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Night Lockdown Will Not Be Imposed On Chanukah After All
Friday, December 11, 2020 • 25 Kislev 5781
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Following “legal difficulties that have arisen” in approving a night lockdown – which was intended to prevent a general lockdown – alternatives are now being examined that will allow gatherings on Chanukah, the Prime Minister’s Office said. The legal difficulties arose after the Health Ministry refused a legal advisor’s request to issue a clear professional opinion supporting the imposition of a night lockdown for health reasons. Without such an opinion, the lockdown may not survive a legal challenge. The Health Ministry estimates that Israel will in any event be subject to tight restrictions within a week or two, including significant traffic restrictions. The announcement on Tuesday came after the Cabinet decided Monday night to institute a nighttime lockdown over Chanukah, which followed denials by officials that any lockdown Continued on p.2
!חנוכה שמח
Israeli donuts sold at the Roladin bakery ahead of the start of Chanukah outside the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem on Monday. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
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My Childhood Memories of Rav Hutner, zt”l – On His 40th Yahrzeit See Page 66
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Banner Over Busy Tehran Street Reads: ‘Thank You, Mossad’ By Neta Bar In what can only be considered as a remarkable sight, a banner thanking the Israeli spy agency Mossad – with an Israeli flag draped over it – was seen on a pedestrian bridge over a busy thoroughfare in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Monday. A photograph and video of the banner and flag were uploaded to social media. The sign was written in English and said, simply: “Thank you, Mossad.” The message was apparently in reference to the Nov. 27 assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in the city of Absard, east of Tehran. Iranian authorities have accused Israel of being behind Fakhrizadeh’s death. Senior officials in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have threatened military retaliation. Users online were quick to point out that the road over which the unusual sign was placed is named after former IRGC Quds Force Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a U.S. missile strike in Baghdad on Jan. 3. (Israel Hayom)
An Israeli flag draped over a sign in Tehran that reads: “Thank you, Mossad.” (Source: Twitter)
Netanyahu Calls For New Way Of Selecting Judges In Israel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Monday for reforming the way judges are selected with Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin of the Likud Party proposing a new way to do so. “It is necessary that most of the public understands that we need fundamental reforms of this system. It cannot continue [as is],” said Netanyahu at a Likud meeting.
“Today, we don’t have the necessary majority, but I think it will soon change,” he added. The Judicial Appointments Committee selected 61 new judges on Sunday, despite a boycott by three coalition Knesset members. Meanwhile, the Knesset speaker proposed changes to the way judges are chosen. Levin’s plan would have the cabinet select justices, instead of
Sotheby’s Slaps $258 Million Price Tag On Mansion By Hili Yacobi-Handelsman The Sotheby’s international realty website recently listed a property in Caesarea for the staggering price of $258 million. The “royal-style mansion” includes four bedrooms and five bathrooms and sits on a three-acre lot. It has 69,000 square feet of interiors, according to the auction house. The property is de-
Night
(Continued from Front Page)
would be imposed until after Chanukah. Speaking to Israel News Talk Radio’s Tamar Yonah show, Attorney Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Smith responded to the zig-zag government announcements by saying: “Let’s pay attention to the fact that it’s a textbook situation of a psychological manipulation… where a prison warden is trying to get greater and greater control on the prisoners and tightens down, then lessens up, tightens down, lessens up;
signed in the styles of Baroque and Rococo architecture and includes “a private spa, indoor pool and interior design featuring natural marble and onyx mosaics, 14-karat gold moldings, unique parquets, silk carpets and custom-made furnishings.” The identity of the seller was not noted by Sotheby’s, but Israel’s financial daily Globes had previously reported that the property was likely owned by RussianIsraeli billionaire Valery Kogan. (Israel Hayom)
and it makes everyone more and more subjugated, because what happens is: Every time they loosen up on something, you, by definition, accept whatever has become the normal until then. “So, for example, if they’ll loosen up on a particular decree about synagogues or about gathering in houses of worship, then you will suddenly feel such relief you’ll say, ‘It’s okay; I can handle the social distancing and the masks because at least I can now go to my synagogue or my house of worship’ or ‘I could send my kids to school, so if they have to be tested, at least it’s better than having the schools closed.’” (Arutz Sheva)
the current system of a panel that includes members of the government, Knesset, the court and the Israel Bar Association, reported The Times of Israel. The plan would most likely not pass in the current Knesset and appears to be a proposal made in order to gain votes in the next election. (JNS)
INDEX Aliyah Journal – Karoly…28 I Remember – Fine……….63 Anchor – Rahav-Meir……24 Im Yirtzeh – Cohen……….86 Book Shelf…………....….…20 In Memoriam.………….111 Challenge – Butman…….35
Chronicles – Bluth……….F1
Kids………………………….72
Kosher Delivered………..67
Classified………………..116 Lashon Kodesh – Klein…26 Collecting – Singer………60 Lessons in Emunah….….71
Community Currents..….78 Letters………………....7, 112
Covenant – Sacks.……….56 M.M. Weiss……..………..103 Daf…………………......……64 News Briefs…………..…..62
Dating Decoded.……....….86 Psyched – Schiffman…102 Dear Dr Yael – Respler….F2 Q&A – Y. Klass……………44 Editorials…………………7
Service Directory……….122
Fashion – Goldfein………50 S i n g l e s … … … … … … … . 8 6
Florida – Benveniste……..81 Soloveitchik – Ziegler……51 Goldwasser……………..44 Tech Talk – Halperin…….104
Grandma – Rosemond….70 Tele-Health……………….74 Halachic – Schachter…….24 Tweets…………………..110 Copyright, The Jewish Press Inc. (ISSN 0021-6674) Published weekly by The Jewish Press Inc. 4915 16th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11204-1115 Periodicals Postage paid at Brooklyn and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTERS: Send address changes to: THE JEWISH PRESS 4915 16th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11204-1115
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Friday, December 11, 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 Torah Versus The Left Question: What book is the opposite of the left? Answer: the Torah. The Torah is the foundation of the rest of the Bible and the rock on which both Judaism and Christianity stand. No Torah, no Judaism. No Torah, no Christianity. No Torah, no G-d, no divine creation, no Exodus, no Ten Commandments, no “love your neighbor as yourself,” no Judeo-Christian values, no Western civilization, and no America. As I am about to finish the third volume of my five-volume commentary on the Torah, I can say with some authority BY DENNIS PRAGER that the Torah is the antithesis of left-wing ideas and values. It ‘s not the antithesis of liberal ideas and values; it’s the antithesis of left-wing values and ideas. A serious and committed Jew or Christian can be a liberal or a conservative; he or she cannot be a leftist. Left-wing Jews and Christians use Judaism and Christianity as covers for their real values – left-wing values. Here are examples of basic laws and values in the Torah that are the opposite of what the left advocates: No. 1: “Do not show favoritism to a poor person in passing judgment” (Exodus 23:3). “Do not pervert justice. Do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly” (Leviticus 19:15). BYThe TOMleft WOODS advocates judging the poor differently. A poor man who commits almost any crime, including a violent crime, is not to be held to the same legal or moral standard as other people. As reported last week in the City Journal: “In October, the Seattle City Council floated
legislation to provide an exemption from prosecuThe distinction among human beings between tion for misdemeanor crimes for any citizen who male and female is built into creation. It is the only suffers from poverty, homelessness, addiction, or human distinction other than good and evil that mental illness. Under the proposed ordinance, matters. In the Torah, there is no built-in ethnic or courts would have to dismiss all so-called ‘crimes racial distinction among human beings; G-d couldn’t TOM ofBY poverty’ – which, according to the city’s former care less about race. But the male-female distinction BY TOM WOODS WOODS public-safety advisor, would cover more than 90 is a fundamental part of the divine order. percent of all misdemeanor cases citywide.” No. 4: Race means nothing. Since Karl Marx, the left has not divided the The creation of one human being, Adam, whose world between right race is unknown, made and wrong, as the Toit impossible to argue rah does, but between that race matters. This The left’s war on Judaism and rich and poor. is another major conChristianity is rooted in No. 2: “Honor your flict between the left father and mother” and the Torah, given its war against distinctions. (the fifth of the Ten how important race is Commandments – Exto the left. Adam, and odus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16). therefore every human being, is created in the imParental authority (as much as divine author- age of G-d – and, of course, G-d has no color. ity) is probably the greatest single obstacle to the No. 5: Distinctions. THE LIBERTARIAN left attaining control over a society. Therefore, the Distinctions lie at the very heart of creation. left, like all totalitarian movements and like all The left’s war on Judaism and Christianity is rootLINE cults, has always sought to undermine parental ed in its war against distinctions. BY TOM WOODS authority. Male-Female: The left seeks to blur the male-feThat is precisely what has been taking place male distinction – forcing people to lie about realin America over the past few generations. In ev- ity and say, “Men give birth” or having men wear ery case, the diminution of parents’ authority over women’s clothing, as Harry Styles just did on the their children is portrayed as reasonable and even cover of Vogue. morally necessary, but the end is clear: Allow leftMan-G-d: Karl Marx wrote, “Man is G-d.” The wing laws and institutions to direct your children. left has always sought to displace G-d with man. Your nine-year-old daughter says she is a boy? The desire to be a god – meaning the one who, Your nine-year-old son says he is a girl? Neither rather than G-d, determines good and evil – has you nor any therapist has a right to tell him or tempted human beings since Adam and Eve in the her otherwise. Your minor-age daughter says she Garden of Eden. is a boy and wants to start hormone therapy and Good-Evil: On the left, good and evil are subeven have her body altered? You’re in no position jective. In the Torah, they have an objective reto stop her. ality. Moreover, the left’s moral compass doesn’t Parents who allow their young children to take divide human beings and their actions between walks by themselves are increasingly reported to good and evil but between rich and poor, white child protective services. The authorities – not you, and nonwhite, strong and weak. the parents – will determine at what age your chilG-d-Nature: The opening verse of the Torah dren can take walks unaccompanied by an adult. ushered in one of the most radical ideas in history: Even school breakfasts undermine parents’ au- G-d created nature. G-d is not part of nature. On thority. One of the most fundamental things par- the left, however, nature is G-d. ents do for their children is feed them. But increasHuman-Animal: On the left, human beings are ingly, progressive cities provide not only lunch but just another animal. In the Torah, only man is also breakfast for your child. The message is clear: created in G-d’s image. We, not your parent(s), will take care of your needs. The left knows the Bible and the Judeo-ChrisNo. 3: “Male and female He created them” tian values that emanate from it are its enemy. (Genesis 5:2). The rest of us should, too.
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
Who’s The Virtuous One? Every day there are more charts that undermine the “we have to stay home and cancel everyTom 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.
thing” narrative, and I have a couple of those for you, but first I want to show you something else. Someone I follow on Twitter recently authored a Tweet thread that sums up the inhuman Covid response so beautifully that I had to share it with you: The East Coast is home to a little under 130,000,000 people. And 130 million is the number of people in the world that our global overreaction to COVID has pushed to the brink of starvation according to the World Health Organization. Do you support lockdowns? You may think you’re being virtuous, but you’re being selfish. Imagine driving from Portland, Maine thru Boston, NYC, Philly, DC, Atlanta, Miami. Now imagine everybody you saw on your trip starving. All 130 million of them. Those are faces of lockdowns. Add to that people right here at home so afraid
of COVID they stay home while having strokes and heart attacks. They stay home or are delayed from chemo and other life-maintaining treatments. Some sit alone in despair, drinking alcohol or abusing drugs. Some lash out at spouses and children who have no school or social life in which to find refuge or help – or detection. Kids growing up spending formative chunks of their lives learning that being close to another human is dangerous and the very breathe we exhale is poison. You don’t think that’s going to have longterm effects? Alzheimer’s patients confused, lost in their own fading world with no one working to keep them afloat – they drown in their isolation. Grandpar-
Continued on p.23
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us to back Bill Thompson in that contest. agement. December 11, 2020 The Jewish Press Page 7 We have long admired Mr. de Blasio for Friday, 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 nifi cance for her or anyone else in her family, nor We were astonished by an opinion piece in the some of the important, practical things he was sayThe Jewish Press urges the reelection of Charles she express resentment being exposed to New Yorkthe Times the other dayits authored Sarah did ing about city having to pay bills andby prudentJ. Hynes as Brooklyn district at attorney. Mr. Hynes lighting. She did notDA sayand shehas hadmore any Prager, headlined to Hanukkah” menorah ly prepare to face a“Saying loomingGoodbye scal crisis. is a 24-year veteran asalso Brooklyn such core issues as “I abortion, same-sex particular than earned beingwith returned to ofce. Over the problem the Chanukah narrative or andOn carrying thesocial sub heading, lit the menorah marriage “stop and frisk,” Mr. up de in Blasio’s posi- that yearsitsheteachings has transformed reputation of the ofsomehowthe failed her. Nonetheless as a child and but my kids are growing a different tionsof hardly differ from those of his Republican op- she ce still to where it to is explain now thewhy rst choice of many of wanted she wouldn’t expose type household.” ponent, Joe Lhota – as Mr. Lhota himself acknowlthe most talented young lawyers seeking work in We were rather expecting a signature Times her children to menorah lighting. edged in his campaign commercials. Of course, they law enforcement. He also built a staff of more than wrote that her family growing up acpre-Yom Tovdifferent hit job about a disillusioned who 500Prager are two very people with differingJew ideologilawyers, which rivals the size of many of the knowledged the holidays many religions in is a had fi nally had enough with Jewish saga and ritual. cal approaches. Yet the practical problems that come country’s largest law rms.ofOverseeing its work Unitarian Universalist meeting house: But such did not turn out to be the case. with running a city like New York do not allow for a mammoth responsibility and management expeWeiscelebrated Instead, we different were treated to a And strange many radically options. so, tobiographtake one rience crucial. every holiday secularly, like or Thanksgiving except ical a self described non-Jewish woman issuepiece as anbyexample, it seems inconceivable that a Halloween Most important, during his–period in Hanukkah. ofce he has Mayor de she Blasio would indifferent any increas- Each initiated alternative approaches crimethe prevention, of those eight nights we’dtorecite Hebrew who said grew up be with a whollytonon-religious es in crime, as some have claimed. such as rehabilitation programs without incarceraWe Jewish father who nevertheless wanted his children prayer about God while lighting the menorah. Joe Lhota has served well as MTA memorized tion, that have results in comtheachieved syllablesremarkable and repeated them, but to recite the blessings overthe thepublic Chanukah candles chairman and mother before that as Rudy Giuliani’s bating recidivism. had no meaning to us and my parents didn’t and a Catholic who observed Christmasbudand they get director and deputy mayor. But he never reHe has also attempted to work closely with onBrookp.81 what we were recitEaster in non-religious ways. She is now “married” expect, or want, us to believeContinued ally connected with the voters and made his case. lyn’s diverse groups, including the Orthodox, in a coto a woman and has two children. Mr. de Blasio, on the other hand, has connected – operative effort to bring down crime rates. This has Continued on p.112 said the menorah no special bigPrager time – as evidenced by the had lopsided polls insighis 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 Election Fraud Election specific allegations and young andthen his time will come. Fraud For now, (III) Mr. Hynes The Jewish Press (I) endorses Scott M. StringWith all due respect to letter My letter regarding the Trump We here.” deserves reelection both in terms of hakoras hatov er for comptroller. He is admirablyproof. suited forhave the neither writers Greenberger anddemeanor. One of David team’s to and undermine the Twersky for what he has done forattempt Brooklyn the Jewish ofce by Josh dint of experience and and for the experience accumulated the major responsibilities Freda Goldman, where of is the thecomptroller is the community, election results and generated both Elizabeth, NJ to the next four years as week’s Brookoverall management of the ve municipal-worker wisdom he will bring evidence of mass fraud? praise and criticism in last lyn’s chief prosecutor. union pension funds with combined assets of apTrump has lost repeatedly in Election Fraud (II) letter section. Praise is always proximately $141 billion. As Manhattan borough Trump’s days in welcome, but I will focus on the As President court. Georgia – with a Repubpresident Mr. Stringer has served as a trustee for Continued on p.67 lican governor and secretary of office wind down to a chaotic end, criticism: state – has done several recounts. so hopefully will letters to The Letter writer Myron Hecker Jewish Press claiming election wants to know how I am certain The results haven’t changed. In P ennsy lv ania , J ud g e fraud. that “the chance that massive To be considered for publication, letters must be typed. Letters chosen for publication may, at the editor’s discretion, The president has an interestStephanos Bibas, a Republican mistakes, orbefraud, took place shortened and/or edited for greater clarity. All letters must be signed – The Jewish Press does not publish anonymous appointee declared, “The cam- ing history of crying foul when is close to zero.” What, he asks, letters. Letters should be e-mailed to letters@jewishpress.com. Opinions expressed in the Letters section are those outcomes don’t suit him. paign’s claims have no merit.” about the reported illegalities of our readers and do not necessarily reflect the editorial positions of The Jewish Press.ReU.S. District Judge Matthew member his thrashing of Ted that may have been perpetrated hard-fought in the Brann, another Republican, said Cruz’s states such as Wisconsin, Whither Honesty More problematicvictory than the ap- in key While many Modern Orthodox Michigan, Pennsylvania, caucuses? He accused Cruz in response to the Trump cam- Iowa And Ethics? athy, of course, is the proliferation Jews used to characterize suchand befraud. how Georgia? paign’s effort to stop PennsylvaReader Avner Bloch (Letters, of election frum Jews whoAfter have all, no comhavior as a phenomenon found alContinued on p.81 The fact that in someone alleges heabout possibly lose?stealing, Sound most nia certifying its the election Oct. from 25) rightly condemns wide- could punction cheating, exclusively the haredi secspread apathy among Jews to familiar? lying, and what have you, usually election tor, suchfraud, a characterization no however, doesisnot results (with the aimfrum of the state the seemingly never-ending series in anGeneral illicit fashion longerittrue it ever was). took(if place. Given theThe viEvenmoney Attorney Bill mean ultimately declaring Trump the to make Letters our chosenbut for publication may, at the editor’s discretion, of scandals thatmight has engulfed to cover up the Barralso has refused to misdeeds support ral nature of our information age, winner): “One expect that be shortened and/or edited for greater clarity. All letters must be signed – The Continued Jewish Press community in recent years. of friends and neighbors. p.67 acquire when seeking such a startling claims of mass election fraud. fringe theories rapidly on does not publish anonymous letters – and e-mailed to letters@jewishpress.com. outcome, a plaintiff would come He has plainly said that inves- unwarranted traction. Spreading formidably armed with compel- tigations by the Departments of the election fraud canard thereling legal arguments and factual Justice and Homeland Security fore has been simple. That doesn’t proof of rampant corruption. That have yielded no evidence to stop change the fact, though, that it’s Joe Biden from taking office on a canard. clearly has not happened.” This past year, the Los AnAdditionally, Attorney Gen- January 20. Incredibly, Trump had the geles Dodgers won the World eral Bill Barr said, “U.S. attorneys and FBI agents have been chutzpah to try to bully Repub- Series, defeating the Tampa Bay working to follow up specific com- lican Georgia Governor Brian Rays in an exciting battle. If plaints and information they’ve Kemp and pressure state legisla- someone claimed the Rays were received, but to date, we have not tors to pick electors that will sup- cheated, that the umpires made seen fraud on a scale that could port him. And now, true to form, biased calls, that players purhave affected a different outcome he’s warning that the Georgia posely played poorly, we would runoff elections for Senate will dismiss the charge as nonsense, in the election.” In the words of Judge Bibas, be rigged (unless his side wins, regardless of how often the charge “Calling an election unfair does I guess). Continued on p.112 Charlotte Hart not make it so. Charges require
Editorials
The New York Times And Chanukah
Letters to the Editor
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Page 8
Op-Ed
The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
Preparing For A Life Of Happiness By Rabbi CHANANYA WEISSMAN His yeshiva ketanah was chosen in large part because it was a feeder school for a prestigious yeshiva gedolah. Much of her childhood revolved around being accepted into one of a handful of high schools upon which much of her future depended. She learned early on not to ask too many questions. He cultivated relationships with certain rebbeim who could be influential advocates for him in the coming years. He learned early on not to question them. She was advised that high school teachers were often called upon as shidduch references years later and to conduct herself at all times with that in mind. It wouldn’t take much to jeopardize her prospects. When he experimented with mildly rebellious behaviors, it was unclear if people in his life were more concerned about their reputations or his wellbeing. Her summers were devoted to volunteer work, mainly to keep up with the seminary rat race and build her eventual shidduch resume. They pulled whatever strings they could to get Rabbi Chananya Weissman is the founder of EndTheMadness and the author of seven books. Many of his writings are available at www.chananyaweissman. com. He is also the director of a documentary on the shidduch world, “Single Jewish Male.” He can be contacted at admin@endthemadness.org.
him into a prestigious yeshiva in Israel. Little else mattered so long as the name carried a cache that befitted the image he needed to cultivate. Applying for seminary was the most traumatic experience of her life to that point. She understood that her future basically hung in the balance. It was better to toil in frustration and boredom in a higher shiur than attend one more suitable for his learning level and personal needs. This was so obvious that the latter was never even contemplated, let alone discussed. Her classmates in seminary were her friends, but also her competition and the yardstick by which she measured herself. They subtly scrutinized each other’s diets, wardrobes, and popularity with the teachers, who would eventually be their shadchanim or shidduch references. The Torah was inspiring, but this was the real curriculum. He felt enormous pressure to distinguish himself as one of the top boys, to stand out while simultaneously appearing humble and unassuming. It was an obsession – it tormented him – but he knew it was only temporary, and it would be well worth it down the road. The pressure to strictly conform, yet simultaneously shine as a great girl, felt like it would literally drive her crazy. She reminded herself that a few months later she would enter shidduchim and reap the benefits. The expectations in kollel were greater and the
smaller size group meant there was more supervision and accountability. He reminded himself that he needed to keep it all together for just a bit longer, and he could marry a top girl from a prestigious family. Officially entering shidduchim was the most traumatic experience of her life to that point. They coached him on every detail of the date: all the little rituals, what to talk about, what definitely not to talk about, how to make a good impression, when to “spontaneously” give a dvar Torah to show off his learning, what to say at the end, and what definitely not to say at the end. She spent hours just getting ready for the date, like an actress preparing for a key shoot. They told her what questions to ask, what answers to give, how to show interest, how to hide her feelings, and so much more. One thing she must never show, she was told, is nervousness, which only made her more nervous. One of the avreichim who mentored boys in shidduchim advised him that he didn’t need to share certain aspects of himself until the third date, and others he should never bring up at all. The rebbetzin she turned to for guidance told her that whoever she married was her bashert and she shouldn’t worry about it. He was still very nervous. She was still very nervous. Before they left to meet each other, they received a final piece of advice: “Just be yourself.”
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Op-Ed
The Jewish Press
Page 9
Let’s Not Celebrate The Romance With Ra’am Just Yet By EYAL ZISSER In February 1989, something dramatic happened in the Arab street. In the municipal elections, the Communist party Maki (which eventually became Hadash) lost its leading status in several Arab cities and towns in Israel. Particularly stinging was the communists’ defeat in Umm el-Fahm, which fell to the Islamic Movement in Israel and its leader, Raed Salah, who was also elected mayor. Maki was led at the time by Meir Vilner, a signatory to Israel’s 1948 Declaration of Independence. But the party was perceived by the Israeli public, justifiably, as a champion of Arab national identity and even Palestinian identity among the country’s Arab citizens, and it comes as no surprise that its defeat engendered considerable satisfaction. Many saw it as a positive turning point in the state’s relationship with its Arab citizens. Only the interior minister at the time, Aryeh Deri – who incidentally holds the same portfolio today – warned we would eventually come to miss the communists. Indeed, Raed Salah eventually found himself in an Israeli prison and his movement, the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement, was outlawed. Salah and his cohort were responsible Eyal Zisser is a lecturer in the Middle East History Department at Tel Aviv University. This article first appeared in Israel Hayom.
for fanning the flames behind the Second Intifada, Ergo, it is prudent to approach any inkling of incessantly inciting against Israel and accusing it political Islam with suspicion and caution, even of harming holy Muslim sites in Jerusalem. if its path is initially benign. In the majority of In Judea and Samaria, and in the Gaza Strip as Arab countries, it should be noted, any form of Iswell, where Israel was contending with PLO terror- lam-based political organization is prohibited, and ism, Israel had hoped the rulers of these the Islamic Movement countries persecute would represent a such movements as In 1987, however, the Islamic positive change. Unthreats to their stalike the PLO, the Isbility. tiger changed its proverbial stripes, lamic Movement’s acContrary to the giving birth to Hamas, which tivists refrained from Northern Branch of clashing with Israel the Islamic Movelaunched a jihad against Israel. and focused instead ment in Israel, its on social and religious Southern Branch – activities. which is represented They channeled their energies towards fighting in the Knesset by the Mansour Abbas-led Ra’am their enemies at home and setting fire to movie Party – is moderate and eschews incitement to vitheaters accused of showing immodest films or de- olence. The party’s willingness to cooperate with stroying cafes for selling alcohol. In 1987, however, the government indicates a pragmatic approach the Islamic tiger changed its proverbial stripes, giv- that distinguishes it from the other parties coming birth to Hamas, which launched a jihad against prising the Joint Arab List faction, which conIsrael and carried out a string of suicide bombings. tinues to prioritize the Palestinian question over We can understand why Israel underestimated solving the problems facing Israel’s Arab citizens. the Islamic Movement in its early stages. IslamThe right has reveled in this new friendship ic movements everywhere work in two phases. In as it provides a type of bypass route to the Arab the first, they target hearts and minds through electorate, but it is elegantly ignoring, against evsermons while focusing on social action and wel- erything it has preached in the past, the ramificafare. Only then do they begin the second phase, tions of joining forces with an Islamic movement which includes violent holy war (jihad). presently displaying moderation.
Page 10
Op-Ed
The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
Why Did The Lubavitcher Rebbe Fight To The Supreme Court? By Rabbi YOSSY GOLDMAN
Light has always been used as a metaphor for revelation. The Jewish mystics refer to the highest expression of divinity as the “Infinite Light.” And, of course, when revelation strikes, we “see the light.” Plainly, I am thinking about Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. For generations, Chanukah was observed at home. But in our times public menorah lighting ceremonies are so widespread that they have become part of the Jewish landscape. It all started back on Chanukah 1974 when Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, a leading Chabad shliach, kindled a menorah outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia near the Liberty Bell. The following year, an old friend of mine, Rabbi Chaim Drizin, erected the first giant menorah in San Francisco. The world’s largest menorah was designed by the renowned artist Yaacov Agam in 1977 and is located, appropriately, in New York City on Fifth Avenue. In addition to menorah lightings outside the White House in Washington and at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, there are now lightings in the Kremlin in Moscow and at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, a former symbol of Nazi power! I personally was privileged to organize the first giant menorah lighting in Johannesburg, South Africa, at a popular mall way back in 1979 when Rabbi Yossy Goldman is the rav of the Sydenham Shul in Johannesburg and the president of the South African Rabbinical Association.
I was the director of a Chabad House here. It was such a novelty at the time that there were, literally, thousands of Jews at the nightly ceremonies. Today, which Jew in the world hasn’t seen these public menorahs, which have spurred countless Jews to light menorah themselves with their families? But it wasn’t always that simple. In fact, it took the United States Supreme Court itself to give the legal stamp of approval for the city of Pittsburgh to permit a giant menorah to stand outside its City Hall on July 3, 1989. And even afterwards, a series of court cases up until 2002 were necessary to put to bed the arguments of the ACLU, which contended that menoros on public property were a violation of the American Constitution. My question is this: The Lubavitcher Rebbe was famous for being a very positive person who generally avoided confrontation. If so, why would he instruct his chassidim to embark on a legal fight all the way up to the highest court in the land? I think it may be because the Rebbe was infatuated with light. He believed more than anyone in the power of light to stamp out darkness. Others concentrate their efforts on fighting darkness, while the Rebbe taught us to spread light. Can you imagine a Chabadnik throwing rocks at people driving on Shabbos as people so sadly do in Jerusalem? No! The Rebbe would have been horrified. We must teach, encourage, invite, share, and inspire – not threaten.
The Rebbe’s way was always to spread light. To share the beauty of our faith rather than the consequences of disregarding it. “A little light dispels a lot of darkness” became one of the most quoted lines, almost a mantra, in Lubavitch. But, in fact, the sentiment goes all the way back to the Talmud, which states that the menorah should ideally be kindled “at the outside doorway of one’s home.” If one cannot manage that, then on a windowsill where the menorah will be visible to the outside. The guiding principle is pirsumei nisa – to publicize the miracle of Chanukah as widely as possible. The purpose is not only to light up our own homes, but to illuminate the night, to remove the darkness from the streets. There is something audacious about taking the Chanukah lights into the streets, but the Rebbe believed in the power of light. He was single-minded about sharing and spreading the light of Torah and Judaism in every corner of the world. Do these public menorah lightings embarrass you? Do you wonder why we should flaunt our faith in public? If so, here is a quote from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory: “Non-Jews respect Jews who respect Judaism, and they are embarrassed by Jews who are embarrassed by Judaism.” Be proud of who you are, and others will be proud of you too. Why the Rebbe’s obsession with light? Perhaps to banish darkness once and for all and usher in a new dawn, a new light, the light of redemption.
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a special report from palestinian meDia Watch
Fatah Offi cial Accuses Israel Of Fatah Blames Israel Palestinian Kids AreFor Taught To Inventing Identify StealthMurder MannerOf OfTwo Injuring Palestinians Yesterday’s Israelis
As Refugees About To ‘Return’ To Israeli Cities By Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik By Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik By Nan Jacques Zilberdik and Itamar Marcus
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 soldier directly grabs old Palestinian Palestinian children terroristwho were born decades salem, 16 km southeast of Jaffa. er fields. two of his Israeli a civilian in this way, his body immediately receives murdered after Israel’s establishment in 1948, and decades “Abd Al-Rahman Baba 12-year-old child Addinginto the listinofthe Israeli inventions, a Fatah blue or red marks. They haveisaapolicy that they can coworkers a factory after the Oslo Accords peace agreement, are befrom Lod. He is living in the Al-Amari refugee official Industrial explained Zone. on official PA TV that Israel has injure in a certain way.... The cameras can’t reveal Barkan ing educated by the of PAinjuring to envision themselves temporarily, he is returning Lod. come up with a way Palestinians thatas is camp this policy that theybecause implement. I’ve seen theirtobodies A Fatah official, howevresidents of the cities “stolen by the Jews” and as Lod is inside him, and his yearning is there.” undetectable by any camera. Even though it is possi[injured] in this way blue and red marks by the er, effectively blamed Israel Abd Al-Rahman Baba: “The Jews stole our “refugees” temporarily living in the Palestinian ble for the eye to see “the blue and red marks” of the occupation forces, which the cameras are incapable for the murders. “Israel,” he from us, and I have been waiting 12 years territories. They are brought up to injuries, camera cannot record it. believe that in land of revealing.” wrote on the Fatah’s Facebook already, my father 40 years, and my grandfather the future they will “liberate Palestine” and live in page, “is incapable of prohas been waiting 70 years… The Jews took our a worldanyone with nothat Israel. tecting steals was made clearHeon a children’s program land by force and settled us in the [refugee] camps. the This Palestinian land.” a Refugee Camp” on official I hope to return to Lod, my city…” called “A Child also declared that and no Israeli Host: “Do you feel that tomorrow we will reTV.until Palestinian kids were taught, through the isPA safe the Palestinian people gain “its rights in its turn?” homeland.” Abd Al-Rahman Hamas, meanwhile, Baba: “Yes. I feel that called the murders “a herotomorrow I will return ic operation” and a “natural and liberate Palesresponse to the Israeli occutine… Every day, every pation’s crimes.” Islamic Jiminute, and every year had also justified the attack I imagine that I’m in as “natural,” and added that Lod… I imagine that I’m “the settlements are a legitiplaying with my friends, mate target for people of the my neighbors, in our resistance.” backyard. I imagine our The movement also called home, how it will be… I for more attacks, encouragPalestinians handing out candy to celebrate imagine the Lod Airport ing people to “carry out intithe murder of two Israelis. that the occupation [i.e., fada against the settlement Israel] Judaized and terror, until its removal and called ‘Ben Gurion’… the liberation of the West Bank from the settlements and the settlers.” Of course we will return In the Gaza Strip, people rejoiced over the murders and some gave out sweets words toofcelebrate. a 12-year-old boy, to see themselves as and live in those houses.”
The The Jewish Jewish Press Press
Page 11 Page 11
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Host: “This is the Palestinian child refugee... suffering victims of “the Jews” – not “the Israelis.” ***** However, the children were taught that this is a There is no replacement for the return. Nothing state of temporary suffering only, because their will make them forget the homeland from which “return” to “Palestine” – meaning all of Israel – is they were expelled.” (Official PA TV, “A Child assured. and a Refugee Camp,” Nov. 3) The 12-year-old boy was interviewed about his “yearning” for Lod – an Israeli city. He told the Palestinian Media Watch has exposed that the TV host that he dreams about the airport which was “Judaized and called Ben Gurion [Airport],” PA does everything it can to maintain the idenby what he calls “the occupation” – the Palestin- tity as refugees for Palestinians, particularly for ian term for the entire State of Israel. Finally, the children. The popular children’s host Walaa Al-Battat 12-year-old expressed his hope and confidence that “tomorrow” the Palestinians “will return and as policy teaches her young viewers that it is only a question of time before “we will return to our liberate Palestine”: Official PA TV children’s host Walaa land,” and that Israel will come to an end. Earlier Al-Battat: “Lod [i.e., an Israeli city] is one of Pal- this month, she told kids “Allah willing, one day estine’s ancient cities – 38 km northwest of Jeru- our entire land will return to us.”
PLO Official: Israel Is Trying To Flood The Palestinian Street With Drugs
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 Security Force Muhannad Abu Ali similarly blamed Israel for drug production and drug use among Palestinians. Last year, the Abbas-appointed dean of Islamic schools and PA TV host Imad Hamato explained on TV that among the “bad” things Israel has “given to the world” is “the use of drugs and pills,” and stated that Israel in cooperation with the CIA spreads Allen L.substances” Rothenberg,toEsq. “mood enhancers” and “hallucinatory Barbara Rothenberg, Esq. “destroy what remains of our children’s values.”
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Friday, December 11, 2020
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The Jewish Press
Friday, October 12, 2018
natories include Rabbi Eytan Feiner, rav of Congregation Kneseth Israel (The White Shul), Far Rockaway, pecial eport from alestinian eDia atch and Rabbi Michoel Elias of Congregation Kehilas Yisroel (Spring By Binyomin Feinberg Valley, NY). Special to The Jewish Press The psak declares that we are obligated As assisted suicide may come up in do whatever we can to stop such asa crucial New Jersey Senate Health sisted suicide legislation, including Committee vote as early as this coming Monday (possibly with almost no warning (as per New Jersey liberal protocol), it’s important for all Jewish New Jersey voters to tell their state senators that they will not vote for them in November if they support assisted suicide (in committee or otherwise) – no matter how much taxpayer dollars they try throwing at us. If you don’t know who your state legislators are, you can still contact them via 1-800- 792-8630, LegInfo@ NJLeg.org, or www.NJLeg.state.nj.us as long as you know what town you live in. Sometimes the vote of a single legislator can decide the fate of controversial legislation. Senator Robert Singer, who rep- Senator Robert Singer, who represents Lakewood, has a particu- resents Lakewood, has a particular lar responsibility to kill this bill in responsibility to kill assisted suicide Committee considering the values of legislation. his constituency. What’s at stake is nothing less than a matter of life and voting against those who advocate it. It states: death. “[W]hen voting for any public offiIn mid-April, The Jewish Press published a psak concerning assisted cial, this issue must be considered as suicide, which has now been signed by top priority, certainly overriding fiover 50 rabbanim from a broad range of communities. The most recent sigContinued on p.24
Dispatch from the culture War front
New York Covid-19 Deaths Seem Time Running Out To Defeat as rTo Health p m Guidelines W Unrelated To Mass Adherence Assisted Suicide Legislation By Jewish Press Staff An analysis conducted by The Jewish Press of publicly-available data has found no obvious correlation between the Covid-19 death rate and mass adherence to Covid-19 rules and recommendations in New York City. For the last few months, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and countless others have berated Orthodox Jews for not adhering to Covid-19 regulations. To ignore Covid-19 rules is to put other people’s lives at risk, they have warned repeatedly. Nonetheless, the vast majority of frum Jews living in areas like Boro Park and Williamsburg do not follow many Covid-19 regulations and recommendations. What has been the outcome? The Jewish Press last week dug into the data, which is accessible on the website of the New York City Department of Health. Based on the pronouncements of public officials, The Jewish Press assumed the number of deaths would be greater in heavily frum (and especially chassidic) areas of the city in comparison to other areas where people strictly adhere to Covid-19 regulations. The data, however, tell a different story. Take Crown Heights and Washington Heights, for example. In Crown Heights, hardly anyone wears a mask. In Washington Heights, almost everyone wears a mask. Yet, in one of Washington Heights’s two zip codes (10040), the number of Covid-19 deaths per 100,000 is greater (289) than the number of Covid-19 deaths per 100,000 in the 11213 zip code of Crown Heights (234). Meanwhile, in heavily chassidic Williamsburg – in zip codes 11205, 11206, and 11211 – the number of Covid-19 deaths per 100,000 is even lower: 110, 186, and 142, respectively. Williamsburg actually seems to have the lowest death rate of any frum neighborhood. The area with the highest Covid-19 death rate in the city (714 – or five times higher than the rate in Williamsburg) is East New York (zip code 11239), where few Jews live. A comparison between Boro Park and Flatbush is illustrative as well. In Boro Park, compliance with Covid-19 guidelines is relatively low. In Flatbush, it’s relatively high. But the number of Covid-19 deaths per 100,000 is actually lower in Boro Park than in Flatbush. In the Boro Park zip codes of 11204 and 11219, the numbers are 188 and 219, respectively. In the Flatbush zip codes of 11230, 11210, and 11234, the numbers are is 289, 254, and 199, respectively. Below is more data on the number of deaths per 100,000 in areas of the city with a significant frum population along with other areas not known to contain many frum Jews. All figures reflect the Covid-19 death rate since the beginning of the pandemic (Note: The names assigned to the zip codes were taken from the city. Colloquially, they may be called different names. For non-Jewish neighborhoods, The Jewish Press tried to select a representative sample.) Manhattan 10002 – Chinatown/Lower East Side: 215 10007 – TriBeCa: 57 10012 – Greenwich Village/Soho: 39 10024 – Upper West Side (UWS): 128 10025 – Manhattan Valley/Morningside Heights/UWS: 195 10028 – Upper East Side/Yorkville: 73 10033 – Washington Heights (North and South): 208 10040 – Washington Heights (North): 289 10044 – Roosevelt Island: 308 Bronx 10458 – Belmont/Fordham University/Kingsbridge: 158
A map showing the Covid-19 death rate per 100,000 in various zip codes of New York City. This map appears on Gothamist.com (reprinted here with permission) based on data provided by New York City. A nearly identical map appears on the official government website of New York City. The worst areas appear in dark pink and purple. The best areas appear in light yellow.
10469 – Allerton/Baychester/Pelham Gardens/Williamsbridge: 510 10471 – Fieldston/North Riverdale/Riverdale: 419 Brooklyn 11204 – Bensohurst/Mapleton: 188 11205 – Bedford-Stuyvesant (West)/Clinton Hill/Fort Greene: 110 11206 – Williamsburg (South): 186 11210 – Flatlands/Midwood: 254 11211 – East Williamsburg/Williamsburg (North and South): 142 11212 – Ocean Hill-Brownsville: 318 11213 – Crown Heights (East): 234 11219 – Boro Park: 219 11225 – Crown Heights (West)/Prospect Lefferts Gardens: 252 11230 – Midwood: 289 11234 – Bergen Beach/Flatlands/Marine Park, Mill Basin: 199 11235 – Brighton Beach/Manhattan Beach/Sheepshead Bay: 382 11236 – Canarsie: 309 11239 – East New York: 714 Queens 11354 – Flushing/Murray Hill: 569 11367 – Kew Gardens Hills/Pomonok: 165 11372 – Jackson Heights: 432
11375 – Forest Hills: 261 11415 – Kew Gardens: 318 11426 – Bellerose: 174 11432 – Hillcrest/Jamaica Estates/Jamaica Hills: 385 11691 – Edgemere/Far Rockaway: 568 Staten Island 10304 – New Dorp/Todt Hill: 449 10310 – Port Richmond/Randall Manor/West Brighton: 162 10314 – Bloomfield/Freshkills Park: 224
Asked why Gov. Cuomo has publicly targeted Orthodox Jews in light of this data, Jack Sterne, a spokesperson for the Cuomo administration, responded, “The science is clear: commonsense actions like wearing masks, avoiding gatherings, washing your hands, and limiting indoor activities can reduce the spread of Covid, and anyone who says otherwise is either uninformed or lying.” He added, “Everyone needs to remember that we aren’t fighting Covid just to prevent deaths. Even those with mild cases can face serious longterm health impacts – and these public health guidelines are designed to keep the entire state healthy. The goal now is preventing our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed so those who do become seriously ill can receive the care they need.”
