He examined the two boys with his piercing eyes. The early years of the yeshivah witnessed an interesting blend. But it was his partnership with Torah luminary Rav Aharon Kotler as well as his important connections with Washington insiders that advanced his advocacy on behalf of Orthodox Jewry. It is a great honor to stand at the helm of a packed beis medrash and teach Torah, that is RAM lofty and elevated. Rav Aharon successfully crossed the border into Poland and attempted to reestablish the yeshivah less than 40 miles away in Kletzk. The Eibishter says, Smach Zevulun btzeisecha Zevulun, when you will leave the world, you will be given this simchah that you missed in This World because you supported Torah. For two months the bochurim subsisted on sweetened water and black bread, with their diet supplemented on Shabbos when the townspeople hosted them for meals. A few minutes later, they were offically welcomed into the yeshivah. Rav Aharon chose Kletzk partly as a result of its proximity to the new border, but there was a historical impetus as well. A person supporting Torah, who is Zevulun, doesnt have the simchah of growing in Torah every day. By the end of 1907, construction was completed, and Congregation Sons of Israel opened. Some yeshivah buildings were damaged, prices of living quarters have risen, and in general everything became more expensive as a result. A secret clause of the agreement was the division of Poland. But mere ceremony was a foreign concept to Rav Aharon. There was, however, a problem. Rabbi Henoch Cohen, who served as Chinuch Atzmais North American director for nearly a half century, related a shocking episode. Rather, it is the clarion call that brought a revolution to Americas yeshivah world. Shortly thereafter, the border between neutral and (somewhat) democratic Lithuania and its neighbors, the Soviet Union and Nazi-occupied Poland, was sealed. When I talk about Rav Aaron and mibeis abba, I dont mean just his scholarship, his Torah, but the qualities of a gadol, the warmth and other great middos. Mrs. Frank agreed to donate $5,000 and help raise the remaining balance from wealthy friends. Without total submission to Torah learning, he said, without fundamental lomdus, toil and perseverance, Torah cannot takeroot in the individuals soul, cannot change hisbeing or essence. Among the younger group, there were three younger bochurim [known to be exceptional], they were almost yingerlach (children): The Vishker Illui, Hershke Semiatytcher, and last but not least Arke Sislovitcher. Hed clarify that his fundamental position hadnt changed; it was rather counterbalanced in individual cases when specific needs arose (such as financial straits, the military draft, etc.). During the first World War he fled eastward, eventually making his way toward the land of Israel where he settled in Yerushalayim until his passing in 1923. Even while seeing success at Slabodka, there were constant pressures from family members as well as the Jewish street to conform to the pressures of modernity. In recognition of his status, as well as the fact that he was an orphan, Rav Aharon was provided by the Katzovisheh Shul with a significantly larger stipend than others. The history of Chinuch Atzmai and Rav Aharons leadership thereof is beyond the scope of this article. The Russian principal was curious to test the genius of this boy in mathematics. Rav Aharons immediate placement in the yeshivah proper awarded him unique status. In Minsk, Arke became acquainted with another budding Torah scholar just a few months his, senior named Yaakov Kamenetsky, with whom he developed a close relationship. At the wedding of Rav Shmuel Yitzchak Herman: Lower row: Rav Aharon Kotler, Rav Yaakov Safsel (Vishker Illui), Rav Shmuel Yitzchak Herman, Rav Avraham Kalmanowitz. He promised the locals that he would pay for his students lodgings in what was then known as a stantzia arrangement. Its excellent, except the last sentence, which must be removed, said Rav Aharon. Perhaps the most noteworthy seed planted by Rav Aharon on this trip occurred following his visit to Yeshiva Torah Vodaath. Rav Aharon Kotler was one of the very few Torah giants who contributed mightily to the transformation of the face of American Jewry in the middle of the twentieth century from one of Torah ignorance and mourning over the Holocaust to significant progress in Torah knowledge and partial recovery from the tragedy of the Holocaust. Was it possible? Rav Pam didn't want us to become selective, sectarian followersof Gedolim. Can you imagine, he said, his voice choked with emotion, what our downtrodden brothers in the (DP) camps think of such absurd luxury when they are still struggling to pull together all the broken pieces of their shattered lives? The silence from the audience rang louder than any verbal response. The granddaughter of Robert F. Kennedy, Saoirse Kennedy Hill, died on Thursday at the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, according to a spokesperson for the