4, 2020
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News Briefs Select Stories You May Have Missed Israel/Mideast News SAUDI ARABIA OFFICIALLY ALLOWS ISRAELI AIRLINERS TO FLY OVER AIRSPACE Saudi Arabia announced on Monday that Israeli airliners can use its airspace en route to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Until now, Israeli airliners did not have permanent approval for direct flights to traverse Saudi airspace. Reportedly, the change was made following a visit to Saudi Arabia by White House senior officials Jared Kushner and Avi Berkowitz.
ABU DHABI COMPANY TO BRING ISRAELI DRINKING-WATER TECHNOLOGIES TO GULF A strategic partnership agreement between the Israeli Watergen company and Emirati AlDahra was signed last week in Abu Dhabi. The agreement establishes a partnership between the companies to bring Watergen’s revolutionary water solutions to the United Arab Emirates and other countries in the region. Watergen has developed technology to generate clean drinking water from the air. It can produce up to 5,000 liters of clean drinking water per day. The agreement between Al-Dahra comes on the heels of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in Israel in October when a high-ranking delegation of Al-Dahra executives visited Israel.
The funeral procession of assassinated Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in Mashhad, Iran, on Nov. 30. (Photo: Tasnim News Agency)
lah Zarei wrote that if Israel indeed was behind the assassination, Tehran should launch an attack on Haifa that “causes heavy human casualties.” Zarei argued that such an action “will definitely lead to deterrence because the United States and the Israeli regime and its agents are by no means ready to take part in a war and a military confrontation.”
IDF CHIEF: ‘WE WILL CONTINUE TO ACT AGAINST IRANIAN PRESENCE IN SYRIA’ Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi on Sunday visited the Northern Command. The military said that while the visit was a routine inspection of the northern borders, commanders held a security situation assessment in the wake of the Iranian threats following the Nov. 27 assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, head of A strategic partnership agreement between the the Iranian nuclear program. Israeli Watergen company and Emirati Al-Dahra “I came here to evaluate the current state of sewas signed in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emircurity with an emphasis on the Iranian entrenchates on November 25. ment in Syria,” he said. “Our message is clear: We will continue to act as vigorously as necessary against the Iranian ASSASSINATED SCIENTIST’S FUNERAL entrenchment in Syria, and we will remain fully HELD AMID VOWS OF RETALIATION prepared against any manifestation of aggression The funeral for assassinated nuclear sci- against us,” he said. entist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh began on Monday in northern Tehran, as the country’s defense COLLECTION OF HANNAH SENESH COMES minister vowed retaliation, Reuters reported. TO NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ISRAEL Iran’s state TV broadcast the funeral ceremoIn 1944, the Jewish, Hungarian-born parany, held at the Iranian Defense Ministry in Mashhad with only Fakhrizadeh’s family and senior trooper Hannah Senesh (Szenes) was parachuted military officers in attendance, due to Covid-19 into occupied Europe by the British in a desperate attempt to save Hungarian Jews from the Nazi restrictions. His coffin, wrapped in an Iranian flag, was then death camps. She was captured, tortured and executed shortcarried in a procession to the Emamzade Saleh ly thereafter, and her story and poems have made cemetery in northern Tehran, noted the report. Fakhrizadeh, long suspected by Israel and the Senesh into an iconic figure of modern Jewish and United States as the “father” of Iran’s military Zionist culture. A year after her execution, a soldier in the nuclear program, was shot dead in his vehicle on Friday while driving on a highway near Tehran British Army’s Jewish Brigade named Moshe by what the regime has claimed was an Israeli op- Braslavski returned to Kibbutz Sdot Yam in Mandatory Palestine, where he found a suitcase full eration. In an op-ed on Sunday in the regime-con- of previously unknown letters, diaries, songs, and trolled Kayan newspaper, Iranian analyst Sadol- poems under Senesh’s bed. This discovery and
the subsequent publication of some of her work is what made Senesh’s literary contributions known to the world. After the war, her mother, Katherine, came to Mandatory Palestine, bringing more of Senesh’s writings and personal items from her home in Budapest. Katherine received her daughter’s material from the kibbutz and she kept the complete archival collection in her apartment in Haifa. Following her death in 1992 and the death of Senesh’s brother, Giora, in 1995, the materials were passed down to Giora’s sons, Eitan and David, who used them to promote their aunt’s memory and legacy. Over the past year, the complete Hannah Senesh Archival Collection has been transferred to the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem, where it will be made available to the public. The collection Hannah (left) and Giora includes handwrit- Senesh, 1924. (National Liten poems; diaries; brary of Israel's Hannah Sea newspaper she nesh Archival Collection) edited when she was six years old; correspondence; photos and personal documents; the minutes of her trial; documents related to the Kasztner affair; as well as personal items. Perhaps the two most moving items in the collection are a pair of notes found in her dress following her execution: the last poem she ever wrote and a personal letter to her mother. — Compiled from reports by JNS and Israel Hayom
Please pray for Israel’s captured soldiers
Tzvi Feldman
Yehuda Katz
Ron Arad
Guy Hever
Friday, December 4, 2020
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Father To Government Agencies: ‘Stop The Criminal Treatment Of Special-Needs Children’ Rabbi Gary Moskowitz
Special-needs children – the most vulnerable among us – have become nothing more than a commodity in an industry fraught with greed, mismanagement, incompetence, malfeasance, blackmail, corruption, and retaliation on every level. Teachers, administrators, therapists, care workers, and fiscal agencies are all making money on my daughter – Yael – who receives no services. They are neglecting with impunity. Yael as been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and cortical visual impairment. She can’t talk or walk The author with his without help. I am struggling to redaughter. ceive federal, state, and city mandated services from the Department of Education, which include home instruction education and after-school therapies such as PT, OT, SP, and SETT. Bur my beautiful angel Yael has not received her Individual Education Plan (IEP) or any schooling at all since March. Her situation is deteriorating; she is losing the ability to stand, to walk with help, and much more. Our doctors tell us it will get worse; she may need surgery and she may never walk independently if she doesn’t receive all her therapies again as soon as possible. My Yael cannot attend school as she is in a high-risk category for Covid. The school demands that we sign in for 15 minutes or so on the Internet so it can continue to receive monies for her attending while she gets no educational services. This is basically a no-show job for teachers and therapists. My daughter is intellectually challenged and cannot learn via the Internet. They also want her to have physical, occupational, and speech therapies by Zoom. Try getting a massage through Zoom. We have been demanding that teachers and therapists be sent to my home as is federally mandated on her Individual Education Plan – but to no avail. I am a single father with physical custody of three children and am compelled to stay home with my disabled daughter and not work so I can teach and give my daughter a few hours of therapy myself daily. I also am compelled to pay a private teacher out of pocket to help educate my daughter. This has been occurring since March. It is so bad we have started a “Go Fund Me Page” to raise funds to pay for therapy for Yael. The school threatened me that if I didn’t sign in online for at least 15 minutes a day to mark her as attending school, it would report me to Associated Child Services for Educational Neglect. To add insult to injury, the Department of Education sent me 7th grade educational materials on science, social studies, math, and English literature. This for a child who cannot read, write, or speak and, according to her last evaluation, is
like a nine-month-old baby. I requested and now demand that since the DOE is refusing to, or cannot, send a teacher or any therapists to my home, that I be given funds to hire my own staff to educate and train Yael at home. Just like some special-needs students are able to go to private schools at DOE expense, I should have the right give Yael an education at home – which will be considerably cheaper than the education the government’s DOE gives (priced at $73,000). I am preparing a lawsuit against the Depart-
ment of Education in NYS Supreme Court to get the services my child needs desperately. I won twice in the DOE Administrative Impartial Hearing, but these victories are meaningless as it is powerless to enforce anything. I was told to sue in NYS court. I’m calling for a Blue-Ribbon Panel on Corruption to investigate all the fraud, stealing, and malfeasance so we can help save those disabled and sick children from further harm. Please help my child and all the other sick and disabled children who are being ignored and taken advantage of.
What’s New At The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo? By Rachael Risby Raz
The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo re-opened to visitors last Thursday (although the number of visitors is being limited). The animals are reacting with curiosity – the zoo staff think they miss seeing people, too! The change in government regulations came after intensive lobbying by the Israeli Zoo Association. Zoo Director-General Ziv Ayalon participated in a number of committee meetings at the Knesset to make the case for re-opening all the country’s zoos as well as meeting and speaking to members of Knesset and other officials. Nature reserves in Israel had already been open for a number of weeks and there
was no reason open-air sites such as The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo should remain closed instead of being open for the public to enjoy. A colorful protest was held outside the Knesset by the Ramat Gan Safari Park, in which zoo staff also participated (see picture below). ***** The Aquarium has also re-opened for limited visitors. The recent partial renewal of international flights meant that the zoo finally was able to fly in the new jellyfish (see picture left) that were waiting in Hong Kong – just in time for the return of visitors.
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The Passenger By Zelda Goldfield "You’ll never believe this story, Imma.� “Try me!� I retorted over the phone to my 37-year-old son, Chaim. I leaned back in my swivel chair, eager to listen to yet another episode in the life of my grownup little boy who never fails to entertain me with his antics. “Well, today something really weird happened. Usually I walk Tzvi over to his first grade class in cheder, right? You know, quality time for father and son kind of thing. But today I was in a rush to a meeting so I took the car. Standing at the bus stop in front of the cheder was a portly but energetic man with a white beard and dark bushy eyebrows. At least seventy years old. He was perched
at the edge of the curb, anxiously eyeing the cars as they drove by, hoping for a lift, I guess. I had seen him around before but never paid much attention, since without a car I wouldn’t have been of much assistance. “I drove by in a hurry and saw a fleeting look of disappointment on his weathered face. Boy, did I feel bad. I couldn’t do that to him, so I did an illegal U-turn and pulled up in front of him.� “‘Which way are you headed, young man?’� he asked as he opened the door. “‘I’m going your way – just tell me which way that is.�’ “‘I’m going to Ramat Shlomo, but only if you are heading in that direction. I don’t want to take you out of your way.�’ “‘Min HaShamayim, that’s exactly where I’m heading, too!�’ I exclaimed, maybe a decibel too loud in an effort to make my fib sound really convincing. “I saw a skeptical look on his face and he squirmed uncomfortably. To put him at ease, I started chatting – you know how talented I am at that.� I could picture my Chaimke’s mischievous grin over the phone. “I pointed to an old school building as we whizzed by. ‘Thirty-five years ago,’ I told my passenger ‘I went to that cheder for first grade. We
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didn’t live in the neighborhood, but my mother had heard that the first grade rebbe who had taught my older brother in our local cheder had moved to this new cheder. My mother was crazy about Rebbe Yonah. Everyone was. She only wanted me to be in his class even if it meant convincing the principal to accept me from outside the neighborhood and bussing me in.’� I chuckled to myself over the phone, and hoped that Chaim didn’t hear. Chaim had always been a fun-loving kid. His pre-school teacher hadn’t appreciated his joie de vivre and had called me in a few times about his “wild� behavior. But he wasn’t wild – he was just curious, full of life and very intelligent. I had been confident that Chaim and Rebbe Yonah would be a perfect match. Chaim continued his tale. “My passenger listened attentively to my chit-chat. I succeeded in putting him at ease. He even asked me some questions – and also told me not to drive so fast,� he added sheepishly. “‘Did you enjoy that year in first grade?’� he probed. “‘Enjoy? I loved every minute. Wish I could go back. I still remember the songs we sang, the stories he told. Especially the story about the Greeks Continued on p.49
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barging into the classes with their spears, certain that they would find the kids learning Torah with their rebbe. Instead, the boys had hidden their scrolls and were all engrossed in their dreidel games! We acted out the story in our Chanukah party in front of our parents. I’d wanted to be a Greek soldier with a spear, but Rebbe Yonah said that I was such a good actor I should have the main role and gave me the part of the Reb-
ble, Jerusalem stone, Murano glass and –’” “Chaim! You told all this to the stranger?” I laughed. Once Chaim gets started, it’s hard to stop him. “I was only trying to put the man at ease, Imma. He was all ears! Meanwhile, I glanced at the clock on the dashboard. I was going to be ten minutes late for my meeting with the rosh yeshiva. In a few minutes I would deposit my passenger and phone the rosh yeshiva to apologize. “The car climbed up the steep road into Ramat Shlomo and my passenger guided me to his exact destina-
“’Min HaShamayim, that’s exactly where I’m heading!”’ I exclaimed, maybe a decibel too loud in an effort to make my fib sound convincing. be. Can you imagine?’” “‘Hmm. Interesting. Rebbes have their reasons, I suppose,’” he replied. “‘I’ve been out of cheder for decades, but I still remember that wonderful year with Rebbe Yonah and the great Chanukah play. It filled me with such a love for Torah – and for Chanukah. My birthday is right after Chanukah, and every year my mother gives me an unusual dreidel as a birthday gift. I have a collection of dreidels from all over the world made from silver, lead, brass, mar-
tion. We stopped in front of a group of caravans that served as a cheder.” “‘Tizke l’mitzvos. This is where I get off. Thank you for a very interesting ride and conversation. I wish you and your whole family continued hatzlachah, young man. By the way, I didn’t catch your name –’” “‘Oh, my name is Chaim and I am very pleased to have met you.’” “‘And I am even more pleased to have met you, Chaim, – again. “‘Again?’” “’Yes, again. I am Rebbe Yonah.’”
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The founding conference of the World Agudat Yisrael was held in Kattowitz, Upper Silesia in May 1912, with some 300 delegates in attendance, who began the difficult task of uniting the disparate views of Orthodox communities across Europe under the Agudah flag. The conference appointed a temporary council charged with founding Orthodox organizations across Europe and established the first Moetset Gedolei HaTorah (the “Council of Torah Sages”) as a rabbinical body charged with passing on the propriety of all the Agudah’s major actions. The aim of World Agudat Yisrael became to strengthen Orthodox institutions independent of the Zionist movement and Mizrachi. Due primarily to the efforts of Rav Yitzchak Yaakov Reines, Not long after its founding, Agudat Yisrael head of the Mizrachi movement, most Mizrachi came to be a metaphor for charedi Jewry’s con- members remained with the WZO. (The Agudah frontation with modernity in general and with re- would not drop its anti-Zionist position until after the Holocaust.) ligious Zionism in particular. Although the Essentially born of Agudah launched anti-Zionism, Agudah branches throughout maintained as one of Lithuania, Hungary, its principal guiding and Czechoslovakia, it ideas that Zionism is proved most successful Top: First Knessiah Gedolah card mailed from Viincompatible with Toin Poland and, by the enna on September 23, 1923. Bottom: Delegate’s rah Judaism. As such, early 1920s, it became Card for attendance at the Knessiah Gedolah. although it developed perhaps the most inan active presence in Various medical professionals surroundEretz Yisrael, its focus fluential political Jewwas on dwelling in the ish party in Poland. ed the bed of a critically ill patient. In acland – which is a Torah Agudah members held cordance with his medical specialty, each of commandment – rather themselves out as good them paid close attention to a particular orthan establishing Jewcitizens – indeed, as pagan or body part and proposed various treatish sovereignty there. triots – of the Polish fament regimens. Accordingly, while it Suddenly, one of the physicians aptherland, thereby earnsought recognition and ing the goodwill of the proached the patient and listened to the status for the charedi Historic photo of the saintly Chofetz Chaim arriv- Polish people and facilbeat of his heart. “Wait,” he announced to community in Eretz Yis- ing at the First Knessiah Gedolah (1923). his fellow doctors, “listen to his heart. The itating the promotion of heartbeat is very feeble. First, let us get his Jewish civil rights withrael, it refused to be inheart to beat normally again, and then we cluded in the political bodies of the Yishuv. in the existing political structure. can consider other medical issues.” The origins of Agudah lay in the Tenth Zionist During World War I, German Rabbis Pinchas My dear brothers, the heartbeat of the Congress – held at Basel, Switzerland in August Kohn and Dr. Emmanuel Carlebach – as the rabJewish people is the Torah, and the slowed 1911 – at which the Zionist movement suppressed binical advisors to the German occupation forces beat of its heart is manifest. We have come the political aspect of Zionism in favor of cultural in Poland – worked together with R. Avraham here to save the very heart of the Jewish peoand economic policy, marking the end of the fric- Mordechai Alter, the Gerrer Rebbe, to unify much tion between the practical Zionists and the politi- of Eastern European and Western European Orple. cal Zionists. thodox Judaism under the Agudah umbrella. Though ironically dubbed the “Peace ConferThe movement, which quickly gained importThe “slowed beat of its heart” was the result of ence,” there wasn’t much peace with – or within ant support, particularly from chassidic and chare- the new freedom Jews gained with emancipation, – the Orthodox Mizrachi camp, which was bitter di Jews, ran a slate of nominees in post-World War which flowed from the modern “Enlightenment” due to the adoption by the Congress of the cultur- I Polish elections and obtained great electoral and led to materialism, socialism, and the abanal program, pursuant to which the Zionist Actions achievements, including the election of Alexander donment of the Torah by many Jews and Jewish Committee was charged with carrying out educa- Zusia Friedman, R. Meir Shapiro, communities. The Knessiah repretional activities in Eretz Yisrael and Eastern Eu- R. Yosef Nechemya Kornitzer, and sented the first 20th century gatherrope. This program was an anathema to many of R. Aharon Lewin of Reysha to the ing of world Torah leaders to unite the charedi leaders, who believed that religious Polish Sejm (parliament). in the struggle against secular and In August 1914, Agudah comJudaism could not coexist with a secular Jewish assimilationist movements that culture. were threatening the survival of menced preparations for convenCharedi leaders were actually less worried ing a worldwide Knessiah Gedolah Torah Jewry. about the threat presented by Herzl’s secular Zion- (“Great Congress”) as a counter Exhibited here is a rare and beautiful Knessiah Gedolah card ism, which it saw as drawing much of its support to the Zionist Congresses, but the from already assimilated Jews, than it was about start of World War I made such a mailed from Vienna on Septemthe Mizrachi movement, a Torah-true organiza- plan unworkable. The First Knesber 23, 1923. It depicts a globe intion with an appeal to Agudah’s base and which siah Gedolah, which was held in scribed “Agudat Yisrael” atop the therefore presented an unacceptable challenge to September 1923 (from the 4th to three pillars of Agudah, based upon both Agudah’s theological approach and to its gen- the 11th of Elul) at the elegant OpPirkei Avot 1:2: Torah, the Temple eral hegemony. era House in Vienna, Austria, was R. Meir Shapiro, founder of service, and practicing acts of piety. Also shown is a Delegate’s Card for Seeing the writing on the wall – i.e., that the a seminal event in the modern his- the Daf Yomi attendance at the Knessiah. cultural Zionists were about to take command of tory of Jewish Orthodoxy. Chaired the Zionist movement – the charedim held a meet- by Rav Yehuda Leib Zirelsohn, it was attended The Knessiah passed a resolution conveying ing prior to the commencement of the Tenth Con- by many of the world’s greatest leaders, includ- its blessings and hopes for a successful term to gress, which resulted in the drafting of a resolu- ing R. Yisrael Meir Kagan, the legendary Chofetz President Calvin Coolidge and, while expressing tion that “nothing that is contrary to the Jewish Chaim. gratitude that America served as a refuge for large Other attendees included thousands of Jews numbers of Jews, it asked the president to use his religion should be undertaken by any institution for cultural activity by the World Zionist Organi- seeking to join their revered leaders in standing influence to liberalize the immigration laws. To up for the ideals and goals of Agudat Yisrael. One the great disappointment of the American Jewish zation.” When the Congress defeated the proposal and segment conspicuously missing, however, were re- community, Coolidge was unaffected by the Knesadopted the cultural program, many delegates and ligious Zionists, whom the Agudah rabbis viewed siah resolution and, worse, he signed the Johnleaders withdrew from the WZO and, a year later, as a danger on par with assimilationism. son-Reed Act, an immigration bill that restricted joined German Orthodox separatist leaders and The Chofetz Chaim offered a beautiful parable Jewish immigration to the United States. Eastern European traditionalist opponents of Zi- to explain the purpose of the Knessiah Gedolah as Continued on p.51 part of his address at the gathering: onism to form Agudat Yisrael.
The First Major Agudah Gathering And The Introduction Of Daf Yomi
Friday, December 4, 2020
Singer Continued from p.50
America, and each day he learns the daf. When he arrives in America, he enters a beis medrash in New York and finds Jews learning the very same daf that he studied on that day, and he gladly joins them. Another Jew leaves the States and travels to Brazil or Japan, and he first goes to the beis medrash, where he finds everyone learning the same daf that he himself learned that day. Could there be greater unity of hearts than this?
One of the major topics of discussion at the conference – which caused great disagreement – was Agudat Yisrael’s relationship toward organized Zionism in general and toward the Mizrachi in particular. The principal accomplishment of the Knessiah, however, was the remarkable ability of the various factions and interests to unify for In those years, only some of the 63 tractates of a single directed purpose and to promote a feeling the Talmud were being studied regularly, while among world religious Jewry – again, except for others, such as Zevachim and Temurah – which the Zionists – that they were a single community focus on topics that reunited in its commitment late to the Temple ritual to fight assimilation and – were hardly studied at non-Torah values. all. Originally, Rav ShaProtesting the persepiro saw Daf Yomi as an cution of Jews in Russia, appropriate program only the Assembly also adfor the religious youth of opted separate resoluPoland, but his idea was tions urging the Soviets greeted so enthusiasticalto modify their attitude ly by the nearly 600 delon the subject; upholdegates at the Congress, ing schechita (ritual including many Torah slaughter); and promotleaders from Europe and ing increased religious America, that the proobservance, particularly gram was accepted by greater Shabbat obserpractically all religious vance worldwide. Jews worldwide. It also determined to The first cycle of Daf send a prestigious group Yomi commenced a few to America, including the weeks later on the first Chofetz Chaim and the day of Rosh Hashanah Gerrer Rebbe, to recruit 5684, September 11, followers for the Agudah. 1923. To show support The mission (which ulfor the new program, the timately did not include Gerrer Rebbe learned these two personalities) the first daf of Berachot proved highly successful in public. On November and led to the establish12, 1924, when Tractate ment of the Agudat YisraBerachot was completed, el of America. Rav Shapiro published The Knessiah was a calendar for the entire further notable for chalcycle of Daf Yomi study. lenging long-established Exhibited here is a Eastern European Orthovery rare correspondence dox practice by promoting handwritten by Rav Jewish education for girls. Shapiro on his personAlthough the idea to found al letterhead and dated yeshivot for girls had been “Sanhedrin 40” (it was initiated by Sarah ScheTop: Delegate’s Ticket to attend the second Aguhis practice to use the nirer a few years earlier dat Yisrael Knessiah Gedolah on September 17, Daf Yomi to date his corwhen she opened the first 1929, which coincided with the completion of respondence). He sends Bais Yaakov school, the Tractate Zevachim on the Daf Yomi cycle. Botblessings for the New Knessiah championed tom: Handwritten letter by R. Meir Shapiro. Year to the rav of Sekowil the establishment of Bais and closes with a stateYaakovs across Europe ment about saying the Shehecheyanu blessing on and allocated significant funds for their support. However, the most historically significant event the second night of Rosh Hashanah. Rav Shapiro (1887-1933), who earned broad at the Knessiah – an episode with repercussions that reverberate to this day – was undoubtedly a recognition as a great illui and gaon at a very proposal presented by a 36-year-old rabbi, who cap- young age, received semicha from a number of tivated everyone with his eloquence and brilliance. the greatest rabbanim of the time, including the Rav Meir Shapiro, then rav of Sanok, Poland and Maharsham. He went on to serve as rav in Galifuture rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin, na (1910-1920), Sanok (1920-1924), Petrakov, and, was selected to present to the plenum the sugges- finally and most famously, in Lublin, where he tions and decisions of the Vaad LeInyonei Chinuch established the world-renowned Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva, which trained many hundreds of rab(Committee on Matters of Education). On August 16, 1923, after enumerating the banim who went on to serve as leaders of Polish plans to strengthen Jewish education and prac- Jewry. The cornerstone of the yeshiva was laid in tice, he sought permission to present a personal proposal, which shook the very foundations of 1924, but it would not be able to open its doors Torah study: that Jews in all parts of the world until six years later at the culmination of R. Shashould study the same daf (page of Talmud) each piro’s fundraising efforts throughout Poland and day, with the goal of completing the entire Talmud the United States. With R. Shapiro simultaneousin about seven and a half years. As Rav Shapiro ly serving as rav of Lublin and as rosh yeshiva, himself beautifully explained it to the delegates at Yeshiva Chachmei Lublin became one of the most venerated yeshivot of its time. the Knessiah: In 1914, R. Shapiro was appointed head of the Education Department of Agudat Yisrael in East What a great thing! A Jew travels by boat Galicia; went on to become president of Agudah in and takes Gemara Berachot under his arm. Poland (1922); and became an honored member of He travels for 15 days from Eretz Yisrael to
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the Moetset Gedolei HaTorah. He became the first Orthodox Jew to become a member of the Polish Sejm, serving from 1922-1927; although his lack of proficiency in Polish limited his effectiveness, having a leading rabbi in the Parliament constituted an important symbolic encouragement to the Jews of Poland. Sadly, he died of typhus at the very young age of 46. Saul Jay Singer serves as Senior Legal Ethics Counsel with the District of Columbia Bar and is a collector of extraordinary original Judaica documents and letters which he exhibits in this column. He welcomes comments at saul.singer@verizon.net.
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Friday, December 4, 2020
Friday, December 4, 2020
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Daf Yomi Highlights Adapted by Rabbi Yaakov Klass Dedicated to the Memory of Rabbi Gershon Tanenbaum, zt”l
For Want Of A Miracle
In memory of the yahrzeiten of: Rabbi Levi Yitzchok b. Rabbi Pinchas Dovid Horowitz, zt”l, Bostoner Rebbe (18th Kislev, 2009); Rabbi Menachem Nachum b. Rabbi Mordechai Twersky, zt”l, Tolna Rebbe (19th Kislev, 1915); Rabbi Baruch b. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager, zt”l, Vizhnitzer Rebbe and author of Imrei Baruch (20th Kislev, 1882); Rabbi Yochanan b. Rabbi David Twersky, zt”l, Rachmestrivka Rebbe in Jerusalem (20th Kislev, 1981); Rabbi Yitzchak b. Rabbi Chaim Yoel Hutner, zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin (20th Kislev, 1981); Shimon b. Yaakov, zt”l, second son of Yaakov Avinu (21st Kislev, 1707 bce); Rabbi Zvi Pesach b. Rabbi Yehuda Leib Frank, zt”l, Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem (21st Kislev, 1960); Rabbi Shalom Mordechai b. Rabbi Yitzchak Schwadron, zt”l, Maggid of Jerusalem (21st Kislev, 1997); Rebbetzin Slova Tannenbaum b. Rabbi Shraga Feivel Frankel, a”h, Verpeleter Rebbetzin (23rd Kislev, 1892); Rabbi Elimelech b. Rabbi Meshulim Feish Lowy, zt”l, Tosher Rebbe (23rd Kislev 1942); Rabbi Chayim Yechezkel b. Rabbi Raphael Medini, zt”l, Chief Rabbi of Hebron and author of Sedei Chemed (24th Kislev, 1904); Rabbi Chaim Menachem Avrohom b. Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Twersky, zt”l, London Trisker Rebbe (24th Kislev, 2010).
