Frumkeit vs Being Frum-shiur in Chicago this Thursday

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Sunday's Kelm Classic

When it came time to check up on his son in yeshiva, Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv, the Alter of Kelm, would sometimes simply go into his son's dorm room to see if everything was in an orderly fashion.  If everything was in its place, he knew his son was excelling in the yeshiva.

A must read for anyone who "reaches out"

Beyond BT just posted a true must read titled "What, Judaism Can Actually be Fun?".  For those "kiruv professionals" or the ever growing group of non-professional kiruv individuals, this post is worth the read.

Chanukah Hisbodedus

As the neiros Chanukah increase

So should my connection to the

Source of all light increase

Please, Hashem, let that light be shared by all

Pictures online from the Skwere Rebbe's visit to Chicago

Yeshiva World News just posted two sets of pictures from the Skwere Rebbe of Boro Park, Grand Rebbe Yechiel Michel Twersky's visit to Chicago.  You can see them here.

Has anyone ever heard recordings of Rav Dessler?

In the Artscroll biography, Rav Dessler, R Yonason Rosenblums writes:

Rabbi Dessler even sought to tape his shiurim in Ponevezh Yeshiva and send the tapes back to England.  The idea of a tape recorder in the beis medresh, however, was still novel in those days, and he was advised not to do so. (Page 312)

I, however, am curious, if anyone out there has ever heard or even owns recordings of Rav Dessler?  I was once told that recordings were made at one point.  I've seen hand written letters and shiurim he has sent talmidim, but it would be amazing to actually hear a recording of Rav Dessler.

A powerful insight into Maoz Tzur

Rabbi Micha Beger has a very beautiful and powerful chiddish about a line in Mazo Tzur that you can read on his blog, here.

Sunday's Spark of Mussar

Rav Nosson Zvi Finkel, The Alter of Slabodka

Whenever R' Nosson Zvi saw any good deed in a talmid, he would praise and honor him, speak to him for hours, and sometimes even hug and kiss him.  This was especially true when the deed was one of chessed, such as doing someone a favor, caring for the sick, or nice behaviour.

From Sparks of Mussar by R Chaim Ephraim Zaitchik

My Skwere Shabbos in the Windy City

Picture from Yeshiva World News

A week and a half ago I spent a very powerful Shabbos davening with in presence of the Skwere Rebbe of Boro Park, Grand Rebbe Yechiel Michel Twersky.

The Rebbe was on his annual visit to Chicago which included minyanim, a tish, Shalosh Seudos, and private appointments with many, many people. He has, as did his father z'tl, been coming to Chicago for over forty years, I've been told.

I admit, I felt a bit out of my element, but I had come with a friend (who has know the Rebbe for many years) and it was an opportunity that I (and my son) wanted to experience. Aside from the many Skwere chassidim that to Chicago with the Rebbe, there was a huge crowd of people, like myself, who had decided to daven with this minyan for Shabbos night. I was warmly welcomed, as was everyone, by the Rebbe's Gabbai, who handled much of details of the Rebbe's visit. Davening was full of warmth and energy. After davening everyone lined up to have the honor of giving the Skwere Rebbe “Shalom”.

The tish that night was gelvaldik! The zemiros and niggunim were beautiful. There was a large crowd of men (and women on the women’s side of the mechizah)  of all ages. The group that came to the tish represented all types of Yidden, some walked over a mile in the snow to come. We all sat around a very large rectangle table. The Rebbe first made kiddush over wine and then was brought a silver bowl and washing cup to him, so that he could wash at the table. In from of the Rebbe were two of the largest challos I had ever seen. Around the challos were twelve little braided challos, as well.  After making Hamozei, the Rebbe was served fish, onion kugel (which is awesome), and chicken. The Rebbe was also served soup in a silver bowl and dipped onion kugel in it. It’s the Rebbe’s minhag to dip all of his food in salt, as well.

