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CHAVRUSA
DECEMBER 2006 • KISLEV 5767 :dx ,ufrc–vrucjc tkt ,hbeb vru,v iht VOLUME 41 • NUMBER 2
Rabbi Hershel
Reichman Invested
As Bronka Weintraub
Professor in
Talmud at RIETS
abbi Hershel. Reichman beca-
Architectural rendering of the Glueck Center, to be erected directly west of the Mendel
Gottesman Library Building on 185th Street.
R me the newest member of the
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theolog-
ical Seminary faculty to occupy
an endowed chair when he was invested
by President Richard M. Joel as the
Bronka Weintraub Professor of Talmud
Yeshiva Breaks Ground for Jacob and on Sunday, Sept. 17, in the Harry
Fischel Beit Midrash of Zysman Hall on
Dreizel Glueck Center for Jewish Study the Wilf Campus.
President Joel praised Rabbi Reichman,
istory was made on the Wilf in the US and Israel. In 1998, Mr. who has taught at RIETS for over 30
H Campus at a groundbreaking
ceremony for the Jacob and
Dreizel Glueck Center for
Jewish Study. The Glueck Center is the
first building to be constructed on the
Glueck was the recipient of the Eitz
Chaim Award, the highest honor RIETS
can bestow for advancement to Jewish
life. Vivian Glueck Rosenberg, Mr.
Glueck’s daughter, is a member of YU’s
years, for “his ability to beautifully convey
Highlights
continued on page 2
Wilf Campus in over 20 years and will Board of Trustees and the Board of
Yeshiva Breaks Ground for..................1
house a two-story, 470 seat Beit Midrash, Directors of Stern College for Women, as
Glueck Center
the largest at YU. The Center and the well as co-founder of the Dreizel Glueck Rabbi Reichman Investiture ..............2
Beit Midrash bear the names of Jacob Bikur Cholim Foundation. She and her Divrei Chizuk ....................................3
and Dreizel Glueck z”l in gratitude to husband, Henry Rosenberg, are continu- Chomer L’Drush ................................4
the Glueck family for their visionary ing her father’s example of leadership in Rabbinic Services ..............................5
lead gift toward construction of the the Jewish community. Back to the Beit Midrash ..................6
new facility. “I am delighted that the first new Chag Hasemikhah in Israel ................8
Philanthropist Jacob Glueck is a construction of my presidency – a proj- In Appreciation of YU ........................9
Holocaust survivor who came to the US ect that was begun by Dr. Lamm—is a Rabbinic Placement
virtually penniless and built one of the Beit Midrash, a house of study for our Musmakhim in the Limelight............10
country’s leading flavor producing and sacred texts, which will without doubt Amudei Hamusmakhim ..................13
processing companies. Mr. Glueck and spread so much light and warmth and Life Cycle ........................................15
his wife became leading philanthropists continued on page 14
Rabbi Hershel Reichman
continued from page 1
2
Divrei Chizuk From Our Leaders
Rabbi David Miller an explanation of the Ramban on Chumash, would at least parallel
one aspect of this very special tradition.
nd Yisrael loved Yosef more than his other sons because he The juxtaposition in the calendar of the parsha of V’Yeshev
3
Chomer L’Drush
21b, s.v. ve-ha-mehadrin), the only variable
considered is the number of the night;
Ashkenazim, hence one candle is lit the first night, two
the second, and so on, until the eighth
Sephardim and the night when, at most, eight candles are lit,
Hannukah Menorah: regardless of how many people are pres-
ent. For Maimonides (Hilkhot Hannukah
A Study in Cultural 4:1–2), however, the mehadrin min ha-
Cross-Transference mehadrin level considers the number of
the people present in addition to the num-
Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter ber of the night; hence, the amount of
candles lit any given night represents the
multiple of the number of the night times
the number of people present. As
or a long time, conventional wis- Moshe of Coucy, author of the Sefer Maimonides writes, if ten people are pres-
4
END NOTES Beinart, ed., Moreshet Sepharad: The Sephardi son (hovat ha-bayit) or each person for him or
Legacy 1 (Jerusalem, 1992), 220–39; Yisrael M. herself (hovat ha-guf). This is an important mat-
1 Many of these examples—and many more— Ta-Shema, “Hasidut Ashkenaz be-Sefarad: ter and the careful reader will note the different
appear in an article written almost eighty years Rabbenu Yonah Gerond— Ha-Ish u-Poalo”, in positions taken on this matter among Rishonim
ago. See Simchah Assaf, “Halifat She’elot Galut Ahar Golah, pp. 165–94; idem., “Rabbenu and Ahronim. See, for example, R. Yitzhak
u-Teshuvot ben Sefarad u-ben Zarefat ve- Asher u-Beno R. Yaakov Ba‘al ha-Turim: Ben Mirsky, Hegyonei Halakhah 1 (Jerusalem, 1989),
Ashkenaz,” Tarbiz 8:2 (1937):162–70. See too Ashkenaz le-Sefarad,” Pe’amim 46–47 204–07. See also the article by Rabbi Dovid
H. J. Zimmels, Ashkenazim and Sephardim (1991):75–91; Jeffrey R. Woolf, “Maimonides Gottlieb in this issue of Chavrusa.
(London, 1976), in passim. Revisited: The Case of the Sefer Miswot Gadol,”
5 For one, well known, explanation, see R. Yosef
2 See the almost ninety year old series of articles Harvard Theological Review 90:2
Dov Soloveitchik, Sefer Bet Halevi (New York,
by Alfred Freimann, “Ascher b. Jehiel: Sein (1997):175–203; Benjamin Bar Tikva,
1973), 29a, s.v. sham ve-ha-mehadrin.