Two Versions The Gemara (17a) cites two versions of R. Yosi b. Yo’ezer’s statement. Rav’s version was “mashkin bei mitbechaya – liquids in the place of shechi‘Levi Taught: tah,” whereas Levi’s version was “mashkin bei [It Is the] Liquids of the Altar’ madbechaya – liquids of the mizbe’ach.” According to Rav, R. Yosi’s leniency is limited (Pesachim 17a) to blood and water (which are found in the place of shechitah), but according to Levi, R. Yosi’s leniAccording to R. Yosi b. Yo’ezer (cited on 16a), ency applies even to oil and wine (since these, too, liquid (e.g., blood) in the area where shechita is were offered on the mizbe’ach). performed in the Beis HaMikdash is always tahor. R. Yosi maintains that only food is biblically susThe Miracle Of The Oil ceptible to tumah; beverages do contract tumah, In relating the story of Chanukah (Shabbos but only due to a rabbinic decree, and the Sages 21b), the Gemara states that the triumphant Haslimited their decree to beverages outside the Tem- moneans, after routing the Greeks from the Temple. ple, found one sealed cruse of undefiled oil which, They didn’t extend it to beverages inside the when lit, miraculously burned for eight days. Beis HaMikdash because they wished to minimize the loss of sacrifices due to tumah. R. Yosi b. Yo’ezer’s View The gaon Rabbi Itzel Hamburg (cited in the Novellae of Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke Toibash found This week’s Daf Yomi Highlights is based upon Al Hadaf, published by Cong. Al Hadaf, 17N Rigaud in the back of our Vilna Shas), citing our sugya, Rd., Spring Valley, NY 10977-2533. Al Hadaf pubquestions the necessity for the miracle of Chanulished semi-monthly, is available by subscription: kah. U.S. – $40 per year; Canada – $54 per year; overseas Even had the Greeks opened all the sealed ves– $65 per year. For dedication information, contact sels of oil, they still should have been valid for Rabbi Zev Dickstein, editor, at 845-356-9114 or visit use in the menorah according to R. Yosi b. Yo’ezer Alhadafyomi.org.
who maintains that beverages in the Temple are impervious to tumah. One Solution To answer this question, Responsa Sho’el Umeishiv (section 3, vol. 1:42) cites a Gemara (Avodah Zarah 52b) that derives from Ezekiel 7:22 – “The ravagers will enter the Beis HaMikdash and desecrate it” – that when the Beis HaMikdash was breached by the Greek armies, its sanctity was revoked. Since the Beis HaMikdash had lost its sanctity, any liquids lying in it at the time no longer were impervious to tumah. Another Solution Rabbi Uri Shraga Toibash (cited in the Novellae of Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke Toibish) suggests another answer. He points out that the question is only relevant according to Levi’s version of R. Yosi b. Yo’ezer, who says oil, too, is impervious to tumah. The Gemara (17a) states that Levi concurs with Shmuel, who maintains that R. Yosi b. Yoezer never said liquids of the altar are always pure; all he said was that these liquids after contracting tumah lack the ability to transmit tumah to other foods or liquids. Thus we see the need for the miracle of Chanukah.
Friday, December 4, 2020
Berel’s Haircut With today’s teenage boys wearing their hair so long, it’s hard to tell boys from the girls! In our day, wellgroomed hair was as absolute as the Friday night candle lightings. I remember one particular time when my little brother Berel needed a haircut. He must have been all of seven years old at the time. Up to that point, Mama always went with him to the barber shop to see that the barber gave him “ah shainer” haircut. Mama would stand at the barber’s elbow and whisper, “Ah shainer kind, no?” and the barber would shuckel with his head in agreement. This of course would embarrass Berel to no end. But we convinced him that we all went through the same ordeal. When he reached his eighth birthday, we promised him, Mama would let him go alone. And indeed, one day Mama told Berel he could to the barber himself but cautioned him to tell the barber, “You shouldn’t make it too short”! Berel romped off to the barber shop on a cloud. En route, he passed another barber shop on the same block. This one we normally didn’t patronize. There was really no special reason. We secretly felt the name on the window, which read “Torentelli haircuts,” had something to do with it. We used to go to the shop where the sign on the window read, “Morris Greenberg Cups, Haircuts, Marcel Waves.” Mama figured if the barber was talented enough to give cups (bankes), and Marcel waves, he certainly was qualified to trim the shrubbery of her tribe. Nu, so Berel was out for his first haircut alone. As he passed the Torentelli Barber shop, he saw a sign in the window advertising a free squirt of expensive hair tonic with every haircut. Anytime anything was given away for nothing, Berel was first on line. Naturally, he went into Torentelli’s and with great majesty said he wanted a haircut. Mr. Torentelli was a kindly, chubby old gentleman, almost bald, who operated the shop by himself. He worked very long hours and tried his utmost to please his customers as best he could. When Berel came in, Mr. Torentelli asked Berel, “How do you want it little boy – with the part on the side or in the middle?” Berel knew from the side or the middle like I knew from the Gettysburg address. “So, how you want it little boy?” Mr. Torentelli repeated. “You like in
the middle?” he questioned knowingly. Berel, who didn’t want to seem stupid, nodded and Mr. Torentelli went to work cutting his hair with the part smack in the middle. In 15 minutes, he was through. Berel had a lovely haircut with a part in the middle. No matter what Mr. Torentelli asked, Berel shook his head in full agreement. Mr. Torentelli poured on all the glop he had in the place so that Berel’s hair was as stiff as a board. This part was all for free. He had that plastered-down look and, with the part in the middle, resembled the actor Richard Barthelmess. The haircut completed, Berel told Mr. Torentelli Mama would bring in the money later in the day. In those days there was no question about this system of payment. Who would trust her little one to get to the barber shop with a quarter when he had to pass two candy stores? Sure enough, Berel returned to the house. When Mama took one look at him, she screamed. She screamed so loud, two neighbors came rushing in. “What happened to you!” Mama shrieked. “What kind of haircut is this? You look like a bootlegger. She grabbed her coat and Berel by the ear and ran with him down to Mr. Greenberg’s barber shop. Before Mr. Greenberg could say a word, Mama started giving him ‘whoha’ from all sides. Finally, when she drew a breath, Mr. Greenberg explained that he did not give Berel the haircut. “Who else would I send my Berel to if not to you – what are you talking?” she shouted excitedly. Greenberg insisted he did not give Berel the haircut. Finally, Mama turned to Berel who was turning all shades of red, white, and blue “Tell me, tateleh, Mr. Greenberg didn’t give you the haircut?” Berel swallowed hard and said, “No, but I got a free squirt of hair tonic for free, Ma!” Mama shrieked once more. If interplanetary space travel were possible in those days, she could have reached the moon. She was ready to explode. She apologized to poor Mr. Greenberg and raced halfway down the block to Torentelli’s barber shop. Mama stormed in with guns blazing. “What kind of haircut is this?” Mr. Torentelli looked Berel over Continued on p.59
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Covering The Challah: Why And When? By Rabbi Yaakov Hoffman
suggest some later poskim.4 Yet, aside from the In any other culture, it would be viewed as pe- after Kiddush. As discussed above, keeping our large tables fact that older sources mention covering the bread culiar for diners to find food covered with a cloth at a table set for a formal meal. Yet, at every Shab- out of the dining room and then moving them in during Kiddush only, it is also halachically quesbat or Yom Tov table, the bread is covered. Why? after Kiddush is not practical; nevertheless, in ac- tionable to cover a food during the recitation of a What’s the origin of this practice? cordance with the passage in Tractate Shabbat, beracha upon it (Hilchot Shabbat beShabbat ch. 7 In Talmudic times, participants at a meal didn’t the table must be set before anyone attending shul n. 16*). sit around one large table. Rather, a small table on Friday night returns home. Apparently, accordSometimes, especially at large group meals, a with food was brought before each diner. The Tal- ing to Tosafot and the reasoning upon which the challah roll is set at each person’s place. If covermud states that on Shabbat, this table shouldn’t be common custom rests, if the table is empty of food, ing the bread is necessary to save it from “embarbrought into the dining area prior to Kiddush (Pe- it has not yet truly been “set.” Thus, in our times, rassment,” it would seemingly be sufficient to covsachim 100b). The She’iltot explains that waiting the bread must be placed on the table before people er the bread only in front of the person who recites until after Kiddush to bring out the food indicates arrive home from shul.1 Kiddush; everyone else can leave his or her chalthat the meal is in honor of Shabbat (she’ilta 54). The Vilna Gaon, in contrast, apparently main- lah uncovered (Leket Yosher p. 50). But according The Talmud further rules that if one acted in- tains that arranging the utensils on the table is to the She’iltot, all the bread on the table should correctly and brought this table out before Kid- sufficient for it to be considered “set.” He therefore probably be covered so as to emphasize that each dush, one need not go through the effort of re- maintains that, lechatchila, one should not bring person’s meal is in honor of Shabbat (Igrot Moshe, moving it and subsequently bringing it back after the bread to the table before Kiddush so as to more Orach Chayim 5:20:18; it is not clear why Hilchot Kiddush. One may instead cover it with a cloth closely adhere to the prescription in Tractate Pesa- Shabbat beShabbat [op. cit.] rules otherwise). If covering the bread has to do with its assoand then uncover it after Kiddush (pores mappah chim. Thus, the Vilna Gaon’s opinion is not merely u’mkaddesh), which approximates the effect of the a chumra; it’s also a leniency with regards to the ciation with the manna, one could argue in both table arriving after Kiddush in honor of Shabbat. requirement of setting the table – a kula that goes directions – perhaps it’s sufficient for only one perIn other words, covering the food during Kid- against the opinion of virtually all poskim (who son’s bread to allude to the manna, but perhaps it’s dush is only a post facto remedy; ideally, the food quote Tosafot) and a thousand years of Jewish better if all breads do so. should not be brought out before Kiddush at all. In custom.2 light of this, why do virtually all Jews nowadays In addition to the Talmud-based reason, the 1. One could claim that all the food for the first course insist on having the bread covered should be placed on the table and on the table during Kiddush? Why covered (cf. Nefesh HaRav p. 159). don’t they just wait until after KidThe prevalent custom, however, is to The practice of the Vilna Gaon was not to have the dush to bring the bread out? place only the bread on the table beTosafot explains that the halafore Kiddush; even if people do place chic injunction to, ideally, bring challah on the table at all during Kiddush (Maaseh Rav 118). other foods on the table, they do not out the table after Kiddush no customarily cover them. Presumably, Why don’t all Jews act similarly? longer applies (100b s.v. she’ein). this is because it’s difficult to cover all In the times of Chazal, when tafoods on the table, and since the bread bles were individually-sized, they is the mainstay of the meal, covering could easily and quickly be brought out between Rishonim cite additional, homiletic explanations and then later uncovering just the bread is sufficient to Kiddush and hamotzi. But now that dining rooms for the practice to cover the challah (all mentioned make clear that the entire meal is in honor of Shabbat feature one large table for all diners, removing in the Tur, Orach Chayim 271). Perhaps the most (cf. Piskei Teshuvot 271 notes 147 and 184). Certainly this table from the room and then schlepping it famous one of these is that we cover the bread according to the aggadic reasons mentioned below, it is back in would, not only be quite difficult, but also during Kiddush so it shouldn’t be embarrassed, only necessary to cover the bread. constitute an inappropriate interruption between as it were, by “seeing” the beracha of borei pri Kiddush and the meal. Therefore, the remedy of ha’gafen being recited first – an honor that usually 2. R. Avigdor Nebenzahl encourages following the Vilna pores mappah u’mekaddesh is now sanctioned belongs to the blessing of hamotzi. Gaon’s practice because he maintains there is no downeven lechatchila. An additional explanation relates to the idea side to doing so (Yerushalayim beMoadeha, Shabbat vol. At first blush, though, Tosafot’s reasoning that the two loaves of bread on Shabbat are rem- 2 p. 133). Based on the analysis presented here, howevseems difficult to understand, as there appears to iniscent of the double portion of manna that de- er, this ruling is misguided. The Aruch HaShulchan also be a way to fulfill the ideal halacha of “bringing scended on Fridays. Since the manna was en- concludes that one should not follow the Vilna Gaon’s the table after Kiddush” without moving any fur- sconced by two layers of dew (one above and one practice, but his presentation of the sugya is difficult to niture. As the She’iltot states, the rationale of this below), we cover the bread so that it, too, has a understand (Orach Chayim 271:22). halacha is emphasizing that the meal is in honor layer of protection above and below it.3 of Shabbat. As such, let the food be brought in afThese aggadic explanations clearly originated in 3. The simple understanding of this explanation is that ter Kiddush. The location of the table per se would order to bolster, post facto, the post-Talmudic prac- the tablecloth serves as the cloth below the bread. Some, seem to be irrelevant. tice – occasioned by the change in table size – of however, place an additional, separate cloth below just Indeed, the practice of the Vilna Gaon was not bringing the bread to the table before Kiddush. In the bread (see Piskei Teshuvot 271 n. 188). to have the challah on the table at all during Kid- Talmudic times, there was usually no reason to cover dush (Maaseh Rav 118). Why don’t all Jews act the bread since it was not in the dining area during 4. The Chayei Adam (6:13) says one should cover the Kiddush. Nevertheless, poskim note that one could bread even if Kiddush does not immediately precede the similarly? Tosafot quotes a different Talmudic passage reach different halachic conclusions in certain cases meal – e.g., if one sits down for Shabbat lunch after althat sheds light on this issue. In Tractate Shabbat, depending on which reasoning one adopts. ready having made Kiddush earlier in the day. (PresumFor example, if the main reason for covering ably, the same would be true at seudah shlishit.) The rathe Gemara famously states that both a good and a bad angel accompany Jews home from synagogue the bread is to reveal it after Kiddush as a way to tionale behind this ruling is apparently the importance on Friday evening (Shabbat 119b). If one arrives emphasize that the seudah is in honor of Shabbat, of recalling the manna at every meal. The clear implihome to find everything arranged properly in hon- there would seemingly be no reason to cover the cation of the Chayei Adam is that when Kiddush does, or of Shabbat – including a set table – the good an- bread for the Shabbat day meal (Mordechai, Pe- in fact, immediately precede the seudah, the manna is gel issues a blessing to which the bad angel must sachim ch. 10 s.v. u’mah she’anu). After one has alluded to when the bread is covered during Kiddush, begrudgingly agree. already made Kiddush and eaten a seudah the and there is no need to keep the covering on for hamotAt first glance, this passage – which indicates night before, it is obvious that any subsequent zi. It is therefore puzzling that the Mishnah Berurah that the table should be prepared before one re- food served over Shabbat is in honor of the holy quotes the Chayei Adam as implying that the bread turns home from shul, which is necessarily before day. But if we are concerned about the bread not should always remain covered during hamotzi (271:41). Kiddush – contradicts the rule in Tractate Pesa- “seeing its embarrassment” and ensuring that it The Aruch HaShulchan, though, does recommend keepchim that the (individually-sized) table(s) should resembles the ensconced manna, one should cover ing the bread covered through hamotzi (op. cit.). not be brought in until after Kiddush. Tosafot, the challah even during Kiddush for the Shabbat however, suggests a simple reconciliation between daytime meal. Indeed, such is the common custom. Rabbi Yaakov Hoffman leads Washington If the covered bread is supposed to recall the Heights Congregation (“The Bridge Shul”). He has the two passages: The tables must indeed be properly prepared and ready for use before Kiddush, manna, one should perhaps keep the bread cov- semicha Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin from RIbut they must be kept out of the dining area until ered even while making the berachah of hamotzi, ETS and is a practicing Sofer. He can be reached
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his personal story. It had occurred 25 years earlier when he was
Children bring light and joy
sitting in his office. “One of the ladies working in the firm came into my office and asked me if she could take a few days off work. She told me that she was going to have a termination.
Over the past nine months, we have experienced an unprecedented pandemic which has brought mortality, illness and financial loss to hundreds of thousands. Social workers report a rise in the number of women seeking authorization from abortion committees on the grounds of their untenable financial situation. With no government support available, social workers have been referring women to EFRAT for assistance with practical help and emotional support, so that they feel able to keep their baby. As a result of the current financial crisis in Israel, social worker referrals to EFRAT have risen by 55%. However, EFRAT itself receives no government support. It is only the generosity of its partners that allows EFRAT to continue its life-saving work. These individuals have the foresight to realize that their contribution to EFRAT is the best possible investment. The bank notes that they donate to EFRAT are transformed into eternal life. With this support, EFRAT has been privileged to save over 78,000 children, some of whom are already raising children of their own. According to our current records, there are a staggering 423 babies on our lists due over the next few weeks! We gave our word to the mothers of these children. If these women decided to continue their pregnancy in the face of severe economic difficulties, we committed to providing them with financial support on the arrival of their baby. The immediate help we provide includes: a crib, stroller, baby-bath as well as a baby kit containing clothing and baby supplies. In addition, mothers receive monthly packages of diapers and food delivered directly to their homes for 24 monthes. The current financial year is drawing to a close and at EFRAT we are struggling to raise enough funds to honor our commitment to these mothers. I am therefore taking the liberty of turning to you. I know that you believe that the lack of money is no reason to end a life. I implore you to extend yourselves once again, giving EFRAT the means to help these mothers. In this way you will be becoming our partner in saving lives. Wishing you and your families a light-filled Chanuka.
I did not know how to react or how to convey to her the significance of what she was about to do. At that moment a slogan from the EFRAT organization came into my mind ‘Everyone can save a baby’s life’. You can help no matter who you are, even without a medical background.” ”I recalled that a while back I had received a pamphlet from EFRAT named ‘A baby’s diary’. I was very impressed by what I had read and on a whim I had put the pamphlet into a drawer in my desk. I gave this woman the pamphlet and asked her to let me know before she made her final decision. Initially she was hesitant but she did agree to keep me posted.” ”A few months passed but I didn’t hear from her. An opportunity came round and I asked her what she had decided to do. To my surprise she informed me that she had decided to keep the pregnancy. This is what she told me. ‘Every time I opened my bag, the baby on the front of the pamphlet was looking at me. His face seemed to follow me and I found that I could not go ahead with the termination.’ This is what she told me.” The speaker concluded “Today this woman has two sons and the son in this story is planning to study medicine.” Dr. Eli Schussheim, president of EFRAT, heard this story and was extremely moved. “This story demonstrates how anyone and everyone can save a life. Look at the impact of this small pamphlet. Who could have known?”
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Friday, December 4, 2020
vwwc
RABBI SHMUEL M. BUTMAN kwwz ksbgn ojbn rwwrv ,c ,hsuvh ,rnu kwwz lurc ktrah rwwc inkz ruthba wr bwwgk
On The Rebbe’s 92nd Wedding Anniversary “This is the day that bound me to you and you to me.” The Rebbe opened his farbrengen with these words on Shabbos, the 14th of Kislev, 1953. It was the 25th anniversary of his marriage to Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka (1901-1988), daughter of the Rebbe Rayatz (1880-1950), the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe. During the early years of his leadership, the Rebbe rarely led a farbrengen on a Shabbos unless it was a special date. He had not planned to do so that week until a particularly bold chassid visiting from Israel, Reb Pinchas Althaus, knocked on his door. His father had played an important role in arranging the shidduch between the Rebbe and his wife, and he came to the Rebbe to request “shadchanus” in the form of a farbrengen. Always careful to express gratitude, the Rebbe gave him what he asked. The words with which the Rebbe opened his address at that special farbrengen are deeply significant. The relationship of a Rebbe to his chassidim, and of chassidim to their Rebbe, is based on mutual love. The profound soul-bond between them is what brings an exalted spiritual person-
ality and towering Torah scholar – whose most natural desire is to plumb the Torah’s depths and grow closer to G-d through prayer – to spend his valuable time and energy to teach and counsel fellow Jews. It is the same soul-bond that leads newly married young couples today to go to the ends of the earth, far from the religious and material conveniences to which they are accustomed, to become the Rebbe’s shluchim – to do what the Rebbe did for them and bring countless other Jews “under the wings of the Shechina.” Multiple books and articles have described the Rebbe’s wedding in 1928. Just over a year earlier, the Rebbe Rayatz – who was revered by the entire Jewish world for his fearless courage in resisting the Soviet regime’s attempt to crush Jewish observance and Torah education – had been released from Soviet imprisonment and forced to leave the USSR. When the Soviets asked him to submit a list of family members and aides who would accompany him out of the USSR, the Rebbe Rayatz included his future son-in-law. When asked why he could not find a son-in-law abroad, he replied, “Such a son-in-law I won’t find anywhere!” The match had originally been the idea of the Rebbe’s father, the Rebbe Rashab (1860-1920). Although he resided in Riga, Latvia after leaving the USSR, the Rebbe wanted the wedding to take place at the Lubavitcher yeshiva in Warsaw. Thousands of chassidim from Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland – plus others from Germany, France, and England – came to participate in the event. The USSR, though, allowed none of the many thousands of chassidim there to attend the wedding – even the groom’s parents were not allowed
to come. At the time of the wedding, many already realized this son-in-law would one day be the Rebbe Rayatz’s successor. He was a world-class Torah prodigy and exalted spiritual personality and was descended from the first three Rebbes of Chabad. The great Rebbes and rabbanim of Poland were all invited to celebrate, and many were honored at various points during the wedding ceremony and feast. The Rebbe Rayatz was in an exalted spiritual mood. Before the chuppah, he gave a traditional Chabad chassidic discourse, which he prefaced with these words: “It is well known that during the celebration of a wedding, the souls of departed ancestors attend from the ‘World of Truth’ – up to three generations back. But there are some for whom even earlier generations come…. “As an invitation for the souls of the tzaddikim, our saintly ancestors, our holy Rebbes, to come to the chuppah and bless the couple, we will speak Chassidus that includes excerpts from the Alter Rebbe, from the Mitteler Rebbe, from my great-grandfather [the Tzemach Tzedek], from my grandfather [the Rebbe Maharash], the bride’s great-grandfather, from the groom’s great-great-grandfather, and from my father [the Rebbe Rashab], the bride’s grandfather. “[Our Sages say,] ‘One who repeats a Torah saying in the name of someone should envision the originator of the saying standing before him.’” These remarkable words brought home to everyone the occasion’s solemn significance and its import for the future of Chabad – indeed, for the entire Jewish world.
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HALACHIC POSITIONS Halachic Positions of
Friday, December 4, 2020 a sacred object for personal benefit – which is, of
OF
RABBI J. B. SOLOVEITCHIK, ZT”L
Rabbi J. B. Soloveitchik, zt”l FROM A LECTURE SERIES By Rabbi Ziegler BY RABBIAharon AHARON ZIEGLER
Using A Shul As A Shortcut The Mishnah (Megillah 28a) states, “Ve’ein osin oto kappandria” – we are not permitted to use a beit knesset as a shortcut. This rule holds true even if the shul is in ruins or not being used anymore. The kedushah of the place remains. The Gemara says, however, that if one enters a shul to pray, one may later leave through a door that will help him get somewhere faster. From the text of the Mishnah and Gemara, one gets the impression that using a shul as a shortcut is simply disrespectful. It’s tantamount to using
Fine Continued from p.55
once more and asked, “That’s a beautiful haircut, lady. And such a handsome boy. Maybe you want a little more free hair tonic?” Mama was perplexed by his easygoing manner and finally explained that in our family nobody wears a part in the middle. “Little Jewish children wear a part on the side,” Mama started to explain. She told Mr. Torentelli that in the Jewish family hair cutting was primarily hair trimming and that we didn’t believe in cutting off hair to glamorize
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course, prohibited. Rav Soloveitchik, however, thought the prohibition has another dimension. The Torah states (Devarim 16:16), “Three times a year every one of your males shall appear before Hashem in the place that He will choose…he shall not appear before Hashem empty-handed.” The Rambam (Hilchot Tefillah 11:8) seems to imply that the prohibition to appear before Hashem empty-handed applies to a shul as well. Therefore, one cannot walk through a shul doing nothing. Even using the shul as a shortcut en route to doing a mitzvah is prohibited, Rav Soloveitchik thought. If one stops there to learn or pray (activities that are directly related to a shul’s function), that’s okay, but to use the shul as a shortcut – even to do a mitzvah outside it – is not. All seven volumes of “Halakhic Positions of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik” are available, $25 each (+$3 postage). Checks should be made to Kollel Agudath Achim and addressed to 1430 E. 7th St., Brooklyn, NY 11230.
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the head. Mr. Torentelli listened intently and said that he would fix it. He put Berel on the barber chair once more and passed the comb through his hair a few times. He clipped a little on one side then the other. In a few seconds, Berel was back to looking like the shlump he always was. Mama breathed a sigh of relief, apologized, and paid Mr. Torentelli. She smiled warmly, ‘‘That’s my Berel. The other child, I didn’t know!” From that day on, and almost until Berel’s bar mitzvah, Mama personally walked him to Mr. Greenberg’s barbershop. (originally published in 1965, condensed)
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six times in the Mishnah, thrice in Shabbos (2:1, 8:4, and 22:3) and thrice in Keilim (10:2, 17:17, and 24:7), but never in the Bible. The Talmud (Shabbos 20b) explains that “shaava” refers to the refuse of honey (pesulta d’duvsha). In other words, it’s the honeycomb, which is the source of bees’ wax, a byproduct of the honey-making process. All three times that “donag” appears in Psalms, the Targum renders it into Aramaic as “shaava.” However, the one time it appears outside of Psalms (Micah 1:4), Targum translates it into a slightly different word, “she’ei’ita.” Rabbi Eliyahu HaBachur in Metrugaman suggests a printing error occurred and the word should really read “shaavita.” Both these words seem to be derived from the two letter root shin-ayin, which means smooth. Hardened wax, of course, has a silky smooth texture. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 85:4) states that Judah’s father-inlaw, Shua, was a prominent figure in his locale and highlights this point by referring to him as “The Candle of the City.” Rabbi Matisyahu Strashun (1817-1885) explains that this appellation is actually a pun on the name Shua, which is spelled with the same letters as “shaava,” the material from which the best candles are made. The Talmud variously translates “shaava” as “kerosa” (Shabbos 20b), “kira” (Bava Metzia 40a, Berachos 56b, Shabbos 110b and 133b) and “kiri” (Pesachim 8a, Yevamos 76a). These, however, are not Aramaic words; they are loanwords derived from “cera” in Latin and/or “keros” in Greek. Interestingly, according to some commentators, there might be another word for wax in Biblical Hebrew. When the Torah describes Joseph’s brothers seeing an Ishmaelite cara-
Pick Your Wax With Chanukah just around the corner, people are already thinking about how exactly they will light their menorah and what sort of candles they will use. Of course, ideally one should use olive oil, but, for various reasons, wax candles remain a popular choice. Hebrew has several words for wax. “Donag” appears four times in the Bible (Micah 1:4 and Psalms 22:15, 68:3, and 97:5), and Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (to Exodus 29:20) connects this word to “tenuch” (ear lobe), apparently based on the interchangeability of dalet and tav, as well as gimmel and kaf. Rabbi Hirsch explains that the words are related because both wax and ear lobes are malleable and pliable. Rabbi Yehoshua Steinberg writes in Shorashei Leshon HaKodesh (Warsaw, 1897) that “donag” is a portmanteau of “dei” (enough) and “nogah” (light), an allusion to wax’s usefulness in providing light. More scholarly-oriented etymologists are at a loss to explain the origins of “donag.” The prominent linguist Avraham Even-Shoshan (1906-1984) suggests in his dictionary that the word is derived from the Akkadian “dumqu,” which means clear or shiny. Wax, as we know, is translucent. Rabbi Dr. Ernest Klein (18991983) cites Dr. Heinrich Leberecht Fleischer (1801-1888) who compares “donag” to the Arabic “danj,” which means the remainder of honeycombs. In Mishnaic Hebrew, the common word for candle wax is “shaava” (typically pronounced shayva in more yeshivish circles). This word appears
Continued on p.61
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Friday, December 4, 2020
Klein van heading to Egypt, it mentions that the caravan was transporting nechot (Genesis 37:25). Later in the Joseph story, Jacob gives his sons “nechot” among several gifts to appease the Egyptian viceroy (ibid., 43:11). “Nechot” is generally understood to be a sort of spice, often identified as ladanum. However, according
takes Onkelos’ translation to mean that “nechot” denotes olive oil. The Vilna Gaon’s son Rabbi Avraham Vilner reads Onkelos as using the word “saaf,” which he connects to “seif” (branch), which appears in Ezekiel 31:8. Rabbi Yosef Teomim-Frankel (1727-1792) suggests in Iggros Pri Megadim that “shaaf” is actually a variant of “shaava,” presumably because the letters peh and vav repre-
to the Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 91:11), “nechot” is wax, and Targum Jonathan and Targum Neophyti (to Genesis 37:25 and 43:11) both translate “nechot” as “shaava.” Rashi (to Genesis 37:25) writes that Targum Onkelos renders “nechot” as “shaava,” although our editions of Targum Onkelos have the word “shaaf” (not “shaava”) for the translation of “nechot.” “Shaaf” apparently means smear (see Chullin 111b). Nachmanides (to Exodus 30:34)
sent phonetically similar sounds and thus can be interchanged. In light of this comment, Rashi’s comment about Targum Onkelos’ translation is easily understandable. Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein is the author of “Lashon HaKodesh” and the recently-published “G-d Versus Gods: Judaism in the Age of Idolatry.” He currently lives with his family in Beitar Illit, Israel and can be reached at rabbircklein@gmail.com. A form of this column also appears on Ohr Somayach’s website.