Friday, December 11, 2020
The Jewish Press
A Tzaddik decrees
Maran Sar HaTorah Rabbeinu Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, Shlit"a in a moving letter and a rare and powerful brachah written in his own handwriting
on behalf of those who contribute to Kupat Ha'ir's Chanukah fundraising appeal:
בס"ד
כי נ"ר מצוה ותורה או"ר כל התורמים כמנין נ"ר למגבית יזכו לתורה,חנוכה שע"י קופת העיר ילדים צדיקים ויראי שמים- אור ובנים תלמידי חכמים All those who contribute the numerical equivalent of the word ner – $250.00 – to the Chanukah fundraiser will merit Torah Ohr - children who are tzaddikim and yere'ei Shamayim, and sons who are talmidei chachamim
TORY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS Maran Sar HaTorah Harav Chaim Kanievsky Shlit"a Personally designating
שמן זית ממרן רשכבה"ג - לתורמים שי מיוחד "קודש "שמן משחת שליט"א in honor of Chanukah -as a special token of appreciation to those who donate the requested sum to the Chanukah campaign
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קו העפת יר
Page 13
AARON KLEIN The The Jewish Jewish Press Press
Page 14 22
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 sure hecon willrming be welcomed in the Judaism-hating sources MJN’s involvement at Benghazi. Meretz partyawith open… armbands. Recently, new UN Security Council resolution • Besides playing major role in leading the added MJN to its list of asanctioned al Qaeda groups. Unlike the State description, country towards newDepartment elections, Benny Gantz the has UN resolution details MJN’s alleged involvement stayed pretty quiet, which I guess means that he’s in the attack on the U.S. special mission and nearalready “actively” campaigning. Joe Biden must by CIAlearned annex. his bombastic campaigning skills have A UN narrative summary of the sanctions resfrom Gantz. olution reads: “Muhammad Jamal set up train• Moshe Yaalon said that he will be arunning ing camp in Libya where Libyan and foreign viowith another former chief of staff, Gadi Eisenkot. lent extremists were trained. Some of the attackEisenkot this. That’s pretty on awkward. ers of the denies U.S. Mission in Benghazi 11 Septem• There are reports that efforts are being ber 2012 have been identied as associates of made Muto avoid elections by switching up the coalition hammad Jamal, and some of the Benghazi attackmembers. Everyone involved pretty ers reportedly trained potentially at MJN camps in Libya.” much denies these reports. Therefore, they are Earlier this month, this reporter quoted indefinitely taking place. formed Middle Eastern security ofcials saying it say it’s unlikely the switch-up to occur, wasI’dmilitants from the for Muslim Brotherhood who sprang terrorist leader Muhammad Jamal but Prime Minister Netanyahu has been clearfrom that prison in 2011. he would prefer elections to be put off a bit, so… The Muslim Brotherhood connection may serve as further evidence an Egyptian role in the BengCoronaof(Covid) in Israel haziThe attack. trend continues this week with an increase in the number of Israelis infected with the novel Turkey and Qatar Moving Away coronavirus. Just a few weeks ago, the virus was From Friendly Relations With U.S. generally to the ArabNow community. Soallies much It’s not limited only Saudi Arabia. major U.S. for the whole “Apartheid” thing over here – now Turkey and Qatar are discussing developing closit’s everywhere again. er relations with Russia at the expense of Amerigovernment decided to implement a night ca, The according to informed Middle Eastern securicurfew for Chanukah to try to stifle the spread. ty ofcials. However, it has subsequently this In a shocking development,backtracked the securityonof idea further for a plethora of reasons – including the sefact cials said Qatar and Turkey are leading cret to study the possibility of renewing relathattalks it might be illegal and unenforceable. tions with Syria and Iran in response to President Millions of doses of vaccines against the virus Obama dialogue with to Tehran its numade byopening Pfizer are scheduled arriveover in Israel on clear program. Thursday. They are being delivered by DHL. You Qatar andthought Turkey,that along Saudi Arabia, would have forwith something this imwere deeply involved in supporting the insurgenportant they’d go with UPS for delivery. At least cy targeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s it’s not the US Postal Service. Could end up in regime. Those countries are said to be some of the Iran, and not evenofonIran’s purpose. biggest opponents alleged nuclear-weap-
Friday, 11, 2020 sets but Friday, December August 30, 2020
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 arThis two weekcells it seems Israelof will be commemoratrested consisting Fatah militants in ing celebrating the Greek invention theChanukah by West Bank who admitted upon interrogation to ofbeing democracy in its independent state! Unrecruited bymodern Hizbullah to carry out attacks against Israel, really the security ofcials said. less something weird happens, elections are The ofcials said the cells were being directed by coming! Qais Obeid, an Israeli Arab and a grandson of former Knesset member Diyab Elections in Obeid. Israel Obeid defected to Possibly Lebanon and became a senior ofcer of Hizbullah. as early as this week, a new date will The of cials further said Hizbullah the soon be selected for Knesset elections –directed the fourth cells to carry out attacks in the name of the Al Aqsa such elections in two years! They are likely to take Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah. placeThe in attacks March, were between and Pesach. also Purim to be carried out in Bethe cause of the desire not to have to count votes on name of the Abu Musa Brigade, a small group based Pesach, election officials say “the earlier, the betin Syria allied with Fatah. The ofcials said the Abu ter.” Musa Brigade is not known to have any serious exAt this point, it Bank. seems the jack is out of the istence in the West box Earlier and newthis elections a done deal. Folks are month,are this column rst reportalready starting to maneuver. Here’s what’s haped that the Iranian-backed Hizbullah is nancing cells ofsothe Al Aqsa Martys Brigades, the military pened far: wing of PA Fatah or• GidonPresident Saar, Mahmoud long-time Abbas’s and perennial ganization. prominent member of the Likud Party, has anThe securityhe’s ofcials, meanwhile, there is nounced that bolting from thesaid party and information that Hizbullah- nanced militants were starting a new party called “New Hope.” Despite behind a spate of killings recent(although weeks. Spethat being a stupid namehere for in a party a cically, the ofcials said the jihadists were begreat name for a Star Wars movie), it appears adhind the murder earlier this month of Israeli reditional current Ofer, Knesset of Likudtowill be servist Seraiah whomembers was bludgeoned death joining Saar as well. at his home in Brosh Habika, in the northern JorThe reason Saar gave for making this dramatdan Valley. ic move his media inability to get along with Prime Thereiswere reports here Israel’s Shin Bet Minister Although placing very crimhigh Security Netanyahu. Service was investigating a possible on themotive Likudincandidate list in previous elections, inal that attack. SaarThe wassecurity not appointed be athere minister in the curofcialstosaid is information the Hizbullah-backed cellsisalso carried the there deadrent government, which a bit nuts,out since ly shooting monthofof ministers Gal GabrielinKobi, was are a crazylast number the who current killed by a Palestinian sniper in the city of Hebron. government. Kobi had been on reserve during thewas Jewish Clearly Prime Ministerduty Netanyahu out holiday of Sukkot. for revenge since Saar previously challenged him the ofcials said there is information (not Finally, very seriously) for the head of Likud. It’s hard that Hizbullah- nanced militants carried out a for me to see who would vote for this party, espedrive-by shooting on Road 446 in the West Bank cially considering theanridiculous name (is Barack last week targeting Israeli car. No one was inObama on the candidate list?). jured in that attack. • Yair Lapid, head of the Yesh Atid party, has said Was that The only Muhammad he can practically Jamalchallenge NetworkNetanyahu for the leadership of the country. This role Involved In The Benghazi Attack? was Is previously by Benny Gantz of the Blue the State played Department hiding the involvement and White partyMuslim who then joined with Netanyahu of an Egyptian Brotherhood-linked terrorgroup the Benghazi attack? toistform theincurrent coalition government. A new United ties in perpetrators That must haveNations been areport real kick the pants the attack thehe’s Muhammad Jamal Network, toofLapid. This to time being more assertive. It’s or MJN. cute – he has no realistic chance – but it’s cute nonetheless. is Jerusalem bureau chief andSince senior he •Aaron YairKlein Golan is moving to Meretz. reporter for WorldNetDaily.com. He is also host previously compared Israel to Nazi Germany, I’m
The Last 7 Days in Israel
of an investigative radio program on New York’s 770-WABC Radio, the largest talk radio station in the U.S., every Sunday between 7-9 p.m. His website is KleinOnline.com.
ons aspirations. Iran’s Revenge According to the security ofcials, Turkey, Qatar realare response so far towith the recent asandIran’s Saudionly Arabia disappointed Obama’s sassination of the head of its nuclear program is to outreach to Iran and what they view as a U.S. failannounce that the current leader of Iran will soon ure to act militarily in Syria. be joining him.America As the country song goes,credibili“When it “They view has losing major ty,” said one ofcial. rains, it pours.” Love that song. The foreign ministers of Qatar and Turkey, the ofcials say, have quietly discussing a change Inbeen Other News… in attitude toward Syria and Iran along withmember closer Extreme leftist Israeli Supreme Court strategic relations with Russia that could include Menny Mazuz announced he’s retiring, so I got my weapons and oil deals. Chanukah present early this year! Happy ChanuLast week, the Daily Mail reported Saudi Arakah! bia’s intelligence chief, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, said his country will make a “major shift” away from its relationship with the U.S. in protest of Obama’s dialogue with Iran and inaction in Syria.
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The Jewish Press
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
A SpeciAl RepoRt fRom AcRoSS the pond JewiSh newS fRom down UndeR
Family Apologizes For Anti-Semitism Of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Author
Dispatch from the culture War front The family of the late British best-selling chil a special dren’s writer Roald Dahl – author of such report from palestinian meDia Watchworks as James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – have apologized for their relative’s anti-Semitism. In 1983 Dahl said: “There is a trait in the Jewish character that does provoke animosity…even a stinker like Hitler didn’t just pick on them for no reason.” In 1990 he admitted he was anti-Israeli and had even become anti-Semitic to a degree. He also said, “There aren’t any non-Jewish publishers anywhere, they control the media – jolly clever thing to do. That’s why the president of the United States has to sell all this stuff to Israel … ” The Dahl family “deeply apologized for the lasting and understandable hurt caused by” some of his remarks. They said, “Those prejudiced remarks are incomprehensible to us and stand in marked contrast to the man we knew and the values at the heart of Roald Dahl’s stories.” School Asks Students to Stay Home After Attending Simchas A charedi school in London is asking pupils who have attended a simcha to stay at home for a
By Doreen Wachmann Jewish Press UK Correspondent week afterwards. Rabbi Yehuda Feldman of Torah Vodaas told parents that the school enacted the policy because “[r]ecently there has been a number of people in the community contracting the virus through attending chasunos and simchas.” Local doctors have advised that pupils should only return to school after a negative Covid test. Meanwhile, another London school, Hasmonean Multi-Academy, is investigating a teacher reported to have attended an “illegal” shul during lockdown. Two London hospital consultants, who are currently saying Kaddish, have warned frum Jews not to attend illegal minyanim that do not adhere to Covid regulations. Dr. Michael Markliewicz and Dr. Anthony Gubay said, “By keeping minyanim going you are increasing the risk of spreading the virus.” London Council Receives Award For Keeping Infections In Check London’s Hackney Council has won a Public Services Communications gold award for keeping the level of Covid infections down in Stamford Hill during the yamim noraim. Working with Stamford Hill Jewish organizations Bikur Cholim, Interlink, Shomrim, and Hatzolah, the council said, “Whilst the infection rates
in Stamford Hill have remained higher than the rest of Hackney throughout, we have not seen the devastation experienced in Israel and New York. We did not see the spike in infections following the High Holy Days that we had feared… “In charedi communities in Brooklyn and Israel, they have seen anti-regulation protests and regular community communications urging people not to follow Covid restrictions. This has not been replicated in Stamford Hill.” Early in the pandemic, Stamford Hill infection rates soared disproportionately in relation to the rest of the UK. Meanwhile, a Jewish wedding in Stamford Hill last month was fined £10,000 for having more than 100 guests. Hackney Council cabinet member for health Chris Kennedy and Detective Superintendent Mike Hamer said, “A number of weddings and other celebratory events that have recently taken place…are specifically prohibited under the Covid-19 regulations.” They described these events as posing a “huge transmission risk.” Shomrim president Rabbi Herschel Gluck told The Jewish Press that the “vast majority of the community are very compliant” and praised Hackney Council for being “very helpful, understanding and engaged.”
New Pamphlet Helps Girls Who Choose Sherut Le’umi Over IDF Enlistment
By Jewish Press Staff
Chotam – a religious Zionist or- persuade them to enlist.” ganization whose mission is “reinReligious women in Israel genstilling Judaism and its values into erally opt for National Service – or the fabric of Israeli society” – has Sherut Le’umi – instead of enrolling just published a pamin the IDF and are supphlet in English to help posed to automatically girls gain religious exreceive permission to do emptions from serving so. According to Chotam, in the IDF in favor of though, the IDF someSherut Le’umi. times pressures, even The pamphlet opens tricks, young women into with these words: enlisting after calling “In recent years, them in for questioning. many young women During this quesdeclare that they are tioning, Chotam warns religiously observant girls, “[you may be to receive an exemption asked] intimate quesfrom military service tions about modesty in and are consequently Cover of Chotam’s new dress, if you have a boysummoned for an inter- pamphlet. friend, if you are shomer view at the recruitment negiya, and more. At office. Unfortunately, this interview this point they might even show you is a cheap propaganda tool meant to embarrassing pictures of yourself or undermine your belief in your path of family members to contradict you and to cause you – who decided to and your declaration in general.” volunteer in National Service – to act Chotam urges all girls called in against your free will and enlist in for questioning about their request the IDF instead. for a religious exemption to contact “Many young women report that the organization beforehand to know they underwent an intrusive and their rights and how best to prepare. aggressive interrogation, including Chotam is led by a number of rabquestions on personal matters, an bis, including Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, in-depth examination on Jewish con- Rabbi Yehoshua Shapira, and Rabbi cepts and laws, and even attempts to Elyakim Levanon.
“No Orthodox rabbis have officiated at same-sex weddings, have ordained women, or have ‘revisited’ whether the Torah was given by G-d to Moses.” Thus reads a sentence in a letter signed by close to 250 rabbis whose text was sent to The Jewish Press by the Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV). Over the last few weeks, CJV has been privately soliciting signatures for the letter, which it authored, and is now going public with it. The letter comes in the wake of a Jewish Telegraphic Agency article in late October on rabbis officiating at same-gender marriages who were ordained at Orthodox institutions. “For several centuries, the term ‘Orthodox Judaism’ has been synonymous with Torah observance – commitment to following the 613 Commandments and Rabbinic enactments as described in our classical sources. We, the undersigned Orthodox, observant rabbis, deplore efforts to confuse the Jewish and greater public regarding the beliefs and practices that may rightly be described as Orthodox,” the letter begins. It continues, “Neither media outlets nor the public should be duped by messaging designed to
250 Rabbis Decry Misuse Of The Word ‘Orthodox’ mislead. No Orthodox rabbis have officiated at same-sex weddings…. No Orthodox rabbi ever shall, and any reports to the contrary serve no purpose other than to misrepresent authentic Torah Judaism.” It argues, “Whether or not an individual attended an Orthodox rabbinic seminary, one who spurns what the Torah requires is not an Orthodox rabbi condoning departure from Torah, but is, at most, someone who forsook Orthodoxy despite rabbinic training.” Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer, chairman of the CJV’s Rabbinic Circle, told The Jewish Press that in addition to performing same-gender marriages, in “the past several years, other clergy members who self-identify as Orthodox have said and done numerous highly unOrthodox things in the name of Orthodoxy, confusing those who do not know better.” He said the letter was written because it “was time to set the record straight” publicly. The letter’s signatories include Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, Rabbi Baruch Efrati, Rabbi Michel Twerski, Rabbi Mordechai Becher, Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Rabbi Ephraim Blumenkrantz, Rabbi Dov Brisman, and Rabbi Yaniv Meirov.
Friday, December 11, 2020
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
Title: The Kosher Butcher: A Lincoln/ Lachler Mystery Publisher: Laurel Publishing Author: Melvyn Westreich Reviewed by Ziona Greenwald Call it the baal teshuva romance/detective genre: Fans of Faye Kellerman’s best-selling Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus mysteries will find many familiar motifs in Melvyn Westreich’s second novel, The Kosher Butcher. Newly religious private eye Sy (Simon) Lincoln, now also known as Shimon, is engaged to frum superwoman Dafna Lachler. Among her many talents, Dahlia can hack into just about any computer network and write brilliant programs that can sift through reams of data to find the digital equivalent of a
needle in a haystack – all this using a passel of repurposed PlayStations. Dafna is a widowed mother of two pre-teen girls who met and fell in love with Shimon in Westreich’s first novel, Murder In the Kollel, which I haven’t read but am curious to get a hold of now that I’ve gotten to know this likeable, crime-solving twosome. Sy became a private investigator after stepping back from a long career as a detective in the Detroit P.D., but the novel picks up at the end of a two-year career hiatus he spent learning Torah and becoming a full-fledged baal teshuva in a fictional Southfield, Michigan yeshiva under the tutelage of the wise Rabbi Kalmonowitz. The good rabbi’s insights continuously guide Sy and Dafna on their quest to solve the case of missing
community stalwart Rabbi Slater, which quickly turns into a murder – actually, serial murder – investigation. The duo assist, and sometimes clash with, local, state, and federal law enforcement as their daring, not always by-the-book methods unearth clues the cops have overlooked. Meanwhile, wedding plans are in full swing, steered by Dafna’s concerned mother Shaindel and Sy’s loyal (and devoutly Christian) administrative assistant Mary Lou, whose wacky style lends comic relief to the proceedings. That Rabbi Slater’s life has been taken is clear to the reader, if not the lead characters, from the very beginning. Westreich’s decision to include a rather gory prologue made me worry that the book would be a stomach-turning bloodbath. (The cover, featuring a meat cleaver shadowing a pool of blood, could also put off some readers.) The author’s bio – he is a highly accomplished physician who specialized in plastic surgery – sheds some light on his fascination with the human anatomy and its potential desecration. In any event, if moments of squeamishness can be put aside, the reward is a lively read, filled with colorful characters and plenty of well-paced twists and turns. Sy/Shimon narrates the book in a stream of consciousness style replete with asides, including obsessive swooning over the home-cooked delicacies of Dafna, Shaindel, and Rebbetzin Kalmonowitz. The Kosher Butcher could have used a good editor to rein these in and clean up punctuation and other small errors (as an editor, I cringe at every wayward comma), but those issues are, shall we say, batel b’shishim – swallowed inside a good kosher read. Throughout the narrative, the author, via Shimon, attempts to enlighten secular and non-Jewish readers about life in a “typical” yeshivish community – holidays, customs, traditional attire, and so on. But not everything rings true. (Kellerman’s books have the same faux-insider vibe; being an observant Jew is not enough to make one an expert on all sectors of the frum world.) To take just a few examples, the “ultra-Orthodox” do not typically use that term to describe themselves. There seems to be only one Pesach seder taking place. Rebbetzin Slater, who loses her husband while she is about to give birth to their sixth child, does not behave like a grieving wife. More important, we don’t see any real struggle on Shimon’s part in accepting the many rules of his newfound faith, or on Dafna’s in preparing to marry someone with such a different background. These are not the deepest of characters, but they are certainly appealing, and work together as an engaging team to unspool the title crime story (as well as a secondary mystery involving a corporate theft scam). Westreich goes heavy on the foreshadowing, so I’m sure I’m not the only reader who figures out whodunit before the investigators do, but he keeps the momentum going until the end. So yes, The Kosher Butcher delivers.
Friday, December 11, 2020
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
Weprin Makes It Official – He’s Running For NYC Comptroller By Marc Gronich Assemblyman David Weprin wants to be the next fiscal watchdog for New York City. Since the post was created in the early 1800s only five of the 50 city comptrollers have been Jewish. If elected, Weprin would be the first shomer Shabbos Orthodox Jew to hold the post. There will be a primary election next year on June 22, to be held with at least three other announced candidates: state Senator Brian Benjamin, 44, (D – Harlem, Manhattan), state Senator Kevin Parker, 53, (D – Flatbush, Brooklyn) and City Councilman Brad Lander, 51, a reform Jew (D – Park Slope, Brooklyn). “I would be the first Orthodox Jewish citywide official in the history of the City of New York,” Weprin, 64, (D – Holliswood, Queens) proudly told The Jewish Press. “I’ve been fighting my entire career for religious accommodations including in our correctional facilities.” Weprin’s main focus for the campaign is going to be the money woes facing the Big Apple. During a 40-plus year career that comprises employment in the public and private sectors, including a quarter century on Wall Street, deputy superintendent of Banks in the 1980s under Governor Mario Cuomo, eight years in the New York City Council and 11 years in Albany as an assemblyman, he says he’s eminently qualified to fill the shoes of outgoing Comptroller Scott Stringer. “We’re going to be in a fiscal crisis for many years,” Weprin said. “I’m the only candidate in the race that really has relevant finance experience both in the public and private sector. I chaired the finance committee of the NYC Council of Mayor Bloomberg’s first two terms and we had two major fiscal crises during that time. In 2001 the post-9/11 fiscal crisis and the 2008 economic recession and stock market collapse with another multi-billion dollar deficit and we turned that around before I left as chairman of the NYC Council Finance Committee in 2009.” Weprin acknowledges that New York City government has both a spending and a revenue problem. “There’s a lot of waste in city agencies,” Weprin said. “One of the functions of the Comptroller is the audit function. There should be annual audits of every city agency, not just every four years as required by law. What I would really like to concentrate on is the outside contracting budget of city agencies because there is so much waste in outside contracting in some cases in the hundreds of millions of dollars and I think that could be effectively done through the audit function.” There are five pension boards that total $229 billion in revenue – two pension funds for firefighters, one each for police officers, general city employees and the teachers’ pension fund. The city comptroller has a seat on the board of each of the five. “The pension funds have been doing well because of the stock market but at the same time I hope I can make a contribution in turning around the economy of the city,” Weprin noted. “Investments shouldn’t be based on political philosophies or decisions. The first obligation of comptroller is to make sure it’s a sound fiscal investment and taking that fiduciary obligation seriously and
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that’s something that I would always do. Your first priority should always be diversifying the portfolio, equities are an important part, no question, but you should also have hedge with bonds, private equity, with real estate. You want to have a diversified portfolio.” Weprin is bullish on Israel Bonds. “I certainly would support investing in Israel,” according to Weprin. “It’s high-tech companies. They’re very entrepreneurial. The high-tech companies in Israel that are doing well and will grow. Israel bonds have been a good investment. I would
David Weprin
certainly support expanding our investments in Israel Bonds. Obviously it’s part of an overall diversification, but it’s certainly a sound investment and I would certainly look to expand that.” The city comptroller is one of three citywide officers running for election next year including mayor and the public advocate. All 51 seats in the NYC Council are also up for grabs. The city comptroller’s office employs more than 800 people and Weprin says he would like to expand the payroll. Weprin maintains his proposal to increase the auditing function from every four years to every year is not an indictment that the Stringer administration was too lax in its auditing responsibilities. “It’s just a question of emphasis,” Weprin said. “In the last year or two he’s beefed up his audits but he still doesn’t do an annual audit of every agency. There’s no reason why that can’t be done. If it means hiring more auditors, so be it because they’re going to save money. It may be laying out money on the front end but it’s certainly going to save money in city government so I think it is easy to justify hiring more auditors because eventually it’s going to save a lot of money for city agencies and for the budget. “I think more can be done with auditing agencies like the MTA even though it is a state agency it is the only transportation system that most resi-
dents of the city rely on and there is a relevant audit function with the MTA for the city comptroller as well. That’s someplace where there’s been a lot of waste,” Weprin added. To help get the city’s fiscal house in order, Weprin wants to reinstate the commuter tax, which he wants to rename a non-resident income tax, and set at a rate higher than one half of one percent. “This tax offsets the costs of transportation, sanitation, police and fire services provided to people who work in the five boroughs but live outside the work area,” Weprin explains. “We need new revenue. We can’t tax the middle class. We can’t tax small businesses. The NYC economy is devastated. The middle class has been leaving the city. We certainly can’t tax our way out of the deficit. It’s really a non-resident income tax because we’re talking about taxing people’s income. It’s a progressive tax. You make more money, you pay more money. That’s probably the fairest tax to look at it. I would look at ways of creating new revenues through a tax on legalized marijuana sales and sports betting revenue including appbased betting.” Weprin estimates each of these taxes could bring in close to $1 billion in revenue. He is also calling on the federal government to give aid to NYC to offset the deficit incurred by the coronavirus pandemic. “This financial crisis is so bad, it’s worse than the 1975 fiscal crisis, the post-9/11 fiscal crisis, the 2008 recession all put together; it’s probably closer to the great depression, so I think we may have to do some borrowing as well, but it has to be done in the context of an overall plan, which includes federal aid, revenue (tax) increases and some borrowing but it has to be part of an overall plan to bail out NYC from this major fiscal crisis that we’re going to be under for a number of years. It would be a mistake to close the deficit only through borrowing,” Weprin said. As part of an overall plan, Weprin also wants to create a red tape reduction commission to assist New Yorkers with getting through government bureaucracy more quickly. “It’s to deal with the fiscal crisis,” Weprin said. “I’m not looking to create a permanent office and another bureaucracy but it’s something that should have some priority in the short term (in the next couple of years) to turn around the economy of NYC.” Weprin has already qualified for government matching funds to finance his candidacy. “I already qualified for more than $1 million in matching funds,” Weprin revealed. “It reduces the influence of big money corporations. You can’t take corporate contributions. You can only take individual contributions. It gives the average citizen the availability of contributing and making a difference in a campaign. It reduces the interests of special interests.” In the wake of the pandemic, as the infection rate skyrockets, candidates will have to begin circulating nominating petitions in February 2021. How that happens in a climate where mitigating health and safely concerns are paramount is anybody’s guess at this point.
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Friday, December 11, 2020
The Jewish Press
Page 23
Woods Continued from p.6 ents denied the joy of one of the definitive pleasures of life – hugging a grandchild…. “But lockdowns save lives,” you cry. But denying human contact, scaring people to death, driving people to despair – is this “saving” lives? And how many lives does it save? All through the US and Europe many places that locked down thought they stopped cases, but it wasn’t lockdowns. It was summer. And when summer was over, COVID returned. Masks, social distancing, lockdowns, all ripped through by COVID like a football team running through a paper banner…. [N]o third-grade shows in a crowded gym, no science fairs, no big games, no school (that they used to say they didn’t like but now walk around like zombies pining for the interactions). Shortcomings in education lead to a lifetime of shortcomings, from career choices and earning power, to emotional development and family building. Supply chains disrupted. Jobs lost. Production slowed. 130 million people in danger of starvation. It’s easy for many of us in the middle class to hunker down and work from home. Just buy a new computer for kids’ remote schooling and work from the den. Not everybody has that option. I was originally going to close this issue here, but I can’t resist sharing two charts, courtesy of Ian Miller (@ianmSC). Remember when Dr. Fauci said Florida was “asking for trouble” by fully reopening (the state had already been mostly open anyway for a while)? Sure you do. And remember when he said New York was a model of how to handle the situation? Again, sure. Now do you recall him saying anything recently about this?
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
Halachic Corner With RAV HERSHEL SCHACHTER INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY
ELLIOT RESNICK, JEWISH PRESS CHIEF EDITOR
Is It Important
Halachic Corner With Keep Yashan RavTo Hershel Schachter
Outside Of Israel? (Part I)
More correct is that we really should observe yashan in chutz la’aretz. Most Rishonim assume that the prohibition of chadash b’chutz la’aretz is d’Oraisa. The whole leniency that everybody relies on is an assumption among a minority of Rishonim that chadash b’chutz la’aretz in only mi’d’rabbanan and that they [Chazal] only introduced it as a chumra ba’aratzos hasmuchos l’Eretz Yisrael – in countries that border Eretz Yisrael. The Yerushalmi says that in Eretz Yisrael proper you’re obligated [min haTorah] to observe all the agricultural mitzvos – namely, terumos and maasaros. In aratzos hasmuchos l’Eretz Yisrael, you’re also mechuyav to observe terumos and maasaros mi’d’rabbanan. Why? Because it could be that the fruits and vegetables that you’re buying in Syria or Lebanon really grew in Eretz Yisrael and were exported over the border.
TORAH FROM A TV ANCHOR BY SIVAN RAHAV-MEIR
In the days of the Gemara, [no one was going] to send chadash from Eretz Yisrael to Spain or Germany. By the time it would get there, it would rot. So, in the days of the Tannaim when they made these dinim d’rabbanan, it didn’t make sense to impose a chumra on all of chutz la’aretz. It only made sense ba’aratzos hasmuchos l’Eretz Yisrael. So, the whole leniency that everybody relies on is based on a minority opinion in the Rishonim. The majority of the Rishonim hold that chadash b’chutz la’aretz is deOraisa, so it applies all over the world. Is the argument you presented the argument of the Bach? No, the Bach has a different explanation. He says that chadash applies b’chutz la’aretz only if it grew on a Jew’s farm. If it grew on a non-Jews farm, it doesn’t apply. The Vilna Gaon [didn’t agree with the Bach]. The Vilna Gaon was a great-grandson of the Be’er HaGolah. The Be’er HaGolah is printed on the side of the page in the big Shulchan Aruch. He always gives you the ma’re mekomos on every sif of the Shulchan Aruch. The Vilna Gaon’s commentary on the Shulchan Aruch is not really a commentary; it’s a completion of the Be’er HaGolah, his great-grandfathers work. So, whereas the Be’er HaGolah gives you a ma’re makom on a whole sif, the Vilna Gaon gives you the ma’re makom on every word of the sif. So, the Biur HaGra has to be read in conjunction with the Be’er HaGolah. The Be’er HaGolah quotes this Bach that we are lenient on chadash b’chutz la’aretz if [the
‘Shabbat kallah’ that I had planned with my friends, to stay in the room with all the wedding accessories, to not answer friends who were calling since I did not have the strength, and of course to argue with all the people closest to me and get angry since one of them had apparently infected me with the virus…. “I understood that I could prevent myself from indulging in all this unnecessary suffering. I got up and began to arrange my room for Shabbat. I spread a white tablecloth on the table and asked for the bouquet that my groom had sent. I even began to plan another wedding date. “Within a few minutes, I already felt better. And the moment that I allowed others to help me, I discovered how much they could ease my distress, even from a distance. I am now waiting for the end of two weeks’ isolation with a minimum amount of necessary and unnecessary suffering, while praying for a happy and healthy wedding.” (translation by Yehoshua Siskin)
Falling Sick Right Before Your Wedding I received the following message before Shabbat: “Shalom Sivan, my name is Anat. I was supposed to get married this coming Wednesday. Unfortunately, I found out I have corona. I completely fell apart. I entered isolation immediately in my room, a room in which my bride’s dress and veil and many other accessories had been organized and were ready for the wedding. “I became depressed but then I remembered something you published about Chani Weinroth, the young mother who died from cancer, who said: We need to separate between necessary and unnecessary suffering. I felt that this had been written for me. “My necessary suffering was clear: postponing the wedding, entering isolation, placing my relatives in isolation, treating the headaches and other corona symptoms that had begun to appear. Despite all of this, I had to cope. That was clear. “But there was also unnecessary suffering to which I was likely to sentence myself: to cry about it all Shabbat and to imagine the
Sivan Rahav-Meir, a ba’alas teshuvah, is a popular Channel 2 News anchor, a columnist for Yediot Aharonot, 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.
wheat] grows on a farm that belongs to a non-Jew, and the Vilna Gaon uses a nasty expression in response. He writes about his great-grandfather, “Yafah haysah lo hashtikah – He shouldn’t have opened his mouth here.” He shouldn’t have quoted the Bach. The Bach is wrong. [Many people] point out that it’s very surprising – that’s how a great-grandson writes about his ancestor? But he was very upset about that hetter because it’s against Tosafos. At the end of the first perek of Kiddushin, Tosafos quotes a Yerushalmi that chadash applies even in chutz la’aretz – even bsadeh shel nachri [a non-Jew’s field]. So the Bach is really difficult [to understand]. But the Bach only was meikel if the chadash grew on a farm that belongs to a non-Jew. We [nowadays] are meikel even if the farm belongs to a Jew. And that’s because some Rishonim assume that chadash b’chutz la’aretz is only mi’d’rabbanan and that it was only introduced it ba’aratzos hasmuchos l’Eretz Yisrael.1 1. See Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 489:10 and Yoreh De’ah 323) and commentaries at length.
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 (ID: 913 8591 7840) and Friday shiur at 10:30 a.m. on the parshah (ID: 968 6636 5881). E-mail Rabbi Yaakov Taubes (Yaakov.taubes@yu.edu) about joining Rav Schachter’s daily Gemara shiur.
Political Cartoons
Friday, December 11, 2020
The Jewish Press
e g a l l i v a It takes s s la g a e s i to ra by
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
Fascinating Explorations in
Lashon HaKodesh BY RABBI REUVEN CHAIM KLEIN
To Be A Wise Guy (Part I) Jewish tradition has long viewed the menorah as a symbol of wisdom (see Bava Basra 25b). As an ode, therefore, to Chanukah, we will explore the Hebrew words associated with knowledge (“chachmah,” “tevunah”/“binah,” and “daat”). Chachmah (wisdom) is a form of knowledge associated with a chacham. Who is a chahcham? One who learns from all people, says Pirkei Avos (4:1). The chacham casts his net as wide as possible, looking to accrue wisdom from all possible sources of information. The Talmud (Tamid 32a) says a chacham can foresee future consequences. According to this explanation as well, the chacham holds wide-ranging wisdom allowing him to be sensitive to all possible consequences of a given course of action. The Talmud (Chagigah 14a) further asserts that a chacham is defined as a student who makes his teachers wiser, again showing that the chacham typifies broadening one’s scope of wisdom. Rabbi Avraham Bedersi HaPenini explains that “chacham” can refer to anyone who has mastered a certain body of knowledge – whether it’s carpentry (Isaiah 3:3 and 40:20), snake-charming
(Psalms 59:6), or engineering (see Exodus 31:6). Even cunningness and political ingenuity can be considered a form of chachmah (see II Sam. 13:3 and Jeremiah 4:22). When the Bible speaks of a chacham, however (especially in the Book of Ecclesiastes), it refers specifically to a religious scholar, says Rabbi Bedersi. Rabbi Shlomo Pappenheim of Breslau (1740-1814) traces the words “chacham” and “chachmah” to the two-letter root chet-kaf, which means waiting or delaying. “Michakeh” (waiting or anticipating) comes from this root, as does “chakah” (Job 40:25, Isaiah 19:8, and Habakuk 1:15), which is a net, a trap that one sets and then waits for the fish to enter. A chacham is a wise man who doesn’t rush through his studies. Rather, he waits/delays so he can deliberate over the material more thoroughly. (Rabbi Pappenheim also argues that “cheich” [palate] comes from “chakah” because the open fish net resembles a person’s mouth opened wide in anticipation of food. The Aramaic verb “chayach” [to smile] and the Modern Hebrew noun “chiyuch” [smile] likely derive
WISHING EVERYONE A DELICIOUS & JOYOUS CHANUKAH
from “cheich.”) In addition to chachmah is tevunah/binah, which is knowledge acquired by a navon, whom the Talmud (Chagigah 14a) says is meivin davar m’toch davar (understands one matter from another) – i.e., he or she derives new ideas from lessons he or she previously learned. Rabbi Bedersi connects “tevunah”/“binah” to “bein” (between). A discerning navon is able to tell the difference between this datum and that datum, allowing him to efficiently analyze all relevant data, and derive new conclusions. Rabbi Pappenheim traces “tevunah”/“binah” to the biliteral root bet-nun, which denotes building. Thus “boneh” (to build); “even” (rock) and “teven” (straw), which are materials used to build; “ben” (son), a progeny one “built”; and avnayim (birthing stool). Binah essentially refers to the ability to build on a given idea by applying it to something else and extrapolating further. (The English word “maven” derives from the Hebrew “meivin” [understands] by way Continued on p.27
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Klein Continued from p.26
of Yiddish.) Most authorities use “tevunah” and “binah” almost interchangeably, but Rabbi Pappenheim argues that “binah” refers to the ability to understand the big picture, even if it comprises many different components, while “tevunah” refers to the ability to break down an overarching big picture into its smaller components. The Vilna Gaon in Chemdah Genuzah (to Proverbs 1:1) writes that “binah” refers to understanding something on one’s own terms while “tevunah” refers to understanding something so thoroughly that one can explain it to others (see also Zohar, Vayakhel 201a). The Malbim writes that chachmah is a practical form of wisdom, while tevunah/binah is a more abstract form of understanding. He explains that the word “chachmah” is only used when the opposite of chachmah is also possible. In other words, if something can be done in two ways – the smart way and the dumb way – the intelligence needed to choose the smart way is called chachmah. Thus, chachmah is primarily a smart way of acting. The Malbim also writes that true chachmah can only come by way of Divine revelation since human beings cannot known for certain what the smartest way of behaving is. When we use “chachmah” in other contexts, we are using it in a borrowed sense. Binah, writes the Malbim, is a more abstract form of cleverness. A person who can understand complex allegories or solve riddles draws on his or her binah. A person who acquires binah can
take into account everything he or she has perceived and use that information to arrive at intelligent, logically-sound conclusions. According to the Malbim, daat is the certainty of the resultant knowledge and conclusions that come through binah. In reference to Torah knowledge, chachmah is the raw information found in the Written Torah, binah is the Oral Torah that processes and elucidates that information, and daat is the careful balance between the infinite wisdom of the Written Torah and the more concrete lessons of the Oral Torah. This explanation is found in the Zohar (see Matok M’Dvash to Yisro 85a), the Vilna Gaon’s Biurei Aggados (Bava Kamma 92b), and the Vilna Gaon’s commentary to Proverbs. Using this paradigm, Rabbi Eliyahu Tzion Sofer explains that the Syrian-Greeks at the time of the Chanukah miracle specifically opposed binah because they denied the significance of the Oral Torah. That’s why “Maoz Tzur” refers to the Jewish people as the children of binah when describing their victory over the Greeks and the establishment of Chanukah – for it was the Jews’ commitment to the Oral Torah (binah) that turned the tide against Hellenism and led to victory. (To be continued)
The Jewish Press
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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.