 As is customary, after the Rebbe was served each dish his gabbiem passed out 'shirayim' to all that attended. Several people attending the tish were asked to lead certain zemios and the Rebbe himself started singing “Kol MeKadesh”. After a beautiful bentching, each of us were directed to go up and personally receive fruit from the Rebbe directly, as well as wish the Rebbe a "Gut Shabbos". Then, before leaving,  we all stood up and danced around the table. What a way to end a Shabbos night. I was singing the niggunim with my son as we walked home in the snow.
 Shabbos morning, as well as Mincha was just as nice. Mincha has a large crowd of 'locals' and the Rebbe and his Gabbai gave me the kibud of gelilah to the Rebbe's hagbah. I was honored and was also handed a gartel to wear for my kibud.

Shalosh Seudos bei the Rebbe was very intimate. Aside from his chassidim, there was a very nice crowd that attended. Again, he washed and had the large challos, some fish from Friday night (as is his minhag), white fish, and herring, and applesauce. Each of us attending went over to the Rebbe to receive a small piece of challah with herring on it. Shirayim were also give out at this meal. Special zemiros booklets were on the table and we started singing. I found it interesting that they sang "Baruch Keil Elyon" at Shalosh Seudos, as I've only sung it during Shabbos lunch. After Shalosh Seudos the Rebbe's Gabbai handed my friend and I each one of the special little braided challos that had surrounded the Rebbe's Lechem Mishna on Shabbos. We were told that that the Rebbe’s challos are given out as as segulah and should be used with our own Lechem Minsha on Shabbos until erev Pesach, when it should be burned. I was touched.

After davening Maariv we went outside for Kiddush Levanah and then we made Havdalah and went home.

Fast forward to Wednesday night, last week. The friend who had brought me to daven by the Rebbe had gotten a call to come see the Rebbe. We arrived at the home were he was staying at 11:45pm. The living room was filled with people who had wanted to have an audience with the Rebbe, too. The Rebbe had been seeing many people every night during his visit in Chicago from after Maariv at 6:30pm until the very late hours of the night. We waited, while the Rebbe saw other people that had appointments before us and then I was called to come have my audience with the Skwere Rebbe at 1:20 am.

I was very nervous, as I had never done anything like this before. The Rebbe put me at ease right away with only a look into his eyes. His presence was calming and welcoming. He was genuine, inquisitive, thoughtful, and assuring. After speaking for almost twenty minutes, I felt honored and privileged that the Rebbe took time to see me. As I left I saw that there were people waiting to see the Rebbe. It was only days later that I found out the Rebbe had been receiving people until 4:30 am that morning.

I am very much looking forward to the Skwere Rebbe’s next visit to Chicago.

Shabbos night shiur on the Mussar Movement by Rav Gedalia Dov Schwartz

"The Mussar Movement:

Conflict Within Yeshiva and Community"

Come and hear Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, Av Beit Din of the CRC and RCA

discuss the mussar movement and its influence.

The oneg will be held on Friday evening, December 19, 2008, Parashat Vayesev, at 7:30 PM.

Rabbi Schwartz will speak at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Zaret, 2931 Lunt Avenue.

Men and women are invited.

Rav Freifeld z"tl on Mussar in America

The sefer Reb Shlomo tells over the following interesting observation by Rav Freifeld regarding Slabodka's success in America:

Reb Shlomo once remarked to a talmid that the Novardok style of mussar had never really caught on in America because "to be a gornisht, a nothing, one has to first be a zich, a something, and in America no one believes in his own self-worth." (page 139)

While the Novardok network of yeshivos was rather extensive prior to World War II, it never was rebuilt as a network.  Slabodka (where Rav Freifeld's rebbe, Rav Hutner learned) seemed to make more of an impact (just  look at a small list of those who attended Slabodka you'll notice quite a few names that influenced the major yeshivos in America).  I've always wondered why Novardok didn't really find a place in America.  Reb Shlomo's insight says much about the Slabodka derech of building up a person and exposing their inner Kedusha.
 
Note:  The wesite Revach L'Neshama posted a brief biographical sketch today of the Alter of Novardok.

