The Rabbi and The Rebbetzin Read Online Free PDF

visual separation between the
sexes. Given the inadequate height of the partition in Dunberg, the student
should not face the women’s section when he recites the Shema prayer.
    “You
may be interested in knowing how this situation came about. Abe Levine wanted
his father to worship with him in the synagogue on the holidays. The father
would not do so unless the synagogue had a Bema in the middle and a proper mechitza.
Unfortunately, the father did not seek rabbinical guidance on the question of
the height of the curtain. His requirements were based on the height of the
partitions that existed in pre-war Orthodox congregations.”
    Shalom
Pinkes asked another theoretical question. “Did Rabbi Kurland agree that it was
all right for a student to go?” Shalom was very close to the Mashgiach and
faithfully followed his teachings.
    The
dean made no attempt to hide his umbrage, but he delegated the answer to Rabbi
Weiss. “Shalom, you have to understand that this is a yeshiva, and not a group
of little fiefdoms. There is only one policy for the school and that is made by
the Rosh Yeshiva in consultation with the faculty. You want to follow the
advice of the Mashgiach, be my guest. Be aware, though, that he is not
representing the yeshiva when he is advising you on this matter.”
     Shalom
sensed that he had touched a raw nerve and asked no more questions. The dean
next turned to Aaron to see if the latter was going to ask anything. Aaron was
still a little tense but Shalom had broken the ice and made things easier for
him.
    “The
first question is obvious. Why were two students summoned here when only one is
required? Were we selected on an equal basis?”
    Rabbi
Weiss quickly glanced at the dean for any hint as how to answer. There was no
advance planning for such a delicate question. Lacking any indication from
Rabbi Rosenberg, the director opted for the truth. “If you consent to help your
yeshiva in this matter, you will be asked to attend an interview where both of
you will be presented on an equal footing. I don’t know that it matters in
which order you were selected by the faculty.”
    Aaron
would not countenance this evasion. “When a sacrificial animal is randomly
chosen it cannot be exchanged or replaced. That is not quite the case when the
choice is deliberate rather than random.”
    “If
you insist on knowing the details,” the dean said, “I will reveal them. Each
member of the faculty was asked to make three selections in order of
preference. Shalom was the top vote-getter and you were next. Bear in mind that
our objective in presenting two students is not just to flatter the
congregation by offering them a choice of candidates. We must have more than
one student ready in case one of the selectees is unable or unwilling to go.”
    “I
certainly will not let the fact that I was only the second choice of the
faculty influence my decision,” Aaron said defensively. “Being second to Shalom
Pinkes is quite an honor in itself. Let me please ask one more question. Will
the chosen student receive compensation for his work and, if so, is he allowed
to accept the money.”
    Rabbi
Rosenberg did not answer at once. Adler had raised one of the more
controversial issues in Jewish law and the dean needed a moment to gather his
thoughts. “We do not have the time to go into all the literature and responsa
on this question, but I’ll give a quick summary that I hope you will accept on
faith. The subject has two aspects. The first deals with accepting funds for
work done on the Sabbath or holidays when we are commanded to rest. The second
deals with whether it is permissible to receive payment for work of a religious
nature. Much of what will be done in Dunberg is in the category of mitzvos
which we are commanded to do as Jews ― such as teaching Torah and
reciting prayers. The earliest founders of our faith did not feel it proper to
accept payment for such actions. Hillel put it very strongly when he taught,