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The Jewish Press
Page 10 12 The The Jewish Jewish Press Press Friday, December 11, 2020
Op-Ed
Friday, Friday, April April 17, 24, 2020 17, 2020
Frid
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Our tablewe wasto setIsrael comwww.talmudisraeli.co.il.) 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. during the Second Intifada. To ease their worries, recent olim from New York, the reaction is always Knowing we were heading straight to bidud While I certainly don’t love giving my Adi tooI registration. Thanks theadmit intervention card is needed for the most basic of tasks, such as always blessed to spend the chag with our families. In This certainly would not bethat like Iour Pesachs agreed toyear a list of safety conditions, including no travthe same. A huge smile crosses their face and words (quarantine) upon our move to Israel earlier this much screen time, I to must found myof 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 dotoour best. As we sat on public transportation or Yerushalayim. of and berachot stream forth. Then the smile year, we crammed as many toys and crafts into self easily caving whenever he begged me to allow B’Nefesh, a local bank agreed totoo open a my family leasing a kitchen forcar. Pesach. down tobebegin our seder, Inervous felt homesick honest, I was – for though is replaced with lookcould. of utterBut, confusion. “Histagagour luggage asa we as Israel’s lock- bank himTotoaccount “review” the videos just one more time.for a for us despite the lack of Generally speaking, olim from North America This year would be different from all other years. sedarim. Flashes of previous Pesachs crossed my Imind. different reason. I feared that Israel, a land had ta?! – Have you gone crazy?!” they ask. “Why would downs days continued long after we arrived, we quickly Meanwhile, our friendly Israelicustoms neighbor, a Teudat Zehut. And my husband took receive their Tuedat Zehut upon arrival in Ben GuWithin of our arrival in the country – and while We did our best to observe family andaLiat, sing pictured and dreamt of for so long, would be disyou ever leave America to move to Israel?” found ourselves in crisis My kidsinwere real- a a cab teacher a local school, provided daughto theindeserted and rented rion Airport. However, wemode: made aliyah thestores most we were still in quarantine – all is non-essential family niggunim, butthe itairport felt to be my so far away That landstrange would feel foreign and The answer to that question not one I’ve been appointment. ly, really bored. tercar with alland theto entertainment needed for the a using his American (The unusual circumstances. On the morning our were shut down. Online shopping turnedofout tomove, be a different from family be aloneI passport. here inshe Israel. than anything expected. I wondered if able to easily convey in my heavily-accented, not-yetHoping to teach my son some Hebrew and keep lockdown in the form of classic Israeli kids’ books. agent was where my husband the Israeli government hadonly that cards only my whole other catastrophe as Israeli credit But wereconfused wevision reallyof alone? Maybe not. We were surtreasured my future would face a rude perfect Hebrew. Truthfully, atannounced times I grapple with him entertained, we searched for some Hebrew My daughter’s favorite by far is Eliezer v’Hagezer fromby since incoming passengers were Israeli be allowed into the country. was rounded millions of cousins. Although Israel was in could becitizens used on would most Israeli websites. the question myself. In New York, I left behind a lov- awakening. programming. American cartoons, (Eliezer the Carrot). book recountsfound the sentand straight to quarantine and not Thankfully, just Many hours before our flight, received lockdown on seder night, ourThe gansa mishpacha I quickly learned thatpopular one cannot even we apply for an being Turns out I had nothing to fear. I spent a glorious ing family, a stable and demanding career as an atrenttogether. cars). There a last-minute permit from IsraeliHaCabai), government to astory way of to to come was awho coordinated effort Israeli credit card without an Israeli bank account – allowed like Fireman Sam (or the Sammy are Saba (Grandpa) Eliezer finds himself torney, and a supportive community in Washington two weeks trekking around the country and falling in Finally, after coronavirus enter the despite our not-yet-citizen status. the country for people to go their porches The and which we country did not have and could not getshows in time due across available in Hebrew. However, these failed unable toour pull a carrot out ofrestrictions histogarden. love with homeland. What I remember most from s Heights. were partially lifted, we booked an apWhen we landed in Israel, we – along with 20 othsing Mah Nishtanah as one. to coronavirus-related complications. It seemed like to Why hold did his Iattention as their plots are a bitand juveOne by one,trip theis members of hisGurion household – wonderful landing Benfront Airport stuff my life into– 15 duffle fly Please say Tehillim for er pointment on and Sunday with the in Ministry of olim from America were metbags by masked My family I walked out to our yard at apwe would needNorth our the own modern-day Pesach miracle to that nile for him, and Hebrew was beyond him. his wife, granddaughter, dog, cat, and even mouse the passengers spontaneously bursting intofour apwith my and kidsyear. amidst an We international Interior Tel We packed the family into the and gloved Jewish Agency employees. told and proximately 8:30Aviv. andhelp. began our rendition the make the husband chag happen this ??????? Harav Moshe Luckily, our shul introduced us towere Ratzim – come Iin outside to They pull left, ofthey pull plause. can still recall the overwhelming singular pandemic to live halfway across the world? To live in rental Within and headed out. we Unbelievably, thisfamiwas prior to our thatpeople processing normally takes car minutes, heard another Enter the arrival wonderful of Israel. In response L’Mishnah (Mishnah Run), atimes video series that questions. right… and eventually – heydad! (hurray!) – suchaving finally arrived home, even though a where, unfortunately, of unrest ben Chasya Hadassah only theof second time I had left we our apartment since 3-4 We were processed in a about matter of have min- feeling ly from the building over. Then heard voices fromI tocountry ahours. Facebook post Iallwrote inquiring websites quickly became my son’s favorite. This series is hadn’t cessfully unroot the gigantic carrot. The family even left my seat yet. outnumbered years of peace. country where arrived in Israel a little more a month ago. utes. across the street. Over the next 10 than minutes, we heard that accepted American creditAcards, a flurry of despite e-mails we produced under the guidance of Rabbi Tzvi Rimon then celebrates by making a giant bowl of tzimmes " Why did Iround I left move Because even I ever my years of litigation experience, I about findtomyself frusmy husband with thebefore kids in the As I watched kids zooming the for empty round after ofhere? Mah Nishtanah echoing through came pouring in. Amy college friend offered pay our Nervously, and Rabbi and features fascinating for streets all their neighbors to share together. Without aliyah, Israel was my home. Here I cannot only tratingly unable toFachler handle thethe most basic of admincar, with the plan to switch when I had completed terminal, my husband signed stack documents the of our new home in Modi’in. groceries. A Meir complete stranger offered tooflend us one made Chapters 20 & 84 storylines filled with time travel, magical books, the of a homeland, helpofbuild it and istrative tasks. A into country where I somehow cannot my Voices meeting. When I arrived thebut government offi ce, that thrust his hands. The next we support ofdream the elderly mixedatwith those the young. of hiswere credit cards. A Modi’in neighbor took thing the time Continued on p.30 and bumbling badof guys (who always to however,itIfor couldn’t what I saw. knew, weorder were out the airport and in aremember cab heading others believe to return home in the future. Here, seem to an appropriate number of pieces of prepare Standing the building were about 100 to our two-week quarantine. website (who sends two despite all theoutside unrest and chicken from a supermarket people Itrying to get inside. In an apparent effort to It wasn’t untilinthat evening that we realized that chaos, feel whole. pieces of chicken a package?). employee and public safety, only a limwe As hadIsrael not received our its Teudot Our(and Nefesh On both the eve of Yom celebrated 72nd Zehut. birthday my ensure 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. Despite the versions counlived in Petach Tikva and experience a little of Israel dow. Or maybe it happened three times, and each time, trywide lockdown for the before choosing a seminary for my gap year. there was a different ending. Some say the town’s kimcha d’pischa gabbai brought the family sufficient wine, matzah, and food for the week. Some say that the Alter told his family that Hashem’s compassion never ends, and evenANS though it was has been in t almost Yom Tov, He would help. The Alter went outand skilled knowle side and met a merchant who said that he would give sellers, ensuring ea them whatever they Gmach free-loan organizations lend Gmach declared a moratorium on needed debt for Pesach on credit, and item and each selle that he, Alter had to send someone to take it. Editor’s note: The or following excerpts from suspending funds to individuals families, who derive collections, all just collection collections well the family went to pick up the food, theyassaw the recently-published ArtScroll biography “Thedepositing Alter When repay the loans in small monthly pay- and of repayment checks out of willkashrus. purchase t it a didn’t meet their of Novardok: The day LifeIsrael, of Ravborrowers Yosef Yoizel Horowitz ments. In present until Shavuos.that Then reassessment of usual standard with your favorite c asked thetoAlter and Worldwide Impact” give His 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 Even when looked like there was no hopetofornormal monthly. If the it borrower cannot afford return the repayment, yeshivah, the [of Novardok]’s glowed. take anything from the heAlter contacts the Gmach face mence. In Novardok, th store. isIsa significant Hashem lacking He so confithat dent that would that andwas requests the Hashem check not be provide While this action help save hardpressed us?” he was always Theuntil morerepayhe needed to trust deposited. It is joyful. then held to the harriedways andtooften “The past is ove Rav Chaim Kanievsky in Hashem, the happier he was. His students said if lightening ment is possible. borrowers, their burden in Furnitu in hisstress, father’s name here yet,Antique theEarly Alter in looked happy virus and unworried, the Corona pandemic, it meant a time that of greatsaid financial it placand Furnitu the p Modern thatstrain this is there even bread in his house. the 48wasn’t all-volunteer staffed Ozer Dalim es a tremendous onwhat Ozerhappened Dalim, Modern Art s thatbyErev Pesach from when He 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 The hotel’s guest sits peacefully in their his room, knowing ed by borrowers requesting that myriads of additional andAlOil Painting ter’sthemselves house: When Alter that the staff will see to allbecause his needs. He would never repayment checks be held they families who find in the a simBronzos did not the havekitchen funds to them. how worried Rebgo into tocover take his portion. It’s thefinancial same saw ilar predicament due his to the Property Theworld. economic of massive un- ongoing Corona crisis. betzin was, he asked, “What are you worried about? in our We crisis are guests in Hashem’s hotel. He employment, medical and associated Dalimwill loan branches The week soon be over.” will bring us our needs when they’re ready. While the Ozer expenses and sheltering in place regu- poverty. are doing to answer loan That’s why in all Novardok, they used to sing, “The The Alter’s family lived in utter Onetheir best Call t lations, to about many to neighborhood applications, the is situation becomover, theisfuture isn’t here yet, and the present 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, 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 were ready, but the baker refused to handAmerican them over Jewry, 201-861-7770 o Adding to thepaid. spiritThe of a Gmach, which fueland for our activities to rise to from the Pele Yoetz on “worry.” without being Alter was faithful se- Chesed SUNDAY TUESDAY is Chesed, kindness to one enduring a the challenge and aid our brethren in The Alter never worried about the morrow, and rene, but his Rebbetzin began to weep. Rav Yosef - 1:30PM 5:30PM 2 2:00PM 1 10:00AM W W.Land J C Mnot .M S E Uabout M 1day 5 M itself. U S E UHe M Adidn’t D M I Slet SIO N family financial crisis Gmach -to Ozer Dalim Rav theW Holy inU their time the of$serious even his Yoizel turned in surprise his disciple, Kalman instituted its asked, Chesed ShehB’Chesed as they traditionally have in so WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY make plans in the winter for the summer, and vice Goldberg, and “Why is she crying? crisis We have a 7 1 8 - 9 0 7- 8 8 3 3 792 EASTERN PKWY B R O O K LY N , N Y - 5:00PM (kindness kindness) Program. The past instances. 1 10:00AM kezayis of upon matzah with which to fulfi ll themany mitzvah!” versa. While most people stockpiled potatoes and
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Friday, December 11, 2020
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
Aliyah Continued from p.28 ®
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In this witty mystery novel you will meet Shimon Lincoln charedi yeshiva student/detective - and Dafna Lachler - computer expert/fiancée/amateur sleuth - as they team up once again to use their sechel and Jewish logic to catch the murderer plaguing the Detroit area. With Rabbi Kalmonowitz's inspired advice they help the FBI and the state police apprehend the culprit responsible for killing a local rabbi. Soft cover, 471 pages, to purchase at Amazon - type in search - KosherButcher-Lincoln-Lachler-Mystery, $14.99 plus shipping.
fail, this simple story always leaves my daughter giggling away uncontrollably. Other popular choices of hers are M’asseh b’Chamisha Balonim (A Tale of Five Balloons), about five children who cope with the loss of their popping balloons, and Tiras Cham (Hot Corn), which tells of a troupe of children who sing about their excitement for an anticipated treat of hot corn. Thankfully, we have been blessed with outdoor spaces to enjoy during the lockdowns. A favorite outdoor toy we discovered here is bimba juke. While I am not sure exactly how to translate those words, this popular toy is essentially a small tricycle without pedals and can be purchased at any toy store for less than $10. While these tricycles are generally geared toward two- to three-year-olds, even my six-year-old enjoys zooming about on them. My son’s favorite outdoor toy is another popular Israeli item – the soccer ball. In America, Adi was always playing baseball or hockey. Here in Israel, soccer is king and my son’s hours of practice with this sport since we’ve arrived have clearly paid off. Just a couple of weeks ago, we were lucky enough to be invited to an outdoor Shabbat kiddush with some new friends here in Modi’in. While not all the children at the kiddush spoke English, my son was able to quickly bond with some of the boys over a fierce game of soccer. Apparently, the word for goal is the same in English and Hebrew! Before making aliyah, my husband and I imag-
My son Adi on a bimba juke.
ined we would spend lots of time with the kids exploring our new homeland. We never expected that instead we would be spending countless hours climbing the walls of our own home. While we have found ways to stay relatively entertained, we can’t wait to see what more we can discover once we can properly go about Israel. Aviva Horowitz Karoly can be reached at myaliyah2020@gmail.com.
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World’s Largest Chanukah Menorah To Light Up New York City Historic Menorah’s LED Rope Lights to Honor New Yorkers Lost to Covid-19 In a year in which New York has lost over our life time: we will weather these stormy days, ture a public menorah-lighting ceremony and live 30,000 lives to the devastating pandemic, and inspired by our heroes and the lives of those music. Lubavitch Youth Organization, which annually we lost, we will come together to recover stronger While the event will be more limited – with erects and lights the world’s largest distancing and masks – than years menorah on Fifth Avenue, is remempast, its message of hope and light bering those who have passed, and will stand tall and bright for the will share a message of hope and many thousands passing and the healing with its lighting each night millions watching at home. of Chanukah, beginning Thursday The annual New York City tranight, Dec. 10. dition is part of the worldwide The towering 36-foot menorah Chanukah campaign, an initia– certified by the Guinness World tive launched in 1973 by the last Records as the world’s largest – will Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Mentake its traditional place in Midtown achem M. Schneerson. The camManhattan and stand as a beacon of paign focuses on creating awareness light and hope in a time when it’s and promoting the observances of needed most, amid the bleak realithe holiday, one of which is to pubty of the prospect of a second wave licize and make known the story of and renewed lockdowns. Bright the Chanukah miracle. LED rope lights running the length Today, the unprecedented pubof all eight branches will honor the lic display of Chanukah has bevictims of the pandemic and bring come a staple of Jewish cultural more light into the world, just as and religious life in New York City they did with their lives. and around the world, forever al“For centuries, the light of the tering the practice and perception Workers assemble the menorah on Fifth Avenue in 2019. menorah has served as a symbol of of the festival. This year, following the triumph of goodness and hope over darkness as one.” public health guidelines, Chabad-Lubavitch and hopelessness, even when the odds weren’t Throughout the eight-day holiday, a limited will set up more than 15,000 large outdoor pubgood,” said Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, director group of attendees will join the nightly lightings lic menorahs in more than 100 countries around of Lubavitch Youth Organization. “As the world of this historic menorah on Fifth Avenue and 59th the world, including in front of landmarks such reels from the devastating coronavirus pandemic, Street at Grand Army Plaza near Central Park, as the White House in Washington, D.C.; the the eternal message of the menorah remains rel- right outside of the Plaza Hotel. Organized by the Eiffel Tower in Paris; and the Kremlin in Mosevant and pertinent, perhaps more than ever in Lubavitch Youth Organization, the event will fea- cow.
Page 32
The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
Philanthropist Paves Way For Paid Internships At The MET By Baruch Lytle Jewish Press Staff Writer
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The 2021 summer season of internships at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) is now accepting applications and, thanks to the generosity of impact philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, the opportunity couldn’t be greater. Back in August, the MET announced that Ms. Arsht pledged five million dollars towards both its MetLiveArts resilience programming and its internship programming. The pledge will ensure that undergraduate and graduate internships offered at the MET over the next five years will be fully paid positions. Ms. Arsht said she was moved by the commitment the MET made on July 6 towards diversity. “The Metropolitan Museum of Art must reflect on its past and aspire to be an agent of change,” Daniel H Weiss, MET president and CEO, and Max Hollein, museum director, said in a joint statement. “Today, we are sharing a series of commitments as a next step towards creating a more open, welcoming, and equitable institution.” One of those commitments was to increase paid internships from 36% to 100% by 2022. “I had been talking to the MET about making a gift,” Arsht told The Jewish Press. “It hadn’t been fully defined and then they put out [these commitments]. I knew immediately this is what I believed in.” The gift will ensure that money is no longer a
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factor in whether an aspiring student chooses to take an internship or miss an opportunity that could define the rest of their lives; a hard choice Ms. Arsht understands personally. Her late father, Wilmington attorney Samuel Arsht, tutored boys preparing for bar mitzvahs to put himself through law school. When offered the opportunity to join the Law Review, he was forced to turn it down – he simply could not afford to take an unpaid internship. “Instead,” said Arsht, “he used to hitchhike back and forth from home to Wilmington where he also taught Hebrew school. I don’t know what fascinated me more – the fact that he couldn’t take the law review assignment which was so prestigious in and of itself and would give you several legs up, or the fact that he hitchhiked, which is certainly something a girl couldn’t do.” “We recognize that the majority of students simply cannot afford to take unpaid internships,” Elizabeth Perkins, an associate educator in the MET’s Education Department, told The Jewish Press. “So, we’ve been having these conversations for years about how to make this happen.” Now with the new paid internships, the MET has already seen an increase in applications, so far nearly three times the amount of the same time last year. Continued on p.33
Friday, December 11, 2020
the years, in 2008 she provided $30 million to the Miami Performing Continued from p.32 Arts Center to ensure its financial stability. In 2009 she provided the “That to me says there’s a huge funding to create a Delaware chapgroup of students that we’ve been ter of “Best Buddies,” a program missing because we haven’t been dedicated to servicing persons with able to offer paid internships until mental disabilities, and in 2012 she now. It’s really exciting to be able to made a $10 million contribution to do that,” she said. New York’s LinInternship coln Center to upofferings are digrade its facilities verse, covering and public spaces. over 40 departMs. Arsht’s gift ments throughout means the MET the MET system. will be the largPaid internships est art museum for high school in America to ofstudents are also fer 100 percent available. “There’s paid internships. no single backShe hopes other ground required to philanthropists apply,” said Perand other institukins. Internship tions will provide focuses include resimilar opportusearch in works of nities. As for the art, social media, young student who public and school may be struggling Adrienne Arsht programming, with the decision graphic, archito apply, she said, tectural and exhibition design and “Carpe diem. Seize the moment and membership development, to name make the most of it. People ask, ‘Do a few. they qualify?’ and I would urge them Ms. Arsht, who was born in not to worry about it. The most imWilmington, Delaware, and now portant threshold is that you’re inresides in Washington, DC, is no terested.” stranger to providing much-needThe summer 2021 undergraduate ed funding for special programs. and graduate internships application Among her many contributions over period ends January 27, 2021.
Lytle
The Jewish Press
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ב׳׳ה
RABBI SHMUEL M. BUTMAN
CHANUKAH
kwwz ksbgn ojbn rwwrv ,c ,hsuvh ,rnu kwwz lurc ktrah rwwc inkz ruthba wr bwwgk
A Victory For Jewish Purity (Based on teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe)
Unlike the Babylonians and Romans, the Syrian-Greeks were not interested in destroying the Beis HaMikdash. On the contrary, they wanted to preserve it, but in a manner that confirmed the dominance of secular philosophy. That’s why, in sacking the Beis HaMikdash, they specifically defiled all the pure oil for the menorah. Theirs was a deliberate battle against the concept of kedushah, of dedicating everything in the physical world to the service of Hashem (which elevates it and establishes its intimate connection with Hashem). We all know that after their victory, the Maccabees found oil sufficient to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. But if Hashem was going to perform a miracle, why didn’t He have the Maccabees miraculously discover enough oil to light the menorah for eight days? We have a rule that Hashem prefers to preserve the natural order as much as possible, and finding oil for eight days would have been much more in line with the natural order than making one day’s worth of oil burn for eight days. The question becomes even stronger when we realize that, according to halacha, it’s permitted to use defiled oil if no pure oil is available. The Jews, though, having defeated the Syrian-Greeks against all odds, were determined to rededicate the Beis HaMikdash in the most ideal fashion and to ensure that it remained at its maximum purity and holiness in the face of all external threats. And Hashem performed the great miracle of the oil to demonstrate His approval of their exalted desire. For chassidim, Kislev features another celebration. On the 19th of Kislev in 1798, the Alter Rebbe was released from Czarist imprisonment. Until then, expansion of the chassidic movement and dissemination of its profound teachings had been severely limited by opposition of some Torah leaders who didn’t see the Torah moorings of Chassidus and regarded it as revolutionary phenomenon undermining their authority. The Alter Rebbe’s release from prison signaled official government approval of the movement’s development. And, indeed, in the years following, the Alter Rebbe’s chassidic teachings were explained more profoundly, more comprehensively, and at far greater length than they had been previously. This expansion and development of chassidic teachings continued under the Alter Rebbe’s successors – the six subsequent generations of Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbes until our own time. In each generation, the Rebbe leading the generation explained chassidic concepts in greater depth, to the extent that what had often not been fully understood by chassidim in previous generations now became crystal clear. The special accomplishment of the 19th of Kislev was enshrined for eternity when the Alter Rebbe’s great-great-grandson, the Rebbe Rashab (18601920) in 1901 proclaimed it the “Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus,” a day that, like Rosh Hashanah itself, is a source of spiritual vitality – in this case as Continued on p.38
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Feel “the Geshmak”! Rav Kulefsky: The beloved American-born rebbe whose geshmak for Torah lit the fire in thousands by Rabbi Yechiel Spero
He didn’t come from the little town of Mir. Or from Vilna, Baranovitch or Radin. and ahavas ha’briyos that characterized Rav Kulefsky. For this absorbing He didn’t even come from Brooklyn! Yet as he grew up in Depression-era St. book, Rabbi Spero conducted more than 100 interviews. In story after Louis, a city far from any Torah center, Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky, the future Rosh story (so many great stories!) we meet a man to whom kavod haTorah was Yeshivah of Ner Yisroel, had already discovered something about Torah learning. paramount, and whose consideration and caring for others was legendary. That Torah is “geshmak.” As a rebbe and, eventually, Rosh Yeshivah of Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, (So geshmak, that when told to go out and play because he was too Rav Kulefsky inspired hundreds — no, thousands — of American boys to pale, young Yaakov Moshe climbed into the cellar of his home through a become talmidei chachamim. “His koach of hasbarah was amazing,” says coal chute, emerging, sooty but happy, to get back to his sefarim!) Rabbi Spero. “He spent hours preparing the shiur, and if he gave it again a It was that geshmak in learning, that joy in poring over a page of few days later, he prepared it again.” Gemara, that characterized Rav Kulefsky This week marks Rav Kulefsky’s twentieth all through his life. It was a “geshmak” Bestselling author Rabbi Yechiel Spero yahrzeit. Though many years have passed, that was contagious: in more than half a this towering figure of Torah and chesed is captures the geshmak, the ahavas century of teaching Torah at the highest still remembered with both love and awe by level, he gave over his joyous intensity in haTorah and ahavas ha’briyos that generations of talmidim. And now even those learning to literally thousands of talmidim characterized Rav Kulefsky who did not merit to learn from him can be — many of whom went on to become inspired and elevated by his life of ahavas Torah. today’s Torah leaders. One Rosh Yeshivah said to a grandchild of Rav Kulefsky: “When one spoke In the newly-published biography, Rav Kulefsky: The beloved Americanin learning to your grandfather, it was like watching a kid in a candy store.” This born rebbe whose geshmak for Torah lit the fire in thousands, bestselling author Rabbi Yechiel Spero captures the geshmak, the ahavas haTorah biography helps us all to feel that sweetness.
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he received the animal” [Choshen Mishpat 300:3; Sma 300:11]. “However, if the animal was left in the herd not in the shepherd’s presence, he can ‘leave the animal between the two’ since he isn’t at fault. The Shulchan Aruch rules that the entrusted item should remain with him or with beis din until one of them admits, or they agree to divide it [Choshen Mishpat 300:4; Pischei Choshen, Pikadon 7:21]. “A similar issue arises regarding someone who borrowed from one of two people, or bought from one of two sellers, but the halacha in these other cases varies [Choshen Mishpat 76:2-3; 222:2]. “If neither one definitively claim the entrusted item, the guardian is not required to pay both, even to fulfill his Heavenly obligation, since they should have remembered. However, some write that he does have a Heavenly obligation to pay both, similar to someone who borrowed from one of two people and does not remember from whom [Shach 300:16; 76:18; Be’er HaGolah 300:8; Ketzos 300:2]. “Thus,” concluded Rabbi Dayan, “since the oil was entrusted directly to Yaakov, and both claim it, Yaakov must give a bottle of oil to both of them after they swear (although nowadays, beis din would likely impose partial payment in lieu of an oath). However, had Yaakov allowed them to simply place the bottle in his room and agreed to watch it, or if they were also uncertain, he would not be liable to give a bottle to both; the bottle would remain with Yaakov until the two reached an agreement.”
Avraham and Yitzchak shared a dorm room in their yeshiva. A week before Chanukah, they went shopping for Chanukah supplies with a friend, Yaakov, and each of them bought a bottle of oil. After they left the store, Yaakov went back to yeshiva while Avraham and Yitzchak headed home for Shabbos. One of them decided to give his bottle of oil to Yaakov to take back to yeshiva. A week later, a few hours before Chanukah, Avraham said to Yaakov, “I’ll come by later to pick up my oil from you.” Shortly afterwards, Yaakov met Yitzchak, who said the same thing. “But, Avraham just told me the oil was his!” Yaakov said, puzzled. “No, he took his oil home,” Yitzchak replied. “I gave you the oil to bring back to yeshiva.” Yaakov couldn’t remember who handed him his oil bottle and both Avraham and Yitzchak insisted he was the one who did so. The three friends decided to ask Rabbi Dayan what to do. After listening to the question and deliberating, Rabbi Dayan said, “The Gemara [Bava Metzia 37b] states that if one of two people entrusted an animal to a shepherd and both later claim it’s theirs, the shepherd is required to give an animal to both if he doesn’t remember whose it is, after they both swear. He is considered negligent in not having recorded from whom
Butman Continued from p.35
it relates to the vitality imparted by Chassidus for serving Hashem. Although the liberation of the 19th of Kislev happened almost 2,000 years after the miracle of Chanukah, they must be connected somehow if they both happened, by Divine Providence, in the same month. The Chanukah miracles ensured the purity of the Beis HaMikdash, which represents the body of the Jewish people, for every Jew’s body is, on a certain level, a little Beis Ha-
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.
Mikdash, which we are duty-bound to keep pure and holy. The miraculous release of the Alter Rebbe on the 19th of Kislev ensured that the Torah we learn and the mitzvos we observe are permeated with awe of Hashem and His love, without which, the Zohar says, they don’t rise up into the spiritual realms. So studying Chassidus allows us to preserve our purity and inspiration and ensures that our Torah study isn’t diverted by selfish motives, thus preserving our soul’s purity, which is reflected in the theme of Chanukah.
Friday, December 11, 2020
And yet there are many people in the world that don’t fit into these prestigious groups of individuals. What will be of them? Who wants to know them, who can be proud of them? Who really cares about them? There is a story told of the great and holy Baal Shem Tov, regarding a thief. The story tells how this thief would steal and then ask the Baal Shem Tov for a blessing that the police wouldn’t find him.
In some, being a well known professor, or doctor, is of high worth, while in others being a prominent rabbi or leader of the community is admired above all. In every family the head of the house is respected and appreciated. Each family has children that they try to bring up to be great and worthy people, to the community and to the world at large.
This arrangement went on until the passing away of the Baal Shem Tov. This well know thief had stolen some great sum of money from the Czar of Russia and fled right to the synagogue of the Baal Shem Tov. He was then informed of the sad news of the death of his special rabbi and
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IDEAS inspiration • בימים ההם בזמן הזהCHANUKAH 5781
F
There are many people in the world that don’t fit into these prestigious groups of individuals. What will be of them? Who wants to know them? Who can be proud of them?
The Jewish Press
CHANUKAH
The Rabbi Of All Thieves Most people seek to be accepted and wish to be known, and, in fact to be looked up to and admired. In different circles different roles are represented as important.
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? Is It Proper...? IS IT PROPER...? IS IT PROPER...?oper...? r Is It Proper...? P t I s I IS IT PROPER...? ??
Is It Proper...? Is It Proper...?
?
Is It Proper...? IS IT PROPER...?
?
Is it appropriate to read works of fantasy – say, Harry Potter, for example?
I have never been a big fan of science fiction, fantasy, or related genres. I used to joke that if I needed fiction, I would read The New York Times – until that ceased being a joke. I cannot therefore claim great familiarity with fantasy works, including Harry Potter, although I have heard that some authorities are uncomfortable with depictions of supernatural powers that border on idolatry. As long as the content is morally appropriate and the values underlying the narrative are positive, fanciful descriptions of otherworldly forces and powers do not concern me. Generally speaking, Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook wrote favorably of literature and its virtues. Each person is limited in his or her capacity to see the world, understand different cultures, and even empathize with different life experiences. That was certainly true before the era of television, movies, and the Internet, but it is still true today in the sense that we can live narrow lives and constrict our vision by choosing to read only those outlets that reinforce our view of the world. Rav Kook said literature gives us a window into the lives of other people whose experiences would otherwise be alien and unknown to us. Thus, those who abstain from reading literature forfeit the opportunity to broaden their vistas and gain from learning from others. It would seem that works of fantasy also – even if to an exaggerated degree – expand the imagination of the reader in a way that, if the content is wholesome, is intellectually enriching. Another benefit, especially for young people, is that these books may get them to read. That itself will serve them well when they graduate to more serious works and Torah scholarship. — Rabbi Steven Pruzansky is the Israel regional vice president for the Coalition for Jewish Values
Is It Proper...?
IS IT PROPER...?
*****
If the question is: “Should a person learn Torah or read fantasy?” there’s no question that he should learn Torah or do something highly productive. However, if a person is going to take leisure time, I don’t see anything intrinsically wrong with reading a work of fantasy. As a matter of fact, one of the great powers of a good author is his or her ability to take you inside a world which you can’t access any other way – a world of someone else’s emotions, psyche, and their vantage point on the world. So provided the work of fantasy is kosher in the sense that there’s no inappropriate material or anti-Torah approaches, then, not only do I not I see a negative, I potentially see a very strong learning experience. — Rabbi Ben Zion Shafier, founder of The Shmuz *****
?
Is It Proper...?
I wrote two novels – Murderer in the Mikdash and The Making of the Messiah, 2048 – and a book of short stories in the hope and belief that thinking about thebooks’ contents – what it means for Mashiach to come in the modern world, what it means to have a Jewish state based on halacha with a Davidic monarch, etc. – would engage readers more fully with core Torah ideas. I believed, and believe, fiction can lead us to ways of thinking and feeling that most of us do not reach intellectually. Harry Potter doesn’t bring us to specifically Torah ideas, but it does lay out important values of friendship, dedication to and sacrifice for a cause, the recognition of and battle against evil, and more. Of course, many Torah giants achieved comparable insight without recourse to secular fiction. Mori ve’rabi R. Aharon Lichtenstein, zt”l – who valued his PhD in English literature because it illuminates many elements of the human condition – spoke with reverent awe of R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l, who I am fairly confident did not read much literature. Few of us, though, are R. Shlomo Zalman. Reading fiction relaxes us and readies us for renewed effort to serve G-d (and, for children, provides entertainment at a time of life when they necessarily need play to learn about the world). I had a teacher who once told me his brain would occasionally stop working and he needed two to three days of reading junk novels to recharge. Harry Potter serves that purpose too. It untaxes our brains with easy-to-follow narratives. Should a Jew read Harry Potter? I’m not sure
I’d go that far. May a Jew read Harry Potter for the right and appropriate motives? It seems to me clearly yes. — Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein, author, regular contributor to www.Torahmusings.com ***** Halachically speaking, there are generally two opinions on reading secular (non-Torah) books: 1) It’s prohibited since doing so entails bittul Torah and exposure to ideas foreign to Torah. 2) It’s permitted as long as the content of the books is modest and doesn’t include Torah-prohibited subjects. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 307:16 and Shulchan Aruch Harav 307:30) explicitly prohibits reading such books on Shabbos and “even during weekdays.” However, some (see Magen Avraham, ibid.) maintain that they are allowed during the week as long as they are read casually, not with total immersion. The Shulchan Aruch goes on to say that books from which one can learn morality and grow in fear of G-d may be read even on Shabbos. (Yet, even then, one should not do so in abundance, says the Shulchan Aruch Harav). Practically speaking, the decision should be determined in consultation with your rav or mashpia who can help you answer the question based on different factors, including your level of piety and spiritual status. — Rabbi Simon Jacobson, renowned Lubavitch author and lecturer
Friday, December 11, 2020
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Page 43
Best Chanukah gift ever!!!
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Friday, December 11, 2020
BY RABBI YAAKOV KLASS
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass
The Chanukah Candles And Danger Question: The Gemara says the menorah should be placed outside the front door of one’s house but can be placed inside if one is worried about anti-Semitism. But how does placing the menorah solve this problem? Won’t the candles be seen through the window? And if the gentiles are really hostile, can’t they search our homes? Menachem Answer: Most of us live in relatively safe countries, but even today the authorities in some parts of the world take a dim view of Jewish practice. Furthermore, even in countries with friendly governments, one might live next to people who dislike Jews. The Gemara you cited is Shabbos 21b. Let’s review it: “Our sages taught: One must place the menorah at the door of one’s house on the outside; however, if one dwells on an upper floor, one should place it in [front of] the window [facing] the public domain. However, in time of danger, placing it on the table is sufficient.” Rashi (ibid., s.v. “mib’chutz”) writes that one must place the menorah outside because of the obligation of “pirsumei nissa – publicizing the miracle.” If one is on the second floor of a building (or higher), it’s obviously impossible to light outside, so one can light next to a window through which people will see the menorah. The last option is to place the menorah on the table, but what pirsumei nissa is accomplished with such a lighting? The Ri (Tosafot, ibid., s.v. “u’b’sha’at hasakana”) says “the time of danger” the Gemara is talking about was the period following the arrival to Babylonia of a people known as “Chavri.” (Rashi talks of them as Persians who would persecute a Jew for lighting Chanukah candles on their Persian festival; they believed that the only lighting during this festival should be done by them in their temples.) Tosafot asks how lighting on the table helped. Couldn’t the Chavri enter Jews’ homes to see if they were lighting menorah? Tosafot answers that they didn’t act in this fashion; they wouldn’t go so far as to enter homes in search of Chanukah menorahs. The Ran (in his commentary on the pages of the Rif, to our Gemara) maintains that the Gemara is not talking specifically about the period in which the Chavri came to Persia. Rather, it is discussing any time there’s an edict against the performance of any mitzvah. At such a time, one should light menorah on one’s table, and if the authorities
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.
retaining their own names, language, and dress. It is this distinction – our adherence to Judaism – that defines the Jew. We learn in the Mishnah (Middos 2:3) that within the Temple Mount there was a soreg with 13 breaches made by the kings of Greece. When RABBI DOVID GOLDWASSER the breaches were repaired, it was enacted that 13 prostrations should be made facing them to demonstrate our submission to the creator of the world. The function of the soreg was to create a parOur sages state that it’s a mitzvah on Chanu- tition between the Jewish nation and the other kah to publicize the miracle of the oil by placing nations of the world. The Talmud (Chullin 13b) our menoros on the left side of the doorway, op- tells us that non-Jews also brought sacrifices to posite the mezuzah. But why is this arrangement the Beis HaMikdash. However, they could only specifically mandated forRABBI Chanukah and not for come up to the soreg. Their sacrifice would then DOVID GOLDWASSER any other Yom Tov? We don’t read the megillah be taken by a messenger to be offered on the altar by the kohanim. When the Greeks were prohibitin the doorway or conduct a Seder there? The Midrash Maaseh Chanukah provides an ed from going any further on the Temple Mount, they were incensed answer by relating and made those 13 that among the debreaches in the soreg. crees of the Greeks Openness to acculturation, During World was one forbidding War II, hundreds Jews from closing assimilation, and the foreign of women were imthe doors to their prisoned in the conhomes under penalty influences of the street leads to centration camp of of death. Obviously, Breslau-Hundsfeld. an open front door the destruction of the sanctity of As Chanukah apmeant any sense of proached, the women privacy was elimithe Jewish home. risked their lives to nated. Moreover, it prepare the necessymbolized openness sary components for a to acculturation, assimilation, and all the foreign influences of the menorah. They pulled loose threads from their street, which leads to the destruction of the sanc- clothing to make wicks and drained drops of oil from the machinery in the camp to light it. tity of the Jewish home. On the first night of Chanukah, a young girl In his introduction to the laws of Chanukah, the Rambam writes that the Greek kingdom for- named Leah Newman lit the menorah and evbade the Jewish people from observing the To- eryone sang Ma’oz Tzur, trying to recall happirah and its commandments, and they “extended er times in the comfort and safety of their own their hands against their daughters [to defile homes. Everything went well the first four nights, but them] and their money.” The Sages tell us of the Greeks’ evil intentions with regard to our young on the fifth night disaster struck. The sirens in the camp went off, and all the lights went out. In women, but how did they rob us of our money? They did so by trying to undermine and cor- the pitch dark, the flickering flames were clearly rupt our hashkafah with regard to making a seen, and the SS guards came running, certain livelihood. Contrary to the Jewish tenet that a that a coded message was being sent to the eneperson’s livelihood is allocated to him by G-d, the my planes that often flew overhead at night. When the door was flung open by one of the Greeks argued that intellectual pursuits are necessary to earn a living. Thus, the Greeks aspired guards, Leah Newman was certain her end was to profane the property of the Jewish people by near. “What’s going on here?” shouted the guard. subverting their faith in Hashem and His ability Leah’s response seemed to tumble out of her to provide sustenance. The Rambam tells us (Hilchos De’os 6:1), “It mouth of its own accord. With no thought to what is the way of man to be influenced by his friends she was saying, she responded honestly that she and associates and to follow the standards of his was celebrating a holiday commemorating the milieu.” If so, how does Hashem expect His peo- Maccabees who kept the forces of assimilation ple to remain unaffected and resist the corrup- from destroying the Jewish nation. Without a word, the SS officer turned around tion and impurity of our exile? The Torah tells us (Bamidbar 23:9) that the and, strangely, left. No punishment at all was Jewish nation “dwells in solitude.” And, indeed, meted out. In fact, from that day forward, the we have dwelled alone throughout our history. SS officer would always try to bring a little exAvraham Avinu was called “Avraham HaIvri” tra food to the girls in the camp. The extra food (Bereishis 14:13), which translates literally as might actually have been what saved many of “the one who stands on the other side.” The en- the emaciated souls from dying of starvation. It tire world stood on one side while he stood alone was a Chanukah miracle that was perhaps greater than the original. on the other side teaching monotheism. I wish all our readers, and all of Klal Yisrael, Likewise, the Medrash tells us that the Jewish nation remained unique from the Egyptians, a festive and joyous Chanukah.
Pofearls Wisdom
A Threat From Outside
P earlsofWisdom
see it, they’ll assume it’s there to give light to the house (rather than to fulfill a mitzvah). But what pirsumei nissa is accomplished when the menorah sits on a table hidden from the view of outsiders? We can suggest two answers. First, perhaps the pirsum is for the people in the house. Second, due to the danger, perhaps one is exempt from the mitzvah of lighting the menorah, and one lights it on a table only so that the mitzvah isn’t forgotten.
(If the second explanation is correct, lighting the menorah at such a time would be like fulfilling the mitzvah of sefirat ha’omer nowadays, which is only a zecher l’mikdash since we don’t have an omer sacrifice or a Beit HaMikdash [Aruch HaShulchan, Orach Chayim 489: 2].) Let’s pray that our Jewish brethren, wherever they are found, will find peace, tranquility and joy on this Chanukah. And may the lights of Chanukah usher in the light of Moshiach, speedily in our days.
Friday, December 11, 2020
The Jewish Press
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Friday, December 11, 2020
IT’S TIME TO BE METAKEN OUR TEFILOS! FOCUS ON TEFILAH
CHANUKKAH
Today we will focus on the three berachos we make when we light the neiros Chanukkah: NOTE: The syllable that is BOLD and LARGER is emphasized.
1. BaRUCH aTAH Hashem EloKEInu MElech haoLAM, aSHER kideSHAnu bemitzvoSAV vetziVAnu lehadLIK ner (shel) ChanuKKAH. (AMEIN).
2. BaRUCH aTAH Hashem EloKEInu MElech haoLAM, sheaSAH niSIM la-avoSEInu bayaMIM haHEIM bazeMAN haZEH. (AMEIN). 3. (On first night, add:) BaRUCH aTAH Hashem EloKEInu MElech haoLAM, shehecheYAnu, vekiyeMAnu, vehigiYAnu lazeMAN haZEH. (AMEIN). 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.
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immediately asked, who was put in charge instead. The men in the synagogue pointed to a holy and prominent man sitting at the head of the room and told him that now that man was in charge. Our eager thief ran to him and begged for a blessing that the police wouldn’t find him. The new rabbi looked up at him and shouted; “are you crazy, get out of my synagogue immediately.” Our poor and insulted thief ran straight to the newly dug grave site of the Baal Shem Tov and started to cry like a small child. He said; “Rabbi, how could you have left this world without worrying about all the thieves? Everyone wants to be a rabbi for all the great and successful students but what about me, what about all the thieves in the world.” Our thief cried and
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cried until he feel asleep on the grave site. He then saw the holy Baal Shem Tov in his dream and the Baal Shem Tov told him that since the destruction of the temple there hasn’t been such an honest and true cry up in the heavens. The Baal Shem Tov then sent him to his grandson and told him that he will bless him and that he is the Rabbi of all the thieves. The story has it, that later on, this thief became one of the best and learned students of the Baal Shem Tov. In our world everyone wants to be the head of this, or the leader of that. And in every household everyone wants to be the parents of this successful child or the uncle or grandparent of some well known person. But who wants to be the mother of a thief, or the brother of a sick person? Who want to be associated with those special souls that no one wants to be around? Everyone wants to be around successful people but no one wants to be around the ones who have fallen and don’t know how to get up. I think that in every generation, the Baal Shem Tov passed on the right and the ability to a few in the crowd to be able to be the “Rabbis of all the thieves.” The ability to see beyond the naked eye,
and see who that “thief” truly is. To be able to see the broken soul from within and be able to give that special and sad neshama, so much love and direction, that they too can become great and prominent in their own special way. But it takes much more than the naked eye to see and understand just how special these lost souls are. So the next time you see some poor individual on the street, or hear of some terrible incident on the news, think for a second who the mother of this child is. Who really cares about this person. And who really wants to bless them that the “police” won’t find them. I bless myself and everyone around me to always be able to see those “thieves,” to always be able to be the “Rabbi” for those who aren’t so well, or important. To be able to say, I am the mother of that child no matter how far he has fallen, and to be proud of him just as one is proud of their child who is a doctor or lawyer or prominent rabbi of some great community. May Hashem have mercy on all those lost and broken souls, and may Hashem give strength to all those “Rabbis” and mothers to keep seeing beyond the naked eye, straight into their holy and unique souls.
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Friday, December 11, 2020
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Good Skincare Habits – The Gift You Give Yourself We have several things to look forward to this year. Holidays are coming, and it’s my favorite time to spend time with family, celebrate with loved ones, and give them gifts that express my love to them. I can think of nothing better than the gift of self-care and beauty. A brand that is dedicated to giving its clients a way to feel good, healthy, and strong is Estala Skincare. Esta Crompton, owner of Estala Skincare, knows firsthand how transformative the right beauty tools and skincare can be for one’s self-esteem, positivity, and state of mind. The following skincare tips for winter and anti-aging from Esta appeared as a blog post on her Estala Skincare website. Head to https:// estalaskincare.com for the perfect Chanukah gifts, such as the bathtub tray, vanity mirror with lights, derma roller, makeup remover pads, and of course skincare. Use code TFD10 for 10% off your purchases. Goodbye Dry Skin: Pro Tips For Winter At some point, we all struggle with dry skin. These problems often occur during the winter months when our skin is drier than usual. Follow these pro tips to mitigate your skincare woes this season. Moisturize Right Away. Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing or after washing your hands. This helps plug the spaces between your skin cells and seal in moisture while your skin is
still damp. For the perfect moisturizer, try Luminescence Skin Lightening Cream, an anti-aging night cream that helps stop aging by reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyper-pigmentation. Humidify. Use a humidifier in the winter. Set it to around 60%, a level that should be sufficient to replenish the top layer of the epidermis. Wash Less. Limit yourself to one 5- to 10-minute bath or shower daily. If you bathe more than that, you may strip away much of the skin’s oily layer and cause it to lose moisture. Avoid The Harsh Stuff. Steer clear of deodorant soaps, perfumed soaps, and alcohol products, which can strip away natural oils. Instead, try the Revitalizing Toning Cleanser, which is an anti-aging, toning facial cleanser that removes dirt and makeup in the evening, leaving your skin soft and supple. Put Away The Scrubs. To reduce the risk of trauma to the skin, avoid bath sponges, scrub brushes, and washcloths. If you don’t want to give them up altogether, be sure to use a light touch. For the same reason, pat or blot
Columnist Michal Goldfein using Estala Skincare.
(don’t rub) the skin when toweling dry. Shave Smarter. When shaving, use a shaving cream or gel and leave it on your skin for several minutes before starting. Top 10 Uncommon Anti-Aging Tips Say No To Straws. That’s right. Using a straw seems like it would have no effect. But over the years, sipping through a straw can cause and accentuate wrinkles and fine lines around your mouth. Avoid Smoking. Besides for the cancer risks, the habit takes a major toll on your appearance, contributing to premature skin aging, wrinkles, stained teeth, and even increased psoriasis risk. Up Your Antioxidants. Vitamins E and B12 will work wonders on your skin. Add more fatty fish and poultry to your diet to get these naturally. Eat More Protein. It is recommended that most women have at least 50 grams of protein per day, more if you work out. As we age, losing muscle mass is natural. Eating more protein can slow that process. Additionally, a protein-rich diet is essential for healthy-looking hair. Sleep With Silk. Cotton and polyester tug at the delicate skin on your face, but silk and satin pillowcases are gentler, and can prevent you from waking up with creased cheeks. With a silk pillowcase, your skin slides on the pillow. Less friction can slow the development of fine lines over time. Prioritize Exercise. As if keeping your weight in check and preventing chronic health conditions weren’t enough, frequent exercise can help you look and feel younger, according to research. A recent study of older adults published in The Journal of Physiology discovered that more active participants functioned physiologically similar to younger adults. Your face will benefit from those sweat sessions as well. Exfoliate Twice Per Week. Exfoliating your face can work wonders by removing dead skin cells and revealing the fresh layers beneath. Of Continued on p.52
Friday, December 11, 2020
HALACHIC POSITIONS Halachic Positions 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
What If You Don’t Like The Gift?