Continued from p.60
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The Other Side of The Cork: The Ben Zaken Family Returns to Its Roots By Yael E. Geller, MPH
Domaine du Castel is synonymous with quality and luxury in the kosher wine world. Established in 1988 by the patriarch Eli Ben Zaken in Moshav Ramat Razi’el, Domaine du Castel has continued to grow by leaps and bounds since that time. From the first vines being planted in 1988, to the legendary recognition given to the inaugural 1992 Castel Grand Vin by Sotheby’s Serena Sutcliffe MW, it is crystal clear that the Ben Zaken family have mastered the art of working the land of Israel and producing some of the finest wines in the world. The winery continued to grow from its inception, adding Petit Castel, “C” Blanc du Castel, to the Grand Vin in the lineup. In 2009, they added yet another wine with the Rosé du Castel, arguably the first premium kosher rosé. The sales and production kept growing steadily, and the Ben Zakens and their employees started feeling tight in the Ramat Raziel facility. A new location was needed to meet the needs of this growing brainchild of Eli. Domaine du Castel thus built a new, expansive, stateof-the-art facility in 2015 in Yad Hashmona, situated in the Judean Foot Hills, about 20 minutes from Ramat Raziel. The concept for a new everyday line ‘La Vie’ du Castel (white and red) and a dessert wine, the “M” Muscat, were then
added to the winery’s lineup. The only important question that remained once the original winery in Ramat Razi’el was abandoned, what to do with the space? It was very special to the family. It held so much nostalgia that it seemed almost foolish to rent it to another winery. Perhaps the family could make more Castel wines there? They decided to opt for a challenge and create Razi’el, a new winery! This might seem surprising to many, but the Ben Zakens are no amateurs. Eli has been in this business for a long time, with the help of his son Eitan who trained in France as a winemaker. Eli’s other son Ariel oversees both wineries’ business aspects, and daughter Ilana is the director of export and procurement. In 2017, the first red wine was made, mostly from Syrah and Carignan, with a drop of Mourvèdre and Grenache Noir. More vineyards are being planted to produce Rhône style wines in the future, including Roussanne. We were lucky enough to sample the 2018 red Razi’el from an advance sample. It was really lovely and reminiscent of the style we are expecting from these pros. Rosé is also on the schedule with 1500 bottles of it produced under the Razi’el label in 2019. That’s not all they have in the works at Razi’el. Eli hints to 3 sparkling wines in production! I couldn’t be more excited about this very critical piece of
information. In 2016, Eli and Ariel led the team to press an early picked, high altitude Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Golan Heights and produce the family’s first sparkling wine, made with the traditional method, otherwise known as Méthode Champenoise. The production is extremely small with about 2000 bottles of each wine being produced in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Some were made into a non-vintage sparkling wine and Eli says the wines are very promising. Razi’el is a beautiful playground, and the Ben Zaken family may even create some Frenchstyle cordials in the future. It seems like they are managing very well with two wineries as they are all very close to their home in Ramat Razi’el. Neither of the wineries is neglected, and both are held to the highest standard we are used to from the Ben Zakens. We are looking forward to the wines coming out of Razi’el. L’chaim!
Friday, December 4, 2020
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Eight Nights of Palate Training By Gabriel Geller Royal Wine/Kedem People often ask me how they can develop a better appreciation for wine and how I can describe wines in such a variety of aromas and flavors. My answer is always the same, and it is simple: taste as many wines as you can and as often as possible. Like most things in life, when one practices and repeats the art of wine tasting, paying attention to what a wine looks, smells, and tastes like, one slowly and progressively becomes better at discerning the nuances that vary between each wine. Being a wine industry professional, I have to taste a lot of wine all the time. There are always new wines coming to the market, but also new vintages, each slightly different from the next. While I usually taste several wines a week, the lack of social events over the past eight months had me taste a different wine almost daily. I realize this is not a possibility for most people, though. However, Chanukah is coming, and it’s a wonderful opportunity (and excuse!) to try perhaps a new wine every night while contemplating the menorah. The events of the past several months have all reminded us again how Hashem and only Hashem is in charge. Most life matters are not in our control, except for the personal and communal choices that we make. Like the Makabim 2000 years ago and Am Yisrael throughout history, we need to pray for miracles for ourselves, and for the world. The Torah guides every action that we do from the moment we wake up in the morning and fall asleep at night. The production and consumption of kosher wine are no exception. Tasting wine professionally also allows for better acknowledgment and gratitude to God for his infinite kindness. When one takes the time to look at the appearance of wine in the glass, to the aroma, texture, and taste of wine, one can see how Hashem has thoughtfully created a world designed down to
the tiniest details, and how beautiful it is. That is true, of course, with everything else. When we are thirsty and drink a glass of water, isn’t it amazing how we immediately feel refreshed? Making the bracha before and after is a formal way of recognizing this chesed. The bracha on
wine, topped with Kiddush on Shabbos and Yom Tov, should also remind us to appreciate and acknowledge all the good that Hashem does for us. Unlike water, wine is a far more complex beverage. Each grape variety, where it was grown, when it was harvested, yields a wine with its subtleties and nuances. Moreover, those nuanc-
es change, evolve, as the wine ages in the bottle. A robust Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles in California, such as the Weinstock Cellar Select 2018, will have a more fruit-forward profile than a more restrained, tannic and earthy Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from Bordeaux such as Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré Saint Julien 2018. Take, for instance, the Herzog Special Reserve Albariño 2018 from Edna Valley in California, and compare it with the Ramon Cardova Albariño 2018 from Rías Baixas in Spain. The first is rounder with apple and stone fruit notes. The second is more acidic and mineral, with iodine notes (think of the last time you walked along the sea or the ocean) and aromas of lime and fresh herbs. The Segal Syrah Whole Cluster 2018 is a brand new wine from Israel, produced with an ancient method keeping the grape clusters whole for the fermentation process. The result is a wine that is not overly fruity and shows lots of character and elegance, it is not an “in-your-face” wine. Razi’el is a new Israeli winery owned and operated by the same Ben Zaken family from Domaine du Castel winery. Their first release is a Syrah-Carignan blend 2018 that pays tribute to the expressive, exuberant wines from the Rhône and Languedoc regions in France. It gives a nice contrast to the Segal. The Capçanes Flor de Flor Samso 2016 showcases very well the rustic, hearty, and bold characteristics of the ancient vines Carignan (Samso is the Catalan name for Carignan) it grew on, perched on rocky hills in the Spanish mountains of Monstant. On the other hand, the Vitkin Carignan 2016 demonstrates the variety’s red fruit and herbaceous features with more finesse. Taste back to back these wines or any other wines each and every night of Chanukah this year, and try to be more mindful of how you perceive their aroma and flavors as you sip. Chanukah Sameach!
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
Nikolsburg Rebbe, R’ Mordechai Jungreis, making havdallah
C A L E N DA R O F E V E N T S D EC E MB E R 2 0 2 0
5
VISTA 1976, WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE SALE Time: 7 PM-1 AM
Suits, Pants, Coats and more.
55 Plaza Road Lawrence, NY 11559
Private Appointments Available Masks MUST be worn, social distancing strictly enforced For more information, call 516-371-5862 or e-mail
rhvista20@gmail.com
6
TOURO: LANDER COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES, VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE FOR WOMEN Time: 3 PM To register, visit las.touro.edu/openhouse
6
Nikolsburg Rebbe in the Woodburne shul
UNITED FOR PROTECTION, COMPLETION OF THE FIRST UNITY SEFER TORAH Time: 6:30 PM
Entertainment will include Avraham Fried, Mordechai Ben David, Lipa Schmeltzer and more. To watch live, visit unitedforprotection.com
6
Visnitz London Rebbe visits the Sadigura London Rebbe (Photo, JDN)
VISTA 1976, WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE SALE Time: 11 AM - 10 PM
Suits, Pants, Coats and more.
rhvista20@gmail.com
7
SHEMA KOLAINU, SCHOOL & CENTER FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, FREE WEBINAR WORKSHOP Time: 10 AM- 12 PM
For information and to sign up, visit www.shemakolainu.org
7
YESHIVA NISHMAS TORAH, OPEN HOUSE Time: 8 PM Address: Bais Tefila of Inwood 259 Doughty Blvd Inwood, NY 11096 For more information, call 516.939.1526 or e-mail yeshivanishmastorah@gmail.com
8
BNOS BINAH, OPEN HOUSE Time: 8 PM 2201 East 23rd Street
Zoom option available For more information, contact bnosbinah@gmail.com
9
TOURO COLLEGE, THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND SCIENCES, VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE Time: 7 PM
Earn Your Master’s in Speech Language Pathology To register, visit shs.touro.edu/speechopenhouseFor more information, e-mail Rachelle.kirshenbaum@touro.edu
15
CIRCLE OF HOPE, CLOTHING BANK Time: 7 PM The event will be live streamed at
27
CircleOfHopeMerrick.org/DressOpen
MIRRER YESHIVA, VIRTUAL DINNER Time: 8-9 PM
Honoring: Rebbetzin Malka Kalmanowitz, Rebbetzin Reichel Berenbaum, and Mrs. Marta Schron To submit Journal ads and contributions, e-mail
Mirreryeshiva@thejnet.com
To submit an event, e-mail community@jewishpress.com
OTLIG ON
HT
Private Appointments Available Masks MUST be worn, social distancing strictly enforced For more information, call 516-371-5862 or e-mail
SP
55 Plaza Road Lawrence, NY 11559
SPECIAL CLOTHING BANK SET TO OPEN
On December 15, at 7 p.m., the Circle of Hope will hold a grand opening for the “Dress for Recovery” clothing bank. Due to the pandemic, only a few individuals will be invited to attend in person. The opening will be live streamed at CircleOfHopeMerrick.org/ DressOpen. The Circle of Hope is a project of Maimonides Educational Center/ Chabad Center for Jewish Life of Merrick that provides hands-on assistance to individuals and their families coping with breast cancer and other cancer-related illnesses. It offers private counseling and other resources like a wig bank, financial resources, and meal services. In May 2019, Loraine Alderman’s life was changed forever with a sudden diagnosis of two cancers of the breast. During treatments, Loraine and her husband had time to think, talk, and reflect. They decided, during that time, that they would like to “pay it forward” and help other people in similar situations.
When people have breast surgery, they aren’t allowed to lift their arms above the waist and must have surgical drains attached to their body. It is therefore highly recommended that they wear specially-made clothing. Hence the new “Dress for Recovery” clothing bank. Those who wish to donate should make checks to: Maimonides Educational Center (put “clothing bank” in the memo box). The address is Circle of Hope, 2174 Hewlett Avenue, suite 100, Merrick, N.Y. 11566. Donations can also be made online (circleofhopemerrick.org/ donate). For more information, visit circleofhopemerrick.org.
Friday, December 4, 2020
The Jewish Press
Page 65
CONGREGATION TALMUD TORAH ADERETH EL
Congregation Talmud Torah Adereth El is one of the oldest shuls in America. The shul was founded by German immigrants in 1857. In 1864, the shul purchased a building on 29th street in Manhattan for $5,000. That building remains the home of the shul today and thus, as its website declares, “Congregation Talmud Torah Adereth El has the distinction of being New York’s oldest synagogue in its original location with continuous services.” In 1918, Zion Talmud Torah merged with Congregation Adereth El. In 1920, the shul purchased the building next door in order to house a Talmud Torah. In 1939, R’ Sidney Kleiman became the rav of the shul and remained its rav until his passing in 2013 (although in 1996, R’ Kleiman took the title of rabbi emeritus and R’ Gideon Shloush became the active rav). Since the shul is located next to many businesses and hospitals, many Jewish businessmen and hospital visitors daven at the shul.
YESHIVA SHA’AREI TZION
Students in Morah Tova’s UPK class in Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion bringing in for Show and Tell items that start with the letter hey
The boys in Rabbi Aronov’s second grade class in Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion acted out the story of Yaakov Avinu lifting the huge rock from the well!
To submit pictures, short releases or listings to be considered for this section E-mail: community@jewishpress.com
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age 56 52 Page
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The Jewish Press The Jewish Press
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Pag
Friday, July 24, 2020 20, 2020 Friday, November
How Are Are They They Different? How Different? The right photo is different than the left one inthan seven Candifferent you find them? answers below, upside down) The right photo is different thedifferent left oneways. in seven ways. (See Can you find them?
Touro College LAS provided free tax preparation and electronic filing services to assist tax payers earning up to $54,000 with their federal and New York State income taxes through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Answers to this week’s challenge: 1) The door push plate on the door at left is now larger. 2) The cases of water bottles on the floor near left have been removed. 3) New York State Senator Simcha Felder (standing, left) is now wearing a white shirt. 4) The tie of Dr. Shammai Bienenstock (standing, right) is shorter. 5) The ID badge of the gentleman at right is missing. 6) The pen on the right side of the table is no longer there. 7) The tax forms in the center of the table are now 1040s.
Alef Beis Parsha Questions for Your Shabbos Seudah
א-
יעקב – אדוניwas punished for calling עשוthis eight times.
באא ג-אב-
בית אל Where ' הcommand עשויעקב to go the fiasco with ?שכם אדוני –– יעקב was did punished for calling thisafter eight times. גיד– אדוני –יעקבwas for animal calling עשו this forbidden eight times.to eat due to a story that happened in this week’s parsha. הנשה Thepunished part of command the that’s אל – ביתWhere did 'ה יעקב to go after the fiasco with ?שכם – בית אל – Wherewas did 'ה command יעקב go after thefoot fiasco with ?שכם דבורה buried anto אלון at the of eat the due mountain at the site of ?בית אלin this week’s parsha. הנשה גידWho – The part of theunder animal that’s forbidden to to a story that happened – גיד הנשהThe part of the animal that’s forbidden to eat due to a story that happened in this week’s parsha. – השחרWho Fill inwas the blank: מלאך to the יעקבfoot “ _____ "שלחיני נא כי דבורה buried The under an said אלוןat of theעלה mountain at the site of ?בית אל – דבורהWho was buried under an אלוןat the foot of the mountain at the site of ?בית אל –– וישקהוFill What word has dots on topsaid of it? השחר in the blank: The מלאך to "שלחיני נא כי עלה _____ “ יעקב – השחרFill in the blank: The מלאךsaid to "שלחיני נא כי עלה _____ “ יעקב מעיר שכם זכריםword – Whom did שמעון and וישקהו – What has dots on top of לוי it?kill? – וישקהוWhat word has dots on top of it? How Many Did You Get Right? מעיר חמור – Who wanted to make a deal with שכם זכרים – Whom did שמעון and יעקבלוי kill? about their children marrying each other? – זכרים מעיר שכםWhom did שמעוןand לויkill? – טועהWho Fill inwanted the blank: “_____ אלאwith חטא אינו 22 – You’re a gaon. חמור to make a deal ראובןיעקב aboutהאומר their "כל children marrying each other? – חמורWho wanted to make a deal with יעקבabout their children marrying each other? 20 – You’re a yode’a sefer. – – ירךWhat ’יעקבs“_____ body was fought טועה Fill inpart theofblank: אלאinjured חטא אינוwhen ראובןhe האומר "כלwith the ?מלאך – טועהFill in the blank: “_____ "כל האומר ראובן חטא אינו אלא 18 – You’re a talmid chacham יעקב–– כל told עשוof , "___ ליbody יש." was injured when he fought with the ?מלאך ירך What part ’יעקבs 16 – You’re a masmid. – ירךWhat part of ’יעקבs body was injured when he fought with the ?מלאך 15 or less – You need to chazer more! יעקב – לוי Onetold of the brothers כל עשוtwo , "___ יש לי." who took revenge for the kidnapping of דינה. יעקב – כלtold עשו, "___ יש לי." These parsha questions were prepared by Aviva ושמונים שנים מאה – How old was יצחקwhen he died? לוי Oneofofthe thetwo two brothers revenge the kidnapping –– לויOne brothers whowho tooktook revenge for thefor kidnapping of דינה. of דינה.
צפפפ קצצצ
פכים– צולע The––way the תורה says “limped”: עלfor _____ ”והוא קטנים פכים What יעקב forget and go"ירחו back when he the ?מלאך קטנים What diddid יעקב forget and go back for when he met themet ?מלאך
רקקק
רבקה – יעקב foundwas out about whose death at died? the same time that דבורהdied? קרית ארבע ––Where יצחק living before he died? ארבע קרית Where was יצחק living before he
שרר ר-
שכם son of out חמור who took דינה. –––רבקהThe יעקב found about whose deathdeath at theatsame time that דבורה רבקה יעקב found out about whose the same time thatdied? דבורהdied?
