“The story in this week’s Double Take, that of employer Meira and employee Russy, is one of colossal failure”

A Moral Failure [Double Take / Issue 1029]

The story in this week’s Double Take, that of employer Meira and employee Russy, is one of colossal failure.

Russy may be young and inexperienced, but she is well enough along to understand about the obligations of hakaras hatov, chesed, not hurting someone, and standing by one’s word and commitment.

Russy’s upbringing failed her. Her schooling, elementary through high school, failed her. Her undoubtedly expensive seminary in Israel, which her parents (described in the story as not having much money) had to scramble to pay for, which was supposed to teach her how to enter adulthood as an ethical, responsible, God-fearing bas Yisrael, failed her. Her parents failed her. The rabbi she consulted with, assuming he understood the case presented, failed her.

Meira the employer chose her, offered her a job, trained her and paid her to be trained, gave her a month off to play in camp before starting to work, so that she could count on her to help keep her hard-won business afloat when she had her baby. Knowing how vulnerable Meira was, Russy gave her word, and Meira counted on it. Russy betrayed her, with the blessings of her parents and her rabbi.

Moral failure.

Russy says she wants to marry a fellow in learning, and to support him. That’s what she has been trained to say and think. Well, what is it she thinks he’s learning? Rishonim and Acharonim in a complex sugya? Sure. But how about the basics of Yiddishkeit? And how sure can this young man be of a girl who immaturely walks away from a solemn commitment? What will happen in their marriage when she encounters some disappointment? Will she say “yuck,” and ask her father to make a phone call to find her something better?

At her seminary, Russy no doubt learned to master some sophisticated Rambans on Chumash. Terrific. Impressive. But how about menschlichkeit and the basics of Yiddishkeit?

Yerucham Reich
New York

If Only [Back to School / Issue 1029]

I sincerely wish there would have been someone like Mr. Shuli Halpert 50 years ago when I had no school to go to. I needed to transfer from one school to another (from ninth into tenth grade). I can’t say who, but the principal of one school wouldn’t accept me for the simple reason that my American-born mother hadn’t gone to Bais Yaakov. That was his excuse. I sincerely think that had there been such a person like Mr. Halpert in those days, my situation would have played out differently.

Anonymous

Epitome of Integrity [Pittsburgh Steel / Issue 1029]

If you want someone who acts primarily according to his own self-interest, do not support John Fetterman.

If you want someone who consults the polls before taking a stand on issues, John Fetterman is not your man.

If you want someone who avoids offending people by taking refuge in ambiguities and will do anything to get elected, find someone else to vote for.

If you are looking for a politician who lacks any moral compass, look elsewhere.

John Fetterman cannot be pigeonholed in categories like “progressive” or “liberal.” The only word that applies to him is integrity. He is that rare species of politician who tells voters, “This is what I am. This is what I stand for. I do what I think is right, and nothing else. If you like what you see, vote for me; I am not going to change to please you or anybody else.” That applies to the positions he takes and even the clothes he wears.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone like that in the White House?

Michael Greengard

A Descendant’s Comments  [For the Record / Issue 1028]

I was delighted to see that you wrote up a history of my illustrious forbearer, Rav Yaakov Gesundheit. I was surprised how accurate it was, as most writeups are not. I just want to point out a few things. Regarding the Beis HaLevi’s hesped for him, which you quoted, the Beis HaLevi said that even after Rav Gesundheit was removed from his post, he was still considered the rav of Warsaw. That’s the reason the chief rabbinate ended, because he still remained the rav, so no one could replace him.

I believe that Rav Gesundheit gave shiur when his rebbi was still alive, and around two years later became the rosh yeshivah in his stead. Regarding his wealth, Rav Gesundheit writes that he only agreed to print his work on Chullin, a rather fat volume, to prove to others that it’s possible to learn the bulk of the day and spend only a few hours working.

Yaakov Gesundheit from Tel Aviv was a nephew, not a descendant. It’s important to point out that Rav Gesundheit wasn’t a misnagid who held that chassidus was wrong, as evidenced by his friendship with the Chiddushei HaRim; rather anyone who was not a chassid was considered a misnagid.

One last correction: the Beis HaLevi came to Warsaw after Rav Gesundheit was fired, as is recorded in the biography by R’ Chaim Karlinsky. You quoted the story that’s in the biography: “Rav Yaakov quipped to his friend, ‘We’re both in a similar situation. You’re the official rabbi of Slutzk without actually serving as rav anymore, while I am serving as rav without the official title of rabbi of Warsaw,’ ” which indicates that he’d already lost his job.

