Getting a handle on Torah study

The blessings that learning Torah brings to ones life is unlimited. Some say finding time is a problem. Rabbi Avigdor Miller suggested that all you need to find is 15 minutes.  If one learns for 15 minutes and truly enjoys it, he will automatically find that another half hour was added to his day...

When I was a bochur in yeshiva one of my teachers saw me sitting on one tosfos (it was small) for 3 days.  He said: "Betzalel, the gemara is not a pilpul sefer".  I didn't take his words to heart.   

Over the years I continued to write and published some of it.  

I really enjoyed the in-depth study.  Yet I always felt that I was so empty of Torah.  Yes, I have flipped a lot of pages but didn't really retain much.  It was often very depressing that I would learn 40 pages of gemara and barely remember any of it.

I was involved in chinuch for 4 years, teaching gemara to 9th and 10th graders.   This frustration was often voiced. "We learn so much, yet come out with so little. Even when I review it a few times I don't really remember it after a few weeks".

This point was actually made over 400 years ago by the Maharsha on his commentary to Temura 16. He said: "One of the main reasons people give up learning is due to frustration over forgetting what they have learned". 

I found some hope.  I would like to share it with you.

Everyone talks about review.  The key is doing a proper review. What is a proper review? A proper review is a lifetime of review. 

Check out this program that can change your life, as it has for many.  Taking "chazara" to a whole new level.  The success stories include 10 year old and 80 year olds.  It is based on scientific research.  

I believe those that are looking to turn their 15 minutes a day of learning into more - by pumping it with some "geshmak", should take a serious look at this program.  

[As a side note, those that follow the rulings of the Alter Rebbe - the Baal HaTanya, have even more reason for investing more time into chazara. For his ruling puts the prohibition of forgetting Torah on even one that doesn't do a proper review.  See more on that here.] 

Rabbi Twerksi and the Lubavitcher Rebbe on kosher meditation

I saw Rabbi Dr. Tweski last Shabbos in Pittsburgh. I was a bit unsure about what I was about to do, but I did it anyway. I had recently read an interview with him, and he said some things that I wanted to clarify. 

He said: “He [the Rebbe] also suggested that meditation could be very therapeutic, but that we needed to develop meditation in accordance with Judaism, not based on Oriental religions. I told the Rebbe that it was early in psychiatric training, and I was not familiar with meditation but would look into it when I had the opportunity. And later I received a three-page letter from the Rebbe on meditation.”

[The Rebbe talks here on the topic of kosher meditation].

Reading this reminded me of another interview that Rabbi Twerski gave to Rabbi Chaim Dalfin printed in his book “Conversations with the Rebbe”. There (I don’t have the book on hand to quote from) Rabbi Twerski said that he didn't end up getting too involved in meditation and he even lost the letter the Rebbe sent him on the topic.

Him losing the Rebbe’s letter was on my mind when I approached him last Shabbos. I respectfully asked him if the story was true. I said is it true that you lost the letter from the Lubavitcher Rebbe on meditation! (I said Lubavitcher Rebbe because he is not a Lubavitcher.) He said to me: “The Rebbe (he didn't say Lubavitcher) didn't send me a letter on meditation, rather he had a scholarly paper from some journal, to which he added some notes”.

I then said that I have read some of his books, and my favorite are the ones with daily meditations…

There are so many different kinds of meditations. I like to keep it simple. I even stopped calling it meditation. I call it quiet time, with myself and Hashem. I try to do it every morning and night. For me it is probably the most important part of my day.

[On the topic of Twerski and the Rebbe, it’s known that the Rebbe encouraged him to move from Pittsburgh to NY to help frum Jews. He didn't want to go. He claimed he would have no time to learn Torah if he would be living in NY. In the end he moved from Pittsburgh to NY and continues to help 1000’s of yidden. And he seems to have much time to write and learn. I think he’s on his 60th book or something.]

I’ll give a shout out to Rus Devorah Wallen whom I admire very much. She is doing a lot of work with kosher meditation.  Check out her website.

See this interesting video (at 1:45)where Rabbi Twerskey brings his grandchildren to the Rebbe and the Rebbe blesses his that they wont need his services.  The Rebbe then asked him to send him his seforim.

The Kabbalah of Bankruptcy

This is not a podium for politics (although I do have a thing or two to say about that…) 

The largest municipal bankruptcy filing in U.S. history estimated to be $18–20 billion was filed by the city of Detroit some weeks ago and we just had our Government shutdown for over two weeks. Millions of American families are suffering bankruptcies, foreclosures and worse.

Many bankruptcies come from irresponsible behaviors and reckless spending.  Yet, countless people suffer from major financial catastrophes even though they basically "followed the rules".

In order for a seed to grow it first needs to rot. In Kabbalistic terms the “yesh (something)” can only come after there is first an “ayin (nothingness)”.