ששש שתת ש-
––– שכם The son ofof חמור who tooktook דינה.found שעיר The land where עשו was שכם The son חמור who דינה. “_____ ארץ." ––– שעירThe where was found “_____ ארץ." ארץ. תרי"ג יעקב said, ”עשוגרתי לבן "עם – "גרתי " in גמטריא is equivalent to what? שעיר Theland land where עשו was found “_____ "
בב דגגג הדדד וההה זווו חזזז טחחח יטטט כייי לכככ מל-לל Taragin Hexter l’iluy nishmat Yehuda Dovid ben Shaul נ- (נער)ה – A word describing דינה, written without adied? “ ”הthree times. משנים ושמונים מאה – How old was יצחק when he מ – מאה ושמונים שנים מHow old was יצחקwhen he died? ס––– סוכותAThe first place יעקב lived after leaving (hetimes. lived times. there 18 months). נAword word describing דינה, written without a “”ה three נ(נער)ה describing דינה, written without a “לבן”ה three נער)ה( נ עיעקב feared he’d lose to עשו because helived didn’t have the 18 זכותmonths). of כבוד אבand living in ארץ ישראלfor __ years and עשוdid ססוכות The first place יעקב lived after leaving (hethere lived ס––– סוכותThe first place יעקב lived after leaving ( לבןheלבן 18there months). עשרים ס פפכים– קטנים –feared What did יעקב and gohe back fordidn’t when he met the ?מלאך ע–יעקב יעקב feared he’d lose to עשו because he have the זכות ofand אבliving כבודand living ישראל ארץand for __ עעשרים he’d lose toforget עשו because didn’t have the זכות of אב כבוד in ישראל ארץinfor __ years עשוyears did. and עשוdid עשרים ע
ארבע –way Where was יצחק living before heעלdied? ולע Theway תורה says “limped”: "ירחו _____ ולע קרית–– צצ The thethe תורה says “limped”: "ירחו _____ על ”והוא ”והוא
How Many Did You Get Right? 22 – You’re a gaon. 20 – You’re a baki. 18 – You’re a talmid chacham
Page 10 12
Op-Ed
The The Jewish Jewish Press Press
Friday, Friday, April April 17, 24, 2020 17, 2020
Friday, May 8, 2020 Friday, December 4, 2020
The Jewish Press The Jewish Press
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B’Nefesh that inIwould an ef- take Israeli accents mixed accentson of the olim like ourto send meadvisor list ofexplained local that orders holiday, a minyan hadwith assembled street behind I was soa excited. Forstores as long as could remember, fort to process us as quickly as possible, selves. It was an unbelievable experience and one I to by phone. ing through the New York papers to keep up to it was a dream of mine to move to Israel. My parents my yard (appropriately socially distanced of course) the Teudot Zehut had not been know for certain that Iwith will arecall and retell to our Nefesh B’Nefesh shared aislink forissued, a “Seder in ahome Box” celebrate the occasion tefilah chagigit. raised with strong appreciation for our date onme what thea matzav there. and we needed to book an appointment children, siblings, parents and, grandparents when so program, which provided everything needed for a sedin Even New York butperhaps, a love forI our homeland Israel. The prayers were inspiring, but none more worse haven’t beenofable to with the Ministry of Interior to acquire er, including a complete seder plate! we im yirtzeh Hashem merit to spend Pesachs toMy parents often toldchat me of own experiences leave the WhatsApp fortheir the moms of my old for me than the song of L’shana Haba b’Yerushalaythese essential documents. Little by little, our Pesach prep essentials began gether with them again. studying, and volunteering, inapartment Israel longbuilding’s before it im. For so many years whenever I sang that song – local neighborhood or my old The problem was… we???? were in to a twopouring in without us ever having leave home. Of whether I better preparing now. or I’mathoping to host By became a common practice. at start the end of the Seder a simcha – I felt Facebook group. While updates regarding stolen week quarantine and could not travel course there were many hiccups along the way. As a a lot of relatives – old and new – for the seder next in They sent me to schools where the prayer for a deep longing for my aliyah dream to be realized packages sheitel salesMinistry in Washington Heights anywhere… and theappreciated local In- kosher new olah, Iand had not howof many for year.Due to the serious situation individuals the State of Israel and the IDF were part of the dai- the year. here we finally are. stress, Crazy or andcoming families findAnd themselves: Isolation, are no longer relevant to me, I’m just not yet able terior branches were all closed due to the Pesach foods in Israel are actually kitniyot. I also did ??????????? ly services, and students sang Hatikvah at every not,marital here wetensions, are. coping with children, etc. coronavirus pandemic so we our would have not quite this have a grasp of the difference between a kito close peephole into lives back in New school event. Every year, rain or shine, we proudly May we all merit to spend next year at home in to travel to either Tel Aviv or Yerushalogram and a pound, which resulted in an inordinate York. marchedand in the Day Parade. And at our shul, Yerushalayim. layem… we Israel couldn’t a cab since amount of bananas arriving at our door. Rabbi Oppenheimer Indeed, some days ittake seems like we still live the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, our rav, Licensed current Health Ministry regulations only Finally, I realized on erev Pesach that the olive oil I Continued from Psychotherapist p.9 in NewYoel York. My husband has continued to work Rabbi always threaded is accepting new patients allow one passenger per cab… andhouse wehis–Shabbos had ordered –Schonfeld, the only oil I had in the was not LEIBEL'S for his American company, and even still has his drashot current from the one State Israel. couldn’t lease a car orall.easily rent on the phone or electronic link. kosher forwith Pesach afterevents But somehow, weofmade it. 212the phone number. His clients are surInoffice so many ways, my upbringing echoed the words since we lacked the necessary Teudat Zeand to celebrate the holiday of Pesach by eating As eve of Pesach dawned, our house wasoften sparkling prised (when wake us“Libi up inbm’zirach the middle of and the of Rabbi Yehuda Halevi: v’anochi hut tofrom complete these transactions. matzah and being careful to516 refrain from vioclean my they son’s sponga adventures. Counters 476-0845 b’sof –that My in the East I am in night) towere learn he hasiscovered. moved overseas. Inhma’arav other words, weheart were stuck. lating the prohibition against eating chametz. cabinets appropriately Food,and if not a bit Dr.arikorenblit@gmail.com SERVING BROOKLYN, QUEENS, endsthan of the West.” With the country essentially But over this, our hearts are saddened – that simpler our parents normally serve, was piled on “So how are you celebrating Thanksgiving?” the While my original plan was in to locktake exams to MANHATTAN AND LI My parents were nervous sending me to Israel Whenever I explain to a native Israeli that we are down even after our quarantine ended, we We An Israeli’s knew that single making most aliyah important three weeks document before is the persecution we face stops us from doing the plata and filled the fridge. Our table was set comAny other year, the answer would have been sim- obtain an Israeli law license, I have found that made due without. We postponed school his Teudat Zehut, or Israeli Identifi cation Card. This Pesach would be a challenge. My husband and I were plete with a plastic seder plate. so, and we are in danger for our very lives. We during the Second Intifada. To ease their worries, I recent olim from New York, the reaction is always ple. In New York, we usually went with cousins to most of the job postings here in Israel actually registration. Thanks towould the intervention card is blessed needed the most basic of face tasks, such as always tofor spend the chag with our families. In agreed Thistoyear certainly not beincluding like our no Pesachs prepare ourselves to fulfill the commandment a list of safety conditions, travthe same. A huge smile crosses their and words the Thanksgiving Day Parade and capped off the seek attorneys with American law licenses. So of ourbut local absorption center Nefesh registering for schools, a bank account, and 10welcome years of marriage, weopening never even had to kasher our eling past, nonetheless, we wouldand best. As we sat “And you shall live by them – and not die beon public transportation ordotoour Yerushalayim. of and berachot stream forth. Then the smile day with aPesach. dinner at my parents’ home. When we down rathertothan immersing myself inopen Israeli law texta local bank totoo a my family leasing a cause of them” and…”Be very careful to guard kitchen forcar. our seder, Inervous felt homesick To bebegin honest, I was agreed – for though for a is replaced with a look of utter confusion. “Histagag- B’Nefesh, spent Thanksgiving Toronto, myNorth mother-in-law books,account I Flashes find myself trying tothe keep abreast ofmind. New bank forofIus despite lack Generally speaking, olim they from America your soul carefully. Our prayer, thus, is that yearyou would bein different from all other years. different sedarim. previous Pesachs crossed my reason. feared that Israel, aof land I had ta?!This – Have gone crazy?!” ask. “Why would would go out of her way toupon purchase a –in turkey so I pictured York law developments. a Teudat Zehut. took be receive their Zehut arrival Benwhile Guyou should keep us alive and watch over us and Within ofTuedat our arrival in the and We did our best toAnd observe family anda sing and dreamt ofmy for husband so long,customs would disyou everdays leave America to move tocountry Israel?” wouldn’t feel like I was missing out on the holiday. While I embrace my new Israeli identity, I rea cab to the deserted airport and rented rion Airport. However, we made aliyah in the most redeem us soon so that we can fully observe we were still in quarantine – all non-essential stores family niggunim, but it felt strange to be so far away The answer to that question is not one I’ve been appointment. That the land would feel foreign and a car using his American passport. (The unusual circumstances. On the morning of our move, Your laws and do Your will and serve You with were shut down. Online shopping turned out to be a from family and to be alone here in Israel. So how did we celebrate Thanksgiving this main a proud American. It was thus so important able to easily convey in my heavily-accented, not-yet- different than anything I expected. I wondered if agent was confused where my husband the Israeli government had announced that only a whole heart. Amen. whole other catastrophe as only Israeli credit cards But were we really alone? Maybe not. We were suryear? We just went about our usualI day. My with hus- my to me that, despite the I findface a way to treasured vision of mydistance, future would a rude perfect Hebrew. Truthfully, at times grapple was from since incoming passengers were Israeli citizens would be allowed into the country. rounded by millions of cousins. Although Israel was in could be used on most Israeli websites. band worked, my kids went to school and, Iakept vote for president. Thankfully, I was able to easily the question myself. In New York, I left behind lov- awakening. senton straight to quarantine and not Thankfully, just hours our flight, received lockdown seder night, our gansa mishpacha found We’re going through a frightful time. But almost I quickly learned thatbefore one cannot even we apply for an being myself occupied the usual job search anout absentee ballot by e-mail. Turns I had nothing to fear. I spent a glorious ing family, a stablewith and demanding career as anand at- obtain renttogether. cars). There was a coordinated effort a last-minute permit from the Israeli bank government a way to to come all of us are in our homes, and we celebrated the SedIsraeli credit card without an Israeli account to – allowed twoWhile weeks Itrekking around the country falling in torney, and chores. a supportive community in Washington household While the past eight months received my digital ballot and in mid-OctoFinally, after coronavirus enter despite our not-yet-citizen status. er with beautiful dishes in comfortable dining rooms the country for people torestrictions go to their porches The and which the we country did not have and could not get in time due across love with our homeland. What I remember most from scene outside the Ministry of Interior in Tel Aviv. Heights. have at times beenin chaotic, we created a new ber, Mah the paper copy had tobooked be received partially lifted, we an ap-by the New When we landed Israel, we have – along with 20 othwith plenty of good food. We slept in comfortable sing Nishtanah as one. to coronavirus-related complications. It seemed like were wonderful trip is landing Bento Gurion Airport Why did Iourselves stuff my life into 15 duffle bags fly normal for here in– Israel, which Iand guess York City Board Elections prior Election number of people were beingand allowed into conthe pointment on Sunday with the in Ministry of yard er olim from North America were met by masked beds, ate strictly kosher matzah meat, and My family and Iofwalked out to our front atDay ap- ited we would need our own modern-day Pesach miracle to that and the passengers spontaneously bursting into apwith my husband and kids amidst an international means that we are slowly leaving bits of our old to be counted. Given the notoriously slow Israeli building at a time. Every person, regardless of apInterior in Tel Aviv. We packed the family into the and gloved Jewish Agency employees. We were told tinue to enjoy being with our closest ones in peace proximately 8:30 and began our rendition of the four make the chag happen this year. ??????? I can still recall thewe overwhelming singular pandemic to live halfway across world? live in plause. time,The wasJewish assigned a ticket upon car and headed Unbelievably, this was pointment prior to our arrival thatpeople processing normally takes and security. people have number gone through questions. Within minutes, heard another famiEnter the wonderful ofthe Israel. InTo response lives behind. post,rental timely arrival of out. my ballot would certainly of having finally arrived home, even though a where, unfortunately, times of unrest and would be allowed only thea second time I had left our apartment since 3-4 We were processed in aofabout matter of have minfar, far more difficult times. in only when his or her ly the building over. Then we heard voices from tocountry ahours. Facebook post Iallwrote inquiring websites Well… only some bits. The fact the matter is feeling notfrom be given. Ballots also could be dropped off atI arrival hadn’t even left my seat yet. outnumbered years of peace. A country where despite ticker was called. we arrived in Israel a little more than a month ago. utes. Let’s hope that this special Pesach will mark the across the street. Over the next 10 minutes, we heard that accepted American credit cards, a flurry of e-mails we are always wondering what’s happening back the U.S. Embassy to travel to the United States by Why did Iround I left move Because even I ever my years of litigation experience, I about findtomyself frusWhile theoretically reasonable, system to my husband with thebefore kidsthrough in the As I watched kids zooming the for empty beginning of the end of this awful this plague. Let’sled hope round after ofhere? Mah Nishtanah echoing came pouring in. Amy college friend offered pay our Nervously, in our old home. Growing up, I read Israeli pa- diplomatic pouch, but according to the U.S. Emaliyah, Israel was my in home. Here I cannot only masses tratingly to handle thethe most basic of adminof redemption people grouping on follows the stairs car, with the plan to switch when I had completed terminal, my husband signed stack documents that the quickly our outside night of the sethe streets of our new home Modi’in. groceries. unable A complete stranger offered tooflend us one made pers to keep upAon thehis matzav (situation) in Israel. the of a homeland, helpofbuild it and istrative tasks. country where I somehow cannot violating all3,300 social distancing guidelines. my Voices meeting. When I arrived thebut government offi ce, building, that thrust into hands. The next we support clusion just as it did years ago. ofdream the elderly mixedatwith those the of hiswere credit cards. A Modi’in neighbor took thing the time Continued onyoung. p.68 Theseto days, find myself starting each readhowever,itIfor couldn’t what I saw. knew, we wereI out the airport and in a cab heading others believe to return home in the future. Here, My number was 532. As number 409 was called, I seem order an of appropriate number of day pieces of prepare Standing the building were about 100 checked that my mask was properly adjusted and to our two-week quarantine. website (who sends two despite all theoutside unrest and chicken from a supermarket people trying to get inside. In an apparent effort to It wasn’t until that evening that we realized that chaos, I feel whole. pieces of chicken in a package?). ensure both employee and public safety, only a limwe As hadIsrael not received our Teudot Zehut. Our Nefesh Continued on p.14 On the eve of Yom celebrated its 72nd birthday (and my son his 6th birthday!) this past week, I found myself HaAtzma’ut, I was prereflecting a lot on this question and my first trip to paring dinner when the Israel. I was 17 years old at the time, and my parents sounds of Tehillim wafted gifted me with the opportunity to visit a friend who through my kitchen winThere are three of the end of this story. wood for the winter, the Alter didn’t permit his famDespite the versions counlived in Petach Tikva and experience a little of Israel dow. Or maybe it happened three times, and each time, ily to do so. trywide lockdown for the before choosing a seminary for my gap year. there was a different ending. Even during famine and other emergencies, the Some say the town’s kimcha d’pischa gabbai Rebbetzin said, the Alter didn’t allow them to store brought the family sufficient wine, matzah, and food food, saying, “Don’t suffer from tomorrow’s troubles for the week. today.” Some say that the Alter told his family that Hash***** em’s compassion never ends, and evenANS though it was Another youth who leftattention the yeshivah has been in this business over 25 years. Our to detailsaid, “The almost Yom Tov, He would help. The Alter went outAlter was the greatest man I ever met.”… and skilled knowledge of antique makes us unique among buyers and side and met a merchant who said that he would give He wrote: sellers, ensuring each client receives accurate information about each them whatever they Gmach free-loan organizations lend Gmach declared a moratorium on needed debt for Pesach on credit, and item and each seller top dollar. We will purchase the entire that he, Alter had to send someone to take it. receives…[The Alter] would say over and over, Editor’s note: The or following excerpts from suspending funds to individuals families, who derive collections, all just collection collections as well as single items. We also do complete estate cleanWhen the family went to pick up the food, they saw “The Torah isn’t here to make our lives hard, the recently-published ArtScroll biography “The Alter repay the loans in small monthly pay- and depositing of repayment checks out of willkashrus. purchase the entire estateimpossible including real estate. We it a didn’t meet their to heap demands onwill us.work It’s here to of Novardok: The day LifeIsrael, of Ravborrowers Yosef Yoizel Horowitz ments. In present until Shavuos.that Then reassessment of usual standard with your favorite charity. asked thetoAlter make us happy, even and His Worldwide Impact” give head checks, which are(ArtScroll). deposited the situation They will be made see ifwhat a to do,operations and were can told,com“Don’t in this world, by telling Even when looked like there was no hopetofornormal monthly. If the it borrower cannot afford return us what to do at every yeshivah, the [of Novardok]’s glowed. take anything from the the repayment, heAlter contacts the Gmach face mence. In Novardok, they used to sing, store. isIsa significant Hashem lacking turn.”… He was so confithat dent that would that and requests the Hashem check not be provide While this action help save hardpressed us?” It’s not because it he was always Theuntil morerepayhe needed to trust deposited. It is joyful. then held to the harriedways andtooften “The past is over, the future isn’t Rav Chaim Kanievsky causes us to do evil that in Hashem, the happier he was. His students said if lightening ment is possible. borrowers, their burden in Silver in hisstress, father’s name here yet,Antique weArt call&itSilver our yetzer hara theEarly Alter in looked happy virus and unworried, the Corona pandemic, it meant a time that of greatsaid financial it placand Furniture the present will be overJudaic Modern Furniture Porcelain Top Dollar any Jewelry it’s bethatstrain this is (evilforinclination); there even bread in his house. the 48wasn’t all-volunteer staffed Ozer Dalim es a tremendous onwhat Ozerhappened Dalim, Modern Art so why worry?” China Military thatbyErev Pesach from when cause Items it’s a bad inclinaHe used to sayIsrael that the world is like awhich nice hotel. branches across were contactis besieged loan requests in a moment, there wasindividuals no food in the tion. It’s like a chazzan Theby hotel’s guest sits peacefully in their his room, knowing ed borrowers requesting that myriads of additional andAlOil Painting Mens & Ladies Watches Coins ter’sthemselves house: When Alter who doesn’t know how that the staff will see to allbecause his needs. He would never repayment checks be held they families who find in the a simBronzos Entire Home Contents Cameras did not the havekitchen funds to them. how worried Rebto sing. They say he’s a go into tocover take his portion. It’s thefinancial same saw ilar predicament due his to the Property / Real estate PurchasesFast Theworld. economic of massive un- ongoing Corona crisis. betzin was, he asked, “What are you worried about? bad chazzan. But did heclosings do anything evil? Is he in our We crisis are guests in Hashem’s hotel. He employment, medical and associated While the Ozer Dalim loan branches The week will soon be over.” an evil person? No! He’s just not a good chazwill bring us our needs when they’re ready. expenses and sheltering in place regu- poverty. are doing to answer loan That’s why in all Novardok, they used to sing, “The zan. That’s what our evil inclination is like. The Alter’s family lived in utter Onetheir best Call today toan schedule a meeting lations, to about many to neighborhood applications, the is situation becomover, theisfuture isn’t here yet, and the present He’s inclination that doesn’t help us attain year, theleading sun was set on Erev Pesach, and past complete has house. becomeThe wideing matzos very serious. look to so why worry?” Rav Chaim will beWe overagain in a moment, our true desires. He’s a charlatan. He distracts there wasshutdowns, no food in the family’s spread and pervasive. the sole source of the words to the song come Kanievsky points out that us with all sorts of little desires, which stand were ready, but the baker refused to handAmerican them over Jewry, 201-861-7770 or 201951-6224 – aadsa726@yahoo.com Adding to thepaid. spiritThe of a Gmach, which fueland for our activities to rise to from the Pele Yoetz on “worry.” in complete opposition to our true inclinations. without being Alter was faithful se- Chesed Sam Guidan is Chesed, kindness to one enduring a the and aidAlter our brethren in The never worried about the morrow, and ***** rene, but his Rebbetzin began to weep. Ravchallenge Yosef financial crisis Gmach toOzer Dalim Rav theKalman Holy Landnot in even theirabout time the of serious day itself. He didn’t let his family Rav Yosef Yoizel was careful to prevent his Yoizel turned in surprise his disciple, Shomer Shabbos instituted its Chesed ShehB’Chesed as they traditionally in so for the summer, and vice plans inhave the winter Goldberg, and asked, “Why is she crying? crisis We have a make Continued on p.14 (kindness kindness) Program. The past instances. kezayis of upon matzah with which to fulfi ll themany mitzvah!” versa. While most people stockpiled potatoes and
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Page 68
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Friday, December 4, 2020
Aliyah Continued from p.67
bassy’s website, the ballot could take up to four weeks to arrive – which would likely render the vote untimely. Thanks to the efforts of another oleh, I was able to ensure my vote arrived in time. The oleh was scheduled to travel to the States and volunteered to bring along any completed ballots and mail them upon his arrival in the States. While I may have been an ocean away on Election Day, my vote was nonetheless able to be counted among my fellow Americans’ ballots. I’ll admit that as we sat down to our dinner on Thanksgiving night, I had a hankering for the comfort foods of our usual Thanksgiving feasts. While we have grown to love some Israeli foods (nuts and exotic spice mixes), and to tolerate others (Israeli grape juice and pizza), the foods don’t yet offer the comfort of home. With this in mind, my husband and I
decided to venture beyond our usual makolet to an upscale supermarket chain that carries American products. Seeing the familiar foods – duck sauce, Italian dressing, graham cracker pie crusts, and Cherry Coke! – was like seeing old friends. In a short time, I had a cart piled high with food of no health value but oddly high sentimental value. At the checkout, I was amazed that we had somehow spent over 400 shekel on almost nothing at all, but the food felt worth every cent. As time goes on, I know we will shed more parts of our old lives and adapt to more parts of our new ones. While we may no longer have annual Thanksgiving celebrations at home, we will nonetheless continue to celebrate and be thankful for the wonderful lives we have been blessed with both in our old and new homes. To all our friends and family: A belated Happy Thanksgiving! Aviva Horowitz Karoly can be reached at myaliyah2020@gmail. com.
DR. YAEL RESPLER, NOTED PSYCHOTHERAPIST HAS OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE HELPING HER PATIENTS BUILD THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE AND EMPOWER THEM TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE.
Friday, December 4, 2020
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BY HENNI HALBERSTAM
pecting dolls) to relinquish their booty so she can add their precious wares to her treasure chest. “Arr Matey!” she calls as she claims our “gold and silver” – unapologetic, in full pirate form. That is until bedtime of course, where unicorns rule her kingdom till morning and it is time to set sail once more.
BY HENNI HALBERSTAM
Lost Treasure Dear Dating Coach, I have been dating a girl (for months) that I would like to marry. When we first talked about moving forward toward an engagement, she asked for more time. Now more time has passed and she is still unsure of her feelings and our future. When pressed, she is not sure that ‘time’ is what she needs, or if it’s some intangible feeling that she is missing. I am very invested in this relationship and I don’t want to walk away, but I’m not sure she will ever be ready to commit. Should I wait or should I walk away? In Limbo Dear Limbo, My three-year-old loves pretending she is a pirate. Our swashbuckler stands guard on her ship (couch) and demands all who dare challenge her reign to “walk the plank!” She often sends her fellow buccaneers (siblings) on boats from her fleet (laundry basket) on serious missions deep into the vast ocean (kitchen) to search for gold (snacks). From her perch, she commands all sailors (unsus-
Dear IYH, The article two weeks ago on whether older girls really want to get married was obviously written by a guy who is very upset. I was single for a very long time myself and finally got married when I was over 30. I dated for over a decade and had my fair share of dates. Some were great experiences and some were the pits, to say the least. Coming from an average background, I had issues with getting a yes at times, but baruch Hashem I got married in the end. It wasn’t easy. Over time, I developed Get help a similar attitude to dealing with: that of the letter writer. I was also highly • Rejec on critical of the girls I • Difficulty mee ng • Self confidence • Commitment issues
Dr. Ari Korenblit
Is Silver and Gold… Of course, every situation is unique. Some daters and couples simply need more time because more often than not, both parties don’t develop a connection at the exact same rate. In those instances, however, the person who ‘needs more time’ is sure on other things. Sure, that the qualities and middos that they hoped for in a mate are there. Sure, that they feel a strong connection. Sure, that they can intellectually see a future with
And Gold. We cannot ‘pillage’ feelings, and we cannot demand that someone commit to us because we want them to. Certainly, you deserve someone who will be thrilled to build your future treasure together. So, it is time to have an honest conversation without plea or ultimatum. Tell her that YOU can envision a life together because she encompasses everything that YOU feel like you need for your future. Does she feel like you encompass everything that SHE needs for her future? This is a question that only she can answer. Perhaps that ‘intangible’ is merely an elusive chemistry that can only exist freely amongst couples. Then, as painful as it may be, we cannot force others to share our feelings or feel the chemistry that we do. Her answer will tell you if there is hope for your future or if it is time to move on, because stolen treasure is never the way to sail off into the sunset. Henni Halberstam is a dating and relationship coach. To schedule a phone session with her, or to contact her for any other reason, e-mail hennihalberstam@gmail.com.
went out with. Although it seemed justified at the time, it didn’t help my cause. It just caused me to become more angry and a very condescending person. Negativity eventually overtook me. While I thought I put on a good show to the world, many of the on-the-ball girls picked up on my true feelings. I think it’s fair to say that although I got married only a few years ago, things have changed for the worse in the dating world. I am heavily involved with shidduchim and, from what I see with the singles I’ve set up, the problems are divided equally among the guys and the girls. It’s true that girls can be very difficult to deal with. They get hung up in their ways and become disillusioned and unrealistic. On the same note, guys also have some major issues. Being single for a long time hardens many. I was one of them, so I speak from experience. There is something to getting married when you’re younger and not as “smart and experienced.” Too many shidduchim are dead on arrival because people won’t yield. They still think they’re 21 and everyone is clamoring to make a shidduch with them.
For instance, I am currently dealing with a girl whose family identifies with a certain group while she herself no longer considers herself part of it. I have a guy who is just like her except he still identifies with this group. Other than his affiliation to this group, everything else matches up. This girl refuses to even consider him. Mind you, this girl is pushing 35 and wants to have a family. She is being very picky at this stage in life and is constantly complaining that the guys she goes out with lack tochen. I actually asked her to read a previous IYH column in which a girl wrote about her experience getting married to someone she never thought she would marry. I am also trying to set up a guy who has the same attitude as this girl. In fact, a friend of mine who is a shadchan called me for information about this boy and lamented to me that he is such a good guy but he is his own worst enemy. My advice to the letter writer from the other week is to work on yourself and focus on who you are. Do your best to think positive and be open to change. Wishing you much hatzlacha, Dovid Klein
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Not All Treasure… I can hear the frustration and worry in your question. You see a future with someone who is telling you that they are not sure if they share that same vision. As more times passes, your feelings only increase, as does your concern that she may never commit. Yet, you have already invested so much time and emotion and you see your life together. You wonder why she doesn’t see what is so clear to you and don’t know how to lead her to that “intangible” feeling that she is hoping for. You are not sure if time is ultimately all she needs, or if you are waiting for something that may never happen.
that person, if they are not yet emotionally ready. But when one party just can’t “put their finger on what’s missing” they may be looking for something that simply doesn’t exist. You can’t reassure someone about something that they are unable to define. Waiting for them to pinpoint an elusive “must have” in order to spin the dice on your compatibility can feel like a long shot in the dark.
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Friday, December 4, 2020
The Book Shelf Literature for Littles By Sandy Eller Don’t you just love a good book? There’s nothing like curling up on a chilly winter day in a warm fuzzy blanket and losing yourself in the pages of a well written book, except maybe watching your kid curling up on a chilly winter day in their warm fuzzy blanket and losing themselves in the pages of a well written book. It’s not just that having children who love to read will buy you some well deserved quiet time – as every self-respecting teacher will tell you, getting kids to enjoy reading offers tremendous academic benefits that will serve them well, both in school and throughout their lives. And with so many new books hitting the shelves every year for kids of all ages, there is no better time than now to check out the latest releases from ArtScroll (A), Feldheim (F), Hachai (H) and Menucha (M), just in time for Chanukah gift giving. Read Aloud Story Books My all time favorite character in the world of Jewish books is back again, learning another valuable lesson in Shimmy Shambone Will NOT Share His Toys! (F). Yael Zoldan’s irrepressible Shimmy comes across as lovable and relatable even when he isn’t at his best, and this is yet another book in this series that you will be more than happy to read aloud over and over (and over) again. Ziggawat, the lumpy yellow creature crafted by Ahuva Weinberger to teach kids alef beis returns once more, this time in an adorable “Peek ‘n See” book offering great lessons for the younger set. Turning the pages in Ziggawat Asks Why No? (F) will have
readers learning that things aren’t always what they seem at first glance as well as the importance of listening to adults whose perspective offers a clearer view of the big picture. I Have a Jewish Name (H) and I Kiss My Mezuza (H) both give your little cuties an appreciation for inherent parts of their lives, the well done rhymes explaining what mezuzas are all about and the potential meaning and history behind their names. It’s hard for any of us to imagine our gedolim as children, but looking at them through that prism is a great way to help kids connect with these prominent personalities. In My First Baal Shem Tov Book (H), the father of chasidus becomes approachable in a delightful way, teaching children to conquer their fears by remembering that Hashem is always with them. Kudos to both Feldheim and Hachai for appreciating that tiny tots aren’t always the most gentle of creatures when it comes to turning pages and printing these books with this age group in mind, with sturdier than average paper in the Ziggawat book and laminated pages in all the rest.
minds readers that while it may come every week without fail, Shabbos is a precious gift that should never be taken for granted. Early Readers The Shikufitzkys have been entertaining readers in cartoon format for years, but author Shifra Glick takes a walk on the literary side in Bentzi and the Museum Mystery (F), where humor, intrigue and family all come together in a fun book,
Pre-Readers Outstanding illustrations and powerful messages make Thanks to You for Everything You Do (A) an excellent choice, reminding kids to express their gratitude to those who are there for them, from family members to the bus driver and even the cleaning girl. If you’ve ever had a young son, you know that one fine fall
day he is going to ask for an esrog of his very own. Ezzy’s Esrog (F) addresses this very situation with the main character working hard to prove his maturity and responsibility and learning an important lesson about himself along the way. Imaginations will soar as your kids make their way through the beautifully illustrated pages of Sarah Dreamer (A) and realize that the opportunities to use their individual talents and maximize their potential are endless. Living Shabbos (A) is one of those great books whose stories are short enough for the younger set, but have enough depth for kids who are already reading on their own. Based on Rabbi David Sutton’s book for adults by the same name about imbuing the most special day of the week with inspiration and meaning, Living Shabbos is a collection of 20 short stories that re-
punctuated with pithy comments by big sister Batya. Bentzi’s quest to become buddies with a new boy in his building doesn’t quite go exactly as planned, but a missing dreidel and a friendship with an elderly neighbor put a new spin on the situation and by the time the last chapter has ended Bentzi is smiling and I suspect your young reader will be too. What can I possibly say about The Life and Limericks of Moishy Mittleman (M)? Surely I wasn’t the intended audience for this chapter book, but I couldn’t stop following the adorable antics of 11-year-old Moishy whose creativity will have readers hooked as he figures out that black pepper doesn’t cure hiccups even if you eat an entire spoonful, baby powder is a bad idea in a birthday cake and that Continued on p.77
Friday, December 4, 2020
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The Book Shelf Eller Continued from p.76
no matter how hard you try, you can’t reschedule your cousin’s bris in order to have a chance to ride the One And Only Ten Story Zen Glory Solar Toaster Roller Coaster, also known as the O.A.O.T.S.Z.G.S.T.R.C. Older Readers Valuable social skills come alive in a big way in Making Choices: An Anti-Bullying Adventure (F), a chooseyour-own-adventure style book that has readers helping Yael deal with a classmate who picks on her unfairly. The narrative shows kids how different
responses can play out, demonstrating socio-emotional skills that can help them in their own day to day lives. Fans of the Rebbe Mendel series will be excited for volume 12, The Case of the Rashi Scroll (F), which takes readers on a journey that spans both time and continents, with plenty of intrigue, mystery and danger to spice things up. Chanukah comes to life for kids like never before in Eight Special Nights (F), a historical adventure and part of the Naftali in the Beis HaMikdash series that has them experiencing persecution by the Greeks, seeing the Maccabim emerging victorious and searching the Beis HaMikdash for oil to light the menorah and seeing the flames burning miraculously for eight days and nights. Be sure not to miss the maps and diagrams that give readers the ability to visual the second Beis HaMikdash which really adds an extra dimension to this 216 page story.
Graphic Novels I confess – graphic novels really aren’t my thing, but I am clearly in the minority since my kids all love them and the fact that they have both words and pictures makes them appealing for a broad age range of kids. Avraham Ohayon is back again with two more volumes in his Titanic (F) series with A Formula for Danger
continuing the saga of village boy Moshe Wallis who survives the Titanic and reconnects with his yiddishkeit in addition to miraculously striking it rich. Moshe goes on to build institutions of Torah and chesed and The Eye of the Storm has the now Rabbi Wallis drawing on his emunah and leadership skills to save his fellow Jews during World War II. Kids will have a newfound appreciation for Shmone Esrei after reading In The King’s Palace (F), the story of a class trip that takes an unexpected turn which includes a royal visit, paper airplanes, a lifetime prison sentence and, most importantly, an age appropriate understanding of this pivotal tefillah. Also proving that comics can have significant educational value is Larger Than Life (F), a collection of three short stories where lessons of days gone are as relevant as ever, teaching three boys the value of doing the right thing without ever being trite or preachy. Conversation Starters Several books have been published in recent years that are great for sparking conversation at the Shabbos or dinner table and I was thrilled to see two written especially for kids. Let’s Talk Living Emunah (A) is adapted from Rabbi David Ashear’s Living Emunah series and this version
offers great opportunities to get the whole family debating various scenarios that will open their eyes to seeing Hashem’s hand in their lives, while multiple sidebars in each story ask questions to take the discussions one step further. If you are looking for something more parsha oriented, Achas Sha’alti 2 (F) is a fabulous book, with two halachic conundrums presented each week that will have everyone in the family offering their psak. Concise age appropriate answers by Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein provide the final resolution and while there is a super short summary gives the psak in a single sentence, take a minute or two to read the details of how the answer was reached – more often than not those details are just as fascinating and educational as the original question. Sandy Eller is a freelance writer who writes for numerous websites, newspapers, magazines and private clients. She can be contacted at sandyeller1@gmail.com.
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Friday, December 4, 2020
The Book Shelf Title: Turf Wars Author: A. Greenfield Publisher: Menucha Publishers Reviewed by Chaya Goldstein What do you get when you cross an intense, life altering search for self with a bookkeeper who disappears off the face of the planet? When Yonah Katz disappears, his sons turn over the world to find their father, to no avail. With no enemies, no debt, and in perfect health, there is no reason for him to have gone missing. But he has. On the other side of town, Gabe, son of a Mafia boss, is being pressured to join his father’s business, but he already knows there is more to life than money, power, and hurting people. Isn’t there? The book contains multitudes, all woven together so beautifully. The story is complex, as are the characters. It is fast-paced and character-driven. A page-turner. It also contains a lot of humor, I laughed out loud many times while I was reading it, which
roused a lot of intrigue from my family members. It is also deeply meaningful and I love how the characters develop throughout the story. I loved the creation of “The Gabe.” His quest to find the “I” is very inspiring and it is so funny and made my heart happy. Here is a couple of paragraphs that just explain The Gabe so well: What have you been doing since you dropped out of college?” “Trying to get away from my dad,” said Gabe. “Also, I tried to get into self-discovery. It’s tough, man. It’s really tough, when you wanna discover the I, and there is no information on the I. Meditation didn’t work for me. Yoga didn’t work for me. Chinese medicine didn’t work for me. Homeopathy and kinesiology didn’t help me center the Me. I still have no idea what or who the Gabe is.” “Gabriel—” “I wish I could get my hands on the Manual of Gabe,” said Gabe. “It’d probably be a couple of
thousand pages long, for I am this really difficult person to understand. And I’d read the Manual of Gabe and everything would make sense. I would understand the Me.” “There is no Manual of Gabriel,” said Dr. Warg. “Sure there is,” said Gabe. “And if it isn’t out there, I’ll write it myself. I just don’t know where to start. That’s why I’m here. You still haven’t given me any good advice.” I was pretty much sucked into the story. You know a book is good when the character comes to life and you find it hard to put it down because you must know what happens next. The characters feel real and the reader gets to feel what the characters are going through. I also loved seeing how the author included hashkafa from the Mesilas Yesharim. Truly, a book to learn from. I definitely hope to read more books by this author in the future!
Title: Patient: Taking Tefillah, Emunah and Humor on a Journey to Healing Author: Ann Goldberg Publisher: Tfutza Publications Reviewed by Menucha Chana Levin At first one might assume that a book about a serious illness involving radiation, chemotherapy and major surgery would be a most depressing read. However, this book, aptly named Patient by Ann Goldberg is just the opposite. Completely open and sincere, it is inspiring, uplifting and even has witty touches to balance the more serious, emotional aspects. Originally from England, Ann is an essayist and writing coach living in Jerusalem. Sharing her experiences with honesty and humor, she enables the reader to connect to her challenging journey with all its difficult and positive aspects. As a result, we learn to appreciate our normal, healthy lives which too often are taken for granted. She explains how she survived throughout the long ordeal with the assistance of her supportive husband and family members who add their own voices to the story. Expressing her gratitude to Hashem, the ultimate Healer, the sections on prayer are a reminder of the importance of davening for those in need of a refuah shleimah. Some books seem to have a special mazel to be published at the most appropriate time. Now, during the overwhelming pandemic of the coronavirus, which has affected so many people around the world directly or indirectly, Patient provides reassurance and offers hope for recovery.
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How much is that old menorah that Bubby bought you worth? Should you sell or hold on to your antique esrog box? Besamim holders, Kiddush cups, coins, etc. Send in pictures of your Judaica, and Jewish Press columnist and certified appraiser Tsadik Kaplan may assess their value. Simply email them to tsadik613@gmail.com, and your items may appear in a future column of Antique Judaica Roadshow Please note: Due to volume of requests, we cannot guarantee that all items will be assessed. Also, if your items are chosen, all questions will be answered and all assessments made only in The Jewish Press, not by direct correspondence.
Friday, December 4, 2020
Grandma Was Right After All! By John Rosemond
Are You Afraid Of Your Children? “Are you afraid of your children?” is a question I often ask folks who testify to their children frequently engaging in flagrant anti-social behavior – throwing tantrums, showing brazen disrespect, and exhibiting belligerent disobedience being the top three. I cannot recall an exception to parents – hundreds and counting – answering “Yes.” Therefore, it seems that fear of one’s child and major discipline problems are somehow related. Which came first? I suspect they develop simultaneously. Misbehavior begets anxiety, then downright fear, which begets even more outrageous misbehavior, begetting even more paralyzing fear, and so on. If pressed, I’d say the misbehavior comes first. A toddler’s terribleness is capable of destroying romantic fantasies concerning human nature, rendering parents emotionally traumatized, in a day. Invariably, the parents are looking for some consequence-based discipline method that can only be obtained from a victim of the ivory tower, but no method is going to work as long as they are afraid. But what are they afraid of? They tell me, in so many words, that they never imagined a child whom was loved could act so badly; that they feel powerless in the face of his tyrannical tirades; that they interpret his badness to mean they are bad parents. They are entrapped in confusion, disillusionment, anger, guilt, self-doubt, and overwhelming
anxiety. The syndrome is incapacitating. It drives many of these folks to seek the help of mental health professionals whose modus operandi can be reduced to “test, diagnose, and medicate.” Do things get better? For some, perhaps, but having been there, I long ago concluded that playing it by the book might make things less obvious in the short run but the solution never “sticks.” Plus, a formulaic approach usually worsens things in the long haul. The “trick,” if you will, is for these parents to grasp the paradoxical importance of not caring. Their problem is that they care what their child thinks and feels. They assign deep philosophical meaning to their child’s outbursts, which are nothing but equal parts dumb and insane. Their new parenting mantra must become, “We no longer care how you feel about the decisions we make, what you think of us at any given moment, how you want things to go around here, and the like, but be assured, if it came down to the last seat in the lifeboat, it’s yours.” Benevolent detachment in an age of parent-child bonding? Like I said, it’s paradoxical. The parents need to learn to substitute compassion for fear, anger, guilt, and other emotional responses that lead straight to efforts at negotiation – that is, any and all efforts to pacify the child. They must be willing for things to get worse for a time. There is much truth in the well-known adage. Compassion? Yes indeed. The child is in pain. There is no such thing as a happy child who cannot stop acting in no one’s best interests, least of all his own. Under the circumstances, teaching the parents to embody and properly convey authority amounts to a rescue operation. Proper consequences – making the child offers he cannot refuse, but will anyway because he’s not thinking straight – are part of the recipe, but proper consequences absent a proper parental attitude will accomplish nothing in the long run. As they
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say about baseball pitching, it’s all in the delivery. John Rosemond is a family psychologist and author of 11 parenting books, including “Grandma Was Right After All.”
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
West Coast Happenings Jeanne Litvin West Coast Editor SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA Mazel Tov – Births: Arthur and Amy Rothstein have a new son…Jordan and Rina Krizman have a new daughter (Jacky and Hannah Sebag). LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Mazel Tov – Births: Yitz and Elk Lurie have a new daughter (Grandparents and Shmulie and Faigi Lurie)…Rabbi Daniel Osher and Ahuva Kleinman have a new daughter (Grandparents Heshy and Bruria Kleinman and David and Judy Friedman)…Ari and Hindi Colman have a new daughter (Grandparents Avromie and Leah Colman and David and Ahuva Goldstein)….Yechiel and Tali Hertz have a new son (Grandparents Baruch and Adina and Uri and Bracha Mandelbaum)…Geoffrey and Odeliah Mellon have a new son…Elchonon and Hadas Jacobson have a new son (Grandparents Rabbi Dovid and Emily Jacobson and Dr. Noson and Libi Golfarb)… Yisroel Meir and Rikki Union have a daughter…Simcha and Shana Rosen have a daughter…Shragi and Kraindy Murk have a son…Rabbi Avi and Shoshana Morgenbesser have a new son…Eliezer Dovid and Shira Hersh have a son…Yaakov Yisroel and Dassi Bess have a new son (Grandparents Rabbi and Mrs. Gershon Bess and Rabbi and Mrs. Ari Braun)…Yikira and Gilli Shai have a new daughter (Grandparents Alan and Devora Aranoff)…Geoffrey and Dr. Odelia have a new son (Grandparents Vic Mellon and Dr. Chavee Lerer and Yossi and Pam Bouganim)…Jonathan and Avital Garshofky have a new son (Grandparents Larry and Judith Garshofky of NY.)…Evan and Rebecca Goldenberg have a new daughter (Grandparents Dr. Mark Deborah Goldenberg and Andrew and Yvette Gardner and Irwin and Judith Kaliman)…Yitzi and Kayla Gross have a new daughter (Grandparents Yossi and Erica Vago)…Shua and Esti Mindle has a new daughter (Grandparents Adam and Olivia Mindle and Ken and Cassi Alter)…Ari and Rachel Soffer have a new son (Grandparents Lenny and Amy Zehnwirth and Shmuel and Tamar Soffer)…Mordechai and Tova Elkin have a new son (Grandparent Marcia Reines Josephy and Dr. Tsvi and Rakel Birnbaum)…Shuie and Chayala Finkel have a new daughter (Grandparents Naftali and Hindy Finkel and Avromi and Tamar Nusbaum)…Rabbi Dov and Dr. Zahava Block have a new son…Elan and Shira Javanfard have a new daughter…Gedaliah and Dr. Odelia Mellon have a new son (Grandparents Yossi and Pam Bouganim and Dr. Chavee Lerer
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and Vic Mellon)…Rabbi Sender and Talya from Kew Garden Hills have a new son (Grandparents Drs. Noam and Chana Wasserman)…Benjy and Chen Bain have a new son (Grandparents Dov and Ziva Plattner)…Mordy & Yehudis Geffner has a new son (Rabbi Avi and Ricke Geffen and Rabb Elchonon and Hendy Tauber). Mazel Tov – Engagements: Nechama Levinson is engaged to Dovid Yitchok Milton…Esther Feigen is engaged to Ben Taussig…Joshua Klugman and Donna Lipofsky are engaged…Amira Felsenthal, daughter of David and Felisa Fesenthal is engaged to Aron Lipczer, son of Martin and Judith Litczer of Beit Shemesh Israel…Gershon Revah, the son of David and Shifra Revah is engaged to Tzipora Neuberger from Atlanta… Michal Kest, is the daughter of Moti and Jackie Kest is engaged to Yehuda David, son of Shuie and Elana Davis of Chicago, Illinois…Arye Leib Kranz, son of David and Syma Kranz is engaged to Esther Feigelstein, the daughter of Dovid and Tzinia Felgestein. Mazel Tov – Weddings: Micah Hyman, son of Mark and Sheryl Hyman is married to Yahsa Gofman…Smuli Prengler, son of Rabbi Meir Nesson and Sharon Pregler is Married to Devora Marus…Zev Marcus, son of Jeff and Eliana Marcus is married to Tali Levi, the daughter of Anat and Gabe Levi of New York. PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA Mazel tov – Engagements: Shlomo Nazarian, son of Ephraim and Emy Nazariane is engaged to Meira Kosofsky of Detroit, Michigan. Mazel Tov - Weddings: Ezra Alyeshmerni is married to Tovah Amaya Wieder. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA Mazel Tov – Engagements: Avi Wachtenheim, son of Mo Wachenheim is engaged to Sara Bernstein. VALLEY VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA Mazel Tov – Births: Daniel and Tamar Stark have a new daughter (Grandparents Ari and Devora Stark). Mazel Tov – Engagements: Aharon Rosenberg, son of Rabbi Jonathan and Aviva Rosenberg
is engaged to Shoshi Charles…Rosie Greiff formely of Valley Village is now in Ramat Beit Shemeh in Israel is engaged to Meir Adams, son of Gershon and Elana Adams of Efrat…Daniella Gastwirth, daughter of Menachem and Rachel Gastwirth is engaged to Tzvi Cohen from Lawrence, New York. Mazel Tov – Weddings: Ira and Amy Leibowitz on the occasion of the wedding of their daughter Rachel to Yosee Kreitenberg son of Fry and Shaindee Kreitenberg of North Hollywood. DENVER, COLORADO Mazel Tov – Births: Eli and Jessica Zimble have a new daughter (Grandparents Mike and Cindy Wolfe and David and Davida Zimble)…Naftali and Chaya Mushka Minkowitz have a new daughter (Grandparents are Rabbi Yisroel and Leah Engel and Rabbi Sholom Minkowitz from Crown Hights). Mazel Tov – Weddings: Shalom Kaiser and Tessa Warner recently got Married…Jacob Wedgle, son of Howard and Nurit Wedgle is married to Hannah Zar, daughter of Neville and Dr. Karen from Newton, Massachusetts. PORTLAND, OREGON Mazel Tov – Births: Adam and Amy Sohn have a new son. HOUSTON, TEXAS Mazel Tov – Births: Bobby and Stephanie Weisbrot have a new daughter (Grandparents Davidi and Adrianne Berger). Mazel Tov – Engagements: Hannah Klein, daughter of Kevin and Lisa Klein is engaged to Jonathan Halpert. Mazel Tov – Weddings: Rob Brumer is married to Sophie Lee Landau. MERCER ISLAND, WASHINGTON Mazel Tov – Births: Mitchel and Amanda Silverstein have a new son…Natan and Sara Dovidovics have a new daughter.
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Friday, December 4, 2020
West Coast Happenings Federal Judge Allows Yeshivahs To Reopen A federal court judge recently ruled that yeshivas could open for in-person teaching of religious studies. Judge John Kronstadt, of the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, ruled that the religious schools may re-open for in-person teaching if they follow the same guidelines as established for houses of worship with no numerical cap on the number allowed on campus at once when conducting religious instruction. However, the Judge ruled, that for General Studies, the religious schools must follow the same guidelines as the rest of the schools in the state. In August, three Los Angeles Jewish schools – Gindi Maimonides Academy, Samuel A. Fryer Yavneh Hebrew Academy and Yeshiva Rav Isacsohn Toras Emes Academy – joined many Christian schools in a lawsuit against California Governor Gavin Newsom seeking to overturn his order closing both public and private schools. The lawsuit argued that Newsom’s order amounted to a
religious liberty violation because “tens of thousands of childcare facilities are open for business in the same jurisdictions where religious schools are prevented from opening.” While finding in favor of the schools the judge pointed out that his ruling in this case was only as to the restrictions imposed by the state but that still leaves open the door for individual counties to impose stricter regulations in general than the state’s current orders and that any such county regulations could then also apply to churches and synagogues. In other words, if a certain county orders churches and synagogues to close, that would apply to the religious schools in that county as well. Based on the ruling several yeshivas in Los Angeles County did open up for religious instruction. However, as a result of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Los Angeles County other yeshivas decided not to resume in person teaching.
San Francisco State University President Opposes Student BDS Vote San Francisco State University (SFSU) President Lynn Mahoney will not support a boycott, divestment and sanctions resolution against Israel that was recently passed by the school’s student government. In an email sent to the SFSU Associated Students board of directors Mahoney said the student resolution “flattens an incredibly complex historical and current geopolitical issue into misleading binaries.” The resolution, she stated further in her email, “would have us believe that you are either Pro-Palestinian or Pro-Israel; that you are either an antisemite if you oppose Zionism or a racist if you support it. You can only be for or against. These binaries do not do this issue justice nor do they do justice to us as a University.” She encouraged students to “open the door to a rich conversation filled with the complex thinking that I know this University is capable of holding.” Mahoney also said she supported the student government’s “commitment to human rights” and would continue to support students’ rights to criticize Israel “just as they would any other country.” But she said the university would draw the line at “a divestment position with no global context or acceptance of the com-
plexities at hand.” The Associated Students board had approved the BDS resolution by a 17-1 vote with two abstentions and called on the university to divest from any companies doing business in the Palestinian territories. The student resolution referenced a list, created by the United Nations Human Rights Office in February, of more than 100 corporations. However, the university currently does not hold investments with any of those corporations. And, as noted in the Jewish News of Northern California student resolutions do not set university policy. Investment decisions are made centrally at the Chancellor’s Office and it is unlikely that the office will adopt the resolution. Virtually no U.S. university administrations have adopted BDS resolutions on their campuses, and many have condemned them. SFSU has been walking a fine line in recent months. Earlier this semester, when Palestinian hijacker Leila Khaled was invited to speak on a virtual panel, Mahoney condemned terrorism while also defending the university’s commitment to academic freedom. However, Zoom and Facebook and others refused to carry the talk.
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Three Rabbis Discuss Techeiles On Thanksgiving Eve By Shmuel Landesman On Thanksgiving night, November 26, Boca Raton Synagogue (BRS) – in conjunction with 54 other shuls – sponsored a Zoom symposium titled, “The Techeiles Revolution.” The 90-minute program featured presentations on establishing the kashrus of using the blue dye of the murex trunculus snail to make techeiles tzitzis strings. The symposium was emceed by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, senior rabbi of Boca Raton Synagogue. The first presenter was Rabbi Dr. David Shabtai, rav of the Sephardic Kehillah of BRS. He began by reviewing the history of techeiles usage. It seems to have been used to dye tzitzis until the post-Talmudic period (6th7th centuries) when the Byzantine emperor outlawed commoners from owning products with the color of techeiles upon pain of death. The subsequent Arab conquest of Eretz Yisrael completely ended the snailsource dying industry in the area. The mitzvah of techeiles was thus no longer practiced until 1889. That year, the Radziner Rebbe (Rabbi Gershon Henoch Leiner) published his controversial findings that the ink from cuttlefish can produce techeiles and began wearing tzitzis strings dyed with this ink (as did his chassidim). In 1913, Rabbi Isaac Herzog, the future Chief Rabbi of Israel, in the course of writing his PhD dissertation for the Sorbonne, obtained the dye’s formula from the Rebbe and discovered that the latter had been misled by the non-Jewish chemists he employed. Rabbi Herzog concluded that the true source of techeiles is the murex trunculus snail. Unfortunately, he couldn’t figure out how to extract blue dye from the snail. In 1985, though, a group of rabbanim, led by Rabbi Eliyahu Travger, discovered the trick. After presenting this history, Rabbi Shabtai brought extensive archaeological, chemical, and textual proofs that the murex snail is in fact the chilazon, the source of techeiles. The second presentation was given by Rabbi Aryeh Leibowitz, director of semicha at RIETS and rav of Beis Haknesses of North Woodmere. Incidentally, he is growing four murex snails in his home fish tank. Rabbi Leibowitz started off by asking why, if there are so many extensive proofs that the murex snail is the chilazon, the chachmei hador don’t wear techeiles.
Rabbi Leibowitz first noted that the question partially rests on a faulty assumption. Rav Hershel Schachter wears them, as did the recently-departed great poskim Rav Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg and Rav Yisroel Belsky. He then went through the objections major contemporary poskim have raised regarding wearing modern techeiles. They range from statements of Chazal that can be hard to reconcile with using the murex snail, to not wanting to rely upon scientific and archaeological evidence, to not having halachic decisions in the Shulchan Aruch regarding using chilazon dye, to the Arizal opposing wearing techeiles without a Beis Hamikdash, to a resistance to change which can lead down a slippery slope. Rabbi Leibowitz addressed all these objections. The final speaker of the evening was Rav Hershel Schachter, rosh yeshiva of RIETS, senior posek for the Orthodox Union (OU) and rebbe of the other speakers. Rav Schachter addressed the issue of the absence of a mesorah (an unbroken rabbinic tradition) that the murex snail is the chilazon and brought up the historical controversy about whether Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik – the famed Beis Halevi – said a mesorah is required to war techeiles. Rav Schachter then quoted Talmudic passages that imply that we can pasken halacha based on archaeological evidence. He continued by recounting that the American posek Rabbi Feivel Cohen corresponded with Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, asking if the murex snail is techeiles. Rav Elyashiv wrote back that he doesn’t think a mesorah is required for techeiles. The Ptil Tekhelet organization in Israel learned of this exchange and presented its evidence regarding the murex snail techeiles to Rav Elyashiv in person. Rav Elyashiv found the presentation convincing, but declined to start wearing techeiles saying that 50,000 people in Yerushalayim and Bnai Brak watch his every move and will immediately want to purchase the techeiles if he does. If they do, the price will skyrocket and these chareidim can’t afford it. Rav Schachter concluded that even those who insist that a mesorah for techeiles is required should agree that there is at least a safeik d’oraysa obligation to wear murex snail techeiles and we pasken that safek d’oraysa l’chumrah. This means we must avail ourselves of the merit of wearing techeles.
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Friday, December 4, 2020
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Friday, December 4, 2020
Esav: The WouldBe Patriarch The midrash (Shir HaShirim Zuta 1:13) indicates that Esav was originally meant to be one of the four patriarchs. That’s right, four! It sounds surprising, but it actually makes perfect sense that if G-d planned for four matriarchs, He would also have planned for four patriarchs. Moreover, Avraham and Yitzchak balanced each other, so it makes sense that Esav was supposed to balance Yaakov. Indeed, that is presumably what Yitzchak had in mind when he tried to bless his firstborn son. Of course, something had already gone wrong by then. The Torah gives us some indication – and the rabbis fill in many of the details – that Esav had already chosen a different path. He didn’t want to abide by the discipline required to carry on the destiny of his parents and grandparents. In Yitzchak’s eyes, however, Esav’s behavior was all the more reason to bless him. He saw signs that there was still hope for Esav and that the blessing could bring him back to the fold. All Esav needed was a dramatic vote of confidence from his father – and the divine assistance that would come with it – to change course and rededicate himself to his family’s mission. Of course, Rivkah had good reasons not to want to take a chance with the power that the bless-
ing would give Esav. And note that the midrash doesn’t blame Rivkah or Yaakov for taking away Esav’s blessing. Rather, it tells us that it was Esav himself who was ultimately responsible for not realizing his tremendous potential. Since Esav had free choice, he bore responsibility for his actions. But that doesn’t mean those around him were completely blameless. Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch famously criticizes Yitzchak and Rivkah for not educating Esav according to his innate personality and instead trying to force him to be like Yaakov. Rav Hirsch’s insight is meant to teach us that while it was Esav who made the choice to go “off the derech,” there is always much that parents can try to prevent that from happening. And we shouldn’t think that this responsibility ends after a major choice has been made or that it is limited to parents. Most things chosen can also be un-chosen. In this week’s parshah, another midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 76:9) tells us that teshuvah – and presumably taking his rightful place among the avot – remained possible even after Esav lost the blessing. The key to his teshuvah was Yaakov’s daughter, Dina. Apparently, her personality and the new start that automatically comes with a new marriage may well have led Esav to turn a page and start anew. But it was not to be. Yaakov was understandably afraid of the risk involved in Dina marrying Esav, and so when the brothers finally meet again, Yaakov chooses to hide her rather than have her possibly become Esav’s wife. In spite of Yaakov’s acknowledged greatness and his understandable motivations, the rabbis of the midrash refuse to give him a pass. For preventing Esav from even meeting her – let alone marrying her – he was severely punished.
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Someone who chooses to leave the proper way is ultimately responsible for his or her choice, but this midrash teaches us that the person’s choice doesn’t mean everybody else is off the hook. If someone might benefit from us reaching out, we can’t ignore desist and say, “Good riddance.” Whether before or after someone makes a poor choice, if we are in a position to help and don’t, we are held accountable. Rabbi Francis Nataf is a Jerusalem-based educator and thinker and the author of four books of contemporary Torah commentary. He is associate editor of the Jewish Bible Quarterly and a frequent contributor to many Jewish publications. Learn more at www.francisnataf.com
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Friday, December 4, 2020
e in seven different ways. Can you find them?
and forgiven or does he still want to kill him for stealing the blessings? Yaakov sends envoys with an appeasing message and finds out that Esav is coming to greet RABBI DR. MORDECHAI SCHIFFMAN him with 400 men. When Yaakov hears this, we are told that “Yaakov was very frightened (vayira Yaakov meod) and distressed (vayeitzer lo).” That Yaakov was afraid for his life is self-evident from the context. However, the fact that the Torah adds that he was also distressed opens the door for the commentators to add a host of secondary triggers that may have contributed to Yaakov’s anxiety. Rashi suggests that he was “frightened” of being killed by Esav and “distressed” that he may The line between a healthy negative emotion have to kill Esav. Even though killing Esav in and a disordered one is not always clear. For in- self-defense would be morally justified, this fact stance, anxiety is normal and healthy (and an didn’t mitigate the anxiety Yaakov felt (and emotion we all experience). Anxiety disorders, wouldn’t necessarily have mitigated the trauma not. Where weindraw the be- inhethe would have afterward had he been forced eehowever, in the backare at center. 3) Thedo pole front of theline building back at rightfelt is gone. 4) andthe disordered anxiety? to kill him). up front is now ontween top ofhealthy the first on table in center right. 6) The pot being kashered Dr. David Myers defines a psychological disOthers suggest that he was “frightened” for order as being deviant (different from the norm), his own life but was “distressed” or worried about ngdistressful at least six feet apart fom eachothers), other. (Yaakov Lederman/Flash90) (to oneself and/or and dysfuncthe welfare of his family or the loss of his proptional. This last point is especially important in erty. Alternatively, he may have been anxious as distinguishing healthy versus unhealthy anxiety. he was uncertain of Esav’s intentions. He feared If the anxiety is based on a real threat and mo- that Esav might be coming to kill him, but if he lier in the story of Purim. wonderful. tivates us to prepare effectively for that threat, knew for sure, at least he could prepare militarily. iel, one of the great gedolei Learn mishnayos with Rabbi Weiss by dialing it is likely not disordered. However, if the anxi- Since it was also possible that Esav was coming in y that his death atoned for 718-906-6471 or Orchos Chaim l’HaRosh by dialing ety gets in the way of us trying to solve whatever was reticent to show military strength, 718-906-6400 (selection 4peace, twice).heTo engage Rabbi problem initiated the feeling (i.e., we avoid it so which could instigate Esav h misas tzaddikim k’serei- Weiss as a lecturer or to order his “Power Bentching,” unnecessarily. the of problem and/or is the gets worse) or additional layer that eath the righteous asanxiety call 718-916-3100 or ite-mail An RMMWSI@aol.com. To complicates Yaakov’s hurts us in other areas of life (like our relationemotional response is the the Beis HaMikdash.” The receive a weekly tape or CD from him, send a checkfact that G-d previously ships with others),wrath it is likely dysfunctional and him that He would assuaged Hashem’s to Rabbi Weiss, P.O. Box promised 140726, Staten Island, NY protect him. If that’s worthy of intervention. the case, why was Yaakov afraid? The Talmud anhe death of a great tzaddik 10314, or e-mail him. Yaakov, perhaps theAttend stage Rabbi for hisWeiss’s Jew- weekly swers shiur that Yaakov was afraid that his sins may receive atonement forsetting our at the Landau ishcome descendants throughout the (Avenue millennia, expe-Easthave rendered promise sn’t as a “freebie.” We Shul L and 9th), TuesdayG-d’s nights, at to him null and void. ath of the his righteous atones 9:30 of his shiurim areinavailable onthat his he was unable to honor riences share of anxiety. Hisp.m. lastSome interaction He knew particular and do his teshuvah. Facebook page for andhisTorahAnyTime.com. Sheldon with brother Esav leaves him fleeing his parents while he was away for so many years belife. was He at the helm of AmerZeitlin transcribes his articles. is now about to meet Esav again and is (see Chizkuni) while Esav was able to fulfill this unsure how Esav will react. Has Esav moved on mitzvah. Perhaps Esav then had enough merits
PSYCHED FOR TORAH
Why Was Yaakov Anxious And Distressed?