We are all the recipients, at one time or another, of gifts and favors from Hashem and other people. Of course, Hashem knows our needs and gives us what He thinks is best for us. Our friends and relatives are not that astute and, at times, give us gifts or do us favors that we don’t
need or want. What should our reaction be? According to Rav Soloveitchik, our gratitude to them should be no less than if they had given us the most desired gift. Appreciation, said Rav Soloveitchik, should be measured, not by our needs, but by
the efforts and thoughtfulness of the benefactor. Rav Soloveitchik based his opinion on a famous dispute between Beit Hillel and Beit Shamai. According to Beit Shamai, we light eight candles on the first night Continued on p.53
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Fashion Continued from p.50
course, you can overdo it. Try to exfoliate twice per week as you age. Use A Proven Anti-Aging Line. The market is saturated with “miracle products.� To really combat aging, you need an all-encompassing skincare line designed just for that. Try the Estala Anti-Aging Line and the Derma Roller, which uses micro abrasion to restore your skin’s natural glow,
right at home. Take Care Of Your Hands. You probably give the skin on your face plenty of TLC, but what about your hands? Without a targeted regimen to slow down the onset of dark spots and textural changes, hands can age a person faster than the face. Sun is the main culprit, so use SPF on your hands. At night, use your regular anti-aging serum on any dry spots on your hands. Brighten Your Smile. Stained, yellowed teeth can add years to your face. To feel more con-
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a ot os ok et e ht Thes lvations ers in th g all eig e are n but to lo nd prais les, , w h n a a i t s r m d s rac fa fore iests. Du cred, an se of the s thank our mi ions. Y u s a at pr e s are ordinary to expr ame for our salv Y N r e t d ord r grea ers an You r wond You
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Friday, December 11, 2020
Ziegler Continued from p.51
of Chanukah and light one fewer candle on each subsequent night, leaving us with but one candle to light on the last night of Chanukah. According to Beit Hillel, we begin with one candle, lighting an additional candle each night so that on the last night of Chanukah eight candles are lit. The Gemara presents explanations by amora’im on the halachic reasoning behind this dispute, but Rav Soloveitchik suggested we look at it from a conceptual perspective: According to Beit Shamai, the candles symbolize our praise of Hashem for rescuing us from our predicament. We needed pure uncontaminated oil for the Beit HaMikdash until a new batch could be prepared in a week’s time. The urgency of this need, though, decreased with each day that passed as we were that much closer to producing our own oil. Hence, argues Beit Shamai, we should decrease the number of candles every night as a reflection of the diminished predicament. Beit Hillel, however, argues that the candles symbolize our appreciation of Hashem’s miracle. With each day that passed, the greatness of the miracle was enhanced since a small
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amount of oil – enough to last one day – kept on burning and burning. The peoples’ awe intensified with each passing day, and adding an additional candle every night reflects that increased appreciation. Since the halacha follows Beit Hillel, we must always look upon the daily miracles that Hashem perform for us, not in terms of our needs, but in terms of Hashem’s kindness. Thus, for example, we shouldn’t be less thankful once we complete a journey safely. We aren’t aware of the dangers that lurked in our path and who knows what would have happened if not for our guardian above protecting us? We thus shouldn’t say less Tehillim or give less tzedakah when we arrive safely at our destination just because the trip was uneventful. So too, gifts or favors offered by another human being should be appreciated for the effort and kindness behind them, not by how much our needs were satisfied. So even if we deem a gift worthless, we must enthusiastically show our appreciation. 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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POINT
COUNTERPOINT
Editor’s note: Over the last few weeks, a debate has raged on Soferet – an e-mail group for writers and editors and related positions – on the value of gedolim biographies. Some have championed them while others have argued that they are unrealistic and unrelatable. We invited two women from that debate to expand upon their comments and pen full-length articles on this topic. Their articles follow:
Not Interesting, Not Believable, Not Relatable By Henye Meyer
Cookie-cutter bowdlerized biographies of gedolim – I already have dozens of them cluttering my shelves. I don’t read them, though. Maybe subconsciously I hope they’ll rewrite themselves if I leave them there long enough. These books depict perfect gedolim and illuyim with no discernible yetzer hara or individuality who are almost as far removed from me as a malach. How can I compare myself to a malach? If I wasn’t born an illui (or a man), what can I expect to achieve by reading these biographies? I don’t want feet-of-clay or wartsand-all depictions of our gedolim,
personality at all]. • If we don’t get to the essence of who a person is in a biography, then their goodness is cheapened. Unquestionably, our gedolim were great men on a level we find hard to appreciate. Yet, at the same time, they were real people. Certainly, some gedolim seem to have been illuyim from birth, with virtually no desire to do aveiros on a level we would appreciate. Others, however, rose to prominence because they overcame recognizable obstacles or despite not being blessed with genius. I know which sort of person I can relate to. The question is: What exactly are we trying to do in presenting a gadol’s life story to the Jewish public?
I don’t want feet-of-clay or warts-and-all depictions of our gedolim, but give me biographies of people with human frailties who transcended them! Give me human beings! but give me biographies of people with human frailties who transcended them! Give me human beings! And please don’t try to humanize the gadol with apocryphal tales or stories attributed to 17 other tzaddikim. Give me truth. Verified incidents of a gadol’s life will illuminate far better than Jewish fairy tales. I’m not the only one who feels this way. Here are the comments of other people on this topic: • Books about “great women” who never struggled while taking care of their family and all of Klal Yisrael are a turnoff for me. • When I was in 4th grade and I read a gadol book, I remember thinking: He was able to accomplish all of that by the age of 10! I’m already 10 and there’s no way I can do that in my whole lifetime. Guess there’s no point in trying. • I just couldn’t get over how boring they made the life of such a non-typical gadol. It really did read like a computer-generated form biography. Insert [gadol’s name], doing [good deed #1]. Do not include [any
If we intend to inspire – and by that I mean to generate in the reader an aspiration to emulate the subject – we need to offer ways to understand the gadol as an individual who had human needs but who grew beyond them. Showing the gadol’s “normal” side gives us a role model. There are arguments against writing this kind of biography. Too much familiarity may lessen the impact of the person’s gadlus (although this argument seems more relevant to living gedolim). There are also concerns of lashon hara. But who decides what’s lashon hara? If a certain story was widely known in the gadol’s lifetime and he didn’t try to suppress it, why are we second-guessing him? Are we afraid to step out of our frum conformist vision? Is this really what the gadol would have wanted? So give us little incidents of informality, vignettes that show a sense of humor, or some innocent idiosyncrasy (that was acceptable Continued on p.55
You’re Not Supposed To Relate; You’re Supposed To Be Inspired By D. Breines
Why do we write biographies of gedolei Yisrael? There are plenty of reasons. For historical perspective. To give the public positive reading material. To provide great stories for the Shabbos table. But the overarching reason for writing – and reading – biographies of gedolei Yisrael is to be inspired by greatness. And when we tarnish greatness, we exponentially reduce its power to inspire. Some say contemporary biographies of Torah giants are one-dimensional. They’re unbelievable. We don’t see the whole person. We don’t see their internal struggles. We need to know about their flaws,
thoven, lehavdil, can relate to the musical genius that enabled him to compose the Ninth Symphony or the Emperor Concerto while deaf. But that doesn’t stop musicians from studying Beethoven. We don’t need to make gedolei Yisrael relatable. We read about their lives so we can get a glimpse of the potential of the human spirit. It doesn’t mean we need to reach their heights. But we need to aim high. So it’s okay for us to feel the gedolim were unbelievable – because they truly were. Rav Aharon Rokeach, zt”l, the previous Belzer Rebbe, would on occasion tell his gabbai to “go outside and tell everyone to go home.” The gabbai would open the door and see… nobody. But he knew enough to tell everyone
“When I finished the [biography of Rav Moshe Feinstein], I said to myself, ‘This is what a human being should be; I’m not a human being.’ So I became a ba’al teshuvah.” their mistakes, their failures. Actually, we don’t. The term “gadol b’Yisrael” implies that the person was so much greater than we are that seeing the whole person is virtually impossible from our perspective. A gadol isn’t simply someone who has spent an inordinate amount of time studying Torah. A gadol is someone who has made it his life’s work to perfect himself, to expand his definition of himself to include every single Jew possible, and to become as close to Hashem as humanly possible. And a gadol not only achieves what he sets out to do, but is rewarded with knowledge above and beyond what he has actually learned. So when we try to bring gedolim down to our level to feel connected to them – when we think we need to know their flaws to be able to relate to them – what we’re really doing is missing the point. We’re not meant to relate to gedolei Yisrael. We’re supposed to follow and emulate them. No musician who studies Bee-
he couldn’t see that they should go home – because if the Rebbe said they were there, they were there. This story is truly unbelievable, but it gives us a glimpse of a person who lived in an entirely different sphere, on a level of holiness and spirituality few – if any – of us will ever attain. The point of these biographies isn’t for us to attain the level of the gedolim. It’s for us to be inspired by them. The Belzer Rebbe’s dedication and attention to every single Jew who came to him can give us pause: If someone so lofty, so seemingly removed from this world, could still give his undivided attention and love to every single Jew, maybe I’m capable of giving a little bit more to the people who need me. Maybe I’m not as busy as I thought I was. The Belzer Rebbe’s contemporaries testified that he never sinned. But even if he had, what would writing about that accomplish? As Rabbi Nachman Seltzer, a biographer, has Continued on p.55
Friday, December 11, 2020
Meyer Continued from p.54
in his time) – all of which will bring the great personality to life. Tell us that, despite reading a newspaper or smoking a pipe, the gadol spent hours listening to some unfortunate’s maunderings or davened intensely for a seemingly hopeless situation – and rectified it. How he had a fondness for pickled herring but gave his last kopek away to a poor woman and went without herring one week. Give us more stories like the one of the Chofetz Chaim who as a child did something wrong because “everybody else did it” and then had charata and actually did something to fix what he had done. Doesn’t that encourage us not to go along with the crowd mindlessly? And to think about others? And to do teshuvah? When one over-sanitizes biogra-
phies, one risks losing their potential to inspire contemporary readers. So please! Give us biographies about real-life gedolim (and their rebbitzens) who achieved greatness while dealing with the same yetzer haras we have, who grew up with baseball and bicycles, who preferred playing to learning, who had difficulties in school (or getting into one). Those are the heroes we need!
Breines
The Jewish Press
This man had never seen Reb Moshe or any other gadol. He had never learned Torah. For him, that biography must certainly have been unbelievable. But it was precisely that “unbelievable” element – it was precisely reading about someone who was so obviously not like you and me – that inspired him to become something more than he was. That’s the point of reading about gedolim. It’s not only to come away with an appreciation of them, although that’s a worthy goal too. It’s to come away with an appreciation of what a Jew can become, and to use that appreciation to become better Jews ourselves. D. Breines is a writer, blogger, and content marketer who lives in Beitar Illit, Israel.
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A stranger once came to my office at Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem and told me that he had become a ba’al teshuvah from reading the original “Reb Moshe” book. He had received it from the yeshivah in a mass mailing. He said, “When I finished the book, I said to myself, ‘This is what a human being should be; I’m not a human being.’ So I became a ba’al teshuvah.”
Continued from p.54
said, “These are people who worked on themselves their entire lives. They killed themselves in the tents of Torah. And so now I should go and find the one flaw they didn’t manage to overcome? Why? And who am I to make that kind of decision?” Biographies of gedolei Yisrael aren’t novels. They are portraits of greatness, meant for us to get an idea of who these men were, to taste what being in their proximity might have been like. Rabbi Shimon Finkelman, a prolific biographer, relates that the Chazon Ish, zt”l, regarded stories of gedolei Yisrael as mussar sefarim. They can and should be enjoyable reads, but, above all, we’re supposed to learn from them. And countless people do. Rabbi Finkelman re(Photo: Aharon Krohn/Flash90) lates that when he interviewed Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l, for Henye Meyer, an American living the 25th anniversary edition of Rav in England, has written a number Moshe Feinstein’s biography, Reb of historical novels, including, most Dovid told him the following story: recently, “Who Is Like Your People?”
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COVENANT & CONVERSATION RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS, Z"L
The Power Of Praise 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. Reuben is the leader who might have been but never was. He was Jacob’s firstborn. Jacob said of him on his deathbed, “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power� (Gen. 49:3). This is an impressive tribute, suggesting physical presence and commanding demeanor. More significantly, in his early years Reuben consistently appeared to be the most morally sensitive of Jacob’s children. He was Leah’s son, and keenly felt his mother’s disappointment that she was not Jacob’s favorite. Here is the first description of him as a child: During wheat harvest, Reuben went out into the fields and found some mandrake plants, which he brought to his mother Leah (Gen. 30:14). Mandrakes were thought to be an aphrodisiac. Reuben knew this and immediately thought of his mother. It was a touching gesture but it misfired because he presented them to Leah in the pres-
ence of Rachel and unintentionally caused an argument between them. The next episode in which we see Reuben is far more troubling: Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrat, that is, Bethlehem‌ While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept [vayishkav] with his father’s concubine Bilhah ‌ (Gen. 35:19-22). If understood literally this would amount to a major sin. Sleeping with your father’s concubine was not only a sexual crime; it was an unforgivable act of treason and betrayal, as we discover later in Tanach when Absalom decides to rebel against his father David and replace him as king. Ahitophel gives him the following advice: “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resoluteâ€? (2 Samuel 16:21). According to the Sages, the text about Reuben is not to be understood literally. After Rachel died, Jacob had moved his bed to the tent of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid. This, felt Reuben, was an intolerable humiliation for his mother. It was hard for Leah to endure the fact that Jacob loved her sister more. It would have been altogether unbearable for her to discover that he even preferred Rachel’s handmaid. So Reuben moved Jacob’s bed from Bilhah’s tent to Leah’s. The verb vayishkav should therefore be translated not as “slept withâ€? but “changed the sleeping arrangement.â€? At this point, however, the text does a strange thing. It says, “Reuben went in and slept with
[or changed the sleeping arrangement of] his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it ‌â€? and then signals a paragraph break in the middle of the sentence. The sentence ends: “Jacob had twelve sons.â€? This is very unusual indeed. What it suggests is an audible silence. Communication had completely broken down between Jacob and Reuben. If the Sages are correct in their interpretation, then this is one of the greatest tragedies in the whole of Genesis. Jacob clearly believed that Reuben had slept with his concubine Bilhah. He cursed him for it on his deathbed: “Unstable as water, you will not excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled itâ€? (Gen. 49:4). Yet according to the Sages, this did not happen. Had Jacob been willing to speak to Reuben he would have discovered the truth, but Jacob grew up in a family that lacked open, candid communication (as we saw a few weeks ago, during our discussion of parshat Toldot). Thus, for many years Reuben was suspected by his father of a sin he had not committed – all because he cared about the feelings of his mother. Which brings us to the third episode in Reuben’s life, the most tragic of all. Jacob favored Joseph, son of his beloved Rachel, and the other brothers knew it. When he gave Joseph a visible sign of favoritism, the richly embroidered cloak, the brothers resented it yet more. When Joseph began to have dreams of the rest of the family bowing down to him, the brothers’ animosity reached a boiling point. When they were far from home, tending the flocks, and Joseph appeared in the distance, their hatred made them decide then and there to kill him. Reuben alone resisted: When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Continued on p.58
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Sacks Continued from p.56
him [Joseph] from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father (Gen. 37:21-22). Reuben’s plan was simple. He persuaded the brothers not to kill Joseph but rather to let him die by leaving him to starve in a pit. He intended to return later, when the brothers had moved on, to rescue him. When he returned, however, Jo-
seph was no longer there. He had been sold as a slave. Reuben was devastated. Three times Reuben tried to help but despite his best intentions, his efforts failed. He was responsible for the one recorded quarrel between Leah and Rachel. His father wrongly suspected him of a major sin and cursed him on his deathbed. He failed to save Joseph. Reuben knew when things were not right, and tried to act to make changes for the better, but he somehow lacked the prudence, confidence or courage to achieve his desired outcome. He should have waited for Leah to be alone before giving her the mandrakes. He should have remonstrated directly with his father about his sleeping arrangements. He should have physically taken Joseph safely back home. What happened to Reuben to make him lack confidence? The Torah gives a poignant and unmistakable hint. Listen to these verses describing the birth of Leah’s (and Jacob’s) first two children:
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When the L-rd saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the L-rd has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.”
She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the L-rd heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon (Gen. 29:32-33). Both times, it was Leah, not Jacob, who named the child – and both names were a cry to Jacob to notice her and love her – if not for herself then at least because she has given him children. Jacob evidently did not notice. Reuben became what he became because – so the text seems to imply – his father’s attention was elsewhere; he did not care for either Leah or her sons (the text itself says, “the L-rd saw that Leah was not loved”). Reuben knew this and felt intensely his mother’s shame and his father’s apparent indifference. People need encouragement if they are to lead. It is fascinating to contrast the hesitant Reuben with the confident – even overconfident – Joseph, who was loved and favored by his father. If we want our children to have the confidence to act when action is needed, then we have to empower, encourage and praise them. There is a fascinating Mishnah in Ethics of the Fathers: Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai had five (pre-eminent) disciples, namely Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya, Rabbi Yose the Priest, Rabbi Shimon ben Netanel, and Rabbi Elazar ben Arach. He used to recount their praise: Eliezer ben Hyrcanus – a plastered well that never loses a drop. Joshua ben Chananya – happy the one who gave him birth. Yose the Priest – a pious man. Shimon ben Netanel Continued on p.65
Published in Jewish Press ‘84
These are some of the FREE are some the FREE programsThese Beth Shifra ranoffor the Poor and programs Beth Shifra ran for the Poor Russian Families. and Russian Families.
Separate Orthodox Boy Scout & Girl Separate Orthodox Boy Scout & Girl Scout Club • Matchmaking 1720 Adar I, 5779/ February 25, 2019 Scout Club • Matchmaking Trips and Rallies • Free Legal Advice In years past, Beth Shifra maintained a Free Soup Kitchen all year round, open years, in Brooklyn, NY, provided Trips and Rallies • has Free Legal Advice year round daily free meals to those who are Jewish Films Jewish History Classes seven dJuly aythe s 17, a w2018 eeBeth k, serving Shifra free meals throrganization, ee times a day, without charglocated e. During For of almost 50 years, Bethsponsored Shifra organization, located in Brooklyn, NY, has Jewish Films Jewish History Classes the week Pesach, Beth the Shifra free Kosher for Pesach Sedorim Job Placement CSW do on Premesis nity. I meals amyeararound personally familiar the work• Karate that •they under the leadership of Rabbi Chaim Prussman, a provided roundthe daily to those arewith most needy in theoutstanding New and daily cityfree formeals thousands of who people. We are personally JobBusiness Placement • Karate • CSW on Premesis School • Brisim Performed York Jewish community. I am personally familiar with the outstanding work that familiar with the outstanding work that they do undertheir the leadership of Rabbi ossible, including publicizing work in shul or organization. do underand the urge leadership Rabbi Chaim Prussman, urge you help your Business School • •Brisim Performed SpeakSpeakers Bureau Free Hebrew School Chaimthey Prussman, you toofhelp Beth Shifra with anyand support that to you Beth Shifra in any manner possible, including publicizing their work in your shul ers Bureau • Free Hebrew School can, including publicizing their inspiring work in your Shul or organization. Free Summer Camps • Nursery schools ach holiday, or organization. the organization sponsors Kosher for Passover sedorim, food packages, lectures and programs to hundreds This year, 2019/5779, Beth Shifra is sponsoring free Kosher for Pesach Seders Free Summer Camps ••Nursery Jewish Services Boxing schools During the Pesach holiday, the organization sponsors Kosher for Passover and meals daily from Friday, April 19, through Saturday (Shabbat), April 27, brate the sedorim,holiday. food packages, lectures and programs to hundreds of people who would Jewish Services • BoxingSchools High School Programs In Public at The White Shul,2102 Avenue T & East 21in Brooklyn. Free Kosher for otherwise be unable to celebrate the holiday. High School Programs In Schools PassovIn er 2019, foodthe p a c k a g e s w i l l b e o f f e r e d o n T h u r s d a y , A p r i l 1 8 , a t t h e W h i t e helping hungry and poor, may you only receive the choicest blessings from Heaven. Chess Tournament • Free BarPublic Mitzvahs and they will be sponsoring free kosher for Passover Seders and daily meals Shul, 2102 T & 19 East 21 in Brooklyn from 27th 12:00 to 2:00Shul pm.located We at ChessMezuzas Tournament • Free Bar Mitzvahs from Avenue Friday, April through Saturday, April at pm the White by Rabbi Zalmen proudl2102 y invAvenue ite you T to(East join u s inStreet) makinin g tBrooklyn. his year a Pesach memorfood y of packages a lifetimewill for be 21st SeveralEnglish EnglishClasses Classes(Green (GreenCards) Cards) Several those in need. distiruted on Thursday, April 18 ath the synagogue between the hours of 12:00Member of Assembly Take the time now to have the merit and joy of helping a hungry family WorkRelease ReleasePrograms Programs•• Release ReleaseHours Hours Work 2:00 PM. celebrate Passover. Shifra with may any assistance that you In the merit ofPlease helpinghelp the Beth hungry and poor, you only receive the can, choicest • Homeless Shelter Free Flee Market including publicizing their good work in your Shul or organization. May all blessings from Heaven. those that participate in this holy effort be blessed from Heaven. Hikind On behDov alf o f the Igud/RAA Presidium and of the Beth Din, I extend greetings Member of Assembly of Torah.
February 16, 2018 Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik Executive Vice - President , Rabbinical Alliance of America July In 17,years 2018 past, Beth Shifra maintained a Free Soup Kitchen all year round, open For almost 50 years, the Beth Shifra located in Brooklyn, NY, hasDuring seven days a week, serving freeorganization, meals three times a day, without charge. provided year round dailyBeth free meals those whofree are Kosher most needy in the New the week of Pesach, Shifratosponsored for Pesach Sedorim and Yorkthree Jewish community. I am personally familiar with the that meals a day, around the city, for thousands of outstanding people. We work are personally they familiar do underwith the leadership of Rabbi Chaim Prussman, and urge you to help their important work. BethBeth ShifraShifra in anyismanner possible, including work in your doing an outstanding job publicizing helping thetheir unfortunate. You,shul too, can or organization. be a part of this great Mitzvah of charity and Maos Chittim. May all those that During the Pesach holiday, organization Kosher for Passover participate in this holythe effort be blessedsponsors from Heaven. sedorim, food packages, lectures and programs to hundreds of people who would otherwise unable to celebrate the holiday. With be every blessing, In 2019, they will be sponsoring free kosherVice for Passover Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik | Executive PresidentSeders and daily meals fromRabbinacal Friday. Pesach food packages will be distiruted on Thursday, April 18 ath Alliance of America the synagogue between the hours of 12:00-2:00 PM. In the merit of helping the hungry and poor, may you only receive the choicest blessings from Heaven. Reprinted from the Jewish Press • Friday, March 20, 1987 Dov Hikind Bogus Purim Service Broken Up Member of Assembly
Bogus Purim Service Broken Up A group of missionaries in Brighton Beach who rented Public School 225 on the premise they were holding a social,” attempted to hold a bogus “Purim Megilla” reading. The missionaries widely advertised their program in Russian as well as English throughout the Manhattan Beach and Brighton Beach area in an effort to entice young people to their service. However, when the real purpose of the “service” was discovered, groups from Boro Park, Flatbush, Crown Heights and Monsey descended on the area to help the
Reprinted from the Jewish Press • Friday, March 20, 1987
staff of the Beth Shifra Institutions break up the rally. Since many of the protesters missed the Megilla reading, the staff of Beth Shifra held to Megilla readings, so those who were instrumental in breaking up the rally could observe the Mitzva properly. The The Beth Beth Shifra Shifra rally, rally, held held at at the the Jewish Jewish Center Center of of Ocean Parkway, was termed a huge success by the children and parents who attended. There was a live band and a puppet show to entertain the children.
Friday, December 11, 2020
Happy Chanukah!
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of Planets was seeking to advance throughout the galaxy. The prevalence of this theme may well be due to many of the show’s original writers – including Bob Justman, Herb Solow, Robert Bloch, Shimon Wincelberg, Don Mankiewicz, Harlan Ellison, Jerry Sohl, and David Gerrold – being Jewish. In one of the most memorable episodes, the planet Ekos, a caricature of the Third Reich, is headed by a “Fuhrer” who implements a “final decision” to eliminate its neighbors from Zeon, referred to as “Zeonist pigs” (the reference to a “final solution” and “Zionist pigs” is unmistakable). InCreated by Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek fol- terestingly, the German government banned the lows the voyages of the starship USS Enterprise, episode as “unfit for entertainment” and did not a space exploration vessel built in the 23rd century permit its broadcast until 1995. by the United Federation of Planets, a futuristic Shatner, who lost distant family in the Holointergalactic United Nations of sorts, on a mission caust and characterized himself as “a Jew who lived through the “to explore strange Third Reich,” exnew worlds, to perienced great seek out new life personal discomand new civilizations, to boldly go fort wearing a Nazi where no man has uniform in the episode. He wrote in gone before.” his memoir, Live Despite the Long and… What modest reaction I Learned Along that its 79 episodes the Way, that “it is generated during impossible to have the three years it been born Jewish originally aired before WWII and (1965-1969), Star not think about Trek has become what you would one of the greatest cult phenomena of Copy of photo of Nimoy as Spock flashing the “Vulcan salute.” have done if you were trapped in all time and is notable for its cultural influence far beyond the sci- Europe.” ence fiction genre. Shatner tried to raise his three daughters as Star Trek episodes tell the story of the adven- Jews, with various degrees of success, and he oftures of the humans and aliens who serve togeth- ten celebrates Jewish holidays with his children er in Starfleet, the space-borne humanitarian and and holds regular Shabbat dinners. In one notable peacekeeping armada of the Federation. The pro- instance, he declined a prestigious invitation from tagonists, who have altruistic values but often dis- the Kennedys to join them at their compound so play human/alien failings, must apply these ide- that he could attend a Jewish holiday celebration als to challenging dilemmas, many of which were with his daughters in California. metaphors for contemporary cultural issues. When his father, with whom Shatner had had William Shatner (b. 1931), who played James a very close lifelong relationship, died, he purTiberius Kirk – the cunning, courageous, and con- chased a simple pine box for a coffin, as per the fident captain of the Enterprise – was born in Mon- Jewish tradition, and arranged for treal, Quebec to a Conservative Jewish family that a Jewish funeral. He writes about maintained a kosher home. His Yiddish-speaking how strange it was that the offifather, Joseph, was a clothing manufacturer who ciating rabbi was prohibited from had emigrated from Bukovina in the Austro-Hun- attending the cemetery burial and garian Empire and his maternal grandparents the peculiarities of a faith that were Lithuanian Jewish immigrants. The family prohibits its religious leader from name was originally “Schattner,” but his paternal offering prayers for the recently grandfather anglicized it to Shatner. departed. As many readers have Shatner attended Hebrew school, attended probably guessed, the rabbi was synagogue with his family every Shabbat, and a kohen who, in accordance with had a bar mitzvah ceremony. He worked as a teen Biblical law, was prohibited from counselor at a B’nai Brith camp in southern Que- defiling himself by entering a cembec for young Holocaust survivors – in one case, etery. his innocent reading of a scary story to a survivor Shatner was raised with a roso traumatized the child that he had to be sent mantic view of Israel but with no Copy of photo home – but he always felt more connected to Jew- real appreciation of the monumen- Kirk. ish culture than to religious observance. tal effort and human lives it took Even today, he often expresses pride at being to create it and the continuing sacrifices necessary part of a Jewish value system that teaches charity to defend and maintain it. He began to more closeand generosity and in which education, learning, ly follow the history of Israel and its achievements and communicating with other Jews is an import- as an adult and, after many visits to Israel, which ant part of being Jewish. he calls “a magical place,” he now appreciates Star Trek was notable in its time for its em- the challenges facing the country. Lamenting its phasis on addressing contemporary social issues political quagmire with the Arabs, he expresses in light of Jewish ideals like social justice and tik- hope that Israeli ingenuity and political savvy will kun olam and for promoting Jewish values such someday find a path to peace. as compassion, diversity, justice, and the pursuit Standing at the Kotel during a visit in 1995, of knowledge. Shatner expressed his deep admiration for the With the show airing only 25 years after World Jewish state and declared, “I am here to absorb War II, when the Holocaust was still fresh in the Jerusalem and Israel and to take a look at my public psyche, one recurring theme in the show is heritage. I think it is so mystical and marvelous. Kirk and his Enterprise crew confronting nation- It beckons everyone in the world, particularly al socialistic societies and totalitarian states that Jews, to come here.” He attended a ceremony with were the antithesis of what the United Federation then-Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert dedicating a
Captain James T. Kirk’s Chanukah Memories
sculpture of the 12 tribes of Israel at a seminary near the Kotel. An active supporter of Israeli charities, particularly the Jewish National Fund, Shatner can count among his philanthropic efforts founding the William and Elizabeth Shatner Therapeutic Riding Consortium Endowment for Israel which, in cooperation with the JNF, funds 30 therapeutic horse-riding centers for the disabled. A great believer in the benefits that riding horses provides to the Israeli disabled, Shatner claims that “sussim osim nissim” (horses perform miracles). Shatner generated some silly controversy during one of his visits to Israel and was taken to task by the media for not visiting his Jewish family there. It was suggested that he is related to Mordechai Shatner (1904-1964), a Zionist activist who saved Jews during World War II; was imprisoned in the Atlit detainee camp, Rafah and Latrun prisons for campaigning against the British treatment of Jewish prisoners; and later was a signer of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. However, there is no evidence that Shatner is in any way related to Mordechai or that he had any relatives living in Israel. Shatner, who has never been reticent about his Jewish heritage, says that “the mystique of being Jewish is something you wear as part of you, as though it were clothing.” He has been outspoken about his experiences with anti-Semitism during his childhood growing up in Montreal, as a student at McGill University, and even during his career as an actor. He was devastated when he was replaced on his high-school football team for missing a practice on Yom Kippur when he attended synagogue with his family. (He later regularly attended synagogue services with Leonard Nimoy on the High Holy Days.) Tough neighborhood kids regularly picked fights with him because he was a Jew and, because he always fought back, he earned the nickname “Toughie.” Shatner explains, with no small degree of pride, that anti-Semitism began to wane in America after World War II when Jewish soldiers, who had made important contributions to the successful war effort, “came back tough” and refused to back away from fights. In this wonderful correspondence on his personal letterhead titled “Some Hanukkah Memories,” Shatner – who signs the letter “Captain Kirk, Proud Jew” – writes: First of all I’d like to say I recently released a Holiday album – I was going to call it “Dreidel Dreidel” but then I thought better of it. Maybe I should have – maybe. I was born in the Notre Dame de Grace Neighborhood of Shatner as of Montreal Quebec Canada to a Conservative Jewish family – my Paternal Grandfather “Wolfe Schattner” anglicized his family name to Shatner. All four of my grandparents were immigrants – they came from the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires – location of Present Day Ukraine and Lithuania. Third – during my childhood – the menorah stood somewhere on the mantelpiece – it was silver and black from use no matter how often it was polished – it stood there until used. And then it was used with great reverence. Fourth – my mother standing over the frying pan, pouring in a mixture of potatoes – ground-up potatoes into the sizzling fat Continued on p.61
Friday, December 11, 2020
Singer Continued from p.60
– the oil – and frying up potato pancakes. The memory of those potato pancakes with applesauce and the family crowding around eating the pancakes is a memory that is indelible. Happy Chanukah, William Shatner This correspondence was likely written in
been pilloried by critics for his bombastic musical performances – see, for example, his renditions of the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man,” which have become cult classics for their sheer awfulness – the critics commended him for his “nuanced” Exodus performance, including his effective interpretation of a pulpit rabbi delivering a sermon. It was Shatner’s shared Jewish background that helped him bond with his Star Trek co-star, Leonard Nimoy (1931-2015), the iconic ultra-rationalist and logical – dare we say “Maimonidean?” – first officer. Nimoy, who grew up in a strictly observant Orthodox family, based several aspects of his character on his Jewish upbringing, most famously the “Vulcan finger-salute,” which has become a universal sign for the blessing, “Live long and prosper.” As he tells the story in his memoir, I Am Spock, he adopted the salute from the Birkat Kohanim (the “Priestly Blessing”) he witnessed in the Russell Street Synagogue:
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Angeles – and he served on the advisory board of the National Foundation for Jewish Culture. Fluent in Yiddish, he funded a project to record Yiddish stories and distribute them to Jewish children. Much of his charitable work was performed anonymously because “in Judaism, there is a philosophical understanding that the highest form of charity is that which is given anonymously.” Another Jew aboard the Enterprise was Walter Koenig (nee Konigsberg), the Russian-accented navigator Pavel Chekov, whose parents were Russian Jews who emigrated from Lithuania. The show also featured many Jewish guest stars. 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. He welcomes comments at saul. singer@verizon.net.
The special moment when the Kohanim blessed the assembly moved me deeply, for it possessed a great sense of magic and theatricality…. I had heard that this indwelling Spirit of God was too powerful, too beautiful, too awesome for any mortal to look upon and survive, and so I obediently covered my face with my hands. The public often conflates Nimoy with his defining role, but there is good cause to do so – not the least of which is that one of his memoirs is titled I Am Spock. Spock, as created and portrayed by Nimoy, was the model of an immigrant Jew; as a half-human and half-Vulcan, Spock was the product of two very different civilizations who did not fit comfortably in either one. Nimoy, who characterized Spock as “the Wandering Jew,” explained, “I knew what it meant to be a member of a minority, in some instances an outcast minority. I understood that aspect of the character well enough to play it. Coming from my background, growing up in a neighborhood of immigrants trying to assimilate From top left, clockwise: copy of photo of Shatner in Israel; signed into modern American society, I photo of Mordechai Shatner, signer of Israel’s Declaration of Indeunderstood that deep sense of not pendence – not a relative; Shatner’s Chanukah letter. really belonging anywhere.” Ironically, as Nimoy wryly observed, 2018, when Shatner appeared in a PBS documen- his ancestors had arrived in America as aliens tary, “Hanukkah: A Festival of DeLights,” which only to have him go to Hollywood to become one. traced the evolution of Chanukah from its origin Nimoy played many other Jewish characters as a relatively “minor holiday” on the Jewish cal- during the course of his career, including Morris endar to “one of major prominence in assimilated Meyerson, Golda’s husband, in “A Woman Called American Jewish life.” Said Shatner, “[Chanukah Golda” (for which he earned an Emmy Award is] the tradition and the celebration of something nomination) and “Goldman in The Man in the brave and victorious…. Those are the things I Glass Booth,” and he starred in “Never Forget,” think Jews think about.” a TV movie based on the story of a Holocaust surShatner is interested in Jewish holidays be- vivor who sues a group of neo-Nazi Holocaust desides Chanukah. For example, he delivered a niers. As to playing Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” dramatic reading from the Bible and the Hag- he joked that while his shtetl-born parents never gadah for “Exodus: An Oratorio in Three Parts,” quite got Star Trek, “‘Fiddler’ they understood.” performed and recorded in 2005 by the Oklahoma Nimoy was a major supporter of Jewish causes Symphony Orchestra with a choir of 350 conduct- – including the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra; a ed by David Itkin, who composed the piece. childhood center at Temple Israel of Hollywood; Although Shatner, who characterized the or- and the Susan and Leonard Nimoy Career Center atorio as “the perfect Seder entertainment,” has at Beit T’Shuvah, a Jewish recovery house in Los
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News Briefs Select Stories You May Have Missed Israel/Mideast News ISRAEL TRIPLES PRE-ORDER OF MODERNA VACCINE TO SIX MILLION DOSES Israel’s Ministry of Health has signed an agreement with pharmaceutical giant Moderna to triple the number of vaccines it will purchase from the company in 2021 from two million to six million doses, according to a joint statement by the ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office. Six million doses will be sufficient to inoculate three million citizens, according to the statement. Israel had previously pre-ordered doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines currently in clinical trials in the United States, pending their approval by health regulators. The country is also developing its own vaccine, called BriLife, which began clinical trials on Nov. 1. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the new Moderna deal was cause for hope though warned that it wasn’t time to celebrate just yet. “We need to follow the rules. Our mission is to bring vaccines. Your mission is to follow the rules. If we do this, we are going to win. Together, we will defeat the coronavirus,” he said.
SIX BORDER POLICE HURT AS RIOTS BREAK OUT DURING ARRESTS NEAR RAMALLAH Six Israeli Border Police officers were wounded on Monday morning when riots broke out during an arrest raid in the Palestinian city of Kalandia near Ramallah, according to Israeli media reports. Some of the locals took to the rooftops, hurling bricks and other heavy items, including a washing machine, at the security forces. Some were treated by medics on the scene; others, who lost consciousness, were evacuated to the hospital, where their injuries were designated as “light.” During the clashes, the officers fired rubber bullets and live ammunition, wounding four Palestinians. Backup from the IDF arrived to complete the operation. Two of three suspected car thieves were apprehended.
BAHRAIN NOW SAYS IT WON’T ALLOW IMPORTS FROM ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS Bahrain will not allow imports from Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, Bahrain’s Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry said on Friday, according to a report by the state news agency BNA. The ministry’s statement contradicted the country’s trade minister, who said during a visit to Israel last week that they would be allowed. Bahraini Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani’s statement “was misinterpreted,” said the ministry, adding that “the ministry is committed to the Bahraini government’s unwavering stance regarding adherence to the resolutions of the United Nations, the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation concerning the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the Syrian Golan Heights.” Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki claimed that in a phone conversation with him, Al Zayani denied ever making the comments. Al Zayani was in Israel last week as head of a 40-member delegation, where he signed a
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on December 7. (Photo: Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO)
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with his Israeli counterpart Orit Farkash-Hacohen at a ceremony in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
HACKERS THREATEN TO SELL ISRAELI DATABASE TO HIGHEST BIDDER The hacker group that stole a major Israeli insurance company’s database said on Sunday that it had already “received offers” for it and plans to “sell it to the highest bidder.” The group, calling itself “Black Shadow,” had demanded a ransom of 50 bitcoins – nearly $1 million – for the database, which was stolen from Shirbit Insurance. The company refused to pay. The hackers have released several samples of the data, including documents containing names, addresses, phone numbers, credit card information, and drivers’ licenses of the company’s clients. As the company has remained adamant in its refusal to pay, Black Shadow has upped the ransom, which now stands at 200 bitcoin, or nearly $4 million. Communication specialist Ronen Tzur, hired by Shirbit to manage the crisis, told Army Radio that the company has made a “strategic decision” not to pay the hackers. “We will not cooperate with extortion attempts. The more digital the world becomes, the more prevalent such hacks could become and we will not cooperate with them,” he said. He noted that “this was not a regular ransomware attack. The hackers went public even before they contacted the company.”
NETANYAHU THANKS TRUMP ON JERUSALEM RECOGNITION ANNIVERSARY Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his support of the Jewish state, saying that his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017 would go down in history with President Harry S. Truman’s recognition of the State of Israel. “Exactly three years ago, President Trump became the first world leader to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” said Netanyahu at Sun-
day’s Cabinet meeting. “The proclamation will now be prominently displayed on the wall of Israel’s Cabinet room here in Jerusalem. It will be displayed alongside President Harry S. Truman’s 1948 proclamation recognizing the newly established State of Israel. These two historic proclamations will never be forgotten,” he said.
U.S. News CRUZ CALLS FOR LABELING MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD A TERRORIST GROUP Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has reintroduced a bill that calls on the U.S. State Department to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group. The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.). “I am proud to reintroduce this bill and to advance America’s fight against radical Islamic terrorism,” said Cruz in a statement released by his office. “I commend the current administration’s work calling terrorism by its name and combating the spread of this potent threat, and I look forward to receiving the additional information this new bill requests from the Department of State. “Many of our closest allies in the Arab world have long ago concluded that the Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist group that seeks to sow chaos across the Middle East, and I will continue working with my colleagues to take action against groups that finance terrorism.” — Compiled from reports by JNS and Israel Hayom
Please pray for Israel’s captured soldiers
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What Chanukah Used To Be Like I don’t care what anybody says, Chanukah today just isn’t like the Chanukahs we knew as kids. Today, our holiday is shrouded in commercialism and gift-giving. Remember when the candles for the menorah were just plain old-fashioned orange? Today, try to get orange-colored Chanukah candles! They have them in red, white, and blue – which of course is very patriotic – or they have them in “shocking� blue and white twists. One store I saw the other day is selling scented Chanukah candles. Nu. Who can forget that wonderful thrill we enjoyed as kids as we lit that first candle which ushered in the festive holiday? How those candles flickered with joy and happiness as they dripped tallow all over the kitchen table. How many times we almost burned down the house! There was always such great anticipation for this holiday because in our shul the rebbe used to give out little lead Chanukah dreidels to all the children. We would select one letter, then spin the dreidel and see if our letter came face up when it stopped spinning. If it did, we won the spin. My little brother Berel soon saw the possibilities of such a device and before anyone knew what was happening, Berel had a Chanukah dreidel game going for walnuts. He selected the letter gimmel and the other kids chose from the remaining letters. Each would put up one walnut and spin the dreidel. Whosever letter came up would win all the walnuts. Nu, nu, leave it to Berel. In less than an hour, he had the only floating dreidel game in the Bronx going at full blast with kids waiting on line to try their luck. I must say this. Berel was always honest. Only by some sheer coincidence when our rebbe gave out the dreidels, Berel got a loaded one in favor of the gimmel. So naturally he won nine out of 10 times. By the afternoon, he had picked up close to five pounds of walnuts from all the kids in the neighborhood. They came from all over to try their luck and naturally with Berel’s loaded dreidel, what chance did they have? I don’t know what the women in our neighborhood put in their honey cakes that week, but it certainly wasn’t walnuts. Berel had cornered
the walnut market with his loaded dreidel. Mama kept asking him where he was getting walnuts, and he kept telling her that the kids were giving them to him for a chance to spin his dreidel. Nu? It was the truth! Remember those little tin menorahs we had in those days that were sold in a hardware store or in the grocery? Today, you have to hire an electrician to hook up some of the gigantic automated lawn menorahs. Those little tin menorahs were carefully scrubbed after the holiday and neatly polished. Then put away in a closet. But somehow, by the time the next Chanukah came around, it looked so dingy that Mama always bought a new one. Remember the gifts of Chanukah gelt that we waited so patiently for all year long so that we would have enough money to buy Mama and Papa a birthday or anniversary present? We rarely spent that money on ourselves. Chanukah gelt was almost sacred in our family. It had to go right into the bank. Today’s generation makes sure all the pens in the house work shortly before Chanukah so that you shouldn’t have trouble making out the Chanukah gelt check! As kids, we would always look forward to a visit from our Tanta Chaya. When Chanukah arrived, Tanta Chaya was always good for 50 cents’ worth of Chanukah gelt. I’ll never forget, one year when she visited us, she only gave us a quarter. Things were particularly difficult that year. Mama and Papa told us not to take the money because they realized the financial setbacks she had had, but Tanta Chaya insisted. So we took the gift and the four of us agreed to use that money for a special Chanukah gift for her. It was agreed that we would get her a little apron that sold for two dollars in the dry goods store. We felt so proud of ourselves. When we returned to the house, we gave her the gift. Her eyes filled with tears. We could see she was deeply touched by the gesture. How she blessed us. How she blessed Mama and Papa for bringing up such thoughtful children. We were, indeed, proud of ourselves. Chanukah had a different feel in those days. (originally published in 1965, condensed)
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In memory of the yahrzeiten of: Rabbi Yaakov Yukav b. Rabbi Aharon Ettlinger, zt”l, author of Aruch LaNer (25th Kislev, 1871); Rabbi Chayim b. Rabbi Baruch Hager, zt”l, Itinia Rebbe and author of Tel Chayim (25th Kislev, 1932); and Rabbi Yochanan b. Rabbi David Mordechai Twersky, zt”l, Tolna Rebbe (25th Kislev, 1998); Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak b. Rabbi Aharon David Cohen, zt”l, Toldos Aharon Rebbe (27th Kislev, 1996); Rabbi Shlomo David b. Rabbi Benzion Kahane, zt”l, known as the Father of Agunos (29th Kislev, 1954); and Rabbi Yisrael b. Rabbi Mordechai Shraga Feivish Friedman, Husyatin Rebbe, zt”l (29th Kislev, 1948). Dedicated to the Yahrzeit of: Avrohom Avinu b. Terach, zt”l, Patriarch of the Children of Israel (1st Teves, 1812 BCE).
