B"H
It was last Simchat Torah when I was on my way home from Rabbi Mordechai Machlise's house. I walked through the Shivtei Israel Street and as everyone knows, this street leads into Mea Shearim as well. Right at the crossing of Mea Shearim Street and Shivtei Israel, you can find the Toldot Aharon synagogue together with the backyards where the members of the group live.
When I passed the synagogue, I heard the beautiful niggunim outside and spontaneously decided to go to the Tish. First I tried the Ezrat Nashim right at the street where two Satmarer ladies already shook the door. Locked !!!
I asked the ladies if it was locked and if so, there is another Ezrat Nashim at the backside of the building. The two Satmarer ladies were Americans and answered me rather unfriendly in English with a heavy Yiddish accent. Especially the American Satmarer very much emphasize on not using Lashon HaKoidesh (Hebrew) in their daily lives but only during prayer. This will only change when the Meshiach arrives.
The Satmarer ladies and I went around the synagogue and got to a crowded little place right before the stairs leading into the synagogue. The place looked like a parking lot for baby carriages. At least 30 parking places were occupied. The Toldot Aharon women themselves had lined up on the stairs. On top stood a rather heavy woman and I saw from far away that she must be some kind of a bouncer.
The Satmarers were upset because they had to line up as everyone else. They probably thought that if they support Toldot Aharon financially, they might have certain rights. But nothing. Just the same as me.
Finally we were standing in front of the bouncer woman. First she looked at the Satmarer and investigated in Yiddish. It really looked like the Satmarer wouldn't make it inside and they, on the other hand, got really wild. First waiting and then being refused. The older of the two ladies got fed up and shouted:
"I am Satmar".
The bouncer was shocked and moved backwards.
"Oh", she said and opened the door.
The Satmarer disappeared inside and it was my turn.
The bouncer looked at me and investigated who I am. I thought that saying "I am Satmar" must be some kind of a secret password and I intended using it. But then I behaved myself and didn't. The bouncer was very friendly and tried to explain that today's Tish is for Toldot Aharon members only. I can come back any time and shouldn't be offended. Then suddenly she lifted up her two arms and started praying. Soon the Meshiach is going to come and we (all the Jews) will be united. I looked at her and didn't know what to say. Actually I thought that this must be a dream. A little shocked I only nodded: "Be' Ezrat HaShem – With the help of G – d". The bouncer stopped and wished me "Chag Sameach – Gid Yom Tov".
The Toldot Aharon women standing behind me on the stairs couldn't stop starring at the bouncer. Maybe Mrs. Bouncer got too overwhelmed and now she had to face some surprised looks. I already thought that the Toldot Aharon women might burst out with laughter.
I climbed down the stairs and was angry about myself because I hadn't used the password "I am Satmar".
Now, I first have to wait for the Meshiach to come until I can go to Toldot Aharon Tish on Simchat Torah.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
About "Dark Lights" and "Black Holes"
B"H
Actually I wasn't the first one noticing the website of the KVETCHER. A friend of mine discovered the site first and highly recommended it to me. The Kvetcher obviously likes to write about certain Jerusalem Yeshivot. Basically he calls the students of the Ohr Sameach Yeshiva "Dark Lights" and the Yeshiva itself "Black Hole".
One is free to think whatever he wants but it really makes more sense when you personally know the places. When you know the students of Ohr Sameach, its sister school Neve Yerushalaim or another Yeshiva located in the Old City, the Aish HaTorah Yeshiva.
For more than a decade, I've been meeting Aish, Ohr Sameach or Neve Yerushalaim students everywhere. Especially at the Shabbatot at Rabbi Mordechai Machlise's house who lives right behind Ohr Sameach.
When I started to become religious and decided to learn more about Judaism, I was also sent to Neve Yerushalaim. I was on the famous Yeshiva shopping trip anyway and actually I was looking for something Israeli. I didn't want to be among Americans all the time. As I lived in Israel and planned on making Aliyah, I wanted to get adjusted to Israel and not to the US.
I have met many different characters going to the men's Yeshivot Aish and Ohr Sameach. Both Yeshivot mostly offer beginner programs but it is possible to continue for some years in more advanced classes. Both Yeshivot have an age limit and prefer younger students from all over the world. You shouldn't be over thirty.
Every year, many young Jews come to Jerusalem and either look for a Yeshiva on their own or already signed up for a programs at home. Aish and Ohr Sameach are popular among the young guys. Mostly American rabbis teach American, British, Australian or South African students. Sorry, I forgot mentioning the Canadians.
Teaching newcomers is a dangerous and a highly responsible task. Many times, the newly religious are getting carried away by the enthusiasm a Baal Teshuva sometimes has. Suddenly everything and everyone has to be religious and behave in a certain way. Once you are inside the Yeshiva, you easily forget about the outside world. The worst is when a student comes back to the States and suddenly has to face his reform or conservative parents. Thus, many conflicts have been coming up and upset parents called the Yeshiva afterwards complaining about what they had done to their kids.
The problem is that the Yeshiva student is too young and has no experience of how to deal with the secular outside world.
Rabbi Machlis once gave a great example:
Once a student went back to the States and started to tell his rabbi at home what to do. He said that according to the Shulchan Aruch it is so and so. The rabbi replied that the community doesn't go according to the Shulchan Aruch but rather according to the Aruch HaShulchan. The student was embarrassed.
I have faced this many times. Young Jews start Yeshiva without knowing a thing and after a week or two, they start telling you what to do. Avoiding such problems is a great task for a rabbi and sometimes it seems that neither Aish nor Ohr Sameach are very successful in this. The same with the women's Yeshiva Neve Yerushalaim.
The Kvetcher claims that Neve doesn't want the girls to become too educated. This, I can confirm although I have a friend claiming the opposite. It is well known that Neve Yerushalaim has not such a great intellectual standard and even other women's Yeshivot in the Har Nof neighbourhood make fun of Neve. Example: Shearim where young women study Gemara.
Neve sees its goal in turning secular female Jews into religious observant Jews. If possible, Shidduchim should be made between Neve girls and Ohr Sameach guys. In my eyes, everybody is free to decide and there are actually Neve girls who studied at Harvard before. Not everyone is coming brainless. If someone doesn't like the program, she is free to leave and look for something else, as I did. But what I do criticize is that many young people get rushed into religion too fast. For instance, Neve expects the girls to take over a religious life style after six weeks in the Mechinah (preparation course). This also includes adopting a frum clothing style: long skirts and long sleeves only.
I heard about a famous case where a girl was rushed into religion and only after a few months got married to a haredi guy. They went back to the States, had a child and after only two years, the woman escaped and returned to her former life style. The guy married someone else haredi.
Becoming religious takes time and it doesn’t just come after six weeks or so. It takes years and lots of patience, as it is a life process. Neve, Aish and Ohr Sameach many times forget about this and rather act too speedily. Just as if they are afraid that the student might just run away.
Actually I wasn't the first one noticing the website of the KVETCHER. A friend of mine discovered the site first and highly recommended it to me. The Kvetcher obviously likes to write about certain Jerusalem Yeshivot. Basically he calls the students of the Ohr Sameach Yeshiva "Dark Lights" and the Yeshiva itself "Black Hole".
One is free to think whatever he wants but it really makes more sense when you personally know the places. When you know the students of Ohr Sameach, its sister school Neve Yerushalaim or another Yeshiva located in the Old City, the Aish HaTorah Yeshiva.
