Community Magazine June 2012

Throughout history, whenever the Jewish People has been faced with a challenge of national scope and magnitude, the response has always been to gather together to collectively reaffirm the spirit of holiness which was bestowed upon us at Sinai. From Yehoshua Bin Nun at Gilgal, through Eliyahu Hanavi on Mt. Carmel and Rabi Yohanan ben Zakkai at Yavneh, all the way to the Kenessia Gedola held within the last century, the Jewish nation has had to come together in order to reaffirm the focus on our mission. Guided by the giants of Torah who provided vital direction, we periodically reset the national compass to faithfully stay on the path of Torah. A Gathering of Souls The historic “Internet Asifa” gathering at Citi Field on May 20th served this very purpose. Over 50,000 men, largely from the Yeshiva and Hassidic communities, gathered at the primary venue, as tens of thousands of Jews across the globe followed the proceedings via live hook-up (including a simulcast at Congregation Bnai Yosef, where over 330 people assembled to watch and listen). It was a kiddush Hashem of epic proportions. Perhaps the most significant aspect of the gathering was that nothing new was to be presented. There were no shiny new gadgets to unveil, no brilliant new solutions to propose, and no techno- wizardry to market. There were no new bans proclaimed, no previously unheard- of guidelines established. There were no blanket allowances given, nor any special circumstances delineated, either. The attendees were not assembled for a meeting of the minds, but rather a gathering of souls. The event began at the Arthur Ashe tennis stadium – which was hastily booked in order to accommodate the spillover from Citi Field – by Rabbi Eliyahu Brudny, Rosh Yeshiva at the Mirrer Yeshiva of Brooklyn. After praying Minha , the assembled heard Rabbi Brudny deliver an impassioned address, reminding everyone of the reason that we came together. At Mt. Sinai, when we received the Torah, we were united “as one man with one heart,” with a singularity of purpose. Similarly, the rabbi explained, the asifa was called not merely to inspire, but to declare that we are ready to follow the directive of the One Above. Our Sacred Mission After Rabbi Brudny’s stirring call to action, the Citi Field portion of the event took prominence, and was broadcast live to the other venues. The opening remarks were delivered by Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman, noted speaker and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Me’or Yitzchak. Rabbi Wachsman stressed the importance of the evening’s gathering, noting that one who fails to ally himself with the rest of Am Yisrael when they chart a course for Gd’s honor removes himself from the kelal (public), which can result in exclusion from Olam Haba, the World to Come. Rabbi Wachsman then acknowledged the presence of representatives of the secular media, which provided the opportunity to broadcast a message to our estranged fellow Jews around the world. He also explained the significance of Matan Torah , and the sacred mission that has been entrusted to us. The halachic consensus was then delivered to the assembly, stating that the internet should not be used for non-essential purposes, and even when necessary (for business or other such reasons), it must be used with filters in place and under rabbinic guidance. This includes any device which can access the internet, whether desktop or mobile. Striving for Greatness Rabbi Wachsman then took the podium again, inspiring the crowd to strive for the greatest heights, and not to allow ourselves to turn into “click-vegetables,” remaining stagnant and passive, rather than pursuing greatness. The assembly was then addressed by Rabbi Dan Segal, who traveled from Israel especially for the event, as well as by the Admor of Skulen, who, despite his advanced age and frail health, made the effort to attend. Rabbi Shemuel Wosner spoke via telephone from his home in Israel, where it was 4:30am. After praying together the tefilat Hashelah , the special prayer for pure children which is customarily recited on erev Rosh Hodesh Sivan , the assembly was inspired by the powerful words of Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon, the mashgiah of the Lakewood Yeshiva, closing out an unforgettable evening. Clearly inspired, audience members went home with a firm resolve to renew their commitment to the holy ideals of Torah Judiasm. RABBI YEHUDA BEYDA 26 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE