Volozhin and a taste of Litvishe Yeshiva History

B"H

Wołożyn Voloshin. Little town in Belarus, pre war in Poland. There was located famous yeshiva - (Talmudic seminary), founded in the early 19th century by Rabbi Chaim Volozhin. I just found on Bialystok jewish cemetery grave of Mariashe, wife of the Genius Gaon Reb Nachman Zerach Simchowicz and daughter of HaRav Moshe Fridland Frydland a biblical scholar from the Volozhin Yeshiva.... Interesting coincidence between Bialystok and Wolozhin...

Today we all know Litvishe Yeshiva / Kollel students mainly as "Black Hats". Black suits, black hats (Borsolino) and white shirts. The history of the Litvishe clothing and their Yeshivot, however, was very different from today. Especially until before the Second World War, the Litvishe wore normal hats or even straw hats in the summer. Not everyone wore a black suit and a white shirt but the clothing style represented a regular life style. 

Some time ago, I read the biography of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, who told that in his Yeshiva days, students had to look and pay for their own accomodation. Yeshivot did neither provide dorms nor food and one was lucky to find a cheap room to rent somewhere nearby. Many Yeshiva students had to take part - time jobs in order to make a living and be able to buy food. Others were starving, as times where tough.

Today, studying at any Yeshiva is very comfortable. Dorms and food are being provided and there are books for everybody. Let alone computers and surfing the Internet.

Germans in haredi Society

Seen in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H 

Hatred towards Haredim got much worse due to the anti - haredi media reports from Israel: The vast majority of today's German population doesn't know any Jew. Not personally but from TV reports. There aren't any Haredim in the country except for Chabad (Lubavitch) and a couple of Litvaks. Do Germans see or know any Haredim in their country ? No. Even German Jewry hardly knows any Haredim beyond some Chabadnikim walking around but many of them think that this is haredi society. Whoever wants to learn about the real haredi society has to move to New York, New Jersey, London, Manchester, to Zurich or Vienna oder simply to Israel. And in those places, it is not enough to walk through haredi neighbourhoods (Example: Golders Green in London) but one has actually to become part of haredi society. 

For almost two years I went to a litvishe Yeshiva. The correct Hebrew expression would be “Michlalah”. I had already left the Yeshiva and, due to very personal reasons, distanced myself a bit from haredi society, when I got to know a young German woman living in Jerusalem. It happened, more or less, by accident that I met her. Although many of you will now tell me that there is nothing like "by accident" in this world, as everything is "Hashgacha Pratit". However, the young woman was German and had converted to Judaism. In Germany and not in Israel. 

After her conversion she moved to Israel and started studying in a certain women's Yeshiva in order to learn more about Judaism. I don't want to mention the name of the institute but I can say that it was Litvish. I myself went there for a few days but decided that it wasn't for me. Not the mentality and my desire was getting into higher Jewish studies such as Gemara. That particular Yeshiva didn't offer any talmudic studies and eventually I ended up in a different institute but also run by Litvaks. 

Israel's haredi world doesn't only consist of ultra - Orthodox Jews being born in the country. On the contratry, as many Haredim have moved to Israel from abroad. Many have officially made Aliyah with "Nefesh be’Nefesh”. Haredim from the United States, Canada (especially from Toronto), South Africa, Britain or Australia. Generally speaking, there is a difference between those Haredim being born and raised in Israel and those coming from the Diaspora. Some may get the idea that Diaspora Jews moving to Israel are more modern and haredi "light". Even Israeli Haredim consider Diaspora Haredim not as strict and traditional as them. Example: The Israeli girl's school Beit Yaakov differs a lot from those in London or New York. 

The differences between those two haredi groups also influence the Shidduch business, as you can surely imagine and, many times, it is an issue. On the other hand, I have faced plenty of situations where Diaspora Haredim where less tolerant than their Israeli counterparts. Not to forget mentioning the difference between "born Haredim" and the "newly religious Ba'alei Teshuva". But I am going to write about those conflicts later on. 

