Hisachdus Denounces Call For Non-Orthodox Certifications

In December 2006, a call came from outside the sphere of Orthodox kosher certifiers for a tsedek heckscher or justice certification that would ensure that kosher food producers "have met a set of standards that determine the social responsibility of kosher food producers, particularly in the area of worker rights."

The Orthodox Union issued a statement that labor issues were a matter for federal and local regulators, not kosher authorities. Rabbi Genack was reported as applauding the call to look at labor issues, given the weight of Jewish law dedicated to that topic. However, Rabbi Genack stressed that the effort cannot be allowed to blur the line between Jewish law regarding worker rights and Jewish law regarding the kosher standard of food.

On January 2, the Hisachdus Horabbonim issued a kol koreh proclamation condemning any efforts to dilute or becloud kosher supervision standards, nor to allow any other supervision standards to be applied to kosher certification halachahs. The proclamation was signed by three members of its Kashrus Beth Din: Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Heshel Bick, Mezebusher Rav; Rabbi Hillel Weinberger, Serdehaly Rav; and Rabbi Yitzchok Isaac Menachem Eichenstein, Galante Rebbe.

The Hisachdus kol koreh called upon all observant Jews to reject the introduction of any type of tsedek heckscher, something never previously heard of. The Hisachdus views the suggestion as an attempt by those outside the observant community to infiltrate and dilute the existing framework of kashrus certifications. Rabbi Yitzchok Yechiel Glick, rav of Khal Beis Avrohom and executive director of the Hisachdus, stressed that any injection of social or humanitarian considerations, especially by outsiders, would be an unallowable breach of the time honored halachic administration of kashrus standards.

Every kosher food producer must repulse any attempts of introducing such alien impositions. Tolerating such infringement would be a first step in destroying halachic kashrus standards. The kol koreh calls upon kosher food producers as well as kashrus certifiers to maintain vigilance against any effort to pierce protective barriers now in place.

The universally highly-regarded HaEdah HaCharedis KashrusBeis Din in Jerusalem as well as Rabbi Shmuel Wosner, author of Shevet Levi and leading posek, have been alerted to the suspicious machinations of those attempting to impose the so-called hekhsher tzedek.

Addressing the issue at a meeting of rabbis in Flatbush was Rabbi Moshe Y. Weiner, rabbinic administrator of the Kosher Information and Service of Boro Park and Flatbush. Rabbi Weiner stressed that a kashrus certification could not (and must not) be awarded to a food-producing establishment that does not meet all of its required civic and legal obligations. Without the necessary municipal and other mandatory permits on full display as mandated, no kashrus certification could be valid, stressed Rabbi Weiner.

Kovna Brezna Shidduch

At the Emunas Yisroel Hall in Boro Park, Motzaei Shabbos Vayechi, January 6, Moshe Yaakov Greenbaum was engaged to the daughter of Rabbi Sholom Neuschloss, Brezna Rav. The chassan is the son of Rabbi Menachem Zvi Greenbaum, Rav of Beis Midrash Hagadol of the Lower East Side.

Rabbi Ephraim Oshry, zt"l

The chassan is the grandson of Rabbi Ephraim Oshry, zt"l (1914‑2003), Kovna Rav, author of Mima'akim, Churban Lita, and The Annihilation of Lithuanian Jewry. Rabbi Oshry, upon his arrival in 1952 to the United States after surviving the Holocaust, was appointed as Rav of Beis Midrash Hagadol of the Lower East Side, where he served with distinction for more than 50 years. Beth Midrash Hagadol is the historical pulpit occupied by Rabbi Yaakov Yosef, zt"l (1840-1902), renowned first and only chief rabbi (1888-1902) of New York City.

The kallah is the granddaughter of Rabbi Gavriel Yehuda Neuschloss of Williamsburg, and of Rabbi Meir Horowitz, zt"l (1927-2004), Shotzer Rebbe in Boro Park; son of Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Horowitz, zt"l (1898-1967), Shotzer Rebbe who arrived in the United States in 1928. Rabbi Yisroel Dovid was the son-in-law and successor to Rabbi Meir Moskowitz, zt"l (1853-1921), Shotzer Rebbe. Rabbi Gavriel Yehuda Neuschloss succeeded his older brother, Rabbi Moshe Neuschloss, zt"l (1911‑1997) in 1957 as Serdehaly Rav in Williamsburg. Rabbi Moshe Neuschloss was appointed Skverer Rav with the establishment of the Skverer community in Spring Valley in 1957.