We all know that “everything comes from G-d”, but as obvious and simple as this idea is, it’s SO easy to forget. Beyond the constant mantra like reminders – one sometimes needs a major – big bang – reminder.

THUD!!! FARPLUMP!!!

Yes, those that needed it - myself included (sometimes more than twice and thrice) know what I mean…

You come out with a new way of looking at things – until we forget and need the next shutdown to keep us in check.

It’s so easy to say: “Hay that guy if he just tried a little harder, stopped being lazy - you know, picked up a shovel and got to work, then everything would be fine.” “You gotta wake up in the morning and do the right thing, and then everything goes good.” “You just got to put in the effort.”

The Chofetz Chaim wrote a letter (Michtevey Chofetz Chaim p. 39) in response to the claim about the poor that “they are just lazy”. The Chofetz Chaim responded: “(paraphrasing) G-d set up the world in a way that there are the “givers” and the “takers”. G-d wants it like that. There are supposed to be those people that just can’t make it. How does this take place? G-d created certain people with the ability to not be lazy, to do exactly what they need to do, make a lot of money and be able to give it to others that were not wired like that”.

[Don’t take this the wrong way; I can throw countless quotes of the Sages against the lazy…]

So what is the Chafetz Chaim saying, “the well-oiled Wall Street millionaire, don’t think you’re so hot – bankruptcy – kabooom. Madoff lost millions of your dollars. You didn't do anything wrong, you were cheated.

But maybe you have a little too much faith in your “effort” and you’re “hishtadlus”. You think you were so smart – who do you think gave you the brain? Who gave you the ability to be so organized, street smart and shrewd, likable and a leader?

[The same can be said to the president, chief rabbi, top of the class, and most handsome/pretty in the room etc.]

It all comes from G-d Almighty.

POOF…

Loshon Hora

Loshon Hora (evil tongue) is lately getting me really nervous. This might have to do with the fact that I’m guilty of this grave sin myself and therefore I am self-conscious about it. Or, if you want to quote the Baal Shem Tov, “the bad one sees in others always traces itself back to oneself.” 

I waited until after Tishrei – so as not to speak ill of others before the days of judgment. 

It’s not the sin aspect, the aveira-transgression stuff that really worries me (Although that in itself is huge!). The part that really gets to me is the after-effects to the person or group being spoken about. I recently heard someone say that it would be hard for a frum Jew to be a good comedian, because most good jokes are putting others down. 

There is an anecdote that the Chafetz Chaim sent one of his students to the Rebbe Rashab (5th Lubavitcher Rebbe) to get a haskama-approval for his famous “Chofetz Chaim” manuscript on the laws of loshon hora. The Rebbe Rashab supposedly responded: “In Chabad we work on not even thinking loshon hora”(1). 

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Now all my Chabad readers are hopefully happy. No thinking loshon hora! We love all Jews (as long as you love us back). The 32nd chapter of the Tanya, the “lev” of Chabad Chassidus (the numerology of 32 is lamed-bet, spelling “lev,” or heart) is (I’m paraphrasing): “All Jewish souls are one body and when we elevate the body over the soul, it’s easy to love every Jew like oneself [for the body that separates one from another is subservient to the soul]…” So, while we’re working on controlling our thoughts and bodies, it might be a good idea to review a good book on the laws of loshon hora (there are hundreds to choose from). 

I try really hard to keep sarcasm out of my writing, but it does sometimes sneak in. I don’t have complete mind over body control. Or mind over mouth… 

(1). A similar story is told that the Chofetz Chaim asked the Rebbe Rashab why Chassidim make a big deal about not cutting their beard but not about loshon hora. The Rebbe Rashab supposedly answered that cutting a beard is a calculated act, as opposed to loshon hora, which is usually an accident.

The Rebbe’s take on taking a vacation

Over the last couple of years I have read a number of volumes of the Rebbe’s letters (recorded in over 40 volumes – most of his letters have not been printed yet).  One of the many benefits of reading the letters, is my getting a better sense of the Rebbe’s opinions in one-on-one related issues.  

The Rebbe delivered 10’s of thousands of public talks including directives and ideas for the masses.  The issue I often have is how to implement the many diverse ideas on a practical level.

In the public sphere the Rebbe often generalized, but in the individual letters you see his wisdom on a more personalized level. 

Why do I bring this up now?  The summer is a time for vacation and after Labor day I think according to all shitos vacation is over.  

The Fridiker Rebbe often took time off to just relax.  You see many pictures of him kind of taking it easy in a big nice chair with a cigarette etc.  There are many pictures of Gedolim going to the country smiling and relaxing in the field.  I recently heard that some chassidim ‘caught’ two big Rebbe’s with their feet up drinking beer (I won’t say who).

