I was happy to just see at an Israeli website that a son in law of מרן שר התורה שליט"א, Rav Yitzchak Kolodetsky shlit"a issued a statement that Rav Chaim (like גדולי גדולים מדורי דורות before him) doesn't know exactly, for certain, when Moshiach is coming.
That came in wake of a widely disseminated recent dubious report, allegedly in the gaon's name, that Moshiach would come before the approaching Israeli election (scheduled for less than two months from now אי"ה).
Rav Kolodetsky explained that Rav Chaim, as other גדולי ישראל, when asked about something beyond the immediate future might remark, in a hopeful vein, that משיח will have already arrived by then. However, that is not a concrete prediction, but rather an expression of hope and deep yearning for, and belief in, ביאת המשיח. Rav Chaim is not a נביא (prophet), his son in law said. He additionally shared that רב חיים שליט"א himself regularly states that only a נביא can say exactly when Moshiach will come.
This is not the first instance of this nature in which questionable things publicized in the gaon's name, were actually inaccurate. Instances which debase the name and reputation of מרן שר התורה שליט"א, and כבוד התורה in general.
People who act irresponsibly in disseminating such things are עתידים ליתן את הדין.
May we be zoche to the fulfillment of the words in Tehillim, תאלמנה שפתי שקר.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Friday, February 1, 2019
How Is This Segulah Different Than Other Segulos? Thinking About Zera Shimshon
One of the 'newer' segulos in the segulah marketplace (there are various segulos - alleged and actual - competing for people's attention and patronage) seeking the attention of the masses is connected with the sefer זרע שמשון.
People are being implored to learn the sefer, and told great stories about how it has helped people.
Even Artscroll was running an advertising campaign for it a while ago, connected with its publication of related works by a well known storyteller, R. Nachman Seltzer (volume one and volume two).
That surprised me, as I didn't recall that publishing house hawking segulos in such a manner in the past. In my mind, Artscroll was run, generally, broadly speaking, in a Litvishe way, especially under its founder, R. Meir Zlotowitz z"l, in which tradition such things are not stressed.
Keep in mind as well that זרע שמשון is just one of a number of works that are considered segulos. There are other seforim of which it is reported that their authors promised benefits to those who learned and/or printed them too.
Now let's be clear about something. Zera Shimshon is a precious sefer. That is not disputed.
However, there is a danger that people will concentrate on a segulah, as a type of magic, placing excessive faith in it. And that is religiously problematic.
And, perhaps more importantly, learning any type of Torah is a great thing and a segulah.
If people feel connected to a certain part of Torah, that is where they should learn, as discussed here in the past.
Lest a reader say that I do not know from what I speak, let me share that I have looked into and learned some זרע שמשון. It made a favorable impression on me. However, to encourage every person to drop what they are doing, e.g. other לימודים קדושים, and start learning דווקא that work, strikes me as lacking in responsibility.
As Rav Yaakov Moshe Hillel shlit"a was once heard stating to someone who was asking him for a סגולה - why do you need a "segulah", we are the עם סגולה?
Have a great Shabbos and a freilichen chodesh.
People are being implored to learn the sefer, and told great stories about how it has helped people.
Even Artscroll was running an advertising campaign for it a while ago, connected with its publication of related works by a well known storyteller, R. Nachman Seltzer (volume one and volume two).
That surprised me, as I didn't recall that publishing house hawking segulos in such a manner in the past. In my mind, Artscroll was run, generally, broadly speaking, in a Litvishe way, especially under its founder, R. Meir Zlotowitz z"l, in which tradition such things are not stressed.
Keep in mind as well that זרע שמשון is just one of a number of works that are considered segulos. There are other seforim of which it is reported that their authors promised benefits to those who learned and/or printed them too.
Now let's be clear about something. Zera Shimshon is a precious sefer. That is not disputed.
However, there is a danger that people will concentrate on a segulah, as a type of magic, placing excessive faith in it. And that is religiously problematic.
And, perhaps more importantly, learning any type of Torah is a great thing and a segulah.
If people feel connected to a certain part of Torah, that is where they should learn, as discussed here in the past.
Lest a reader say that I do not know from what I speak, let me share that I have looked into and learned some זרע שמשון. It made a favorable impression on me. However, to encourage every person to drop what they are doing, e.g. other לימודים קדושים, and start learning דווקא that work, strikes me as lacking in responsibility.
As Rav Yaakov Moshe Hillel shlit"a was once heard stating to someone who was asking him for a סגולה - why do you need a "segulah", we are the עם סגולה?