Sunday's Spark of Mussar

Rav Yosef Yozel Hurwitz, the Alter of Novhardok

A person who uses his mental ability solely for worldly pursuits instead of for understanding the true Heavenly light is like a villager who finds a magniicent sculpture and uses it as a scarecrow.

From Sparks of Mussar by R Chaim Ephraim Zaitchik

Note:  The Alter was a very successful businessman, as well as the founder of Novhardok network of yeshivos.

Rav Hirsch on Vayishlach-Property of a Righteous Person‏

The following was sent to me from from Dr. Levine's email list.

Property of a Righteous Person‏

The following is from the new translation of RSRH's commentary on Chumash Bereishis on 32: 25 Ya’akov was left alone, and someone wrestled with him until the break of day.

According to our Sages, nistyar al pachim k'tanim ( Chullin 91a): After he
brought everything across, he returned to see whether something had
been forgotten. And to this they add: mekan l'tzadikim shechaviv alayhem
m'monom yoser m'goofom v'kol kach lamah l'fee sheain poshtin yadeihen b'gezel (ibid.).
Property that a righteous person acquires honestly — even
something of the slightest value — is sacred in his sight. He will not
squander it or allow it to go to waste, and he is held responsible for its
proper use. A vast sum is like a shoelace to him, when he gives up this
sum for the sake of a good cause; but a shoelace is like a vast sum to
him, if it is about to be wasted for no reason or purpose. A person who
is not poshat yado b'gezel, who calls his own only what he has acquired through
honest effort , will see the graces of God’s providence in every possession
that he acquires; everything that he owns — even the very smallest
possession — has come to him through honest sweat and toil and
through God’s blessing, and hence is of inestimable value.

A Punk lesson in Chizonius and Penimius

Looking back on some of the bands I listened to in high school, I learned a valuable lesson in the importance of chizonius (external emphasis) and penimius (internal emphasis) in regard to who I am. It was, however, a lesson that I really didn't absorb until I graduated back in '89.

I was fully entrenched in the whole hardcore punk/alternative music scene during my younger years. I, ironically, showed my individuality by dressing mostly in black (like everyone else). That was what most of us did. How we presented ourselves was a reflection of what we listened to, it was the external reflecting the internal. There were, of course, those who expressed what I can call now "punk frumkeit". They looked the part, had the right band t-shirts, had their hair the right way, yet were much more into the fashion that the philosophy. Back then we called them "posers".

Some of the musicians that made up the soundtrack of my youth such as Bob Mould, Henry Rollins, and Greg Graffin held by a different philosophy. They were all in some of the fastest and loudest band out there at the time. They also dressed like your average person in their early years. I was struck, even then, that they were so "hardcore" without looking like they were. That was much more impressive than my closet of black clothing and a jacket with band names written on it. They had mastered the art of making a statement by not making a statement (interestingly the trend among some Torah observant Jews to wear 'white shirts' is basically the same statement).

A few years after high school I read an interview with Lee Ranaldo (from Sonic Youth) and he was quoted as saying, "Sometimes the most radical people or ideas outwardly seem very conservative". That made sense to me. An emphasis on the internal, what's below the surface, requires more than a casual glance.  That what I aim for these days.  I can't help but be identified as a Torah observant Jew, but I try to be tzinius in my actions.  Is that punk?  It doesn't matter, this is who I have chosen to be.

A Simple Jew asks me...

A Simple Jew asked me about my switch in yarmuke style.  You can read about it here.

Mussar and the art of skateboard maintenance

Illustartion from http://www.vertandstreet.com/

Yeah, I know , I'm well a wear that I'm ripping off the title of the "most widely read philosophy book, ever".  But a good title is a good title.

