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(Re: Visiting With Care, Issue 019)
Thanks for the article on visiting grandparents, and for the lovely J.O.Y. contest. What a wonderful idea! We appreciate the way The Williamsburg View enhances our community.
Calling and visiting grandparents is important and a sign of kavod and respect. It’s traditional to call or visit before Shabbos and Yom Tov if you will not be spending the time together. I do want to add that Erev Shabbos and Yom Tov can become very hectic, and that calls and visits will be appreciated in advance as well. Baruch Hashem, many are zoche to large families, and the entire day can become tied up with calls and visits, without leaving the grandparents the time they need to prepare for Yom Tov. Baruch Hashem for such problems! But a bit of forethought could enhance this special time even more.
Gut Yom Tov!
(Re: Visiting with Care, Issue 019)
Elter Bubby
Thanks for your gorgeous article about visiting the elderly! What worked for our family was that my great-aunt, who cared for my elter bobba in her home, let us know that she needed visitors to be with Bobby in the afternoon
One cousin called every married grandchild to find out what times they were available, and sent everyone a schedule with an “appointment” for visiting Bobby.
Baruch Hashem, we are a large family, and each visitor came once in three weeks.
Another grandchild was appointed as the secretary to call each scheduled visitor the day before to remind her that her “appointment” was the next day. Sometimes she had to coordinate changes.
This system worked well for everyone. I’m so grateful to Hashem that we had the zechus to be with Bobby until her last days. My last visit to her was two days before she was nifteres at age 100.
(Re: Diamonds Are For Now, Inbox, Issue 019)
Like the letter writer, I also took my jewelry to be assessed for trade-in value, and was quoted only the value of the gold. The diamonds were “too small to be worth anything.”
I then took my jewelry and went to another local jeweler. They advised me to have a necklace charm made from the “worthless” diamonds, which I agreed was a good idea. They made me a stunning piece of jewelry and charged me only for the labor.
If you want to trade in your jewelry and are given only the worth of the gold, don’t give the jeweler the diamonds for free! They are beautiful, valuable and not at all worthless. I guarantee you that the jeweler is not throwing them in the garbage.
Name Withheld
(Re: Lab vs. Mined, Inbox, Issue 018)
I’ve been following the discussion about lab grown diamonds with interest, and I’d like to chime in with my own opinion.
If you are over 40 and financially secure and your husband wants to buy you a gift for a special birthday or anniversary, by all means, buy a mined diamond if that will bring you simcha
However, a lot of jewelry purchased in our community is bought as gifts for a kallah who at the young age of 20 or so is receiving not one, and not two, but usually around five pieces of expensive jewelry. The jewelry is being purchased by the parents of the chasan, who would love to give the kallah the most expensive and exquisite jewelry to express their admiration and love for her, but also have financial limitations (and everyone has financial limitations — especially when marrying off a child).
If there is a way to make the kallah feel important and special without going into (more) debt, it is incumbent upon all
of us to promote it and applaud it. If we’re making chasunahs in takanah halls and shopping in chasunah malls and borrowing money to cover the furniture, why does our kallah need to wear the “real thing” when she may not even know the difference?
Thanks for allowing me to share my “view.” A Reader
(Re: Planting the Future, Issue 018)
I loved your article about the beginnings of the Satmar Bais Ruchel that I attended decades ago. I have wonderful memories from those days. There was an amazing kindergarten teacher named Miss Goldberger (today Mrs. Weiss). We loved her. There was a big black piano in our classroom, and during “resting time,” she would play for us.
We had school every day, even on Shushan Purim. There was no such thing as Chanukah vacation or midwinter vacation. If you misbehaved in high school, a bright orange postcard was sent home to your parents. I still have one of those cards. (Of course, I was really innocent!) I also remember that some of the girls in my class were able to convince their European parents that a D on the report card was better than an A.
I remember the Hispanic kitchen worker, Fruto, who prepared lunch. Later there was a couple, by the name of Rosewasser, who took over. Mrs. Rosewasser was very strict about hallway decorum. If we tried to play ball or jump rope, she would take it away. Those were the good old days! Mrs. E. Friedman
I wanted to share an experience I had when I was returning a rental car. I had always been curious about how the non-Jewish residents feel about the large Orthodox Jewish community in New York. As it happened, I had the chance to bring up the subject with a rental company employee who was giving me a lift home. I asked him if there was anything distinctive about the way Orthodox Jews behaved.
His answer took me by surprise. He said that whenever something doesn’t go as planned with a car rental, an Orthodox Jew will inevitably pull out his phone and say, “Wait, first I need to ask my wife.”
Aleksandr Zion
I spent last Rosh Hashanah in the hospital with a twoyear-old child so his parents could be home for Yom Tov. I met a few women there, and we heard the shofar together in the Bikur Cholim room. I remember having this special “mi k’amcha Yisroel” feeling as I stood there surrounded by Yidden of various backgrounds, all of them there for different reasons, all of them heroes in their own way. I will likely have such an experience this year as well.
I was once in a kimpeturin heim in Freehold, New Jersey, where a senior citizen residence is housed in the same complex. I will never forget the tefillos and tekias shofar by the local Chabad shaliach. It was awe-inspiring!
My grandmother passed away and was buried on Rosh Hashanah. We were in an unfamiliar neighborhood, and my uncle blew the shofar for us at my grandmother’s house.
My oldest child was born 25 hours before Rosh Hashanah. To say it was hectic would be an understatement! After my baby’s hearing test came back okay and all discharge papers were signed, we made a run for it. We ran to our car and drove home while all the men were heading to shul, heralding the new year. I sat in the backseat with my tiny bundle as my husband tried catch all the green lights to make it to my parents’ home before the zman. We finally arrived just as my mother finished bentching licht. Sitting with my little bechor in my arms, it hit me what a beautiful way it was to welcome in the new year. On Rosh Hashanah day, I had the honor of having my father blow the shofar for myself and my baby.
One year, I had a ten-day-old baby, and I was stressed out about hearing the shofar. In the end, I spent Rosh Hashanah in Aim B’Yisroel, where a choir of boys from Skvere shtetl came in on Yom Tov. They sang some of the main parts of davening beautifully, and a baal tokeia blew shofar for all the kimpeturins.
I gave birth to my oldest child an hour before Rosh Hashanah. I hope to have another Rosh Hashanah with such a connection to Hashem and deep gratitude. I loved every minute of my quiet two-day Yom Tov stay alone with Hashem. I am very thankful to the chashuve Chabad shaliach who came to blow the shofar for me.
I had a baby girl a few years ago on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, so I got to hear tekias shofar from a Chabad rabbi in the hospital.
I spent the past Rosh Hashanah in a group home with special neshamos. On the second day of Yom Tov, one of the residents fell ill. Hatzolah rushed over, and surprisingly, they had a shofar with them on the stretcher. As the only Jewish staff member, I was assigned to accompany the resident to the hospital while my husband was still in shul. While in the ambulance, I suddenly remembered that I hadn’t heard the shofar yet! And so, while sitting in an ambulance speeding to the hospital, I listened to one of the Hatzolah members blowing the shofar. Once we were at the hospital, these devoted members didn’t return home before ensuring that all Yiddishe patients in the ER heard tekias shofar! Mi k’amcha Yisroel!
On Rosh Hashanah night, we take the whole family on a preplanned route through the streets, making sure to reach both sets of our parents and grandparents to vintch them and get brachos for the new year. It can be pretty tiring to schlep our little kids, but it’s truly a wonderful experience that’s worth every bit of effort.
I still stick to the old-fashioned tradition of sending shanah tovah cards by mail.
During the meal on Erev Yom Kippur, we call our grandparents and pass the phone around the table to give all of the children the opportunity to wish their grandparents ah gut yahr
A few days before Yom Tov, we brave the traffic with all the kids in the car, and we visit the grandparents in Brooklyn to wish them ah gut gebentcht yahr in person.