For more than a decade, I've been meeting Aish, Ohr Sameach or Neve Yerushalaim students everywhere. Especially at the Shabbatot at Rabbi Mordechai Machlise's house who lives right behind Ohr Sameach.
When I started to become religious and decided to learn more about Judaism, I was also sent to Neve Yerushalaim. I was on the famous Yeshiva shopping trip anyway and actually I was looking for something Israeli. I didn't want to be among Americans all the time. As I lived in Israel and planned on making Aliyah, I wanted to get adjusted to Israel and not to the US.
I have met many different characters going to the men's Yeshivot Aish and Ohr Sameach. Both Yeshivot mostly offer beginner programs but it is possible to continue for some years in more advanced classes. Both Yeshivot have an age limit and prefer younger students from all over the world. You shouldn't be over thirty.
Every year, many young Jews come to Jerusalem and either look for a Yeshiva on their own or already signed up for a programs at home. Aish and Ohr Sameach are popular among the young guys. Mostly American rabbis teach American, British, Australian or South African students. Sorry, I forgot mentioning the Canadians.
Teaching newcomers is a dangerous and a highly responsible task. Many times, the newly religious are getting carried away by the enthusiasm a Baal Teshuva sometimes has. Suddenly everything and everyone has to be religious and behave in a certain way. Once you are inside the Yeshiva, you easily forget about the outside world. The worst is when a student comes back to the States and suddenly has to face his reform or conservative parents. Thus, many conflicts have been coming up and upset parents called the Yeshiva afterwards complaining about what they had done to their kids.
The problem is that the Yeshiva student is too young and has no experience of how to deal with the secular outside world.
Rabbi Machlis once gave a great example:
Once a student went back to the States and started to tell his rabbi at home what to do. He said that according to the Shulchan Aruch it is so and so. The rabbi replied that the community doesn't go according to the Shulchan Aruch but rather according to the Aruch HaShulchan. The student was embarrassed.
I have faced this many times. Young Jews start Yeshiva without knowing a thing and after a week or two, they start telling you what to do. Avoiding such problems is a great task for a rabbi and sometimes it seems that neither Aish nor Ohr Sameach are very successful in this. The same with the women's Yeshiva Neve Yerushalaim.
The Kvetcher claims that Neve doesn't want the girls to become too educated. This, I can confirm although I have a friend claiming the opposite. It is well known that Neve Yerushalaim has not such a great intellectual standard and even other women's Yeshivot in the Har Nof neighbourhood make fun of Neve. Example: Shearim where young women study Gemara.
Neve sees its goal in turning secular female Jews into religious observant Jews. If possible, Shidduchim should be made between Neve girls and Ohr Sameach guys. In my eyes, everybody is free to decide and there are actually Neve girls who studied at Harvard before. Not everyone is coming brainless. If someone doesn't like the program, she is free to leave and look for something else, as I did. But what I do criticize is that many young people get rushed into religion too fast. For instance, Neve expects the girls to take over a religious life style after six weeks in the Mechinah (preparation course). This also includes adopting a frum clothing style: long skirts and long sleeves only.
I heard about a famous case where a girl was rushed into religion and only after a few months got married to a haredi guy. They went back to the States, had a child and after only two years, the woman escaped and returned to her former life style. The guy married someone else haredi.
Becoming religious takes time and it doesn’t just come after six weeks or so. It takes years and lots of patience, as it is a life process. Neve, Aish and Ohr Sameach many times forget about this and rather act too speedily. Just as if they are afraid that the student might just run away.
Cold but never Boring
B"H
The weather in Jerusalem is freezing these days. Temperature is below minus and everybody is looking for a warm place or at least a hot bowl of soup. We even wear gloves. However, Shabbat is Shabbat and there has to be some spirituality as well.
My first spirituality portion I already got on the way to the Shabbat dinner at Rabbi Mordechai Machlise's house. I met a Vishnitzer Chassid who I know from the university library. I didn't recognize him right away, as he wore his Streimel. He immediately told me about the Vishnitzer Rebbes and claimed that most chassidic groups actually depend on Vishnitz. Many wives of different Rebbes are actually from Vishnitz, such as the wife of one of the Admorim of Satmar, Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum, or the wife of the present Belzer Rebbe. "And by the way, he said, the Jerusalem Slonim are also related to Vishnitz.
This happens to me all the time. Vishnitz claims that they are the most important group, Belz does the same, let alone Gur. The Chassidim always want me to write about their own particular group.
"Who cares about Toldot Aharon ?" one Belzer Chassid asked me. "Write about Belz".
"Belz ? They are only interested in their money", told me someone from Gur.
The list is long and I try to write about everybody, as I am not someone's private public relation office.
After the usual Machlis meal and their great food, my friend and I went to Chassidut Dushinsky.
"You never give up on Dushinsky", my friend keeps saying.
The problem is that most of the times when we went there, the Tish was closed for women or no Tish took place at all. However, Last night we were lucky. The door to the Ezrat Nashim was open and a Tish took place. We were even very lucky to find a great place behind the Mechitzah and could see everything. The men's side was completely packed with Chassidim and the Dushinsky Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Zvi Dushinsky, was in a great mood. He is rather serious but seems to have a great personal relationship to his Chassidim.
The present Dushinsky Rebbe: Rabbi Yosef Zvi Dushinsky
The Dushinsky Tish only lasts for two hours and we participated in the last hour. Unfortunately, the Rebbe's Yiddish is very hard to understand for me, and thus I didn't understand too much from his Derasha. Only that he was talking about Chametz and fighting and overcoming the Yetzer.
Towards the end, the Rebbe dances with some of his Chassidim (I think only the married ones) around the huge Tish. They do so three times and then he says to each one "Gid Shabbas". I am a real fan of such personal attention of the Rebbes. Most of them great their Chassidim during the Tish and nod with their heads (such as Belz or Toldot Avraham Yitzchak).
After the Dushinsky - Tish we climbed up the hill in Yoel Street. Spontaneously, we decided to go to the Chassidut Kretchnif. It was late and I am suffering from another cold but we couldn' t really do without Kretchnif.
It was already midnight when we climbed up the three floors to the Ezrat Nashim. Only the Kretchnifer Rebbitzen with a few relatives was present. Just the opposite took place downstairs. The Kretchnifer Tish was packed and we even spotted out many guys who had been to Dushinsky before. Including the son of the Kretchnifer Rebbe.
Two things I like about the Kretchnifer Rebbe besides that he is very communicative and personal. I love it when he dances alone and I love it when he dances with his Chassidim. He has a certain elegance in his way to dance which is quite unique. The funny thing is that before, the Chassidim dance unemotionally and as soon as the Rebbe participates, the dance turns into something else. He grabs the hands of the Chassidim, starts running and pulls everybody after him.
When we wanted to leave, the Rebbitzen came up to me and we talked for some time. She is an elderly woman with a great sense of humour. It was the first time ever that a Rebbitzen came up to us and if we have any questions about Chassidut Kretchnif Jerusalem, we can always refer to her.
After we left Kretchnif, we turned in to Mea Shearim Street and walked through the local market. The market is a total Neturei Karta place and we were actually looking for their synagogue. Of course, we didn't expect a building with a huge sign "Welcome to the Neturei Karta". The graffiti on the walls around the market place are always interesting and you can see the signs of the Neturei Karta. "Zionists out" or "Free Palestine".