All of the part of a skateboard are important, yet they function interdependantly. If you enjoy using your board then you'll want to keep up with maintenance. Those things we really care about we try to keep functioning as best as possible, if you don't it will be bad news. If you don't, for example, tighten the trucks of your skateboard then the board itself will be really loose when you ride. If your grip-tape rips or gets wet, you need to replace it, or you will have trouble staying on your board. If your wheels get worn down, then you can't skate.  If you don't maintain your board it's a good sign that you are not to interested in skateboarding. 


Now, you can have best skateboard in the world, but if you don't practice then it's only nothing more than a stage prop. Even Tony Hawk (a professional skateboarder) can't do a trick or even skate without having a board beneath his feet.  So part of maintenance is practice and part is actually having the board.

What's the 'how' of maintenance when it comes to Yiddishkeit? That's the question we all are asking.  For me, maintenance is connected to motivation. I think, idealy, it comes from both external and internal sources. You have to want to skateboard, but you also need the skateboard. In regard to my Yiddishkeit, it's almost the same.

I can have all the gear: Yarmulke, tzitzis, kosher kitchen, etc but if I'm not motivated, then these are 'stage props'. I can have the strongest desire to attach myself to Hashem and plan to sit an learn but without engaging in Mitzvos and Limud Torah, this desire isn't actualized.

I wish there was an easy answer, but each person is different. If you were born into a family that is Torah observant then there must have a point when you realized, "Wow, I'm so blessed to live a life of Torah and Mitzvos". If you were not raised within a Torah observant framework there had to have been some point in your life that you thought, "This is beautiful and it makes sense. I want this life of observance".

That could be your point of motivation and urge to engage in maintenance. As the title of this post suggests, for me that point was when I first started learning about how to work Mitzvos Bein Adam L'Makom and Bein Adam L'Chavero. The emphasis on this within Yiddishkeit is what "Wows" me (this was not the initial attraction for me however. I had been observant for about 3 years before I actually read any mussar. That's for another posting).

Find what excites you.  For some else it could be Shabbos, davening, chessed, the laws of Lashon Hara, Chassidus, Halacha, Gemora, lighting candles, the laws of family purity, Chumash, etc. Each of us has that one thing that, at one point, got us up in the morning. Somewhere along the way we just forgot what it was.

Keep all parts in tip top shape.  Just like all the parts of a skateboard are important so is a balance between the many aspects of observant life:  davening, mitzvos, learning, yom tov, nevel vasser, kavod habrios, tzedaka, etc.

Use it or lose it.  For me, this what seems to work, is to simply go back and see what excited me.  There is, I will admit, a great thrill and rush when you find a smooth stip of concrete and push off on your skateboard and let your own power and phsyics propel you.  That thrill is only an echo of what true Avodah should be and can be.

Sunday's Spark of Mussar

Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin of Salant

In the first days of his appointment as a teacher in Vilna, before his family arrived there, R' Yisrael chose to eat at the table of others.  It was customary then for the yeshiva students to eat each day with a different family, and R' Yisrael insisted on participating in this practice, despite all persuasions that it was beneath his dignity.

From Sparks of Mussar by R Chaim Ephraim Zaitchik

Rabbi Frand shiur this Motzei Shabbos about Rav Hirsch

A Special live Broadcast Shiur By

Rabbi Yissocher Frand

Rav S.R. Hirsch:

The Power of His Written Word

To honor the upcoming completion of the new English edition of the Hirsch Chumash

(Feldheim Publishers / Judaica Press)

This Motzei Shabbos at 8:30 PM

At Torah Communication Network locations through the world

Details here.

Question and Answer with Dixie Yid

As a parent who didn't go through the days school/yeshiva system who has children currently in the system, have there been things that they have learned that suprised you in a postivie way?

 The first thing that surprises me about them is the simple fact of the things that they know at a much younger age than I knew it. When I was starting to open a Chumash for the first time at 17 years old, it would take me a minute to break my teeth over pronouncing a two syllable Hebrew word. But my fourth grader has been saying all of bentching almost by heart for a year or two already. At 17, I only knew the really famous Bible stories and had never studied Parsha. My first grader mentioned at the Shabbos table that Rivka was from Charan, which is in Padan Aram!!! Gevalt!