We wish our parents and grandparents a ksivah v’chasimah tovah in person. These are always very touching visits, with each of my children personally wishing each grandparent ah gut gebentched yahr along with a kiss. On my part, I wouldn’t want to start the new year without these special blessings for my family.
We visit the local grandparents between Erev Rosh Hashanah and the first night of Yom Tov. On Tzom Gedalya, we visit the grandparents who don’t live locally.
We visit our grandparents during Aseres Yemei Teshuvah to wish them a sweet new year. We also take some pretty summer or fall photos of the family and send them to the grandparents to enjoy.
Sadly, I no longer have grandparents. Perhaps I can do something l’ilui nishmasam, which can be our “gut yahr vinch.”
For the first few years after I got married, we would visit all of our grandparents on the first night of Rosh Hashanah to wish them a sweet new year. Eventually, once we had a few children, it got much harder. Nowadays, we visit all of our grandparents before Yom Tov. The kids are awake and in great moods, ready to wish everyone a blessed new year.
As a grandma myself, I can tell you that I love it when my children and grandchildren come over with a family photo and a shanah tovah message. It doesn’t need to be a calendar.
We try to visit all of our grandparents between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to wish them a shanah tovah. We also visit our elderly aunt, who doesn’t have children.
On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, we take the kids and grandkids to my parents’ and in-laws’ homes, where we meet the men to vintch the bubbies and zeidies. Every child gets a turn to say the appropriate verse to each grandparent, and then they receive a treat.
As a grandfather and very recently a great-grandfather, baruch Hashem, may I request that the grandchildren should do their calls to wish us a gut gebentched yahr a little earlier? With the nonstop calling all day on Erev Rosh Hashanah and Erev Yom Kippur, I barely get to the zman. Also, I wish I could tell some grandchildren that they’re allowed to call me throughout the year as well.
שבדב םיחופת Apples in Honey
םירמת Dates
Leek
ארק Gourd
From cooked fish heads to a selection of no-vinegar dips to elegant simanim platters, Yedid is the flavor of the month.
אקליס Beets
Blessed Rain
Y. Levenstein
Starting on Rosh Hashanah, we add several tefillos to our Shemoneh Esrei, begging for chaim — life. One of the lines we add appears in the middle of the bracha of Modim: “ U’chesov l’chaim tovim kol bnei brisecha.”
Modim is not a bracha of bakasha, request; it’s strictly hoda’ah, praise. We thank Hashem for the miracles in our lives that Hakadosh Baruch Hu performs all the time — morning, noon and night. Just before we go on to praise Hashem by saying “v’chol hachaim yoducha” — all living things thank Him — we sandwich in this additional Yamim Noraim request: Inscribe us for a good life.
Why is this request placed here? It would seem more fitting before or after Modim. Why do we interrupt the praise of Modim with this request?
EARNING A LIVING is a struggle for Dovid. He works hard to put bread on the table for his growing family. But Dovid doesn’t complain.
One year, on Erev Rosh Hashanah, Dovid was zoche to make a bris for his newborn son. Despite the busy day, family and friends gathered for the seudah right after the bris. Dovid asked one of his uncles to speak. The man was well-to-do and was a respected member of the community.
The uncle stood up and began to speak. Since it was before Rosh Hashanah, his speech centered around the words of Chazal, “Tichleh shanah u’kililoseha” — may the year and its curses end (Megillah 31b).
The speaker discussed the tzaros and difficulties that had hit Klal Yisroel during the year that had passed and encouraged
all those present to daven that the upcoming year be a better one, without any tzaros
When the speech concluded, Dovid immediately stood up. “I ask forgiveness of my dear uncle, but I want to understand something. Why focus on all the tzaros of the past year? It was a year filled with so much good, with so much bracha and so many chasadim both for the klal and each of us as individuals. Instead of focusing on the klalos, we can focus on the brachos in our day-to-day lives. Let’s thank Hashem for all the good He did for us and continues to do for us.”
Dovid specifically pointed out the reason for the seudas mitzvah. “Let’s thank Hashem for the simcha today, for the birth of this precious, healthy newborn. Let’s thank Hashem for all the nissim and yeshuos we’ve experienced over the course of this year…”
Dovid hoped his words wouldn’t hurt his uncle, but he simply couldn’t restrain himself. As he stood at the bris of his new son, that sense of gratitude and thanks simply poured forth.
After the simcha concluded, Dovid saw that his words had been taken well.
“Tell me, Dovid,” his uncle said. “How did you manage to get to such a great level of hakaras hatov? Your daily life is a financial struggle. You have so many worries on your head. And I, who don’t have those kinds of worries, don’t have the clarity and focus that you have! How come I see black where you see gold?”
Dovid decided to share his secret. “Last year, before Rosh Hashanah, my wife and I took on a kabbalah. We bought a new notebook, and each of us began to write two entries inside it every day. We would think of two chasadim Hakadosh Baruch Hu did for us that day or instances where we saw hashgachas Hashem clearly, and record them.
“This week, I flipped through the notebook,” Dovid contin-
As he stood at the bris of his new son, that sense of gratitude and thanks simply poured forth
ued. “I read through some records of kindness from Hashem and our gratitude, which we wrote over the course of the year. There were more than 730 things to thank Hashem for right there, 730 gifts Hakadosh Baruch Hu did for us over the last twelve months. So, tell me, dear uncle, how could one see so much chesed and not be filled with hakaras hatov? Hashem does so much good for us.”
Avodas Hashem is built on hakaras hatov which develops by paying attention to the chasadim we receive from Above. Contemplating the abundance of blessing in our lives causes our hearts to expand and fill with love for our Father in Heaven.
There is a well-known parable about a man who is stuck on a high floor of a skyscraper. Locked inside and unable to get out, he walks over to the window and calls out for help. But the people 30 floors below him do not hear his call. They walk right past the building. And so, the man empties his pockets and begins to drop some coins, hoping it will make some noise and get people to look up. But once again, he is disappointed. Passersby notice the money, pocket the coins, and walk on. Nobody wonders where the money came from! Devastated, the man comes up with one more trick. This time, he drops some pebbles and stones. The pebbles hit a passerby — ouch! — and immediately, he looks up to see who dropped something on his head. Finally, the man upstairs has attracted attention.
In our lives, too, we are showered with goodness. Hashem
Passersby notice the money, pocket the coins, and walk on. Nobody wonders where the money came from!
pours down upon us life, health, parnassah, children, and every bracha we see in our day-to-day existence. Do we look up to see where it all comes from? It seems so natural that we often walk right past the bounty and neglect to wonder and acknowledge the Source of the blessings.
Hashem wants us to remember Him. If that acknowledgement doesn’t come in response to blessing, it may, chas v’shalom, have to be triggered by a falling stone — a nisayon. Then it is easier to remember to look up and to remember just Who is orchestrating every detail of our lives.
* * * * *
In the tefillah of Modim, we thank Hashem for our lives, which are securely in His hands. And during the Yamim Noraim, we interrupt this meditation and insert a request right in the middle: Please, write us down for this kind of life — a life of constant goodness. We don’t want to wait for the stones to fall; we want to recognize Hashem when everything goes well, through a life of hoda’ah and not through difficulties.
May we all be zoche to a kesivah v’chasimah tovah and a year filled with much to be thankful for.
BY BROCHY GANELES
Judith hosts a Tehillim gathering in the merit of the soldiers, but her awkward manners and her husband’s Loyalist leanings ruin the mood. Jacob tells Rebecca he would like to join the Continental Army.
Mother is a small woman and Father is large, but it is Mother who fills the room. Jacob watches her sharp eyes as they dart about the room, calculating and judging everything in his home. He follows her gaze, sees where it lands on a layer of dust above the hearth, and he sighs. Rebecca sees it, too.
Mother tears her eyes away from the hearth, takes a long drink from her glass, and smiles. “Did you know, Jacob, that Gideon has been asked to help establish a new beit knesset in Philadelphia? They are a Spehardic kehillah, yet they still ask for his assistance. I tell you, your brother is a man of leadership wherever he goes.”