Kennedy family. Rav Aharon took cover under a table, and someone nearby vividly recalled Rav Aharon praying, Ribbono Shel Olam, ich vill noch leben I want to live more! With his trusted associates Irving & Amos Bunim at a Torah Umesorah dinner in 1956. Eventually, two developments accentuated the risk factors and paved the way for Rav Aharons decision to escape to the United States. Another contingent, headed by the mashgiach Rav Yosef Leib Nenedick, went to Doshad. This arrangement presented an open door for the various ideological movements sweeping the increasingly radicalized Jewish street. But Rav Aharon trusted the young activist who regularly drove him around and helped obtain appointments with donors. For the Torah and its scholars are the heart of the nation. They were all excited and willing to sacrifice We would work from morning till night in the long summer days and not feel at all tired.. Rav Aharon proudly wrote to Rav Yosef Shub of the Vaad HaYeshivos that aside from Mir and Radin, there is no yeshivah (in that region of Poland where most yeshivos were located) larger than ours.. A sense of hopelessness permeated the atmosphere, and he felt that it needed an injection of new energy and motivation in order to galvanize the organization. During his years in Slabodka, Rav Aharon continued to grow in learning, while also integrating the mussar lessons of the Alter. For that reason we must daven!. However, he hired the cab driver with one condition: The cab driver had to pick up anyone on the road that was also travelling there. This soon escalated into an organized resistance to the mussar movement known as the Pulmus Hamussar. Ultimately, the Alter departed from his yeshivah and established Yeshivas Knesses Yisrael. Rav Schorrs student, Rabbi Nosson Scherman, related that Rav Schorrs parents had provided the young couple with mattresses for their stay in Kletzk. As a newly bereft orphan, young Aharon Kotler was sent to study in the yeshivah in Krinik, under the tutelage of Rav Zalman Sender Kahana- Shapiro. When they felt themselves beginning to suffocate, one of them told Rav Aharon they couldnt remain any longer. He answered that Rav Aharons personal magnetism was what drew him in, but even more so, he was impressed that Rav Aharon spoke with such enthusiasm and persuasiveness while maintaining his integrity, something he rarely encountered among other rabbis who solicited him. And with that hed proceed with the shiur. For all of his intensive immersion in Torah study, including giving shiurim, and the burden of sustaining the yeshiva, especially after the Great Depression of 1929, Rav Aharon never lost sight. This man is legally blind and hardly has any money to his name. Except one. Chassidic lore has it that Slutzk was condemned after the town mistreated the Baal Shem Tov.). For the remainder of the war, Rav Aharon along with Rav Avraham Kalmanowitz and his close confidante Irving Bunim would lobby diplomats, legislators and anyone who would listen in the corridors of power in Washington to assist in various rescue schemes. Like most devout Jews in visa, Rav Shneur Zalman struggled to protect his children from the winds of change sweeping Eastern European Jewish youth. The match had been broken off, because the family mistakenly perceived that Rav Archik desired to engage in the family business rather than embarking on the expected rabbinical career. The Shechinah shines from him!. He became the son-in-law of Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, another great Talmid Chacham, and they had mutual respect to a high degree. Rav Aharon contacted Irving Bunim and made plans to petition government officials in Washington to prevent this. Theyd passed the test with flying colors. The interwar years saw steady growth of the Jewish population in Lakewood and its environs, including several Jewish chicken farmers in the 1920s. He was orphaned at the age of 10 and adopted by his uncle, Rabbi Yitzchak Pinnes, a Dayan in Minsk. The parting from his beloved talmidim was difficult, though he believed that this was the only way hed be able to rescue them. Hashem gave you these abilities, he is the one who gave you the power to be successful. The roshei yeshivah in Torah Vodaath were understandably upset to lose such prize pupils and complained to Rav Shraga Feivel. The Vaad HaYeshivos attempted to centralize fundraising efforts on behalf of the yeshivos within the Kresy region. Under Rav Isser Zalmans leadership, the yeshivah emerged as one of the leading Lithuanian-style yeshivos in the Russian Empire. He became a successful businessman also known for his Ethics from Sinai, a beloved commentary on Pirkei Avos. [4], In 1943, Kotler founded Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood Township, New Jersey, with 15 students. In the 1890s, the Hafetz Hayim had published an entire book to deter Jews from jour A story is told regarding the brothers-in-law. For the decade between 1925-35, Rav Yechezkel Levenstein served as