With the Rebbe you did not see this at all.  He made many statements especially in the 80’s and early 90’s that we can’t take off even a second.  We “need to go crazy and help every Jew, and bring Moshiach NOW!”  He himself slept precious little maybe 3-4 hours a night into his 90’s.   He did not stop for a second.  He told his wife that a 2 minute break he took looking out the window was enough for his to be ‘yotzei’ vacation for a of couple years.  He stood for thousands of hours talking to yiddin, teaching and learning NON STOP.  Pick up any sicha of the Rebbe and after reading one paragraph and you will see what I mean.

Yet in the Rebbe’s letters you see a much lighter tone.  He is writing to the individual.  

He writes to a student that taking a break from learning is a mitzvah.  He writes to a husband that he shouldn’t stay at shul 

on Shabbos davening too long, he needs to spend the time with his family at home.  He writes to the teacher that from his letter it seems he’s getting burned out, telling him that maybe he isn’t being paid enough.  On and on.

I hope you all enjoyed your summer vacations.

A few things I learned from Rabbi Immanuel Schochet of blessed memory

Rabbi Immanuel Schochet of blessed memory was not someone I knew on a personal level, yet during the 4 years I spent in the yeshivah in Toronto I had the opportunity to hear and observe him quite a bit.

He was a very independent thinker.  At the same time he was a strong and passionate chossid of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.  What was unique was that his independent thinking was a part of his relationship with the Rebbe.  

I know I am treading on thin ice here, so I will try to do it carefully. 

Rabbi Manis Friedman likes to relay the following talk of the Rebbe that framed his understanding of what it means to be a ‘follower’ of the Rebbe.  The Rebbe was raving about the fact that finally a chossid did something without asking him.  He was not happy that most chassidim asked the Rebbe’s opinion before they make any move.  He wanted that chassidim should reach a level where they internalize what is right and wrong and make their own decisions.  After they made their decision they can then ask for the Rebbe’s blessing.

Rabbi Schochet spoke and lived a life where he was not the Rebbe’s puppet or parrot.  He questioned, he asked, he didn’t just blindly follow like a fish.  At the end he surrendered to the Rebbe’s will, but not until he did his part in internalizing the message.

One story that brings out this point happened when he was bochur learning in 770.  Usually one was only able to go into the Rebbe’s study once or twice a year on a birthday or a very special occasion like a bar mitzvah or wedding, and even this only after booking months in advance.  There were a few exceptional individuals that had an open door policy, and they were able to come and go into the Rebbe whenever they wanted.  Rabbi Schochet was one of those – even as a bochur.

During one of his visits the conversation went something like this.  [The Rebbe was strongly opposed to students going to college.  Even after marriage the Rebbe usually did not favor going to college.  The Rebbe knew of Immanuel’s passion to go to college and study religion and philosophy to go and help Jews that were straying into Christianity and cults.  In addition he wanted to debate missionaries and priests.  The Rebbe told him he can go study after he gets married].  

He now came into the Rebbe to convince him to allow him to go to university now.  I’m told he spent over 30 minutes debating the Rebbe regarding his request.  Believe it or not he could not convince the Rebbe.  When he saw that the Rebbe wasn’t budging he said in Yiddish ‘farfalin’ – it’s a lost cause, I give up!  The Rebbe said to him, “nisht farfalin, nor getrafin” – [you’re] not lost, rather [you’re] found!

-          -      -

Rabbi Schochet's writing and scholarship is to be awed.  Most English Chabad publications in his times [and also now] are mainly translations of assorted discourses and texts.  Rabbi Schochet also translated much important text, but many of his books are studies at great depth.  

His footnotes show his encyclopedic knowledge of Shas Bavli and Yerushalmi, the Rambam and Jewish law, the Medrash, Zohar, Shaloh and hundreds of other texts which he was known to be fluent in.  This is obviously in addition to his knowledge of Chabad thought.  He was always out to show the original source for any Chabad thought, and to express what the Chabad thought added in the chain of the classical texts. 

I myself have spent hours going through a single footnote of his looking up all the sources.  In the introduction to a number of his works he points out that he chose to use footnotes as opposed to end-notes. The reason for this was so that even a beginner student would see that while the idea he articulated was brought down to their level,  the concept is really quite complex and a single sentence can be based on numerous intricate texts.

I can go on and on, but I’ll conclude with one story on this topic of scholarship in Torah.  His brother Rabbi Elisha Schochet taught us Halacha.  He was once talking about a line the Rebbe sometimes used.  The Rebbe at times would say that bochurim should learn Torah with such passion “that they even dreamt about Torah”.  After some pressing by some of the students Rabbi Elisha Schochet said that he first dreamt Torah when he was 11.  He then said that his brother Immanuel did it even earlier. 

Once when I was at Rabbi Immanuel Schochets’s Shabbos table, I confirmed this [using a little healthy chutza].  He said he thinks he was 10.

Is everyone entitled to an opinion?

Yes!  But there is one condition, that it’s your field of expertise.  The plumber will opine on the latest pipes.  The doctor will offer his choice of treatment for nose bleeds, and the cheder rebbi will tell you what kind of discipline works best.  