Have a great Shabbos and a freilichen chodesh.
Sunday, December 23, 2018
The Hijacking of Heimish
It has been going on for some time already, but knowledgeable people realized that it was incorrect, or, more bluntly, a scam.
People were going around and claiming that the Yiddish word היימיש - heimish - meant, or was some type of synonym for Chasidic.
Those in the know realized that it didn't add up. Those in the dark, e.g. people lacking in knowledge of Yiddish, were vulnerable to being duped.
Occasional protests against the misuse notwithstanding, the misappropriation of the word in some circles continued and continues.
And then, I saw the internet post.
A fine and prestigious website had fallen for it.
Now is a time to speak out, I thought. Time to correct things and protest the hijacking of היימיש.
So here we go.
The real meaning of היימיש/Heimish
Looking at Yiddish dictionaries, one sees meanings such as cozy, comfortable, familiar, and intimate given for it.
(See here, and here, for example)
Applied to a person, in our context, if a person is described as heimish, or as a heimishe Yid, what it means is that the person evokes an old fashioned coziness and comfort, spiritual, psychological, as well as physical, with their behavior, mannerisms, and surroundings. Perhaps they speak Yiddish, or at least throw in some Yiddish words into their English, have a samovar in plain view, or otherwise seem like some quaint throwback to an earlier, simpler, more spiritual era. From a frum perspective it is like visiting your grandparents, or great grandparents. It is like visiting with one of the gedolim in the אלטע היים, in pre-modern Europe, for example. Or with a גדול of our era maintaining the same way of life.
The term was/is used by various types of Yidden. Litvaks, Galitzianers, Poylishe, Hungarians, Chasidim, Misnagdim.
To now claim that not only does it mean specifically חסידים, rather than any old fashioned, cozy and quaint, עהרליכע אידען, but also that it means bedavka (specifically) modernized Chasidim, as opposed to more old fashioned versions, is a linguistic crime and travesty, that should be denounced and soundly rejected.
May Hashem help us from all fraud, scam, deception, and distortion.
People were going around and claiming that the Yiddish word היימיש - heimish - meant, or was some type of synonym for Chasidic.
Those in the know realized that it didn't add up. Those in the dark, e.g. people lacking in knowledge of Yiddish, were vulnerable to being duped.
Occasional protests against the misuse notwithstanding, the misappropriation of the word in some circles continued and continues.
And then, I saw the internet post.
A fine and prestigious website had fallen for it.
Now is a time to speak out, I thought. Time to correct things and protest the hijacking of היימיש.
So here we go.
The real meaning of היימיש/Heimish
Looking at Yiddish dictionaries, one sees meanings such as cozy, comfortable, familiar, and intimate given for it.
(See here, and here, for example)
Applied to a person, in our context, if a person is described as heimish, or as a heimishe Yid, what it means is that the person evokes an old fashioned coziness and comfort, spiritual, psychological, as well as physical, with their behavior, mannerisms, and surroundings. Perhaps they speak Yiddish, or at least throw in some Yiddish words into their English, have a samovar in plain view, or otherwise seem like some quaint throwback to an earlier, simpler, more spiritual era. From a frum perspective it is like visiting your grandparents, or great grandparents. It is like visiting with one of the gedolim in the אלטע היים, in pre-modern Europe, for example. Or with a גדול of our era maintaining the same way of life.
The term was/is used by various types of Yidden. Litvaks, Galitzianers, Poylishe, Hungarians, Chasidim, Misnagdim.
To now claim that not only does it mean specifically חסידים, rather than any old fashioned, cozy and quaint, עהרליכע אידען, but also that it means bedavka (specifically) modernized Chasidim, as opposed to more old fashioned versions, is a linguistic crime and travesty, that should be denounced and soundly rejected.
May Hashem help us from all fraud, scam, deception, and distortion.
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Chasidic Backlash Against New High Shtreimel Style Gains Momentum
A while ago, we reported on the Vizhnitz opposition to the recent trend toward high shtreimels.
Now, it seems that other Chasidic groups have also come out against the new style.
Behadrei Haredim reports that Karlin has, and notes that Bobov (see here re the Bobov 48 Rebbe's stance) has in the past as well.
See there also re shtreimel history and how they have changed over the centuries.
Now, it seems that other Chasidic groups have also come out against the new style.
Behadrei Haredim reports that Karlin has, and notes that Bobov (see here re the Bobov 48 Rebbe's stance) has in the past as well.
See there also re shtreimel history and how they have changed over the centuries.
Yud Tes Kislev Brings Misnagdim To Light
Do Misnagdim still exist today?