Name Withheld

Find a Partner (in Torah) [Inbox / Issue 1028]

Rabbi Eli Gewirtz’s letter about how everyone is capable of doing kiruv is a testament to everyone I know who is zocheh to have a Partner in Torah (or Torahmates, Project Inspire, etc.). I have been learning with a Partner in Torah, Sarah, for over 14 years. The friendship we have developed, sharing each other’s joys and challenges, is something I treasure.

We started with discussions of Jewish history, and now our weekly learning is based on the parshah of the week, but is also a jumping-off point for discussion of religion, the land of Israel, Jewish life here in the States.

We live thousands of miles apart geographically and met only once in person in our years of learning when I was near her home. She left her work in a prestigious hospital during her lunch break for us to meet in the local Ikea cafeteria (where we did not eat). She is a deeply committed Jew, with her heart filled with concern for her fellow Jews, both in Eretz Yisrael and everywhere they find themselves.  She often writes letters to congressmen or other officials who have an impact on the Jewish people and Israel.

I do not know her level of practice (I leave that to the One Above). She purchased a Chumash with English translation and usually goes through the parshah before our session, asking pertinent questions regarding the message that can be learned. My life has been so greatly enriched, and specifically my knowledge of the parshah of the week and the commentaries that relate it to our daily lives (which are readily available on many platforms).

No one need be a great scholar to gain the sense of fulfillment that learning with a Partner in Torah gives to one’s life. The personal bond we have is truly a gift, and the discussions we often have only serve to strengthen my own spiritual growth!

Might I be so bold as to suggest that reaching out to any of the several forums that match one with a learning partner in the coming year is an outstanding way to enrich one’s spiritual growth and may be a great zechus for all of Klal Yisrael.

With wishes for a kesivah v’chasimah tovah for all of Kal Yisrael!
Ahava Ehrenpreis

Brooklyn, New York

Selichos Weather [Elul Vibes / Issue 1028]

I write this letter to thank you for your excellent articles, which are so informative and on the mark. The feature “Elul Vibes” about how people feel Elul in the air really hit home and made me think of what Elul means to us here in London. I’m sure many people will join me in expressing our hakaras hatov to the Phone and Learn (PAL) tzedakah. PAL pairs up young adults striving to learn more about Yiddishkeit with a tutor and they learn weekly. For their Elul event, Rabbi Paysach Krohn honors them with his divrei chizuk year in, year out. Hundreds of people from the community gather yearly in Kinloss shul to be inspired. Be it in the years post-Covid, and now after the Simchas Torah tragedy, the PAL event brings with it a unique “Selichos weather” and atmosphere. I thank PAL for facilitating these memories and hope they go michayil el chayil.

Anonymous

Keep ’Em Coming [Second Thoughts / Issue 1028]

This is my first time writing to a magazine, as I usually read them on Shabbos and forget to write afterward. This week I read Rabbi Emanuel Feldman’s article and felt compelled to write a letter. I’m a busy mom of three, baruch Hashem, and barely have time to read. Mishpacha is one of the only magazines I read, and I enjoy Rabbi Feldman’s articles immensely. I don’t keep track of how often each article is run, as I baruch Hashem have many other things on my mind.

To Rabbi Feldman, please keep your beautiful and heartwarming articles coming, as I’m sure many people look forward to them and enjoy them!

Thanks for a great magazine,

M.S.

Brooklyn, NY

The Result [The Moment /1027]

I was at my friend’s Shabbos table a few weeks ago and a mutual friend brought a non-Jewish acquaintance who was interested in learning more about Judaism since she had grown up in a Jewish neighborhood in Colorado. They knew that I frequently attend the JLE in Los Angeles and mentioned that would be a good place for her to go. I told her to let me know anytime she wanted to go, and I would meet her there.

A couple of weeks passed by and the mutual friend texted me her number and asked if I would contact her about going to the Sunday morning class. I got busy with work, but when I read the article you wrote about Dr. Katz and his campaign to fulfill the mitzvah of v’ahavtem es hager, I was motivated to follow up on the text.  We met at the class and the Rabbi happened to have time after class to meet with her to discuss her interest. No one can predict the end game, but your article motivated me to help jump-start the process… the rest is up to Hashem!

Phyllis Miller

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1030)