Ok, I get it; you’re all saying, well what right do you have to give your opinion.  I can honestly say I don’t think I give my opinion on issues outside of my league.  I do try to get my writings proofed by those that can give me their unbiased opinions, and more is erased then printed (thank G-d!). 

There's a story of a famous rabbi that was puzzled as to why his children were not following in his ways, while his neighbor the simpleton, merited that many of his children grew up to be great scholars. 

He went to a Tzadik for advice.  The Tzadik explained  to him: "Since you’re a rabbi of great prestige, you therefore feel entitled to give opinions regarding your peers – all the others great sages (and his comments about them were not always that complimentary – to put it mildly).  Your neighbor on the other hand realizes that it's not his place to talk ill about others that are not on his level.  His children therefore only heard great things about rabbis.  Hence they strongly aspired to become big in Torah themselves".

Possibly the simple neighbor was not all that simple.  His approach comes from a place that many don’t reach.  Sometimes the simple path is the truer path.

Can rabbis make mistakes - The Spirituality of Imperfection

The Spirituality of Imperfection[1]

Recently a famous Rosh Yeshivah stepped down admitting to of made a big mistake.

Yes a Rosh Yeshivah can make a mistake.  Even a great Rebbe and a Tzadik can make a mistake.  Did you know that even an Angel can make a mistake (see the Shaloh Beis Yisroel 18a quoting from the Medrash).

We do hold our Rebbe’s and Rosh Yeshivahs in very high regard.  The Tzemach Tzedek (quoted in Toras Shalom p. 169) said that the Alter Rebbe in the days of the Tanaaim would have been a Tanna.  The Chazon Ish (Igros Chazon Ish Vol. 1 letter 32) referred to the Vilna Goan as a Rishon. 

And yet, the pesukim are full of references to the mistakes and imperfections of the greatest of men.  To list a few, see Melachim 1 5:46; Divrei Hayomim 6:36, Mishlei 24:16 and numerous others.  There is even a special sacrifice designated for any mistakes that the High Court makes.

The rabbis of the Talmud say that Daniel made a mistake (Megilah 12a).  The great sage Rava told his students of his possibility of making an error (Baba Basra 132a). 

Yes, the Talmud is explicit (Shabbos 55b-56a) that one that says that our great Tzadikim sinned is mistaken, or as the Talmud says (Gitin 7a,) that Hashem doesn’t even cause the animal of the Righteous to sin, that is all regarding sin, but mistakes they can and do at times make[2].

Rav Nachman of Breslov famously said (Likutey Moharan I, 72; Likutey Halakhos, Hilkhos Shiluach Hakein 4:8-11): The world makes a mistake. They think that a groisa mensch [literally, a “great person”—i.e., a Torah sage and tzaddik] can’t make a mistake. It’s not so. Such a person can make a mistake. The mistake is a mistake and the groisa mensch is still a groisa mensch.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe a in public talks and in letters admitted to making a mistake (see Igoros Kodesh Vol. 1 p. 13, p. 135, Toras Menachem Vol. 12 p. 204).

I am not comparing Rabbi Laam to the Lubavithcer Rebbe, nor am I comparing the Vilna Goan to Reb Yehudah HaNasi.

…

Recently a friend of mind told me that he scream at his 8 year old out of frustration.  Later he realized that he overreacted and apologized to his son.  How beautiful. 

Humility and honesty is so important in all aspects of our lives.  But for our leaders, our teachers and yes us as parents, can make an especially strong impact.  I do not think this diminishes their power and impact, quite the contrary.

---

[1] I took this title from the name of a well know book.

[2] .  Tosfos in his comments to Gitin ibid. says that even sins can occur inadvertently by Tzadikim, and the Talmud is only referring to sins relating to eating, where there Hashem doesn't let a sin to take place even inadvertently.   

Are we off the derech?

It is well known that the Rebbe had issues with the term “kiruv rechokhim”. The Rebbe seemingly did not feel it was productive to refer to helping Jews get closer to their roots by focusing on what they are not – rechockhim; rather the focus should be on where they can improve.

Moreover, one can never know who is really closer to Hashem. HaRav Lau שליט"א told over the following: "I once mentioned to the Rebbe that I am actively involved in "Kiruv Rechokim," bringing back lost Jews who have strayed afar. The Rebbe immediately corrected me, "We cannot label anyone as being 'far'. Who are we to determine who is far and who is near? They are all close to G-d!"

At another occasion the Rebbe said: "You call them "distant"?! What gives you the right to say that you are close and they are far? You must approach each one of them as though you are the King's servant sent with a message to His most precious child!"

I would like to suggest that a similar approach be applied to those that go – “off the derech”. A. Is this name productive? B. Who can really know?

What do you think[1]?

A Positive Conversation - Letter of the Rebbe from 1944


The Rebbe: Realizing the Potential of the Jew VIDEO





[1] This idea was inspired by a tweet from a friend (@PopChassid

Pondering the Protest

I’m not here to take sides regarding the actual protest. I do think it was very commendable that the site Matzav.com did not let visitors blurb their disrespectful comments about some great manhigei Yisroel and true gedolim that had differing opinions regarding if a public protest was the way to go in connection to the draft of bochurim in Eretz Yisroel.

There was something that did pop out to me in connection to some of these protests in Manhattan, that raised an interesting question. 

The organizers of the protest were mainly members of the Satmar Chassidim. One of their biggest issues with Chabad’s involvement with the secular society – is the negative effect this might have on their ruchnius. Yet to go to Manhattan to make a protest IS ok. I don’t get the difference.

The argument that they are protesting the darkness so it therefore won’t affect them is the same argument of those in their Mitzvah TANKS, there to FIGHT the darkness with love.

Gimmel Tammuz #19

In Chabad we don’t make hespedim but the Rebbe once mentioned that stories we do tell.

Here’s a story.

Being that I live in Monsey I am often given the opportunity to defend Chabad on many fronts.   Now just to point out, those living in bubbles around fans, are not given ample opportunity to really understand and appreciate their core shitas and styles of yidishkeit.

[Another plus to living amongst others groups of frum Jews, is that we can learn from them as well. To illustrate, I will mention an incident that I heard from Harav HaGoan HaChossid Nachmen Schapiro Shlit”a. He said that in the early years there was a non-Chabad kollel in Crown Heights. The Rebbe once passed the kollel and heard the kol Torah (sound of Torah learning) coming out the window. The Rebbe mentioned to one of his secretaries I am mekaneh (envious) of their chayus in learning.]

Well, I was having a nice conversation with a mechutan of the Vishnitzer Rebbe (Monsey). There were about 15 of his people listening to this conversation. In passing he mentioned that in the 80’s he approached the Vishnitzer Rebbe asking him whether he wanted to go the Lubavitcher Rebbe for a Yat Kislev (i.e. Yud Tes Kislev) farbrengen. The Vishnitzer Rebbe responded (I’m not quoting verbatim) NO! The farbrengen is on cable and I don’t want to encourage such shtisim! If I go anywhere I will go to Chof Alef Kislev in Satmar where they celebrate Reb Yolish זצ"ל safe arrival out of Nazi occupied Poland.

[There was obviously a great level of respect between the Vishnitzer Rebbe and the Rebbe. My cousin in Monsey told me he himself was part of group that drove the Vishnitzer Rebbe to the Rebbe’s levaya on 3 Tammuz. Unfortunately they didn’t make it due to a car crash.]

I said to him ‘Rabbi, do you know I am here because the Rebbe was on cable. I went on to tell him that my mother was flipping channels and saw the Rebbe singing ‘Tzomo Lecho Nafshi’ on Cable. She was immediately enthralled by the experience, and she called the number on the bottom of the screen. She drove in to Crown Heights that night. The rest is history! BTW her friend was also watching cable that night and had the same inspiration. She also drove in that night and met my mother there! They both have families of Chassidim with children on shlichus etc.

The Rabbi was floored, the conversation was over…

Not for votes

Someone recently showed me a clip of a very famous and influential politician shmoozing with school children for over 30 minutes.  We always see the 10 second chit chats and photo ops, but to see such a figure really sit down and hear these little kids ask him question after question, had me in a bit of awe.  This man seemed to really care; he seemed to really value the children, beyond their vote ten years down the line.  

L’havdil elef havdolos we saw this with the Rebbe (and he didn’t need the votes).  That was actually what came to my mind right away.  This politician reminded me what my Rebbe was like - on an obviously much larger scale. 

The Rebbe, as far as I know, was the only gadol (maybe in history – although Mordechai Hatzadik did gather the children on one occasion) that had numerous set times throughout the year where he would come out and spent hours with the children.  It was uniquely for them.  You would see how the Rebbe kvelled in his every moment that he spent with his children.  I’m sure the kids felt like a million bucks. 

This is a true example of an educator par excellence. 

The Rebbe’s time was precious.  But Lag Ba’omer was one of those times where the Rebbe was there with the children. 

Watch these two videos

http://tinyurl.com/cybp2df

http://tinyurl.com/dylyxbw

You see the Rebbe talk to the children for over 50 minutes!  He then watches them parade - he was there. 

How often do I feel that there are much bigger issues to deal with then listening to our little ones, and playing with them?  I mean 5 minutes is enough…

The Rebbe taught me otherwise. 

Is your child special?

Recently an educator (Mr. McCullough – a high school teacher of 27 years) spoke to a group of graduates saying:

“You’re not special. You’re not exceptional…Yes you’ve been pampered, cosseted, dotted upon, helmeted, bubble wrapped…If everyone is special than no one is…”[1].

 After he said that he was hammered, but also praised in some quarters.