This year, the kids are doing a program called "Derech," short for "Derech Eretz Kadma LaTorah," "Proper character traits are a pre-requisite to learning Torah." They studied the concept of Tzelem Elokim, understanding that we must act and treat others in way that reflects consciousness of the fact that we are all created b'tzelem Elokim, in the image of G-d. This past week, they learned about making a Kiddush Hashem. The kids really get into the stories and the discussions about these things. They are a really good influence on them and it really gets their heads in the right place.

Although there are sometimes issues in the upper grades, my younger kids are just so much better off and live a much more wholesome life than outside of a nice yeshiva setting. They are truly fortunate to have such an upbringing today. We are very fortunate that we and our children's friends don't have televisions in the home. It is truly a bracha to be able to raise our children in such a way and be at less risk for all of the bad things that are considered normal outside the frum community.

I am surprised and amazed by how much the kids know at such a young age. They can read and understand so much Chumash, halacha, and Hebrew at such a young age. It's beautiful to see how much a human being is capable of. Ashreinu u'matov chelkeinu, fortunate are we and how great our portion that we are able to send our children to such great schools, even when we were not able to have that kind of education!

Neil, I'd be interested to hear your answer to this question as well!

Rabbi Mayer Shiller on Rav Hirsch

I often find that music has a way of transporting me back in time. I'll hear a song on the radio, a line from a song lyric, or even a niggun and I instantly return to a point in my past when at I associate with that music. I'm sure most people are like that. Rarely will I read something after a long period of time and get that same feeling. Yesterday was one of those times, though.

Dr. Yitzchok Levine, with permission from Jewish Action, sent an email out with a link to an old Jewish Action article from the summer of 1989 titled "The Forgotten Humanism of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch" by Rabbi Mayer Schiller. As I reread it yesterday I was brought back to reading it right before I had gradutated public high school.

I had read The Nineteen Letters in 1987 when I became Torah observant, but this was the first time I had actually read anything written about Rav Hirsch. Rabbi Schiller's article discusses Rav Hirsch's view of our relations with non-Jews and the purpose of Golus. The article opened my eyes to a bigger view of Rav Hirsch's teachings, as well what the role of Jew should be in the world at large.  As a teen with very few Jewish friends in my city, I found comfort, strength, and purpose in this article.  Now, almost 20 years later, that feeling is back. 

Dr. Levine has given me permission to post the link to this important article available here. (Posted with permission from the summer 1989 issue of Jewish Action, the magazine of the Orthodox Union.)


In addition, Dr. Levine has a fascinating collection of article posted online regarding Torah Im Derech Eretz and Rav Hirsch available here, as well.  His site and email list is a great resource.

Chicago Jewish Community Mourns

In the Aftermath of the Tragedy in Mumbai

Join in a Memorial Evening of Tribute & Solidarity

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

7 Kislev, 5769

7:30 PM

Holiday Inn North Shore

5300 West Touhy Ave. Skokie, IL

(Just west of the Edens Expressway)

We gather to mourn the passing of all the

victims of the recent brutal terror attacks in Mumbai

and to pay tribute to lives of

Rabbi Gavriel & Rivkah Holtzberg

Chabad emissaries to Mumbai

and their Chabad House guests:

Rav Aryeh Leibish Teitelbaum, Rabbi Bentzion Chroman,

Yocheved Orpaz, & Norma Schwartzblat-Rabinovitch

השם ינקום דמם

Confirmed Speakers:

Harav Gedaliah Dov Schwartz שליט"א - Chicago Rabbinical Council

Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz - Lubavitch Chabad of Illinois

Dr. Steven B. Nasatir - JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago

Deputy Consul General Gershon Kedar - Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest

For more information call 773-262-2770 x 113 or log on to

http://www.chicagomemorialservice.com/

Memorial Books to be forwarded to the families will be available for signing at the event

or e-mail your thoughts and good resolutions to: info@ChicagoMemorialService.com