Leben und Wirken,” Jahrbuch der Judisch- “Reciprocity Between the Provencal School of
Literarischen Gesellschaft 12 (1918):237–317; Piyyutim and the Schools of Catalonia and 6 See R. Shlomoh Yosef Zevin, Ha-Mo‘adim
“Die Ascheriden (1267–1391),” 13 (1919):142– Ashkenazi France,” in Gabrielle Sed-Rajna, ed., ba-Halakhah (Tel Aviv, 1955), 166, n. 15.
254. They were translated into Hebrew and pub- Rashi 1040–1990: Hommage a Ephraim E.
7 For a very interesting, albeit problematic,
lished twenty years ago as Ha-Rosh: Rabbenu Urbach (Paris, 1993), 375–83.
explanation for this shift, see R. Yehezkel
Asher be-R. Yehiel ve-Ze’eza’av (Jerusalem, 1986). For recent scholarship on Rabbenu Asher, see Katzenellenbogen, She’elot u-Teshuvot Knesset
3 See, for example, Avraham Grossman, “Ben Yehudah Galinsky, “Ashkenazim in Sefarad: Yehezkel #17.
Sefarad le-Zarefat: Ha-Kesharim ben Kehillot The Rosh and the Tur on the Codification of
Jewish Law,” Jewish Law Annual 16 (2006): For more on this issue, see R. Zvi Hirsch Chajes,
Yisrael she-bi-Sefarad ha-Muslamit u-ben Kehillot
3–23. My thanks to Dr. Ephraim Kanarfogel for “Darkei ha-Hora’ah,” in Kol Sifrei Maharat”z
Zarefat,” in A. Mirsky, A. Grossman and Y. Kaplan,
this last reference. Hayot 1 (Jerusalem, 1958), 224;
eds., Galut Ahar Golah (Jerusalem, 1988),
R. Yitzhak Mirsky, Hegyonei Halakhah 2
75–101; idem., “Relations Between Spanish and 4 I will not deal here with the issue of who does the (Jerusalem, 1998), 117–22. ■
Ashkenazi Jewry in the Middle Ages,” in Haim lighting, the head of the household for each per-
There are several new The Resource and Research Center provides individual assistance in
researching issues of Jewish law and thought. Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman,
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5
Back to the Beit Midrash
already complete—that the Rambam and
Ramo (along with the Tur) argue about
The the relationship between the actual mitzvah
and hiddur mitzvah. The Rambam under-
Unique Status stands that for hiddur mitzvah to be mean-
ingful it must be performed simultaneous-
of Hiddur Mitzvah ly with the actual mitzvah whereas the
in Neros Chanukah Ramo allows for the hiddur mitzvah to be
accomplished even somewhat apart from
the performance of the mitzvah itself.6
Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb R. Velvel explains that this same issue
is at the heart of the debate regarding neros
Chanukah. The Rambam rules that the
head of the house must light all of the can-
he well known Talmudic pre- The Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim dles—both those which fulfill the essen-
6
In light of these discrepancies, per- therefore one can make a beracha on ingly by the Mishnah Berurah, 651:3) who
haps we can suggest that the hiddur of its fulfillment.10 limits this to raising sufficient funds for
neros Chanukah is unique and is in fact Another example of this phenomenon the basic obligation of one candle per
quite distinct from the general notion of may be the debate about a case where one night, the Ohr Sameach suggests that one
hiddur mitzvah. More specifically, it lacks sufficient candles to fulfill the mitz- must even go to such lengths in order to
appears that whereas hiddur mitzvah is vah optimally and only after having already fulfill the demands of “mehadrin min ha-
generally something additional which lit does the person come into possession of mehadrin.” The most likely explanation for
remains apart from the essential mitzvah, additional candles. The question arises such a surprising and extreme position is
the hiddur of neros Chanukah is different whether, when lighting the additional can- that the hiddur mitzvah is, ultimately,
in that it integrates into the very fabric of dles (to correctly correspond to the night inseparable from the basic mitzvah and is
the mitzvah.8 of the holiday), another berachah should therefore equally demanding.
*** be recited. The Magen Avraham, 651:25, ***
There are a number halachos where Elyah Rabba, 672:7, Birkei Yosef, 671:13, The mitzvah of neros Chanukah thus
this unique feature of hiddur mitzvah seems and others debate this question. emerges as the source of a new and fasci-
to be evident. In truth, the very possibility—let alone, nating halachic construct. Far from being
For example, the poskim discuss wheth- final ruling—that one should make a just another example of the general prin-
er one can still make a berachah if the first berachah is startling considering that the ciple of zeh keli v’anvehu, our ambitious
candle has already been lit but one has not basic mitzvah has no doubt already been and maximal fulfillment of the mitzvah is
yet kindled the remaining candles. Teshuvos fulfilled (see the Machatzis ha-Shekel, rooted in the unique integration of the
Rebbi Akiva Eger, Mahadura Tinyana, #13, 676). However, if hiddur is actually a com- ikkar mitzvah and the hiddur mitzvah.13 ■
Teshuvos Kesav Sofer, Orach Chayyim, ponent of the mitzvah and not additional to
#135, and R. Yosef Engel, Gilyonei Ha- it then it is understandable why one would
Shas, Shabbos, 23a all rule that one may even make a berachah in this situation.11
Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb, rabbi of Congregation
recite the berachah in this instance.9 But A further echo of this understanding is Shomrei Emunah in Baltimore, MD, received
this seems very problematic, as the Pri implied by the ruling of R. Meir Simcha, semichah from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan
Meggadim, Mishbetzos Zahav, 676:2 notes, Ohr Sameach, Hilchos Chanukah, 4:12, Theological Seminary (RIETS) in 1999 and was a
because the basic mitzvah is already com- regarding a person who cannot afford neros fellow in the prestigious Harry and Bella Wexner
plete and we generally do not make bera- Chanukah. In such a case, the halacha Kollel Elyon. Rabbi Gottlieb is a member of the
Executive Board of the Rabbinical Council of
chos on the fulfillment of hiddur mitzvah. requires a person to do whatever it takes—
America (RCA) as well as its recently reconsti-
But the explanation may be that hiddur of including selling the shirt off his back—to tuted Vaad Halacha. He is the author of the
neros Chanukah is unique in that it is raise enough money to fulfill the mitzvah.12 sefer Ateres Yaakov. He can be reached at
incorporated into the mitzvah itself and Unlike the Chemed Moshe (cited approv- rabbigottlieb@shomreiemunah.us.