Well, they do exist, I have even met some during my lifetime :), but they don't usually go around with big signs and bullhorns proclaiming their beliefs.
However, at times Hisnagdus comes out into the open.
A few days ago, before יט כסליו, two such cases were seen on the internet.
We share the details with you below, courtesy of Chabad-Lubavitch.
So not only do Misnagdim still exist today, they exist in places and forms that people may not be aware of, e.g. among other (non Lubavitch) Chasidim, and among Dati-Leumi Yidden. The Misnaged today is not necessarily your sterotypical Litvak.
May we be zoche to see the light bikarov.
A freilichen Chanukah.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
How a Rebbe Can Build Happy and Healthy Talmidim - Rav Moshe Weinberger שליט"א
One of the panelists at a session at the recent Agudath Israel of America convention related to mental health was Rav Moshe Weinberger shlit"a, veteran Rebbe and Agudah Rav in Brooklyn, NY, as well as a longtime summer camp head counselor.
I would like to share some of his wisdom, wit, and good humor here.
"Today every Rebbe knows that he's in charge of the mental health of his talmidim." (3:15 -).
(Partially translated from Yiddish) My father didn't have time to have OCD, my father didn't have time to think if he had self esteem or not (36:50).
Today there is tremendous pressure.
On what a Rebbe can do to prevent mental issues 53:05 -
Rav Weinberger shlit"a commented with regard to three common conditions - self esteem, anxiety, and depression.
Self esteem - You have to acknowledge and relate to the children as individuals (check out the recording for details and examples).
Anxiety - With regard to tests, he says to students, it is a mark on the paper, not a mark on you. He will never write a failing mark on a paper. One of his fellow Rabbeim refers to tests as חזרה.
Depression - Speaks of the greatness of the sefer מסילת ישרים, it teaches that everyone is measured with their own measuring stick, and competition is only with what you can be.
The classroom and the house have to be happy places.
Torah was built in the United States with simcha, passion, vigor, and optimism (in name of his Rebbe, Rav Avrohom Chaim Levin z"l, who was just niftar) (57:40).
May we be zoche to have more Rabbeim like Rav Weinberger shlit"a, and to hear more of his wisdom and wit, לאורך ימים ושנים טובות.
(For more flavor and detail, check out the recording.)
I would like to share some of his wisdom, wit, and good humor here.
"Today every Rebbe knows that he's in charge of the mental health of his talmidim." (3:15 -).
(Partially translated from Yiddish) My father didn't have time to have OCD, my father didn't have time to think if he had self esteem or not (36:50).
Today there is tremendous pressure.
On what a Rebbe can do to prevent mental issues 53:05 -
Rav Weinberger shlit"a commented with regard to three common conditions - self esteem, anxiety, and depression.
Self esteem - You have to acknowledge and relate to the children as individuals (check out the recording for details and examples).
Anxiety - With regard to tests, he says to students, it is a mark on the paper, not a mark on you. He will never write a failing mark on a paper. One of his fellow Rabbeim refers to tests as חזרה.
Depression - Speaks of the greatness of the sefer מסילת ישרים, it teaches that everyone is measured with their own measuring stick, and competition is only with what you can be.
The classroom and the house have to be happy places.
Torah was built in the United States with simcha, passion, vigor, and optimism (in name of his Rebbe, Rav Avrohom Chaim Levin z"l, who was just niftar) (57:40).
May we be zoche to have more Rabbeim like Rav Weinberger shlit"a, and to hear more of his wisdom and wit, לאורך ימים ושנים טובות.
(For more flavor and detail, check out the recording.)
Monday, November 26, 2018
The Personal מוכיח - A Worthy Idea
Personal trainer.
Personal shopper.
Personal רבי.
Personal מוכיח?
In a recent (dated November 16/9 Kislev 5779) issue of Yated Ne'eman (USA), in an article by Tzvi Yaakovson, it was related (p.41) in a segment entitled "A PAID CRITIC", that R. Nosson Wachtfogel ז"ל, mashgiach of בית מדרש גבוה in NJ, paid a generous monthly salary to a yungerman, who was assigned to visit him once a week, and deliver criticism and הוכחה.
It was a pleasant surprise to see that.
I had, of course, known of the famous story of the Vilna Gaon asking the Dubno magid to give him mussar. A shining example of the humility, and search for truth, of the Vilna Gaon. Also, in פרק ו:ו of מסכת אבות we are taught that one of the things that Torah is acquired by is אוהב את התוכחות, loving rebuke (as the posuk in Mishlei says, הוכח לחכם ויאהבך, rebuke the wise and he will love you).