At 2.00am in the morning, we weren't too successful in finding the synagogue but, instead, found some other interesting ones. When we passed the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak synagogue, an ambulance came around the corner. Well, the Neturei Karta would say: "A Zionist ambulance". Right away two young Avraham Yitzchak Chassidim ran out of their synagogue in order to see what is going on. Maybe throwing some stones or so. However, when there is an ambulance at sight, no one does anything due to Pikuach Nefesh. So, nothing happened.
We had a great time at the Tishes with many different experiences.
The weather in Jerusalem is freezing these days. Temperature is below minus and everybody is looking for a warm place or at least a hot bowl of soup. We even wear gloves. However, Shabbat is Shabbat and there has to be some spirituality as well.
My first spirituality portion I already got on the way to the Shabbat dinner at Rabbi Mordechai Machlise's house. I met a Vishnitzer Chassid who I know from the university library. I didn't recognize him right away, as he wore his Streimel. He immediately told me about the Vishnitzer Rebbes and claimed that most chassidic groups actually depend on Vishnitz. Many wives of different Rebbes are actually from Vishnitz, such as the wife of one of the Admorim of Satmar, Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum, or the wife of the present Belzer Rebbe. "And by the way, he said, the Jerusalem Slonim are also related to Vishnitz.
This happens to me all the time. Vishnitz claims that they are the most important group, Belz does the same, let alone Gur. The Chassidim always want me to write about their own particular group.
"Who cares about Toldot Aharon ?" one Belzer Chassid asked me. "Write about Belz".
"Belz ? They are only interested in their money", told me someone from Gur.
The list is long and I try to write about everybody, as I am not someone's private public relation office.
After the usual Machlis meal and their great food, my friend and I went to Chassidut Dushinsky.
"You never give up on Dushinsky", my friend keeps saying.
The problem is that most of the times when we went there, the Tish was closed for women or no Tish took place at all. However, Last night we were lucky. The door to the Ezrat Nashim was open and a Tish took place. We were even very lucky to find a great place behind the Mechitzah and could see everything. The men's side was completely packed with Chassidim and the Dushinsky Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Zvi Dushinsky, was in a great mood. He is rather serious but seems to have a great personal relationship to his Chassidim.
The present Dushinsky Rebbe: Rabbi Yosef Zvi Dushinsky
The Dushinsky Tish only lasts for two hours and we participated in the last hour. Unfortunately, the Rebbe's Yiddish is very hard to understand for me, and thus I didn't understand too much from his Derasha. Only that he was talking about Chametz and fighting and overcoming the Yetzer.
Towards the end, the Rebbe dances with some of his Chassidim (I think only the married ones) around the huge Tish. They do so three times and then he says to each one "Gid Shabbas". I am a real fan of such personal attention of the Rebbes. Most of them great their Chassidim during the Tish and nod with their heads (such as Belz or Toldot Avraham Yitzchak).
After the Dushinsky - Tish we climbed up the hill in Yoel Street. Spontaneously, we decided to go to the Chassidut Kretchnif. It was late and I am suffering from another cold but we couldn' t really do without Kretchnif.
It was already midnight when we climbed up the three floors to the Ezrat Nashim. Only the Kretchnifer Rebbitzen with a few relatives was present. Just the opposite took place downstairs. The Kretchnifer Tish was packed and we even spotted out many guys who had been to Dushinsky before. Including the son of the Kretchnifer Rebbe.
Two things I like about the Kretchnifer Rebbe besides that he is very communicative and personal. I love it when he dances alone and I love it when he dances with his Chassidim. He has a certain elegance in his way to dance which is quite unique. The funny thing is that before, the Chassidim dance unemotionally and as soon as the Rebbe participates, the dance turns into something else. He grabs the hands of the Chassidim, starts running and pulls everybody after him.
When we wanted to leave, the Rebbitzen came up to me and we talked for some time. She is an elderly woman with a great sense of humour. It was the first time ever that a Rebbitzen came up to us and if we have any questions about Chassidut Kretchnif Jerusalem, we can always refer to her.
After we left Kretchnif, we turned in to Mea Shearim Street and walked through the local market. The market is a total Neturei Karta place and we were actually looking for their synagogue. Of course, we didn't expect a building with a huge sign "Welcome to the Neturei Karta". The graffiti on the walls around the market place are always interesting and you can see the signs of the Neturei Karta. "Zionists out" or "Free Palestine".
At 2.00am in the morning, we weren't too successful in finding the synagogue but, instead, found some other interesting ones. When we passed the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak synagogue, an ambulance came around the corner. Well, the Neturei Karta would say: "A Zionist ambulance". Right away two young Avraham Yitzchak Chassidim ran out of their synagogue in order to see what is going on. Maybe throwing some stones or so. However, when there is an ambulance at sight, no one does anything due to Pikuach Nefesh. So, nothing happened.
We had a great time at the Tishes with many different experiences.
Friday, January 11, 2008
A Freezing Shabbat
B"H
Weather in Jerusalem is freezing and tonight, temperature will fall below minus. However, this doesn't stop my friend and me from going to the chassidic Tishes. The choice is not so great, as the Admorim of Avraham Yitzchak and Toldot Aharon are still abroad (another week or so).
If we once up in a while went to a short Tish or wouldn't be tempted to stay until the end, we were finally ready to get up early the next morning and go to a synagogue. The synagogues I definitely want to visit are the Mishkenot HaRoim and the nearby Neturei Karta shul. Someone told me that the Neturei Karta has an Ezrat Nashim.
Since George Bush is gone, Jerusalem is much more quiet. The press ran after him to Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) and the security finally went home.
Saving Jerusalem from being divided:
http://onejerusalem.org/blog/index.asp
Unfortunately, great rabbis didn't call up the masses for special prayers for Jerusalem. But do we need the rabbis for this ? It is up to all of us how important Jerusalem is in our lives.
Shabbat Shalom - Shabbes Koidesh - שבת שלום ומבורך לכל הקוריאם
Weather in Jerusalem is freezing and tonight, temperature will fall below minus. However, this doesn't stop my friend and me from going to the chassidic Tishes. The choice is not so great, as the Admorim of Avraham Yitzchak and Toldot Aharon are still abroad (another week or so).
If we once up in a while went to a short Tish or wouldn't be tempted to stay until the end, we were finally ready to get up early the next morning and go to a synagogue. The synagogues I definitely want to visit are the Mishkenot HaRoim and the nearby Neturei Karta shul. Someone told me that the Neturei Karta has an Ezrat Nashim.
Since George Bush is gone, Jerusalem is much more quiet. The press ran after him to Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) and the security finally went home.
Saving Jerusalem from being divided:
http://onejerusalem.org/blog/index.asp
Unfortunately, great rabbis didn't call up the masses for special prayers for Jerusalem. But do we need the rabbis for this ? It is up to all of us how important Jerusalem is in our lives.
Shabbat Shalom - Shabbes Koidesh - שבת שלום ומבורך לכל הקוריאם
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The Chassidim and the Holocaust
B"H
Every year, January 27th, marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
In Germany, January 27th, therefore, is the official Holocaust Remembrance Day. There are no sirens to be heard as in Israel. The only thing Germans do is going to memorial services where politicians or leaders of the Jewish communities give their speeches.