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to defeat him, Yaakov thought (see Bereishit Rabba 76:2). Taking a different approach, other commentators suggest Yaakov’s “distress” was actually a direct result of being “frightened.” Since G-d promised to protect him, he shouldn’t have been anxious (Daat Zekeinim). He was actually anxious about the fact that he was anxious! Yet, despite being both “frightened” and “distressed,” and despite the plethora of anxiety-provoking stimuli, Yaakov’s emotional experience was healthy. As Abarbanel points out, Yaakov clearly did believe in G-d’s promise; otherwise he would have hid and avoided going back home. He rationally trusted in G-d, and feeling anxious was a normal emotional reaction. Just because we know things rationally doesn’t mean our anxiety will disappear. The essential question is not: “Do we feel any anxiety?” but “How do we act to in accordance with our goals and values despite the anxiety?” Yaakov serves as a paradigm on how to deal with anxiety. Despite feeling anxious, he takes charge of the situation and prepares for different possibilities. He plans the diplomatic route of gifts and appeasement, he sets up his camp for fighting if necessary, and he engages in heartfelt prayer. We would do well to learn from his example when we are anxious, effectively preparing for different realistic outcomes and praying to G-d for help and guidance through our challenges. Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman, the assistant rabbi at Kingsway Jewish Center and a licensed psychologist practicing in Brooklyn, can be reached at PsychedForTorah@gmail.com. You can follow him on his website www.psychedfortorah. com and social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter @psychedfortorah, Instagram @rabbi_dr_ mordechai_schiffman)
Friday, April 24, 2020
The Jewish Press
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Torah Thought:
Rare, Bizarre, Unusual:
What’s New At Mizrahi’s? By Israel Mizrahi
Rav Kaduri’s Diary A Modest Censor A Sefer Owned By The Sdei Chemed Of Amulets And Tikkunim
Censorship in Jewish books is near- anti-Semitism. The Chemed (Rabbi Chaim This I acquired ly as old Sdei as Hebrew printing. Generally, Thisweek, particular copya Haggadah of the book Hezekiah Medini [1834-1904]) was of printed in 1897censored that features im copying the manuscripts thea I recently acquired handwritmaterial was censored if itawas deemed wasand heavily with several tarinby collection. ten manuscript diary byscholars Yitzchak the greatest rabbinical of his ofyeshiva’s his ownership The storywhen of offensive to the church orRav anti-governRussian censorstamps. (presumably was was reputed have hadRussia). a phoKaduri. day. as thetowhereabouts of ment,He butserved other subject matters were theHe book brought in to memory, with theChemed’s contents of Rav for Kaduri was born occasionally too.in the end of tographic Interestingly, the censored portions rabbi 33censored years the Sdei each seferdo henot handled committed week I acquired a work titled displayed here concern gentiles in This Kara-Su-Bazar, after his death is to religions, his memory. Inunusual. his latermarital years, Mesharet– Moshe, published in 1858 in or other but rather Crimea not exactrather The he achieved world renown as a Koenigsberg, which today is known affairs. ly the center of JewSdei Chemed bekabbalist and of amulets. as – Kaliningrad, Russia. At the time, Israel Mizrahi is writer the owner of Mizry but his name queathed his entire The 24-page manuscript Iand acthe city was part of Germany, and rahi Bookstore in Brooklyn, NY, and works spread immense library to quired contains entries by Rav was to many can be reached to allhome corners of theRussian Jews who JudaicaUsed.com. theHe MisKaduri with thehospital names, details, sought to escape Russian pogroms and at JudaicaUsed@gmail.com. globe. gav Ladach and problems of variousand peoWhen he arrived suggested it advice, sell ple who came to him for in Jerusalem later in his life, he wrote his books and useand the amulets. money toThe supblessings, rav a detailed of every arethat he responded to over 1,700 ques- port the kept hospital’s work. log Eventually, that came before him, oftions mailed to him in just one year sponsor quest from Oran, Algeria purchased ten following up with the person while in Crimea! Since his handwrit- the books from the hospital and creatto confirm that the issue was ing was in Hazi Kulmus – the Sephar- ed a yeshiva within the hospital thatredic Hebrew script – he would have his used hissolved. library. entry has the name of students rewrite letters in Ashkenazi During Each Israel’s War of Indepenthe person, his mother’s name, Hebrew script so readers in Ashkenazi dence, with the Old City falling into and the nature of his request. communities could read him as well. Jordanian hands, the entire library These are often followed by seHis famous work by which he’s along with the hospital’s contents cret symbols and designations, called today – Sdei Chemed – is a is said detailing to have been burnedortotikkunthe the amulets comprehensive rabbinic encyclopedia ground, and thus surviving books with im that Rav Kaduri gave the that19th contains Sdei Chemed’s stamp are rare. person. the centurycorrespondence in Iraq, arrived with in Is- the Israel Mizrahi Mizrahi is the owner owner of Mizrarael in 1923, and leading passed away hundreds of the rabbisinof2006. his Israel Mizhi Bookstore in Brooklyn, NY,NY, and and JudaIn his younger years, Rav Kaduri served day. His responses required an exten- rahi Bookstore in Brooklyn, icaUsed.com. He can be reached at Judaas librarian and caretaker of Yeshivat sive number of books, and his library JudaicaUsed.com. He can be reached icaUsed@gmail.com. Porat Yosef in Jerusalem, binding sefarwas legendary even in his day. at JudaicaUsed@gmail.com.
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Friday, December 4, 2020
dealt with now before things become worse. The Talmud relates that after proper investigation, if the Sanhedrin finds that this child is truly a “bad seed,” he must be put to death. The reasoning: “Better that he should die now than grow up to be a menace to society.” Interestingly, the Talmud expresses that among the requirements for a child to be deemed a “ben sorer u’moreh” are that neither of the parents can be deaf, blind, mute, or lame. Finally the Talmud concludes that there was never actually a case of a “ben sorer u’moreh.” On this, the Talmud asks, “Then why is this mentioned in the Torah at all?” The response: “Study it and you will be rewarded.” Rabbi Belkin in his book Faith and Doubt explains that the intent of the Talmud is to indicate that if there is a child who is indeed rebellious, it is because the parents were in a sense deaf, blind, mute, or lame. While they were bringing up their child, they didn’t truly listen to or pay
OBSERVATIONS RABBI MORDECHAI WEISS
We Must Be The Example For Our Children The Talmud in the eighth chapter of Tractate Sanhedrin entitled “Ben Sorer U’moreh,” describes a predicament in which a child is totally out of control. The parents bring him to the court of law and proclaim that he is a “rebellious child” – in essence, on the wrong path – and must be
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proper attention to him, nor did they advocate for him. The parents also did not communicate with each other; for example, one parent refused to act while the other pretended not to see or hear. In essence they were lame, mute, deaf, or blind to their child’s needs. The Talmud adds that the time span in which a child can become a “rebellious child” is only between the ages of twelve and twelve-and-a-half years old. During the formative years, when the parents have the opportunity, and the obligation, to teach the child and help him develop, the child cannot be labeled a “rebellious child.” Only when it is already too late, when the child is nearly reaching bar mitzvah, can he be labeled rebellious. How a child will grow and whether he or she will become a credit to our people is usually related directly to the actions of the parents. Children often become a “problem” because during the formative years something failed – there was a breakdown in communication, or the parents were not good examples for the child to aspire to. There is rarely a case of a “bad child.” Although many children have challenges as they grow up, parents must serve as the vehicles set in motion by Almighty G-d to advocate for the child and to become role models for him or her. A difficult task! Let me give you an example of misguided parenting: A teacher in my former school had given a test and graded the papers. One child had obviously cheated on the exam, so the teacher gave that child a zero and proceeded to call the parents in order to seek their aid and work together so that such an incident did not occur again. When he notified the parents, their response was: “Rabbi, what kind of an environment do you have in your classroom that our child would be motivated to cheat on your exam?” Continued on p.87
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Friday, December 4, 2020
The Jewish Press
Page 87
Someone on the ground floor, though, argued that he shouldn’t have to pay since the clog two floors above didn’t affect him. “As far as I was concerned,” he said, “you didn’t have to fix the blockage at all!” Meanwhile, a person from the other side of the building expressed surprise that anyone would even think that owners on his side of the building should pay. “We have nothing to do with that sewage line!” he said. The head of the management committee decided to turn to Rabbi Dayan, who considered the question and said: “The apartment owners are partners in the building and in usage of the sewage line. The Gemara [Bava Metzia 108:1] addresses a similar case. It states that if a water system needs to be repaired, whoever gains from the repair has to participate in the cost. Thus, if a few fields share a stream, which became clogged, those downstream from the clog have to pay for the repair whereas those upstream from the clog don’t have to since the clog doesn’t affect them. “Conversely, if the drainage trench from a few courtyards becomes clogged, those upstream from the clog have to pay for the repair since their yards won’t drain otherwise, whereas those downstream from the clog don’t have to pay since the clog doesn’t affect their drainage [Choshen Mishpat 161:6]. “Based on this ruling, the owners of the apart-
ments above the blockage should have to contribute to the clearing of the sewage line, while the owners of the apartments below it should be exempt. “Nonetheless, nowadays most authorities require all those associated with a sewage line to share in the cost of a repair. They rule this way because the pipe – unlike the stream or drainage trench in the Gemara, which is ownerless – is considered joint property. Furthermore, a clogged pipe can affect the tenants below the clog due to gas build-up in the pipe. Sharing in the cost is also the accepted common practice, which is binding, and required according to dina d’malchusa [Pischei Choshen, Nezikin 15:39]. “Nonetheless, if the sewage line serves only one entrance to the building, the owners of the apartments on the other side are not required to participate in the cost of the repair since the pipe isn’t related to them in any way,” concluded Rabbi Dayan. “They may have to pay, though, according to dina d’malchusa or if there is an agreement among the tenants to share in the cost of all public repairs” [see Emek Hamishpat, Shecheinim #44, 52]. Rabbi Meir Orlian is a faculty member of the Business Halacha Institute headed by Rav Chaim Kohn. To pose a question or to engage a BHI lecturer, call 877-845-8455 or e-mail ask@businesshalacha.com. To receive BHI’s newsletter, e-mail subscribe@businesshalacha.com.
an acceptable practice? There is something wrong when parents do not set limits for their children, Continued from p.86 when they continually shower them with whatevThe real question should have been more in- er they want and teach them that they are entitled trospective. What is my child learning at home to everything that they desire without concern for that would make him think cheating on a test is respect and decency or just plain derech eretz. I once served as an evaluator for middle school accreditation of a very religious school in Brooklyn. I noted in my report that the Judaic curriculum and environment of the school was outstanding. The children were taught profound respect for their Rebbeim. They treasured their interactions with these OUR SERVICE IS A CUT ABOVE THE REST teachers and listened to their every word. Shomer Shabbos But when it came to the We also do ALL masonry including: basketball and tennis courts, driveways, patios, sidewalks, stoops, polished concrete AND MORE...
general studies counterparts, the children were disrespectful, rude, and totally lacking in derech eretz, even though some of these teachers were also rabbis. I questioned the school about this problem: “What kind of message are you sending to your students? Isn’t everyone deserving of basic human decency and respect?” The administration responded: “This is what the parents want!” The Talmud at the end of Tractate Succot states that the Kohanic family of Bilgah was excluded from serving in the Temple because their daughter Miriam became a heretic and mocked the service of the Temple. The Talmud asks, “Because of one daughter should they all be blamed?” “Yes!” the Talmud responds. “Because whatever she said most probably came from her father or mother at home.” The actions and attitudes that prevail in the home directly relates to the culpability and responsibility the parents will face for their children’s behavior as they grow up. It behooves all of us to focus on this very crucial point!
BUSINESS IN HALACHA RABBI MEIR ORLIAN
Restoring the Primacy of Choshen Mishpat
Who Pays For A BUSINESS IN Sewage HALACHA Blockage? RABBI MEIR ORLIAN
Restoring the Primacy of Choshen Mishpat
Mr. Poupko owned an apartment in a building that was divided into two entrances. Each side of the building had its own sewage line. One day, Mr. Poupko found that his toilets and sinks were backing up. He called in a plumber to check what the problem was. “There is a serious blockage in the sewer pipe somewhat below your apartment,” the plumber said. “It’s not easy to get to, and the repair will cost a considerable sum. Who’s going to pay for it?” The building’s management committee agreed to advance the money in the meantime, but a dispute arose among the apartment owners about who should ultimately bear the cost of the repair. Mr. Poupko felt that all owners, from both sides of the building, should contribute. “The sewage line serves the building in general, and is considered joint property,” he reasoned.
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Besamim holders, Kiddush cups, coins, etc. Send in pictures of your Judaica, and Jewish Press columnist and certified appraiser Tsadik Kaplan may assess their value. Simply email them to tsadik613@gmail.com, and your items may appear in a future column of Antique Judaica Roadshow
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
In Memoriam My Husband, Ted Schiffman, On His Fifth Yahrzeit By Miriam Schiffman
The 16th of Kislev marks the fifth yahrzeit of a very special man: my husband, Ted Schiffman (Teivel Tzvi ben Menashe). He went through the churban and yet was always the best a man can be – the very best son, the very best brother, the very best friend. Above all, he was the very best husband, father, and grandfather. Ted Schiffman was born in Jaroslaw, Poland on June 6, 1933, and thanks to relatives in the United States, he and his family were granted visas in the summer of 1939 that afforded them the opportunity to immigrate to America. But Ted’s mother, Hilda, wouldn’t leave without her husband, who had been drafted into the Polish army. On September 1, 1939, the Nazis invaded Poland, and Ted’s father was wounded, dying of his injuries shortly thereafter. After his passing, Teddy’s mother was determined somehow to keep her family – two small children, Teddy, 6, Chery, 2, and a teenage cousin, Ethel, visiting from western Poland – together during those horrible and turbulent times. Ethel couldn’t return to her family. So she remained with her cousins throughout the war. Teddy always considered her an older sister and said his family could never have survived without Ethel. Her entire family had perished under the Nazis. Ted… Teddy… Theodore – also known by so experienced a funeral of a close many young children as “Teddy ivor, deported from Hungary, my Bear” –had an uneventful childhood in Poland mber I attended, unfortunately. until the Nazis arrived. He remembered his father coming in from his parents, his grandmother, six the cold, wrapping his arms around himself, and slapping them against his body to warm up. He also recalled standing next to his father under his tallis – on Simchas Torah, presumably. Teddy’s family was fortunate to reside in the
eastern part of Poland, which was occupied by the Russian army. They were forced out of their home and grocery business and were temporarily moved to Ukraine. Eventually, the Russians exiled them from there and shipped them in cattle cars to Siberia as political prisoners. It was a horrible existence, but at least they weren’t under the Nazis’ thumb. Siberia was extremely cold, and they were forced to “live” with strangers with no heat and with practically no access to food except a few rotten potatoes. But they survived somehow. In 1941, Germany attacked Russia, and all political prisoners were released. Not aware of the extent of the murderous situation in Poland, many of these prisoners returned to their homes in Poland to be annihilated by the Nazis, yemach sh’mam v’zichram. Others went to Tashkent, where it was brutally hot, and died of heat exhaustion and lack of nourishment. Hilda made the wise decision to remain in Siberia. In the interim, relatives in America were able to obtain visas for all of them to travel to the United States in 1942 via the Pacific Ocean. Well, if you’re a student of history, you know that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Therefore, my husband and his family were forced to remain in Siberia until the end of the war. It wasn’t the easiest of existences, but they managed to make it through those dreadful times. In November 1946, they were finally allowed to come to the shores of America, and with the help of Hashem and His shluchim – i.e., their devoted family here in America – they were able to establish themselves and become citizens of this wonderful country. Ted attended Yeshiva Torah Vodaath, Brooklyn College, and the University of Houston. He was then drafted into the army during the Korean
War in 1953. He graduated with the honors from the non-commissioned officers academy at Camp Jecelin and served with distinction as a sergeant in Korea until he was honorably discharged in 1955. He later partnered with his brother-in-law Nat Fenster in a business they established from the ground up. In subsequent years, he gave back with an open hand and a grateful heart. He never forgot his origins. He contributed funds, as well as his time, knowledge and expertise. He was also involved with a full heart in his beloved “White Shul” in the Five Towns. He worked tirelessly to support the local Hebrew day school in Far Rockaway, which later, due to his diligence and fortitude, became HAFTR. On Friday night, November 27, 2015, however, tragedy struck. While walking home from shul, crossing Route 878, he was hit by a car and tragically taken from us. We had flown in from Florida to participate in our niece’s wedding and had stayed with friends in Lawrence – not with our daughter in Woodmere – so Teddy could daven in the White Shul, which was his whole life. It’s five years since he died, and not one day passes that he is not missed. Missed, not only by me, our three children, their spouses, our grandchildren, and extended family – but missed by many who crossed his path. At the shiva, people came to pay their respects. Many of them I had never seen before. They related all the chesed he was involved in, all his accomplishments on behalf of others. Knowing my husband, I wasn’t surprised by their stories. He gave so much of himself to help make this world a better place. His love of humanity, his love for the United States of America, and his love for Eretz Yisrael knew no bounds. May he always be a meilitz yosher for his family, his friends, and Klal Yisrael. Y’hei zichro baruch.
My Brother – A Jewish Internet Pioneer – On His 22nd Yahrzeit By Henya Laine The 12th of Kislev (November 28) marked the 22nd yahrzeit of the “father of the Jewish Internet,” Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Kazen – my brother. He passed away at the young age of 44, leaving behind six children, the youngest of whom was five years old. Rabbi Kazen devoted his life to touching and transforming the lives of millions of people. When he put Judaism in cyberspace in the 1980s, very few people had any idea that it would explode into the Internet we know today. Rabbi Kazen had to beg people to put Jewish subjects on the net. Most thought the web was a passing fad. Rabbi Kazen single-handedly created Chabad Lubavitch in Cyberspace – known today as Chabad.org – with his 11-year-old son Michoel and a technical assistant, Mr. Eli Winsbacher. Rabbi Kazen was convinced of the importance of the Internet thanks to the thousands of Jew-
ish-related questions and requests he largest congregation but couldn’t got through the net, to which he painsmake a minyan! takingly responded every day. A priest After his untimely passing of from Sweden once wrote to my brother non-Hodgkins lymphoma, the family after discovering that he was born to received thousands upon thousands of a Jewish mother who had put him in sympathy letters! None of us had the a monastery during World War II to slightest idea how many lives he had save his life. This priest subsequently touched and how much he was loved. became a complete baal teshuvah! Chabad.org continues to be a cenA son of a Nazi from Germany whose tral site for anything Jewish with mother was Jewish wanted a bar mitzhundreds of people working to asvah. My brother taught him, arranged sist anyone who wants to learn more a bar mitzvah seudah, and purchased Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok about Judaism. Every time someone teffilin for the boy! Kazen with his son visits the site, it’s a zechus for my Rabbi Kazen received numerous Michoel. brother’s neshamah. questions from web users on emunah and other areas of Judaism. He left no stone unYou can help his almanah by sending donaturned, answering every inquiry even if it cost tions to Rochel Kazen, 1375 Union St. Brooklyn, him sleep. My brother always said he had the NY 11213.
Friday, December 4, 2020
The Jewish Press
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In Memoriam R’ Yaakov Eliezer Miller: A Pillar Of Chesed
The following tribute marks the hakomas mat- daily routine. He would recite Tehillim and then tims in the hospital and encourage those on the zeivah of R’ Yaakov Eliezer Miller, z”l. learn a while before the minyan began. He made long road to recovery. He would say, “Look at me, R’ Yaakov was born in New York on February sure the coffee nook was regularly restocked and a stroke survivor: I can walk, I can talk...” This 22, 1954. His parents, Reb Hershel and Rivka that everyone in shul felt comfortable. gave these patients some much needed hope. Miller, were Holocaust survivors who instilled in It is fascinating how such a multifaceted and This past Purim, R’ Yaakov acted on stage. A their son a deep foundation of simchas hachaim gifted persona used his talents only to serve few days later he was taken into the hospital. For and emunas chachamim. R’ three months he struggled Yaakov’s family first lived in with the malach hamaves Brownsville and then moved in the guise of corona. His to Crown Heights in order to family held a nightly Tehilbe close to their rebbe, R’ Shlolim conference and things ime M’Bobov. He learned in were looking up. But it was the Bobover cheder and then not meant to be. On Erev its yeshiva, and was known as Shabbos of Shavuos, a day a baal kishron with a heart of after his mother’s yahrtzeit, gold. R’ Yaakov Eliezer ben Tzvi When the Rebbe moved to Shalom was niftar. In acBoro Park, the Miller family cordance with the niftar’s moved again. It was there that R' Yaakov Miller with a Lev Lachim delegation R' Yaakov Miller with the late Senator Mo- request, and because Isru R’ Yaakov married Esther, the at Reb Shlomo of Bobov. Chag is still considered a nyihan. daughter of R’ Avraham and Yom Tov, there was no hesLeah Fisher. An impassioned Bobover chassid, he Hashem. Even as a young bochur, R’ Yaakov was ped at the levaya. lived chasidus with every fiber of his being, thus known for his organizational skills. It was a hot Even now, with R’ Yaakov Eliezer no longer bringing people closer to Hashem. He had a close summer day in August that R’ Yaakov, together here, the chesed continues. His children strive to connection with the Bobover Rebbes and many with R’ Mordechai Mandelbaum, founder of Mas- perpetuate the many good deeds he committed to gedolim across the Torah world. They appreciat- bia, schlepped mattresses for the first hachno- achieve. May he be a meilitz yosher for his family, ed his earnest demeanor and firm faith in those sas orchim they established in Boro Park. As the friends, and all of Klal Yisroel. who live in a higher realm. R’ Yaakov had a close brains behind many chesed initiatives, he volunrelationship with the Bobover Rebbe R’ Naftulah teered his time and assistance to innumerable inzt”l. They would learn together in the early morn- dividuals and countless institutions. ing hours, and on Friday night before the Bobover In the 1980s, R’ Yaakov joined Tzidkas R’ Meir Rebbe R’ Shloime started his tisch. Bal Haneis. He was the first of the younger generFor over 40 years, R’ Yaakov made his role in ation to heed the call of gedolim to get involved in the Purim Shpiel, the annual Purim play in front its holy cause. He used his innate capabilities to experienced a funeral of a close of the Bobover Rebbes, his my personal avodas hako- help rebuild the organization into the flourishing ivor, deported from Hungary, desh. He was only 14 when he started, but he took network it is today. During the 1990s, R’ Yaakov mber I attended, unfortunately. his his grandmother, six and comedy were also served as the Bobover Rebbe’s, zt”l, personhisparents, part seriously, and his jokes always full of depth. As the oldest actor in the al emissary at Lev L’Achim. The renowned Boro last few years, he set the tone and made sure the Park tzaddik, R’ Shia Kahana, zt”l, raised monscript was appropriate so it could be played before ey for widows. Reb Yaakov helped him collect the the Rebbe. In spite of his inherent acting skills, he contributions. When R’ Shia was niftar, R’ Yaanever let his ego get the better of him, as it was all kov continued with the fund so that the almondone l’shem Shamayim. os who relied on the aid shouldn’t have to worry. Yet his good humor wasn’t only reserved for Then there was the Beis Hatavshil, a place where Do you neeD someone to say Purim night. If he noticed someone down or in meshulachim are served hot food, which is less need of chizuk, he would crack a joke until the known but just as significant. other person smiled. When that didn’t work, he R’ Yaakov was a brilliant and accomplished would sit for hours listening to the tale of woe. But speaker who spoke for an array of mosdos and Recite Yizkor Prayer it wasn’t enough for R’ Yaakov just to listen. He tzedakah functions. He employed a combination would then proceed to pull every string possible in of humorous anecdotes and earnest appeals that Daily Mishnah Learning (optional) order to alleviate some of the person’s pain. touched people’s hearts and solicited funds from He always made those around him feel good the hardiest donors. His car was the neighbor1-888-999-7685 info@kaddishfoundation.org and cared for. With a nice word and pleasant con- hood chesed mobile. The wandering vagabond in to learn about the Kaddish prayer, visit us at versation, everyone who came in contact with R’ need of a hitch, the friend in the mood of company www.kaddishfoundation.org Yaakov came away a different person. He was wit- – anyone and everyone was invited into his car. Kaddish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization ty and charismatic. He built a lifetime of friend- His morning route included a little boy who didn’t ships with many people across the globe, and have a mother, a teacher with yichus, and more. If cherished them all. you asked, you got a car ride. People would marvel at the way he greeted a Those in the know would send meshulachim to meshulach, who could barely stand on crutches, Yankel Miller from 57th Street, who gave a car with the same love and excitement as his multi-mil- ride to anyone who asked. These collectors would lionaire friend. When the OHEL kids would come think of him as their “paid driver,” and would ofto R’ Yaakov’s shul, the Daish Shul, they would ten express their dismay when he wasn’t on time run over to him. He would greet them with a smile or had to make a stop. Nevertheless, he always and call them by their names. He treated these greeted them with a smile and a kind word and special people the way they deserved. treated them with utmost respect. The Daish Shul on 57th St. and 16th Ave in Five years ago, R’ Yaakov suffered a stroke. As WWW.GREENBAUMMONUMENTS.COM Brooklyn, played a central role in R’ Yaakov’s soon as he recovered, he began to visit stroke vic-
KADDISH? Observe Yahrzeits?
Page 90 76
The Jewish Press Friday, June December 22, 2018 4, 2020
Tweets of the Week Publication of a tweet in this column should not be regarded as an of the not tweet the person behind it. If youofsee tweetor you should be featured here, e-mail tweets@jewishpress.com. Publication of a tweet in endorsement this column should beor regarded as an endorsement theatweet thethink person behind it.
