My Machberes
Latest update: March 1st, 2012
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Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger
Photo Credit: Uri Lenz/Flash90
Rosh Chodesh With The Igud
For the past twenty-one years the Igud Horabbonim-Rabbinical Alliance of America, led by its president, Rabbi Abraham B. Hecht, has been convening Torah conferences every rosh chodesh. The conferences were inaugurated by the late Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, zt”l.
At the conferences, member rabbis – who lead congregations, educational institutions and religious organization – review various Torah challenges facing the community, with two member rabbis, each a respected scholar, sharing their insights.
Immediately after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the Igud convened and heard from Rabbi Yisroel Belsky (may Heaven grant him a refuah shleima bimiheira), rosh yeshiva Torah Vodaath, Rabbi Herschel Kurzrock, Igud rosh beis din; and Rabbi Aaron Dov Brisman, chief rabbi of Philadelphia, on how to properly handle issues pertaining to widows of those killed that terrible day.
When the Indian hair sheitel and New York City water issues arose in 2004, the Igud invited leading poskim to review and present all applicable halachic perspectives. Kashrus problems are discussed in detail by, among others, Rabbi Moshe Y. Weiner, rabbinic administrator of both the Kosher Information Center (KIC-Flatbush) and the Kosher Information Service (KIS-Boro Park).
Rosh Chodesh Adar 5772/2012
The Igud convened its Rosh Chodesh Adar 5772 Torah Conference at Beis Medrash Tiferes Yechezkel-Beled, in Boro Park, on Wednesday evening, February 22, with the participation of Rabbi Yonah Metzger, chief rabbi of Israel and author of Kanfei Yonah, together with more than 100 participants. This writer, as Igud menahel and chairman, called upon Rabbi Yehoshua Yonason Lustig, Igud dayan, to lead the assembled in recitation of Tehillim on behalf of our gedolim in need of Divine intervention.
The elegantly catered dinner was provided by Binyamin Barber, widely known as Ben Barber, celebrated shirt maker and linen industry leader. Reb Binyamin, brother-in-law of the Beleder Rav, is an important community statesman who uses his many connections on behalf of the observant community.
The Beleder Rav
Rabbi Yosef Toiseg, Beleder Rav and author of Aderes Yosef, delivered warm divrei Torah to the conference. He is the son of Rabbi Yechezkel Toiseg, zt”l (1917-1972), author of Tiferes Yechezkel; son of Rabbi Yisroel Toiseg, zt”l (1889-1967), Matersdorfer Rebbe and author of Beis Yisroel; son-in-law of Rabbi Yosef Pressberger, zt”l (d. 1924), Matersdorfer rosh beis din and author of Tiferes Yosef. Rabbi Yechezkel was the son-in-law of Rabbi Shmuel Tapelinsky, zt”l, author of Kuntros Hatzevo’ah.
Kobersdorfer Rav, Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum, Beleder Rav.
The Beleder Rav’s grandfather, the Beis Yisroel, devoted the eighth volume of his masterwork to insights on the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, authored by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried, zt”l (1804-1886), Ungvarer rosh beis din and prolific author. In addition, Rabbi Bunim Yoel Toiseg, zt”l (1927-2007), son and succeeding Matersdorfer Rebbe, authored the three-volume Tiferes Bunim on the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. In 2002, Rabbi Nachum Zvi Josephy, zt”l (1940-2003), rav of Beis Medrash Hagadol of Boro Park and vice president of the Igud Horabbonim, organized the building of the first ohel upon the gravesite of Rabbi Ganzfried. The ohel was recently expanded to accommodate the many that come to pray there.
The Beleder beis medrash is also home to Kollel Zichron Ephraim Fishel, led by the Beleder Rav. Its recent melaveh malkah dinner had the participation of leading chassidishe rebbes, rabbis, and roshei yeshiva, including the Kosover Rebbe, Burshtiner Rebbe, Chuster Rebbe, Zidichover Rebbe and the Pupa Rebbe of Boro Park. Melaveh Malkah guest of honor was Nachman Wasserlauf.
Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger
Rabbi Yonah Metzger, the sixth chief rabbi of the State of Israel, delivered a delightful explanation of perplexing wording in the megillah. Though the official position of chief rabbi dates back only to the formation of the State of Israel in 1948, the position in essence traces back to Yavneh and Pumbadisa, to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, to Hillel and Shamai, and, ultimately, to Moshe Rabbeinu. The restoration of the State of Israel and the resulting recreation of the Chief Rabbinate is a return to the mighty glory of the Torah.
Award Presentation (l to r): Chief Rabbi Metzger, Douglas Jablon, Ben Barber, Rabbi Michoel Chazan, Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum, Beleder Rav.
To Serve As Chaplain
Together with Douglas Jablon, vice president of Patient Relations & Volunteer Services at Maimonides Medical Center, and Rabbi Yitzchok Fleischer, bikur cholim pioneer, the chief rabbi presented an Avodas Hakodesh Award from the Igud to Rabbi Michoel Chazan, chaplain of the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, in recognition of his major achievements in chaplaincy training and certification for Orthodox rabbis. Graduates of Rabbi Chazan’s efforts reside across America.
Kosher Law Enforcement In Poland And New York
In Krakow, Poland, 17 trainees were awarded certificates last month on their successful kashrus seminar completion. The seminar was conducted by Rabbi Dov Landau, kosher certification officer in Bnei Brak, and Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Shudrich, chief rabbi of Poland. This was the first such event since before the Holocaust and is an indication of the increase in kosher food production in Poland.
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