I think Torah has a unique twist on this topic. Yes, “you come from a drop of semen and are destined to return to the dust of the earth[2]”. But on the other hand, we are holy. We are truly unique and G-dly. We are the chosen people. “The world was created for me (alone)[3]”. That itself is a drive to do more – but even without any accomplishments – we are really special[4].




[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4qfUyfPEj4 
[2] Mishnah Avos 3:1
[3] Mishnah Sanhedrin 36a
[4] This is illustrated by what R’ Simcha Bunim M’Pshischa said to his students: “you should all have two pieces of paper, one should say “the world was created for me” and the other it should say “I come from dust”.

The grand shtibel

I was recently in Los Angeles for a family simcha.  We went to a number of different Shuls while we were there.  Boruch Hashem there was many to choose from – about two on each block.  One of our stops was at the ‘regular’ Chabad Shul, where most of the Lubavitchers daven.  I say ‘regular’ because although there were other Chabad shuls, they were Chabad Houses – for people that are new to Chassidus or Yiddishkeit – not stam a Shul. 
 

Everything seemed fine, the coffee was great and the Kiddush was very lavish.  I felt very welcome.  As I was enjoying one of the speeches, someone said to me: “you know it’s such a shame that this Shul is like a lcoh in vant (a whole in the wall) – implying that it wasn’t too fancy.  It was a bit too heimish.  I had to agree with him, it was far cry from some of the grander Shulin you often see. 

Yet after a little thought, it occurred to me that this might not be so bad after all.  In the state of California alone there are over 140 Chabad houses!  Our money is being poured into providing a place of worship for Micheal and Mickey.  Our ‘grand’ place of worship in California stretches over the whole state.  I’m sure Hashem is very satisfied with our little shtibel! 

It's not so simple

There have been a number of articles (Op-eds) on various Chabad news websites, complaining about our educational system.  Some demanded a more relaxed schedule, while others suggested lowering the bar.  While I think it’s a great thing to bring up these ideas, to spur talk about these important issues, I would suggest that a slightly different tone be used.

One bochur wrote: “…If we can cultivate these qualities in the bochurim in both mesivta and zal, it should effectively eliminate the issues at hand…”  I will not go into the nitty gritties of his ideas, but I think that his statement that “these ideas” will save the day, at best denotes naivety.  The issues are extremely complex.  If someone comes along and says, “Here is the answer,” he is the last person I would want to listen to.  A wise person once said: “the reason there is no ‘shulchan aruch’ on chinuch is because there are no clear cut rules”. 

Moreover, it’s very easy to judge mechanchim, but do we ever place ourselves in their shoes?   If a principal calls a meeting to discuss a problem with the parents, often the principal is attacked: “How dare you say this about my child!”  Is it possible that this person who has 10-20 years of experience knows better than us? 

-If you would like to recive my weekly email send a request to betzalelbassman@gmail.com, follow us on facebook - Betzalel M Bassman, and on Twitter @betzalelbassman. 

Response to Mishpacha Magazine - "Tips on Outreach"

B”H

Needed: Some Torah Entrepreneurial Spirit

Yonoson Rosenblum | Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Success breeds its own challenges. And the phenomenal growth of Torah learning in our times is

no exception. The Torah community has produced, and continues to produce, thousands of fine

talmidei chachamim. Only a limited number of these scholars will find ready opportunities to

give over their Torah knowledge to others, especially if they insist on living in the major centers

of Torah learning — Jerusalem and Bnei Brak in Eretz Yisrael and Lakewood in America.

Some bochurim, even very fine ones, are affected at the beis medrash level, when they look

around and see that there are many others as good or better in learning, and calculate that their

chances of ever finding a shtelle are very slight. For others the problem only starts after years in

kollel, when they begin to dry up inside from lack of opportunity to share their Torah learning

with others and enter the category of those who learn in order to teach.

Many of the latter have the capabilities to make major contributions, and there are communities

that would be eager for what they have to offer. But they lack the initiative to leave the comfort of

one of the great learning centers.

I’ve noticed over the years that one of the most prominent mashpiim in Jerusalem almost always

advises those who consult with him about whether to take a position abroad to do so, unless the

odds are stacked overwhelmingly against success. I’m convinced that he does so not only because

he believes it is every Jew’s responsibility to spread Torah, but also because he thinks his

talmidim will grow from having to take responsibility for the level of Torah in a particular place

and not just being another face in the crowd of lomdei Torah.

On a recent trip abroad, I ran into the son of a well-known Jerusalem rosh yeshivah. Far from

being depressed about living far away from his family, he told me that he was trying to convince

one of his brothers to join him. The reason: “There’s so much to do here.” In Jerusalem he would

have been one of thousands of budding Torah scholars, but in chutz l’Aretz, even in a large Torah

community, he was already, at a relatively young age, a maggid shiur for older teenagers and a

rosh kollel.