1 See the Taz ad loc. # 1 and the Sedei Chemed, Gevuras Yitzchok al Inyanei Chanukah, #10. ments of R. Elazar Menachem Shach, Avi Ezri,
Ma’areches Chanukah, #9 who note the oddity of 5 Hilchos Chanukah who is very bothered by this
Chiddushei Maran Riz ha-Levi, Hilchos
the Shulchan Aruch—and subsequent Sefardic omission of the Shulchan Aruch.
Chanukah 4:1.
tradition—following Tosafos while the Ramo and 9 This position is based on comments of the Beis
6 See R. Moshe Shternbuch’s important discussion
Ashkenzic tradition follow the Rambam. See the Yosef, Orach Chayyim 676.
article by Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter in this issue in Moadim u-Zemanim, II #123 on the parameters
of how independent the hiddur can be even 10 See also Teshuvos Shevet ha-Levi, loc cit. and
of Chavrusa.
according to the position of the Ramo. See, howev- R. Nosson Gestetner, Teshuvos Le’horos Nosson,
2 Teshuvos Galya Maseches, #6 and Aruch er, R. J. D. Bleich, Sefer Zichron Ha-Rav pp. 4–11. II #53 who discuss variations of this case and
ha-Shulchan, Orach Chayim 671:15. rule similarly because of the unique role that
7 R. Velvel seems to have been preceded in this
3 See the Biur Ha-Gra, Orach Chayim s.v. v’yesh hiddur mitzvah plays in neros Chanukah.
position by Rabbenu Chananel—see the
omrim and the Beis Ha-Levi Al Ha-Torah, commentary of Rabbenu Chananel to Shabbos, 11 R. Betzalel Zolti, Mishnas Ya’avetz, Orach
Derashah L’Chanukah, s.v. b’Gemara chad amar. ad loc. and Bava Kama 9b. Chayyim, # 66.
See as well, R. Daniel Feldman, Binah B’Seforim,
8 Support for this idea can be found in the comments 12 See Rambam, ad loc. and Shulchan Aruch,
I #5. For alternative explanations, see R. Asher
Weiss, Minchas Asher al Maseches Shabbos, of the Ra’avan, I #35 cited by R.Lieberman, op Orach Chayyim 671:1. For an explanation of
#32 and R. Avroham Farbstein, Keneses cit. and the Sefer Ha-Ittur, Hilchos TzItzis, III no. this demanding requirement, see the Maggid
Avroham al Inayanei Mitzvos u-Moadim, #7. 2 cited by R. Shmuel ha-Levi Wozsner, Teshuvos Mishneh, ad loc., Teshuvos Maharam Schick,
Shevet ha-Levi, III #84. This may also explain the Orach Chayyim, #331, and Teshuvos Avnei
4 A number of different explanations are suggest- striking presentation of the Shulchan Aruch, ad Nezer, Orach Chayyim, #501.
ed. See for example, the discussions of R. Yosef loc. who only cites the maximal fulfillment of
Dov Soloveitchik in Kovetz Mesorah, IV p. 9, R. For further development of this idea and its
“mehadrin min ha-mehadrin” without ever men-
Yosef Lieberman, Mishnas Yosef al Inyanei Orach application to other halachos of neros Chanukah,
tioning that me’ikkar ha-din the obligation can be
Chayim, II #36, and R. Yitzchok Sorotzkin, see my Ateres Yaakov, #5.
fulfilled with one candle per night. See the com-
7
RIETS celebrates Shabbaton,
Chag Hasemikhah and
Yom Iyun in Israel
Rabbi Yaakov Mintz ’06R stands at the dais along with (l–r)
Rabbi Assaf Bednarsh, Rabbi David Miller, Rosh Hayeshiva
Rabbi Dr. Lamm, President Joel and Howard Weisband,
Senior Advisor to the President on Israel affairs.
O
n Sunday afternoon March 19th, 32 musmakhim The Yom Iyun, cosponsored with the RCA Israel Region was
in Israel were honored with a Yom Iyun and a Chag themed, “The Rabbinate and the Community in the 21st Century.”