Daf Yomi Highlights Adapted by Rabbi Yaakov Klass Dedicated to the Memory of Rabbi Gershon Tanenbaum, zt”l
ground. But if it’s worthless, why are we asking a rabbi to later sell this chametz on our behalf?
The Shoemaker’s Children
Why Both Procedures? To answer this question, we must first answer another one: Why do we both nullify our chametz and destroy it? Why don’t we just do one or the other? The answer is that nullification (bitul) alone is ‘If One Can Eat, One Can Sell’ insufficient – for several reasons. First, if the nullified chametz remains in one’s house, one might (Pesachim 21a) forget later that it’s Pesach and accidentally eat it. Second, the nullification may have been inefBefore Pesach, we nullify our chametz and sell fective since it depends upon an earnest resoluit to a gentile, generally using the rav of a shul as tion of the heart, and a person may be less than an agent. The rav stipulates with the purchasing full-hearted when nullifying his chametz (Mishgentile that the transfer of ownership will take nah Berurah 431:2). Thus, the Sages required deplace immediately before the prohibition against stroying chametz, not just nullifying it. owning chametz begins on Erev Pesach. Where did the idea of selling chametz come When nullifying our chametz, we declare it to from? The practice started in Europe where many be ownerless and worthless like the dust of the Jews did business with beer or spirits, which are chametz (and the range of economic opportunities Jews could pursue at the time was very limited). Meoros Hadaf Hayomi Newsletters are published Forcing a Jew to get rid of his entire stock of beer by the Sochachover Kollel of Bnei Brak, led by or spirits before Pesach would have been very Rabbi Chaim Dovid Kovalsky. Meoros Hadaf Hayomi Newsletters in Hebrew and/or English, are costly to him, so the rabbis at the time permitted available for simcha dedications and memorial them to sell it to a gentile before Pesach and buy dedications such as yahrzeits, shloshims, etc. They it back afterward (see Shaarei Teshuvah 448:3). are distributed by email dafyomi@hadaf-yomi.com. So they would sell the beer and afterward,
on the 14th of Nissan, they would nullify the few crumbs of chametz that may have been overlooked during the bedikah. In contemporary times, the opposite order is followed. We first nullify the chametz on the night of the 14th (and then again in the morning) and only afterwards do we sell our chametz. We therefore return to our original question: How can we claim our chametz is “worthless and ownerless” and then proceed to sell it? This question was addressed by many prominent poskim and is found, among other places, in Sefer Mikra’ei Kodesh, p. 207. This sefer notes that although the sale comes after the nullification, the appointment of the rabbi to sell our chametz comes before it. At that point, our chametz is still valuable. Therefore, it’s appropriate to discuss terms of sale. The Rabbi’s Chametz This answer works very nicely for most of us. But what about the rabbi himself in relation to his own chametz? How can he sell chametz he already declared worthless? In fact, he perhaps can’t according to this answer, which is why some rabbis have the custom to nullify whatever remains of their chametz on the morning of the 14th after they have sold the chametz they know about (see Minchas Yitzchak VIII:41).
This week’s luach (continued from p.7) This Shabbos is Shabbos Mevorchim. We bless the new month of Teves. Rosh Chodesh is one day, Wednesday. The molad is Tuesday morning, 51 minutes and 2 chalakim (a chelek is 1/18 of a minute) after 4:00 a.m. (in Jerusalem). This is Shabbos Chanukah, the first night of Chanukah as well. Friday night we light the Chanukah candles first, and then the Shabbos candles. We use larger candles or more oil to assure that these candles, which we lit earlier, remain lit at least a half hour after shekia. We make the following blessings upon lighting: Lehadlik Ner Shel Chanukah and She’asah Nissim, and on the first night, Shehecheyanu. Following Shacharis we recite whole Hallel. We then take out two Sifrei Torah: in the first we read from Parashas VaYeshev, we call up 7 ali-
yos. We then place both Sifrei Torah on the Bimah and recite half-Kaddish. Following the Hagbaha, we read the Maftir in Parashas Naso, from Vayehi Beyom Chalos Moshe (Bamidbar 7:42-47). Haftara same as above. We do not say Av Harachamim. Otherwise the order continues as usual, with the exception of the inclusion of Al Hanissim in the Musaf Shemoneh Esreh. We conclude the service with Mizmor Shir Chanukas Habayis. Mincha: usual Kerias HaTorah, then we add Al Hanissim in the Shemoneh Esreh. At Maariv we say Vi’yehi Noam. Motza’ei Shabbos, in shul we first light Chanukah candles, then Havdala. At home we first make Havdala and then we light Chanukah candles. We increase the number of candles each night until next Friday night when we light eight candles. We add Al Hanissim to our Shemoneh Esreh in all our prayers and in Birkas Hamazon. The order for every day of Chanukah is as follows:
in the Shemoneh Esreh and Birkas Hamazon we say Al Hanissim, no Tachanun or E-l Erech Appayim, whole Hallel followed by half-Kaddish (except on the two days of Rosh Chodesh, when we say whole Kaddish and Musaf). We then read from the Torah, beginning in Bamidbar (7.1), Parashas Naso, each day the first two Aliyos from the Nasi of that day. The third Aliya is from the Nasi of the following day. (On the two days of Rosh Chodesh we call four to the Torah, the first three read from the usual Rosh Chodesh reading (Bamidbar 28:1-15) the fourth aliyah reads from the Nasi of that day.) Ba’al Keriah then recites half-Kaddish, no Yehi Ratzon. After the Torah reading we say Ashrei, U’va LeTziyyon, we omit Lamenatze’ach (Rosh Chodesh, Musaf with inclusion of Al Hanissim) and at the usual conclusion of tefilla we add Mizmor Shir Chanukas Habayis. For last day of Chanukah see next week’s luach.
Next week’s luach New York City Candle Lighting Time Dec. 18, 2020 – 3 Teves 5781 4:12 p.m. NYC E.D.T. Sabbath Ends: 5:17 p.m. NYC E.S.T.
Latest Kerias Shema: 9:33 a.m. NYC E.S.T.
Sabbath Ends Rabbenu Tam: 5:44 p.m. NYC E.S.T.
Sunset: 4:30 p.m. NYC E.S.T.
Tachanun or Kel Erech Appayim, whole Hallel followed by half-Kaddish. At the Torah reading we call three aliyos (Bamidbar 7:54-8:4). The first aliyah starts at Bayom HaShemini, the second aliyah at Par Echad, the third aliyah at Bayom HaTeshi’i. Mincha: We include Al Hanissim in the Shemoneh Esreh.
Today, Friday is the last day of Chanukah (Zos Chanukah), the order is as follows: In the Shemoneh Esreh and Birkas Hamazon we say Al Hanissim, no
The following chapters of Tehillim are being recited by many congregations and yeshivas for our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael: Chapter 83, 130, 142. – Y.K.
Halacha Yomit: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayyim 11:13-15 Rambam Yomi: Hilchos Ma’aseh Hakorbanos chap. 1012 Earliest time for Tallis and Tefillin: 6:19 a.m. NYC E.S.T. Sunrise: 7:14 a.m. NYC E.S.T.
Weekly Reading: Miketz Weekly Haftara: Vayikatz Shlomo (I Kings 3:15 – 4-1) Daf Yomi: Pesachim 27 Mishna Yomit: Ohalos 1:6-7
Friday, December 11, 2020
Sacks Continued from p.58
– a man who fears sin. Elazar ben Arach – an ever-flowing spring (Mishnah Avot 2:10-11). Why does the Mishnah, whose aim is to teach us lasting truths, give us this apparently trivial account of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai’s pupils and how he used to praise them? The answer, I believe, is that the Mishnah is telling us how to raise disciples, how to be a coach, mentor and guide: by using focused praise. The Mishnah does not simply say that Yochanan ben Zakkai said good things about his students. It uses an unusual locution: “He used to count [moneh] their praise,” meaning, his positive remarks were precise and accurately targeted. He told each of his disciples what their specific strength was. Eliezer ben Hyrcanus had an outstanding memory. At a time when the Oral Law was not yet written down, he could recall the teachings of the tradition better than anyone else. Elazar ben Arach was creative, able to come up with an endless stream of fresh interpretations. When we follow our particular passions and gifts, we contribute to the world what only we can give. However, the fact that we may have an exceptional gift may also mean that we have conspicuous
deficiencies. No one has all the strengths. Sufficient if we have one. But we must also know what we lack. Eliezer ben Hyrcanus became so fixated on the past that he resisted change even when it was decided on by the majority of his colleagues. Eventually he was excommunicated for failing to accept his colleagues’ ruling (Baba Metzia 59b). Elazar ben Arach’s fate was even sadder. After the death of Yochanan ben Zakkai, he separated from his colleagues. They went to Yavneh; he went to Hamat (Emmaus). It was a pleasant place to live and it was where his wife’s family lived. Apparently he was so confident of his intellectual gifts that he believed he could maintain his scholarship by himself. Eventually he forgot everything he had ever learned (Avot de-Rabbi Natan 14:6). The man more gifted than his contemporaries eventually died while making almost no lasting contribution to the tradition. There is a delicate balance between the neglect that leads someone to lack the confidence to do the necessary deed, and the excessive praise or favoritism that creates overconfidence and the belief that you are better than others. That balance is necessary if we are to be the sunlight that helps others grow. 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 in November.
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My Childhood Memories Of Rav Yitzchok Hutner – On His 40th Yahrzeit By Yaakov Dovid Homnick
The 20th of Kislev marked the 40th anniversary of the passing of Rav Yitzchok Hutner (19061980), the great rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin. My late father, Rabbi Moshe Homnick (1931-2020), who passed away from the novel coronavirus in April, was his student beginning in 1946. When I was six or seven, as my father and I were preparing to cross Linden Boulevard in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn on a Shabbos morning, I asked him, “Is Rav Hutner your rebbe?” He stood very still and tears welled up in his eyes. He answered, “I hope someday he will be your rebbe too.” This answer instilled within me a desire to learn under Rav Hutner and fulfill my father’s dream. At the time, we lived across the street from “the rosh yeshiva,” as we usually referred to him. There were 26 sukkahs at one point on the two facing sides of Rockaway Parkway, between Avenue B and Ditmas Avenue, with 80 percent of those representing families of Rav Hutner’s students, who had moved there to live in his proximity. We moved there in 1963, when I was five years old. On Shabbos we had a special minyan housed in the basement of Rabbi Zevulun Liebb, where Rav Hutner would join us for leining and Mussaf. We were told that he davened Shacharis at sun-
Even as close friends grappled with the temptation [to smoke], I was untroubled, having been immunized by this great teacher of our generation who doubled as a surrogate grandfather for the children of his students. rise (vasikin) as per the custom of righteous Jews. Being in this elite group was a unique experience although I don’t have particular memories from that time. My father told me one year Rav Hutner made an announcement before the keriah of Parshas Vayeshev. Rashi writes that someone in Heaven complained that Yaakov was leading too calm a life: “Isn’t it enough for righteous people to enjoy what awaits them in the Next World?” Some texts record that Hashem made this statement, while other attribute it to Satan. Rav Hutner said the correct version must be “Satan,” because if it were “Hashem,” transcribers would never have erred and replaced “Hashem” with “Satan.” Interestingly, Rav Hutner’s yahrzeit falls out on the week of Parshas Vayeshev. Rav Hutner spent yamim tovim in yeshiva, not
A Short Rav Hutner Story A certain student in the yeshiva was generally meticulous in his observance but deficient in the respect he gave his parents. Rav Hutner remarked to him that mayim achronim was not mentioned in the Ten Commandments. — from a 2001 article in The Jewish Action by Matis Greenblatt
at home. As a true student, my father would pick up our entire family and transport it to yeshiva for Yom Tov. Sometimes we stayed at a neighboring apartment, sometimes in the yeshiva dormitory. When I was nine years old, we stayed there for Shavuos, and my father allowed me to learn in the beis midrash until about midnight. The rosh yeshiva called me to his table and asked what I was learning in school. I told him the first perek of Bava Kamma. “Excellent,” he said. “Prepare to be quizzed on the second day of Yom Tov.” I frantically studied for the next day and a half, fearful of this unscheduled exam. I was a nervous wreck when I approached his table in the beis midrash on the second afternoon. He jumped right in and began to “test” me. “The Mishnah says there Rav Yitzchok Hutner with his daughter, Rebbetzin Bruria David. are four ‘Fathers of Damages.’ But don’t we have a rule in Gemara Berachos the sukkah. One such night, he suddenly turned halfway 17a that we only have three fathers and no more?” “Well,” I stammered. “These are not actually to the door and crooked a finger at me to come fathers. They just represent different categories to him. When I was halfway there, he put up a of damages which a property owner is responsible hand to stop me and said, “No, we’ll talk later.” This time my apprehension was compounded by for.” He plowed on, unfazed. “And how can there the fact that all of Rav Hutner’s major students be fathers without mothers? We know the Jew- approached me one by one to ask what was going ish people has three fathers and four mothers. It on, and I had to turn them all away by convincing would be impossible to have our nation without them of my utter perplexity. mothers!” I truly did not have the slightest inkling what At that point, I was in on the joke and I just he could possibly want from me that would occaplayed along. I understood that he had wanted me sion his summoning me as he departed a crowd of to learn hard over Yom Tov, but he never intend- several hundred students and audience members. ed to give me a hard time. He finally got around When I finally did get to talk to him a few days to asking one serious question – about the idea later, he berated me for smoking. Some goofy that one who digs an open ditch in a public thor- classmate of mine had sneaked a smoke from oughfare is treated as a responsible “owner” of the somewhere and invited me out onto a dark Flatmenace, although the ditch is situated in commu- bush street to share a few puffs of the contraband. nal property. I managed to get that one wrong. Some do-gooder in the neighborhood had informed Later I heard a similar story from Rabbi Moshe on us to Rav Hutner and he chose to embroil me Ebstein, founder of Jewish Institute for the Deaf, in a dramatic but mysterious scene as a set-up for about how Rav Hutner quizzed him on Bava Met- the eventual confrontation. zia. He asked: “If the Mishnah says we split the The result was that I never smoked again. tallis between the two disputants, what can each Even as close friends grappled with the temptation, I was untroubled, having been immunized by of them do with half a tallis?” Young Moshe did not yet know that the tallis this great teacher of our generation who doubled is not actually cut in half but is sold and the mon- as a surrogate grandfather for the children of his ey divided. Rav Hutner answered for the stymied students. youngster: “You can use it for Baruch She’Amar!” Later I did become his student in Torah, but in At that point, the poor kid realized it was an deciding to share memories with readers on the elaborate jest. All in all, I learned to appreciate rebbe’s yahrzeit, this tender but edifying side of this technique of inspiring a youngster to study him is what came to mind. May his memory be a for a difficult test and then let him off the hook blessing, and may we always be worthy of being with a light-hearted quip at the end of the process. called his talmidim. Yaakov Dovid Homnick is the author of 20 seWhen I was 11 years old, my father would take me to the public Torah addresses (“maamarim”) farim on Shas, most recently Marbeh Bracha on Rav Hutner delivered each night of Chol Hamoed Maseches Brachos. As “Jay D. Homnick,” he is the in the sukkah, interspersed with short bursts of former Deputy Editor of The American Spectator song. At the end of the event, the crowd would pull and is a Senior Fellow at the London Center for back to open a path for Rav Hutner to walk out of Policy Research in Washington D.C.
Friday, December 11, 2020
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• RESTAURANTS • • BAlTimoRE, mARylANd • DAVID CHU’S CHINA BISTRO 410.602.5008 • Glatt Kosher • 7105 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore Best Kosher Chinese Restaurant In Town
• BocA RAToN, FloRidA • AROMA MARKET AND DELI Offering sushi, sandwiches, deli, prepared foods
561.931.3300 9200 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33434 Glatt Kosher, Under ORB Supervision
Under the strict Rabbinic supervision of the Vaad Harabonim of Raritan Valley Reservations are recommended, catering is available.www.Bridgerestauranthp.com We are open Saturday night, half an hour after Shabbat
• lAKEwood/dEAl, NJ • ESTREIA RESTAURANT 978 River Ave. Lakewood, NJ 08701 • 732.994.7878 Nouvelle Cuisine, Inspired Flavors, Refined Ambiance www.estreia978.com — KCL Chassidishe Shechita — Follow us on Facebook
• lAS VEGAS, NEVAdA • BURNT OFFERING We showcase a unique fusion of food from different types of cuisine that is “GREAT FOOD, THAT SO HAPPENS TO BE KOSHER!”
3909 West Sahara Ave Suite 10 – Las Vegas, NV 891092 702.848.8276 • www.burntofferingslv.com Open for dining in, take out or delivery.
JON’S PLACE
The Only OU Certified Restaurant in Las Vegas
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Pizza, Pasta, Salads and More — Under Supervision of ORB
BP FB FLATBUSH
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Friday, December 11, 2020
CONTINUED FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE
Kosher…
miAmi BEAch, FloRidA • KIKAR TEL-AVIV
www.ChinaGlattOnline.com
Glatt Kosher French Bistro 150 West 46th Street (between 6th & 7th) • 212.869.0900
Tartikov BesDin & Rabbi A Roth B.P.
French specialties include: Steak/frites, Poulet Roti, Steak au poivre.
Fine Dining Chinese, Sushi & American Cuisine
Catering Available – Free Delivery – Private Party Room
ISABELLA Dairy – Under the Hashgacha of Rabbi Gornish
Cholov Yisrael, Pas Yisrael • www.lennypizza.com
ORCHIDEA
• NEwARK – ElizABETh, NJ •
Fine dairy dining • Quiet ambiance • 718.686.7500 4815 12th Ave. • Valet Parking • Open Motzei Shabbos
Grill, Shwarma, Deli, Sushi & More Glatt Kosher Supervision of Vaad Harabonim of Elizabeth, Rabbi Teitz
Under strict hashgacha of Rabbi Amram Roth & Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Beck Open Daily 11-11
MENDELSOHN’S FAMOUS PIZZA 718.854.0600 4418 18 Ave. Bet McDonald Ave & Dahill Road Convenient Boro Park Location Finest selection of pizza, soups, salads, breakfast & lunch
• NEw oRlEANS, loUiSiANA •
Over 100 delicious dairy hot items
Complete dairy restaurant / catering — Extravagant Salad Bar Supervision -- and Rabbi Binyamin Gruber • Cholov Yisroel Kemach Yoshon Open Saturday Night
N.Y. Deli & Grocery: Eat-In, Take-Out 3519 Severn Avenue, Metairie • 504.888.2010 Fax 504.888.2014 • www.koshercajun.com Shomer Shabbos – Chabad SupervisionServing N.O for over 20 years
KOSHER GOURMET – KOSHER EATERY www.KosherGourmet.biz • 407.354.1296 4797 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial HWY Suite A Kissimmee, FL 34746 office@koshergourmet.biz Certified Kosher by RCF, Chabad Rabbi Yosef Konikov — www.vaadrcf.com Glatt/Pat Yisroel restaurant, Shabbat catering, business catering, separate dairy pizza takeout
• wAShiNGToN, d.c. • BEN YEHUDA CAFE & PIZZERIA 301.681.8900 • www.bypizza.co • 1370B Lamberton Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Yoshon & Cholov Yisroel
New York • 5 TowNS AREA – NASSAU coUNTy •WOK TOV Glatt Kosher Chinese & Sushi Restaurant – F/T Mashgiach 594 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst 516.295.3843 • Fax 516.295.3865 Open Daily till 10pm; Thur. til 10:30pm; Fri. 2 hrs before Shabbos. Delivery - 15 min. from JFK/lunch specials/catering/sushi platters/diet gourmet/frozen travel/American Menu, Low carb menu, 68 seats, Sushi Bar, Party Room/ Credit Cards Accepted
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MOCHABURGER SOHO & UES
3223 Quentin Road GLATT
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PAPRIKA KOSHER RESTAURANT 56 E. 34th Street (Bet. Park & Madisson)
All Meats Under the Hashgacha of Rabbi Yisroel Gornish
Pas Yisrael, Beit Yosef, Kemach Yashon Pickup /deliveries — Lunch/dinner — Homemade cooked food Shabbat dinner packages available — Catering for any event — Private parties
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COLBEH
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COLBEH
Inside & Outside Catering. Private Ballroom up to 200 persons.
Free Delivery • Vaad Harabonim of Queens
Glatt Kosher Mediterranean Restaurant & Caterers One The Intervale, Roslyn Estates • 516.621.2200 Inside & Outside Catering — Under Vaad Harabonim of Queens
• mANhATTAN • BROADWAY’S JERUSALEM 2 212.398.1475 Now there is the beautiful brand-new Jerusalem Cafe
35 West 36th Street (between 5th and 6th Ave.) just 1 & a half blocks from Macy’s
• TAKEOUT • BLUE GRILL 3502 Flatlands Avenue • 347.702.4215 FB
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128 Lee Avenue • 718.852.3900 W
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner: M-Th 7:30am-10pm, Fri 7:30am-2:30pm, Motzei Shabbos 1hr after-1am, Sun 9am-10pm. On-street parking in front of the store weekends; also weekdays after 7 p.m.
MEAL MART
COLBEH
72-10 Main Street • 718.261.3300 Q
Glatt Kosher Persian and Mediterranean Restaurant
MECHYS GOURMET
32 West 39 St. (Mid Town) • 212.354.8181
1412 Avenue J • 718.338.9181 mechysgourmet.com FB
Inside and outside Catering • Free Delivery all over NYC Vaad Harabonim of Queens
MEISNERS
GREAT AMERICAN HEALTH BAR
2924 Avenue I • 718.375.7919 meisnersgourmetcatering.com FB
212.355.5177 • 35 West 57th St. (bet. 5th & 6th Ave.) Homemade Soups, Healthy Salads, Pastas, Mediterranean Entrees, Fish Platters, Lo Calorie Frozen Dessert & More Now under
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718.998.0002 • 718.62STEAK • 888.9GRILLT
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Fine dining serving wine and beer.
Glatt Kosher Contemporary Gourmet Cuisine 127 E. 54th Street • 212.799.3911 • Fax 212.799.3890 www.mikesbistro.com
Glatt Kosher • • Mediterranian, Israeli, & Moroccan Cuisine • 212.679.1100
• BRooKlyN • Italian Dairy Restaurant 718.382.1900 • www.cafe-renaissance.com Rabbi Gornish – 802 Kings Highway (corner E. 8th St.)
MIKE’S BISTRO
T FUSION STEAKHOUSE
Delivery to Hotels – M-Th 10-7, Fri & Sun 10-3
• oRlANdo, FloRidA (diSNEy)
catering and gourmet butcher shop.
Sun-Thurs, noon-midnight, Friday, 12pm-3pm. Informal attire. Reserv. sugg.
Chic & Trendy Spot serving Burgers, Subs, Steaks, & Fish
5 Miles From Newark Airport / Jersey Gardens• Washing
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Creative wine list, single malt & bourbon reserve, private parties,
3217 Quentin Road • 347.673.7799
Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm, Fri: 11am-4pm, Sat: 1 hr after Shab-1am
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…Delivered
4413 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 • 718.438.2576
544 Arthur Godfrey Road • 305.397.8395
157 Elmore Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07202 908.354.6777 • www.NJKOSHER.com • We Deliver
LE MARAIS
LENNY’S PIZZA
AVENUE RESTAURANT & GLATT STAR CATERERS
The Jewish Press
CHINA GLATT
Serving Chinese & Continental 5005 Collins Ave., M.B. Inside Carriage Club • 305.866.3316 Shabbat Meals with Prepaid Reservations – Take Out Available
43 East 34th Street, New York City • 212-725-8100 Eden Wok - Kosher Poke - Pitopia - Buffalo2go Terriyaki Wok - Sushi Donut Shop Order Online Kosherinmidtown.com We Deliver • All Catering Sun - Thur 11AM-10PM, Fri 11AM-4PM
MEISNERS 5410 New Utrecht Avenue • 718.436.5592 BP
DIRECTORY LEGEND FB FLATBUSH
BP
CH
BORO PARK
CROWN HEIGHTS
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WILLIAMSBURG
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
Grandma Was Right After All! By John Rosemond
ignores the evidence. It is by cutting such lovely ideas out of whole cloth that parenting progressives subtly assert their moral superiority. To wit, only morally inferior individuals think young children are capable of malice aforethought. The fact is, young children would commit wholesale parricide if, like most other species, they grew to full size in a year or two. Imagine being attacked by a 200-pound toddler in the throes of a maniacal tantrum. The problem with the children-are-incapable-of-malevolence fantasy is that it generally comes back to bite the dreamer. When the dreamer’s child does something malevolent (e.g., bites another child), the dreamer becomes confused because his fantasy does not match reality. His bewilderment incapacitates his ability to seize the moment and act, with calm purpose, such that the child never bites again. A big deal is made, but nothing is done. So, the child bites again. Hand in Hand maintains that children who are punished for aggressing toward others will aggress even more. Punishment makes them feel like they are bad people, and so they hit even more because they have come to associate hitting with self-loathing. Pure psychobabble, that. Hand in Hand recommends that when a young child hits, the parent should hold the child tightly, preventing further aggression, and say things like, “No one is mad at you. You’re my special girl, and I will stay right here with you” and “You’re going to have a good morning with your friends. I’ll stay until things are just right with them.” Which are examples of why the above grandmother was both amused and appalled. John Rosemond is a family psychologist, popular speaker, and author of 11 best-selling parenting books, including “The Well-Behaved Child” and “Grandma Was Right After All.”
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“Hand in Hand” parenting is the latest iteration of progressive (nouveau, unverified) childrearing. I became aware of HIH several weeks ago, courtesy of a grandmother whose daughter and son-in-law are practitioners. She was both amused and appalled. Intrigued, I went to the HIH website (handinhandparenting.org) to see for myself. The first tab I opened concerned toddler aggression. According to the folks at Hand in Hand, toddlers hit – initially at least – because they are experimenting with behavior just like they experiment on material things like magazines, which they tend to rip to shreds. They’re just trying to discover how the world works. They don’t mean to destroy things. Likewise, according to HIH, they don’t mean to hurt people and punishing them for something they did not mean to do is likely to make matters worse. Really? A toddler sees another child playing with a certain toy. He wants the toy. He attempts to snatch the toy from the other child. The child hangs on to the toy, so our toddler clamps down on the child’s forearm with his teeth. Are we to believe that said toddler was only engaging in a “what if” experiment? He clearly bit because the toy’s possessor did not immediately surrender it. It is up to HIH to prove their contention that said toddler did not mean to hurt the child. They cannot because it is impossible to prove a negative. Hand in Hand does not want to admit that human nature includes the potential of deliberately causing harm to others, so they propose that a child who deliberately causes harm to another is only engaging in an innocent experiment. It’s a lovely idea, but it
Friday, December 11, 2020
By Susan Myers From the first day in my new apartment, I smelled something burning. I checked the stove and oven. Both looked fine. Nevertheless, I decided to ask that maintenance check my place. A repairman was sent but no problem was found. The smell lingered, so I thought that it was probably caused by someone burning wood or having an outdoor barbecue. After all, it was June, and here in Memphis, people love to have outdoor cookouts. A few more days went by and I became more and more concerned. The burning smell was unrelenting. I again asked for an inspection. The management office sent over two
Page 71
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Incorporation LLC Formation LLC Publishing Not For Profit Patents Trademarks Corporate Kits
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The King’s Emissary By Rosally Saltsman In the early 1900s many Jews left
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men this time and one of them asked me to show him the fuse box. I opened the door to the clothes closet and shoved my outfits to the side so he could see what he was looking for. He soon pointed out several fuses that were sizzling. The maintenance man could not talk for several moments. He seemed to be in shock. Finally, I heard him say that the faulty fuses should have started a fire. He could not understand why they did not. Looking back, I realize more intensely the danger I was in, for it would have been so easy for my clothes to ignite and spread a fire. Also, the fuses were sizzling for at least a week; they might have been a problem even before I moved in. I’ve been living here for over five years and I just love it. My apartment is roomy and I walk to the Baron Hirsch Shul. I don’t drive, so I appreciate being near supermarkets and malls. Most important of all, I live in a place where Hashem spared my life.
age 56 Page Page 72 52
The Jewish Press The TheJewish JewishPress Press
Friday, July 24, 2020 Friday, 11,20, 2020 Friday,December November 2020
Pag
How Different? How Are Are They They Different? The right photo is different than the left one in seven different ways. Can you find them?
The right photo is different than the left one in seven different ways. Can you find them? (See answers below, upside down)
At a recent National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) dinner. From left: NCYI President Farley Weiss; Master of Ceremonies David Drucker, a senior editor of the Washington Examiner and CNN contributor/political analyst; Stuart Force; Sander Gerber, the architect of the Taylor Force Act and CEO of Hudson Bay Capital; and NCYI first vice president Dr. Joseph Frager. (Photo: Ira Thomas Creations) Answers to this week’s challenge: 1) The center NCYI logo on the banner on the back wall is now larger. 2) The chest pocket handkerchief of Mr. Sander Gerber has been removed. 3) The wall lamp on the back wall at top right is no longer there. 4) Dr. Frager’s tie is now red. 5) The gold hotel nameplate behind the banner on the lectern has been removed. 6) The tie of Mr. David Drucker is shorter. 7) The side pocket flap of Mr. Farley Weiss is no longer there.
Alef Beis Parsha Questions for Your Shabbos Seudah א – אלומים אThe first dream of יוסףwas about these. בב
יעקב – בן זקוניםloved יוסףmore because he was this.
ג ב-
– גפןThe שר המשקיםdreamt about this.
ג-ד
– דותןWhere did יוסףfind his brothers?
ד-ה
– המלוךFill in the blank: The brothers said to יוסףwhen he told them his dream, “_____ תמלוך עלינו.”
ו ה-
– וימאןThe word that has a שלשלתabove it in the פרשה.
ו-ז
– זרחOne of the twins born to יהודה.
ז-ח
יעקב – חברוןsent יוסףfrom the valley of this city to check on his brothers.
– טבחים טWhat was ’פוטיפרs job in שר ה ______ “ ?מצרים.” חי ט-
– ישמעאליםWhom did the brothers sell יוסףto?
כ-כ
– כתונת פסיםThe article of clothing that started all the trouble.
ל-ל
– לאFill in the blank: “ו__ זכר שר המשקים את יוסף וישכחיהו.”
מ מ-
– מדיניםWhom did the ישמעאליםsell יוסףto?
נ-נ
– נחשים ועקרביםWhat was in the pit that יוסףwas thrown into?
ס ס-
– סריסAnother word for שר.
ע ע-
– עשרים כסףHow much was יוסףsold for?
פ-פ
– פוטיפרTo whom was יוסףsold in ?מצרים
צ-צ
– צדקהWhen יהודהrecognized the חותמתand מטה, he said “______ ממני.”
ק ק-
– קרע את בגדיוWhat did יעקבdo after he saw ’יוסףs bloody ?כתונת
ר-ר
– ראובןWho saved ’יוסףs life?
ש ש-
– שכםWhere did the brothers go to graze their sheep?
ת ת-
– תמרWho was the mother of פרץand ?זרח
How Many Did You Get Right? 22 – You’re a gaon. 20 – You’re a yode’a sefer. 18 – You’re a talmid chacham 16 – You’re a masmid. 15 or less – You need to chazer more! These parsha questions were prepared by Aviva Taragin Hexter l’iluy nishmat Yehuda Dovid ben Shaul
How Many Did You Get Right? 22 – You’re a gaon. 20 – You’re a baki. 18 – You’re a talmid chacham
Friday, December 11, 2020
Lessons Continued from p.71
in Egypt. My mother’s family was among them and she was born in Alexandria in 1924. It took my mother, a”h, many tries before I understood, explaining to me why she wasn’t Sephardic even though she was born in Egypt and had dark hair and olive skin. When my mother was nine years old, her family moved to Tel Aviv. From the ages of 2-4 years old, she would tell me, she was very sick and had typhus, meningitis and other illnesses that threatened her young life. She became so ill that the doctors had put her in an area designated for terminally ill patients. The story goes (as she heard it from my grandmother, a”h) that the king’s doctor (the king at the time would have been King Faud I) was visiting the hospital. He saw my mother and asked what was wrong with her. The attending physician told him and he examined my mother. After concluding the examination, he stood up and slapped the attending doctor on the face. “You idiot,” he told him. “You’re treating her for the wrong thing.” The treatment for my mother was quickly amended and she survived, baruch Hashem. A few years later, the doctor ran into my grandmother walking with my mother. “Ah, I see you had another daughter,” he said to her. “No, my grandmother answered, this is the
same girl you put to die in the terminal ward.” My mother often recounted this story because of the incredible hashgacha pratit. If the king’s physician hadn’t visited the hospital when he did neither my mother nor I, for that matter, would have lived to tell the tale. He was both the king’s and the King’s emissary. When she was pregnant with me, the doctors discovered a cyst on her brain. The cyst was removed and again baruch Hashem, she survived. This time the doctors chalked up the early detection and intervention to the fact that she was pregnant. Of course it was another case of hashgacha pratit. During the brain surgery, they severed my mother’s visual and olfactory nerve. She was able to see but was near-sighted in a way that glasses couldn’t help her and she lost her sense of smell. Oddly, although she often asked for my help in seeing and smelling things, she never complained about it. She made adjustments like never changing her cologne. Maybe because she realized that the trade-off was the gift of life. My mother died at 57, when I was almost 21 years old. Everyone at the shiva talked about how young she was to die and she was. But I also knew that she had been regifted life on more than one occasion and so she had actually lived to a ripe old age. L’illui nishmat Chana bat Kalman.
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Page 73
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Page 74
The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
Directory Check individual listing and contact provider for tele-health options. OCD ADHD PTSD Low Self Esteem Emotional Issues Behavioral Issues Anger Management Illness Related Stress Premarital Stress
ALCOHOLISM & ADDICTION
HEATHER (ESTHER) KRAMER,
An Arizona State-Licensed, Nationally Accredited Residential Treatment Center for men to recover from alcoholism, opioid addiction, substance use disorders, and co-occurring issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, and co-dependence. Call for a confidential consultation 480.585.2222 or visit www.sobermanestate.com
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D E R M AT O L O G Y SRS DERMATOLOGY 516.295.5570 New York
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CORONAVIRUS CORNELL HOTLINE 646.697.4000
Friday, December 11, 2020
The Jewish Press
Page 75
Directory INTERNAL MEDICINE DR. SCHECHTER- INTERNAL MEDICINE/ CARDIOLOGIST
Appointments Via Telehealth Services New & Existing Patients Medication Refills COVID-19 Testing COVID-19 Antibody Testing Symptom Management All Insurances Accepted/ All COPAYS BEING Waived Book Appt Call 718.316.6800
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Accepting clients from NY, NJ, CA, FL and NV.We accept most insurances. Self-pay options available.
MASK • 718.758.0400
Helpline referrals support groups, for ALL mental health issues including addictions & school issues. Groups are facilitated by therapists for Parentsby Zoom and in person social distanced.
NURSE PRACTITIONER PSYCHIATRIC BROOKLYN HEALTHY MIND 360
Treats the following - Depression, Anxiety and ADHD Call 347.450.1294 for free 10min pre-screen or email me at Healthym360@gmail.com TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS SECTION OF THE JEWISH PRESS E-MAIL US AT:
SALES@JEWISHPRESS.COM
PHYSICAL EXERCISE
TOTAL BODY CONDITIONING & ABS - CLASSES Held Mondays & Wednesdays 9:30am Spinning (Cycling Classes) Held Mondays & Wednesday Eves - 6:30pm Zoom - (Online Classes) For Information stnicks1206@msn.com
ORTHOPEDIC
ORLIN & COHEN ORTHOPEDIC www.orlincohen.com 516.536.2800
PREGNANCY & BIRTH SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDING & ADVOCATING FOR PRE-POSTNATAL WOMEN WITH AWARENESS & SUPPORT
MARGARET TEITZ NURSING & REHAB CENTER 164-11 Chapin Parkway Jamaica Hills, NY 11432 MargaretTietz.org 718.298.7800
SENIOR LIVING ESPLANADE OF WOODMERE
1059 Broadway, Suite 101 (back entrance) Woodmere, NY 11598 516.665.1645 www.esplanadeofwoodmere.com
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Friday, December 11, 2020
Chanukah And Chinuch By Janet Sunness, M.D. Chanukah and chinuch (education) are interconnected because both words come from the same Hebrew root. But they are tied together in
more ways than this. In the past, Chanukah was a time for community dedication to educational institutions. And Chanukah has many lessons to teach us today. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch in his commentary on Mishlei explains “chinuch” as dedication, or initiation, into a “vocation.” Thus, chinuch is education geared toward a goal, toward initiating a child into a way of life. Similarly, Metzudos Zion on Psalm 30 defines chinuch as the beginning of something that will be established or will endure. Chanukah, dedication or inauguration, is the beginning of the devoting of something to a particular purpose or use. The holiday of Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Bais HaMikdash to the service of Hashem. As Eliyahu Kitov wrote in Sefer HaToda’ah (The Book of Our Heritage), Chanukah was a time when it was customary in many Jewish communities to focus public concern on education. The officials of the community would plan ways, and collect funds, to further education of both children and the community at large. Many rabbanim would leave their cities during Chanukah and go to outlying villages to teach the people Torah, which would sustain the people spiritually during the course of the year. Kitov even describes the custom of giving Chanukah gelt (money) to children as a message relating to chinuch: just as they are receiving money today, so they should always accept upon themselves the yoke of Torah. Our observance of Chanukah is performed in a
way that incorporates chinuch directly. The family serves as the focus of this educational experience, with the lighting of Chanukah candles for all to see, the inclusion of children in the mitzvos and the customs of Chanukah, and the need to publicize the miracle of Chanukah to the outside world by placing the Menorah in a visible location. There are many, many lessons that Chanukah teaches us. This is a list of only a few, separated into lessons for children and lessons for adults (though there are obvious overlaps). Chanukah’s Lessons for Children 1. Mitzvos are beautiful and enjoyable. Chanukah is exciting and enjoyable, and the lighting of the menorah and attendant minhagim are something the child waits for with great anticipation. We do not have to convince our children that mitzvos do not have to be hard or unpleasant; they just have to experience Chanukah. 2. There is value in doing mitzvos in a beautiful way. The observance of Chanukah must be coupled with hiddur mitzvah, the beautification of a mitzvah. For example, one may only light from an earthenware menorah on a single night, because after that the menorah no longer has a nice appearance. The Sefer HaToda’ah records that one of the miracles of the lighting of the menorah at the first Chanukah was that the Chashmonaim used very thin wicks which would draw little oil Continued on p.77
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so as to use less oil and have oil left for other days. Hashem made a miracle that the menorah burned with a great light, as though there were large wicks and abundant oil, giving an appearance of hiddur, or enhanced beauty. 3. Games are fine in their place and time, and they can also incorporate awareness of Hashem’s presence in our lives and His many kindnesses, as in the dreidel and the letters on it, spelling out nes gadol haya sham, a great miracle happened there. 4. Your presence adds light to the world. In many homes, it is the custom for each child to light his or her own menorah. So each child’s presence is furthering the publicizing of the miracle of Chanukah and is adding that child’s menorah’s light to the world. A similar thought regarding Shabbos candles, and lighting an extra one for each child, is given by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski in Generation to Generation. 5. Mitzvos and Yiddishkeit begin in the home. The mitzvah of lighting the menorah is something that is home-centered. In this age of Covid, the value of education in the home has been emphasized. Education is not something confined to school; the home plays a critical role. Chanukah’s Lessons for Adults 1. A little light is all Hashem needs. One prominent question related to Chanukah is why we light candles for eight nights instead of only for seven. We had enough oil for one night, so wasn’t the miracle related only to the remaining seven nights? The Sefer HaToda’ah answers that the very fact that the Chashmonaim did not despair that they were not lighting a ner tamid, a light that would burn eternally, but went on and lit for one day without knowing where oil would come from in the future, was itself the great miracle. We are expected to do what we can and put our faith in Hashem to help us
do more. Another interpretation relates to the fact that light symbolizes Torah and our faith in Hashem. As long as a little light remains, and there is still faith in Hashem even in the hardest times, Hashem will help and save us. 2. The spiritual victory, not the military victory, is what lasts eternally. The details of the battle against Antiochus and his army is not featured prominently. In fact, the Gemara mentions as the miracle of Chanukah only the miracle of oil, not the great military miracle of the victory of the weak against the strong. What lasts eternally is the victory of the preservation of our faith and our beliefs. 3. Chanukah can help to teach us how to incorporate kedushah into our daily lives. Chanukah is not a holy day, in the sense that we are allowed to work except at the time of candle lighting. Nonetheless, we say full Hallel for all eight days, and we are involved in the mitzvos of Chanukah at the same time as we go on with our day to day lives. One lesson Chanukah could teach us is how to add kedushah, or holiness, into our weekdays, and how to incorporate times of the day devoted to learning or to other mitzvos into our daily routines. 4. To make an impression on the outside world, it is not necessary to beat drums, make public declarations, or be extravagant. The light that comes from our menorahs, and symbolically from our home life as Jews, is enough to publicize the miracle of Chanukah and to give a path of light in the darkness. Janet (Yehudis) Sunness is medical director of the Richard E. Hoover Low Vision Rehabilitation Services at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center. She gives lectures on Tanach, Judaism and women, and other topics in the Baltimore area, and is a frequent contributor to The Jewish Press, Where What When, and other publications.