…

There are legitimate reasons for hesitation before venturing out of the major Torah centers —

e.g., concerns about the quality of the children’s education, the lack of a large circle of like-

minded families, and the lifestyle amenities of large Torah communities. But many of these

concerns have countervailing advantages. If the schools are weaker, fathers may spend much

more time learning individually with their sons. Children in out-of-town communities are more

likely to look at other Jews, regardless of their current level of observance, as fellow members of

Klal Yisrael, and to learn how to interact with different types of Jews.

Where there are no schools comprised exclusively of children of kollel couples, parents will make

a much greater effort to instill their children with a positive identity as Torah Jews, as opposed to

just relying on them to pick up that identity by osmosis from the school or the neighborhood. One

of my mentors once told me: “I raised half my children in Tel Aviv and half in Bnei Brak. Those

raised in Tel Aviv came out much stronger.” The former were forced to develop a positive

identification, whereas the latter just learned to imitate what they saw around them.

Against the risks entailed in leaving the comfortable environment of a large Torah center must be

weighed the risk of going through life without opportunities to give over Torah, without a feeling

of accomplishment or of being in any way distinguished from thousands of other lomdei Torah.

…

http://www.mishpacha.com/Browse/Article/1698/Needed-Some-Torah-Entrepeneurial-Spirit

My response

I read with great interest Yonoson Rosenblum's piece titled "Some Torah Entrepreneurial Spirit".  Among his many fine points, were a few incentives encouraging talented Bnei Torah, to move out to remote communities outside of Lakewood, Yerushalaim and Bnei Brak. 

One reason he mentions, is the benefit of being able to fully blossom when one is in a community where you're really needed and appreciated.  A second important point that's made, is regarding the family.  When they move to an 'out-of-town community' they spend more time with their children, in order to protect them from some of the outside influences.  In addition, "children in out-of-town communities are more likely to look at other Jews, regardless of their current level of observance, as fellow members of Klal Yisrael, and to learn how to interact with different types of Jews".

I am a Lubavitcher Chossid, and I thought I might add some 'tips' based on the philosophy of Chassidus Chabad.  (To date, there a well over 4500 Shluchim around the world).

The Rebbe ztz"l, has tought us, (there is a collection of his talks on the subject, "Sefer Hashlichus", with close to 700 pages on this topic), that going on Shlichus is clearly not easy.  The main reason we are going, is to save klal Yisroel.  The Jewish Federation estimates that 87% of American Jews are not Orthodox!  In the Rebbe's words, "There is a fire burning, it's an emergency"!

Another fundamental in the Chabad outreach philosophy is a deep love for every Jew.  "We are all part of one spiritual body", (Tanya ch. 32).  Every Jew is a 'only' child of Hashem.  We go out because of the love the Rebbe has shown us to give to every single Jew - no matter what.

Yes, doing Kiruv and Shlichus has many benefits to ourselves and our families, however, I believe the above ideas will add to the equation.

"Teenagers"

The term teenager was invented in the 1800’s[1]. Before then you went from child to adult. Isn’t that the way we do it, at the age of thirteen, (the first year of the teens) you are a gadol – an adult. 

On Obama-Care, you are covered under your parents insurance till 26! This lengthens the childhood even longer. Our teens need to become adults sooner.

I think the term teenager is often used as an excuse for inexcusable behavior. The Torah is of the opinion, that you are entirely responsible for your own behavior from you Bar or Bas Mitzvah[2]. No excuses.

What do you think?









[1] http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_was_the_word_'teenager'_invented

In the year 1818 the term teener was coined and it became popularized as teenager in 1941.


[2] Interestingly, there seems to be some exceptions. Maybe we can cut them a little slack. Or sages tell us (Breisis Rabbah 58 and others) that heavenly punishments (vs. punishments of the courts) are only given for sins done after the age of twenty – the year following the end of the ‘teens’. In addition, the year that the Torah enlists for serving in the army is twenty as well.

"Stars"

There is a contest called “Jewish Stars”. It’s a program for Jewish man and boys to showcase their talents get judged by ‘stars’, and the best are then rewarded the title “Jewish Star”.

The famous composer Yossi Green recently said: “In my days the Roshei Yeshivos and Rabonim were the only stars, today others can be stars as well".

My question is, do we paint our Rabonim as stars? If some kid with a good voice and knows how dance, is called a star, our great Rabbis and Roshei Yeshivos should definitely be portrayed as stars - even with their shortcomings.

What do you think?

Is stress man-made or G-d-made

I recently asked on Facebook:

“Is stress man made or G-d made?”

Most responded that “both” are true.

The Rambam in his More Nevuchim addresses this topic and says[1]:

“Many think that there are more negative than positive events in life. They say, that a great event is considered a novelty. There are even famous thinkers like Alrazi (author of Alalias) that believe that bad events outweigh the good…

“This is all against what we hold dear, that G-d is kind in a revealed way.