mashgiach, and he was succeeded by Rav Yosef Leib Nenedik, who like his predecessor was a mussar product of the great Kelm Talmud Torah. Mrs. Golding also founded the yeshivahs sisterhood, galvanizing local women to support young men dedicated to Torah learning. Rav Aharon Kotler is the Rosh Hayeshivah there. The extent of Rav Aharons mesirus nefesh for Americas Torah future and the steep nature of that uphill battle are neatly encapsulated in a recollection shared by Rabbi Berel Wein. All these Yidden wanted to save the yeshivah money, or to expedite the construction so that the building would be completed even faster but most of all, everyone wanted some portion in this effort. In order to build, create, and motivate a new generation, he could not look back, only forward; he had to kindle, then nurture a fire strong enough, bright enough, and enduring enough to illuminate the entire Torah world. With great trepidation, Rav Aharon walked to the local headquarters. This duo was assisted by a local farmer-turned-real estate-agent named Menashe Rabinowitz, and the search commenced for a building to host the yeshivah. On occasion the Alter would accompany little Arke to his place of lodging. One of the Torah giants of prewar Europe, Rav Mottel Pogromansky, once asked someone to call Rav Aharon on his behalf. At 29 he was the youngest of Polands interwar roshei yeshivah, and he had now entered the public sphere as a rosh yeshivah, educator, leader and builder. Clearly, one who accepts the responsibility of the nations leadership overcomes challenges beyond his nature., Rav Aharon (seated, far right) at a siyum in Kletzk. (This proverbial rite of passage was adapted by many roshei yeshivah, Rav Aharon among them. Rav Aharon and Rav Boruch Ber: They were once walking together and came to a door. Well, vos is zein nomen whats his name? Rav Mordechai asked. Rav Grossnass relates, Rav Isser Zalman left the room a half hour or forty-five minutes later, and I myself heard him saying, I wouldnt stay in Radin if I was paid all the money in the world, absolutely not! It turned out that the Chofetz Chaim had told him, I envy you. Who was the brave one? He had just a handful of students at first, but he knew the yeshivah would grow. You, Mr. Kaufman, were one of the great supporters of Torah, when you leave This World, that simchah will be given to you.. Come Shabbos, Rav Aharon would move into the yeshivah, sleeping in the dorm and eating all the Shabbos meals with his beloved talmidim, then personally thanking the cook for the delicious meals. It was a lesson that many young Americans absorbed, because in addition to producing a cadre of future Torah leaders, Rav Aharon sought to educate a new generation of balabatim about the primacy of supporting Torah and mitzvah observance. There was no time or place fordistractions. The towns rav, Rav Chaim Shimon Herensohn, recalled that his father and predecessor had invited Slabodka to establish the branch there upon its founding in 1897. The energy he exuded, the pathos of his speech, and the glow of his face made it a surreal experience. This was due to Rav Aharon devoting all his resources towards Chinuch Atzmai while neglecting his own yeshivah. Our one consolation is the hope that I will be able to find some help.. ), The new couple settled in Slutzk, where Rav Aharon soon joined the faculty of his father-in-laws renowned Slutzk Yeshivah. Rabbi Nathan Baruch, Mrs. Chaya Baumwolspiner, Rabbi Eliyahu Beane, Rabbi Asher Bergman, Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Yisroel Besser, Rabbi Amos Bunim, Rabbi Dovid Cohen, Rabbi Henoch Cohen, Rabbi Yitzchok Dershowitz, Rabbi Dov Eliach, Rabbi Shimon Finkelman, Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox, Shimon Glick, Mrs. Devora Gliksman, Dr. Alex Grobman, Professor William Helmreich, Chaya Sarah Herman, Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rabbi Shimon Hirsch, Rabbi Alexander Hoffman, Rabbi Nosson Kamenetsky, Rabbi Yitzchok Kasnett, Rabbi Dov Katz, Dr. Bentzion Klibansky, Rabbi Moshe Kolodny, The Kotler family, Dr. David Kranzler, Rebbetzin Danielle Leibowitz, Rabbi Nachman Levovitz, Rabbi Aharon Lopiansky, Rabbi Shlomo Lorincz, Reb Shimon Mendlowitz, Symcha Nadborny, The Neuberger family, Rabbi Alter Pekier, Rabbi Yechiel Perr, Rabbi Shaul Robinson, Yonasan Rosenblum, Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Rosenthal, Rabbi Leib Rotkin, Simcha Schecter, Rabbi Marvin Schick, Rabbi Shmaryahu Schulman, Rabbi Gavriel Schuster, Rabbi Nosson Sherman, Rabbi Aaron Sorasky, Zorach Warhaftig, Baruch Wenger, Zev Wolfson, Dov Wolowitz, Rabbi Boruch Ber Yoffe, Pinkas Kletzk, Pinkas Kobryn, Pinkas Slutzk, (Originally featured in Torchbearer, Rav Aharon Kotler Tribute, Issue 941), Even though six decades have passed, the brilliant shiurim and maamarim of Rav Aharon are speaking to a new generation. On that day in Moscow, Nazi foreign minister Joachim Von Ribbentrop and Soviet foreign minister Vyacheslav Molotov signed a non-aggression pact