Of course he is. Such a leader that he can abandon his brother with a day’s notice.
“And I have just re-
ceived letters from Ezra and Benjamin. They have joined together their profits and have purchased two ships, which they intend to use for privateering.” Mother smiles widely.
Ezra and Benjamin. Always planning and plotting together. Never including Jacob.
“Is that not dangerous?” Jacob asks. “I have heard that the British Navy is far superior than amateur privateers.”
“Well, they will not be on board their vessels when they attack the British ships.” Mother laughs. “No son of mine is a sailor. But they will gain handsomely from the profits whenever one of their ships captures a British vessel.”
“And what if their ships are sunk?”
“Can you not be happy for this new venture of your brothers? You can rest assured that Benjamin and Ezra put proper care and planning into their purchases. To be great, one must take risks”
Mother scoffs. “Can you not be happy for this new venture of your brothers? You can rest assured that Benjamin and Ezra put proper care and planning into their purchases. To be great, one must take risks.”
There is a glare behind her eyes, a hardness that tells him that he would
not know of such glorious things as risks and greatness.
This is not how it was supposed to happen. He had planned to announce his news to Mother and Father, and they would smile and tell him that they were proud of his choices. But now he is small in their eyes, and whatever he tells them, they will think of him as a child, trying once again to catch up to his brothers.
“Tell me, Jacob, how do you plan on earning your livelihood now that Gideon has left?” Father’s voice is loud, cutting through the silence. “Will you take over the shop? Become a proper tailor in your own right?”
“No, Father.” Jacob shifts in his seat, clears his throat. “I will be joining the Continental Army.”
“No, Mother, quite the contrary.” Rebecca smiles widely and meets Mother’s eyes with a fire of her own. “I am proud of my husband.”
Mother’s lips draw a tight line across her face. She holds Rebecca’s gaze, and Jacob is afraid. Rebecca has never faced Mother before, has never heard the sharp words she can spit out of her mouth like a stream of fire. But Mother does not answer Rebecca, merely turns to Jacob and says, “Very
He has finally done something worthy of pride, and Mother cannot see anything but his flaws
Mother inhales, a sharp whistle of breath.
“What was that, boy?” Father’s voice is too loud. “Speak up for your father.”
“I said, sir, that I am to be a soldier in the Continental Army.”
“Oh, I am glad to hear it!” Father smiles widely. “I guess your wife’s brother has not influenced you in his Loyalist ways, eh?” He laughs loudly, and Jacob sees Rebecca bite her lip, sees the flush of anger on her cheeks.
“My brother-in-law is a fine man.” Jacob looks at Rebecca as he speaks. “He has done well in business. That is where his Loyalist leanings end, Father. He does not think that the British have any right to rule us; he merely thinks that this war has already cost him too much.”
Rebecca smiles, a small flash that is gone a moment later, but he knows she is grateful. Had she opened her mouth with anger in Raphael’s defense, Father would not have forgiven it.
Mother watches their brief interaction with her sharp eyes and sighs. “It is a pity, Jacob, that you must leave your young wife and son in order to provide for them. I’m sure it is very hard for you, Rebecca.”
Her words are like a slap across his face, and Jacob swallows down hard against the sting. He has finally done something worthy of pride, and Mother cannot see anything but his flaws.
well, my son. If this is what you must do, you may go with our blessing. I pray this will be your chance to bring honor to your family.”
Jacob nods, determined. He has thought this too. He will succeed. He must.
Evening is her favorite time of day. The house seems smaller, cloaked in dusk’s velvet, and there is nothing left to do save for her Tehillim and embroidery. In daylight, the house echoes with the laughter of children that should be running through the halls, with the clatter and noise and commotion they should bring, and Judith cannot escape it. It is now, as day melts into night, that the house is finally still. Even her children would be asleep now.
Her fingers dance in and out of the cloth, the bumps of smooth silk on cotton forming a rhythm in her hands, and at last she is at peace. Mama was the same way. Come evening, and she would be found at the fireplace, her needle darting about the cloth as she would tell Judith stories of the old country. How she’d loved to sit and watch Mama’s voice lift up above them and gather on the wall, her words whispering life into misty figures that would dance about the room and tell a story of their own. If Abigail had lived, perhaps she would do the same — sit
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at her side each evening and listen to her mother’s tales.
“Judith.” Raphael stands before her. He has come home from Maariv.
“Good evening.” Judith offers him a small smile, but his brow is furrowed as he paces the room. He does not smile back at her. “Is everything alright, Raphael?”
“It is my sister.” Raphael’s hat is still on, and the folds of the tricorn are casting shadows on his face. “Well, not her, exactly; it is her husband. Jacob has decided to join the Patriots.”
“What do you mean?”
“He is joining the Continental Army. He told me tonight, just before Maariv.” Raphael’s hands rub his temples, his eyes cast low. “He knows my sentiments toward the war, yet he told me his news as if I should be glad of his decision. And then he had the audacity to ask me if Rebecca can stay by us while he is away.”
“And what did you say?”
“I told him she may.”
Judith is silent, her fingers running over the ridged cloth in her hands. Rebecca is to stay with them. Rebecca, with her laughter and words that taunt Judith. Rebecca, with her flashing smile and anger and voice that can charm or chisel, depending on the listener.
wives remain at home.”
“Her baby is not one month old yet, Judith. And besides, there is no money left for her to remain in the house by herself. Even if Jacob were still employed by his brother, there would not be enough money. No, she must stay with us.” Raphael says the words with finality, a stamp firmly pressed on the seal of an envelope, and nods. “As much as it pains me that my sister’s husband is swept up in this senseless Patriotic fervor, she is my sister.”
So he has decided. He has invited his sister into their home, invited her to share their meals and sit in the parlor in the evenings, invited her to fill the house with laughter and words and a baby’s cry, and he has not thought to ask his wife if she agrees. The fabric in her lap is in knots now, wound tightly around her
“Why must Rebecca stay with us? Many men in our kehillah have joined the fight, yet their wives remain at home”
Her fingers are quicker now, rubbing the fabric with an intensity that does nothing to slow the beating of her heart.
“Why?” Her voice is quiet, but Rapahels hears her. He raises his head with a question on his face.
“Well, I imagine Jacob has no other way of providing for his family. His brother Gideon left for Philadelphia just over a week ago, sold his little tailor’s shop, and took his supplies with him. Jacob told me he was looking for another occupation, but he has not met with success. Even Charlestown is feeling the pinch of frugality with this war.” He says the word with a scoff, thrown out of his mouth as one would speak of vermin.
“Raphael.” Judith’s voice is louder now. “I meant to ask, why must Rebecca stay with us? Many men in our kehillah have joined the fight, yet their
fingers as she struggles to breathe.
“The baby.” It is not her only worry in having Rebecca, but it is the only one he will not think lesser of her for.
“I cannot bear it, Raphael.”
He nods slowly, realization softening his features. “If you wish, I shall tell Rebecca that we cannot have her.” He draws his breath, waiting for her response, but his face is hopeful. He does not want his sister to be alone while her husband is at war. He wants Judith to say yes, promise him that she will be strong, and she cannot fail him.
“She may come.” Her voice is a whisper. “It will be difficult — no, painful.” She pulls her lips tight against the tremble of her chin and looks up at her husband. “But I will not be the cause of her unhappiness.”
She does not say, “Though she may be the cause of mine.” TO BE CONTINUED...
elevated + pretty
There’s a charged and refreshing energy in the air. This Yom Tov season, all the shopping and cooking prep is accompanied by whispered tefillos for a sweet new year.
Enjoy our rich and varied Yom Tov dishes as we unveil our Tishrei menu. As always, we strive to combine elegance with ease, tradition with fresh twists. Happy cooking, and may all of our tefillos be answered L’tovah.
ISSUE 020
DECONSTRUCTED APPLE CRANBERRY CRUMBLE
APPLE PIE
APPLE CUSTARD MUFFINS
THIS WEEK!