Thousands of books have been written on the Holocaust. However, not too many deal with the religious side of it. The big question mark is still behind the Chassidim. Why did so many Chassidim die during the Holocaust while the Rebbes escaped ? Wouldn't it have been better if the Rebbes had stayed and died with their Chassidim instead of a kind of leaving them alone ? What was the role of the Gerer (Gur) Rebbe when he left Poland ? At the time of the Second World War, the Gerer Rebbe was already a very well known figure and as a celebrity it is easier to flee. But not only Gur has to deal with such a question. What about the Belzer Rebbe ? Today, Chassidut Belz considers the escape of their former Rebbe as a miracle.
It isn't that easy to judge and many chassidic groups have to ask themselves if they reacted right or wrong. Unfortunately, this matter has been totally neglected after the war. There are many books about miraculous escapes of different Rebbes but hardly any book deals with the question of famous Rebbes who were able to escape and left the Chassidim behind.
In this article, I am only mentioning a few different points of view to the subject "Chassidim and the Holocaust". I base the facts on the book of Pesach Schindler who did some research on this issue (The Chassidic Response to the Holocaust). Of course, there are plenty of other books; especially those describing the escapes and survivals of certain Rebbes in detail. Such as the Klausenberger Rebbe, Rabbi Halberstam, or the survival of Chassidut Satmar or Bobov.
The fact which Germans until today do not like to hear or are not even being aware of is that thousands of Chassidim died in the Holocaust. They don't know that whole chassidic dynasties were almost wiped out and to tell the truth, not too many of them are interested anyway. Until today, Chassidim are something strange in German society. No wonder because only Chabad set up some branches in the former Nazi country.
Pesach Schindler in his book "The Chassidic Response to the Holocaust":
The majority of the Chassidim considered the Holocaust as a decree from G – d. No one has the right criticizing G – d's judgment and ask questions. All the answers for our questions we are going to receive from the Meshiach. Furthermore, times of suffering are supposed to be the forerunner of Meshiach (there are different interpretations about this statement).
The Grodzisker Rebbe, Rabbi Israel Shapira, said in Treblinka:
We should not question G – d's actions.
The opinion is based on a highly complicated chassidic concept:
Evil has its roots in good. According to the Zohar there is a spark of Kedusha (holiness) even in the "other side".
Meshiach is coming close when Torah and Mitzwot are being kept even in the most evil times. The whole diaspora (Galut) is a Jewish tragedy.
However, there were also different opinions.
Many Chassidim became resistance fighters and even built their own resistance groups. The Belzer Rebbe asked his Chassidim to leave Europe. The same did the Komaner Rebbe. Twenty Chassidim of the Ostrower Rebbe were prepared to sacrifice themselves in order to rescue the life of their Rebbe. In the end, the Nazis shot the Chassidim and the Rebbe.
If the circumstances allowed it, many Chassidim refused to change their chassidic clothing style or to have the beard shaved. Many chassidic Rebbes (Admorim) didn't leave their Chassidim alone and went with them into the gas chambers. Even in Auschwitz – Birkenau the Mitzwot were kept; there still existed prayer services and Mazzot were baked.
And there were also those chassidic Rabbis who did question G – d's actions. If G – d doesn't break His own commandments ?
Rabbi Aharon Rokeach (Belz) was asked if the Jews should not ask G – d for a divine intervention. The Rebbe's response: No, everything happening is already a G – dly decree.
Once someone told me that many Jewish prisoners in Auschwitz asked leading Rabbis in the camp if they couldn't curse the Germans and thus cause them do die. Rabbis even asked G – d for advice and a Bat Kol (according to Rashi it is an echo of a heavenly voice, see Talmud Yoma 9b and Eruvin 13b) responded: NO.
No curses should take place.
There are no answers to the Holocaust. Not even religious answers. It seems like we really have to wait for the Meshiach in order to find out why it happened. For the Chassidim, suffering has not ended. We all know about the war between Gog and Magog. The last Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shneerson, however, said that already World War II was Gog and Magog and now everything is ready for the arrival of the Meshiach.
And how do the Chassidim refer to the Germans today ?
As you can surely imagine, Germans are not be seen as the greatest friends. I know a Gerer Chassid who was born in Poland and he lost his whole family in the concentration camps. His name is Rabbi Shalom Mark (Markovitch) and he published a small booklet describing his experiences as a child in different camps. He called the booklet: "Choose Life". In his booklet as well as in his speeches, Rabbi Shalom Mark highly criticizes the Germans. He calls them gangsters and murderers. Even if he does meet younger Germans from time to time, the Rabbi still cannot get rid of his mixed feelings about them.
And it is not only the Chassidim who don't want to forgive; also the Israeli national religious have their problems with the Germans. Have you ever seen the present German chancellor Angela Merkel being invited by the Gerer Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter, of by Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu ?
Fact is that 99% of the chassidic population avoid going to Germany. Chabad is there but many Chabadnikkim have mixed feelings. The problem already starts as soon as you see elderly Germans. Then you always ask yourself what they did during the war. Let alone the new Neonazis walking around today.
A sephardi Chassid told me that although Angela Merkel seems to be quite Israel friendly, this doesn't cause the Jews to forgive the Germans. Until today, many Israelis have difficulties hearing the German language. It always reminds you of something bad or evil. A national religious American born woman said to me that she doesn't ban German products as her mother did. However, she still thinks that there is something evil in the German character and culture. "Germans always want to be superior", she said.
In other words, it is not enough for the Germans running to Jewish memorial services on January 27th. There is more to it than being sorry once a year. Germany has to prove that it is a different country. A democracy fighting anti – Semitism.
Every year, January 27th, marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
In Germany, January 27th, therefore, is the official Holocaust Remembrance Day. There are no sirens to be heard as in Israel. The only thing Germans do is going to memorial services where politicians or leaders of the Jewish communities give their speeches.
Thousands of books have been written on the Holocaust. However, not too many deal with the religious side of it. The big question mark is still behind the Chassidim. Why did so many Chassidim die during the Holocaust while the Rebbes escaped ? Wouldn't it have been better if the Rebbes had stayed and died with their Chassidim instead of a kind of leaving them alone ? What was the role of the Gerer (Gur) Rebbe when he left Poland ? At the time of the Second World War, the Gerer Rebbe was already a very well known figure and as a celebrity it is easier to flee. But not only Gur has to deal with such a question. What about the Belzer Rebbe ? Today, Chassidut Belz considers the escape of their former Rebbe as a miracle.
It isn't that easy to judge and many chassidic groups have to ask themselves if they reacted right or wrong. Unfortunately, this matter has been totally neglected after the war. There are many books about miraculous escapes of different Rebbes but hardly any book deals with the question of famous Rebbes who were able to escape and left the Chassidim behind.
In this article, I am only mentioning a few different points of view to the subject "Chassidim and the Holocaust". I base the facts on the book of Pesach Schindler who did some research on this issue (The Chassidic Response to the Holocaust). Of course, there are plenty of other books; especially those describing the escapes and survivals of certain Rebbes in detail. Such as the Klausenberger Rebbe, Rabbi Halberstam, or the survival of Chassidut Satmar or Bobov.
The fact which Germans until today do not like to hear or are not even being aware of is that thousands of Chassidim died in the Holocaust. They don't know that whole chassidic dynasties were almost wiped out and to tell the truth, not too many of them are interested anyway. Until today, Chassidim are something strange in German society. No wonder because only Chabad set up some branches in the former Nazi country.