Coming back to the young woman: I was quite amazed when I realized that she had turned into an American copy. Usually Jews moving to Israel turn into Israelis. At least those who make an effort of being part of Israeli society including speaking Hebrew. This young woman, however, became American in Israel. Not a US citizen but her mentality, way of living and expressing herself. Of course, her Yeshiva was the main reason for the transformation. The institute offers programmes in English, Hebrew and, as far as I know, also in French and Spanish. The young woman participated in the English programme and lived with Americans in the dorm rooms. 

As life goes on, a member of haredi society needs a spouse and thus, the Shidduch process is taking place. The young woman is looking for a marriage partner and, as I assume, it should be an American Litvak living in Israel. However, as a German convert joining haredi society, it isn't that easy finding a American Haredi Shidduch. Why ? Because haredi society as a whole has neither forgiven nor forgotten the Holocaust. Meaning that the grandparents of the German convert may have voted for Hitler or somehoe interacted in with the Nazi regime. Let alone of being an SS - member. By the way, I heard that a descendant of Heinrich Himmler married an American Jew. The son on Holocaust survivors. 

The Germans have murdered several 100,000 Jews during the Holocaust and after the War was over, many Eastern European and German Jews not only moved to Palestine (Israel) but to the United States. Especially to New York. They escaped the Nazi terror and gas chambers and suddenly their grandchild is walking in with a German Shidduch ? 

Actually there are other ways of getting to know Haredim and people don't only marry because a Shadchan or Shadchanit is introducing them. Other ways may not be so accepted but they do exist. For instance: A couple may meet on a bus or at a family celebration with friends. Or may be introduced by friends. Furthermore, Haredim of Sephardi origin don't necessarily have the Holocaust history in their family although many Sephardic Jews got killed when the German General Erwin Rommel invaded the northern countries of Africa.

South Korean Film Team at the Ponevezh Yeshiva

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A film team from South Korea was visiting the famous PONEVEZH Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. The South Koreans were investigating an interesting thought: Why are many Jews so intelligent ? Just look at the high amount of Noble Price winners. Thus, the answer must have its roots in the history of Talmud study. 

It is true that Talmud study is anything but easy and it always drives me mad myself when, after a couple of minutes, a former question ends up in another new ten questions.

Ponevezh is located in Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv and is considered a posh Yeshiva. Your father shouldbe a well respected Rabbi and you should have a great reputation. Otherwise you will not get accepted there. Moreover, Ponevezh is a kind of conservative, meaning that the students don't go to watch movies or destroy their reputation in any way.

The result of Talmud study should be that the student is changing his life in a positive way !

Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv at the Kotel (Western Wall)

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Just recently he celebrated his 101st birthday. Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv, the Posek of the Litvishe world. This Pessach, he visited the Kotel. Not only that but he also wore a Streimel. 

All pictures HERE !

Yeshivat PONIBEZ and the Israeli Flag

The same discussion every year: Is the leading litvishe Yeshivat Ponibez in Bnei Brak hanging out its Israeli flag on Independence Day ?

Yes, it did !

Photos: Chadrei HaCharedim

Latest Pashkevilim

Bochurim, young Litvishe Yeshiva students from good religious families, were obviously partying in different youth hostels (Tiberias and northern Israel). The Litvishe Rabbis Yehudah Leib Steinmann and Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv, are expressing their concern and ask the parents to watch their children.
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I found a further Pashkevili laying in the streets of Ge'ulah and Mea Shearim last Friday night. Hundreds of those flyers were thrown around describing how Chassidut Gur (the actual group name is not mentioned) is throwing tenants out of "Beit Warsha - Warsaw House". Poor widows and families are being kicked out of their houses so that the landlord GUR can build a shopping mall and bring Tumah (impurity) into the neighbourhood of Mea Shearim.

Therefore, a group (name doesn't appear mentioned on the flyer) is organizing a meeting on Sunday night (11 April 2010 - 27 Nissan 5770) at the "Perushim Synagogue" near Beit Warsaw. The event is taking place at 8.30pm (please not that the Edah HaCharedit did not change the clock to daylight saving and therefore the event may take place an hour later according to Israeli time !!!).

Chassidut Gur has already thrown families out of their homes and, due to Edah demonstrations, 20 Haredim got arrested and will be taken to court.