HaSemikhah. The Israeli musmakhim were part of a The Yom Iyun featured a keynote address by Rav Zalman
group of 185 rabbis—the largest in the history of YU’s Nechemia Goldberg, entitled, “The Task of a Rabbi as a Posek in
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary —who celebrated the Community.” RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky ’91R
their formal ordination on Sunday, March 26, at the quadrennial presented a shiur entitled, “The Prohibition of Issuing Halakhic
Chag HaSemikhah in New York. Rulings in the Presence of One’s Teacher.” Other RIETS mus-
More than 600 people attended the family Shabbaton on the makhim in Israel presented shiurim. Rabbi Daniel Mann ’89R,
Shabbat preceding the Yom Iyun/Chag Hasemikhah, where peo- the Shoel U’Mashiv & Magid Shiur in Halacha at the Yeshiva
ple from across Israel joined together to share their experiences University in Israel (YUI) RIETS Kollel delivered “The Authority
as YU alumni and olim. Alumni were overjoyed to see old friends of the Rav of the Community” (“Mara D’Atra”); Rabbi Moshe
and receive updates on what is happening at YU. Sunday after- Dovid Weissman ’04R, founder of Kollel Zichron Tova Sara, Beitar
noon featured a special Chag HaSemikhah and Yom Iyun for the Illit, spoke about, “Lay Judges as Agents of Ordained
32 musmakhim in Israel. The Chag HaSemikhah featured a pres- Magistrates”(“Shlichusayahu Ka Avdenan”); Rabbi Menachem
entation of the 32 musmakhim and a charge to the musmakhim Raab ’47R, Chairman of the RCA Israel Region, offered a D’var
by Rabbi Dovid Miller ’71R, Associate Director of the Caroline Torah at lunch, which was followed by shiurim by YUI RIETS
and Joseph S. Gruss Institute in Jerusalem and the occupant of Kollel Magidei Shiur. Rabbi Assaf Bednarsh ’97R delivered
the Benjamin and Charlotte Gottesfeld Chair in Talmud. remarks on “Legislative Authority of the Rabbis,” and Rabbi Aaron
President Richard M. Joel and Rabbi Norman Lamm, Rosh Rakeffet ’67R enlightened the attendees on “A Historical
HaYeshiva and Chancellor, addressed the musmakhim. Overview of Semikhah.” ■
8
In Appreciation of Rabbi Levant has amassed three young kollel couples to move into
Sunnyside to learn with the baalei batim and keep the daily minyan-
YU Rabbinic Placement im ongoing. He is currently seeking an Assistant Rabbi who will also
By Pearl Markovitz learn with his kollel.
The personal gratification of the Meskin family is enormous.
The annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot Shiur held in Kew Gardens Hills
his year marked the 12th Yahrzeit of our Father, Rabbi in memory of Rabbi Chaim Meskin as well as the ever-increas-
9
Musmakhim in the Limelight
10
RYF: When people ask me this question, I Chadashim who are transitioning into ITIM has helped more than 20 RIETS
try to answer on a very personal level. Each Israeli society, it is certainly easier to be in musmakhim who have congregants getting
individual has to make an honest cheshbon communities that offer the support of married in Israel. We can help arrange for
hanefesh; it’s a humbling assessment of other English speakers. You don’t move to American chaveirim to officiate at wed-
oneself and one’s ability to contribute and Israel in order to be in an American com- dings in Israel and we are in the forefront
better society, weighing the pros and cons munity, but at the same time, most people of helping chaveirim whose gerim come to
of a person’s influence and ability to effect find that they need an American communi- Israel. Every month RIETS musmakhim
change. I will add, however, that we cannot ty (at least in the beginning) in order to tell me how useful they have found our
underestimate the educational value of a succeed in Israel. While some olim want to website with its hands-on approach and
person who is making aliyah. The individ- live on a moshav and live among Israelis, easy accessibility to the general public.
ual may not continue to make the same most do not, and mitzvat yishuv ha’aretz Our general clientele are secular Israelis
impact in the classroom or on the pulpit, does not imply that you have to live in a who seek more counsel and compassion as
but picking up one’s family and moving to totally Israeli environment. they encounter specific life-cycle events.
Israel does have a huge impact on stu- Here in Israel, the pastoral side of experi-
dents, congregants and others. encing these life cycle events is absent.
Israelis do not even think of turning to
RIK: I have been involved with chinuch in their rabbis for aid in this regard. RIETS
England, America, South Africa and Israel. educated its students to believe in provid-
I cannot imagine myself absent from the ing the community with a sense of
classroom or not creating and implement- empowerment with a sense of Jewish life.
ing an educational program. This was an That is completely lacking here. We help
incredible dilemma my wife and I consid- 800 people a month via our staff and our
ered before making aliyah. However, this interactive website (www. Itim.org.il). We
was question number 2 for us. Our num- seek to fill the void by the lack of the
ber one question was what would be best American style of the rabbinate. In
for our family and where we wanted our America, a community chooses its rabbi;
children to grow up. We want our children here, communal rabbis are chosen by the
to have a connection to Am Yisrael in Eretz chief rabbis. The rabbonim are govern-
Yisrael, for the center of Torah Judaism ment officials and do not feel the same
is here. If I had to choose between being allegiance to their communities.