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Friday, December 11, 2020
R’ Yitzchok Twerski, son of the Skver Rebbe, at the Kosel (Credit: JDN) Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion Pre-K learning about Chanukah.
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Jacob Sentell, 5, of Monroe, makes a dreidel out of “clicks” with his teacher, Chana Burston, at Chabad Hebrew School of Orange County.
Friday, December 11, 2020
The Jewish Press
Page 79
A CALL TO SHOP LOCAL BY RABBI AVI GREENSTEIN
On Monday, November 23 – two weeks into a Sop Local initiative – over 30 businesses gathered at the Boro Park Jewish Community Council (BPJCC) to discuss local shop owners’ concerns. Attendees received valuable feedback and considered the concerns of hundreds of consumers who contacted the BPJCC with constructive advice. The event included a panel discussion joined by Yidel Perlstein, chairman of Community Board 12, who spoke about government relations with the community and the possibility of a future lockdown. Rav Yaakov Gold, the Krula Rav and a successful businessman, gave his blessing to the initiative, offered encouragement, and shared practical business advice on a number of topics. Conclusions from the event included the following: Explore the possibility of forming a Boro Park store business association Lobby elected officials to give a 2-4 week holiday season sales tax reprieve Help encourage local holiday shopping Show small businesses that the government can do more than hand out fines and create draconian edicts Help businesses and consumers when they need it most Providing ongoing training seminars to local business owners Help to improve customer service Help business owners “think big” Improve Internet utilization Create continued awareness of the initiative As we head into the holiday season, please realize what’s at stake and that the continued destruction of local business will be a detriment to all of our families and neighborhoods. Please shop local and encourage others to do so as well. Rabbi Avi Greenstein CEO of the BBJCC.
Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion 2nd graders learning about the Gid Hanesha.
Modzitz Rebbe at the kever of the Imrei Shoel of Modzitz, on his yarhzeit (Credit: JDN)
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Friday, December 11, 2020
Meeting People Only Of Your Age Could Reduce Covid Deaths By Naama Barak
Mortality rates from Covid-19 could be reduced if people only met with others from their own age group, a recently published study from the University of Haifa shows. In their study, recently published in Open Biology, researchers developed a computational model that examined the spread of the virus among a virtual group of 50,000 people divided into four age groups: 0-14, 15-34, 35-54, and 55 and above. They tested five scenarios lasting 250 days that limited the interaction between people from different age
groups who all maintained social distancing and wore masks. In the first scenario, participants were not restricted in their connections. In the second scenario, participants had no contact with people outside their age group except for family members in the same household. To make up for lost cross-age group connections, researchers added more contacts within their age group. In the third scenario, participants aged 0-54 were grouped together and not allowed contact with
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people over age 55 unless the latter were members of their household. Again, contacts were added to make up for lost connections. The fourth scenario reduced the
mortality rate from Covid-19 can be reduced by ensuring age segregation in personal encounters. Different age groups, and particularly older people, should be able to meet oth-
Study shows that separating the older population from the general public could cut the death toll by 62 percent. connectivity between the age groups by reducing half of the infection rates between age groups, and the fifth scenario cut off connections between age groups without adding new contacts in their stead. The researchers discovered that separating the older population from the general population reduced the overall mortality rate by 62 percent compared to the first, restriction-free scenario. The scenario that completely diminished connections between age groups without adding new contacts resulted in a reduction of 93 percent in the overall mortality rate. “With the help of the mathematical model we built, we found that the
ers in their own age group by opening stores, cinemas, and restaurants at special times reserved solely for them,” said Shani Stern, one of the study’s authors. “We hope that a vaccine is close now. In the meantime, in order to avoid a total or partial shutdown, we can create microenvironments in which we allow people within the same age group to meet, for example at a supermarket or a restaurant. This can prevent the closure of businesses while still enhancing the protection of the population, and it can do so without totally isolating the older population, who needs social interactions more than we all do.”
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The Jewish Press
Page 81
Florida SHELLEY BENVENISTE FLORIDA EDITOR
IT’S MY OPINION
Happy Chanukah The ability to think out of the box is an important skill. Following an old familiar path can be comforting, but sometimes the road is blocked and it’s necessary to find an alternate route. A detour
can still lead to the same destination – the goal is to find another way. The Jewish community seems to have an edge on creative problem solving. We have many halachic restrictions, yet we have devised ways to handle these constraints within the framework of Jewish law. Sabbath observance is especially challenging. The prohibition of turning on and off electric devices has spawned a plethora of solutions. Shabbat elevators, Sabbath-mode ovens, Sabbath lamps, and electric timers are examples of devices created as innovative ways to deal with these challenges. It is trite but true: Necessity is the mother of invention. Chanukah is now before us, but the modus operandi has changed. South Florida is famous for its
beautiful Chanukah festivals, concerts, and parties. This year, the festivities cannot go on as usual due to Covid-19 considerations. However, instead of canceling the events, local Jewish groups are reinventing long-standing traditions and revamping protocol. They are holding (drive-in) live concerts, practicing social distancing and wearing masks, and holding outdoor and distanced menorah lightings. The show will go on and no grinch will steal Florida’s celebration. Happy Chanukah! The e-mail address of head of school Dr. Rochelle Brand in the recent article on Sha’arei Bina Torah Academy for Girls was incorrect. It should have been: RBrand@ shaareibina.org. We apologize for the error.
41st Annual South Florida Chassidic Chanukah Festival – Drive-in For 2020 Chabad of South Broward is continuing its world-famous Chassidic Chanukah Festival, despite the restrictions of the Covid world of 2020. This year, there will be strict social distancing, with the festival held in a parking lot that can hold thousands of cars. Yet it will not be a virtual event, but a safe in-person event. The festival will be held at a new venue, a drive-in called the Big Easy Casino Parking Lot, located at 831 North Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, one mile north of Gulfstream. International Jewish music superstar Mordechai Shapiro will perform a two-hour live concert. A spectacular light show will cap off the evening.
The event, as always, is free of charge. Some Chanukah festivals. 200,000 people have attended Chabad of South Each festival costs way over $100,000 and Broward’s Chanukah festivals during the past generous sponsors make the event happen. Spon40 years. Organizers of the event explain that sorships are still available. Call 954-458-1877 or for many people, it was their first time at a Jew- email chabadsboffice@gmail.com for more inforish event and the first time they felt proud to mation or to become a sponsor. be Jewish. Over the years, hundreds of families have become shomer Shabbat, sent their children to Jewish Day Schools, and refocused בס’’ד the homes that they run to be inspired by CHABAD OF SOUTH BROWARD PRESENTS Judaism thanks to having their souls initially T H E 4 1 ST A N N U A L SOUTH FLORIDA ignited at these mega
Calendar Of Events WHAT: The Levi Yitzchok Senior Academy: A daily study program for senior citizens. This program is especially appealing during isolation since it takes place completely via computer or telephone. There are two tracks. The morning track will be from 10-11 a.m. and will study the Talmud and Jewish Mysticism. The afternoon program will be from 3-4 p.m. and will study the following topics: The Book of Judges; insights from Rabbi Jonathon Sacks, zt”l, former chief rabbi of England; insights from the Lubavitcher Rebbe; the Code of Jewish Law; and Chassidic stories with their messages. All participants are eligible to receive a monthly stipend if they submit a weekly essay on a subject of their choice that was studied that week. WHEN: December 11, 2020 through May 10, 2021 WHERE: Zoom meeting ID 82351201777 CONTACT: Menachem Smith – email rabbi@unitedjewishgenerations.com or call 305-770-4540
COST: Free ***** WHAT: JOY - Journey of Yourself - with Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar - College of Jewish Studies - Lesson 2: “Staying Honest, Humble, and Happy” (for women only). Staying positive about life means staying positive about ourselves. In this second step, we look at the importance of nurturing a healthy self-concept and how to avoid negative feelings about ourselves. Often, feelings that drag us down can be countered by two prime, if seemingly paradoxical Jewish principles: that I matter as an individual, but that it isn’t about me. Required Reading: Code to Joy: The World’s Happiest Secret (Available on Amazon) WHEN: Thursday, December 17 at 8 p.m. WHERE: Zoom meeting ID 645 705 4016 - Pasword: 699576 CONTACT: Call The Shul at 305868-1411 or visit www.CYSCollege. org
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The Jewish Press
Friday, December 11, 2020
Florida Hebrew Academy Celebrates Yom Tzahal On Friday, November 13, Hebrew Academy RASG in Miami celebrated a unique holiday, Yom Tzahal. Three years ago, this special chag was designed by fifth-grade students as part of the “Holiday in Cheshvan” contest. The school was decorated with banners from the various battalions of the Israel Defense Forces. Students have been learning about the combat, humanitarian efforts, and veterans of the IDF, and were privileged to honor veterans of the IDF who work in the school in a beautiful Scroll of Honor. Videos were shared from a parent who is an IDF veteran as well as soldiers who are now serving. Students and faculty who were on campus dressed in IDF colors to show solidarity and support. The school includes the Mi Sheberach prayer for soldiers in daily davening, and students and faculty now annually celebrate Yom Tzahal at school. Hebrew Academy students celebrate Yom Tzahal.
JWorks Miami: 10 Years Of Connecting Jobs And Job-Seekers Over the past 10 years, thousands of Jewish job-seekers have received employment counseling and secured jobs thanks to JWorks Miami. The community employment program is provided through a partnership of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Services of South Florida, and is offered at no cost to Miami’s Jewish residents and local employers. Although planning and logistics have had to be adjusted since the onset of the pandemic, the range of services offered are greatly needed by the increasing number of Miamians who have lost their jobs as the economy has taken a downturn. “We’ve recently been working with a lot of clients who were furloughed during the pandemic,” says Rita Morse, a JWorks career counselor. “We also have been counseling people who are new to Miami – many coming here from Latin America, New York, and other out-of-state locations.” More than just matching qualified prospec-
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tive employees with employers, JWorks’ mission is to increase its clients’ competitiveness in the job market and improve their prospects for Continued on p.83
Friday, December 11, 2020
The Jewish Press
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Florida Jworks Continued from p.82
employment through preparation and support. On the flipside, the program also assists employers with staffing needs by recommending pre-screened, qualified job applicants. Founded in 2010, the program began under the name ParnossahWorks (Parnossah means “income” in Hebrew), a joint effort between 13 American Jewish communities to respond to unemployment during the Great Recession. “During that time, we were receiving many calls each week from people desperately looking for employment,” says Morse. “Many of them were fearful about losing their homes because they had no steady income.” In ensuing years, the Miami component developed its own systems and methodologies that respond to local needs, and was renamed JWorks Miami. Today, JWorks Miami answers up to 50 calls a week from job-seekers and provides counseling in resume preparation, employability training, interview skills, networking, and other traits needed to compete for available work opportunities. The program’s two career counselors and a business development counselor also help those whose unemployment compensation appeals have been rejected while they seek salaried positions. Although one-on-one meetings and workshops were previously the norm, JWorks Miami now offers virtual meetings to comply with Covid-19 social distancing guidelines, using such platforms as Zoom and FaceTime. Jewish job-seekers residing in Miami-Dade County are invited to join the program by emailing jobs@ jworksmiami.org or calling 305-403-6554.
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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.
Page Page 84 42 46
The Jewish Jewish Press Press The
Friday, March December 11, 2020 Friday, July 5, 1, 2019 2019
Behind the News in Israel By Tzvi Fishman, Jewish Press Israel Correspondent
Otzma YehuditSteinberg: Deal Sparks Uproar Rabbi Avraham No Halachic Destroyed Carlebach Moshav Sivan Rahav-Meir Rabbi Kahane from the Knesset in 1988, pushed elections in Israel, I suggest they come here to live, By Tzvi Fishman Obligation –Records For Now –theTocontroversial Be Vaccinated serve in the IDF,Covid-19 join us on shiva calls to Jewish hardest for union. Prime Minis- Against Comes Together, Song Is Coming ToandAmerica Jewish Press Israel Correspondent ter Benjamin Netanyahu himself led the initiative, families victimized by Arab terror.”
Covid-19 vaccinations are on the way to Israel, fearing the strength of the new left-wing party led In response to the uproar over the union, Netbut,The almostofgroup everything else surrounding the anyahu said, “Look at the double Lapid and former IDF Chief Staffpopular Benny TV merger Otzma – headed for- of by Anlike optimistic of Yehudit men, womLast of week, journalist bridging theleft’s gaphypocrisy between and Israel and in theby center theYair country. pandemic, no one knows what will be. For examstandards. condemn a right-wing bloc that can mer Kach activists – the with the Bayit HaYehudi andthe Gantz. 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It revealed that 61 percent of Israethat as he soon as “I thecan’t 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, li citizens will agree to be vaccinated, 18 percent tween NationalWhat Union,will andyou Otzma result when they sit in the Knesset as representa- help be Yedo- articles and speeches,” she replied. “My husband butBayit thingYehudi, that up will refuse, and 21 percent have not yet decided will dissolve. tives of religious Jewry.” never preached genocide, as some journalists claim. ing in America? inhudit Heaven, Reb Shlowhat they’ll do. Otzma Yehudit, he said, stands for Israel being a Respected author Rabbi Benny Lau said he would He never called for the killing of Arabs. He favored mo is so happy that this Rahav-Meir: I give Professor Sheharbani said that the primary Jewish state. “That means true Jewish education in even “go to war” to torpedo the union, asserting that transferring Israel’s Arab population to Arab lands catastrophe is bringing a weekly Torah shiur in reason people offered for refusing to take the vacour schools, a judicial system based on Jewish law, Otzma Yehudit stands for racism reminiscent of the to safeguard Jewish lives and the country’s Jewish Klal Yisrael together. Jerusalem that I will be cine was: It’s too new and may have unknown side Judaism instead of democracy as the constitution of Nuremburg Laws. majority. The kindness and gentaking, bezrat Hashem, effects. the nation, the aliyah of all Jews from all over the In response, Rabbi Baruch Kahane, son of Kach “He didn’t hate Arabs – he loved Jews. Even when erosity of people from all to Yeshiva University’s Government sources in Israel say the vaccine world, the defi is aCollege Jew?’ according founder Rabbi Meir Kahane, The Jewish Press, over the and country, andnition all of ‘Who Stern in Man- he was outlawed from the Knesset, he didn’t abandon will be available to the publictold in January, although to halacha.” “I guess that means Joshua, King David, the over hattan. In addition, my his great love for the State. He continued to say Halthe world, has been the Ministry of Health is aiming for theYehuda end of DeAsked for his to husband AIPAC calling Otzma Maccabee, andweek, David Gurion were all racists and I will be lel on Yom HaAtzmaut and teach students that MediLikereaction we cember. Last theBen government increased the overwhelming. Yehudit “racistand andsisreprehensible,” Marzelextensively said, “AI- nat Yisrael was holy, even though its leaders misused too.” Otzma Yehudit units is suing Lau to forbuy slander. traveling all brothers number of vaccine it Rabbi promised from are Moderna from two to sixwhich million to insure the ters, PACmamash.” has a leftist agenda. Before theyNorth interfere with their power in evil ways.” Interestingly, Likud, fought hard that to expel around America, vaccine will be available to everyone as quickly as Last week, the Israespending Shabbatot in possible. li government allocated Jewish communities, Minister of Health Yuli Edelstein said that he 80 million shekels tomeeting people and and Prime Minister Netanyahu will be the first on ward the restoration of talking about Hadas Israel and Professor Avraham Steinberg. (Photo: Parush/Flash90) Sivan Rahav-Meir line to take the vaccine in the hope of stimulating the displaced communiTorat Eretz Yisrael. broad public participation. ty. Shoshana Sheiner, The World Mizrachi Movement, teaching them as much English as pos– make an imperative. “Needless say, the vaccines we are speaking Formoshav, a general medical and halachic overview sible before we take off. their which was founded in however, who has lived vaccination on the moshav which is organizing our shlichut, has to “On the other hand, the vaccines that have about must have the approval of theplan? sanctioned of the questions surrounding the vaccine, The AnforInterview with “IHazon Teitelbaum Do you have a game When 1975 by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and 38 years, is skeptical. will be- Founder arranged a Haim full schedule of meetings Jewish Press turned to Rabbi Professor Avra- developed until now were not produced in the authorities, such as the FDA in the United States, you parachute into Los Angeles, devastated by a fire in late May that lieve it when I see it,” she told The and events. ham Steinberg, senior pediatric neurologist at the normally-accepted fashion of new medicines and the Ministry of Health in Israel, and the parallel normalcy intohow fascism, white,America and no one left the stunned residents with little Jewish Press. “I remember long black intoNorth is a big place. for example, and are introduced to Shaare Zedek Medical chief editor of Tal- vaccinations. The difference lies in the quickness authorized agencies in Europe, etc. This insures By TzviCenter, Fishman 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, mudicJewish Encyclopedia, and author of the Encyclo- in obtaining the required research-approval certi- that the effectiveness of the vaccinations and Press Israel Correspondent riage is a virtue. how do are youhigh stimulate a properly connecand a of suitcase two of personal be- words Katiffollow: were permanently resettled in hope to accomplish? fications. their safety standards enough to pedia JewishorMedical Ethics. His The time has come for the Jewish people in Zion tion? longings. newpandemhomes. Right “Although now I only trust in As the sayingingoes, little candle the shortcuts were mainly the a balance the pros and cons. “We are speaking about a grave global to rise up and say “No!” There can be no room for Over just two days, 120,000 people joined Hazon, Torah. But the donations represent only a Hashem.” can light up a room filled with ic that has caused the death of some 3,000 peo- bureaucratic stages, not in the scientific, less re“If itdarkbe provenWith over a periodThat’s of timethe thatcommon one or poisonous distortions that undermine the very wella social movement founded in 2018, after one of its denominator for all Jews, the cultural small percent of the vast sum needed to ness. Our Sages teach that the redempThe police are still investigating the ple in Israel, nearly 300,000 dead in the United search was conducted…and, more importantly, more of the corona vaccines are both effective and springs our existence. advertisement was removed the Prima Park that binds us as aasnation. Both rebuild the offrom the 55 tion ofnegative Israel comes slowly, a glue possibility thatless the time fire,of was which erupt- to examine allotted side-efStates, andcommunity. around 1.5Many million deaths worldwide. safeslowly, according to normal standards, accepted in is Hazon a grassroots movement as the op-dawning Hotel in Jerusalem two ago.byTheedgiant banSabra from then Tel Aviv destroyed homes presently were notweeks covered little at future a time, like day. the Israelivaccinations, on Lag B’Omer,Why was an act of Arab fects and compliAdditionally, other of tried-and-proven thereand is to an initiative leading rabbis? ner proclaimed: father and mother family.Shoshana The posed from Boca Raton, Floriinsurance. the still-dazed fire= aarson. Hopefully, our example will re- wealthy harbors no doubts. “I ofcations. there are Today, some“A 100,000 aninspire obligation on everyJews individual to be vaccinatGreat spiritual leaders are“In gifts from heaven. In courage to be normal.” followinginday, in response have the same starting from victims are quartered ligious couples Israeledtoinbecome order to da, both protect himself frompoint the very addition, itfrom is not critically illtemporarily around The the “I strongly withon Continued the meantime, wep.47 are making surehow thein voice ofall-important Israto and of boycott threats by radical leftists,disagree and That’s to prevent other from known long an- serious globe, a majority whom the pulse we people all share. thecomplaints religious moshav of Chofetz Chaim shlichim thisthe goaldisease of Sinai. will join took the down list the of the el’s majority gets heard. tibodies remain in the becoming infected, especially those who are ill and the hotel ad. the different conspiracy theories.” of in thesupport vaccinated, dead. But many rabbis have blood come out of the those with a background history of illness which Haim Teitelbaum, founder of Hazon alongside and therefore is likely also considRav Tzviit Tau, Rav places them in a category of potential high-risk. Rav“We Drormust Aryeh of the Sederot Hesder Yeshiva, has movement: Rav Shmuel Eliahu, er people sufferinglawsuit against the Prima Shlomo Aviner, Rav Dov Lior, “I strongly disagree with the different conspirthat Rav a number of ShapivacciYehoshua filedthe a breach-of-contract nations will be needed with the passing of time. acy theories. I reason that the authorized health from the coronavirus on its different levels along Park Hotel and its advertising agency. “It’s outra- ra, and Rav Yaacov Ariel, to mention just a few. “In my estimation, the halachic balance beagencies are reliable and that their trustworthiwith the many who have recovered but who still What’s new about your message? For many geous,” he told The Jewish Press, “that a tiny mitween the benefit of vaccination in light of the ness has been proven much more than on three suffer, and who are likely to suffer for many years nority can impose its beliefs over the overwhelming years, charedi rabbis have rejected Israel as occasions. Everyone relies on the certifications of grave situation in the world and the problematwith medical complications, perhaps for all of Interview Mechinot Program Rabbi Yitzhak Nissim the forerunner to Mashiach in Head part because the majority of Israelis who cherish theAn normalcy of the with ic consequences of the speed of the research and approval of these bodies for medicines for various their lives…. Jewish family, which has insured our existence from Torah doesn’t govern it. “It is important to emphasize that not only approval process clearly leans toward the strong diseases and for various medical hardware, etc. Tzvi Yehuda Kook taught that the holiness is yelling at you, telling you what to do, sometimes theEvery beginning of time.” different? 18-year-old boy and girl in Israel must serve notRabbi is the medical situation severe, world economies recommendation that every individual, and es- There is no reason not to rely upon these agencies is not measured in the level Yiddishkeit Teitelbaum, 38,national is the father of But five isand lives in of Israel The IDF is founded on discipline. In of basic training, without any reason, compelling you to do exercises and in the army (or do service). every high have been damaged as well, with damage to social pecially the most vulnerable (the elderly and the in regard to vaccinations. of its individual citizens, but in its enabling the dein- chores the settlement of Migron. A reserve offi cer in the IDF, untilof youthe are people exhausted, you don’t have the all soldiers go through the difficult and frequently school graduate ready to serve? Thirty years ago, the “Many whoand raise reservations life, culture, and emotional wellbeing, which has sick), be vaccinated. gathering of the exiles and the resettlement of Eretz he studied under Rabbi Eli Sedan and Rabbi Yigal humanizing experience of learning how to take orders. luxury of walking away. IDF decided the answer to that question is no, and thus “On the other hand, this balance does not have about Covid-19 vaccines belong to the group of peocaused suffering to myriads…. Yisrael, its defense of millions of Jews, and its fulfi ll- ple In Levinstein, who are both outspoken defenders To- enough addition, all ofinthe advances The transition from being a free and independent teenpre-army called “mechinot” were born.ofthat who object towith vaccines general, evenweto have vacweight to obligate people to be vaccinated “Givenacademies this situation, the only means ment of the Torah commandment to keep Eretz Yisrah values in Israeli society. achieved in protecting the rights of religious soldiers, The director of the Mechinot Program and its 56 seems most likely to end the pandemic (outside of under the existing conditions and to impose fines cines which have proven to be absolutely reliable. raelthem underif national Jewish sovereignty. The Jewish Press: What led to form Ha- on it’s “Since not easychildren to be in Tzahal. To succeed, a beginacademies Yitzhak Nissim, former IDF tankbecome infected less frequentthey refuse to be vaccinated. prayer) is isanRabbi active campaign of ayou vaccination. The Advertisement on dati Prima Park Hotel promoting the Nowis that the physical Jewish the traditional zon? ning soldier needs aand lothotel ofbecause motivation. That’s the job ist who still serves reserve duty a commander in ly with thefamily. virus,The they perhaps “It important undertake a of publicity chances that ‘herdinimmunity’ willasbring a solution “Our job is to take groupssettlement these ofcamremoved the ad dueinto countrycombining has been fortifi ed, the next phaseand of our re- pressure established to while be aPre-MilJewish of religious mechinot. We strive to instill our students the Teitelbaum: Army Rabbinate. Hewas also heads Elisha the medical, ethical, halafect others less frequently as well, and since, to within the nearIsrael future are small,the and wait- paign, by radical leftists. largely undisciplined, apathetic, demption musttobe strengthened by to our the state, but inAcademy recent years, foreign elements, backed with best a burning of Religious a love for itaryfor Torah near Tzuf in the Shomron. aspects, persuade people toreturning be vaccinated ing this immunity toNeve come about, many hun- chic of myspirit knowledge, all Zionism, experimentation Torah culture. by great fithousands nancialPress: resources, waged war to alter – moral the Land practices oftoIsrael, overon a the broad understanding of thevaccines vast majority ofdid Jewish of Theof Jewish Howhave would describe date thewill various not dreds of people will die.you but not to require them to do so. That is to say, conducted know-it-all kids and turn them into children, reason at this stage, chil“It is clear that ofthe to there is noexactly moral orare halachic justification for gov- involve What you proposing? Arrestthe Jewish identity theTorah state. commandment The Hazon MoveIsraelis whodestiny, wantI Medinat Yisrael history and a spirit that of idealism, to be and a miserut Jewish mechinot? to who compel allofimmodestly? people to beBin vaccinated dren should not be vaccinated until institutions, we see the guard one’s health applies to Toev- ernments ingminiature women dress Searching ment was created to carefully, remind Amwhich Yisrael that the state Jewish values. So nefeshwith for the nation founded onall thepublic Torah and Tanach. Rabbi Nissim: Post high-school learning programs versions Yehoshua Nun eryone, and the law regarding a rodef – which fornor to enforce restrictions and punishments upon long-term results amongst the adult population, rah is the foundation conver- homes for non-kosher food? andWhen the country’s cultureunderstands must be in accord with the a young person the inner meanbefore one’s inductionofinour thenation. army. Marriage, Secular mechinot andspeak Yehuda HaMaccabee.” tests are approved bids person fromcharacter inflicting harm on and anyone else those individuals who refuse. When we about the true Jewish identity and sion, Shabbat, and the sanctity of the kotel sacred traditions ofEretz Torah and regarding Torah law.children.” ings until of Am Yisrael, Yisrael, and Medinat Yisrael, focus akashrut, on Zionism, building, physical
Group Wants Judaism At Center Of Jewish State
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BY HENNI HALBERSTAM
BY HENNI HALBERSTAM
Always Leads To Never Dear Dating Coach, I have a few non-negotiables when it comes to dating that I always insist on. They are not unreasonable expectations, just things that matter to me. Things like a person must be at least a certain height (I’m tall), etc... I NEVER want to compromise on these issues because then I know I will be unhappy with someone who does not fit these criteria. I think it’s good to be honest from the beginning, but a recent shadchan said I am being too demanding at this stage. So now that I am a certain age I need to give up on my must-haves? I know I need to have an open mind in shidduchim, but these items make sense! Please tell me what you think... Within Reason Dear Reason, Oh, the dress-up box. Ours is filled to the brim with fanciful dresses, tiaras galore, and a few wayward wands. There are necklaces, manly crowns, and occasionally a lost Lego piece. The most coveted dress-up box item however, is a princess dress that fits no one. At first glance, it is flawless, the perfect shade, the right style,
Back From Pennsylvania By Miriam Beigelman (Editor’s note: The following is part of an ongoing series of articles by a newly married woman.) We are back home. Pennsylvania is behind us.
and covered in dreamy sparkles. Yet, at the same time it’s inexplicably too long, too wide, too itchy, and universally unflattering. I have tried to throw it out many times, but I am met with horror at the thought by our dress-up enthusiasts. In fact, without fail, every time someone opens up the box, they insist on trying it on. They push up the sleeves, they tweak the hem, they add a belt, and still the dress disappoints. There they stand frustrated, adjusting and pulling until they give up and jam it back into the box choosing instead to play with the other lovely choices. We have started calling it the ‘disillusioned dress’ – one that seems so right, but is consistently so very wrong. Always and Never Are Two Words… You are entitled to insist on any myriad of must-haves that you believe in. Everyone has some sort of future blueprint that they hope for in shidduchim and you have mentally assembled yours. When you picture letting go of those items, you are sure that you will be unhappy. It is perfectly normal to have a specific vision for your future and can even be helpful in helping you to achieve and grow. Presumably however, you have dated people with these criteria and have not yet found the person for you. This doesn’t mean that your zivug won’t meet your requirements, but the matches you have gone out with so far have not been right.
‘I ALWAYS date someone from America and would never date someone from another country.’ Those ALWAYS and NEVERS box you into a corner that will leave out potential matches simply because a slot didn’t line up with the others. Perhaps switch your ALWAYS and NEVERS to USUALLY instead. ‘I USUALLY prefer to date a guy who has a professional career like I do, but I would be interested to hear more about the guy you mentioned who runs his own business.’ ‘I USUALLY prefer to date people who are local, but of course I would like to hear more about your fabulous cousin from out of the country.’ “Usually” allows you to hold on to your slimmer criteria without discounting a broader group of wonderful guys.
That You Should Always Remember... As a general rule, I would encourage you to stay away from ALWAYS and NEVER. As in, ‘I ALWAYS date someone with multiple degrees and NEVER date someone who did not attend college.’
Never to Use. The only time ALWAYS and NEVER make sense are when they refer to middos that are essential to our humanity or character traits that are clearly alarming. We can ALWAYS insist on kindness, goodness, and mentchlichkeit. Focus on behaviors that truly matter in building a successful relationship rather than locations, specific physical attributes, and papers that frame our walls. An open mind and open heart do not guarantee that you will be matched perfectly, but they do announce to the world that you are open to possibilities and mazel no matter the size. If you are willing to shift your focus to try on something new, you may be surprised to find the right fit for the princess that you are. 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.
I am no longer enveloped by an intense spiritual atmosphere. It’s real life. My husband and me. The nuances of daily life stretch before us. We must navigate our marriage through the mundane details of everyday life. I miss the inspiration I got in Pennsylvania from the boys in my husband’s class singing in the dining room. I itch for chizuk during these ordinary days. I miss seeing my husband in action. His hands gesturing in all directions as he elucidates the intricacies of the Talmud. Shteiging with his students in the beis medrash. His brow furrowed, fists tightened as he helps them understand ancient, holy words. The boys still come Friday nights for oneg. Now I interact with them. They remember me from Pennsylvania: the “Rebbetzin.” I am still getting used to this title.
I am tickled when one of the boys requests my potato kugel. “I must have your wife’s kugel,” a student says to my husband. That makes me feel like a rebbetzin – at least like a rebbe’s wife. I am learning the role. I am trying to be a “cool” rebbetzin. My husband says it’s good for the guys to see that his wife is “normal.” My husband is always thinking of ways to inspire the guys. He wants to have more of his students for meals on Shabbos. Corona complicates matters, but we’re hoping it will work out soon. I stand behind my husband. I try to be accommodating. Truthfully, I enjoy playing the devoted wife. It stretches my giving muscle and helps me become more other-focused. I look forward to the inspiration of Chanukah.
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Warming Hearts Amidst Freezing Weather On Sunday morning, December 6, despite the blistering wind and frigid temperature of 39 degrees, volunteers gathered at the Met Council warehouse to help The Jewish Community Council of Marine Park and Met Council in their joint effort to package essential food boxes and a dispense them to dozens of families in need. As always, the JCCMP puts in great effort to make this transaction as seamless and discreet as possible. The items were packaged in Moishe’s Supermarket cardboard boxes and were given out in an undisclosed location ensuring complete privacy and anonymity of the recipients. Parcels included staple grocery items such as ground beef, fish, flour, oil, cheese, grape juice, and canned goods. Met Council has the largest kosher food pantry in the country, and feeds over 51,000 households each year with over 3.3 million pounds of kosher food. But this project would not have come to fruition without the participation of Met Council and its CEO David G. Greenfield, who co-sponsored this initiative. Much recognition must go to all the JCCMP staff: Shea Rubenstein, executive director, Menucha Worcman, social services coordinator, and Avi Krakauer, assistant executive director, for helping execute and organize this very important day. A special thank you to the wonderful volun-
teers who selflessly gave up their time and braved the elements to assure that those less fortunate can
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Chanukah Contest Winners These delightful works of art and essays represent thousands of students in Pre-K through high school from across the United States who entered the Chanukah Art and Writing Contest sponsored jointly by The Jewish Press and The International Synagogue at JFK Airport. If space were not limited, we would gladly print every entry as they are all winning displays of talent, effort and love of Torah and Chanukah. We greatly acknowledge the encouragement of so many schools and parents in the success of our contest. The public is invited to view the original works of art and writings, on exhibit at The International Synagogue at JFK Airport, National Arrivals Building, Terminal 4, 4th floor, Chapel area. A Freichlen Chanukah Rabbi Ari Korenblit Rabbi, International Synagogue
Aliza Garden – Grade 9 Bais Yakov, Southfield, MI
Mizmor Elgaza – Grade 9 Tiferes Bais Yaakov, Toronto, Canada
Chaya Miriam Kaufman, Grade 9 – TAG, Far Rockaway, NY
Tova Liba Cohen – Grade 8, Bais Yaakov, Southfield, MI
Rivkie Goldstein, Grade 8 – TAG, Inwood, NY
Ahuva Zlotnick – Grade 9 Tiferes Bais Yaakov, Toronto, Canada
Etta Kutoff – Grade 11 Yavne HS, Cleveland, OH
Leorah Shetrit Grade 8 Shulamis Woodmere, NY
My Greatest Heroine
My Great-Great Aunt By Chana Meisels Grade 5 – Shulamith, Cedarhurst, NY
Pessy Cohen – Grade 11, Yavne High School, Beachwood, OH
My great-great aunt was a brave woman named Esther Harris – Grade 9 Sarah, or Sadie, as most people called her. She didn’t Bnos Yisroel, Baltimore, MD save me directly, but in a way she did. This true story took place many years ago. Imagine this: A JewishCelia family in Poland owned dry-goods Kotkes, Grade 9 – aTAG, Cedarhurst, NY store which was constantly robbed and vandalized by Hannah Sugar – Grade 9 the local Jew-haters. The family lived a hard life. Beis Rivka HS, Brooklyn, NY One day, a while after the father died, the family sent their daughter Sarah, not even 18 years old, on a boat alone to America. She lied about her age so that he authorities would not suspect that she was still a child. Once she arrived, she made her way to Winnipeg, Canada where she had some relatives. Her relatives welcomed her as Sadie. When she informed them that she was actually Sarah, her relatives were baffled that he family would send Sarah when Sadie was actually the oldest. They insisted on calling her Sadie. As Sarah took on her new identity, even she lost track of her own age, and that is why we never really Malka Chaya Molinsky – Grade 10 knew Aunt Sadie’s exact age. Shortly after her arrivTAG, Far Rockaway, NY al at her relative’s house, Aunt Sadie woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. She realized that although Moshe was my great-grandfather. her relatives were Jewish, they were not religiously I never met Aunt Sadie because she died a couple observant, so she decided to leave. of years before I was born, but I know all about her She moved to Toronto, Canada where she had oth- through stories I have been told. Aunt Sadie lived uner relatives who – were more observant.Jewish Her next stop tilSchool, at leastMemphis, 100 yearsTN old, and three generations later, Sofia Rossi Grade 5, Bonblum Community was New York, where she found a job as a seamstress I am here to tell the story of her heroism in bringing MiriamChaim, Schwartz – GradeBeach, 10 and eventually saved enough money to bring her her familyMI to America and savingEsther them from theGrade Ho- 4 – Yeshiva Toras Emily Miller, Grade 6 – Hillel Day School, Detroit, Weiss, N.Queens, Miami FL Regina Pinhasov – Grade 8, Ezra Academy, NY
Friday, December 11, 2020
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Rikki Bobker, Grade 5 – TAG, Lawrence, NY Jacie Bressler, Grade 7 – Home School, Kirkwood, PA
Ilana Schreiber, Grade 9 – TAG, Cedarhurst, NY
Joseph Golan, Grade 3 – Silverstein Hebrew Academy, Great Neck, NY
Meira Soffer, Grade 12 – TAG, Far Rockaway, NY
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Friday, December 11, 2020
Successful Cheesecakes 101 By Rochelle Rothman Have you worked really hard on a new recipe for cheesecake only to find it cracked on the surface or came out a little jell like? There are several important key things to know when making the perfect cheesecake. Life is too short not to eat cheesecake. Here are great tips on how to produce perfect results every time! There’s something irresistible about cheesecake. Rich, creamy, and satin smooth, it is one of the best-loved desserts of all time. The techniques for making luscious cheesecakes are simple to master. Follow the instructions carefully, pay attention to the details, and even if you’re a novice baker you can make an impressive cheesecake on the very first try. Clip these instructions, and tuck it into your cookbook with your favorite cheesecake recipe! It all starts with preparation: Before you begin baking, be sure all the ingredients are at room temperature. They will mix more easily and the finished cake will have a smoother texture. Combine the cream cheese or ricotta and eggs thoroughly before adding any liquid extracts, heavy cream, or sour cream. Lumps are impossible to remove once the liquid ingredients that thin the batter have been added. The paddle attachment of an electric mixer is ideal for mixing the batter. Regular whipping beaters incorporate too much air into the batter, which can lead to cracks in the finished cake. Also, if too much air is worked into the batter, the cake will be less creamy. If you must use regular whipping beater, set the mixer at low or medium-low speed so only a minimum amount of air is whipped into the batter. Fold in whipped cream and beaten egg whites with a wire whisk or a rubber spatula. Fold gently and slowly, taking care not to deflate the volume of the whipped ingredients. Cream Cheese: Cream cheese comes in many different varieties. Always use regular cream
cheese for cheesecake, unless the recipe says otherwise. Base Ingredients: Cheesecake bases are generally made from cookie crumbs mixed with softened or melted butter. Although many recipes call for graham crackers, almost any cookie will do, including cream-filled sandwich cookies. A serving of creamy cheesecake is one of life’s little pleasures. To crush the cookies, either grind them in a food processor fitted with the metal blade, or use the Tupperware Power Chef system to crush them in seconds! When you removed it from the oven, have you ever asked yourself “What went wrong?” Cracks in the surface can occur because cheesecakes release a considerable amount of steam while they bake and during cooling time. Too much steam released too quickly causes the cheesecake to crack. Extremes of temperature can also lead to surface cracks. That is why baking temperatures for cheesecakes are relatively low, and bakers are warned not to set cheesecakes in cold or drafty places to cool. If possible, cool the cheesecake in a turned off oven. Use a wooden spoon to keep the door slightly ajar. Deep cracks mean the egg white structure has collapsed. The cheesecake will be wet, more like a pudding than a cake. Shallow cracks often occur despite all efforts to prevent them. Accept them as part of a cheesecake’s homebaked charm or cover them with fruit. Follow these tips for Continued on p.95
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Rothman Continued from p.93
a perfect cheesecake: Grease the bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Combine the crumbs with butter and sugar and press evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. In warm weather, refrigerate the pan until ready to use. Use the paddle attachment of an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese smooth before adding any other ingredients. Regular whipping beaters can lead to cracks in the surface of the finished cake. To ensure that the batter has no lumps and no ingredients stuck to the bottom of the bowl, stop the mixer several times while making the batter and scrape down the paddle and sides of the bowl. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and set the pan on a baking sheet. Bake as directed. Cover with aluminum foil partway through baking if the top browns too quickly. The finished cheesecake will have a dull, not shiny, finish. The center should be soft, but it should not wobble. Run a knife around the sides of the cooled cake to loosen it from the pan. Release the spring and remove the pan sides. Leave the cake on the pan bottom for serving. Decorate with fresh fruit or sour cream, or serve plain. After it cools, call me to taste a slice! Creamy Cheesecake Crust: 2 Tbs. sugar 1/3 cup melted butter 28 graham crackers, crushed Filling: 1 Tbs. fresh or canned lemon juice 4 eggs, separated
Friday, December 11, 2020
2 Tbs. flour ¼ tsp. salt Small piece lemon rind, use zester (size of 50c) ½ cup sugar 1 – 16 oz. low fat creamed cottage cheese 1 cup skim milk
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Directions: Have ingredients at room temperature. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Break crackers into Tupperware Power Chef System and pull cord several times quickly until crumbed and fine. Empty crumbs into 2-cup pitcher. Repeat until 1 ½ cups crumbs. Empty into Tupperware Mixing bowl and stir in 2 Tbs. sugar. Add melted butter and mix well. Measure ¾ cups of crumb mixture and set aside. To be used for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into bottom 9x9x2 cake pan or 8” round pan and chill while making filling. Put all ingredients in blender or processor in order listed. Run on high or until smooth. Whip egg whites with Tupperware WhipnMix Chef until stiff, fold into blender contents. Pour carefully over chilled crumbs. Sprinkle reserved 3/4 crumb mixture evenly over the top. Bake one hour or until center is firm. Cool evenly before serving. Yummy! (I must bake three of these because my family inhales cake!)