ISSUE 021
COFFEE CLUB ROAST
RASPBERRY GLAZED BEEF
CARAMEL BALSAMIC FLANKEN ROAST
ISSUE 022
CRANBERRY MOUSSE CUPS
COFFEE CHOCOLATE FUDGE PIE
SWISS MERINGUE WREATHS WITH PLUM COMPOTE
ISSUE 023
OLIVE TAPENADE
ONION ‘N HERB DIP
ASIAN BROCCOLI SLAW
SESAME DIP
Sweet, smoky and spicy, this roast comes together so easily and is equally impressive to serve.
4 lb. prime Satmar Meats club roast
¼ cup oil
1 cup Satmar Meat coffee rub (Alternatively, you can create your own rub: 3 T. coffee, 3 T. brown sugar, 2 tsp. chili powder, 2 tsp. garlic powder, 2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. black pepper)
1. Preheat the oven to 450°.
2. Place the roast in a pan, and drizzle with oil.
3. Season generously all over with the coffee rub.
4. Wrap the entire roast in parchment paper, and place it into a 9x13” baking pan. Cover tightly with silver foil.
5. Bake for 45 minutes before lowering the heat to 300°. Bake for an additional 3 to 4 hours.
6. Once cooled, refrigerate the roast overnight. Cut into thin slices.
The raspberry balsamic glaze helps tenderize the meat and imparts a delightful fruity aroma and flavor. “Fine cut” is a special tender and flavorful cut sold by Satmar Meats.
INGREDIENTS
2 lb. prime Satmar Meat fine cut steak
1½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
¼ cup Tuscanini balsamic raspberry glaze
¼ cup oil
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1. Preheat the oven to 450°.
2. Season the meat with salt and black pepper on all sides.
3. In a bowl, mix the raspberry balsamic glaze, oil and crushed garlic. Slather the mixture onto both sides of the meat.
4. Wrap the entire meat in parchment paper, and place it into a 9x13” baking pan. Cover tightly with silver foil.
5. Bake for 45 minutes before lowering the heat to 300°. Bake for an additional 3 hours.
6. Once cooled, refrigerate the meat overnight. Slice thinly against the grain.
It’s hard to go wrong with a flanken roast. This roast bakes up incredibly tender and flavorful, making it a showstopper when brought to the table.
1 Satmar Meat flanken roast
2 onions, sliced
8 oz. button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
¼ cup Tuscanini balsamic caramel glaze
2½ tsp. salt, divided
¾ tsp. black pepper, divided
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1. Saute the onions for 10 minutes.
2. Add the mushrooms, and saute for an additional 10 minutes until caramelized.
3. Add ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper and the caramel balsamic glaze. Simmer for two more minutes.
4. Season the meat by sprinkling with the remaining 2 teaspoons salt, garlic powder, onion powder and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Make sure to cover both sides of the meat.
5. Slather the caramel balsamic mushroom mixture onto the meat.
6. Wrap the entire meat in parchment paper, and place it into a 10x16” pan. Cover tightly with silver foil.
7. Bake for 45 minutes at 450° before lowering the heat to 300°. Bake for an additional 3 hours.
It’s that time of year again. When you look back, take stock, and commit to improve — again.
Determined to change, you pick one thing — usually the same thing you were determined to change last year — and take a small step forward.
Every year you resolve to be better. What’s the secret to permanent change?
THREE STORIES OF THE COMMITMENT THAT STUCK.
LEAVING MYSELF A SAFE WAY OUT LED ME TO THE WAY IN
Sometimes you’re faced with a choice, and you spend hours, days or even months agonizing about what to do.
But sometimes it’s not so hard to figure out what the right thing to do is. It’s actually doing it that’s the problem.
That’s how it was for me with a specific tznius sensitivity. It was just a sensitivity, but I knew I should be better about it. Still, it was hard for me. Too hard, I decided. I let it go.
But it niggled. I knew I should do better. Every time Rosh Hashanah came around, or any other event that inspired a push to grow, I knew what I should do… but I always picked something else.
Then came the Meron disaster. Forty-five kedoshim, on such an elevated day, in one of the holiest places on earth. I knew I couldn’t just keep going on as before. I had to do something. I had to do something different. I had to be someone different.
But I still didn’t feel ready for that commitment.
I decided to do it anyway — for only two weeks.
This wasn’t just a mental trick I was playing on myself. I really was only going to do it for two weeks. Was that worth anything? I decided that it was.
It was tough. In the beginning, I had to force myself to do it. I was uncomfortable (which was understandable) and resentful (which was less understandable, because who was I resentful toward, exactly?). By the end of the two weeks, I had gotten kind of used to it, but if you think I’m going to say that I did it for two weeks and then forever, you’re wrong. I did it for two weeks, and then I went back to the old way.
The yetzer hara tried telling me I was a loser for dropping the commitment, but I ignored him. I had found a way to make the Too Hard Thing doable, and I had stuck to it. I was satisfied.
In fact, later that summer, when I again wanted to concretize an inspiration, I revisited that commitment for two more weeks.
And when the Yomim Nora’im rolled around, I decided to reinstate that kabbalah from Rosh Hashanah through Shemini Atzeres.
And then later again, two more weeks. And a few months later, another two weeks. And eventually… it became permanent.
Now it’s something I do daily, just part of how I live. I don’t think about it anymore.
Except when I’m faced with a tough choice. When I know what the right thing to do is, but it feels too hard, then I tell myself: Just do it for two weeks.
This wasn’t just a mental trick I was playing on myself. I really was only going to do it for two weeks
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you know that something bad is about to happen, and you’re the only one who can stop it?
That happened to me ten years ago, when an acquaintance told me about their plans to embark on a particular path. I knew with complete certainty that they were making a terrible mistake. Even though it seemed that my hands were tied, I felt that if this information had been given to me, there had to be a reason for it.
My attempts to steer the situation in a positive direction proved fruitless, but I reminded myself that even if I couldn’t do anything about the situation, Hashem certainly could. It was close to Rosh Hashanah when this happened, and standing in shul on Yom Tov, I told Hashem that this person was His child, not mine, and that I wasn’t going home until He promised to solve the problem.
Even though handing the situation over to Hashem definitely gave me a sense of relief, I still felt like I needed to do some hishtadlus. So right before Yom Kippur, I decided to start saying Tehillim for things to improve.
As someone who never really said much Tehillim before, it wasn’t easy, and all too soon I started hav-
SANDY ELLER
I started having doubts. Had I just signed up for a lifelong commitment to saying Tehillim for someone I really didn’t even know
ing doubts. Had I just signed up for a lifelong commitment to saying Tehillim for someone I really didn’t even know all that well, and probably wouldn’t tell me if things changed for the better? I decided to include other people in my Tehillim as well, so that my daily kapitlach would feel more productive. It seemed like a good idea, and I decided to give myself permission to stop once I got through Tehillim 36 times.
As the months went by, I made a little tally mark on a sticky note in the back of my Tehillim every time I completed the sefer. You can’t imagine how excited I was when Rosh Hashanah came around again and I realized that I had exceeded my goal, and had recited the entire Sefer Tehillim 46 times. By the time I
bentsched licht on Erev Yom Kippur, I had gotten through another round of the sefer, taking me up to a grand total of 47 times in one year.
Forty-seven? That was amazing. I couldn’t believe I had accomplished so much. But then I had a really crazy idea: Could I top that number next year? Right then and there, I set a new goal for myself— finishing Tehillim at least once a week.
One day I was standing in the checkout line at a local grocery when I noticed a plastic container holding Sifrei Tehillim attached to a pole at every register, giving customers a way to use their time productively while they waited to check out. That moment was life-changing for me, because it transformed long lines from moments of mindless boredom to golden opportunities to chap arein a few more kapitlach. Eventually I found other ways to capitalize on what might normally be downtime, and airports, chuppahs and car trips all became valuable opportunities to cram in another five or six, or maybe even twenty or thirty, perakim
To date, I’ve said the entire Tehillim almost 1,400 times, an accomplishment that was never even on my radar
By Erev Yom Kippur the second year, I had finished Tehillim 68 times, and I took tremendous pleasure in topping that number over the next few years. I realized that I couldn’t realistically continue outscoring myself every year, but seeing the total number of times I completed Tehillim so far keeps me motivated.
