Q. English speaking presentation on Kiruv in the
heart of Ultra-Orthodox Stamford Hill?
A. In what can be described as a shift in public
attitude, the Aish HaTorah evening proved just that! The response from the attendants and
enquiries that kept pouring in during the run-up to - and after the event,
filed the organisers with confidence.
The Aish
HaTorah gathering was dedicated to the revered memory of its founding father
and world renowned mentor to thousands of devoted Talmidim, the late Rabbi
Noach Weinberg OB"M, who was Niftar recently.
It was chaired
by Rabbi Chazkel Dovid Halberstam who eloquently explained the theme of this
symposium: Our generation's ignorant Jew can be likened to the fourth son in
the Hagadda, who doesn't ever realise that there are questions that need
asking; that there are answers to be had.
Indeed, fourth-generation
immigrants to countries outside of Eastern Europe have lost their centuries
long hallowed ID somewhere between Hamburg and Ellis Island or in the choppy
waves linking Gdansk with Hull.
The main guest
speaker Dayan Yonason Abraham Shlita, of the London Beth Din enthralled the
assembled crowd with his masterly crafted appreciation of the "Noach"
of our generation, who single-headedly established a global organisation
dedicated to Kiruv.
The Dayan
mesmerised all present with his heartfelt plea to enlist in the mammoth task of
helping to save precious Jewish souls from being left behind in their ignorant lifestyle.
Explaining the
meaning of VeOhavto - the first word in the second verse of the Shema, he read
out the words of the Rambam: Your love of HaShem should reach such a level that
it will compel you to constantly expound on HaShem's goodness, causing others
to love Him too.
In quoting the
promise of the Torah "Kee Lo Yedach Memenoo Nedach" כי לא ידח ממנו ידח
that in these words the Holy Creator has codified a message for generations to
come, that come what may, no נשמה
may be given up as lost to the Jewish people.
When
describing Rabbi Weinberg's virtues, he presented the words of the Chovos
HaLevovos that: those who bring people nearer to HaShem are on a higher level
than the Nevi'im (Prophets)! Rabbi
Weinberg Ztzl, was attuned to the voice emanating from Sinai, the cry to arms
for every Jewish person: "woe to those who let the Torah lie on the sidelines
in shame".
He felt the
heartbeat of the Jewish people as a whole, he listened to the spiritual cries
of millions of our brethren who were born into an environment devoid of any
vestige of Yiddishkeit.
In closing,
the Dayan impressed upon his audience to take the cue from Reb Noach, become
synthesised to the metaphysical sound waves wafting through the Jewish world, to
constantly be 'online' and pick up the silent, passionate appeals for
meaningful attention form our non-frum co-religionists.
When
travelling, shopping or going about your life in general, know that whomever
you meet has the potential to become Torah observant - without you as much
opening your mouth! Your actions speak more than you could ever imagine.
By encouraging
each and every one attending this auspicious meeting to become an ambassador
for the Torah and its relevant-to-life teachings, the speaker then closed with
an emotionally charged story, which brought home the concept that you don't
have to be a Kiruv Professional to be Mekarev the Children to their Forefathers.
Rabbi Shimshon
Silkin of Aish HaTorah UK took the floor for the remainder of the evening.
He welcomed
the esteemed guest, Rabbi Yosef Dov Babad Shlita, Rav of the Belz Kehilla in
London, who took time off his busy schedule to encourage such important cause.
Rabbi Silkin
then launched in a Halachic discourse, proficiently demonstrating the many
Halachic sources one can find that point to this important life-saving act of
leading Jews who are astray onto the right path of Torah and Mitzvos.
He stressed
the many Mitzvos and Chiyuvim DeOraisoh involved in Kiruv Rechokim – including
the Rambam (Mitzvas Ahavas HaShem based on Gemoroh in Yuma and the Sifri) that
to properly fulfil Ahavas HaShem one must demonstrate it by making Him beloved
amongst the people.