The Week in Tweets
Friday, December 4, 2020
ď Ź
The Jewish Press
ď Ź
Page 91
Magician Surprises Boy Whose Life He Saved Three months after saving a boy’s life at his magic show, Magician Aharon Avital surprised the boy at his 11th birthday, finishing the show that had been cut short due to the emergency. Avital, a magician who lives in Elad, volunteers as an EMT with United Hatzalah and carries his medical kit with him wherever he goes, even to his own performances. Back in July, Aharon was invited to perform at a birthday party in Ra’anana. During the performance, he noticed one of the children in the crowd beginning to choke. Aharon quickly intervened and saved the child’s life. “I saw the boy start to turn blue and I noticed that he was not able to breathe and grabbing his neck. I was in the middle of my performance‌. I dropped the act and rushed over to the boy,â€? Aharon said. Aharon was at the boy’s side in seconds and told one of the parents to go to his car and bring his medical kit. “One of the other children told me that the boy was eating popcorn and suddenly stopped breathing,â€? Aharon recounted. “I began to perform the Heimlich maneuver and thankfully the boy began breathing once again and returned to his normal color. A few minutes later, an ambulance showed up and took the boy to the hospital for further treatment. He was hospitalized for a few days just to make sure that everything was okay. It was a birthday that I won’t soon forget.â€? Last week, the boy who choked, Adam, turned 11, and Aharon decided to surprise him at his birthday and finish the show that he had ended
Aharon Avital with the boy whose life he saved.
abruptly months earlier.  “Aharon is simply an angel,â€? said Afnan Nagar, Adam’s mother. “G-d sent him to bring Adam back to us. It is no small thing that Adam has made it to his 11th birthday. When he was younger, he underwent three open-heart-surgeries and is surviving with only half of his heart working.â€?Â
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President and founder of United Hatzalah, Eli Beer, said, “Aharon’s rescue of Adam is a perfect example of how a person can combine being a self-employed professional as well as being a first responder. In this instance, Aharon managed to work his magic to save a life, and we are very proud of him.â€?Â
IT’S TIME TO BE METAKEN OUR TEFILOS! FOCUS ON TEFILAH
WEEK TEN
Today we shift focus a little to point out some words commonly said incorrectly. Some may argue that the words are correct in Yiddish, but we will let you decide if you will choose to say them correctly in lashone kodesh‌
/LNH PRVW NLGV VRPHWLPHV .DOPDQ VWUXJJOHV WR XQGHUVWDQG +DVKHP V ZD\V :LWK WKH KHOS RI KLV ORYHG RQHV KH ILQGV UHDVVXUDQFH LQ &KD]DO V SURPLVH RI Œ7HLNX§ ¤ WKDW ZKHQ 0RVKLDFK FRPHV ZH OO JHW DQVZHUV WR VRPH RI RXU ELJJHVW TXHVWLRQV
zechuYOS
NOT zechusim
ShabboSOS
NOT Shabbosim
semaCHOS
NOT simchos
paraSHA
NOT parsha (there is a kamatz under the reish)
AND ONE MORE (we’ve covered it 2x already, but it’s that important)
BA-al NOT bal; as in ba-al gevuros, ba-al tefilah and ba-al korei; pronounced with two syllables it means master of; pronounced with one syllable “bal�, it means without. Warning: Bad Joke: If your ba-al tefilah pronounces the phrase in shemoneh esrei as “bal gevuros� (instead of ba-al gevuros), is he a bal tefilah?
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!
%X\ LW WRGD\
DW -HZLVK ERRNVWRUHV RU RQ $PD]RQ FRP
Tefilah Ketikunah, an organization dedicated to promoting proper pronunciation in tefilah. has several products on the market printed in a completely new font meant to assist the reader in this goal. THEY MAKE GREAT AND MEANINGFUL CHANUKKAH GIFTS, and gift pricing is available!
Contact tefilahketikunah@gmail.com for information on how to purchase these tefilah cards.
Page 92
The Jewish Press
Friday, December 4, 2020
Letters to the Editor is a half a brain. People often gloss over the Russian collusion investigation without fully realizing what it entailed. It involved ruining people’s lives, falsifying documents, committing perjury, destroying the livelihoods of families, and more. All this was perpetrated by Democrats – knowing full well there was no justification for any of it. This is precisely what evil is! And how gullible or dishonest does one have to be to believe that these very same Democrats ran an honest election? There is no doubt in my mind that this election was rife with massive fraud, possibly even with the knowledge of Biden. That might explain why Biden was so unusually
complacent during the campaign. Bringing to justice the people or organizations responsible for election fraud is in the interest of everyone – regardless of whether it impacts the election results. I’m in favor of the investigating even if Trump’s chances of remaining president for another four years are less than his chances of winning an election in Botswana against President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Josh Greenberger Brooklyn, NY
Remembering the Good Ole Days
Every week, I look forward to reading Arnold Fine’s column entitled
Editoroals assigns such judgments “to the politically accountable officials of the States…[who] should not be subject to second-guessing by an unelected federal judiciary which lacks the background, competence, and expertise to assess public health and is not accountable to the people.” The four consistently conservative judges to that point – Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh – dissented, rejecting the distinction between in-person religious services and retail businesses and the notion that judges shouldn’t mix in: California undoubtedly has a compelling interest in combating the spread of Covid-19 and protecting the health of its citizens, but it failed to justify the attendance limits for in-person religious services when a litany of
Continued from page 7
“I Remember When!” I get a good chuckle. But since almost every column stars Arnold Fine’s younger brother Berel, why not change the title to “I Remember Berel”? Keep up the good work. George Epstein Los Angeles, CA
What’s the Point?
I believe most voters didn’t cast their ballots for Biden. This election was a fraud, and if we ignore all the illegal activities that took place, we won’t have a republic. The lesson everyone will take away is that dishonesty pays – just like it does in China, Russia, and other totalitarian
countries. This election has left me with a bitter taste for politics. I’m not the only one. People won’t vote in the future. Why vote when there is so much fraud and dishonesty? The reason President Trump won in 2016 is because the Democrats didn’t think he had a chance, so they didn’t rig the election. This time, though, they were prepared. Freda Goldman Baltimore, MD
George Floyd in a Holocaust Museum?
I urge readers to contact the HoContinues on p.93
Continued from page 7
other secular businesses…are not subject to an occupancy cap. So the court turned back the challenge by a 5-4 vote on the grounds that courts were not competent to substitute their judgment on health matters for those of state officials. The dissenting justices, though, had no problem going there. And so, last week, Barrett joined Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh to form a 5-4 conservative majority that believes the courts can second-guess the state officials. Illustrative is some of the back and forth by two of the justices. Gorsuch reiterated what he said six months ago: “It is time – past time – to make plain that, while the pandemic poses many grave challenges, there is no world in which the Constitution
tolerates color-coded executive edicts that reopen liquor stores and bike shops but shutter churches, synagogues and mosques.” Sotomayor, though, wrote: “Justices of this Court play a deadly game in second guessing the expert judgment of health officials about the environments in which a contagious virus, now infecting a million American each week, spread most easily.” Same question presented, but this time Gorsuch was in the majority and Sotomayor was in the minority. So a tribute to Trump’s vision for the Barrett appointment. Kudos also to Agudath Israel of America and Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn for bringing last week’s cases to the Supreme Court and to Avi Schick for his continuing first-rate advocacy and representation on our community’s behalf.
Say No To Mindless Rejectionism Efforts are underway to persuade a future Biden administration to overturn some critical Trump executive orders. Thanks to reporting by Fox News, in two instances we have become aware of, the efforts seem particularly counterintuitive. It seems mindless anti-Trumpism is still alive and well. Groups representing the higher education establishment are reportedly importuning putative education officials in a Biden administration to reverse an order relating to Title IX of U.S. Higher Education Act. That order mandates that a student accused of campus sexual assault is entitled to a live hearing and the right to cross-examine his accuser.
Prior to the Trump order, under the Obama years, school administrators would merely conduct a fact-finding inquiry, interviewing all concerned but without the accused being able to confront the accuser. Nor were there other procedures followed that are typical of formal hearings designed to determine guilt or innocence of serious wrongdoing. The call to undo the order came in a letter from Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, and was signed by 46 higher education groups. Mitchell explained that Trump’s due process requirement “could have a chilling effect on the willingness of survivor to come forward and raises
serious concerns about retraumatization.” But an assault may not have taken place and the accused may have been wrongly charged. Further, without clarification thorough cross-examination, even individuals convinced they were assaulted may get some details incorrect. But, apparently those possibilities are of lesser concern than trying to avoid possibly discouraging someone from coming forward. To be sure, we are not unmindful that many actual victims may well be deterred from coming Continued on p.93
Friday, December 4, 2020
Letters
Continued from page 92
locaust Memorial and Education Resource Center in Florida and protest its decision to feature an exhibit on the death of George Floyd. To host an exhibit on a man who died in police custody in a museum devoted to the attempted genocide of the Jewish people is to distort and demean the memory of six million Jews. There are many good places to host a Floyd exhibit; a Holocaust museum is not one of them. The museum’s address is 851 N Maitland Ave. Maitland, FL 32751, and its phone number is 407-6280555. Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg Edison, NJ
Still Confused
When I saw the blurb on page 1 last week highlighting a feature (“Is It Proper?”) on the priority a frum Jew should give to learning sefarim like Koheles, Shir HaShirim, and Iyov, I was very eager to read it. I like learning these sefarim, but I work and have a family, so my time for learning isn’t infinite. If I learn these sefarim, I cannot learn as much Chumash, Gemara, or halacha. I was hoping, therefore, that this feature would give me some clarity. Unfortunately, I came away disappointed. Instead of answering
Chess Corner
LIGHTER white to move, mate in two Answer to last week’s puzzle:
LIGHTER
1) Qf2 (effectively forcing white Rxf2) 2) Re1+ (forcing white to Rf1) 3) Rxf1#
(courtesy of Premier Chess)
A Lighter
the question, the rabbis essentially danced around it. Alan Kesler Brooklyn, NY
Quebec Is Hardly ‘Ugly’
Re “Last Seven Days in Israel” (Nov. 27, page 14): While Rabbi Ben Packer may disagree with Quebec’s decision to allow family Christmas gatherings while barring Chanukah gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic, there is no reason to resort to name-calling as he does in describing Quebec as “ugly and stupid.” Quebec is actually a very beautiful part of Canada, and Montreal has a thriving Orthodox/chassidic community. It is a province where the government funds the secular education of Jewish day schools and yeshivot and where, unlike parts of Brooklyn, chassidim are not the targets of harassment in the streets. Ezra Franken Montreal, Quebec
A Great Chazzan
There is so much to say about Cantor Daniel Gildar, z”l, who passed away last week. His superb musicianship. His deep knowledge of nussach hatefillah, his understanding of the traditional cantorial art, his unique talent in following cantorial improvisation, his constant support of cantors at the beginning of their careers. Danny, as we lovingly called him, was a superb pianist with outstanding technique. He applied his knowledge of classical music towards our art, thus raising the level of chazzanut to new heights and appreciation. Danny and I cooperated many, many times in concerts. For part of the concert, he would sing while I accompanied him on the piano and during the other part I would sing while he played. When he accompanied me, he loved inserting his own ideas in the music, making me feel excited and desirous of giving my best interpretation to the piece. Danny will be missed by cantors all over the world and by lovers of the holy music of our holy prayers. May his memory be a blessing to all of us. Cantor Joseph Malovany New York, NY
Touch
Jokes for Your Shabbos Table?
Lighter
Treif-seeker: “Do you serve crabs here?” Kosher-Deli-waiter: “We serve anyone, sit down!” (courtesy of www.haruth.com/jhumor)
Editorials
The Jewish Press
Page 93
Continued from page 92
forward if the full range of legal protections an accused enjoys in our criminal justice system is made available in campus situations. But this fear is not unique to campuses and here in America we still venerate the notion of a presumption of innocence. Even in civil cases, a plaintiff has the burden of proving his or her case against a defendant. Nor should we minimize the effect a finding of sexual assault will have on an accused. Indeed, it is hard to contemplate how it is distinguishable from the consequences of a fullblown criminal conviction. Indeed, a determination of guilt on campus would ordinarily involve similar stigma and a prompt referral to the criminal authorities. This is an issue that should have special resonance with Biden. Several weeks into his campaign to secure the Democratic nomination for president, a former female Senate staffer of his charged him with sexually assaulting her. Although she failed to come up with much in the way of corroboration, many thought the standard adopted by Democrats for this sort of thing was the one they advanced in their last-minute efforts to derail the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh based on uncorroborated charges from a woman Kavanaugh allegedly assaulted when they were both high school students. At the time, Democrats insisted that all women had to be believed unless the accused male proved that the incident never happened. Many believed such an approach would come
back to haunt Biden. Indeed, Sen. Kamala Harris at the time proclaimed that she believed the charges. And of course the charges came to naught and Harris even ended up as Biden’s running mate. The American Council for Education letter also called for the repeal of Trump’s executive order that bans federal contractors, the military, federal agencies and recipients of federal grants from conducting certain race-training programs. The order targeted programs that embrace so-called “critical race theory,” which asserts that certain societal institutions are inherently racist and that race is itself used by white people to further their own interests at the expense of people of color. While the order also states that the ban does not prohibit affected institutions from “promoting racial, cultural, or ethnic diversity or inclusiveness” and adds that critical race theory topics can be part of academic instruction if discussed without endorsement, the council letter characterized the order as “sweepingly overbroad” and said it has “chilled the implementation of critical diversity training programs that ensure more respectful and productive work and learning environments.” While we are grateful to the American Council on Education for trying to clear all of this up for us, we would hope that as a nation we could move on from all of this patent nonsense. Are they really serious? Just because Trump proposed them doesn’t make his executive orders wrong.
Friday, December 4, 2020
The Jewish Press
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Friday, December 4, 2020
The Jewish Press
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PULLOUT SECTION: Attention Readers! containssensitive sensitive topics should be monitored. PULLOUT SECTION: Attention Readers!This Thissection section contains topics and and should be monitored. PULLOUT SECTION: Attention Readers! containssensitive sensitive topics should be monitored. PULLOUT SECTION: Attention Readers!This Thissection section contains topics and and should be monitored.
F FAAMMIILL YY
Friday, November 6 , 2020 • The Jewish Press • Page F1 Friday, December 4, 2020 • The Jewish Press • Page F1
II SSSSUUE ES S
NAOMI FUCHS,EDITORS EDITORS NAOMIMAUER MAUERAND AND SHANDEE SHANDEE FUCHS, NAOMI AND SHANDEE FUCHS,EDITORS EDITORS NAOMIMAUER MAUER AND SHANDEE FUCHS, NAOMI MAUER, EDITOR NAOMI MAUER, EDITOR
Slovie Says .......... By Slovie Jungreis Wolff Dear Dr. Yael, I am struggling with my physical health. I have a lot of pain because of my medical issues and nothing seems to help. I tried working with a personal trainer who came to my apartment, but The emails and calls have been coming in he wasn’t very knowledgeable about my medical steadily. Questions about anxious children, bewilconditions. My doctor suggested that I try physical dered with this new pandemic world of ours and therapy. However, the clinic he told me to use is the chaos that surrounds them. very busy. The physical therapists there treat so What can we do, as parents and grandparents, many people at once that I get no attention. With to help our children get through this challenge? COVID-19, I’m also extra nervous being around I have included grandparents in this formulas so many people because of my pre-existing condibecause this is the mesorah of our Avos. tions. Should I stick with the physical therapy deSheal Avicha Viyagedcha, Ziknecha Veyomspite my worries? What do you think I should do? ru Lach – Ask your father and he will relate it A Reader to you, your elders and they will tell you. This is the derech through which I grew up. Mama Dear Reader, and Zayda, my mother’s parents, were our lightI truly understand your concerns. The world house. Their perspective colored my life. I can is a very different place right now. You have evstill recall bending my head down for my Zayery right to be apprehensive about being treated da’s bracha. As his hands covered my head, he in public settings. I’m not sure what your mediwould whisper precious words and I would feel cal conditions are, but it seems as though going to his tears fall gently upon me. Under my Zaya crowded physical therapy clinic is not ideal for da’s soft white beard I felt sheltered and safe. you. However, your health is very important and Then I would ask Mama for her bracha and feel your current medical conditions should be treated emboldened. When Zayda was unable to speak appropriately. anymore, just seeing his glistening eyes, holdI personally have an amazing physical theraing his hand, and knowing that he was here, pist who comes to my home. I feel very safe in the gave me comfort. If you have the ability to touch comfort of my own den and the individual attena child’s soul by being a presence in their life, tion has been extremely beneficial to my wellbeeven if now it’s a call because you cannot meet ing. I highly recommend this course of treatment in person, seize the moment. The more love, the for you. Firstly, you cannot compare the level of more strength and stability a child feels. training and schooling of a physical therapist to I offer the 3 ABC’s as a guide to keep us steady that of a personal trainer. My physical therapist in unstable times. While there is much we cannot has a doctorate degree and many years of expericontrol right now, our reactions are in our hands. ence. As a health professional, he understands my Let us try to empower ourselves and our children medical needs. He provides me with a comprehenthroughout this upheaval. sive recovery plan that he adjusts at every visit depending on my progress. A = ATTITUDE In addition, all his equipment is sanitized, or What are your first thoughts when you wake one-time-use, and he always wears appropriate up in the morning? PPE. As I mentioned before, the individual attenMany people tell me their mind says ‘I can’t do tion is the best part. At most clinics that I’ve visthis anymore.” Throughout the day we hear the ited in the past, therapists have spent just a few little voice in our head that says “It’s impossible” minutes with me before leaving me alone for the or “Everything’s crazy.” remainder of the session. I have often felt ignored Our children pick up on our words and our and uneasy about performing therapy exercises body language. on my own. With my current physical therapist, In my parenting course I ask parents to look at I get an entire session with his full attention and themselves in the mirror before facing their fammy recovery has been faster as a result. I was also ilies. referred to a few clinics, but always felt that they “Would you want to wake up to yourself?” I did not give me the attention I needed to recover. ask. “If not, then what do we expect from our loved If you would like to contact my physical theraones?” pist, here is his information: When you notice yourself going into negative Dr. Zvi Gutman, DPT. (646) 481-7854 . www. territory, ‘awfulizing’ your life, stop. Change the gutmanpt.com (Accepts Medicare, Medicaid and channel. Because all your negativity is spreading most insurance. No additional fee for the home spiritual air pollution in your home. visit.) Instead of saying “I can’t” try “It’s hard but I From a psychological point of view, have you can.” ever tried psychological techniques to reduce your Switch the negative thoughts to positive ones
Pandemic Parenting
pain? Research has shown that because pain inlike “We will make it” and “It’s going to be all cludes both the mind and the body, mind-body right.” therapies may have the ability to reduce pain by Your physical and emotional being shapes your altering the way you perceive it. home. We speak about corona being contagious The following techniques can help you take but our attitude is catchy as well. your mind off the pain and can possibly even work Gam zeh yaavor is a beautiful Jewish wisdom. to override established pain signals. Nothing lasts forever. Not the good and not the Deep Breathing. Deep breathing is the core bad. This difficult time will pass. What is the spirtechnique that needs to be learned as it will be itual legacy that we will leave for our children? used in many of the other techniques. In order to What strengths can we transmit to them now so use this technique correctly, you need to inhale that they are able to withstand the winds and deeply through your nose, hold your breath for a storms that the future may hold? few seconds, and then exhale very slowly through your mouth. You should be able to physically feel B = BELIEVE a difference after doing this technique correctly. Our emunah has sustained us from our days To help you focus, you can close your eyes. This of suffering in Egypt. We have traveled the four brings us to the second important technique which corners of this earth, gone through every type of is imagery. persecution, crusade and inquisition. We have Imagery. Imagery is when you close your eyes been shoved into cattle cars, gassed in the cremaand imagine something peaceful to you. Many toria, told that we will be thrown into the sea. Anpeople enjoy thinking of the beach, but with imti-Semitism has once again reared its vile head all agery, you will “see” the beach in your mind, as over the world. Here, in ‘the land of the free and if you’re actually there. Using imagery with deep home of the brave,’ there have been killings and breathing usually makes the techniques more efstabbings just because one was born a Jew. The fective and generally helps people maintain their world has been ready to say Kaddish for us for focus better. Listening to calming music can also thousands of years. And yet, here we are. A nation enhance this technique for some people and help of miracles. them stay more relaxed. I, myself, was born upon the ashes of the hoProgressive Relaxation. Progressive relaxation locaust. To think that we have started all over involves you mentally relaxing each part of your again, raised beautiful families loyal to Torah, body in order. This will relax all of your muscles, built shuls and yeshivas, called our children by and usually can be done while concentrating on the names of those who died al Kiddush Hashdeep breathing and relaxing each muscle/body pet em, and seen life flourish is testimony to the in order. You can use an app or a recording or walk love that Hashem has for us. Ki Lo Yitosh Hashyourself through this by verbally saying, “now my em Es Amo – Hashem will never abandon His arm will relax, it will feel like it has no weight,” people. etc. Some therapists will make you a tape to help We must believe that though we may not unwalk you through each step of this relaxation derstand it, there is a Divine Plan here. Emunah technique. When thoughts break through, return and bitachon means that despite it all, we know to the breathing repetition and start over. Continthat Hashem is watching over us, caring for us, ue doing this for 10 to 20 minutes. Afterward, sit and loving us still. quietly for a minute or two while your thoughts This must be the message that we give over to return. Then you can open your eyes and sit quietour children at this time. Every time we kindle ly for another minute to help your body transition our Shabbos lights, daven with kavanah, make a and maintain a relaxed state. bracha, we are proclaiming our belief in Hashem Hypnosis. Hypnosis can be helpful for some and trust in His goodness. Everything we have people in alleviating pain. Make sure to see somestudied and learned till now was practice for these one who is certified in hypnosis and can help you days. This is when our children become branchreduce your pain. es of our tree. But for a tree to withstand harsh Positive Thinking. When we are sick we may winds there must be strong roots. feel that we will never get better and we often focus on what we cannot do instead of what we can C = COMMUNICATION do. Refocusing our thoughts to focus on what we Children require a sense of security now more can do will help make you feel better about yourthan ever. Allow them to talk. Listen to their self and feel better in general. Many people like to words, try to put yourself in their place. Put down write down 5 things they are thankful for daily to your phone, put away your device and show that help them retrain their brain to think more posyou are interested in their thoughts. You may be itively. Just spending a few minutes each night under pressure; stressed out. You are feeling as if on positive things about yourself can also help you you have no patience or time. improve your mood and help reduce pain. Dig deep. Find your kindness muscle and use Hatzlocha with reducing your pain and reit. Create a sacred time like dinner or bedtime. No member that many of these ideas can be used towork emails, no texts, just you and your loved ones. gether to help you during this trying time. Please Sometimes all a child needs is a good word, a reach out for help from a competent professionsmile, a hug. Your spouse too. al for your physical therapy and if you are still May Hashem grant us the strength and wissuffering, perhaps seeing a psychologist can help dom to fill our homes with light, blessings and you as well! joy.
SERUV LISTING SERUV LISTING The names listed below are Mesarev Ledin or have been Harkhakot D’Rabbeinu Tam. The names listed below are Mesarev Ledin or have beendin Harkhakot D’Rabbeinu Tam. against A beth has issued a seruv
each person listed below for a) withholding a get upondin being ordereda to grant one, A beth has issued seruv against b) refusing appear before din in each person to listed below for a) beth withholding matters pertaining a get, or otherwise a get upon being toordered toc)grant one, failing to follow the order of a beth beth din din in b) refusing to appear before theotherwise halachot matters pertaining to to aa get. get,For or c) regarding one should who failing to how follow the ordertreat of aa person beth din in is mesarev ledin, please consult a competent matters pertaining to a get. For the halachot Orthodox rabbi. regarding how one should treat a person who is mesarev ledin, please consult a competent Orthodox rabbi. JACOB MOSES BINSON of Montreal,
Canada, issued by Bet Din Zedek of Montreal in August 2005 JACOB MOSES BINSON of Montreal, Canada, by Bet Din Zedek ofNew Montreal SHIMONissued KNOPFLER of Brooklyn, York, in August 2005 issued by Beth Din of America, March 2009 SHIMON KNOPFLER of Brooklyn, Newissued York, STEVEN SCHER of Roanoke, Virginia, issued by Beth Din of America, March 2009 by Beth Din of America, November 2009
STEVEN SCHER of Roanoke, Virginia, issued DOVID WASSERMAN of Brooklyn, N.Y. by Beth Din of America, November issued by Bais Din Tzedek of2009 Flatbush, December 2017 DOVID WASSERMAN of Brooklyn, N.Y. CHANOCH LEBOVIC of Washington Heights/ issued by Bais Din Tzedek of Flatbush, Toronto/Brooklyn, December 2017 issued by Beth Din Zedek, Kollel Avreichim, March 2011 CHANOCH LEBOVIC of Washington Heights/ Toronto/Brooklyn, issued by of Beth Din Zedek, JUTE DAVID KESTLER Fairlawn, New Kollel Avreichim, March 2011 Jersey, issued by Beth Din of America, March 2012 JUTE DAVID KESTLER of Fairlawn, New Jersey, by Beth of DinBrooklyn, of America, DAVID issued NAHMANNY NewMarch York, 2012 issued by Beth Din of America, June 2012 DAVID of Brooklyn, York, CHAIM NAHMANNY YEHUDA HOFFMAN of New Brooklyn, issued by Beth Din of America, June 2012 New York and Florida, issued by Israeli Rabbinic Court, July 2014 CHAIM YEHUDA HOFFMAN of Brooklyn, New York and Florida, issuedofbyLakewood, Israeli Rabbinic MORDECHAI OVADIA New Court, July 2014 Jersey or Las Vegas, Nevada, issued by Bet Din Zedek Shaarei Mishpat, March 2015 MORDECHAI OVADIA of Lakewood, New Jersey or Las Vegas, Nevada, by Bet Din AARON AKABERI of Southissued Setauket, issued Zedek Shaarei Mishpat, March 2015 by Beth Din of America, May 2015 AARON ELKOUBY AKABERI ofofSouth Setauket, issued YOSSI Marbella, Spain and by Beth Din of America, May 2015 Paris and Lyon, France, issued by Beth Din of London, February 2016 BARUCH GREENWALD of Boro Park, New York, issuedGREENWALD by Beth Din of America, July 2016 BARUCH of Boro Park, New York, issued by Beth Din of America, July 2016 MEIR KIN of Las Vegas, issued by Rabbi Hershel KIN Shachter, & MEIR of LasRabbi Vegas,Nachum issued Sauer, by Rabbi Rabbi Avraham Union, Tammuz 2010 Sauer, & Hershel Shachter, Rabbi Nachum Rabbi Avraham Union, Tammuz 2010 GAVRIEL NACHMAN WALLACH, of GAVRIEL NACHMAN WALLACH, Brooklyn, New York, issued by Bet Din of Btzedek Brooklyn, New York, issued by Bet Din Btzedek Tishpoit, January 2018 Tishpoit, January 2018 YONA RENDLER, of Brooklyn, New York, YONA of Brooklyn, New2019 York, issued byRENDLER, Beth Din of America, February issued by Beth Din of America, February 2019 CHAIM MEIR LAUBER of New York, NY, CHAIM MEIR LAUBER of New York, NY, issued by Bet Din of America, April 2019 issued by Bet Din of America, April 2019 YOSEF COHEN, of Brooklyn, New York, YOSEF COHEN, of Brooklyn, New York, issued by Beth Din of America, November 2018 issued by Beth Din of America, November 2018 DOVID YITZCHAK EIZIK (IKE) SHAIN of Spring Valley, NY, issued by Bet Din of America, August 2020
Page F2 • The Jewish Press • Friday, December 4, 2020
FAMILY ISSUES
Dear Dr. Yael, I am writing in response to your column written by A Guilty Mother. As a pediatrician for over 30 years this letter was quite painful to read and unfortunately it happens too often. What was not addressed, which I feel was just as important as the child abuse, was the need to report this event to the authorities. Too often I have heard the same line that this will destroy the accused family or ruin the teacher’s chances of finding any new employment. Even though these consequences are sad, it still does not negate the importance of reporting such an event. Shame on us if this happens again to another family. Ron Nagel MD Lapeer Pediatrics Shame On You, Dr. Yael Respler! Letter to the editor by Shmuel Sackett I have lived in Israel since 1990 but I still visit NY, from time to time. One of my greatest treats when coming here is that I spend Shabbat with a dear friend – The Jewish Press. This past Shabbat – my first one in NY for close to a year – was no
exception, and I read your wonderful paper from cover to cover. I enjoyed every article, except for one which made me very angry. It was the “Dear Dr. Yael” column. A woman asked Dr. Yael a question. She and her husband had opened their home to someone from Israel who was collecting funds for a reliable organization. They gave him a nice room, delicious meals and free access to their kitchen and refrigerator. They were happy to do this chesed until tragedy struck. They found that this individual was molesting their children! The woman wrote that, as a result, their children are “in intensive therapy.” She then wrote that “we told him to go back to Israel and get psychological help and that if he ever stepped foot in America we would file a lawsuit against him.” The woman then stated that she wanted to file a lawsuit but her husband “felt sorry his wife and children.” She then concluded her letter that Dr. Respler should share this story with her readers to warn parents about child molesters. Dr. Yael’s answer to this unfortunate mother was that she felt sorry for “what happened to you and to your family.” She told the mother not to feel guilty since she had no idea this would happen. The rest of her article focused on important advice to parents about the horrific problem of child molestation; how to avoid it, how to talk to children about it and how to be aware of the dangers. Why am I so upset? Because Dr. Yael – and this unfortunate mother – missed the most important point of all. The first thing to do when you find someone has molested your child is call the police and press charges. It doesn’t matter if the molester is a rabbi with a long beard or the female principal of your daughter’s yeshiva. I don’t care if the molester is a respected member of the community or the maggid shiur in the morning Daf Yomi. The first thing to do – before
anything else – is to call the police and have this dangerous person thrown into jail immediately!! You don’t “send them back to Israel” or threaten them with “a lawsuit.” You don’t ask them to get “psychological help” or worry about “their wife and children” you worry about your children and other children who will be the creep’s next victim if he/she is not off the street and behind bars. This is what Dr. Yael should have answered before writing her suggestions. She ends her article that “we live in a world with many sick people” and that she is “sorry for all the trauma and pain” that the woman’s children endured but, Dr. Yael; if the only thing mothers are supposed to do are watch for warning signs and take their kids for professional help, then we are all in big trouble. I will repeat what I wrote above: The absolute first thing to do is to go to the police, and keep pressing hard until this dangerous person is sent to prison for harming an innocent child. After that, yes; get professional help, therapy and whatever else is needed to get the child back on his/her feet. I urge Dr Yael – and all therapists, educators and rabbonim – to convey this message to the public so that, just maybe, the sick individuals who traumatize our children, will realize that the frum community has stopped playing games and that these molesters will spend serious time in prison. Shmuel Sackett
Dear Readers, Thank you for your important responses. I agree with both your letters and should have included the importance of reporting molestation in my response. Unfortunately, the letter that I received was that they already sent the meshulach home and did not report him. While I focused on prevention and dealing with child molestation both of you are correct that this person should have been reported. I appreciate your letters and thoroughly agree with your assertions. I apologize for this serious oversight. May we know of no more tza’ar! Dr. Yael Respler is a psychotherapist who specializes in dating, marital therapy, issues between parents and children in-laws with special training in the marital intimate relationship. Dr. Respler is a trained hypnotherapist working with phobias, COVID-19 issues, OCD, and anxiety. To write a letter please email to SHAlOm TASk FOrCe deardryael@aol.com. To schedule an appointment please call 917751-4887. Dr. Orit Respler Herman co-authors the column and specializes in adult, adolescent, and child psychology as well as treating anxiety and other COVID-19 related issues. To schedConfidential 888.883.2323 ule an appointment with Call. Text. WhatsApp Hotline Dr. Herman please call Call our Confidential Hotline to discuss any issues about relationships or 917- 679-1612. You can domestic abuse. We provide a listening ear to all. Our referrals help our callers gain access to helpful resources, including legal assistance, counseling, and hear Dr. Respler on Kol safe shelters. For more information and to speak with a trained advocate, Haloshen by calling 718please visit www.shalomtaskforce.org. 906-6400 option 1 option No oNe Deserves To Be ABuseD 5 option 1.