“The root of their mistake is their basing life on themselves and everything revolving around what they want. 

“Most – practically all negative events are caused by man. As [king] Shlomo wrote: “A man’s folly subverts his way, and his heart rages against G-d”[2].

The Rambam elaborates for five pages on this topic. I would highly suggest going over his words carefully. He address multiple questions and offers major insights into some society’s biggest issues[3].


[1]Vol. 3 ch. 12 (Rambam – R’ Moshe ben Maimon 1135-1204)
[2] Mishlei19:3
[3]The Rambam discusses illness, natural events and other related topics, cf. Toras Shmuel (R’ Shmuel of Lubavitch – Rebbe Maharsh 1834-1882 “Mayim Rabim”5636 pp. 2-7 that elaborates on this Rambam.

One of Chabad’s secrets

Rabbis are often found debating the finer points in Jewish law and philosophy. I don’t believe there is a single topic in the Torah that is without two opinions. Yet, when it comes to historical events – things run pretty smoothly. Never the less, in this week’s Parsha we have a debate regarding the timing of a certain event.

There are number of opinions regarding when G-d commanded the Jews to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Zohar[1]says it took place soon after the giving of the Torah.

The Medrash[2] is of the opinion that it didn’t happen immediately after the giving of the Torah, rather G-d waited till Yom Kippur (about five months after the Torah was given) [3]. 

Besides their differences in relation to the giving of the Torah, there is another importance difference. The Zohar’s time frame would place the commandment to make the Mishkan before the sin of the Golden Calf. The Medrash differs and says, that it took place after the sin. In addition the Medrash says, that the directive to build the Mishkan was after the Jews repented on Yom Kippur.

The Rebbe sees these two opinions in broader terms[4]

The Zohar addresses the Tzadik – the Jews before they sinned – when they had just been elevated to awesome heights, through the giving of the Torah.

A Tzadik that achieved that level of perfection can think to himself – I did my time ‘down’ here. I want to deal with more lofty ‘spiritual’ matters. I want to disassociate myself from the lowliness of this world.

The Zohar says that G-d commanded these accomplished Jews to build the Mishkan. Even these greats are commanded to “make a Mishkan” – out of physical objects. The message is: G-d is also very present in our physical world. Moreover, G-d favors this world over the ‘higher’ worlds and therefore wants his ‘house’ – the Mishkan, down here[5].

The Medrash sends a slightly different message. The Medrash says we’re addressing the Jews after they had sinned, and then returned to G-d on Yom Kippur. The Jews were all on the level of a Baal Teshuva.

According to the Medrash, G-d was sending a message to one that is ‘scared’ of this spiritually dark world. (He’s not like the Tzadik that wants to ‘float higher’, because it feels restrained by the coarse world.) 

The Medrash talks about the Baal Teshuvah – the Jews after Yom Kippur. This Baal Teshuva that experienced the darkness of this world - he was initially won over by his evil inclination – now he wants to stay as far away from all that’s out there.

To that person we say, that G-d’s commandment to “build Him a house in this world”, was to the Jews that sinned and then repented on Yom Kippur.   

How does one not get pulled down when trying to light up this dark world?

I heard an interesting thought that might shed some light on this topic. The Talmud[6] relates the laws of searching for Chametz in one’s house during Peasch. Normally one checks for Chametz before Pesach. What happens in the event that one had not checked and Pesach arrived? Do we tell him to check for the Chametz and destroy it? Or, do we worry that if he goes out searching for the Chametz, he might forget and he will come to eating the Chametz?

The Talmud says: Because he is ‘out checking for the Chametz to destroy it, we are not concerned that he will come to eat it[7].

The Rabbis trust us. They believe in us. While we’re in the act of ‘destroying’ the shmutz – the garbage that is out there, we will not be affected and drawn to the wrong places.

If outreach becomes just another job title – things can get very risky when dealing with the outside influences. But, if the mission is always crystal clear – we are out on ‘shlichus’ we are messengers – with a clear message, we can then turn the darkness into light!

This is one the hidden ‘secrets’ of Chabad. We can go almost anywhere – and not be influenced by our surroundings. When one goes with the right drive, he will only strive!


[1] Vol. 2 224a
[2] Tanchuma – Terumah 8
[3] The Zohar vol. 2 195a also mentions a third opinion, that G-d told Moshe about the
commandment before the giving of the Torah, and Moshe gave it over to the Jews after Yom
Kippur. R. Moshe ben Nachman (also known as the Ramban or Nachmanides, 1194-1270) in the
beginning of Parshas Vaykel holds like this opinion.
[4] Lekutei Sichos vol 6 pg. 152
[5] See Tanya ch. 36
[6] Tractate Pesachim 11a
[7] In the original Aramaic - “Maczhor olov lsorfo”. These laws are complex, numerous factors
are involved. One should consult with a Rabbi regarding the practical application of this law.