50 Here and There 08-01-14

50 YatedNeeman 5 Av 5774 | August 1, 2014
GRANDSON OF RAV SHMUEL

KAMENETSKY ENGAGED
The engagement of a
grandson of Rav Shmuel
Kamenetsky, rosh yeshiva
of Yeshiva of Philadel-
phia, was announced last
week.
The chosson, Binyo-
min Kamenetsky, is a son
of Rav Zev Kamenetsky of Lakewood.
Rav Zev is a son-in-law of Rav Gavriel
Ginsberg ztl, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Ner
Yisroel of Toronto.
The kallah, Esther Levovitz, is a daugh-
ter of Rav Asher Levovitz of Bensonhurst.
She is a great-granddaughter of the mash-
giach of Mir, Rav Yeruchem Levovitz ztl.
RAV SHTEINMAN:
THE NISSIM IN
PROTECTIVE EDGE ARE
BEYOND NATURE
Early this week, Rav
Aharon Leib Shteinman
said that we have been
wondrous miracles that
are above and beyond the
realm of nature.
People are amazed by
this, he remarked. The
truth is, however, that we should look to
the well-known words of the Ramban at
the end of Parshas Bo, where he writes that
the way Hashem runs the world is with
miracles, but we become so accustomed
to seeing the miracles that we cease to
be amazed by them. When the Bnei Yisroel
were in the midbar, monn fell every day -
an outright miracle. Nevertheless, because
they got used to it, some of the Bnei Yisroel
said, We are sick of the monn. From this,
we see that getting accustomed to some-
thing makes us think it is normal. There-
fore, when we see these open nissim, it
should be a catalyst for us to dedicate our-
selves even more wholeheartedly to Torah
learning.
Rav Shteinman also recommended that
everyone strengthen their emunah by learn-
ing seforim that provide chizuk in emunah.
SECOND YAHRTZEIT OF
RAV ELYASHIV MARKED
Shabbos Parshas Ma-
sei was the second yahrtz-
eit of the posek hador,
Rav Yosef Sholom Elyas-
hiv ztl. In numerous
Torah centers around the
globe, divrei zikoron were
delivered in his memory.
Most notable was a special atzeres
zikoron held at the caravan, the shul in
Meah Shearim where Rav Elyashiv dav-
HERE HERE THERE
&
from
WHEN NORMAL IS
NOT SO NORMAL
BY R YITZCHOK HISIGER
Rav Yehuda Jacobs, mashgiach at
Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood, NJ,
recently delivered his bi-annual shmuess
to bochurim entering the parsha of shid-
duchim, providing practical advice and
guidance, with forthrightness and clarity,
while discussing the hashkafc aspects of
shidduchim and the proper hanhagah to
be followed at this important juncture of
a bochurs life.
Middos is the ikkar shebeikkrim, the
absolute priority in looking for a shid-
duch, said Rav Jacobs, mincing no words,
because that is really what you are going
to be living with.
When looking into a shidduch, he ad-
vised, look for people to say that [the girl]
is a normal person. In our dor, that is not
such a small compliment. Sometimes you
hear that she is gevadlig. Take it easy
with the gevaldig. That takes twice as
much bedikah, twice as much checking.
Look for a normal person. Look for nor-
malcy.
Rav Jacobs also addressed how to deal
with shadchanim.
Shadchanim are going to come to you
with ideas. Be machshiv the shadchanim.
Sof kol sof, the people who come to you
with shidduch ideas are a major heicha
timtza for you to fnd a shidduch An-
swer them on time. Deal with them be-
derech kavod, with respect.
The mashgiach gave valuable advice to
the young men regarding their relationship
with their parents at this time.
Your parents are much more experi-
enced in life than you are, said Rav Ja-
cobs. Dont forget that. And they are also
your best friends. They arent just trying
to patur a shidduch on you. Dont distance
them. Bederech klal they understand more
about shidduchim than you do. You need
helpers. You cannot do it yourself. They
are your team. Be machshiv the maalah of
your parents in this regard.
The overfow crowd of bochurim lis-
tened intently to the words of Rav Jacobs,
as he imparted timeless lessons and in-
sights.
FOOD
THOUGHT
for
SYMPATHY IN
SPRING VALLEY
BY R YITZCHOK HISIGER
Three fellow Yidden showed that when
it comes to compassion and sensitivity,
Klal Yisroel shines brightly.
On Friday, July 11, a 20-month-old
toddler, Dominic Mero, tragically died af-
ter being run over by a vehicle in the Lottie
Gardens parking lot in Spring Valley, NY.
With the family not having the funds
to pay for the burial, a fundraising effort
was undertaken at a local deli on Rose Av-
enue in Spring Valley, where a bucket for
donations was placed. This heartbreaking
ordeal was exacerbated when the contain-
er of money - containing approximately
$300 - was stolen. A 17-year-old was sub-
sequently arrested and charged with petty
larceny for making off with the cash.
In stepped Yossi Gestetner, founder of
the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Coun-
cil (OJPAC), as well as Rockland County
Legislator Aron Wieder,
and Benny Polatseck.
We met Jacqueline
Jones, the neighbor who
had put out the bucket, and
we met with the boys fa-
ther, uncle and other rela-
tives, Wieder told the Yat-
ed. They were completely
shocked. They couldnt
believe that people would
show up to try to help
them. They were in such
dire straits that the father
had to sell his car to pay
the funeral home.
By that Tuesday night,
Polatseck had set up a website to raise
funds for the Mero family and Gestetner
worked to get the word out and garner me-
dia attention. Within 24 hours, a large sum
had been raised.
This was a quick and well-coordinat-
ed campaign, said Gestetner.
We were hoping to raise perhaps
$1,000, refected Wieder, but the funds
came in from all over. Besides for a large
contribution from Kansas, the rest were
modest $5, $10 and $20 donations from
all over the world, and particularly from
many Jewish people in Brooklyn, Monsey
and elsewhere.
24 hours after that, the trio of Gestet-
ner, Wieder and Polatseck were on their
way back to Monsey following the wake
for the tot in Queens, where they had
handed the family money to pay for the
burial.
The certifed check for $2,250 was
made out to Maple Grove Cemetery.
Onlookers at the wake were surprised
to observe three chassidishe men walking
in, but they soon learned of the altruism
and kindliness of these Orthodox Jews.
The boys uncle asked me at the wake
how he can one day repay what you guys
have done, related Wieder. I told him,
If you ever fnd someone in distress, even
if he is not from your community, help
him. Thats how youll repay us.
FOOD
THOUGHT
for
BY CHAIM GOLD

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50 YatedNeeman 5 Av 5774 | August 1, 2014

GRANDSON OF RAV SHMUEL

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