Nearly seventeen years have passed since I first started saying Tehillim seriously. I’ve had three years where I said the entire sefer more than 100 times (although I consider it a major accomplishment if I surpass 80). I can’t say that I know Tehillim by heart, but I’m familiar enough that if I turn an extra page, I notice right away that the words aren’t what they should be. I can get through the whole sefer in an hour if I need to, but it’s hard to keep my mind from wandering for that amount of time.
To date, I’ve said the entire Tehillim almost 1,400 times, an accomplishment that was never even on my radar. I know that if I had set a goal of saying the entire sefer 500, 1,000 or 1,400 times when I started, I never would have gotten this far. And maybe that’s something to think about.
Set small goals. And then just keep on going. You might be surprised at just how far you can get.
IT WAS A GRUELING EXPERIMENT — BUT IT MADE ME A BETTER PERSON
It was Yom tov Time again. Menu planning, lots of shopping, delicious smells wafting from my kitchen, stocking up on honey and headbands, apples and pomegranates… and trying to think a little bit about the essence of the season, as well.
So when I saw the notice about a shiur for women on the topic of kabbalos, I thought maybe I should actually go, despite the fact that I rarely attended shiurim. The fact that the shiur was going to take place literally across the street clinched it for me. I’d put in the time, clear my schedule, and show up spiritually.
The shiur was good. Nothing earthshattering. But as we chatted before
TALI EDELSTEIN
leaving, a friend and I began discussing those nisyonos you feel you actually can’t handle, things that you feel are too big or beyond you. Those look different for each of us, but we all have them — the things that are too hard, too far out, even if we know they are the letter of the law.
As we talked, I thought about my kids, and the charts we occasionally create for them. You know what I mean — if you go to bed on time or do your homework nicely or brush your teeth for two weeks, you get a prize. The concept behind them is that the right motivator can help them achieve goals that were previously impossible.
He had never promised me an apartment, but I wanted to prove a point to myself
I shared this thought with my friend. “You know,” I said. “If Hashem promised us a specific, immediate, totally tangible reward for overcoming the nisayon we think we can’t handle, I bet we would be able to do it.”
My friend disagreed. “Adults don’t work that way,” she said.
Although we live outside of Yerushalayim, neither my friend nor I own our apartments. We’re both renting, living in apartments that are too small for our families. But the prices where we live are very high. Buying a home of our own seems like an impossible, unreachable dream.
I turned to her and said, “If Hashem came to you and told you that if you keep that kabbalah and overcome the nisayon you’re struggling with for one year, He’d give you a beautiful, large, comfortable apartment, I think you’d find a way to do it.”
I went home thinking about a specific thing I’d be struggling to do properly for many years.
I told myself this would be my “dirah kabbalah.”
Of course, I knew that Hashem didn’t have to see it quite the way I did, and that He had never promised me an apartment, but I wanted to prove a point to myself. So I really tried to pretend that if I stuck to my commitment, He’d give me that beautiful, spacious apartment.
I proved my point to myself. The motivator worked. I conquered what I had once viewed as an impossible nisayon
It was very hard the first few weeks. Every time my nisayon came up, I really struggled. This was my “just can’t” nisayon, remember? I’d tried to achieve it in the past, but never succeeded (other than a brief success during COVID). It was too hard! Too big!
Over time, however, it did get easier. And then even easier. Eventually, it became almost second nature.
Every now and then, my nisayon pops up again, and I meet my struggle once more. But then I tell myself: I can’t mess up my dirah now. It’s been almost two years…
I’m sure Hashem has His reasons for not giving me an apartment yet. He loves me, and He knows what’s best for me, more than I can ever know. And to be very honest, I’m still hopeful that He’ll give me an apartment soon (after all, He owns lots and lots of apartments). Maybe He’s waiting for me to overcome this nisayon just one more time, earn just one more check on my chart, before He gives me my dirah! This thought gives me the strength to keep my commitment, to keep going and keep growing.
Whether or not I get the dirah, I proved my point to myself. The motivator worked. I conquered what I had once viewed as an impossible nisayon that I would never overcome.
And if that’s the case, then anything is possible, and there is no limit to what I can become.
You wouldn’t guess it from the soft-spoken way he talks, but Rabbi Moshe Weiss has helped over 1,200 people — ranging from rabbanim and rebbeim to wheelchair-bound seniors — become baalei tokea. And it all started because his three-year-old son wanted to blow a shofar.
Rabbi Weiss, a Monsey-based rebbi and shofar expert, is not only a baal tokea. He’s spent the past thirteen years developing a uniquely practical and hands-on method to teach others how to master this mitzvah — regardless of age, skill or physical ability. From customtailored breathing techniques to shofar-matching consultations and halachic handbooks, he’s turned what began as a quiet favor into an entire service line.
Meet the Monsey man behind a thousand tekios
With Elul around the corner, we caught up with Rabbi Weiss to ask how it all began — and what he’s learned from the hundreds of students who have walked through his door.
I was raised with the mindset that a Yid should be as independent as possible when it comes to mitzvos — not just rely on the rav or the gabbai. My father had a shofar, a Megillah — everything. So when I got married, I bought a shofar. Not because I had plans to blow. It just felt natural. Like, you have a home, you have a shofar.
The idea of becoming a baal tokea came later — and teaching others came much later.
It started with my oldest son. He was three years old at the time, and he saw me practicing to blow shofar before Rosh Hashanah. Naturally, he wanted to try too. So I tried teaching him — and to do that, I had to first break down the process in my own head. What was I doing with my lips? What made the sound work?
Once I figured that out, I tried explaining it to him. And it worked. He started walking around blowing a shofar. That’s when it clicked for me that maybe I could teach this to others as well.
Still, the idea of teaching this skill stayed informal for years. I’d see a friend struggling with a shofar, so I’d offer a tip — try this, adjust that — and it usually helped. But I didn’t think of doing more with it.
About thirteen years ago, someone in my beis medrash asked me for lessons. I gave him 20 minutes, then more time, and then more time. Eventually, he offered to pay. I wasn’t comfortable with that; I wasn’t business-minded. But he pushed me to accept the money, and he said that if I had something to offer, I had to make myself available.
That really struck me. My greatgrandfather, Dr. Moller, was a rav in Washington Heights and was known for always being there for people. That’s how I was raised — if someone needs help, you help. But this conversation shifted something in me. I realized that if I really could help people, I had to stop
hiding out of discomfort.
So I tested it. I placed one $5 ad in a local flyer. “Want to learn how to blow shofar? Call me.” I told myself that if one person calls, I’ll keep going. If not, I wouldn’t try again.
At 10:30 that night, someone called, and I knew this was it.
That first year alone, 40 people called. I was amazed. The next year, more came. Every year, it surprised me again. I never expected that so many people would be willing to invest time and money to do the mitzvah right, and to become skilled baalei tokea.
A Yid should be as independent as possible when it comes to mitzvos — not just rely on the rav or the gabbai
Are of all ages and backgrounds. I’ve had chashuve rabbanim and rebbes — at least a hundred of them. I’ve had teens, regular shul members, fathers who want to teach their sons to blow, and elderly men who don’t want to give up blowing even as age makes it harder. I’ve had people with serious medical conditions, too.
One man was in cancer treatment and knew he’d be in Boston for Rosh Hashanah — alone. He came to me the week before and asked me to help him blow. I had to put my emotions aside, forget his story and focus on teaching the technique. And baruch Hashem, he did it. That meant everything to him.
Another student was a thirteen-yearold boy with serious developmental delays. Physically tiny, limited lung capacity, in braces — he looked more like a seven-year-old. Someone gave him
a shofar for his bar mitzvah, and he wanted more than anything to blow it. At first I thought there was no way to get him to blow, but his determina tion pushed me to try. By the end of the hour, he made a sound. Two weeks later, his mother told me he was blowing beauti fully, day and night — it had changed his whole self-image.