between the two regimes. At his passing in 1962, he was the . Standing (left to right) beginning with Rabbi Nissan Waxman (with mustache): Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary, Rabbi Shlomo Aron Kazarnovsky, Rabbi Nissan Mindel and Rabbi Chaim Lieberman. When the Frank family heard that Rav Archik was the leading candidate for rosh yeshivah, they vehemently protested. Clearly shaken by these words, Charles Goldstein again took the initiative together with Rabbi Nissan Waxman, an alumnus of European yeshivos and local rabbi. Another member of the Yad Hachazakah, Rabbi David Rackman, who would later become a rav and businessman in Albany, described the joy exuded by the Ridbaz when he entered the beis medrash: He would stand in the doorway virtually unseen and simply listen. Rav Elazar M. Shach related that only one of Rav Aharons friends from Slabodka attended the wedding, which was the norm in those days. Rav Hillel Bishko played an integral role in the kollels founding. Bunim suggested Lakewood, New Jersey, since it was out of town but not too far from New York. He related the story about a poshute Yid who set aside a kopek from his earnings for hachzakas Torah. It didnt take long for Arke Sislovitzer to be noticed. Rav Aharon Kotler would call him every Rosh Chodesh. During the final decades of his life, Rav Aharon entered a phase of leadership that boggles the mind in terms of its scope and activism. His nusach for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur became popular as well. Rav Zelig Epstein, rosh yeshivah of Shaar HaTorah, once made a late-night appointment (as was common) with Rav Aharon to discuss an important matter. In From Kletzk to Siberia, Rabbi Alter Pekier writes: On Erev Shabbos, November 8, 1940 the yeshivahs faithful secretary Reb Berel Starobin was typing Rav Aharons chiddushim when agents of the NKVD burst in and began conducting a search. Once the boy arrived, it was Rav Aharon who caused the transformation, | Torchbearer: Rav Aharon Kotler Supplement |, Rav Aharon Kotler inspired a Torah revolution on three continents but thats just part of the story. And of course we have the regular expenses of feeding the yeshivah. Opponents dubbed this attitude Kotlerism, and the lack of sympathy wasnt limited to the laity. The curse mandated that Kennedy should never see joy from his descendants. They named it Beth Medrash Govoha. Rav Shach once remarked, You see the Rav Aharon of today, the dynamic leader. Yet Rav Aharon still felt that his innumerable accomplishments didnt suffice. In the shiur it was just like Lakewood; there was basically nothing external. Rav Aharon emphasized that while Rav Yitzchak Meir was his brother-in-law, he was submitting his candidacy strictly based on his merits. Kotler was born Aharon Pines in visa, Russian Empire (historically Lithuania, now Belarus) in 1892.He was orphaned at the age of 10 and adopted by his uncle, Yitzchak Pines, a rabbinic judge in Minsk. To the postwar generation, the practice of Torah lishmah was relegated to history books and serial novels in the Yiddish dailies. None waiting. (When Rav Shach assumed a position at one of the Novardok branches and later at the Karlin yeshivah in Luninitz, his family remained in Kletzk. [He presented] complicated mathematical problems that would be hard for a licensed engineer to solve, and the Sislovitzer resolved them in no time. Little is known about the time Rav Aharon spent at Knesses Beis Yitzchak, but the presence of the young student caused a stir in Slabodka, so much so that a plan was eventually put into motion to try and bring him to the Alters yeshivah, Knesses Yisrael. Staff knows nothing about it. vw golf door lock problems. One must know, as it is written in the Mesillas Yesharim, that a wise person for example has no right to be arrogant. The creation of a farm settlement project, where the time of these men could be divided between tilling the soil and the continuation of their studies, would be a step forward in giving them a certain degree of independence and security. We talk to a rabbi about why, and what it means. When the Nazis enacted a law in Germany during the 1930s banning traditional shechitah, Rav Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg of Berlin wrote to halachic decisors of the time to elicit their opinions on whether German Jewry could rely on a leniency to stun the animals prior to shechitah. Modern machinery and long winter evenings are also conducive in affording more leisure time. Vilna and its surroundings would be returned to Lithuania which was neutral during the hostilities and in return the Soviets would be allowed to establish military bases on Lithuanian territory. In Lakewood, however, he began delivering them on a regular basis. Irving Bunim funded the initial purchase with donations from his brother-in-law Isidor Farber as well as his friends Samuel Kaufman and David Shapiro. Rav Aharon's sister, Malka, also in Minsk, traveled in different circles in Minsk