The current Brezna Rav is a grandson of Rabbi Zvi Hersh Sofer, zt"l HY"D (1879-1944), Brezna Rav who was murdered in the Holocaust; son of Rabbi Sholom Sofer, zt"l (1856-1929), Brezna Rav and author of Ahavas Sholom

Satmar Shabbosim In Boro Park

Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe and eldest son of the late Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, zt"l (1914-2006), will visit Boro Park for Shabbos Shekalim, February 16-17. The Rebbe will be gracing the aufruf of his nephew, Yosef Meisels, son of Rabbi Dovid Dov Berish Meisels, Boro Park Satmar Rav, and the Rebbe's late sister, Rebbetzin Chaya (Chaiki) a"h (1947‑1993). Rebbetzin Chaya is buried directly adjacent to the Ohel in Kiryas Yoel that houses the gravesites of her father as well as that of her great-uncle, Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, zt"l 1886-1979), Satmar Rebbe and author of Divrei Yoel. The chassan will be marrying the daughter of Rabbi Asher Margolies, Dayan and Rosh Kollel in Vienna, Austria.

That Shabbos is also be Shabbos Mevarchim Adar as well as the yahrzeit of Rabbi Chananiah Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum, zt"l (1836‑1904), Sigeter Rav and author of Kedushas Yom Tov, great-grandfather of the present Rebbe. The Kedushas Yom Tov was the fourth successive member of the Teitelbaum dynasty to serve as a Chassidishe Rebbe.

In a recently released statement, the visit of Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe, was announced for Shabbos Parah, March 9-10. Additional information will be forthcoming shortly.

Skverer Shidduch

On Friday, Erev Shabbos Shemos, January 12, Meshulem Zusha Twersky was engaged to the daughter of Rabbi Moshe Meisels, Rodvaner Rav in London. The chassan is the son of Rabbi Yitzchok (Itzikel) Twersky; son of Rabbi Dovid Twersky, Skverer Rebbe. Rabbi Itzikel is the son-in-law of Rabbi Yisroel Hager, Rav of Beis Midrash Daas Yeshurin in Bnei Brak and eldest son of Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager, Vishnitzer Rebbe in Bnei Brak. The Skverer Rebbe is the son-in-law of the Bnei Brak Vishnitzer Rebbe. The kallah is the granddaughter of Rabbi Yehoshua Zev Meisels, Liejer Rav in London.

Skverer Rebbe

(Portrait by allartdirect.com)

Shortly before Shabbos, the shidduch was finalized at the home of Ben Zion Dunner, a noted chassidishe activist. On Shabbos, a grand kiddush was given at the Liejer Beis Midrash. On Motzaei Shabbos, the shidduch was celebrated at the Rodvaner Beis Midrash. Immediately afterward the assembled moved to the London Skverer Beis Midrash where Skverer Chassidim celebrated with Rabbi Itzikel.

Bnei Brak Vishnitzer Rebbe

(Portrait by allartdirect.com)

On Sunday morning, both families traveled to New York, where the shidduch was again celebrated at the Skverer Beis Midrash in Spring Valley together with the Skverer Rebbe.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager In America

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager, long-serving rav of the Vishnitzer community in Bnei Brak and son of the Bnei Brak Vishnitzer Rebbe, conducted a visit to the chassidishe communities in the greater New York City metropolitan area, including Kiryas Yoel, Lakewood, and Monsey. Thousands of Vishnitzer Chassidim participated in the Shabbosim and receptions held, rejoicing in the songs and customs of the joyous Vishnitzer (Vyzhnytsia) Chassidishe dynasty.

Rabbi Menachem Mender Hager presenting a gift to his host, Chaim Mayer Markowitz

On Wednesday evening, January 17, Rabbi Hager was feted with a dinner reception at the home of Chaim Mayer Markowitz in Boro Park. Participating in the reception were the Bistritzer Rav; Hamarader Rav; Vishnitz Rosh Yeshiva; Boro Park Skverer Dayan; and the Boro Park Pupa Dayan amongst many others.