If that boy could do it, I believe anyone can.
It depends. In the beginning, my knowledge was limited — but I had a strong sense of achrayus. If someone paid for a lesson, I made sure it was worth their time.
Over time, I developed a full approach, based on observing where people struggle and doing the research to help them overcome it. I spoke to professionals and learned to analyze breathing and muscle use. Some people need just one lesson. Others need five or ten. But the goal is the same: to give them the tools to succeed on their own.
There are three main areas involved in shofar blowing: lip control, tongue coordination and — most of all — breath control. People don’t usually think about breathing; it just happens. But to blow shofar properly, you have to learn to breathe intentionally — like singers or chazanim do.
You need to take in air and release it steadily, with control. You can’t just rely on the breath that happens to be in your lungs. You have to manage it.
It’s so inspiring. One man in a wheelchair, with breathing difficulties, had no one to blow for him on Rosh Hashanah. He came to me, found a shofar that suited him, and learned how to make it work. Another man in his 90s, a rav who
One man in a wheelchair, with breathing difficulties, had no one to blow for him on Rosh Hashanah. He came to me
had always been a baal tokea, came to me when age started affecting his ability. He was willing to spend hours and buy a new shofar just to keep going. His chavivas hamitzvah is incredible.
Shofros aren’t like other instruments; they’re natural, and each one is unique. Around 60% of shofros sold today are of good quality. But “good” doesn’t mean “good for everyone.” Mouthpieces vary, and so do people’s lips. What works for one person might not work for another.
That’s why I also help people pick their shofar. Sometimes, just changing the shofar makes all the difference. I don’t just tell you what to do; I teach you how to understand your shofar, how to experiment with it, and how to adjust. This way, people rarely need to come back for refresher lessons.
I’ve compiled a kuntres — a short, clear guide with the halachos specific to baalei tokea. I wrote it for my students, but a rav I showed it to insisted I publish it, so I did. That was ten years ago.
Things usually pick up around Shivah Asar B’Tammuz. By Elul, it’s nonstop. A few weeks before Rosh Hashanah, it turns into triage — emergency cases. A baal tokea doesn’t have a shofar. A shul loses their regular baal tokea. I get calls: “Can you help?” I answer, “Send me your best guy; I’ll make him a baal tokea.” And I do.
After teaching 1,200 people, my greatest takeaway is…
That people deeply want to do mitzvos right — more than we sometimes expect. I’ve seen how meaningful this is to people. For some, it’s about independence. For others, it’s about conti-
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nuity — being able to blow for their shul or their children. For yet others, it’s a lifeline — a way to hold on to something kadosh in a challenging time.
I never set out to create a “service.” I just saw there was a real need, and I’m grateful I could fill it. Over time, that expanded too — I now also teach nusach hatefillah for chazanim and offer voice training for davening from the amud, or even just to help people speak with more clarity and confidence in everyday life.
Another lesson I’ve learned…
People often see earning a living
I never set out to create a “service.” I just saw there was a real need, and I’m grateful I could fill it
as getting others to give you money. But really, the question should be: What do I have to give? What can I offer? If you focus on giving, Hashem will help you find the way to be paid fairly for your time.
That’s how this all started for me. I wasn’t looking to earn money. But someone told me: You have something valuable — share it. And when I did, it turned out he was right. Sometimes, if it’s l’toeles, for the good of others, you have to push past your discomfort and share what you know.
You never know who’s waiting to hear your tekiah
Nesanel Yoel Safran is a writer, chef and student of Torah and life. You can read about all of this and more on his blog Soul Foodie (soulfoodiecom.wordpress.com) and contact him at soulfoodie613@gmail.com.
Shuey Scheiner needs new shoes.
Mommy takes him to the shoe store, where he picks out the pair he likes best.
But what happens when Shuey’s siblings have different opinions about his new shoes?
Who gets to choose what there should be on Shuey’s shoes?
new!
author
A Tale of Two Shoes, by popular author Esther Malky Neiman, is a whimsical, fun story that teaches kids to be confident about their decisions.
Growing up, the red-and-gold pushka was a fixture on the counter. Every morning, before going off to school, we’d drop a coin inside and murmur the tefillah for hatzlacha printed on the side. I remember wondering: What does Rabi Meir Baal Haness have to do with the Kollel Shomrei Hachomos tzedakah fund? Why do we give tzedakah specifically in his zechus?
Echo the Cry: Elokah d’Meir Aneini!
It happened about the same time as Rabi Chanina ben Tradyon, one of the asarah harugei malchus, was brutally executed. The Romans captured his daughter and threw her in prison. Now, the Tanna Rabi Meir, whom we all know as “Rabi Meir Baal Haness,” was married to Bruria — another daughter of Rabi Chanina. Bruria begged her husband to help rescue her sister.
Rabi Meir took a large sack of golden dinars, hoping to bribe the prison guard into releasing Bruria’s sister. But the guard was reluctant. He knew that if caught, he himself would suffer a terrible fate at the hands of the government.
“There’s no need to worry,” Rabi Meir assured him. “If you are cap-
tured, all you must do is call out, ‘Elokah d’Meir aneini — G-d of [Reb] Meir, answer me!’ and you will be saved.”
To prove his promise, Rabi Meir incited the menacing watchdogs sitting nearby. The dogs came rushing over, ready to pounce, but Rabi Meir calmly said, “Elokah d’Meir aneini.” Sure enough, the dogs immediately wagged their tails in relaxed, friendly motion and retreated.
The guard was swayed. He released Rabi Chanina ben Tradyon’s daughter.
It wasn’t long before the perfidy was discovered. The guard was sentenced to death by hanging. Just as the noose was tied around his neck, the guard uttered the secret words that have become a timeless mantra in times of tzarah: “Elokah d’Meir aneini!” Indeed, the executioners were unable to hang him ( Avodah Zarah 18a–b).
For generations since, Klal Yisroel has held on to that secret statement, invoking the zechus of Rabi Meir Baal Haness in times of trouble. The Chida explains that when we utter these words, we arouse the original intent
RABI MEIR INCITED THE MENACING WATCHDOGS SITTING NEARBY. THE DOGS CAME RUSHING OVER, READY TO POUNCE, BUT RABI MEIR CALMLY SAID, “ELOKAH D’MEIR ANEINI”
time with 90 minutes of professional, and inspiring audio they’ll listen to again and again. Watch your Kinderlach master the בּ-א through תווצמ and mentchees with clarity and fun.
of Rabi Meir as he articulated this tefillah, which is why it is so potent.
According to the Maharsha, we can take a spin on these words, explaining them in the context of their direct translation. “Elokah d’meir — the G-d Who lights up the world, aneini — answer me!” We ask Hashem to illuminate whichever dark experience we may be going through with the light of a complete yeshuah
The Minchas Elazar of Munkatch offers another explanation as to why we invoke Rabi Meir’s merit at times of tzarah, when it seems that there is no way out.
There is a presumption made in the Gemara (Gittin 28a) that while the majority
ONLY A SELECT FEW HAVE THE POWER AND PRIVILEGE TO CONTINUE PROTECTING KLAL YISROEL AND BRING ABOUT YESHUOS EVEN AFTER THEY PASS ON
of sick people recover, the majority of moribund people do pass away. Rabi Meir refuted this. We don’t look at the majority, he explains, but rather take minority cases into account, too. A person may be on his deathbed, but as long as his heart still beats and his lungs breathe, there’s a chance he will survive, and he should not be categorized as destined for death.
Rabi Meir infused hope even in the darkest of moments. For generations since, Yidden have
A Yid once came to Reb Mordechai of Lechovitz with a dilemma. Every week, before tzinding Shabbos licht, his wife would give a coin to tzedakah in the zechus of Rabi Meir Baal Haness. Money was tight, and that week, he could hardly scrape together enough to purchase the basic necessities for Shabbos. Actually, he had just enough for a bottle of wine. But then he would have nothing left for tzedakah. “What should I do?” he asked.