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A Young Boy – And A Talmid Chacham By Mordechai Young When I was about 12 years old there were saw him as a na’ar; a young boy who was egotisti- whenever Yosef was around Yaakov, he acted like many times I went to shul. My family did not ex- cal and a troublemaker. a zaken and a talmid chacham, but when he was pect me to, I went because I wanted to. This conHow come when the Torah describes Yosef it with his brothers he acted like a young boy. tinued into the summer. At camp I continued to says it straight out: he was a shepherd and a na’ar? According to the Kli Yakar it appears that it try to daven. Once the head counselor called me The Torah does not use the same clear language wasn’t the brother’s fault for not seeing the speout of davening. He said I was talking, and cial and holy side of Yosef. We know, howevthat he knows my family is not so religious. er, the Torah does not exempt them totally. He said that even though I don’t value davWhy not? In the sefer Taam Ve’Daas, it exHe tried to size me up based on that ening it’s not fair to interrupt the other boys plains that Yaakov loved Yosef so much. It’s one moment. He didn’t take into account obviously not because he physically looked that do. I was so angry, felt so misjudged. I was talking but the other boy was involved the same. That would not be reason enough all the effort I had been putting in. as well. It was only briefly, and he tried to to love him more than the other brothers. The size me up based on that one moment. He explanation is that Yosef was similar in spirdidn’t take into account all the effort I had itual prowess and that level is apparent on been putting in. when it describes Yosef as a talmid chacham: the a person’s face to holy people who can pick up on In this week’s parsha, Yosef is described as a Torah uses hints and a hidden language which this. Yaakov Avinu picked up on this. It is possishepherd and a young boy (na’ar). On the other then has to be clarified by Onkelus and Rashi. ble the Torah expected the brothers to see the real hand it says he was a wise son. This is a contra- Ben zekunim could mean three things: a son born value in Yosef and treat him accordingly. diction: how can you be both? The medrash asks: in old age, a talmid chacham, and that he looked What can we learn from this? We have to Why does the Torah describe Yosef as a shepherd exactly like Yaakov. The answer is that it’s easy learn to look deeper into people we are friends when he was actually a talmid chacham? The rea- to see a person’s age and profession when you first with and those we first meet. It’s not always son why we know that Yosef was a talmid cha- meet someone. You see what the person does for a about the job or the age or the way a person cham is because later on the Torah describes Yo- living and how old they look and you end up judg- looks. There are deeper parts to people that we sef as a ben zekunim: “Yaakov loved Yosef because ing him accordingly. It’s harder, however, to see don’t know about or that they don’t show us. he was his ben zekunim.” Rashi says according to the person’s spiritual qualities. Let’s take time to see beneath the surface and Onkelus: Yaakov gave over all his Torah to Yosef How come Yaakov saw the spiritual side of Yo- to see the whole person. and therefore Yosef was now a talmid chacham. sef, but the brothers didn’t? The Kli Yakar asks: So there were two ways to view Yosef: Yaakov saw How come Yaakov loved Yosef so much? How come Mordechai Young can be reached for comments his son as a talmid chacham, and Yosef’s brothers he never saw Yosef as a na’ar? The answer is that at mordechaiyoung26@gmail.com.
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Innovative Genome Editing Treatment Destroys Cancer Cells By Abigail Klein LeichmanÂ
There’s been a lot of press about upcoming Covid-19 vaccines built with mRNA – genetic messengers that carry instructions to cells to make proteins to treat or prevent disease. This same technology was used to treat cancer in mice in the laboratory of Prof. Dan Peer, VP for R&D and head of the Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine at the Shmunis
cut the cancer cell’s DNA, thereby neutralizing it and permanently preventing replication.� Peer and his team chose to test the technology on two of the deadliest cancers: Glioblastoma and metastatic ovarian cancer. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of brain cancer, with a fiveyear survival rate of only 3%. A single treatment with CRISPR-LNPs
A study from Israel shows promise for a new nanotechnology that can increase life expectancy in people with brain and ovarian cancers. School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research at Tel Aviv University. The novel lipid nanoparticle-based delivery system, called CRISPR-LNPs, carries mRNA that encodes for the enzyme Cas9. This enzyme acts as a molecular pair of scissors that snips the cancer cells’ DNA, effectively destroying them. The results of the study, funded by Israel Cancer Research Fund, were published November 18 in the Science Advances journal. “This is the first study in the world to prove that the CRISPR genome editing system can be used to treat cancer in a living animal effectively,� said Peer. “It must be emphasized that this is not chemotherapy. There are no side effects, and a cancer cell treated in this way will never become active again. The molecular scissors of Cas9
doubled the average life expectancy of mice with glioblastoma tumors, improving their overall survival rate by about 30%. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal cancer of the female reproductive system; only a third of the patients survive this disease. Treatment with CRISPR-LNPs in a metastatic ovarian cancer mice model increased their overall survival rate by 80%. “The CRISPR genome editing technology, capable of identifying and altering any genetic segment, has revolutionized our ability to disrupt, repair or even replace genes in a personalized manner,� said Peer. “Despite its extensive use in research, clinical implementation is still in its infancy because an effective delivery system is needed to
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Leichman Continued from p.98
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safely and accurately deliver the CRISPR to its target cells. The delivery system we developed targets the DNA responsible for the cancer cells’ survival. This is an innovative treatment for aggressive cancers that have no effective treatments today.” He said the research team now intends “to go on to experiments with blood cancers that are very interesting genetically, as well as genetic diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It will probably take some time before the new treatment can be used in humans, but we are optimistic.” The researchers include, among others, Daniel Rosenblum, Anna Gutkin and Dinorah Friedmann-Morvinski from TAU; Dr. Zvi Cohen, head of neurosurgical oncology at Sheba Medical Center, Dr. Mark Behlke, CSO at Integrated DNA Technologies; and Prof. Judy Lieberman of Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. “Through Ramot, the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University, we are already negotiating with international corporations and foundations, aiming to bring the benefits of genetic editing to human patients,” said Peer.
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Massive Zoom Chanukah Planned For Jews In U.S. Military – From Afghanistan To The North Pole Menorahs and the Maccabeats link service members from around the world By Karen Schwartz Even though Lance Cpl. David Pfeifer, 20, isn’t sure that he’ll be able to make it home to celebrate Chanukah with family this year, the U.S. Marine is excited that for the first time ever, he’ll be marking the holiday with other Jewish troops stationed around the world. From the deserts of Afghanistan to icy outposts near the North Pole to aircraft carriers in the middle of no one can say where, Jewish military personnel are being invited to a massive, first-time-ever Zoom Chanukah party hosted by Chabad’s Aleph Institute, which provides resources for Jewish service members stationed around the world. Word is spreading fast. Pfeifer heard about the online event on a WhatsApp chat for Jews in the military. He says he’s looking forward to listening to the popular Jewish a capella group, the Maccabeats, who will be featured on the online celebration, and, of course, to the camaraderie. “It’s Rabbi (Capt.) Menachem Stern, a U.S. Army chaplain, prepares a Chanukah video for the U.S. military. a forum where I can get together with a lot of This year an international Zoom event will unite U.S. military personnel around the world. (File photo: Jewish service members and Jews in general for Aleph Institute) a Chanukah celebration, if not personally, then at least virtually,” he says. foster a sense of community. This year their show, which will incorporate Coronavirus safety considerations mean that It’s an opportunity that is being shared in live and prerecorded elements, will have a much public celebrations of Chanukah will look differ- many different ways around the world. Aleph’s wider reach, he says. “On a normal Chanukah, we ent everywhere this year, including on military Zoom Chanukah is part of a global campaign that would only be able to perform a few shows in a few bases around the world. will see Chabad-Lubavitch reach 8 million Jews in cities for a few people, but here, we’re able to perRabbi Elie Estrin, more than 100 coun- form for people around the world and to interact military personnel tries in this pandem- with them.” liaison and a U.S. ic year. An estimated Last year, U.S Air Force Senior Airman DanAir Force Reserve 10 million unique iella Bert, 26, drove six hours to San Antonio to chaplain, explains visitors are expect- see the Maccabeats perform and to celebrate Chathat since public celed to use the practi- nukah. This year, she’ll be online watching them. ebrations on military cal “how to” guides “I love the Maccabeats; I listen to their music all bases won’t be possiand discover many the time,” she says, adding that since she joined ble, Aleph decided to layers of meaning at the military in 2017, she’s tried to annually drive facilitate a Chanuthe movement’s Cha- to the nearest big city one night of Chanukah to kah experience that nukah.org website. share the holiday with others. could for the first Additionally, Chabad Bert says she knew the holiday would be diftime connect people will help families ferent due to the pandemic, but remembering last across time zones bring the light and year, thought it would be fun to see if there was a online. “We can have celebration of Cha- way to watch the Maccabeats perform again. She an event for hunnukah into their connected with Estrin, and the virtual concert was dreds, if not thouhomes by distribut- put in motion. “It feels really good to be able to sands, across bases, ing approximately connect with my people; I don’t feel so alone anyand they can all join 64 million Chanukah more,” she reveals. “I’m happy that I’ll have the in together,” he says. candles, more than Maccabeats, even though it might only be online, “We wanted to let 700,000 menorah it’s something I can smile about and look forward Jewish service memkits and 2.5 million to.” bers feel a sense of holiday guides in 17 The holiday is a chance to show Jewish pride, pride in serving the languages. she adds. “I’m proud of who I am, and I want peocountry while also ple to see that,” she says. “I want them to see the ‘We’re Coming providing a connecholidays are real – that people are proud of their to Them’ tion to their holiday own holidays.” traditions.” Julian Horowitz, She says having Estrin and Aleph there to Since public celebrations on military bases won’t be This is the first possible due to the coronavirus, Aleph decided to facil- music director for the help orchestrate the event has helped her see the time they’ve tried itate a Chanukah experience that can connect people Maccabeats, says he’s strength of the community. “We’ll find each other, something of this across time zones online. looking forward to and we will help each other not feel so isolated,” scale online, notes the chance to share she says. “It’s the support I feel; for so long, I felt Estrin. Menorah lightings will take place at the this year’s Chanukah program with military per- so alone being the only Jewish person. I reached proper time at individual bases, and the collective sonnel worldwide. “We are joining with them for out to Rabbi Estrin – he’s based out of Alabama, Zoom event represents an opportunity to join with Chanukah wherever they are in the world,” he I’m in Texas, and here we are, putting on an event. peers they would not otherwise have met, and to says. “We’re coming to them.” It’s pretty cool.”
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PSYCHED FOR TORAH RABBI DR. MORDECHAI SCHIFFMAN
Does Judaism Champion Mindfulness? Mindfulness has become a buzzword, and for good reason. Practicing mindfulness has been shown to improve psychological and physical health. It plays a central role in several effective therapies, such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Apps such as Calm and Headspace lead a growing mindfulness industry that is valued at over $1.2 billion. The current mindfulness trend in the Western world has its roots in Eastern religions. The concept was popularized in the fields of psychology and medicine by Jon Kabat-Zinn, who was trained by Zen Buddhist teachers. To widen its appeal, Kabat-Zinn stripped mindfulness of its religious roots, focusing instead on the underlying psychological mechanisms. As defined by Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness is “the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.� The question for the Jews: How does this now-secularized concept fit within a Torah worldview? For those steeped in the works of the chassidic and mussar masters, mindfulness is not new. This becomes clear in the works of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and more recently in Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Epstein’s book, Living in the Presence: A Jewish Mindfulness Guide for Everyday Life, where deep-
ly insightful Torah teachings revolving around many important mindfulness techniques are elucidated. Yet, despite the many overlaps, it is important to highlight potential points of distinction between Jewish mindfulness and secular or Eastern mindfulness. One such distinction becomes apparent in the beginning of Parshat Vayeishev. After years of exile filled with painstaking labor, emotional distress, and physical pain, Yaakov finally returns home – “Now Yaakov was settled in the land where his father had sojourned.� The first Hebrew word of the parsha is “Vayeishev,� settled. Rashi, elaborating on a Midrash, sees within this word not just a physical description of location, but a longing for serenity (“shalva�). But G-d does not respond to this desire kindly. The next world is for reward and relaxing, not this world, He says. The moment Yaakov thought he could finally experience tranquility, the incredibly painful challenge of the loss of Yosef begin to unfold. Why did Hashem oppose Yaakov’s yearning for peace and calm? In the responses of the commentaries to this question, we find a fundamental distinction between a Jewish mindfulness approach and one rooted in secular or Eastern concepts. Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz contends that the purpose of this world is not serenity, but spiritual growth borne out by challenges. The Sefat Emet similarly suggests that the goal of life is to constantly toil for the sake of G-d, continually striving for perfection. The mentality of one who wants to dwell in peace, writes the Ishbitzer, usually leads to avoiding challenging situations, resulting in complacency stemming from fear. The upshot of these responses is that tranquility and peace of mind can never be goals in and of themselves in Judaism. As Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh
Weinreb so eloquently puts it: “The Torah’s ideal is a life of action and involvement in worldly affairs. The Torah rejects the attitude of detachment and passivity, which is implicit in the teachings of Eastern religions. The Torah cannot envision the good life if that life is without challenge. Achievement of inner peace is not the ultimate value, especially not if it results in withdrawal from responsible action within society.â€? One of the closest religious terminologies that relates to mindfulness is yishuv hada’at, often misunderstood as “peace of mind.â€? Rabbi Dr. Epstein suggests that yishuv hada’at does not mean peace of mind, but the act of “settling into (unifying with) present moment awareness.â€? “In cultivating yishuv hada’at,â€? he writes, “we do not aim like some Eastern religions‌to remove ourselves from whatever predicament, situation, or condition in which we find ourselves. Rather our goal is to enter fully into whatever is occurring in our lives and meet it with full presence.â€? This world is for resilience and growth, not peace of mind, serenity, or tranquility. Jewish mindfulness isn’t about detaching from the problems of this world, but actively meeting those problems by being cognitively and emotionally engaged with them. By acting in this fashion, we will be better prepared to confront and grow from challenges, improve ourselves, and work towards the betterment of society. 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)
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Little Did They Know… Many people are aware of my proud affiliation with the outreach organization Oorah. Since its inception in the 1970s, I’ve had, in a very humble way, a connection to the holy kiruv work of Rav Chaim Mintz, shlit”a, the mashgiach of the Yeshiva of Staten Island. I’d like to share with you an Oorah story that dates back to the ‘70s that changed my appreciation of the menorah’s power. Before doing so, however, let me raise a question that many people might ask: What can a small menorah placed in a window really accomplish? It seems totally dwarfed by superior lights all around it. Now let me share with you a true Oorah anecdote. I once went out with Rabbi Mintz in a car on Chanukah on one of his quests to find Jewish children who were not yet privileged to be in yeshiva. Rabbi Mintz would drive the car almost aimlessly looking in uncharted territory for a Jewish home ripe for his overtures of kindness and inspiration. Now, Staten Island in the 1970s was quite different than it is today. There was no West Shore Expressway and a mere decade after the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge was built, there was no Staten Island Mall. Rather, in its place were a few fruit stalls. I remember when my father, of blessed memory, drove me to yeshiva, he would stop out there to buy fresh corn. So, how, might you ask, in the middle of Italian
neighborhoods would Rav Mintz be able to ferret out Jewish families? This was his secret: He went out on Chanukah! He would put up his “periscope” and hunt for a menorah in the windows of homes. When he would joyfully spot one, he would park the car and, armed with beautifully giftwrapped toys, he would ring the bell. Now, I’m talking about state-of-the-art gifts. I remember that somehow he had Cabbage Patch dolls when they were on back order for two months. He had Space Invader technology when that was the rage of the day. When the parents would come to the door, he would wish them a Happy Chanukah and ask if they had a young child. If they said “yes,” he would ask whether he could please come inside to give the child a Chanukah toy. Who could resist such an offer? When the child would gleefully open the gift, the stage was set and Rabbi Mintz would pop the question to the parents, “Where does your child go to school?” When they answered, “Public school,” he would ask in amazement, “Why don’t you send your child to yeshiva because, after all, that’s where a Jewish child belongs?” Inevitably, they would say they couldn’t afford it, and he would offer them financial assistance on the spot. That’s how Oorah was born. Today, it has multitudes of children in over 80 yeshivahs and wonderful camps for boys and girls. But to me, there is an amazing Chanukah lesson here. If you own a Cadillac, you can enroll in the OnStar System. If the car gets stolen, it sends out a signal so that the police can trace it and zoom in on the missing car. For Rabbi Mintz, the menorah acted like an ancient Onstar System, sending out a signal like a beacon, helping him zoom in on lost Jews to help to bring them back to the traditions of their ancestors.
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The menorah’s flimsy wicks and small reservoirs of oil pack an awesome power as they represent the spiritual salvation of our Jewish ancestors from the ancient Syrian-Greeks and the threats of Hellenization and assimilation. The wondrous menorah, 2,000 years later, is still diligently fulfilling its task of rescuing precious Jewish souls. Anyone who wishes to be a part of the Oorah family can call the Oorah hotline at 732-7301000 and join one of its very fulfilling programs. Perhaps you would also like to knock on the door of a home that has a menorah in the window. Perhaps you would like to adopt an Oorah family, becoming its Jewish spiritual mentor. Perhaps you would like to take part in an Oorah Shabbaton. If you would like to help finance Oorah, then 877-7-AUCTION is the number you want. May the glorious mitzvah of the Chanukah menorah, together with the awesome zechus of Oorah, help us be blessed with a healthy, happy, wonderful, and Covid-19 safe winter. Learn Daf Yomi with Rav Weiss on Facebook, Zoom, TorahAnytime, and Kol Halashon Sunday through Thursday, and Saturday night, at 7:45 p.m. The zoom ID is 718 916 3100. Rabbi Weiss’s Chumash shiur is streamed weekly on TorahAnytime.com at 9 p.m. on Thursday nights. Mishna Yomis with Rabbi Weiss is available on TorahAnytime and Kol Halashon (718-906-6471), and his daily shiur on Orchos Chaim l’HaRosh is available at 718-906-6400 (press selection 4 twice). To receive a weekly CD or e-mail of a shiur by Rabbi Weiss, send a monthly check of $26 to Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss, P.O. Box 140726, Staten Island, NY 10314 or contact him at RMMWSI@aol. com.
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14,000 licensed counselors and therapists on the platform. Users can also choose to message, chat live, phone, or video chat with their therapist outside their session. BetterHelp is the largest e-counseling platform in existence today. Price: $60-$80 per week. Financial aid is available for those who can’t afford it. TalkSpace: TalkSpace matches users with a relevant licensed therapist. Users can send messages – texts, voice, and video – as well as photos
Apps To Stay Calm Happy Chanukah! For many across the world, traditional Chanukah celebrations are being replaced with virtual parties and immediate-family-only festivities. The change can be challenging, especially for those who live alone or are overwhelmed by life’s many responsibilities. Here are 10 mental health apps to help manage stress during Chanukah and all year around. The majority are geared to adults, but the last two specifically target the under-18 crowd. None of these apps are designed to take the place of therapy. If you or someone you know is struggling, please see a mental health professional or speak to your doctor immediately. Calm: Calm is an award-winning app that provides people experiencing stress, anxiety, or insomnia with breathing programs, guided meditations, sleep stories, Calm Masterclasses, and relaxing music. Calm prides itself on having something for everyone. Price: $12.99 per month or $69.99 per year. Calm offers a seven-day free trial. Sanvello: Sanvello was created to help users address anxiety, depression, and stress with CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) techniques. Users have access to therapists, group coaching sessions, anonymous discussion boards, as well as a variety of tools like meditation and mood tracking. Price: $29.99 to $53.99 per month. Some insurance plans cover Sanvello. Better Help: Better Help allows private, unlimited one-on-one sessions with one of over
directly to their therapist any time of day or night. TalkSpace also has options for weekly video chat therapy or couples therapy. Price: Its unlimited chat therapy starts at $65 per week. Some insurance plans cover TalkSpace. Happify: Muscles need to be trained, and Happify believes the same is true of the brain. Happify features engaging games, daily quizzes, activity suggestions, gratitude prompts, and more to train the brain to be happier. Price: Free. Users have the option to upgrade to a premium version.
Slumber: Suffering from insomnia? Slumber offers calming meditation sessions, sleep-inducing bedtime stories, soothing music, and soundscapes to help users fall into a restful sleep. Price: Free. Users have the option to upgrade to a premium version. SuperBetter: SuperBetter is a game app that helps users play their way to better mental health. The app gives users missions and challenges designed to increase resilience, build mental health, and self-care techniques, as well as teach users skills to stay strong, motivated, and optimistic. Price: Free. Reflectly: For those who find journaling helpful, Reflectly uses AI to help users reflect on their daily thoughts and challenges. Price: $47.99 per year. Users can opt for a seven-day free trial. Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame: This app is designed to teach children emotional regulation. Children play games and simultaneously learn problem-solving skills and breathing techniques, as well as how to manage their feelings in a constructive manner. Price: Free. NotOK: This app was developed by a teenager for other struggling teenagers. Users can activate a large, red button to let their support network know they’re not okay. Users can add up to five people to their support network, and when the button is pressed, a message along with the user’s current GPS location is sent to all the contacts encouraging them to reach out and check on their friend/family member. Price: Free.
Bracha Halperin is a New York City-based business consultant with extensive expertise in navigating the marketplace and helping companies become more efficient and profitable. She can be contacted at brachahalperin@hotmail.com and followed on Instagram or Twitter at @brachahalperin.
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Friday, April 24, 2020
the author, occasionTorah Thought: ally we find unusual Rare, Bizarre, Unusual: connections from areas distant to the place of publication. By Israel Mizrahi The book, titled Fingerer By Rav Yitzchok Hashorashim, by Isaac This Satanow (1733week’s parshah discusses a 1805), is a work on The highwoman who gives birth. Hebrew On is cradling a light ofgrammar. a mother’s life Censorship in Jewish books is near- anti-Semitism. four in of her thearms. vol- There is no newborn ly as old as Hebrew printing. Generally, This particular copy of the book page greater joy. aShe is euphoric. Why copyingcensored the manuscripts I recently acquiredif itawas handwritappears lengthy material was censored deemed im wasand heavily with tarinbythea ume she become tamei at preten manuscript byorRav Yitzchak yeshiva’s offensive to the diary church anti-governof does prenumeranten Russian collection. censor (presumably when listthen this time? It seems so inconwas reputed to have hadRussia). aand pho-Sefer cisely Kaduri. ment, but other subject were I got theHe book brought in to for Hashorashim Hamichlol (another A sefer published in matters 1787 which in thiswas gruous. when the woman is at memory, the contents of among Rav appears Kaduri was born end of tographic occasionally censored too.in the Interestingly, thewith censored portions week, to contain the earliest American sefer he published) and the Just many names the zenith of her life, each sefer he handled committed This week a work titled displayed here do not concern gentiles mentioned inI aacquired prenumeranten. (“Prenumerantappears R. Yehuda son of R. A. and his son inshe’s precipitously demoted from her glory. to his memory. In his later years, Mesharet Moshe, published in 1858 in or other religions, but rather marital en” is a Yiddish term meaning “prior numbers.” America. The Gemara (Taanis 2a) says he achieved world renown as a Koenigsberg, whichwho today is known or affairs. It refers to people pre-subscribed ordered There is one prior mention of a Jew from Jathe key to childbirth is exclusively kabbalist and writer of amulets. as Kaliningrad, Russia.itsAtpublication). the time, Israel Mizrahi is in theaowner Miz- in London copies of a book before maica book of printed in 1780, butBased on this in Hashem’s domain. The 24-page manuscript I acthePrenumeranten city was part of rahisource Bookstore in appears Brooklyn,to NY, andfirst of a Jew in the canGermany, often beand a great this be the newstatement, Rav Menachem Mendel quired contains entries by Rav was home to many Russian Jews who JudaicaUsed.com. He can be reached for finding inter-community relations and geneUnited States. of Kotzk explains that throughout Kadurily-declared with the names, details, sought to escape Russian pogroms and at JudaicaUsed@gmail.com. alogy, allowing us to see who lived in what and cit- problems of various peothe gestation period, the Shechina’s ies when, and what type of literature they supIsrael Mizrahi is the owner of Mizrahi Book-nurturing the presence is manifest, ple who came to him for advice, pregnancy. When the blessings, and The ravand JudaicaUsed.com. ported. While generally pre-subscribers were store inamulets. Brooklyn, NY, Hebaby is born, though, the Shechina departs. The kept a can detailed log of every relocal Jews who would have been familiar with be reached at JudaicaUsed@gmail.com.
What’s New At Mizrahi’s? Rav Kaduri’s Diary A Modest Censor
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consequence of this vacuum is impurity. In other words, the impurity is not a punishment. Rather, it’s a reflection of the greatness and holiness of the woman. It’s precisely because she is so holy that impurity seeps in. Life isn’t easy. There are so many challenges and tribulations. We fall. We mess up. We feel low. We feel down. We’re at the brink of giving up. Don’t feel low. Don’t feel down.
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Don’t give up. Listen to the holy Kotzker. Do you know why you feel so low? Because you are so holy! If you weren’t holy, you’d feel absolutely no void, longing, or pain. Don’t crash. Don’t despair. You feel impure precisely because you’re so holy. You’re almost there. With a loving rav and supportive chaveirim, you will propel yourself to ever greater heights and realize your holiness. Hashem wants us to believe in ourselves and realize our innate holiness. When a person whose house is afflicted with tzaraas comes to the kohen, he doesn’t say, “I have a nega.” Instead, he says, “I have seen an appearance of a nega.” Rav Chatzkel says that the reason he has to speak so imprecisely is because a person must never disparage himself. Therefore, he shouldn’t say, “nega” – only “k’negah.” What a lesson! The Torah is impressing upon us how important it is for us to believe in ourselves! Rav Yitzchok Fingerer is lecturer and author and Morah D’Asra of Brooklyn Jewish Xperience (BJX). Whatsapp your full name to 718809-4574 to receive Rabbi Fingerer’s weekly parsha videos or if you’d like to host a lecture in your office after the pandemic ends.
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quest that came before him, often following up with the person to confirm that the issue was reWindows and Patio Doors! solved. Each entry has the name of the person,$0 his Money mother’s name, BUY and the natureDown of his request. ONE These are often followed by se$0 Interest cret symbols and designations, GET $0 Monthly 1 detailing the amulets or tikkunONE Payments im that Rav Kaduri gave 1 the for 12 months person. the 19th century in Iraq, arrived in IsMinimum purchase of 4. Interest accrues from the date of purchase but is waived if paid in full within 12 months. Israel Mizrahi is the owner of Mizrarael in 1923, and passed away in 2006. hi Bookstore in Brooklyn, NY, and JudaIn his younger years, Rav Kaduri served 4.7 out of 5 BASED ON 95,000+ REVIEWS icaUsed.com. He sales can be at Judaas librarian and caretaker of Yeshivat “My overall experience was great. I love the window, and from to reached scheduling, Porat Yosef in Jerusalem, binding sefar- icaUsed@gmail.com.
Friday, December 11, 2020
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Sonovia Antimicrobial Fabrics Will Be Going Into New Cars By Abigail Klein Leichman Italian flags. The technology, developed at Bar-Ilan Univer-
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Advanced Israeli Drone Tech That’s Taken Militaries By Storm Now Eyes Civilian Use By Yaakov Lappin
Xtend has built the Skylord Hunter mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), developing it for the operational requirements of the Israeli Ministry of Defense and America’s Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO). Photos are courtesy.
An advanced immersive-technology Israeli at the Airborne Division of Israeli defense compa- began investing money in further Xtend research drone company, which has recently won multiple ny Elbit Systems. A reserve major in the Israeli and development programs. tenders with the Israel Defense Forces and the Air Force, he joined the Xtend company that was He told JNS that his goal is to take Xtend’s U.S. Department of Defense, is eyeing new paths created by an eclectic mix of founders. revolutionary technology and make it applicable to enter the civilian security market, an executive The co-founders are Aviv Shapira, an aero- for civilian use. While Xtend is currently selling has told JNS. space engineer and serial entrepreneur; his its products to governments – mostly, to militarXtend has built the Skylord Hunter mini-un- brother Matteo Shapira, a computer-graphics ies – it also wants to begin selling to businesses manned aerial vehicle (UAV), developing it for industry leader; Rubi Liani, a systems inte- as well. the operational requirements of the Israeli Min- gration expert who served in the Israeli Navy “Currently, our main focus is defense and istry of Defense and America’s Combating Ter- for 12 years and who founded the Israeli Drone elite security market, such as homeland security, rorism Technical Support Office SWAT teams and border protec(CTTSO). It has also created two tion,” he said. other types of advanced quadXtend employs a virtual-reality headset and a ‘The Future of Security’ copters. Both militaries have placed In a video produced by single-handed controller – reminiscent of a game multiple orders for the Skylord Xtend and seen by JNS, one of Hunter, particularly earmarkits drones acts as a full-fledged console – that operators use to point into the space around ing it for its ability to intercept member of a shopping-mall cithem and direct the drones to their expected locations. hostile drones. On the border vilian guard team, patrolling with Gaza, the IDF has used it to the complex, responding to susintercept some 2,500 arson kites picious activities, alerting huand balloons. man guards and instructing an Xtend employs a virtual-reality (VR) headset Racing League (DRL); and Adir Tubi, an aero- intruder to remain in place. and a single-handed controller – reminiscent of a space engineer who served in the IAF for seven “That video is a vision of how we see the future game console – that operators use to point into the years. of security in a way that integrates our capabilispace around them and direct the drones to their Previously, the Shapira brothers co-founded ty,” said Bar-Ner. While this is not yet a product, expected locations. Replay Technologies, a company that employed “it is based on technology that Xtend already has The drones can deploy a net to capture ene- high-resolution cameras and computed intensive today and displays what the company can do,” he my drones, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg in graphics to enable viewers to experience sporting explained. terms of the payloads they can carry, according to events from any angle; it was purchased for $175 Bar-Ner defined Xtend’s core vision for both Gadi Bar-Ner, general manager of civilian appli- million by Intel in 2016. the defense and civilian sectors as enabling “every cations at Xtend. “The Israeli Defense Ministry and the Depart- person, no matter how qualified, the ability to fly Bar-Ner, who joined the company in July, was ment of Defense have jumped on this technology a drone in the most complex missions with almost previously a chief commercial officer for a radar early on since they understood its advantages in Continued on p.109 company, as well as sales and marketing director drone interceptions,” said Bar-Ner. Both countries
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Lappin Continued from p.108
zero learning time.” Its drones can deliver packages from one military battalion to another, move or detonate roadside bombs, and conduct critical functions in hostage or active shooter situations. The technology is based on Xtend’s operator in-
The third drone, called Xtender is the smallest in the family – the size of a tablet – for indoor surveillance. The principle for operating these systems is the same as some video game consoles in which the controller moves their hand, directing the drone to its next location. When a trigger is pulled, the drone can conduct a variety of actions. “We developed 360 degrees of freedom,” said
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the eyes of the operator for a virtual reality experience. In Xtend’s control system, every combat soldier who wishes to fly inside a building can skip the four to six months of training it would have taken to do this; we do this training in one hour. Minutes later, the operator is flying the drone underneath tables.” Xtend is developing the option of placing a variety of payloads on its drones, such as loud speak-
The Skylord family consists of three systems: The Skylord Hunter is the first member, and the Skylord Wolverine – the heaviest quadcopter in the Skylord family – is the second. The Wolverine comes with a robotic arm for tactical forces. This allows soldiers to deliver packages to other units, creating a level of freedom that was “previously unimaginable.” Credit: Courtesy.
terface, allowing “anyone to accurately point into space; we translate this pointing to a location for the drone to move to. It is part of our artificial-intelligence machine-vision technology,” stated Bar-Ner. The Skylord Hunter drones are operational in a number of special IDF and U.S. Military units. The drone’s indoor flight capability makes it “an actual team member for the first time,” said Bar-Ner, adding that this is the company’s next area of focus. “The drone will be capable of autonomously flying to the location of triggered alarms,” he said. “They will not require expert drone pilots.” The U.S. Department of Defense has received 200 systems so far for operational deployment in combat arenas.
ers, taser guns and tear-gas canisters. Yet aside from the payloads, the core of the company’s technology – the unique interface between the operator and the drone’s environment, allowing human and machine to merge – is what is driving it forward. “Our name, Xtend, is about extending reality – not just seeing reality via drones but also interacting with it, influencing what is happening in the next room, or the other side of the world. The same technology that can be used to influence what is happening inside a building while the operator stands outside can also be used to influence events on the other side of the planet,” said Bar-Ner in reference to long-distance remote operating possibilities. The practical possibilities are seemingly endless. In fact, Xtend’s drones recently flew coronavirus test kits to onboard crews on a ship out‘360 Degrees of Freedom’ side of Haifa to help them dock. The Skylord family consists of three The technology is likely to make a systems: The Skylord Hunter is the landing in civilian settings in the comfirst member, and the Skylord Wolvering future. ine – the heaviest quadcopter in the Xtend employs a virtual-reality While Xtend is currently selling its products to governments – mostly, Skylord family – is the second. The headset and a single-handed controlWolverine comes with a robotic arm for to militaries – it also wants to begin selling to businesses as well. Credit: ler – reminiscent of a game console tactical forces. This allows soldiers to Courtesy. – that operators use to point into the deliver packages other units, creating space around them and direct the a level of freedom that was “previously unimag- Bar-Ner. “When you move your hand, we trans- drones to their expected locations. inable,” said Bar-Ner. late that into a two-dimensional screen placed on (JNS)
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The TheJewish JewishPress Press Friday, Friday,June December December 22, 2018 11, 11,2020 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.
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In Memoriam Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, zt”l, And Man’s First Request Of G-d By Rabbi Gideon Weitzman When I heard the sad news of the untimely passing of the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, I was reminded of one of the times I was honoured to hear him speak. Some 13 years ago, the Student Medical Ethics Society of Yeshiva University hosted a conference on fertility. Rabbi Sacks delivered the opening address and made a fascinating observation. In the first 14 chapters of the Torah, G-d speaks to man on numerous occasions and in a variety of settings. Hashem blesses, instructs, admonishes, and punishes. Man answers G-d, but never addresses the Almighty with a request or a problem. But then Hashem promises Abram riches, fame, and posterity, and Abram responds, “What will you give me? For I go barren” (Genesis 15:2). This verse marks a change in tone in the Torah. Man has now turned to G-d. And what issue prompts Abram to question the rosy future promised by G-d? Infertility. The first request man makes of G-d is to be blessed with children. Rabbi Sacks’ words are striking since it’s not a drush or based on a meforash. It’s the pshat, the clear reading. Abraham was the first to address Hashem and the impetus was that most basic of human desires – to have a child. Rabbi Sacks spoke of how we have to hear the sometimes silent cry of so many couples who have the same request as Avraham. We must be sensitive to their plight and strive to alleviate their pain. We must also seek practical solutions using G-d’s gift of medical technology and advances in experienced a funeralWhile of a close fertility treatments. some suggest that doc-
ivor, deported from Hungary, my mber I attended, unfortunately. his parents, his grandmother, six
tors are playing G-d, the Torah presents a very different picture. Rabbi Sacks often spoke about the obligation to take responsibility for one’s own destiny as well as that of others. We must use technology wisely and responsibly to alleviate suffering and bring life into the world. We are charged to bring more life into the
Daniel Gildar: A Special Chazzan, A Special Man By Chazzan Aryeh Spilman Late last month, the world lost a gem. His name was Chazzan Daniel Gildar, z”l, a man who lived for others. He was a giant in middos and chessed, and all he wanted was for other people to succeed. No one needs me to say that his piano playing was superb and that he was by far the world’s greatest vocal coach and mentor. When I got to know Chazzan Gildar, he was in the middle of his “chessed career,” and the Shabbos and Yom Tov programs he ran out of his house to be mekarev Yiddishe neshamos left a great impression on me. The excitement on his face as he would tell me how many guests he was preparing for is something I will never forget. Daniel had a special place in his heart for kids and teenagers who needed some chizuk. He would do all in his power to give them special attention and would rejoice when he would hear they turned out fine. How many pairs of tefillin, hats, suits, and food he bought for kids who needed them, we will never know. Chazzan Gildar never bragged about his great musical accomplishments or about the chassadim he did. If his student was a rebbe or kollel man who couldn’t afford the voice lessons, he would
charge very little. Countless times he would travel to accompany his students at events or simchas, free of charge, just to see them succeed. Chazzan Gildar had a big heart. Everything he did, he did big. When he hosted guests, the cups were big, the bags of chips were big, and of course his smile was big. One can learn many things from his life, but perhaps the biggest is: No matter how much talent Hashem gives us, we may not neglect others. We must teach them and give them an opportunity to achieve. I went to many concerts with Chazzan Gildar and was always amazed at how humble he was. He knew he was an integral part of each concert, and yet he was only concerned about the ones performing – did they know their pieces well enough? – and how he could help them. Chazzan Gildar had tremendous respect for learned people. Over the last 20 years, he gave lessons in Lakewood, NJ, where he was able to help many rebbeim and kollel people who needed to learn how to control their voice for teaching or learning in a big room with hundreds of people. It gave him such a good feeling that he could be part of their learning and he longed for them to succeed. May he be a melitz yosher for all of us.
world and, when facing a challenge, Rabbi Sacks taught us, we must not give up; we must rather work with G-d to create a better world. May his memory be a blessing. Rabbi Gideon Weitzman is senior advisor for PUAH, an organization devoted to helping Jewish couples build families.
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Letters to the Editor were repeated. Similarly, we must reject false claims of a biased election, congratulate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and move on with the country’s urgent business. Avi Goldstein Far Rockaway, NY
Election Fraud (IV)
I find it amazing when Democrats say there’s no proof of election fraud. Indeed, that’s the whole point of not letting Republican poll watchers observe you as you count half a million votes – so that there won’t be any evidence of fraud! Is it the Democrats’ contention that cheaters should be rewarded? Why wouldn’t they cheat again if there’s no price to pay for flagrantly breaking election law and kicking out Republican poll watchers as they did in Pennsylvania and elsewhere? That said, the Trump campaign has hundreds of sworn affidavits from people who observed fraud firsthand. These people have been testifying before state legislatures all week. Also testifying have been data analytic experts who have said that the vote spikes for Biden in the middle of the night of November 3-4 are unexplainable unless massive fraud took place. Only a dishonest, badly misin-
formed, or willfully blind person can say massive fraud didn’t occur with a straight face. According to mainstream polls, 70 percent of Republicans and 30 percent of Democrats believe the election wasn’t free and fair. It would be very easy to restore confidence in the system. Conduct a full audit – not a recount, an audit – of the vote where massive fraud has been alleged. Yet, Democrats are fighting this proposal tooth and nail. Apparently, power matters more to them than fairness – or the future of this country. Joshua Bernstein Brooklyn, NY
Where Are the Masks?
I was very dismayed when I saw the front page of The Jewish Press last week. It showed 60 men celebrating at a gathering after having collectively completed 853,965 blatt of Gemara with the organization Shas Yidden. Their tremendous accomplishment should be lauded, but is the pandemic over in Beit Shemesh? In the picture, men were sitting close to one another, few were wearing masks, and even fewer were wearing them properly. I can only call this picture a chillul Hashem. It gives ammunition to others to claim that frum Jews don’t follow the rules. I know that Beit Shemesh
Editoroals ing. We were trying to honor my dad’s heritage, but it wasn’t a custom he truly wanted to hold on to…. Over time…my family stopped celebrating Hannukah altogether. Christmas continued to be the most important holiday of the year, and my sense of Jewish heritage diminished…. So our two daughters will celebrate Christmas and Easter because that’s what my extended family still celebrates. We’ll do so simply to see our families at the time they want to gather and because we feel at home in those traditions. Just like I did, my kids will celebrate Santa and the Easter Bunny, not a religion…. I respect the incredible value of keeping tra-
Continued from page 7
requires wearing masks and staying apart from others indoors, and I am sure it also has rules on the number of people allowed to gather together. This picture only served to show the blatant disregard for the sanctity of life and the breaking of government rules. Tova Taragin Baltimore and Ramat Beit Shemesh
Where Are the Women?
Thank you for continuing to publish The Jewish Press during these difficult times. Reading The Jewish Press is a highlight of my week. However, I always become slightly irritated when I read the “Is It Proper?” column because the participants in this column are always all men. Surely you realize that there are many women who are just as knowledgeable as the men featured. Why don’t you ever include women on this page? My slight irritation increased when I read the Dec. 4 issue. The topic was childbirth – a topic about which men have no direct personal experience – and again only men offered options! Please, in the future, use women as well as men to answer questions in this column, especially when the topic concerns a topic about which no man
has any direct experience. Gloria Golbert
Home Births
I agree with the esteemed rabbanim who argued last week (“Is It Proper?” Dec. 4) that there is probably no halachic obligation per se for a woman to have a natural birth. However, it behooves all expectant mothers to educate themselves about the downsides to the heavily medicalized childbirth system in America. Epidurals and various procedures performed in contemporary hospitals are not risk-free, and neither are caesarean deliveries, which are performed at an alarmingly high rate. Of course, medical intervention is sometimes required. However, the vast majority of births proceed much better with minimal, if any, interference. Society must strive to eliminate the fear many women feel and empower them to embrace and be confident about their innate ability to give birth. Many people nowadays are also not well-informed about home births. Home births are only advised for healthy women with low-risk pregnancies who will be under the watchful eye of a trained midwife. These home births take place close to a Continues on p.113
Continued from page 7
ditions alive, especially those that centuries of persecution have sought to erase. But while I have more of a connection to Judaism than some, I am not Jewish and it doesn’t feel authentic to celebrate a Jewish holiday religiously. My kids may end up playing dreidel sometimes, but they won’t learn the prayer that begins…[with] sacred words that are nonetheless empty to them…. This strange and unpredictable year has made me yearn for routine, but it’s also helped me gain clarity. I see that forcing a tradition just because it was a part of my childhood is not what my kids need. They need love and connection – no menorah required. Prager’s theme seems to be that she has no use
for religious belief per se but is not averse to benefiting from the tug of its traditions. She singles out Chanukah for particular mention only because her extended family no longer pays homage to any aspect of the Festival of Lights but does still honor Christmas and Easter. From our perspective, Prager’s story of a non-Jewish woman abandoning a classic Jewish tradition for reasons wholly unrelated to it is rather pedestrian even given some of its provocative elements. So we are perplexed why she thought anyone would be interested in reading it. Even more perplexing is why The Times thought it so significant as to want to share it with its readers.