a plumber in Israel or a successful Rabbi Ira Kosowsky This can change by more American
m’chanech in chutz la’aertz, personally, I rabbonim coming on aliyah. This same
would be a very frustrated plumber. I feel NBN’s olim for instance have initiated stress equally applies to the shul I helped
blessed that God has given me the oppor- various non-profit organizations, created found. We started in Jerusalem as Kehilat
tunity to actualize my dreams as an educa- businesses that provide employment oppor- Moriah and because many of the congre-
tor in Israel. tunities for countless olim and Israelis alike, gants moved to Raanana, the shul basical-
have generated capital in local VC funds, ly moved there too and became Kehilat
How have the American olim acclimated to and have contributed to the health and Netivot. It was founded by North Am-
Israeli culture? social fields. Outside of the employment erican Jews who were accustomed to the
realm, NBN olim are involved in volunteer American style rabbinate. They were used
RYF: I find that most American olim find a activities. One such example is an olah of to their shul being a place of dialogue
balance between a need to be with other ours who created a website during the between their personal lives and their reli-
like-minded individuals with similar back- recent Northern war to assist residents of gious lives. Our shul is so different from
grounds, and a need to integrate into Israeli the north in anyway possible. what most Israelis know. We now have 60
society. In some communities there is core families, with 150 children. But
already a saturation of English-speakers, RSF: The purpose of ITIM: The Jewish Israelis are open to change and presently
and there definitely should be more of a Life Information Center is to help Israelis 50% of the mitpallelim on Shabbat are
push for some olim to become more inte- navigate the difficult maze that is the Israelis. Our current facility was designed
grated. On the other hand, for olim Rabbanut here. In the last few months, by Ada Karmi, the noted architect who
11
people can grow at their own pace. NCSY Miller ’71R’s shiurim on halacha taught
is open and informal; no one is judged and me how to learn practical halacha by
everyone can grow at their own pace. understanding the roots and essence of a
This is really the model we have creat- din and its application.
ed at Machon Maayan. We have endeav- My father, Rabbi Philip Kosowsky
ored to create a place where you are a’h ’56R, was an educator par excellence
inspired to grow. It is a holistic program who brought people in to our home on a
where there is a combination of intensive weekly basis. I learned from him that
Torah study, community internships, teaching is more about relationships than
Shabbatonim, and weekly seminars using knowledge. Once the student is comfort-
Israel as our classroom. We facilitate the able with the teacher, they can move for-
opportunity for a student not only to ward together.
learn, but to experience Judaism and
Israel on a deeper intellectual, emotional RSF: I was inspired by the religious lead-
and personal level. We also offer courses ership at YU. I spent two years plus in the
in leadership and throughout the pro- Gruss kollel. The rebbeim I had interact-
gram, we empower our students to ed with preached involvement with the
Rabbi Yehoshua Fass become involved and take ownership. We community coupled with a firm base in
encourage our students to use their tal- Talmud Torah and lomdus. No matter
designed the Israeli Supreme Court. We ents that God has given them back to the where you are, they taught, you need to
sponsor scholars in residence, community community. We want them to be active in keep on learning. Not only do I use
tiyulim, a welcoming committee and many JSU, NCSY, their local shuls and college www.YUTORAH.org a lot, but I find
other features of American shuls. Our peo- upon their return. We accept them for myself constantly recommending it to
ple pay membership and our shul’s budget who they are not who we want them to be; others. It helps me prepare for shiurim
is also supplemented by grants. We strive in partnership, we encourage them to and my own personal talmud Torah.
for a demographic of half olim and half explore the beauty and depth of Torah and
native Israelis. Yiddishkeit. RYF: I am the complete YU product—
As an example of opportunities here, RIETS afforded me the opportunity to MSTA for high school, YC for college and
our shul hosted the only debate for the study Torah in depth. After five years of then RIETS. The rebbeim to whom I was
mayoral race in Raanana, which consisted teaching at Carmel College in England, I exposed were never secluded from amcha.
of four candidates. One candidate was returned to Israel and studied at Yeshivat They juggled family, talmidim and com-
dati, one was from Peace Now and the Hamivtar and I found that the learning munity. Looking back, the rebbeim with
other two were secular. Rather than was totally different after years in the whom I had the greatest affinity were the
debating politics, they debated values, field. I absorbed the material for myself ones who did the most amount of juggling.
using the text from Akeidat Yitzchak. The but constantly asked myself how I can When my cousin was killed in a piguah, I
mayor sees our Beit Knesset as his spiritu- transmit the material to others? I’m a big knew that I could not just merely grieve; it
al home and he prayed with us on Rosh believer in people making their own edu- had to become manifest into giving back to
Hashanah. We received a citation from cated decisions. We ran an encounter pro- amcha. That was the genesis of NBN. I
the Raanana municipality for the commu- gram in South Africa and a student also learned a lot about this when I served
nity’s efforts to house refugees during the announced that he didn’t believe in the in Boca Raton with Rabbi Kenneth
recent Lebanon War. Torah. The Rabbi there asked him ‘How Brander ‘86R.
do you know? Did you read the Torah? Have
What and who inspired you to a career you read the first Rashi in Chumash? What can RIETS, Rabbinic Alumni and
in avodat hakodesh? How can you make an informed decision the Yeshiva University in Israel office do
without the facts?” for YU/RIETS alumni in Israel that will
RIK: For me it was being an advisor in Rav Yehudah Parnes ’51R taught me help you in your work?
NCSY. There were a lot of high school stu- how to analyze, to get to the core of an
dents who were searching. The motivation issue, to dig deeper and deeper and to RSF: The numbers of resources that have
was there and the questions about so many define your terms. I always say that as we been created are terrific. The infrastruc-
issues never ceased. It was exciting and a grow physically, we must also grow intel- ture (websites, materials, video confer-
privilege to be in an environment where lectually and spiritually as well. Rav Dovid encing…) is a tremendous resource that
12
really benefits us. Perhaps creating a vision equipment and anything they political background showed the extent of
means for greater dialogue among rabbon- could, in order to help. They looked for their desire to follow through with their
im would be helpful. A few years back, things to send—which means that they Aliyah dreams. ■
Rav Miller at Gruss hosted a public forum cared. The rabbonim need to lead by find-
about the rabbinate in Israel that many ing and creating ways in which all Jews
people in avodat hakodesh found helpful. feel the pain of any threat to Israel, so that Rabbi Dr. Seth Farber ‘91R, Director of ITIM:
it can be just as real, even if it is 6,000 The Jewish Life Information Center and Rabbi of
Kehillat Netivot in Raanana, received his Ph.D.