The Lechovitzer replied, “For Kiddush, you can be yotzei with challah. But to give tzedakah, you must have money.”
With these words, the Rebbe implied that donating in the zechus of Rabi Meir takes precedence over having basic necessities for Shabbos!
clung optimistically to his memory, giving tzedakah in Rabi Meir’s zechus and anticipating better days.
The Ben Ish Chai notes that a tzaddik is a source of protection for his generation as long as he is alive. Only a select few have the power and privilege to continue protecting Klal Yisroel and bring about yeshuos even after they pass on. Judging from the scores of Yidden who can attest to incredible nissim they experienced after davening at Rabi Meir Baal Haness’ kever or giving tzedakah in his zechus, it is clear that Rabi Meir continues to have an impact on High.
Interestingly, Rabi Meir was buried in an upright position — an indication that he is always standing, ready to help us. (Reb Chaim Vital asked his rebbi, the Arizal, who confirmed this as accurate.)
Moreover, the term “amidah” (standing) also refers to standing in tefillah. Rabi Meir Baal Haness continues to daven for us — especially when we mention his name and give tzedakah in his zechus
We know from the Baal Shem Tov — and other tzaddikim as well — that the potent words “Elokah d’Meir aneini” should be accompanied by tzedakah. Donating funds l’ilui nishmas Rabi Meir brings the zechus of the heilige Tanna and an outpouring of yeshuos Rabi Meir actually has a particular and special
Back in the eighteenth century, when living in Eretz Yisroel meant sweating to put a morsel of bread on the table, and when living conditions were harsh and disease ran rampant, few Yidden took the courage to leave the comfortable and familiar behind and emigrate to the Holy Land, which was largely unsettled and in a primitive state.
Family and friends back home wanted a part in the holy mission of settling Hashem’s home — Eretz Yisroel — and so the concept of region-based support for these valiant pioneers sprouted.
Perhaps the oldest of all tzedakas Rabi Meir Baal Haness organizations, KOLLEL CHABAD was established by the BAAL HATANYA with the specific goal of providing food and meaningful material help for the poor of Eretz Yisroel.
KOLLEL CHIBAS YERUSHALAYIM was launched by the gedolim of GALICIA , including Sanz, Ropschitz, Dinov and Belz, to provide basic necessities for Yidden of Galician descent who undertook the challenge of settling in Eretz Yisroel.
More than 200 rabbanim in Austro-Hungary convened to establish KOLLEL SHOMREI HACHOMOS , following the CHASAM SOFER’S advocacy for the resettlement of Yerushalayim. The fund assumed responsibility for the budding yishuv through financial and housing support.
The funds raised by those in Europe and their former neighbors now living in Eretz Yisroel formed a unique bond between them, with the benefactors viewing their donations as their personal part in the zechus of yishuv Eretz Yisroel.
relationship with tzedakah. It goes back to a story documented in the Gemara (Bava Basra 10a).
The wicked Turnus Rufus once challenged Rabi Akiva on whether or not we may give tzedakah. He argued that by feeding the poor, we are overturning Hashem’s will that this person be destitute. He likened it to a slave sentenced to imprisonment without food at the king’s command. One who feeds this imprisoned slave is subject to punishment, as he is defying the king’s will. Rabi Akiva replied with a parallel mashal, only the prisoner was the king’s son.
He concluded that at the end of the day, once his anger abates, the king would be pleased with the person who fed his son and would reward him.
Turnus Rufus went on to say that we are sometimes called Hashem’s children, and at other times, we are considered His slaves, depending on whether or not we are fulfilling Hashem’s will. Turnus Rufus claimed that since Klal Yisroel was not doing the ratzon Hashem, they were in the category of slaves, and should thus be held accountable and disciplined for giving tzedakah
In Kiddushin (36a), Rabi Meir states that regardless of whether or not we are deserving, we are always considered Hashem’s children.
This points to the reason we give tzedakah in the name of
Reb Hershel of Ziditchoiv says that in the zechus of donating to the causes of Rabi Meir Baal Haness when lighting the Shabbos licht, Moshiach will come. May it be speedily, in our days!
Rabi Meir — the Tanna who viewed us as children of Hashem, always. We are always worthy of giving and receiving from one another.
For generations, all tzedakah explicitly allocated for the poor of Eretz Yisroel has been considered the tzedakah of Rabi Meir Baal Haness. This custom originates from Rabi Meir’s own words: He promised that if anyone would donate money to aniyei Eretz Yisroel, l’ilui nishmaso, he would intercede on their behalf.
Parenthetically, some say that the Alshich Hakadosh and Rabbi Yosef Caro both proclaimed that all money given in the zechus of Rabi Meir should go only to those in Eretz Yisroel. However, since this is not adequately documented, many hold that it is also okay to donate to other essential causes in Rabi Meir’s zechus.
Giving to the poor of Eretz Yisroel affords us another wonderful zechus. The seforim say that tefillos that accompany tzedakah for Eretz Yisroel are imbued with the special kedusha of this holiest of places. The tefillos themselves are transported to Eretz Yisroel, from where they go directly upward to the Kisei Hakavod.
From an argument between the Tanna’im recorded in the Gemara (Eruvin 13b), it seems that “Meir” was not even Rabi Meir Baal Haness’ real name! He was simply called Meir be-
cause he illuminated the eyes of all the chachamim in his generation in matters of halacha.
In fact, the Gemara states that among his contemporaries, Rabi Meir had no equal. Nobody had the breadth of knowledge or ability to pasken the way he did. If so, why do we not rule on halacha according to Rabi Meir? The Gemara explains that since he was head and shoulders above the others, nobody could acknowledge the depth of his wisdom.
Reb Pinchas Koritzer says that when Moshiach comes, the talmidei chachamim will be able to appreciate and understand Rabi Meir’s deep line of thinking, and halacha will finally follow his opinion.
May we be zoche very soon!
Wrapped beautifully, sized to stand out & never get lost.
Buying with a group, friends, or family?
Total amount can be divided and charged on separate credit/debit cards.
Load your gift card onto your account for easy access anytime!
BORO PARK 4314 13TH AVE Sunday -Thursday 10:30-6:45
10:30-1:00
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-Thursday 11:00-6:45 Call: 718.871.2229 Call: 718.797.2229
Klal Yisroel is praised for their knowledge of how to blow shofar. More than just an instrument’s blast, the shofar call stirs us to action. To help us connect during these great moments of Yom Teruah, here are some thoughts to keep in mind.
One Rosh Hashanah morning, as tallis-clad men rushed to shul, they noticed a disturbing sight. Workers in hard hats were hard at work at a construction site in the neighborhood! Sadly, some of the men were Jewish, though they had long since abandoned the way of life they had been brought up with.
The rav was notified, and he sent a messenger to the site.
“Please,” the messenger called out, “can you take a short break to hear the shofar? It’s our mitzvah today.” He proceeded to bring the shofar to his lips and blow the tekios. The blasts struck an inner chord in the young workers’ neshamos, and one by one, they grew emotional. The timeless wail of the shofar reverberated in the unfinished building and transported the men back to better times, times they lived a life connected to the Ribbono Shel Olam. They then dropped their tools and joined the community in shul.
What is the secret of the shofar’s cry?
The shul is silent. Faces buried in machzorim, time stands still. Suddenly, the jarring cry of the shofar blasts through the air. Like a spiritual alarm clock, the shofar’s blast beckons us to awaken from our slumber. Here’s our final call, shaking us out of complacency and jolting us to examine our actions and turn to Hashem in teshuvah
We hear the tekiah, which is a continuous note with a hopeful tone, sandwiching the shevarim — a three-part sighing groan — as well as the teruah — a wailing sound broken into many parts. This reflects our apprehension as we approach the Melech Malchei Hamelachim for judgment.