The Teflon Congresswoman We wonder when the Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives will hold Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib to account for her continuing anti-Semitic comments. While the voters in her Michigan congressional district have sent her to Congress, it is the party leadership, like Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who determine what committee assignments she is given – and in general oversee whether the conduct of members of Congress reflect negatively on the House and warrant formal sanction. Just the other day, Tlaib retweeted a message that read, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will
be free.” Given the bloody history of Arab efforts to drive the Jews out of the Middle East, that phrase is rightly recognized as a jihadist call for the annihilation of the state of Israel and the murder of its Jewish inhabitants. Does anyone believe that she and the original tweeter had a peaceful transition in mind? Tlaib quickly deleted her retweet, but nothing was heard from Pelosi, et al., and it is unlikely that they will go on the record chastising her. But it’s not as if this is the first time Tlaib has engaged in this sort of thing – and gotten away with it. Here’s how the Times of Israel reported on
one of those instances – a particularly gross one considering the anti-Semitic blood libels of the past: Rep. Rashid Tlaib retweeted then removed a tweet falsely blaming Israelis for the death of a Palestinian child. Tlaib, a Palestinian American who is a Michigan Democrat and one of only two lawmakers to back the boycott Israel movement, retweeted a tweet by Hanan Ashrawi, a top Palestinian official, who was quote-tweeting an account…that accused Israeli settler of kidnapping, assaulting and throwContinued on p.113
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hospital so that the woman can be transferred immediately in case a complication arises. Research studies show that under such circumstances, home births are just as good, if not better – for both mother and child – than hospital births. Rabbi Yaakov Hoffman New York, NY
Please Pray
From 1973 to 1990, The Jewish Press championed the plight of Moscovite Marina Tiemkin, who was kidnapped at age 13 by the KGB for “re-education” after expressing her desire to make aliyah to Israel with her father, Dr. Alexander Tiemkin. From his new home in Israel, Dr. Tiemkin tirelessly campaigned for Marina’s release. He left no stone unturned, writing thousands of letters to arouse public support. He made several visits to the U.S. under the auspices of the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry and met with members of Congress and government officials. Finally, in 1990, Marina, her husband Grigory and their two children were granted exit visas to Israel. Both Dr. Tiemkin and Marina’s family reside in Rishon Letzion. But now Dr. Tiemkin – Alexander ben Fanya – is seriously ill. We urge you to pray for
Chess Corner
LIGHTER Safran Continued from p.10
LIGHTER
Indeed, a great rabbi is in likely white to play, mate threeexceptional in great measure because of his rebbetzin. The rabbis suggest that when Korach consulted his wife, she encouraged Answer to last week’s puzzle: him to revolt. “See what Moses has done! He has proclaimed himself king; 1) Qh7+ (forcing to high Kxh7) he has made his black brother priest, and his brother’s sons priests…” 2) Bf7# How much better for Ohn, the son of Peles, who had a good and wise (courtesy of Premier woman at his side! She acted asChess) a true friend, setting him straight indeed. As the Talmud in Sanhedrin teaches, “If Moshe wins you will be subservient. If Korach wins you will still be subservient.” In other words, look what you’re being asked to get into. What’s the point ? What will you gain? What’s the point? At the end of the day, it is this question that a genuine friend must ask. If you do this thing, what’s point? What will you gain? The sad truth is that even in the largest of congregations a rabbi can remain friendless. A “connected” rabbi can have a thousand friends on Facebook, and ten thousand Twitter followers, but he can still be friendless in the truest and most important sense. It is impossible to live a friendless life. Either friendship or death. Pirkei Avos instructs us to “buy for yourself a friend.” Not a “virtual” friend. Not an acquaintance. Not an acolyte. A real, honest-to-goodness “I’m there for you” friend. But where are such friends to be had? A rabbi recently shared with me his hurt when he discovered just how difficult they are to find. “I thought I
A Lighter
his recovery so he can continue to enjoy his freedom and his family. Rabbi David Stahl, Jerusalem Glenn Richter, NY
Playing It Smart
If, as letter writer Josh Greenberger asserts, he’s not a student of Rabbi Avigdor Miller, I stand corrected. My main point in any event was that for all of the protestations of President Trump and his acolytes, the election is over, and Joe Biden – barring an act of G-d – will become our next president. Do the Democrats potentially pose an existential threat to America and Israel? Perhaps, but the Jewish community must deal with Biden and Harris with tact and diplomacy rather than rail at them as if they’ve declared their intent to make the world Judenrein. In 1973, Israel was on the brink of destruction, r”l, during the Yom Kippur War and Richard Nixon, an anti-Semite, came to its rescue. Israel’s staunchest supporter at the time was Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson, a Democrat. Few things in life are black and white. Let’s not forget the principle of “lev malachim b’yad Hashem – the hearts of kings are in G-d’s hand.” Ultimately, Hashem decides our fate. Dr. Yaakov Stern
Action Needed in New Jersey
Now that New Jersey Assembly Bill A4454 has passed the New Jersey Senate Education Committee, it may come to a full vote at any time with little notice. The bill requires every district in the state to include instruction in high-school that shall “highlight and promote diversity” with regards to, among other things, “gender and sexual orientation.” I urge New Jersey residents to contact their legislators and pressure them to vote against this Might they have behaved differently if was pushed radical theybill, hadwhich had someone to by talk with, someone who could havehas reined them leftists and which already in? At the end of thepassed day it often falls to unfortunately the Assema rabbi’s wife to be his best friend, to be bly. who You can 609-847-3905 the one can call deliver a message or of pause and consideration, presumably LegInfo@NJLeg.org. withe-mail love, sensitivity, compassion, and understanding – but straightforward The entire New Jersey legislaand with minimal diplomacy. It is no coincidence thatnext when God ture is up for election year. contemplates the creation of woman He declares, “It Noson is not Shmuel good that man Rabbi Leiter be alone; I will make him an eizer Monsey, NY k’negdo – a helper corresponding to
him – a ‘helper against him.’ ” Rashi clarifies that “If the man is worthy, the woman will be a helper; if he is unworthy, she will be against him.” But there is more here. There are occasions in life when it is the wife’s responsibility to oppose her husband and prevent him from acting rashly, to bring him back to his senses, or to assist him in achieving a common course by questioning, criticizing, and discussing. Where are you going with this, sweetheart? What will you gain by doing this? Are you sure this all makes sense? Have you thought this through fully? Thus the verse in Bereishis announcing God’s creation of woman communicates an eternal truth – that there are times a wife can best be a helper [eizer] by being against him [k’negdo]. We are deceived when we think a friend – or a wife – is only a good friend when he agrees with us. Indeed, sometimes the greatest expression of friendship and caring is to suggest, “no, wait…” Too often, men judge their friends
Editorials
The Jewish Press
Continued from page 112
ing into a well an eight-year-old child. ‘The heart just shatters,’ Ashwari said. In fact the boy, Quais Abu Ramila, appear to have drowned accidentally in a reservoir of rainwater in Eastern Jerusalem. Israeli first responders found him and tried to revive him. Tlaib removed her retweet, and Ashwari eventually apologized for ‘retweeting something that’s not fully verified.’ Tlaib did not retweet the retraction. Tlaib also agreed to travel to Israel on trip organized by MIFTAH, a rabidly anti-Semitic group that has accused Jews of using “the blood of Christians in Passover matzah,” published neo-Nazi propaganda questioning “the Jewish ‘Holocaust’ tale,” and
celebrated terrorists who murdered Israeli children. Tlaib has also contributed to the Farrakhan publication, “Final Call.” Yet, the closest she ever come to censure was when, in response to one of her outrages, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives failed to pass a resolution condemning her by name, or even anti-Semitism, and instead passed an extremely watered-down version decrying “all hate.” It’s time our political leaders recognize that leaving these kinds of excesses unaddressed only encourages more of them. And the cumulative effect over time is ineluctably the notion that targeting Jews is not such a big deal.
The Supreme Court’s Turn Like many Americans, we’re waiting to see what, if anything, the United States Supreme Court will do to address allegations of fraud advanced by President Trump and his supporters. We hope it takes up one of the many cases working its way up to the court. We hasten to add that while we haven’t been shy in urging the reelection of President Trump, we support these cases being heard by the Supreme Court, not to express further support to that end, but to call attention to the risks to our very electoral process posed by the current standoff. No one can wish for a flip side replay of the last four years of “Resistance” politics during which the Democrats never let President Trump breathe based on the rationale that Trump was an illegitimate president having been put into office by the interventions of the Russian government.
Now, rightly or wrongly, over half of Republicans believe the 2020 presidential election was fatally corrupted and that the reported results in favor of Biden are, to put it simply, bogus. And in all fairness, there is some startling information that has surfaced that would tend to feed this perception. At all events, while there are no guarantees, nothing less than a Supreme Court review – together with the articulation of correlative standards – can conceivably satisfy the many skeptics. And that should be the fervent wish of all Americans, including those who support Biden and are convinced he won fairly and squarely. Surely something has to give if we are ever again as a nation to have confidence in the outcomes of our elections.
Friday, June 19, 2015
THE JEWISH PRESS
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Jokes for Your Shabbos Table?
Lighter
Mrs. Goldman, a 6th grade teacher, posed the following problem to one of her arithmetic classes:
“A wealthy man dies and leaves $10 million. One-third is to go to his wife, one-fifth is to go to his son, one-sixth to his butler, one eighth to his secretary, and the rest to charity. Now, what does each get?”
After a very long silence in the classroom, Little Morris raised his hand. The teacher called on him, and with complete sincerity in his voice, Morris answers, “A good lawyer!” (courtesy of www.haruth.com/jhumor)
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F FAAMMIILL YY
Friday, November 6 , 2020 • The Jewish Press • Page F1 Friday, December 11, 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
pain? Research has shown that because pain includes both the mind and the body, mind-body therapies may have the ability to reduce pain by altering the way you perceive it. The following techniques can help you take By Rachel Bluth your mind off the pain and can possibly even work to override established pain signals. Deep Breathing. Deep breathing is the core Dear Dr. Yael, Dear Mrs. Bluth, may need to be taken. that needs to be learned as it will be I am struggling with my physical health. I technique My problem, I’m ashamed to say, has to do with You are in Bubbie isIn in order the twiof theteens otherand techniques. to have a lot of pain because of my medical issues used in many your derech eretz and myto inability to perform thiswith mitzlightthis years of life. She was notyou always six technique correctly, needseventy to inhale and nothing seems help. I tried working a use vah in mytrainer own home. I know I should know years old, once upon timehold she was agefor and through your anose, youryour breath a personal who came to that my apartment, but deeply better, being a bocher who is at the top of his class just beginning to experience life. Sadly, no one he wasn’t very knowledgeable about my medical few seconds, and then exhale very slowly through in yeshiva, My however, has become to your staysmouth. young You forever, andbeifable we’re lucky, we feel age should to physically conditions. doctor it suggested thatunbearable I try physical keep a civil tongue or nottold to notice. gracefully with most of our brain cells intact, a few difference after doing this technique correctly. therapy. However, thepretend clinic he me to use is a Since the pandemic my there grandparents creaking andfocus, obstinate pains your and aeyes. road This map help you you bone can close very busy. The physicalstarted, therapists treat so To came to stay with us so we could take care of them of wrinkles and gray hair to remind us we’re not many people at once that I get no attention. With brings us to the second important technique which as they are older and my grandfather had surgery nineteen anymore. You, on the other hand, cannot COVID-19, I’m also extra nervous being around is imagery. shortly the lockdown justpre-existing before last Purim. faulted for not understanding youeyes are Imagery is when you this. close If your so manybefore people because of my condi- be Imagery. Don’t Should get me Iwrong, I love Bubbietherapy and Zeidy lucky,imagine in aboutsomething fifty years peaceful from now,toyou will. you. Many tions. stick with themy physical de- and (my parents) they Ihave been There arethinking many reasons why elderly people enjoy of the beach, but with imspitemother’s my worries? Whatbecause do you think should do?a people part of my life since I can remember, living a few may stop looking after their bodily care, not as A Reader agery, you will “see” the beach in your mind, on blocks away from us. I don’t mind at all shopping if purpose, but because they genuinely don’t realize you’re actually there. Using imagery with deep for them, or doing errands whenever I am asked, breathing that they are neglecting and that is usually makesthemselves the techniques moreitefDear Reader, however, something has changed. unhealthy. This may also be a sign that there may I truly understand your concerns. The world fective and generally helps people maintain their Bubbie was place always dressed and her be a mental whyto this is so. Many better.reason Listening calming musicolder can peoalso is aMy very different right now.nicely You have ev- focus shaitel was Since they moved in with us, enhance ple show this these character when and theyhelp are technique forchanges some people ery right to combed. be apprehensive about being treated I noticed her clothes stains them and them suffering onset of Alzheimer’s disease, stayfrom more the relaxed. in public that settings. I’m nothad sure whatonyour medishe isn’t careful of how her shaitel on her head. onset of Relaxation. Dementia orProgressive hardeningrelaxation of the arProgressive cal conditions are, but it seems as sits though going to or the But worst of all, she smells. I know this sounds teries and brain. Perhaps it would be wise ask a crowded physical therapy clinic is not ideal for involves you mentally relaxing each part oftoyour terrible, but I your can’t health go near feeling your in mother takewill your Bubbie a check up order.toThis relax all offor your muscles, you. However, is her verywithout important and body like I’m goingmedical to gag and throw up whenbeshe hugs and and testing. many drugs today to halt usually There can beare done while concentrating on your current conditions should treated me. I know you’re thinking I should mention this the progression of these ailments and a return to deep breathing and relaxing each muscle/body pet appropriately. to my mother who cares for her, but I think that quality of life. I personally have an amazing physical thera- in order. You can use an app or a recording or walk she knows already. have heard my mom trythe to yourself Therethrough is also this another thing to consider a by verbally saying, “nowasmy pist who comes to myI home. I feel very safe in tell her mother to change herthe dress, which she was arm causewill for relax, Bubbie’s behavior. Sheitmay it will feel like has be no suffering weight,” comfort of my own den and individual attenwearing theextremely fourth daybeneficial in a row, and mywellbegrand- etc. fromSome depression due to the severe the therapists will make yourestrictions a tape to help tion has for been to my mother refused, arguing that it was still clean. pandemic has placed on all of us, for the elderly ing. I highly recommend this course of treatment walk you through each step of this relaxation try to compare stay out the of her way it could be When far worse as they don’t do wellreturn with thoughts break through, for My you.siblings Firstly,and you Icannot level of technique. wheneverand we hear her coming downstairs to avoid change. There are many other reasons, too many the breathing repetition and start over. Contintraining schooling of a physical therapist to to hugging Her trainer. breath and body smell really ue to go into this detail to minutes. why this has happened, doing forhere, 10 toas20 Afterward, sit that of a her. personal My physical therapist bad. Please help me figure out what to do and how but you are correct in reasoning that the changhas a doctorate degree and many years of experi- quietly for a minute or two while your thoughts to avoid confrontation without it appearing es in Bubbie should a reason forand concern and Then you can be open your eyes sit quietence. As aany health professional, he understands my return. that I amneeds. avoiding her on purpose. attention. With professional for another minute to help help your and bodymedication transition medical He provides me with a comprehen- ly she may well return to most maintain a relaxed state.of her old self. sive recovery plan that he adjusts at every visit and Now you understand whybewehelpful say ‘....Al tashHypnosis. Hypnosis can for some depending on my progress. Dear lichainu ziknah.’ It’sMake hardsure letting go of our in le’ays alleviating pain. to see someIn Child, addition, all his equipment is sanitized, or people From your letter, I assume youappropriate are in your one youth. often painful to reach age. When whoItisiscertified in hypnosis andold can help you one-time-use, and he always that wears upperAs teens, of coursebefore, I couldthe be wrong. Whatever you’re young you have wings and can fly (metayour pain. PPE. I mentioned individual atten- reduce your age, you need a crash course in how to rephorically), but somewhere lifesick we we losemay our Positive Thinking. Whenduring we are tion is the best part. At most clinics that I’ve visspectfully towards your (or sickly) wings and andget take on the appearance of that wefeathers will never better and we often foited in thebehave past, therapists haveelderly spent just a few feel grandparents andbefore to understand a alone thing for or two a wrinkled, movingdoturtle (well, not all us on what slow we cannot instead of what weofcan minutes with me leaving me the cus about life. That’s to sayI have that Ioften don’tfelt feelignored for you do. :). Enjoy your youth and take to to focus heart on thewhat wisdom Refocusing our thoughts we remainder of the not session. or that I don’t understand your plight, however, I have offered you. Have a talk with your mother yourand uneasy about performing therapy exercises can do will help make you feel better about to simply avoid (your grand- self and and showfeel herbetter this column should shepeople be skeptical. in general. Many like to on my own. Withyour my grandparents current physical therapist, particular) is both rude and crude. May you enjoy your youth for thankful many years to come down 5 things they are for daily to Imother get an in entire session with his full attention and write There may be some very good reasons why this and then mature to a healthy and happy old age my recovery has been faster as a result. I was also help them retrain their brain to think more posis happening andclinics, why close attention surrounded your loved ones. Justby spending a few minutes each night referred to a few but always feltand thataction they itively. did not give me the attention I needed to recover. on positive things about yourself can also help you Rachel Bluth is a like writer lecturer an active practice in the your Five Towns, offering couples, young improve mood and helpadvice reducetopain. If you would to and contact my with physical theraadults and children. She can be reached at chronicles@jewishpress.com or c/o The Jewish Press, 4915 Avenue, Hatzlocha with reducing your pain16and repist, here is his information: Brooklyn NY, 11204. Dr. Zvi Gutman, DPT. (646) 481-7854 . www. member that many of these ideas can be used togutmanpt.com (Accepts Medicare, Medicaid and gether to help you during this trying time. Please most insurance. No additional fee for the home reach out for help from a competent professional for your physical therapy and if you are still visit.) From a psychological point of view, have you suffering, perhaps seeing a psychologist can help ever tried psychological techniques to reduce your you as well!
Life Chronicles
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 11, 2020
FAMILY ISSUES
Dear Dr. Yael, Can a little girl of six be experiencing bullying? My 6-year-old daughter was so excited to start first grade and she was happy every day when she came home. After Succos vacation everything changed. After a few days she didn’t want to go to school anymore. Her stomach hurt her, and then her head hurt her, and her legs, etc. I asked her if anyone is making her feel bad in school and she said no, but she doesn’t like Malky. I spoke to her teacher and she doesn’t see anything going on. Do you have any suggestions? A Worried Mother Dear Worried Mother, Bullying can come in many different forms. It can be physical (pinching, pushing, hitting, etc), verbal (name calling or threats), or psychological/emotional (spreading rumors or excluding someone from an activity or conversation). The first step to stopping bullying is recognizing when your child is being bullied. Your daughter seems to exhibit the classic signs of being bullied as she is complaining about physical ailments such as tummy aches and does not want to go to school. Other common signs are having worries and fears. Children who are being bullied often want to avoid or withdraw from things that are making them feel bad or stressed.
Keeping communication open is very important. This is crucial for all children, so you can detect any issues or problems early on. It’s good to ask your children who they play with and who they get along with. There’s no need to put pressure on children or grill them, but having an idea of who their friends are and being aware of their socialization is imperative. If you suspect an issue or your child has communicated that he/she is having issues with another child, you may want to dig for more details. Maybe ask your daughter why she doesn’t like Malky and what Malky does that makes her upset. Perhaps you will get more details that can guide you as to whether there is just some conflict or if there is, in fact, bullying. It is essential for parents to be careful to not overreact when you hear things that may make you upset. Getting angry or frustrated will not help your children and will just make them more upset. Children need you to listen to them, reassure them, and be supportive to them. They also need to see you be strong and calm, so they know that they can come to you with anything and that you will be helpful. If you indeed ascertain that bullying is happening, there are some important steps to take. Talk to your daughter about techniques she can use to stop the bullying or at least stop it from escalating. Make sure she has a “toolkit” of ideas to use in tough situations when it may be harder for her to think straight. Have her describe these ideas so she can be prepared in those situations. Talk to her about different responses that may stop the bully in her tracks. These responses should be direct, but not antagonistic. For example, saying, “sure whatever you say” and walking away doesn’t give the bully much to go on. Or something like, “this is how
Hashem made me, are you making fun of Hashem?” may work with a 6-year-old, because they won’t know how to respond which may stop the bullying. Whatever you and your daughter decide will work, will be helpful. Using humor as a response can also help (e.g., laughing at whatever the bully says as if it doesn’t bother you). Different situations call for different responses. Different ages also would require different responses. The most important thing is that your daughter acts like she doesn’t care and does not escalate the situation by throwing insults back. Role-playing different situations with your daughter will also be very helpful. You can switch back and forth between being a bully and your daughter and keep replaying until your daughter feels confident and empowered that she can deal with the situations on her own. Having her be the bully in a role-play may help her feel more in control and also will give you the ability to show her how to respond in those situations. Then you can reverse roles and you can be the bully and she can practice responding appropriately. When you’re role-playing also make sure that you are teaching your daughter the proper body language to use. Having a strong and brave look will deter a bully even more than with what’s being said. Practice having a brave and strong look so your daughter can use it when needed in difficult situations. Also teach your daughter about making eye contact, as this will help her look stronger. A good way to teach young children about making eye contact, is to tell them to look at their friends’ eye color. Then you can explain when someone is bothering you and you want to be strong you should look straight into their eyes and focus on their eye color, which will help them maintain eye contact. Building your children’s confidence will also go a long way to helping them fight off bullies. Encourage extra curricular activities that bring out the best in your child, but more importantly, compliment your child specifically (tell your child the unique qualities you love about them) and often. Reinforce positive behaviors by recognizing good behavior and making sure to compliment these behaviors. Remind your children how much you love them and try to spend some one-on-one time with each of them. This will make them each feel special and loved. One-on-one time does not have to be long, but should be qualiSHAlOm TASk FOrCe ty time where you can pay attention to them and give them lots of compliments and love. If the bullying becomes extreme or is repeated despite the interventions you were trying, make sure you report it immediately to teacher, principal, and other school personnel Confidential 888.883.2323 Call. Text. WhatsApp Hotline that may be helpful. If you Call our Confidential Hotline to discuss any issues about relationships or feel your daughter’s self domestic abuse. We provide a listening ear to all. Our referrals help our callers gain access to helpful resources, including legal assistance, counseling, and esteem has been affected safe shelters. For more information and to speak with a trained advocate, negatively, please seek please visit www.shalomtaskforce.org. help from a competent No oNe Deserves To Be ABuseD professional. Hatzlocha!
You Are NoT ALoNe
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Friday, December 11, 2020 • The Jewish Press • Page F3
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 Day13 1 The world about this It's day whole one of the cycle.isIt'sgoing been a crazy year since I coronavirus. I have tothere go tois time the hospital visited this office. Here, for me to tomorrow. It This doesn’t like ayou good place to be, but write. is thesound office where wait, it's the I don’t have a choice. nature of the place. Last night I felt well after the shot. It was such a introduce relief to myself. feel ok. work done, Let me I amIa got mother to an eight-answered emails – I hadn’t been up to answering year-old son, born a few years after our marriage. emails the last journey few days. some reason, when It's been a long and For my journey continues. I’m going through this, I have a hard time interAlthough nothing compared the unimaginable acting with people, beingtonice and sensitive to people, just needinfertility, to be within myself, cuddled struggleI of primary secondary infertility is upa great internally. struggle that is rarely acknowledged. Read Tomorrow morning I’m going to the hospital any magazine article and you'll know that everyone for pre-op, and the tests they’re doing themselves. is overwhelmed from all their kids, getting them Then decide doing whichhomework day the retrieval will be. out inthey’ll the morning, with so many I’m actually reaching the homestretch. kids, piles of laundry – everyone but me – it seems. How am I doing on this journey? Surprisingly I feel different reading all the articles, feel well, still keeping positive, preparing a beautiful inadequate, as if I'm not a real mother juggling the Purim, and having guests. real has. It struggles feels likethat I’meveryone part of else a big process. Hashem
has major plans for me.they're The whole worldabout is busy When it's vacation time, all kvetching with Corona and Purim, and I’m busy with my how hard it is to have the noise and tumult of, of things. having no schedule. They talk as if everyone is The world moves on, things are happening going through the same and laugh at thetoward faster and faster, as thing, if we’re rushing impossibility of it, how they’re waiting for everyone Moshiach. It feels like something greater is goto get school and finally have quiet. ing on back and toanyone who joins in some the process is lucky. Hashem can take one invisible virus and I smile and join their conversation. They include close down airports all over the world, He can because in myason is homelike too.drop But they’d dome, anything second, downnever the Beis know that myfrom early the morning remains thepregHaMikdash sky schedule – like make me same, whether it’s vacation or not. And sometimes nant. it’s that’sthe impossible. I the canquiet picture Beis HaMikdash dropping down behind the Kosel, its gold glittering in the Secondary infertility means a life of doctors, stress, sun. I can picture kohanim walking from the old tests, running around, andI no knows.the It means city with the karbanos. canone picture holiness. feeling unwell all to thepicture medication, having a Somehow, it’s from easier it when I think of schedule no oneimagine knows about, it means being the Kosel,that I can’t the Beis HaMikdash tired or hormonal and no oneMall. can imagine dropping down onoften, the Palisades why. I can picture the tremendous steps, with an enormous orchestra of leviim singing soul-touchIn this pastbringing year, Hashem hasback granted me the gift ing songs, us all to teshuva. It of feels getting to know a special woman who has not yet so real to me. I can easily believe that it will be been blessed with children and has been doing tomorrow. treatments for over twenty Sheappointment. shared that Maybe even before my years. hospital Day 14that no cycle is for naught, she has she feels When aI gift got from instructions come in, the I suddenly received each cycle.toNo matter got scared. Now I’m shivering. I don’t know outcome, she has grown from the experience. It if it’s my hormones or to not. gave me a reason try.Maybe it’s cold outside, or maybe I’m just tired. It’s probably all. Today I need to take five shots.
But this time, I am enlisting the support system of the women of Klal Yisrael as I begin an IVF cycle. I Tomorrow is a vacation. No shots, no medicine, writeofa today’s diary to allow you towill accompany butdecided a hugetodose hormones be raging me on my journey and to allow myself the benefit through my body. ofAtwriting I canand gain then from the nightto Idiscover start what to fast the next process. pre-dawn, I go to the hospital. I remorning, member the procedure, at least it’s not the unThe first time I did an IVF cycle was a year ago. It known. But picturing myself in the operating was so overwhelmingly emotional I needed room, hands tied down by mythat side, beinga put year to recover. To prepare myself. I spent the year under anesthesia, is scary. trying to build up my physical wasbut I’m It’s Purim night, I have system gueststhat here, depleted from years of synthetic hormones so tired, I excused myself and went topushed my bed, into body and theout accompanying thatWhen I and ofmy course, took my trusty stress journal. I think of my secret life, I think a few of my went through. Each time there was a of devastating friends who go for cancer and no I just pushed even more. Itreatment needed to let go. no one knows. They live a full life of a façade. At least did a lot of emotional and spiritual healing I’mI also healthy and well. through therapies teachers, to teach I prick numerous myself again and and again and again. I am in myself agony,tobut outtrust andagreet theand guests trulyI go let go, process, trust with a smile of myI feel face. Hashem. like I have many more tools to deal My the husband gives wink, rewith incredible stressme andan I'minvisible looking forward minding methem to dointo theaction. shots, I invisible wink back to putting that I did them already. He’s shocked. I look so Yes, I know might be for nothing, I am scared happy, so ok,itentertaining guests,and serving. of the negative results, but I don't have to live in Day 15fear of devastation. I decided that I'm going utter Purim, didn’t write. through this process as an investigative reporter. My assignment: What gift can I receive from this Day 16 I take my pen/shovel and let the process? I’m sitting in the hospital waiting room, writexcavation begin. ing on a doctor’s notepad that I found in the pre-op room. Day 2My husband says I look much better than last I AM better than last time. I am It'stime. the first day much of sun after a long and rainy winter; surprisingly (almost!) so gratified portent of a calm gift that will rise and from am the rain. Today is to bethe seeing the of my inner work. first of myresults early morning outings. Will my son At the pre-opisappointment daysgets ago, the think something amiss when mytwo husband nurse asked me why I waited a year to come back. him ready? I'm sure he won't even realize. I put out I said it was too hard. She asked me which part his clothes and was about to leave, when I saw him was hard? I said the stress. When I got home, I hiding under the table, finishing off an oversized wondered which stress I had been talking about. lollypop that I had hid from him. He's just fine. I I am sooff ok;even I can’t remember whya coffee, the stress went before brachos and the made meearlier crazyI leave, last time. the quicker I get home. I wish I had a experience journal from time to to comIt's an interesting here.last It's supposed pare to, but seeing myself now, I see be amyself secret who's going for treatment. I hope I how much the anyone stress II know, managed to getarid don'tofmeet but there's partofofby meone thing: Trust. that hopes I do meet someone I know, because Trust in Hashem, trust in His plan for me, trust then I'll have someone to share my secret world in myself that I’ll be ok. A lack of desperation that with. this has to work. And trust in my growth. My husband went to daven and There's a lady in my neighborhood that I I’m met here here by myself with my siddur, pen, but andwe the hospital last year. We didn't speakmy a world, both saw notepad. And the well wishes of klal yisrael who I know daven in their hearts for all their sisters in
each other and when we pass each other in the street, our eyes share a secret message. pain. I feel surrounded by love and goodness. This Hashanah morning II was got sitting a big compliment from MenRosh in the park with Yossi, achem. He says that he feels so good that I undermy eight-year-old, and she came to the park with stand him so well. He sees how I can understand her son, who I also discovered is eight. She also has and be there for my clients as well. three-year-old son. We both knew what we were The pre-op time is very stressful for the couple davening for, although we didn't say a word. We and can bring out the worst in them. This time it machzorim, played Jewish geography, wasshared amazing and hearing that from him was the discussed which cheder learning – but midas ultimate compliment. Itthey're takes so muchinmore if we had a secret pact, nothing of the biggest topic dos to be good to a husband than a client. If I’m in our tefillos mentioned. In our hearts we both doing well withwas both, I feel good. wished we'd this, meet Iinrealize the parkit’s next As I’m that writing allRosh part of the process. Lastwith time everything was so much Hashanah a carriage, but not a word was more stressful, so of course it was so much harder to be exchanged. nice. It was a matter of desperation. If I trust in That's who I think of todayand as I trust sit in the morning Hashem, trust in myself, in the process, clinic for the firsthusband time in this cycle. Will I meet her I can trust in my too. I’m going stop writing now, again? Will Ito meet other women whostop I will talking know to mycarry readers and talk to the One who can me. pens in their pocketbook for shots andhelp not to I accept your good wishes and we’ll write?all Who arrive at work listening to all be thein touch later today. women complain about how hard it is to get all the (write general anesthesia, half-hour prokids outabout to school and feel like telling them that her cedure, four-hour recovery, then home to rest up.) morning was also hard, because she didn't have all the kids to get out to school? ***
I’m I home! Thank youI know. so much But didn't meet anyone We'reHashem! a silent I’m so relieved that it’s over. Baruch Hashem I awas sisterhood in the waiting room, 7:00 am, sharing so calm. I said Tehillim with such an incredible secret struggle and a shared fate. closeness and connection to Hashem. I went into theLater operating room totally Hashem. today, I'm going out toconnected eat with mytohusband. There nonot onethe else in the roomnow – the anesthesiHe'swas totally type. Actually, that I think ologist, the doctor, the nurses, they were about it, the last time we went out to eat wasall puppets. It wasajust Hashem the room. probably yearme ago,and when we wereindoing Hashem, you take an invisible, microscopic vitreatment. We had been talking about going out to rus and turn over the entire mighty world. Just to spend time together for weeks but didn't want to teach the world the incredible koach of your power take off seder. When his chavrusa canceled today, and how little control we have. The unbelievable, he right away we're going out to lunch. private high-tech lab, said huge machinery, nurses, doctor, anesthesiologist all is nothing. Efes One of the hardest parts–ofthey’re treatment the strain Zulaso – there is nothing but You. It’s only me and it puts on a marriage. It needs to be actively you in this room and no one else. counteracted by special time together. The next thing I knew I woke up in the recoveryWe're room,sitting filledand with joy together, and gratitude eating relaxingthat and it was over. enjoying each other's company when I get a phone And unbelievably they had taken out eight call from a number I don't recognize. Luckily, I pick follicles. Instead of four, there were eight. Some up, because it's the clinic. They received my test were very small, so the doctor doesn’t know if results and I'm good to go. they’ll develop, but they took the chance and took them all out.I can begin taking shots. Four days of Tomorrow Tomorrow, at 10am, they’re toThe call me shots every evening and then backgoing to tests. and tell me if they fertilized, and how many did… journey begins. May we hear good news!
Page F4 • The Jewish Press • Friday, December 11, 2020
FAMILY ISSUES
lifetoisheal tough and more you are going to fight with people. try these intense symptoms even in Youuncertain just have and to get used to it.” He is not going to this difficult time?
Mind Over Manners By Mrs. Rifka Schonfeld
Feeling SAD? A Survival Guide For Life With Young Children According to The New York Times, Seasonal weight In 1980, Adele Faber and Elaine5% Mazlish can’t behave right when they don’t feel right. If Affective Disorder (SAD), affects of thewrote pop-a kids Feeling sluggish or agitated seminal parenting book entitled How to Talk So Kids we don’t take care of their feelings first, we have a ulation or roughly 1 out of every 20 people. The Having difficulty concentrating Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk. In January little chance of engaging their cooperation. All we’ll Mayo Clinic describes SAD symptoms as appearFeeling or guilty 2017, Adele Faber’s daughter Joanna teamed up with have left ishopeless, our abilityworthless to use greater force. And since ing “during late fall or early winter and go away Having frequent thoughts of or suicide her friend Julie King to write a new book for parent- we’d like to reserve brute force for death emergencies such as during the sunnier days spring andentitled summer.” ing younger children. Theof2017 book, How yanking children out of traffic, we’ve got to face this Those symptoms Whilethings thosehead-on. who suffer from to Talk So Little include: Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide feelings So let’s dig SAD in! syndrome to Life with Children Ages 2-7, utilizes many of the generally In other words, we the haveeffects to dealonce withwe these negbegin to feel change parenting techniques from the original, but modifi es ative emotions before we can deal with the negative Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly ev- the clock and the days get shorter, these sympthem behavior. children by as young as two-yearsery dayfor the modern parent and younger children. toms haveEven beenwith intensified Covid-19 and the The first section of Faber and King’s book deals old, we need to address their negative feelings in Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed way that the pandemic has changed our life. This with helping children deal with difficult feelings, ways that are problem-solving, rather than simply atHaving low energy that somethem people with SAD didFaber not see something many parents want to skip in order to get means tempting to shut down. In the book, and Having problems with sleeping their symptoms fully disappear in the summer the to the more concrete, what to do section: King describe five common mistakes parents make Experiencing changes in workshops your appetite or way they normally would. So what you do to Most of the parents in my have been when talking to young children aboutcan their feelings.
pretty impatient with this first topic: helping children Denial of feelings. After you have made your deal with difficult feelings. They’d like to move right daughter’s favorite grilled cheese sandwich, she says onacclaimed to the second session: how to get specialist, your kids Mrs. to doRifka to Schonfeld you, “I hate sandwiches.” You An educator and social skills hasgrilled servedcheese the Jewish community formight close you tell them to do! Not we don’t care about want to say, “You don’t SOS, hate grilled cheese sandwichtowhat thirty years. She founded andthat directs the widely acclaimed educational program, servicing all grade levels our kids feel. just studies. not generally first es! You love grilled cheese sandwiches.” in that inhow secular as well as It’s Hebrew A kriah andpriority reading specialist, she has given dynamic workshops But and has set for a frazzled parent. Let’s face it, if they did as they moment, she is not going to say, “Oh, right, thanks up reading labs in many schools. In addition, she offers evaluations G.E.D. preparation, social skills training and were told, things would goon sobuilding smoothly and we’dand all self-awareness. for reminding me!” shidduch coaching, focusing self-esteem She can be reached at 718-382-5437 or at feel great. Philosophy. There are always lessons to be rifkaschonfeld@gmail.com. You can view the web at rifkaschonfeld.com. The problem is, there’s just no good shortcut to get- taught in life, and as parents we always want to ting a cooperative kid. You can try, but you will likely teach them. The problem is that when your child is end up knee-deep in a bog of conflict… experiencing negative feelings, he is not ready to lisSo what’s the point of all of this? The point is that ten to those lessons. So, if your son had a fight with we can’t behave right when we don’t feel right. And a friend in school and you tell him, “Well, you know
main a father and a husband. I remember shoppingSchonfeld with Dad. hiscommunity job as theforlocal An acclaimed educator and education consultant, Mrs. Rifka hasShopping served the was Jewish close market gave him assistance and opened handto thirty years. She founded and directs SOS, servicing all grade levels in secular and Hebrew studies. A a kriah and reading specialist, she also offers evaluations, G.E.D. preparation, social skills training and did shidduch coaching. She icap register just for us. We our shopping in can be reached at 718-382-5437 or rifkaschonfeld@verizon.net. a quarter of the time it would take Mom to do it because the supermarket made accommodations for his wheelchair. Mom insisted that Dad return to work. Even though she had to drive him there and then take me to the babysitter and my brothers to school. After dropping Dad off, her last stop was her own job. This was our morning routine. I imagine it In response to my article on ‘detachment’ pub- got easier as I got older and began grade one and lished in the October edition of The Jewish Press, Mom had only two stops to make before going to I received a letter from a young woman who was her job. Now, as an adult, I can only imagine how a child of a chronically ill parent. I feel that her tough those mornings must have been; getting us letter has much to teach us as she talks about how kids up, dressed, fed and then getting everyone her family went from being crippled, once they re- where they needed to be while providing Dad with ceived the diagnosis, to becoming a functional and the help he needed to continue to function. But, healthy family unit. she never showed anything but joy at being there for her family. Dear Ann, The nights meant even more work for Mom. It I was very moved by the comments you shared. was like she was a single parent with four chilI was a young child when my father became ill, dren, but only worse. The one person, her husbut through our experiences with the illness, and band, that she should have been able to share maybe because of the illness, I learned the true happy and difficult times with, was so engulfed meaning of marriage. with his illness that he was unable to be a husMy father was diagnosed with a chronic illness band to her. But over time we all, Dad included, when I was quite young. He took the diagnosis so grew and learned from her example. hard that I remember, even from such a young Shortly after Dad’s diagnosis Mom was offered age, how devastated he was. He wanted to give a promotion. She had been so excited about this up. He wanted to stop living and have everyone opportunity but declined it. She decided that her around him, myself, my siblings and my mom, ca- family, and particularly Dad, needed her time ter to his needs. But my mom convinced him to more. She told me later that maintaining “norstart living again. Determined to make the best of malcy” in our home was her priority. She would the situation, my mom assured us that we would not take time away from that job, her job as wife live as a normal family. She would not allow the and mother, for the promotion, as tempting as that illness to change our family more than was abso- was. That was the first of many times that Mom lutely necessary. gave up her desires for the sake of our family. She Under Mom’s guidance (and insistence) Dad taught me that chronic illness is a family disease became independent again. She demanded he re- and does not just affect the person diagnosed. We
A Child Caregiver Weighs In
walk away feeling like he has dealt with those negative feelings. Light machine. are light machines Questions. If your There daughter colors on the counter that mimic sun’s SAD for the thirdthe time that rays week,that you those might with impulsively can buy utilizedid inyou order combat the want to and say, “Why didto you color on theeffects countoferthe changing can times also set your again? Didn’tofI the tellclock. you aYou million that the crayons are for to paper?!” not likely have light or shades open aShe few will minutes before youa good in answer question, and whatever reason wake ordertotothat stimulate sunshine even if there she did color on the counter will still remain. is none at the time. Comparison. When things go wrong, especially Walk in the sunshine. This one seems like in public places like supermarkets, school lobbies, or it’s cheating, it’satpretty simple. Research shuls, we tend but to look the other children who are shows that even just a 20-minute walk can help behaving like perfect angels. In those instances, we lift your mood. Notat only do youShe’s get the lighthelping from want to say, “Look Shaindel. quietly the youload alsoher connect with your hersun, mother groceries into theenvironment. bag. How come you people can’t do what Shaindel is the doing?” This comparThe who might be out, squirrels in the ison only emphasizes the negative feelings, trees, and the sounds of the birds. This can rather help than attempting to get to the theirpandemic core. break the isolation that has creatLecture. Children, especially young children, ed. have a limited amount of information that they can Stay connected. Even you can’t see to peotake in at a time. That’s whyifwhen we begin lecple in person, stay connected on the phone ture we lose them completely. They retreat into and their through calls. This connection to other peonegativevideo feelings and hear almost nothing that we have ple is said. essential in keeping SAD and isolation at bay.Now that we’ve gone over all of the mistakes that parents to your their SAD children who Seek make help.when If youspeaking feel that sympare dealing with negative feelings, what are some toms are more severe than previous years becauseof the good ways that you can help children deal with of increased isolation, reach out to a professional. negative feelings? There’s never reason to beadvice embarrassed Faber and aKing’s main revolves about around being sad, but especially not in these crazy times. problem-solving. You can reconnect with your child and help them work through those negative feelings in order to guide them towards better behavior the next time around. This sounds like a grueling process, but in reality, the more you invest in teaching problem solving, the less you are going to need to inall suffer from it and we all need to work togethvest in dealing with meltdowns in the long-term. The er so willit’s notabout conquer us. We all toactions, make key isitthat cooperation andneed future some concessions to help the ill person, but we can not the moment you are struggling with right then. For those specifi c moments? Faber and King have also expect the ill person to demonstrate the same plenty of tips for those too! consideration for us.
Mom cared for us all with humor and a ready smile, keeping the pain of her losses inside. As I grew up and matured, I was occasionally able to see through the mask Mom wore. Hiding her disappointments so we should not see how hard it was for her, she shielded us from the pain, fright and loss that the illness brought into our home. We grew up happy and healthy, loving both our parents. We learned by example to be sensitive to people’s needs, both the obvious ones and those needs that are hidden and not talked about openly. After 46 years of marriage and decades of living with chronic illness, Mom continues to be our caregiver and teacher. I am now married and have three children. What I learned about loyalty, parenting, marriage and caring I learned from Mom. My dad, my brothers and I owe who we are to the sacrifices she made so that our family could live “normally” not despite the illness but because of it. Thank you for allowing me to share my story. A lucky child of an ill father Dear Lucky Child, Thank you so much for sharing your story. It is truly inspirational. How you learned from your mother’s and father’s example and that you recognize all she did is exemplary. Realizing that the adversity made your whole family become stronger and better is indeed an inspiration for many who are just beginning to cope with chronic illness. May you grow from strength to strength and be the role model to your family that your mother clearly was to yours. Ann