RYF: Rabbinic Alumni in Israel is a huge miles away. Life cannot be business as
from Hebrew University. He is the author of
untapped resource. We have almost 400 usual. Money is often a quick fix that “An American Orthodox Dreamer: Rabbi Joseph B.
chaveirim living here, which is a major comes out of your pocket, not your heart. Soloveitchik and Boston’s Maimonides School.”
force within the olim community. Firstly, A person should feel that his heart is He taught in Maimonides School in Brookline,
since there is a lack of communal rabbis aching. During the 2000 Intifadah, I was MA and directed Ma’ayan, a Boston-based adult
education program for Jewish women that he
in Israel, these individuals could act as a rabbi of a congregation who was calling
co founded.
surrogates, even if on an informal basis. for the recitation of tehillim. When my
People still need a rav and a posek who is cousin was killed, I realized that I hadn't Rabbi Yehoshua Fass ‘98R serves as Founder and
local and who understands their lifestyle. been doing enough. Executive Director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. After
Secondly, these chaveirim can be ambas- You can adopt a family, call them receiving his rabbinic ordination and degrees in
sadors, scholars-in-residence, and they can weekly. Many rabbinic alumni were host- biology and education from Yeshiva University,
write. How about an English siddur for ing families. In 5 hours, each rav in each Rabbi Fass moved to Boca Raton, Florida as a
Judaic fellow in the newly established kollel.
Toshavei Eretz Yisrael? Why can’t a RIETS American community could call a rav in
A year and a half later, Rabbi Fass assumed the
alumnus do that? Many of the RIETS Israel about getting pen-pals (phone pals). position as assistant Rabbi of the Boca Raton
alumni here are blessed to be grandpar- The members of the Boca Raton Syna- Synagogue, the fastest growing American
ents. Many of our Olim have their grand- gogue initiated a five day mission to Israel Orthodox synagogue—only shortly later to be
parents back in the states. Perhaps some and told the rav that they wanted him to renamed associate Rabbi. For five years, Rabbi
Fass directed the Helen Julius Reiter Institute of
of our chaveirim could be surrogate bub- lead them. They came to NBN and we
Judaic Studies which taught over 500 students
bies and zeidis for these Olim. made packages for single soldiers who had weekly. After an Israeli relative of Rabbi Fass' was
just become olim, whose families still murdered by a terrorist bombing, Rabbi Fass
RIK: Those of us in chinuch need to con- lived in the US. Can you imagine what decided to embark on an even greater challenge
tinue learning and growing. I would love they were enduring? Someone in Boca for Israel and the Jewish people, by co-founding
to share ideas and thoughts with chaveir- suggested an idea that those who did not and Nefesh B'Nefesh, a foundation whose sole
mission is to revitalize Aliyah by eliminating the
im, asking one another how to respond to join the mission should help their chil-
obstacles that prevent and hinder those who
certain questions and situations. In edu- dren write notes to these chayalim. They dream and will to move to Israel.
cation, we tend to focus on our area of packed the hand-written notes in the
expertise, but we need to share ideas and packages. Almost every chayal (when they Rabbi Ira Kosowsky ‘93R, Director of Machon
expand our horizons. got out of harms way) told NBN that Maayan, believes in personal growth through
open discussions, in-depth Torah study, and
those notes rocked their world. Chayalim
community involvement. Machon Maayan is an
Many American Jews struggled this past cried to me on the phone as to how much Orthodox offshoot of the Institute of Youth
summer during the war in Lebanon? those notes meant to them. More than Leaders Abroad of the Jewish Agency and the
What do you suggest? once I heard a chayal say, “I realized that Orthodox Union’s Israel Center. Rabbi Kosowsky
I’m her hero.” has established student leadership programs in
RYF: To feel the pain and empathize. The On a personal note, I am proud of all many countries – including England, South Africa
and the United States—that are characterized by
concept of ‘Imo anochi b’tzara’ means that the olim this summer. Not one person
practical leadership training, which has empow-
the empathy should not be lip service. cancelled. This summer we had our 22nd ered the graduates to get involved in many
Davening, learning and chessed were dif- NBN flight. We were not expecting meaningful challenges in the Jewish world.
ferent this summer in Israel. Nine out of tremendous media coverage, but the fact He also holds a Master’s degree in Bible from
ten families that I knew had people living that every single North American oleh fol- Bernard Revel Graduate School and received a
second semikhah from Yeshivat Hamivtar.
in their homes or relatives on active duty. lowed through and made Aliyah during
The war and its effects were tangible. I the war hit the newspapers and radios in
traveled 12 times back and forth this sum- Israel. I think these flights got the most
mer. In some Diaspora communities, peo- publicity of all of our flights. The commit-
ple felt it; people sent vests, goggles, night ment of each oleh despite the turbulent
13
Amudei Hamusmakhim
Rabbinic Alumni would like to Rabbi Daniel Bouskila Rabbi Marshall Korn Rabbi Marvin Rosen
thank the following chaveirim who Los Angeles, CA Flushing, NY Teaneck, NJ
have contributed at the Amudei
Rabbi Michael Broyde Rabbi Abraham J. Kram Rabbi Jonathan I.Rosenblatt
Hamusmakhim level towards their
Atlanta, GA Englewood, NJ Bronx, NY
Rabbinic Alumni dues for 5767.