Rav Elchonon Wasserman and the New State of Affairs

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The author of "Rebbe Stories" brought up some interesting points. Not everything in the haredi world is perfect and people must speak out:

http://rebbestories.blogspot.com/2010/03/rav-elchonon-wasserman-and-new-state-of.html

Hoshana Rabba in PONIBEZH

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Hoshana Rabba in the litvishe Yeshiva PONIBEZH (in Bnei Brak):

View all pictures here:

http://www.bhol.co.il/forum/topic.asp?cat_id=4&topic_id=2699784&forum_id=771

Should I be a Member of something ?

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There are plenty of Yeshivot and women's seminaries in Jerusalem and those who are on a search won't find any lack of offerings. The only things which needs to be done is choosing the right studies.

Basically there are three groups offering programmes:
The national religious, Chabad as well as Breslover Chassidim and the Litvaks (litvishe Haredim).

Last Shabbat, my host in Mea Shearim had different guests including two girl's groups studying two different ideologies. Some of the girls are studying at a litvishe programme in Bnei Brak and other girls are studying at a Breslover programme in Jerusalem.
One of the Ba'alat Teshuva (becoming religious later in one's life) raised the question if a Baal Teshuva should start with Torah and Halachot first. Learning the basics of one's own religion before moving on, hence making a decision in what direction to go to.
Let's say a secular Jews decides to study religion or become religious, he should start with the basics. The Torah Parasha of the week and daily Halachot.

Why study all this spirituality and leaving out Halachot ? It doesn't help if I know how to "fly through spiritual spheres" but, on the other hand, I am unable to keep the most important laws on Shabbat ? The "chassidic" girls including two from Chabad responded that there are Baalei Teshuva who can only connect to their own religion through Chassidut. In fact, especially Chabad taught me about the different soul roots of every Jew. Our souls all come from different sources in the Upper Worlds and thus, we are different from each other. If my friend can only connect to Judaism by learning Halacha and stressing this particular subject, it doesn't mean that I have to be the same. Of course, I am also studying Halacha and know the rules, however, I can even more enjoy everything by entering a spiritual part into my studies. There are plenty of spiritual / kabbalisitc reasons why we keep this and that Halacha.

Some of us love Jewish history, Jewish philosophy, Torah, the Prophets, Mussar (Ethics), Talmud, whatever. And each one of us has to find his preference and concentrate on what helps him most connecting to his Creator.

The litvishe girl didn't give up and said that if someone new to the religious life is jumping from this subject to that subject, from this community to that community, in the end he will be without a special frame and without any fundament. It is extremely important to first build a firm foundation, hence Halachot and Torah, and then move on to special subjects and preferences.

I must admit that the litvishe had a point. There should be some level of stability first and then someone can look around and decide on what he would like to concentrate. What life he wants to lead. If chassidic, litvish or something else.
But, on the other hand, is it always vital finding a community ?
If I may speak for myself: I don't have a firm community and love to do Synagogue shopping. Mainly chassidic and I know some people in different communities. When I go I decide where to on my way. I am not the type of going into the same Synagogue over and over again where people even have their name stuck on the seat.

Real Chassidim mostly go into their own Synagogue and let me tell you, many of the Toldot Aharon women have their name stuck onto the window sill at the Ezrat Nashim (women's side). However, the name tugs are from the high holidays and don't count throughout the year, I was told by one of the Toldot Aharon woman.

There is something about having a community but there is also something about Synagogue shopping. And why not taking over some of the different customs ? If someone is happy with that, why not ? Countless Israelis are not necessarily a community member but either go into a Synagogue nearby or keep moving from one to the next.

"Birkat HaChama" 28 Years Ago

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Birkat HaChama in Lubavitch (1981)

With Rabbi Eliezer Yehudah Finkel from the MIR Yeshiva

With the Edah HaCharedit

Every 28 years, the "Birkat HaChama - Blessing of the Sun" is said. This year, the event will be officially celebrated at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem and thousands of people are being expected.

The blessing reminds us of how great G - d's creation is, and symbolically speaking tells us about the sun's position at the moment of the creation of the world. According to astronomy, this is not the real moment of the sun's former position, however, our Sages chose the cyle of every 28 years years in order to let our mind grasp the concept at all.