Spinka Rebbe On Manhattan's West Side

Rabbi Yisroel Chaim Weisz, Spinka Rebbe in Bnei Brak, will celebrate Shabbos Bo, January 26-27, on Manhattan's West Side. The Rebbe will conduct his shalosh seudos tisch at the West Side Institutional Synagogue (WSIS), 120 West 76thStreet, immediately after Minchah at the shul. The Rebbe responded to the invitation of Mark Meyer Appel, noted community and charitable activist who is dedicating the event to the noble memory of his father, Reb Wolf Apfeldorfer, zt"l (1908-1991) sagacious Spinka chassidic personality.

Hundreds will pack the shul's ballroom to take part in the significant event. Shalom Maya, WSIS's president, will welcome the Rebbe. The ensuing singing and dancing by all of the participants, will be led by the Rebbe and Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn, Rav of WSIS. After Havdalah, the Rebbe will be escorted with song and dance back to his host's home.

Bnei Brak Spinka Rebbe

The Spinka Rebbe is the son of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Weiss, zt"l (1916‑1988), Spinka Rebbe who reestablished the Spinka dynasties in Bnei Brak and Boro Park; son of Rabbi Yitzchok Isaac Weiss, zt"l, HY"D (1875‑1944) Spinka Rebbe and author of Chakal Yitzchok murdered in the Holocaust; son of Rabbi Yosef Mayer Weiss, zt"l (1838‑1919), founding Spinka Rebbe and author of Imrei Yosef.

The Gutnick Kol Menachem Shul Chumash is a story of outstanding Torah achievement. In November 2002, the Torah world was introduced to the first volume of the Kol Menachem Chumash. Coordinated with its issue date, the first volume was Chumash Shemos, with an English translation of commentaries titled Toras Menachem of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, zt"l (1902‑1994), revered Lubavitcher Rebbe. The volume also incorporated a running question-and-answer annotation by Rabbi Chaim Miller, integrating classic commentaries. The Torah text was translated into English, faithful to Rashi's interpretations.

With the release in May 2005 of Kol Menachem's fifth volume, Bamidbar, the Chumash was completed. From the time of its initial introduction, the world of Judaic and Torah scholarship rejoiced in the availability of the colossal work, recognizing its highly professional presentation, exceptional clarity of language, and the broad scope of information that each volume contains.

Kol Menachem's Book of Haftaros was released in November 2006. It, too, is beautiful to behold. It gives a clear understanding of the messages of the Haftaros. The Haftaros are presented to us according to Chabad, Ashkenazi and Sephardic customs with a commentary anthologized from classic rabbinic texts as well as from the works of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe.

As the work on the Kol Menachem volumes of Chumash ensued, the reception was so thrilling that the Kol Menachem staff was "inspired to work 14-hour days to finish the project," commented Rabbi Meyer Gutnick, founder of the Kol Menachem foundation that publishes the Chumash. "Can you imagine how it feels to have phone calls, letters and emails flying in all day from people whose lives have literally been changed by the Chumash and are begging for more? For many thousands of people, it was their first exposure to the Rebbe's teachings. Others tell us how it has enabled them to bring Torah study into their busy lives, and it has even inspired many to become ba'alei teshuvah. So we just had to pull out all the stops to get this project finished."

The Gutnick Chumash contains more than 1,000 sichos (essay discussions) of the Rebbe, which were meticulously researched, analyzed, and carefully adapted to retain the flavor of the original sichah. Each adaptation was then reviewed by a board that included both scholars and laymen, to ensure that the commentary would be both completely accurate, yet accessible to a person who had not studied Torah before.

The Gutnick Chumash has become the best seller amongst all Lubavitch works. Rabbis, scholars, laymen, and ba'alei teshuvah have come to rely upon it to more fully understand and appreciate the weekly Torah readings. Recognizing its unique value, The Jewish Press, in particular, has elected to provide its readers with excerpts.

Now that their work on the Chumash and Haftaros are complete and combined, the Gutnick Shul Chumash has become an excellent alternative and supplement. Its size and handsome format are comfortable to its users. It is a masterpiece addition for shul use and is now available from Judaica stores worldwide or from the publisher at www.kolmenachem.com, or by calling 1-888-580-1900.

Read Comments (0)