than her uncle, the dayan. By the time Rav Aharon passed away, there were hundreds of talmidim, and they were beginning to have a major impact on Torah education in America. She was the tzaddeikes hador. Yosef Chaim Shneur Kotler (1918 - 24 June 1982) was an Orthodox rabbi and rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha (also known as the Lakewood Yeshiva) in Lakewood, New Jersey from 1962 to 1982. He never ceased to praise the tireless efforts and the exceptional brilliance of Rav Aharon. Shortly thereafter, he introduced himself to Rav Aharon. The following day saw the Alters return. Although. Some of these shuls hosted kibbutzim, small groups of young men that studied there. He asked his close confidante, Mr. Stephen Klein, to oversee the organization, and he embarked on a relentless fundraising campaign. In 1914, following a nearly two-year engagement, 22-year-old Rav Aharon married Chana Perel Meltzer, daughter of Rav Isser Zalman and Rebbetzin Baila Hinda Meltzer. Rabbi Nathan Baruch contends that Rav Aharon felt that a public forum was not the proper venue to highlight the plight of the Jews, because he believed the nations of the world reveled in the tragedies befalling the Jewish People. I dont have a proper answer. Hey look, a Gemara, one of the rabbis said to his counterpart. On the contrary, if you see that you are capable, you must realize that you were given a greater responsibility. His face was beet-red with excitement and exertion. But it took years for much of American Jewry to truly value Rav Aharon. We must immediately send out letters requesting all rabbanim and local activists to assist with organizing the campaign. Rav Aharon is much more than just the rosh yeshivah of Kletzk!, Rav Aharon delivering a shiur in Kletzk In listening to Rav Aharon, one always sensed the genius of a deep and penetrating mind arriving at simple conclusions. Nosson Tzvi Finkel, and Moshe Mordechai Epstein. Rav Aharon spent a Shabbos in East New York as the guest of Rav Tzvi Hirsch Dachowitz, an old friend and respected rav. Some of Americas wealthiest businessmen such as the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Goulds, and other titans of industry built mansions on large estates. Rav Noach himself was questioned as to his preference to which he responded softly that had he wanted to stay in Kletzk, he never would have come to Mir. Rav Dachowitz whispered to Rav Aharon: You must understand what is going on here! You will live for many years in Eretz Yisrael; HaKadosh Baruch Hu will yet help you, and in Eretz Yisrael you will come up with great chiddushei Torah., After hearing such things from the Chofetz Chaim, Rav Isser Zalman declared, I wouldnt stay here for all the money in the world! After that, he would put down the phone, and continued discussing the shiur, as if there was no interruption, as if he had never stopped. Ads in the Poltava based Hamodia wished mazel tov to Rav Aharon and Chana Perel Meltzer upon their marriage. Hundreds of eyes shifted their gaze towards Arke Sislovitzer. A floundering Polish economy, devaluation of the Polish zloty and the yeshivahs growing debt meant that Rav Aharon would need to follow the path of other roshei yeshivah and travel abroad to raise funds. Rav Aharon would occasionally remark, You know the shiur like you know Peking, China!When some of the Kletzker students fled to China during the war, theyd quip, Now at least we know China!). If you want to become a rabbi then get semichah, he was told, but learning all day without a career goal is nisht ungenumen (unacceptable) in this country!, Rav Yechiel Perr, rosh yeshivah of Yeshiva Derech Ayson, was a talmid in the fledgling Beth Medrash Govoha during those years. His son, current Shaar HaTorah rosh yeshivah Rav Kalman Epstein, who was then a young boy, accompanied his father. When he returned and found him gone, he hastened to Mir with the intention of bringing back his treasured student. Rav Aharon traveled by boat on his first trip there in 1945. The travails of the months Rav Aharon spent on the road are evident in letters he wrote during this time. It was named Etz Chaim, presumably as an ode to Rav Isser Zalmans alma mater in Volozhin. The rabbonim at front, from right: Rav Yosef Leib Nenedik, Rav Aharon Kotler and Rav Nachum Baruch Ginzberg of Yanova. Uplifting and filled with achrayus. Not only was she pious and devoted, her wisdom was legendary. In most instances he established and served at the helm of a local yeshivah as well. Fearful of these. The administrator of Kletzk, Rav Shimon Goder, who would later serve as administrator in Torah Vodaath, had arrived in America three months prior and now joined Rav Aharon during his fundraising appeals. The name Yosef was added at age six when he contracted pneumonia, while Chaim was given together with Shneur because their firstborn, also named Shneur, had died in infancy. spider web in dream islam, battle cry of ilocos sur,
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