Purim in Bnei Brak

B"H

As a Jerusalemite, I am spoilt. Wherever I go, I expect the same atmosphere and way to celebrate just like in the Holy City. Not that I am planning my expectations but it rather comes up unintentionally.

On Tuesday, in the late afternoon, I went to Bnei Brak in order to have a look at the local Purim celebrations and what I saw was not like Jerusalem at all. I could have skipped Bnei Brak and no one would have ever noticed it.

To say it briefly: Most guys were totally drunk. Mostly litvishe guys were yelling around in Rabbi Akiva as well as in Chazon Ish Street. A entirely drunk litvishe guy was laying behind a fence in Chazon Ish; full of fresh sick. And "sick" was THE word. I found it all over the place.

Sorry for my description in case you just ate or are still eating.
In a street (I don't know the name) right across Rashi, all the beggars were standing and the street was symbolically called "the street of the poor". I think the Synagogue I passed was called "Yitzkovitch" and some drunk Chassidim were standing outside. I just walked right through (other women as well) and someone yelled at me that women are not allowed in here. The guy was drunk and I kept on walking. Further away I found all the beggars from Jerusalem. Obviously they were having a "business trip" to Bnei Brak. For beggars, Purim is a good day to make money. One of the beggars recognized me by sight and was ashamed.
Yesterday, one day later, I saw some of them back in Jerusalem and "earning their income" due to Shushan Purim.

In Rashi Street, I passed the Machnovke Synagogue and the Chassidim were all over the place. Drunk and no women were allowed.
Generally speaking, not too many females were to be found in the streets of Bnei Brak on Purim. The Synagogues were mostly empty or crowded with men. Otherwise everyone celebrated at home; plenty of windows were open and guys were hanging out of them, drunk and yelling.

This is the whole description of Purim in Bnei Brak. When I passed the Slobodka Synagogue in HaAdmor of Gur Street, I saw a face of a young Yeshiva guy pressed onto the window. He was unconscious and filled up.

This was basically it and after two hours of walking around, I took the bus back to Tel Aviv. And who else did I see on the bus ? More young litvishe Yeshiva guys who didn't have enough but went to Tel Aviv to continue drinking. Yesterday, lots of Haredim traveled to Jerusalem and after two days of booze, the male haredi population has to behave again and keep all individual pressure inside. At least until Simchat Torah or the next Purim.

Ponebezh 100 Years Ago

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Unique pictures from the litvishe PONEBEZH Yeshiva from 100 years ago:

http://bhol.co.il/forum/topic.asp?cat_id=4&topic_id=2585301&forum_id=771

Today, the Yeshiva is in Bnei Brak.

Rabbi Avraham Kahaneman z"l

Rabbi Avraham Kahaneman z"l

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The litvishe Yeshivat "Ponebezh" in Bnei Brak (near Tel Aviv) is considered an elite Yeshiva and it isn't easy to get accepted as a student. Those getting in have to accept a rather conservative ideology. Meaning not going to cinemas nor watching TV, as some modern litvishe Haredim like to do. However, Ponebezh has had its ups and downs including plenty of skandals as well.

Rabbi Avraham Kahaneman was the great Rosh Yeshiva of Ponibezh and passed away at the age of 97 yesterday. His funeral is taking place at 11am this morning; starting at Ponebezh.

Link:

Yeshivat "Ponebezh"



Ponebezh in Bnei Brak

"YES" to Yahadut HaTorah

Photo:Ladaat.net

B"H

When I was passing Ge'ulah (ultra - orthod. neighbourhood in Jerusalem) last Friday night, the main roads such as Malchei Israel and Yechezkel were flooded with small pamphlets against the haredi Knesset party "Yahadut HaTorah" and its head Yaakov Litzman from the Chassidut Gur. "This time, don't vote for them !" did it say on the pamphlets.

Nevertheless, the litvishe "department" as well as Chassidut Belz participated in a special congress last night (Mozzaei Shabbat). The congress took place in Jerusalem and was in favour of voting for "Yahadut HaTorah" at the upcoming election day this Tuesday.

Rabbi Steinman, Rabbi Eliyashiv and the Belzer Rebbe participated in the event.

Here are two videos from the congress last night !