But I don't recall hearing recently of someone designating someone to rebuke him regularly, and even paying him for it. Wow!
I don't know where Rav Nosson got the idea, the practice from. Kelm? Elsewhere?
Yes, in the past, especially in old mussar yeshivas, there were frameworks for personalized mussar, rebuke. Novhardok had something called a birzhe, which I believe could serve that purpose, for one example. But that was between fellow talmidim, not from a paid outsider.
Some Chasidim have, or recommend, personal משפיעים, which could encompass mussar giving.
Anyway, since we are in a time when some people claim that no one can give תוכחה nowadays, even basing their contention on Jewish sources, which, along with the outside influences of attitudes like "mind your own business", and "none of your business", can lead to there being sometimes situations of הפקרות and extreme lack of rebuke, it it is especially pleasant to see that the idea of personal תוכחה has not entirely disappeared.
Perhaps the tzibur at large should consider such frameworks for personal tochacha once again.
Another thought that came to me was that in addition to תוכחה being important for everyone, perhaps there is a special need for it among מנהיגים, our dear leaders, especially in certain settings. In addition to their being in positions of power and influence, where errors can be more costly and damaging R"L than with lesser individuals, there is also a danger of people being afraid of, or reluctant to take issue with them, fearing that it would be disrespectful and improper, leading to them perhaps lacking at times vital feedback.
For all of the above reasons, it seems like an idea worthy of serious consideration, that people (especially leaders) should consider emulating R. Nosson z"l to some extent, in one way or another, and make efforts to solicit rebuke on occasion, and not just surround themselves with yes men.
(I understand that sometimes people like spouses or chavrusas can play this role as well, but sometimes they don't at all, or do so inadequately.)
In the merit of pursuing truth and loving tochacha, may we be zoche to acquire Torah and Emes.
Personal shopper.
Personal רבי.
Personal מוכיח?
In a recent (dated November 16/9 Kislev 5779) issue of Yated Ne'eman (USA), in an article by Tzvi Yaakovson, it was related (p.41) in a segment entitled "A PAID CRITIC", that R. Nosson Wachtfogel ז"ל, mashgiach of בית מדרש גבוה in NJ, paid a generous monthly salary to a yungerman, who was assigned to visit him once a week, and deliver criticism and הוכחה.
It was a pleasant surprise to see that.
I had, of course, known of the famous story of the Vilna Gaon asking the Dubno magid to give him mussar. A shining example of the humility, and search for truth, of the Vilna Gaon. Also, in פרק ו:ו of מסכת אבות we are taught that one of the things that Torah is acquired by is אוהב את התוכחות, loving rebuke (as the posuk in Mishlei says, הוכח לחכם ויאהבך, rebuke the wise and he will love you).
But I don't recall hearing recently of someone designating someone to rebuke him regularly, and even paying him for it. Wow!
I don't know where Rav Nosson got the idea, the practice from. Kelm? Elsewhere?
Yes, in the past, especially in old mussar yeshivas, there were frameworks for personalized mussar, rebuke. Novhardok had something called a birzhe, which I believe could serve that purpose, for one example. But that was between fellow talmidim, not from a paid outsider.
Some Chasidim have, or recommend, personal משפיעים, which could encompass mussar giving.
Anyway, since we are in a time when some people claim that no one can give תוכחה nowadays, even basing their contention on Jewish sources, which, along with the outside influences of attitudes like "mind your own business", and "none of your business", can lead to there being sometimes situations of הפקרות and extreme lack of rebuke, it it is especially pleasant to see that the idea of personal תוכחה has not entirely disappeared.
Perhaps the tzibur at large should consider such frameworks for personal tochacha once again.
Another thought that came to me was that in addition to תוכחה being important for everyone, perhaps there is a special need for it among מנהיגים, our dear leaders, especially in certain settings. In addition to their being in positions of power and influence, where errors can be more costly and damaging R"L than with lesser individuals, there is also a danger of people being afraid of, or reluctant to take issue with them, fearing that it would be disrespectful and improper, leading to them perhaps lacking at times vital feedback.
For all of the above reasons, it seems like an idea worthy of serious consideration, that people (especially leaders) should consider emulating R. Nosson z"l to some extent, in one way or another, and make efforts to solicit rebuke on occasion, and not just surround themselves with yes men.
(I understand that sometimes people like spouses or chavrusas can play this role as well, but sometimes they don't at all, or do so inadequately.)
In the merit of pursuing truth and loving tochacha, may we be zoche to acquire Torah and Emes.
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