Pesach Schindler in his book "The Chassidic Response to the Holocaust":
The majority of the Chassidim considered the Holocaust as a decree from G – d. No one has the right criticizing G – d's judgment and ask questions. All the answers for our questions we are going to receive from the Meshiach. Furthermore, times of suffering are supposed to be the forerunner of Meshiach (there are different interpretations about this statement).
The Grodzisker Rebbe, Rabbi Israel Shapira, said in Treblinka:
We should not question G – d's actions.
The opinion is based on a highly complicated chassidic concept:
Evil has its roots in good. According to the Zohar there is a spark of Kedusha (holiness) even in the "other side".
Meshiach is coming close when Torah and Mitzwot are being kept even in the most evil times. The whole diaspora (Galut) is a Jewish tragedy.
However, there were also different opinions.
Many Chassidim became resistance fighters and even built their own resistance groups. The Belzer Rebbe asked his Chassidim to leave Europe. The same did the Komaner Rebbe. Twenty Chassidim of the Ostrower Rebbe were prepared to sacrifice themselves in order to rescue the life of their Rebbe. In the end, the Nazis shot the Chassidim and the Rebbe.
If the circumstances allowed it, many Chassidim refused to change their chassidic clothing style or to have the beard shaved. Many chassidic Rebbes (Admorim) didn't leave their Chassidim alone and went with them into the gas chambers. Even in Auschwitz – Birkenau the Mitzwot were kept; there still existed prayer services and Mazzot were baked.
And there were also those chassidic Rabbis who did question G – d's actions. If G – d doesn't break His own commandments ?
Rabbi Aharon Rokeach (Belz) was asked if the Jews should not ask G – d for a divine intervention. The Rebbe's response: No, everything happening is already a G – dly decree.
Once someone told me that many Jewish prisoners in Auschwitz asked leading Rabbis in the camp if they couldn't curse the Germans and thus cause them do die. Rabbis even asked G – d for advice and a Bat Kol (according to Rashi it is an echo of a heavenly voice, see Talmud Yoma 9b and Eruvin 13b) responded: NO.
No curses should take place.
There are no answers to the Holocaust. Not even religious answers. It seems like we really have to wait for the Meshiach in order to find out why it happened. For the Chassidim, suffering has not ended. We all know about the war between Gog and Magog. The last Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shneerson, however, said that already World War II was Gog and Magog and now everything is ready for the arrival of the Meshiach.
And how do the Chassidim refer to the Germans today ?
As you can surely imagine, Germans are not be seen as the greatest friends. I know a Gerer Chassid who was born in Poland and he lost his whole family in the concentration camps. His name is Rabbi Shalom Mark (Markovitch) and he published a small booklet describing his experiences as a child in different camps. He called the booklet: "Choose Life". In his booklet as well as in his speeches, Rabbi Shalom Mark highly criticizes the Germans. He calls them gangsters and murderers. Even if he does meet younger Germans from time to time, the Rabbi still cannot get rid of his mixed feelings about them.
And it is not only the Chassidim who don't want to forgive; also the Israeli national religious have their problems with the Germans. Have you ever seen the present German chancellor Angela Merkel being invited by the Gerer Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter, of by Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu ?
Fact is that 99% of the chassidic population avoid going to Germany. Chabad is there but many Chabadnikkim have mixed feelings. The problem already starts as soon as you see elderly Germans. Then you always ask yourself what they did during the war. Let alone the new Neonazis walking around today.
A sephardi Chassid told me that although Angela Merkel seems to be quite Israel friendly, this doesn't cause the Jews to forgive the Germans. Until today, many Israelis have difficulties hearing the German language. It always reminds you of something bad or evil. A national religious American born woman said to me that she doesn't ban German products as her mother did. However, she still thinks that there is something evil in the German character and culture. "Germans always want to be superior", she said.
In other words, it is not enough for the Germans running to Jewish memorial services on January 27th. There is more to it than being sorry once a year. Germany has to prove that it is a different country. A democracy fighting anti – Semitism.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Headcover of the Toldot Aharon Women
B"H
Eleven years ago, the former Toldot Aharon Rebbe, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kahn, passed away. His death was followed by the event that the group members didn't choose the older brother, Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Kahn, as the new Rebbe, but instead they chose his younger brother, Rabbi David Kahn. The result was that Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov was upset and founded his own group called Toldot Avraham Yitzchak. Many members from Toldot Aharon joined him but, nevertheless, the Toldot Aharon remain the larger group of the two.
The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak still use the Toldot Aharon Sidur, the Kehilla u'Beracha although they later introduced their own Sidur. Furthermore, they even keep the clothing style and it is hard to tell, who is who when you meet them in the streets. Women and men of the two groups are hard to differentiate.
The traditional head cover, I am going to describe, does fit into the two groups and not only Toldot Aharon.
As I mentioned before, you can spot out different types of Toldot Aharon women from far away. The more "rebellious" or in better words, the more modern type with the traditional Yasameh not covering the woman's neck.
The "Yasameh" is a kind of a Shmattes worn on the head. During the week it has a black colour and on Shabbat and the holidays it has a white colour.
It is important to mention though, that there are different kinds of Yasamehs. Some seem to be more like a hat and other look like a small Shmattes. Somehow the headcover shows the identity of a Toldot Aharon woman. As I wrote before, the more modern woman with a headcover not covering her neck. The second type is a Yasameh which has an attached neckcover in the back. Both types are very common among the women.
The third type is a mostly black unusually long head cover reaching with its ends to the breasts. This kind of cover does cover the head and the breasts in one piece. You won't see this type of cover too often but in case you do, you will realize that the woman wearing it keeps the Toldot Aharon Takanot in a very strict way. It is the most conservative way to express one's tradition.
What I do not mention here is the "Spitz". However, it is very common to see them on Shabbat.
What my friend and I also realized was that those women (Toldot Aharon and Avraham Yitzchak) wear something under their Yasameh. First, we couldn't figure out what exactly it was and I don't feel like going up to one of the women and asking her what she wears under her headcover. However, eventually we found out and the reason for this is very peculiar to me.
Many of the women have the custom to put a piece of foam under their Yasameh. You can see this at the back of the head. They put it on the head (between the head and the Yasameh) and the foam makes the Yasameh standing up a little. The official reason I heard is that the women think that it is more attractive. I don't know if this is the real reason for it.
What I further noticed is that there are different kinds of foam. In other words, different shapes of foam. For example, there is a rather long piece of foam in the shape of a rectangle (about 3 - 4 cm long). The second kind I noticed was a piece of foam in the shape of a horseshoe (about 2.5 cm).
It goes without saying that most group members of the two groups still shave their hairs one or two days after the wedding. I don't really understand why so many outsiders are so curious about this fact. Once you grow up in such a group, you know exactly what to expect after your wedding. Of course, everybody reacts in a different way when she finally sees herself bald. And I am sure that many of these young girls are in shock. Others take it easy.
I cannot understand why people only asked about the first shaving after the wedding. As this is an ongoing lifelong process, what about the women's feelings after a few months or years ? I do believe that even after five years it has an effect. If good or bad, I cannot say, but it definitely has an effect.
As soon as I have the possibility of speaking to the women more openly, I will let you know more about the headcovers.