He also quoted
the Rambam that the mitzvah of Kiddush HaShem means to spread awareness of
HaShem amongst the people and to strengthen their Emunoh.
Also the
Chofetz Chaim in Chizuk HaDas says someone who wants to be respected in the
next world will be asked if he was concerned for HaShem's Kovod in this world
by disseminating the reality of His Metzius.
Furthermore,
Rabbi Silkin mentioned the Gemoroh in Rosh HaShana that a person can make
Kiddush for another person even if already made Kiddush, because the
responsibility of Kol Yisroel Areivim Zeh LoZeh goes so far as to say that if
one person has not fulfilled the mitzvah then in a sense neither have I - even
if a person has one Esrog but he knows of another town that does not, according
to the Mogen Avrohom he must send his Esrog to them and borrow someone else's.
Also the
Shelo"h in Kedoshim says "Lo Sa'amod Al Dam Re'echoh" – "do
not stand idly by when another Yid is dying", all the more so applies to
saving his Neshomoh from Aveiroh; the Minchas Chinuch agrees to this and adds
that if there is a Chiyuv DeOraisoh of returning a lost item, how much more so
a lost soul; also the Chofetz Chaim quotes the Rambam that if one does NOT prevent
a fellow Jew from sin when he could have, he is considered to have committed
that very sin himself and according to the Ramban he falls into the category of
Orrur, Chas VeSholom.
Rabbi Silkin
finished this part of his presentation with the Pituchei Chosom of the Chasam
Sofer who says that Avrohom Ovinu did not manage to achieve the spiritual
heights he would have liked because he was too busy being Mekarev Rechokim.
So HaShem said
"Hamechaseh Ani MeAvrohom?" Should Avrohom lose out? He was saving my
children!" therefore HaShem gave him special Siyata DiShmaya to achieve those
heights as a gift - so too, anyone 'losing out' their own learning or Shteiging
by doing Kiruv, will be guaranteed by HaShem to achieve those levels anyway –
he cannot lose out.
Rabbi Silkin
then went on to describe practical methods for getting more involved based on
the acronym I-N-S-P-I-R-E. I- he said,
stood for Impress. The most important
thing is to be a Kiddush HaShem, make a good impression; N- nurture – make sure
to take care of Talmidim, they are not scientific specimens but rather people
deserving real Ahavas Yisroel; S- Shabbos, there is nothing like a Geshmakeh
Shabbos meal.
For those
people reluctant to invite secular people into their homes for Shabbos, Rabbi
Silkin suggested inviting them over during the week after the children are
asleep; P- publications, give them books to read and inspirational CD's to
listen to; send them something inspiring before Yom Tov; I- interest, take
genuine interest in their lives; hear the questioner behind the question, try
to understand what their lives are like and what they are going through; R- relationships;
demonstrate to them how a Torah lifestyle is the answer to the broken world of
relationships – and perhaps try and help them with theirs, E- email; a constant
contact medium that's not too invasive and gives time for them to learn without
being put on spot.
The evening
culminated with the screening of the audio-visual presentation "Inspired
Too" which brought home the message that every observant Jew is capable of
sparking interest in unaffiliated, seemingly uninterested people.
The video described
numerous examples of "chance" encounters which led to incredible
results, demonstrating how easy it is to make a difference.
People out
there are just waiting for someone to talk to them in a friendly way.
A few minutes
conversation with a fellow passenger on a plane can change his life and that of
his descendants LeDoros, earning the catalyst untold Zechusim.
That plane
trip might turn out to be a passport to more unexpected places than either had
imagined.
Special thanks
were expressed to the many contributors: the shopkeepers who graciously spared
precious window space, the cake and refreshments were likewise donated by
Renbake and Carmel respectively, the management of the Shul who hosted the
event and at last: the selfless volunteers who tirelessly helped with the
logistics!
The organisers are now preparing the sequel to
this successful endeavour.