Like trumpets blaring at an inauguration parade, the shofar heralds a pivotal event: Coronation Day. Rosh Hashanah is the day we commemorate the creation of the world, and crown Hashem as our King. Ein melech b’lo am. Since there is no master if there are no servants, it was the very creation of man that coronated Hashem as King of the world. In particular, it is our intelligence — our ability to think, understand, speak and act accordingly — that makes man the perfect servant.
Tekiah! Hear the trumpet call, and remember the purpose of our presence in this world and Whom we serve.
“Tooo… Toooo… Tooooo…”
At the sound, dozens of soldiers rush into formation. Historically, a shofar was used to announce the onset of war, rallying troops to action, signaling for combat to begin and intimidating the enemy. Like an air raid siren, its blasts alerted the people to the danger ahead. Similarly, the call of the shofar serves as a message to the nation to gather for teshuvah and tefillah.
As we stand in shul, each in our own world, the hallowed blowing mobilizes us to action. The shofar’s piercing cry echoes a call for Divine intervention and reminds us of Hashem’s ultimate presence and power.
We use a ram’s horn to blow, which serves as a reminder of Akeidas Yitzchak, which took place on Rosh Hashanah. There, on Har Hamoriah, Avraham stood, ready to sacrifice his beloved son Yitzchak. Avraham displayed absolute emunah, and Hashem mirrored His absolute love in return, by having Avraham sacrifice a ram instead of Yitzchak.
We are living by the merits of the ashes of the ram until this very day. Additionally, our every act of mesiras nefesh, as we lead lives al kiddush Hashem, draws strength from that event. We want to remind Hashem — and ourselves — of our zechus Avos and the ripple-effect of zechusim we generate.
The call of the shofar brings us back to that monumental time when we accepted upon ourselves ol malchus Shamayim. Within the shofar blasts, the words “naaseh v’nishmah ” reverberate. We stand together on Rosh Hashanah, just as we stood 3,338 years ago — a nation united at the foot of Har Sinai. And like that special day, when “The sound of the shofar grew increasingly stronger” (Shemos 19:19), hearing the shofar today reminds us to renew our commitment to Hashem and accept the Torah and mitzvos as the absolute truth and our guiding light for every step in our lives.
The shofar ! It’s a sound we eagerly await. As we know, the Geulah will be heralded by the shofar shel Moshiach
The shofar on Rosh Hashanah inspires us to yearn for the time when all of Klal Yisroel will be reunited in Yerushalayim, and the Shechinah will once again dwell in Its magnificent home, the rebuilt Beis Hamikdash.
On a personal note, we can each try to imagine that glorious time and wonder: How will I look when Moshiach arrives? The real me — the inside of every Yid’s heart and soul — will be exposed. Will I be able to hold my head high?
Ad deadline for the Yom Kippur Issue is Friday, September 26 at 12:30pm
1.
I brought JOY to When? Where?
2. I brought JOY to When? Where? 3.
I brought JOY to When? Where?
Here’s how it works:
Contest is open to participants over 12 years of age.
Bring JOY to your Bubby, Zeidy, elderly relative or neighbor by visiting, helping them at home, or running an errand for them.
$150 at
Three acts of JOY in Tishrei make you eligible for a chance to win
• Blooming Grove area
• 4 min drive from Supermarket
• Close to Shul and Mikvah
• Beautiful Grounds
• 5 Bedrooms, 17 Beds
• Fresh Linen and towels included
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1. Gather round the table to play a family game of Boggle, using this Boggle board.
2. Once you have a winner, fill out the form below in its entirety
3. Email the form to comments@ thewview.com or fax to 718-2478881 by Sunday at midnight.
4. Two winners will be drawn each week, each of whom will receive by mail a $10 gift card at Sprinkles!
Find words on the board containing four letters or more. Letters of a word must be connected in a chain (each letter should be adjacent to the next either vertically, horizontally or diagonally), and each letter can only be used once in a given word. The following are not allowed in Boggle: Adding “s” to a word • Proper nouns • Abbreviations • Contractions • Acronyms
4-letter words: 2 points | 5-letter words: 3 points | 6-letter words: 5 points | 7-letter words: 7 points | 8-letter words: 9 points | 9+ letters: 12 points
Each Boggle board hides a word of nine letters or more!
L R A H B S E B G E
A E F A N E P O O C
D N I T E
Family name: ___________________________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________________________________________________
Full mailing address: _________________________________________________________
Full name of winner: _________________________________________________________
Amount of points: ____________________________________________________________
Full names of competing players:
List some words only the winner found:
Thank you to the hundreds of readers who sent in beautifully colored pages! Keep coloring!
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YOMIM TOVIM
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SUKKOS IN SWAN LAKE
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VACATION PROPERTIES
Luxurious vacation properties for short-term rentals in the Monsey area. Some with POOLS. can accommodate 18 to 150 guests, ideal for large families, Shabbatons, and more. AVAILABLE FOR YOM TOV. Great Minds 845.520.3250.
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Warm and fun home daycare opening now in the heart of Williamsburg on Rutledge St corner Lee Ave. Call today to reserve a slot for your child. You both deserve it. 3475253632
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Sewing designer gowns for young married sis of bride, post high school girls. Your Tailor will come to you, for Bridal, Hems, Suits, highest quality personalized tailoring experience from start to finish. Fitting & delivery free. Rush Alterations, garment repair services . Great, reasonable prices. Call for appointment 347-754-1413.
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A baby, a simcha, a new lease in town? Call Ayin BeAyin so things dont chalila go down! Call Today 718-400-AYIN (2946) www.ayinbeayin. com
VAN FOR RENT
Refrigerated van for rent daily or weekly with or without a driver. Call or Text: Eli 516.270.6755
AYIN HORAH
The renowned Rebetzin Aidel Miller from Yerushalayim Is always available to remove Ayin Horah over the phone. Call: 718.689.1902 or 516.300.1490
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We fix knitted & crochet Gartlech & make beautiful professional fringes. We also teach how to knit & crochet. Please call: 917-414-3281
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Professional transformation to ur kitchen cabinets thru design & color chg. Also revamp, repair estate furn, drm chairs, bdrms, libraries, & ext wood doors. Best price, svc & decorators consult txt or call 212-991-8548.
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GARTLECH, Hand crochet, Hand knit, Silks & more with beautiful Gartel bag. Text or call: 718.283.4589 Wholesale orders available.
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Since 2004. $200 includes 2 months follow up. 732.886.0954 We accept credit cards.
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Yossi`s Van Service, 15 Passenger van, Local & long distance, Airports & delivery. Call: 718.962.4664
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Buy by the case & save. Baby & Regular Salmon. Hashgucha Volove Rav. Free delivery to your home. Call Eli: 516.270.6755
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Are you looking to place your cleaning lady or are you in need of one? Call the Goita Shadchunis Hotline free of charge 716-623-4762
Introducing for the first time in Williamsburg! New designer gowns & brand name Simcha wear at great
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girls square faced watch in jewels store 2 weeks ago. Pickup in store
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MONSEY APARTMENT EXCHANGE FOR SIMCHAS TORAH
Looking to exchange Monsey 4 BR House, Twin Ave Area for 3 Bedroom Apt in Williamsburg. Please call 845-371-9362.
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ןיא ןוט וצ סאוו טסייוו ,וו”אא ןעגנוציילפראפ יוו ,סעיצאוטיס ןעניצידעמ ,רעסאוו ,ןסע ןגיילקעווא
טוא-קעלב קירטקעלע
עטמאאב רעניואוונייא עשידיא יד ןעוו ,טייצ רעד ןופ ףיול
רענעמלוסומ רעד ,טאדידנאק ראיעמ יטיס קראי וינ רעד רענעכארפשעגסיוא ןוא טסילאיצאס רעשיטארקאמעד רע זא ןרעה טזאלעג טאה ,לארשי תנידמ ןופ רעריקיטירק ןופ רעדרא וויטויקעזקע םעד ןכאמ וצ טשינעצ
עירעפמיא
יד ןופ ןשארדעגסיוא .טלאצעג גידנעטש ןבאה ייז סאוו
ןרעטנעצ