Eleven years ago, the former Toldot Aharon Rebbe, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kahn, passed away. His death was followed by the event that the group members didn't choose the older brother, Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Kahn, as the new Rebbe, but instead they chose his younger brother, Rabbi David Kahn. The result was that Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov was upset and founded his own group called Toldot Avraham Yitzchak. Many members from Toldot Aharon joined him but, nevertheless, the Toldot Aharon remain the larger group of the two.
The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak still use the Toldot Aharon Sidur, the Kehilla u'Beracha although they later introduced their own Sidur. Furthermore, they even keep the clothing style and it is hard to tell, who is who when you meet them in the streets. Women and men of the two groups are hard to differentiate.
The traditional head cover, I am going to describe, does fit into the two groups and not only Toldot Aharon.
As I mentioned before, you can spot out different types of Toldot Aharon women from far away. The more "rebellious" or in better words, the more modern type with the traditional Yasameh not covering the woman's neck.
The "Yasameh" is a kind of a Shmattes worn on the head. During the week it has a black colour and on Shabbat and the holidays it has a white colour.
It is important to mention though, that there are different kinds of Yasamehs. Some seem to be more like a hat and other look like a small Shmattes. Somehow the headcover shows the identity of a Toldot Aharon woman. As I wrote before, the more modern woman with a headcover not covering her neck. The second type is a Yasameh which has an attached neckcover in the back. Both types are very common among the women.
The third type is a mostly black unusually long head cover reaching with its ends to the breasts. This kind of cover does cover the head and the breasts in one piece. You won't see this type of cover too often but in case you do, you will realize that the woman wearing it keeps the Toldot Aharon Takanot in a very strict way. It is the most conservative way to express one's tradition.
What I do not mention here is the "Spitz". However, it is very common to see them on Shabbat.
What my friend and I also realized was that those women (Toldot Aharon and Avraham Yitzchak) wear something under their Yasameh. First, we couldn't figure out what exactly it was and I don't feel like going up to one of the women and asking her what she wears under her headcover. However, eventually we found out and the reason for this is very peculiar to me.
Many of the women have the custom to put a piece of foam under their Yasameh. You can see this at the back of the head. They put it on the head (between the head and the Yasameh) and the foam makes the Yasameh standing up a little. The official reason I heard is that the women think that it is more attractive. I don't know if this is the real reason for it.
What I further noticed is that there are different kinds of foam. In other words, different shapes of foam. For example, there is a rather long piece of foam in the shape of a rectangle (about 3 - 4 cm long). The second kind I noticed was a piece of foam in the shape of a horseshoe (about 2.5 cm).
It goes without saying that most group members of the two groups still shave their hairs one or two days after the wedding. I don't really understand why so many outsiders are so curious about this fact. Once you grow up in such a group, you know exactly what to expect after your wedding. Of course, everybody reacts in a different way when she finally sees herself bald. And I am sure that many of these young girls are in shock. Others take it easy.
I cannot understand why people only asked about the first shaving after the wedding. As this is an ongoing lifelong process, what about the women's feelings after a few months or years ? I do believe that even after five years it has an effect. If good or bad, I cannot say, but it definitely has an effect.
As soon as I have the possibility of speaking to the women more openly, I will let you know more about the headcovers.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Der Rebbe hutt gesugt
B"H
Der Rebbe hutt gesugt – Yiddish: The Rebbe said
Our favourite Tishes, Toldot Aharon and Avraham Yitzchak, are only going to take place again in another three weeks or so. Both Rebbes are abroad.
My special subject, writing about one of the most extreme Chassidic groups, the Toldot Aharon, is delayed. On the one hand, this gives us enough opportunities to visit other Tishes and write about the smaller groups of Mea Shearim. Who, outside the chassidic world, knows about the Slonim, Karlin – Stolin or Kretchnif ?
But, on the other hand, my friend and I do miss going to the Toldot Aharon Tishes. There, we met the nicest women and I spoke with quite a few people. It is rather easy to approach them if you speak the haredi language. Not a particular language of course but people simply feel if you are in society or not. Haredi Yeshiva students shouldn't face any problems there.
Lots of haredi experience or not, it does take plenty of time to get closer and have a more private discussion. Especially if you don't live in the Mea Shearim / Ge'ulah neighbourhood. Another reason might be that I am shy and I admit that I think far too much. Instead of asking "Was machste – How are you", I start thinking about the most complicated questions and in the end there is nothing but silence. This once happened to me when a young Toldot Aharon girl approached me, sat down beside me and wanted to talk. But I started thinking and this was it.
Additionally I have to admit that I don't publish everything we are experiencing at the Tishes or in the streets. One reason is that I haven't sorted out all the details and stories, and the second reason is that I simply would never publish everything. In my opinion, the Chassidim have a right of privacy as well. Not everything has to be in the headlines.
As our favourites are gone, we had to look for other options last Friday night. As the whole Dushinsky building was silent and not shaking, we supposed that nothing special was going on and didn't even investigate any further. Instead we walked up Yoel Street and went to the rather small Chassiut Kretchnif. The Krechtnifer Rebbe of Jerusalem is not the only one of the group. Further Kretchnifer Rebbes are to be found in Rehovot, Haifa or Williamsburgh.
The Krechtnif women in Jerusalem keep a certain distance to all visitors from outside Mea Shearim. It takes some time to get in touch but it seems that we are on the way. Last Friday, we were offered cake from the Rebbe's Tish. That's something.
Women from other groups are more open. I have already mentioned the women of Toldot Aharon and should add the one's from Toldot Avraham Yitzchak. They are extremely nice. Of course, you have to go according to their rules and should speak Yiddish or Hebrew. And it goes without saying that someone has to be Jewish. Being Jewish when going to a Tish is an absolute MUST.
What those women do not expect is a total agreement to their Takanot. I once heard a Chabad girl talking to a Toldot Aharon woman and the later didn't criticize the girl. However, in her opinion, only Toldot Aharon and maybe some others like them, keep the Mitzwot "kmo she zarich – as it should be". I wasn't surprised at all to hear such an opinion.
We are not alone searching for Tishes and last Friday is was harder than usual. Only Belz, the Slonim and Kretchnif had Tishes going on. The women's side (Ezrat Nashim) of Kretchnif was busy. Even a Toldot Aharon woman walked in with her two young daughters. Downstairs were about 60 men; Slonim, Toldot Aharon, Satmar and Shomrei Emunim.
The Kretchnifer Rebbe was in a great mood and encouraged the Chassidim to sing with him. He very much emphasizes on participation and welcomes everybody. The Rebbe doesn't make a difference between his Chassidim or someone from Satmar or the Slonim. "Setzen, setzen – sit down, sit down" he always says.
The thing I like most at Kretchnif is the dance of the Rebbe. He usually does it twice and it is very emotional. Before and after, the Chassidim make a circle around the synagogue tables and dance while the Rebbe remains standing at his place at the Tish.
Towards the end, the Rebbe joins the circle and he dances with such a speed that the other Chassidim have problems to keep up with him. However, I really like when he dances by himself.
If you are looking for an enthusiastic Tish, you should definitely visit Kretchnif. Another advantage is that it is not packed with hundreds of Chassidim.
At about 2.00 am, the Tish was over and the Chassidim accompanied the Rebbe home. I guess he lives in the same building upstairs.