You Are NoT ALoNe
www.Jresponder.com
Friday, December 4, 2020 • The Jewish Press • Page F3
FAMILY ISSUES Life Chronicles Page F2 • The Jewish Press • Friday, February 2, 2018
By Rachel Bluth
FAMILY ISSUES
Dear Mrs. Bluth, thoughts to deal with it. And so, I write to you I am a therapist who is slowly but surely finding with the hope that you can understand my preit harder and harder to maintain my own mental dicament and relate, in some small way to the sad and emotional stability in this ongoing Covid-19 state I find myself in. In all the forty years, I’ve world. I noticed, of late, that I cannot concentrate rarely taken a vacation or gone too far away from on my clients’ issues, find little interestBy in Rachel their my clients should they need me, I am now the one Bluth problems as my own seem to be far more distract- who needs help. ing and this is becoming evident. As I listen to When will this end? When will life go back to their complaints about masks and zoom learning, the way it was before? I read your column whenDear Mrs Bluth, of my third year, he told me that my parents asked being locked away at home and away from extend- ever I get the chance and feel safe in asking for I know you will find this a strange letter, maybe him to encourage me to return home and begin shided family and friends, their mental angst about your help. Please me as to whatIyou think even think it is one of those prank letters you get, but duchim. He felt Icounsel was ready. Although knew how their no Ilonger resonates any empathy should do before I slip and satisfying it becomesquality evidentof this isplight real and am terrifi ed. I have no one to confior de Imuch I would miss the up deeply in or share myme. fears with, andcare timeabout is running for that learning I had achieved in yeshiva, I took his words interest from I no longer whatout they the doctor has become the patient! me.feeling, All my friends are married, somefor with one or two to heart and came home to start the next chapter of are their fears and angst which they children already, and I am so traumatized that the Dear my life. My parents were overjoyed and supported need my help to overcome, because my own fears Friend, very thought of marriage is absolutely repugnant and my desire to sit and learn for another year or two and precarious state of mind seem so much more I thank you for your confidence and trust, and horrific for me. after marriage. I got in touch with my friends who important. I feel guilty about this so much so that I will my best assuage Let me explain. were do married andto spent someyour time fears. with them. I have I have notIcashed their checksI,oralong submitted theirof to Not to make light of your situation, When graduated yeshiva, with most honestly say that I was not prepared forbut the you sadmy class, went to learn in Eretz because Yisroel. IMy friends nessinand at who each feel of the reunions. claims to insurance companies feel like are thedesolation company Ioffound many just as you I were notthe rowdy boysand whonot got giving into trouble who do. My friend intimated thattoday, I shouldn’t rush aand thief taking money themoranyTheclosest vast majority of people to some spent lots of time in the principal’s office; we were into marriage. He at the age of twenty-three was althing that will help them overcome their angst. extent, feel what you are feeling. Fear, anxiety, kids who had fun together but in a good, healthy way. ready a father of one with another on the way. As we I am not new to my craft. I am a gentleman in a sense of loss insecurity, these That first year in yeshiva was a great learning expe- depression, talked, I barely recognized theand funny, happy-go-lucky my late sixties and have been in practice for over have become the ‘new normal,’ and the reason so rience for us in many ways. After the first months of boy I knew. In his place sat a brooding and sad man independence and touring, weimpressive got down torecord the seriwho was trapped in an unhappy Hewill said forty years, and have had an of many have gone into therapy andmarriage. many more ous business Baruch found follow. he envied freedom told me to hang on to it success with of mylearning. clients up untilHashem, several we months I’m my sure this isand of little or no consolation success. the end and of Shana Alef, sometofriends went longer I letyour myself get “trapped,” ago. I am At ashamed apprehensive say that I toa while you, so I willbefore address specific need as as I home for shidduch reasons, while I and two of my he put it. Taken aback, I asked him why he felt that am the one now who needs help but I am too emunderstand it. closest friends stayed on for another two years. way. Was it because he didn’t want to get married barrassed and afflicted with myme own depressive You practice dealing othWhen my Rosh Yeshiva called in after the end and washave forcedbeen into in it? He said that while with dating, ev-
Life Chronicles
RachelBluth Bluthisisaawriter writerand andlecturer lecturerwith withan anactive activepractice practicein inthe theFive FiveTowns, Towns,offering offeringadvice advicetotocouples, couples,young young Rachel adults and children. She can be reached at chronicles@jewishpress.com or c/o The Jewish Press, 4915 16 Avenue, adults and children. She can be reached at chronicles@jewishpress.com or c/o The Jewish Press, 4915 16 Avenue, BrooklynNY, NY,11204. 11204. Brooklyn
Mind Over Manners By Mrs. Rifka Schonfeld
A Survival Guide ForAt Life With Young Children Bad Math?
er peoples’ mental and emotional issues for over forty years with very little ‘off time’ for yourself in which to regroup and regain your own sense of self. You also seem not to have a ‘supervisor’ that is beneficial in helping you keep on track, another therapist you can speak to on a regular basis who can spot when you are emotionally fatigued or over-burdened and can direct you to step down eryone had told him whatenough a great to girl was until you’re rejuvenated behis in wife control and that if he didn’t decide quickly, someone of helping others once again. This is advisable else for would get her, so he agreed to marry her. He also every therapist and clinician in the mental health said that the excitement surrounding the engagefield we often don’t was realize the heavy mentbecause and impending marriage intoxicating and weight and burden of carrying the problems of he willingly went along with the decision. But the glamour wore off rather quickly. After the wedding, others and the toll it takes on oneself over time. instead feeling like an independent habayis, We mustofrely on the services of anotherbaal like-mindaway from the control of his parents and starting out ed person to keep an eye out for us. on his own, he found himself under the thumb of a There is no shame in that, in fact itin-laws is highly needy, dependent wife and manipulative and recommended, thatheweknew can it, bejust in top form to parents. Then, so before a short three months after the wedding, a baby was the way. assist and help those who look to us foronguidance Andaide. he was trapped in this marriage, chained to a and Please get yourself in touch with a trustwomen he hasand no real feelings for and he ed individual get yourself back in children top form. was not ready for. I walked away from my friend feelIing truly admire you for the devotion and care you as though I had just had lunch with a stranger. haveLest displayed over decades youthings saw did to you think thatthe wasfour an isolated case, the of others. Healmy yourself andclose get back in notneeds go much better with two other friends. Onefray, wasyou married for a needed year, the otherthese for two. It so the are much during uncerhappens that they lived in the same building and had tain times. stayed close. They both made it clear that once the I’m sorry I cannot be of help in answering your party was over and real life set in, I would find that question as to this it pandemic will of bejust over. I nothing was aswhen I expected to be. Instead havdo not know. If I did, then I would probably know ing to listen to your parents and adhere to their rules, youwinning now havenumbers to listen to new set ofbut parents the of athe lotto, in alland thea wife and her siblings boot. tickets WithoutIbeing years I have bought to lottery havespecifi neverc, they So cautioned wait as long I could before won. I placeme mytoenergies and as faith in believ“caving in.” ing that whatever is, is meant to be in spite of the These were my best friends and all of them fact thattoI have don’taged understand why.into Covid-19 seemed and morphed sad andwill unend when Hashem will end it and until such time, happy husbands who yearned for the freedom I still And,inMrs. Bluth, Isocial lookeddistancing, at them with fear. Ienjoyed. trust that a mask, hand washing and faith, and I will still be around when Continued on p.F4 it happens.
incorporate in are different ways. dolls life is tough math and you going to fightCount with people. and together. ornot halfgoing a rec-to Youcar. justAdd havethem to get used to Double it.” He is walk away feeling like dealt with those negaipe. Compare prices athe thehas supermarket. Incorpotive feelings. rating math into your home and your conversaIf your daughter colors theanxiety counter tionsQuestions. will immediately take some ofon the for the third time that week, you might impulsively out of to thesay, equation. want “Why did you did you color on the countChange yourI mindset. Dweck, er again? Didn’t tell you a Carol million times the thatauthe thor of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, crayons are for paper?!” She will not likely have a good answer to that question, whatever reason writes about how people with aand growth mindset or she did color on the counter will still remain. those who believe that their traits are not static Comparison. When things go wrong, especially and therefore they can learn and grow are much in public places like supermarkets, school lobbies, or more peerschildren with awho fixed shuls,successful we tend to than look attheir the other are mindset. words, weInhave toinstances, change the behaving In likeother perfect angels. those we wantwe to say, “Look at Shaindel. She’sYou quietly way think about math skills. canhelping learn her mother groceries into bag. How come math – you load don’ther need to have anthe innate talent in you can’t what at Shaindel is doing?” This comparorder to bedo“good” it. ison only emphasizes the negative feelings, rather Learn to say, than attempting to “I getdon’t to theirknow.” core. Some of the anxiety associated with math the youngfrom children, Lecture. Children, especiallycomes need perfect, to always get the right haveto a be limited amount of information that answer. they can take in atthat a time. when weand begin to lecLearning it isThat’s okay why not to know then to ture we lose them completely. They retreat into their ask questions in order to understand can change negative feelings and hear almost nothing that we the way we approach all learning – but especially have said. math. A that parent modeling this their child can Now we’ve gone over all for of the mistakes that be even more powerful. parents make when speaking to their children who
In 1980, Adele Faber Elaine kids can’t of behave feel right. “Don’t look at me. I’mand terrible atMazlish math.” wrote a the stress doingright well. when Whenthey theydon’t feel this stress,If seminal parenting book entitled How to Talk So Kids we don’t take care of their feelings first, we have a “Math? I love it.” their brain’s memory is decreased and they might Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk. In January little chance of engaging their cooperation. All we’ll an exam, in turn 2017, Adele Faber’s daughter Joanna teamed up with perform have leftbadly is ouron ability to usethis greater force.reinforces And since the twotoopinions people idea they brute are bad atfor math. And thesuch cycle herThose friendare Julie King write a new book generally for parent- the we’d likethat to reserve force emergencies as ing younger The 2017 book, How continues! yanking children out of traffic, we’ve got to face this have of theirchildren. math skills – they areentitled either terto Talk LittleThere Kids Will Listen: someone A SurvivalinGuide rible or So great. is rarely the feelings things head-on. So let’s dig in! to Life with Children Ages 2-7, utilizes many of the In other we have to math deal with these negmiddle. How canwords, we break the anxiety cyparenting techniques from the original, but modifies ative emotions before we can deal with the negative When youmodern mix this idea and withyounger the concept that cle? them for the parent children. behavior. Even with children as young as two-yearsmath is something that is considered incredibly Treat math reading. children arein The first section of Faber and King’s book deals old, we need to like address their When negative feelings important in school (anddeal for later life), end young, parents often read to rather them, than creating poswith helping children with in diffi cult you feelings, ways that are problem-solving, simply atsomething many parentsThis wantmeans to skipthat in order to get itive tempting to shut them In the book, Faber and up with math anxiety. children experiences with down. reading. Most of the time, to the moreboth concrete, what to do section: King describe common mistakes parents ages, make internalize the importance of math and also the same is notfive true of math. For different Most of the parents in my workshops have been when talking to young children about their feelings. pretty impatient with this first topic: helping children Denial of feelings. After you have made your deal with diffi cult feelings. They’d like to move right daughter’s grilled cheese community sandwich, she says An acclaimed educator and social skills specialist, Mrs. Rifka Schonfeldfavorite has served the Jewish for close on to the second session: how to get your kids to do to you, “I hate grilled cheese sandwiches.” You might to thirty years. She founded and directs the widely acclaimed educational program, SOS, servicing all grade levels are dealing with negative feelings, what are some of what youas tellwell them to do! Not that we don’t and carereading about specialist, want to say, “Yougiven don’tdynamic hate grilled cheeseand sandwichin secular as Hebrew studies. A kriah she has workshops has set goodstruggling ways that with you can help children deal with how our kids It’s just not generally first priority es! You love grilled cheese sandwiches.” But in and that theStill your own math anxiety? up reading labsfeel. in many schools. In addition, she offers evaluations G.E.D. preparation, social skills training negative feelings? for a frazzled parent. Let’s face it, if they did as they moment, she is not going to say, “Oh, right, thanks shidduch coaching, focusing on building self-esteem and self-awareness. She can be reached at 718-382-5437 or at Share it with your kids. That’s the way you will Faber and King’s main advice revolves around were told, things would go socan smoothly all for reminding me!” rifkaschonfeld@gmail.com. You view theand webwe’d at rifkaschonfeld.com. it together! problem-solving. You can reconnect with your child feel great. Philosophy. There are always lessons to be overcome
Page F4 • The Jewish Press • Friday, December 4, 2020
FAMILY ISSUES
Seeds of Growth By Shifra Weiss
Secondary infertility is a life of great challenges and great growth, and I want to share my process with you. Day 10 Day 1 Men’s infertility. Here I want to put a whole It's day one of themen cycle.suffer It's been a year I hear piece about how from IF. since We only visitedthe thisladies office.and Here,no there timebad for me about oneisfeels fortothe men. write. This is the office where you wait, it's I have to get my husband to share withthe me…. nature of the place. Kol nearim Walking home from shul Let me introduce myself. I am a mother to an eightComplementing nieces and nephews year-old son, born a few years after our marriage. Partaking in others simchas It's been a long journey and my journey continues. Feeling different and less than everyone around you Although nothing compared to the unimaginable Being guest at seudos secondary again and again. isThe struggle ofa primary infertility, infertility only couple with noiskids them Read busy and a great struggle that rarelykeeping acknowledged. sitting on their lap. any magazine article and you'll know that everyone rishona forever! is Shana overwhelmed from all their kids, getting them Every Yom Tov, Purim, Pesach,with etc… out in the morning, doing homework so many
kids, piles of laundry – everyone but me – it seems. Day 11 I feel different reading all the articles, feel If I’d be able to give up now, this very minute, inadequate, as if I'm not a real mother juggling the I’d do it. And to think I have another week. real struggles that everyone else has. At the beginning I felt positive toward my red dots, middle of they're the week I started feeling Wheninit'sthe vacation time, all kvetching about overwhelmed. I started taking a medication how hard it is to have the noise and tumult of, of that hurt more. They also upped theif dose which having no schedule. They talk as everyone is doesn’t match the exact I have, I have going through the shots same thing, andso laugh at theto inject the same medication twice. Meaning take three impossibility of it, how they’re waiting for Ieveryone shots a day, and each day I have to do it in a new to get back to school and finally have some quiet. place. Right now, I feel like the tomato pin cushI smile and join their include ion my mother usedconversation. to have. It’s They hurting more and me, because my son is home too. But they’d never more after each shot. I guess there’s a limit to how know pushpins that my early schedule remains the many themorning cushion can take. same, whether or not. And shot sometimes It hurts for it’s 1-2vacation hours after each and then I’m Not totally myself, but manageable. But it’s ok. the quiet that’s impossible. throughout the day I feel tender and if anything Secondary a life of that doctors, stress, touches meinfertility it reallymeans hurts. Add to the many tests, running around, and no one knows. It means times of trying to find veins for my blood tests. I feeling from all the medication, having a feel likeunwell one big black and blue mark. schedule that no one knows about, it means Of course, I shouldn’t be writing now,being one hour tired or hormonal often, no one can not imagine after my shot, when it and hurts, so I’m in a good why. but I want to write now, because I’m not mood, in a good mood, maybe writing will make me feel In this past year, Hashem has granted me the gift of better. I know I have a long, hard week ahead and getting to know a special woman who has not yet I’m not looking forward. been blessed with children and has been doing I started this serial with a goal of discovering treatments for over twenty years. She shared that the gift of the cycle, so now in my pain, I need to she feels that no cycle is for naught, she has figure out what my gifts are. received a gift from each cycle. No matter the The gifts I’ve found so far are: outcome, she has to grown fromfor themeaning experience. It pro1. The ability search in the gave me a reason to try. cess makes it so much more positive. Victor Frenkel would be proud. 2. I davened in shul today. I was very excited to have the opportunity to beg Him but there was
But this time, I am enlisting the support system of something that was as onI begin my mind. I the womenelse of Klal Yisrael an IVFLast cycle.time I diddecided IVF I to took the test to see if it was positive on write a diary to allow you to accompany a Friday. showedand that it was, but the notbenefit for sure. I me on myItjourney to allow myself was crying from joy. That Shabbos I went of writing to discover what I can gain from theto shul, I cried so much thanking Hashem for His chessed. process. I was so grateful! And then Sunday numbers dropped, The first timeonI did an IVFthe cycle was a year ago. It and it was wassoa overwhelmingly negative. I was devastated. had shown emotional that I Ineeded a soyear much love to To these embryos feltthe betrayed to recover. prepare myself.and I spent year bytrying theirtocoldness and carelessness to was just leave build up my physical system that medepleted and ignore love. from my years of synthetic hormones pushed This time I’m being less positive, hopeful, into my body and the accompanying stress that I determined that it needs happen. I’m more posiwent through. Each timeto there was a devastating tive the process and Inot the results. noabout I just pushed even more. needed to let go. I still davened a ton today. There were two I also did a lot of emotional spiritual healingfor the brisim in shul and at eachand bris I davened through numerous therapies and teachers, to teach baby I hope will come out of this process. I don’t myself to truly go, trust process,to and trust today. know why, but let it felt veryaJewish daven Hashem. feel like I have last manytime, moreand toolsmany to deal Yes, I was Idisappointed other with the incredible and I'm looking forward times before that, stress but here I am, again in pain, and Him for the same thing again. I to again puttingasking them into action. felt like it was a declaration of my loyalty, of my Yes, I know it might be forthe nothing, andthat I am He scared determination to follow journey leads of the negative results, but I don't have to live in me on. utter of devastation. I decided that I'm going 3. I fear have such a caring husband and such a through this process as an investigative reporter. wonderful son; I am so blessed! My Whatthat gift can I receive from this next 4. assignment: It’s incredible I don’t have work process? my pen/shovel let was the canceling week. TheI take hardest part lastand time excavation begin. appointments, stressing about work. I was really hoping that this time I would manage to take off Day 2 work forfirst theday week. I after am grateful worked It's the of sun a long andthat rainyitwinter; out. portent of a gift that will rise from the rain. Today is 5. first I amofblessed Hashem sent friend the my earlythat morning outings. Willme my ason who has been on this journey. She is such think something is amiss when my husband getsan incredible person, taking theeven mind boggling pain him ready? I'm sure he won't realize. I put out Hashem gave her to constantly grow. his clothes and was about to leave, when I saw him So now I finished five gifts I have rehiding under the table,my finishing off anthat oversized ceived on that this Ijourney. Do Ihim. feelHe's better? Definitely! lollypop had hid from just fine. I I still the pricks in my stomach, butthe I feel ok, wentfeel off even before brachos and a coffee, earlier I and leave,ready the quicker I get home. positive, to continue my journey. It's an interesting experience here. Maybe I shouldn’t be so upsetIt's at supposed my blacktoand be amarks. secret who's going for treatment. I hope blue Maybe they’re proof that I’m Ipassing know, but there's a part of me mydon't testmeet withanyone flying Icolors. that hopes I do meet someone I know, because Day then12I'll have someone to share my secret world It’s 7:00 a.m. There are eight ladies here, all with. bleary-eyed, all leading their secret lives. I wonder a ladykids in my that them I met here if There's they have atneighborhood home and told they’re last year. We didn't speak a world, but we both going walking, or arriving home before theysaw wake up. I wonder if they have no kids at home. There are all levels of religiosity, all ages, all types. I
each other and when we pass each other in the scan them seeshare if I can findmessage. a common denomstreet, ourtoeyes a secret inator. As a people-studier I usually can assume Rosh Hashanah I was sitting in the with Yossi, things about people (which is park probably wrong my eight-year-old, she cameof tonothing. the park with anyways) but here Iand can think No one herto son, whoother, I also discovered eight. Sheabout also has talks each besides toiscomplain the three-year-old son. We both turn knewitwhat long wait, or discuss whose is. we were We all look at each we other. heartWe I give davening for, although didn'tInsaymy a word. them a message of sympathy andgeography, love. We are ok, shared machzorim, played Jewish we’ll be ok. Yes, allthey're on a difficult discussed whichwe’re cheder learning journey, in – but asbut don’t wait thepact, journey is over, it’stopic heart if we haduntil a secret nothing of thethen biggest wrenching. Gain the scenery along we theboth way. in our tefillos wasfrom mentioned. In our hearts I won’t say enjoy because it’s so hard, but if you wished that we'd meet in the park next Rosh findHashanah meaning, you’ll at least feel the was journey is with a carriage, but notlike a word worthwhile, exchanged.even if the results are disappointing again. And again… and again…. That's think of today as It’s I sit 7:12 in thea.m. morning Therewho areI12 ladies here. clinic for the first time in this cycle. Will I meet I am reminded of a client I once had. A her single meet other women who I will know girlagain? who Will hadI gone through a traumatic, harrowpens experience. in their pocketbook for shots and not ingcarry medical In tears, she told me,toI’m write? arrive work Ilistening to all the this extrying to Who figure outatwhat can gain from perience have made worth womentocomplain aboutithow hardgoing it is tothrough. get all theSo that looking back Iand can say was them worththat it. her But, kids out to school feel likeittelling crying, shewas toldalso me. Nothing thedidn't world can morning hard, becauseinshe have all be worth going I did. the kids to through get out towhat school? I understood her. It’s not a trade off. I went But I didn't anyone I know. a silent through xyz, meet I gained ABC, so itWe're equals out. sisterhood in the waiting room, 7:00 am, sharing a We each need to go through XYZ because that’s secret andneeds a shared what ourstruggle neshama as afate. tikkun in this world. Not because we want to gain ABC, but because Later today, I'm going out to eat with my husband. if we accomplish what we’re meant to accomplish He's totally not the type. Actually, now that I think on the way, we’ll be accomplishing what we were about it, the last time we went out to eat was meant to accomplish when we were given XYZ. probably a year ago, when we were doing I know my XYZ. I know all of my XYZs. I wish treatment. We had been talking about going out to I could find my ABC. spend time together for weeks but didn't want to People want to know what their tikkun is, takethey’re off seder.supposed When his chavrusa canceled today, in what to be accomplishing he right away said we're going out to lunch. this world. I believe that you don’t need all sorts of ways to figure it out. Just look at HashOne of the hardest parts of treatment iswhat the strain emitput in your life. All the challenges He gave puts on a marriage. It needs to be actively youcounteracted are to leadbyyou to your tikkun. They’re like special time together. signs along the path, guiding you to your destination. We're sitting and eating together, relaxing and As I siteach here, I’m thinking how Imuch I enjoy enjoying other's company when get a phone writing this journal. It’s a great exercise for call from a number I don't recognize. Luckily, I picklife. Weup, allbecause have difficult experiences. When you can it's the clinic. They received my test record it as it’s life-changing. results andan I'moutsider, good to go. It’s 7:25. I’m waiting for my blood test and then I canThere begin taking days ofladies myTomorrow ultrasound. are atshots. leastFour twenty shots every evening and then back to tests. The here, three husbands and one peaceful dog. journey begins. The results? There are four follicles! It went up from two, to three, and now four. Baruch Hashem! Wonderful news.