Rabbi Edward M. Davis Rabbi Jonah Kupietzky Rabbi Dr. Yosef Rosenshein
Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie Hollywood, FL New York, NY Brooklyn, NY
New York, NY Rabbi Michael Dubitsky Rabbi Dr. Zalman Levine Rabbi Dr. Solomon F. Rybak
Rabbi Everett S. Ackerman Phoenix, AZ Teaneck, NJ Passaic, NJ
Brooklyn, NY Rabbi Zvi Engel Rabbi Haskel Lookstein Rabbi Max N. Schreier
Rabbi Hyman Arbesfeld Fairfield, CT New York, NY Brooklyn, NY
Kew Gardens, NY Rabbi Baruch Englard Rabbi David Miller Rabbi Ronald L. Schwarzberg
Rabbi Richard Bieler Brooklyn, NY Montreal, Quebec, Canada Highland Park, NJ
W. Hempstead, NY Rabbi David Fine Rabbi Moshe Mirksy Rabbi Yair Silverman
Rabbi Marvin S. Bienenfeld Overland Park, KS Schenectady, NY Berkeley, CA
Long Beach, NY Rabbi Jeffrey Frankel Rabbi Elazar R. Muskin Rabbi Victor Martin Solomon
New York, NY Los Angeles, CA Teaneck, NJ
Yeshiva Breaks Ground The university’s mission of Torah Umadda (the synthesis of
continued from page 1 general and Jewish studies) will be represented by the symbolic
linking of the Glueck Center and the Gottesman Library via a
enrich the world in so many ways,” said President Richard M. ground floor atrium. This spacious and light-filled facility will be
Joel. known as the Nagel Family Atrium and Student Commons, in trib-
The Center will contain two large, modern lecture halls, 50 ute to YU Benefactors Jack and Gitta Nagel and their children.
faculty offices and 11 classrooms, facilities for seminars and con- Israel and Caryl Englander also made a generous contribution
ferences, and will be connected to the adjacent Mendel to the Glueck building which will bear the name Beit Moshe Ben
Gottesman Library. It will be a venue for faculty and students to Yaakov HaKohen, z”l. Michael and Fiona Sharf provided the aron
study and meet informally to share ideas. hakodesh (ark), and the Samuel and Claire A Mozel Charitable
“It is so meaningful that the Beit Midrash will be connected Trust endowed the fourth floor of the Center. Dr. Susan
to the library because it underscores our commitment to study Dworken, a prominent educator, endowed a classroom in memory
the sacred texts with open eyes to allow these profound values to of her husband, Rabbi Steven M. Dworken, formerly Executive
enrich the world,” Mr. Joel noted. Vice President of the Rabbinical Council of America, Assistant
The facilities will incorporate state-of the-art technology. Director of RIETS’ Max Stern Division of Communal Services,
Students will have electronic access to the resources of the Director of Rabbinic Services and past president of RIETS’
Gottesman Library and to the growing array of texts, research and Rabbinic Alumni. He was an esteemed and much beloved leader
commentaries available online from the world over. of the Jewish community. ■
14
Life Cycle
BOOKS MAZAL TOV
Chavrusa wishes Rebbitzen Shevi
Rabbi Cary A. Friedman ’96R has RIETS Student Ranan and Rebecca
and Rabbi Benjamin Yudin ’69R
written “Wisdom from the Batcave: Amster on the birth of a son.
How to Live a Super, Heroic Life” a hearfelt mazal tov on the recent
Rabbi Elchanan, Rosh Yeshiva, “Shabbat of Celebration” held by
(Compass Books).
and Miriam Adler on the birth of a their shul in their honor. For 37
Rabbi Mendy Gopin ’72R on daughter. Also to the uncle, RIETS years, the Yudins have led Shomrei
the publication of his new sefer Student Jeremy Gaison.
Torah with love and dedication,
“Davening With The Rav: My Rabbi &
Rabbi Marc ’70R and Gilda Angel, even having the minyan meet in
My Rebbe.” It is divided into three
on the birth of a grandson. their home during its initial 12
sections: (1) a number of personal
anecdotes regarding the Rav, years under their leadership. A
Cantor Bernard Beer, Belz School
gathered over a 40 year period, director, and wife Barbara on the very grateful community honored
both in Boston & New York; (2) the birth of a granddaughter, Chana this very special ‘First Family of
various Nuschaos HaRav for the Batsheva and on the birth of a Fairlawn.’ Chizky v’Imtzu.