When we left the building, we faced a rather strange incident. Walking back a few Meters to Yoel Street, we saw a kind of police car standing there. It wasn't really a police car. I said on the car in Hebrew letters: "Shmira Ke'Halacha – Guide according to Halacha".
The Chassidim weren't too happy about a car driving around Mea Shearim on Shabbat and as soon as they started approaching it, the car moved a few meters further. I couldn't spot out the driver.
Apparently, the Chassidim couldn't understand what was going on with this strange car but nothing further happened.
If no Tish is taking place at Dushinsky next Erev Shabbat, we will definitely be back at Kretchnif.
___________________
The Kretchnifer Rebbe usually gives two Derashot (Torah teachings) in the middle of his Tish. His third speech is more personal and it mostly includes his experiences with other chassidic rabbis.
Last Friday, I was able to listen to his first Derasha. The problem is that he usually doesn’t speak loud enough but this time, he started with a weak voice but got louder and more enthusiastic.
His Derasha was about "Tefilah – prayer".
The Israelites were taken out of Egypt because they never gave up praying and always prayed with a high Kavanah (concentration). One cannot just look at the clock and say: "Oh, time for Mincha".
It is important to prepare oneself before prayer and pray from the heart. However, never give up praying.
The Kretchnifer Rebbe at his Tish last Purim
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2985693741374990669
Der Rebbe hutt gesugt – Yiddish: The Rebbe said
Our favourite Tishes, Toldot Aharon and Avraham Yitzchak, are only going to take place again in another three weeks or so. Both Rebbes are abroad.
My special subject, writing about one of the most extreme Chassidic groups, the Toldot Aharon, is delayed. On the one hand, this gives us enough opportunities to visit other Tishes and write about the smaller groups of Mea Shearim. Who, outside the chassidic world, knows about the Slonim, Karlin – Stolin or Kretchnif ?
But, on the other hand, my friend and I do miss going to the Toldot Aharon Tishes. There, we met the nicest women and I spoke with quite a few people. It is rather easy to approach them if you speak the haredi language. Not a particular language of course but people simply feel if you are in society or not. Haredi Yeshiva students shouldn't face any problems there.
Lots of haredi experience or not, it does take plenty of time to get closer and have a more private discussion. Especially if you don't live in the Mea Shearim / Ge'ulah neighbourhood. Another reason might be that I am shy and I admit that I think far too much. Instead of asking "Was machste – How are you", I start thinking about the most complicated questions and in the end there is nothing but silence. This once happened to me when a young Toldot Aharon girl approached me, sat down beside me and wanted to talk. But I started thinking and this was it.
Additionally I have to admit that I don't publish everything we are experiencing at the Tishes or in the streets. One reason is that I haven't sorted out all the details and stories, and the second reason is that I simply would never publish everything. In my opinion, the Chassidim have a right of privacy as well. Not everything has to be in the headlines.
As our favourites are gone, we had to look for other options last Friday night. As the whole Dushinsky building was silent and not shaking, we supposed that nothing special was going on and didn't even investigate any further. Instead we walked up Yoel Street and went to the rather small Chassiut Kretchnif. The Krechtnifer Rebbe of Jerusalem is not the only one of the group. Further Kretchnifer Rebbes are to be found in Rehovot, Haifa or Williamsburgh.
The Krechtnif women in Jerusalem keep a certain distance to all visitors from outside Mea Shearim. It takes some time to get in touch but it seems that we are on the way. Last Friday, we were offered cake from the Rebbe's Tish. That's something.
Women from other groups are more open. I have already mentioned the women of Toldot Aharon and should add the one's from Toldot Avraham Yitzchak. They are extremely nice. Of course, you have to go according to their rules and should speak Yiddish or Hebrew. And it goes without saying that someone has to be Jewish. Being Jewish when going to a Tish is an absolute MUST.
What those women do not expect is a total agreement to their Takanot. I once heard a Chabad girl talking to a Toldot Aharon woman and the later didn't criticize the girl. However, in her opinion, only Toldot Aharon and maybe some others like them, keep the Mitzwot "kmo she zarich – as it should be". I wasn't surprised at all to hear such an opinion.
We are not alone searching for Tishes and last Friday is was harder than usual. Only Belz, the Slonim and Kretchnif had Tishes going on. The women's side (Ezrat Nashim) of Kretchnif was busy. Even a Toldot Aharon woman walked in with her two young daughters. Downstairs were about 60 men; Slonim, Toldot Aharon, Satmar and Shomrei Emunim.
The Kretchnifer Rebbe was in a great mood and encouraged the Chassidim to sing with him. He very much emphasizes on participation and welcomes everybody. The Rebbe doesn't make a difference between his Chassidim or someone from Satmar or the Slonim. "Setzen, setzen – sit down, sit down" he always says.
The thing I like most at Kretchnif is the dance of the Rebbe. He usually does it twice and it is very emotional. Before and after, the Chassidim make a circle around the synagogue tables and dance while the Rebbe remains standing at his place at the Tish.
Towards the end, the Rebbe joins the circle and he dances with such a speed that the other Chassidim have problems to keep up with him. However, I really like when he dances by himself.
If you are looking for an enthusiastic Tish, you should definitely visit Kretchnif. Another advantage is that it is not packed with hundreds of Chassidim.
At about 2.00 am, the Tish was over and the Chassidim accompanied the Rebbe home. I guess he lives in the same building upstairs.
When we left the building, we faced a rather strange incident. Walking back a few Meters to Yoel Street, we saw a kind of police car standing there. It wasn't really a police car. I said on the car in Hebrew letters: "Shmira Ke'Halacha – Guide according to Halacha".
The Chassidim weren't too happy about a car driving around Mea Shearim on Shabbat and as soon as they started approaching it, the car moved a few meters further. I couldn't spot out the driver.
Apparently, the Chassidim couldn't understand what was going on with this strange car but nothing further happened.
If no Tish is taking place at Dushinsky next Erev Shabbat, we will definitely be back at Kretchnif.
___________________
The Kretchnifer Rebbe usually gives two Derashot (Torah teachings) in the middle of his Tish. His third speech is more personal and it mostly includes his experiences with other chassidic rabbis.
Last Friday, I was able to listen to his first Derasha. The problem is that he usually doesn’t speak loud enough but this time, he started with a weak voice but got louder and more enthusiastic.
His Derasha was about "Tefilah – prayer".
The Israelites were taken out of Egypt because they never gave up praying and always prayed with a high Kavanah (concentration). One cannot just look at the clock and say: "Oh, time for Mincha".
It is important to prepare oneself before prayer and pray from the heart. However, never give up praying.
The Kretchnifer Rebbe at his Tish last Purim
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2985693741374990669
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Correction
B"H
The below mention Pollard demonstration does NOT take place tomorrow (Sunday) but on the day after tomorrow, MONDAY 7th January 2008.
Location: Paris Square in Jerusalem
Time: 2.30pm
The below mention Pollard demonstration does NOT take place tomorrow (Sunday) but on the day after tomorrow, MONDAY 7th January 2008.
Location: Paris Square in Jerusalem
Time: 2.30pm
Friday, January 4, 2008
Free Pollard
B"H
Next week, George Bush is coming for a visit to the Middle East. On Jan. 9, he will be in Israel for a few days. He is due to meet Prime Minister Olmert and the Palestinian Abu Mazen.
American Jewish religious organizations have already asked President Bush to cancel his visit to Israel. Among others, Chabad says that the Olmert government has no right to exist at all.
According to my experience, those people making such a statement are right, and the majority of Israelis doesn't want Olmert. However, until the next Knesset elections we cannot really get rid of him and another problem is that is there hardly anyone to replace him. Most Knesset members are crooks and just think about their money.
For us it is ridiculous that an American government is telling us what to do. What do Bush or Condoleeca Rice know about Israel and its citizens ?
And what do they know about Jerusalem ? Have they ever lived here ?
No one wants Olmert and George Bush is unwanted here next week. At least according to the Israelis citizens.
Just in time for his visit, the followers of Jonathan Pollard are planning a big event next Sunday. It is going to take place at the Jerusalem Paris Square. Pollard's wife Esther will be there as well and the plan is to rename Paris Square into "Jonathan Pollard Square".
http://www.jonathanpollard.org/
Whoever is interested, the event is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 7, 2008 at 2.30pm.
Next week, George Bush is coming for a visit to the Middle East. On Jan. 9, he will be in Israel for a few days. He is due to meet Prime Minister Olmert and the Palestinian Abu Mazen.
American Jewish religious organizations have already asked President Bush to cancel his visit to Israel. Among others, Chabad says that the Olmert government has no right to exist at all.
According to my experience, those people making such a statement are right, and the majority of Israelis doesn't want Olmert. However, until the next Knesset elections we cannot really get rid of him and another problem is that is there hardly anyone to replace him. Most Knesset members are crooks and just think about their money.
For us it is ridiculous that an American government is telling us what to do. What do Bush or Condoleeca Rice know about Israel and its citizens ?
And what do they know about Jerusalem ? Have they ever lived here ?
No one wants Olmert and George Bush is unwanted here next week. At least according to the Israelis citizens.
Just in time for his visit, the followers of Jonathan Pollard are planning a big event next Sunday. It is going to take place at the Jerusalem Paris Square. Pollard's wife Esther will be there as well and the plan is to rename Paris Square into "Jonathan Pollard Square".
http://www.jonathanpollard.org/
Whoever is interested, the event is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 7, 2008 at 2.30pm.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Interview with a Toldot Aharon Girl
B"H
By surfing the Net, I found an interesting Blog article where Eva interviewed a girl from the chassidic group of Toldot Aharon. It is very worth reading:
http://www.evasnotes.net/2007/10/25/chat-with-engaged-toldos-aharon-girl/
From my own experience I know how hard it is to get in touch with their members and being able to ask such questions, but Eva was very lucky.
By surfing the Net, I found an interesting Blog article where Eva interviewed a girl from the chassidic group of Toldot Aharon. It is very worth reading:
http://www.evasnotes.net/2007/10/25/chat-with-engaged-toldos-aharon-girl/
From my own experience I know how hard it is to get in touch with their members and being able to ask such questions, but Eva was very lucky.
The last Nazi Murderers
B"H
The Simon Wiesenthal - Center has launched a new website in order to find the last Nazi - murderers and take them to court:
http://operationlastchance.com/index.htm
The case of Erich Steidtmann:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1196847365049
The head of the Wiesenthal - Centers, Dr. Efraim Zuroff, believes that the Nazi - murderer Aribert Heim (Dr. Death) is still alive:
The case of Aribert Heim:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aribert_Heim
The Nazi Aribert Heim in 1959
The Simon Wiesenthal - Center has launched a new website in order to find the last Nazi - murderers and take them to court:
http://operationlastchance.com/index.htm
The case of Erich Steidtmann:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1196847365049
The head of the Wiesenthal - Centers, Dr. Efraim Zuroff, believes that the Nazi - murderer Aribert Heim (Dr. Death) is still alive:
The case of Aribert Heim:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aribert_Heim
The Nazi Aribert Heim in 1959
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The Non – Participants
B"H
A demonstration taking place somewhere in Jerusalem is nothing special. We are used to anything and anyone.
And therefore, I wasn't surprised at all when I saw another demonstration taking place last Sunday night. I was on my way to a Shiur and passed Yechezkel Street in the haredi Ge'ulah neighbourhood. Already from far away I saw about ten Chassidim from all kinds of groups standing on the sidewalk and waving three posters.
When you face a haredi demonstration in Jerusalem, it is usually against government plans building new highways over ancient Jewish cemeteries. This was also what I expected when I saw the demonstration. However, I was wrong, as the Neturei Karta seemed to make some more propaganda instead. Three Chassidim held up posters and all participants were praying loudly.
I stopped and took some time reading what it said on the posters. Basically the idea was to announce that the participants do not identify themselves with the present secular State of Israel. Unfortunately, I couldn't read everything, as after less than a minute, the demonstration ended and someone collected the posters. The Chassidim just disappeared into all directions. That was it.
Personally I hate this kind of demonstration. You walk in the street and suddenly someone comes up to you and asks if you have a few minutes to demonstrate. This goes so fast that people don't even have time inquiring who the organizer is. But maybe in Ge'ulah and Mea Shearim there is no need for that, as the Chassidim know each other anyway.
The result is that many demonstrations in this particular area happen spontaneously and end long before the police have a chance to arrive. Mea Shearim and Ge'ulah are facing countless demonstrations anyway, as certain Chassidim want to force the state – owned bus company Egged to introduce "kosher buses" in Jerusalem. All local buses should be kosher; means that women and men have separate seating.
This might be right with certain religious buses but one cannot just force the whole population to agree to this. Egged, however, never knows which side to take, as also the haredi population are good customers and Egged cannot afford a ban from the Edah HaCharedit.
It is never boring in Jerusalem !
A demonstration taking place somewhere in Jerusalem is nothing special. We are used to anything and anyone.
And therefore, I wasn't surprised at all when I saw another demonstration taking place last Sunday night. I was on my way to a Shiur and passed Yechezkel Street in the haredi Ge'ulah neighbourhood. Already from far away I saw about ten Chassidim from all kinds of groups standing on the sidewalk and waving three posters.
When you face a haredi demonstration in Jerusalem, it is usually against government plans building new highways over ancient Jewish cemeteries. This was also what I expected when I saw the demonstration. However, I was wrong, as the Neturei Karta seemed to make some more propaganda instead. Three Chassidim held up posters and all participants were praying loudly.
I stopped and took some time reading what it said on the posters. Basically the idea was to announce that the participants do not identify themselves with the present secular State of Israel. Unfortunately, I couldn't read everything, as after less than a minute, the demonstration ended and someone collected the posters. The Chassidim just disappeared into all directions. That was it.
Personally I hate this kind of demonstration. You walk in the street and suddenly someone comes up to you and asks if you have a few minutes to demonstrate. This goes so fast that people don't even have time inquiring who the organizer is. But maybe in Ge'ulah and Mea Shearim there is no need for that, as the Chassidim know each other anyway.
The result is that many demonstrations in this particular area happen spontaneously and end long before the police have a chance to arrive. Mea Shearim and Ge'ulah are facing countless demonstrations anyway, as certain Chassidim want to force the state – owned bus company Egged to introduce "kosher buses" in Jerusalem. All local buses should be kosher; means that women and men have separate seating.
This might be right with certain religious buses but one cannot just force the whole population to agree to this. Egged, however, never knows which side to take, as also the haredi population are good customers and Egged cannot afford a ban from the Edah HaCharedit.
It is never boring in Jerusalem !
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