Yomim Noraim; & (3) Hanhagos of grandson, Yaakov Shlomo Eliyahu.
the Rav in shul, spanning the entire
calendar year. Rabbi David and Rochelle Blum Rabbi Joseph ’03R and Elisheva appointed Adjunct Professor of
’01R on the birth of a daughter, Kalinsky on the birth of a son. Hebrew Literature at Baltimore
Rabbi Jonathan Miskin ’93R on his Perel Sarah Also to the grandfather, Rabbi Alan Hebrew University.
self published encylopedia of every Kalinsky ’76R.
individual in Tanakh, called “Tanakh Rabbi Joshua and Adele Cheifetz Rabbi Naphtali ’06R and Abby
Profiles,” available online at ’56R on the birth of granddaughter, Rabbi Alan Kalinsky ’76R execu- Weisz on the birth of a daugther,
www.tanakhprofiles.org. Shira, and on the birth of great- tive director, Orthodox Union-West Baila Danya.
granddaughter, Gila. Coast Region, on being honored at
Rabbi Dr. Seymour Moskowitz Rabbi Dr. Erich Zauderer ’63 on
its Dinner for his contributions to
authored an historical novel, “Falcon RIETS Student Jonathan Cohen on the marriage of his granddaughter,
the Los Angeles community for the
of the Quraysh,” about the eighth- his marriage to Ruthie Israeli. past 20 years. Elana, to Gabi Pinchasov.
century Muslim conquest of RIETS Student Ariel and Yael Davis Rabbi Eliakim ’92R Koenigsberg,
Andalusia, Spain. It emphasizes the OUR CONDOLENCES
on the birth of a son, Yehuda Yaakov. Rosh Yeshiva, and his wife Tova on
biography of the Emir Ahmed Abd
Also to the grandparents, Rabbi Dr. the birth of twins (boy and girl); Rabbi Solomon Berl, Belz Faculty,
ar Rahman I and the support given
Hillel ’75R and Racheyl Davis. on the loss of his wife, Mrs.
to him by the Jews of Spain and Rabbi Chaim ’02R and Pesha Eleanor Berl.
North Africa, which helped usher in Rabbi Shmuel ’76R and Barbara Loike on the birth of a daughter,
the Golden Age of Spain. Goldin on the marriage of their son, Rachel Tziona. The family of Rabbi Meir Felman
RIETS student Yossi Goldin to ’36 on his passing. Rabbi Felman
Rabbi Joseph Radinsky, who has RIETS Student Elimelech and
Shifra Cooper was a graduate of YU’s high
published a new Sefer in Hebrew Chaya Rosenthal on the birth of a school, college, RIETS and Revel,
“Hegyonai Torah,” with the help of RIETS Student Yossi Goldin on his daughter, Adina. and a past president of the YU
Rabbi Shimon be Elisha of Bet El marriage to Shifra Cooper.
Rabbinic Alumni.
Yeshiva in Israel. It is a condensa- RIETS Student Aryeh and Dvora
Rabbi Sheldon ’71R and Zelda Sanders on the birth of a daughter,
tion-translation of Rabbi Radinsky’s The family of Rabbi Philip
Goldsmith on the bar-mitzvah Nechama.
9 Torah Concepts books with Goodman on his passing.
celebrations of two grandchildren
additional material published for
Yosef Chaim Stefansky and Avrumi Rabbi Fabian ’52R and Ruth The family of Rabbi Maynard
the first time.
Felsenthal. Schonfeld on the birth of a great Hyman on his passing.
Rabbi Michael Taubes ’83R for grandson .
Rabbi Uri and Julie Goldstein Rebetzin Sarah Konovitch on the
co-editing “The Yom Kippur Machzor:
’05R on the birth of a son, Rabbi Eliav ’06R and Adi loss of her husband, Rabbi Simon
with commentary adapted from
Aviad Sar Shalom. Silverman on the birth of a son. Konovitch ’46R.
the teachings of Rabbi Joseph B.
Soloveitchik.” Rabbi Dr. Wallace ’69R and Rabbi Yair ’02R and Ilana Rabbi Meyer Kramer ’41R and his
Ronnie Greene on the birth of Silverman on the birth of a son. son Rabbi Dr. Doniel Kramer ’73R
Rabbi Stanley Wagner ’56R,
granddaughter, Alexandra, and on the loss of wife and mother,
along with Rabbi Israel Drazin, has RIETS Student Moshe Stavsky on
a grandson, Joe Chanan. Rose Meyer.
authored a new sefer: “Onkelos On his marriage to Mirel Adler.
the Torah: Understanding the Bible Rabbi William ’55R and Sylvia Rabbi Shelley Morris ’04R on the
Text. Bereshit & Shemot.” Rabbi Mayer ’97R and Estee
Herskowitz on the marriage of their loss of his father, Barry Morris.
Waxman on the birth of a son.
granddaughter Tova Katz to Ithamar
Rabbi Moshe Walter ’05R on Rabbi David Rogoff ’55R on his
Jutkowitz, and on the bar mitzvahs RIETS Student Jay and Sharon
his article: “Can Porcelain be loss of his wife.
of their grandsons Akiva Katz and Weinstein on the birth of a
Kashered? ”—appearing in the
Jonathan Herskowitz. daughter, Ora. Rabbi Sheldon ’57R and Hedda
Journal of Halacha and Contem-
porary Society, Number LII, RIETS Student Shimshon and Rudoff, YU Guardians, on the loss
Rabbi Nathan and Leah Weiss on
Succot 5767. Ashley Jacob on the birth of a of their daughter, Shaindy.
the birth of a great grandson.
daughter, Adira Chana. Rabbi Adrian Skydell ’43R on the
Rabbi Alan Yuter, father of
loss of his brother, Harry.
Rabbi Josh Yuter ’03R, on being
15
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary
an affiliate of Yeshiva University
Max Stern Division of Communal Service
500 West 185th Street
New York, NY 10033
Hosted by Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future
Richard M. Joel
President
Keren Simon
Administrator, Jewish Career
Development and Placement
Naphtali Lavenda
Rabbinic Intern, Jewish Career
Development and Placement
RIETS
Rabbi Zevulun Charlop
Max and Marion Grill Dean of RIETS