There is a small but very respectable community growing with fervor and a passion for Eretz Yisrael and fulfillment of mitzvot, located only minutes from the Kotel, Maale Zeitim. I intentionally use the Israeli pronunciation rather than the more familiar Ashkenazi dialect for this article, simply because it is a dati leumi torani community, a group of families dedicated to reclaiming eastern areas of Yerushalayim that until a few short years ago was occupied by Arabs and others. Too often we do not even realize what we say, referring to these areas as “East Jerusalem” as if chas v’shalom these areas are rightfully the property of the Arabs, the PA (Palestinian Authority) with all its fictitious claims to the Jewish Homeland.
The story of Maale Zeitim is in itself worthy of an article but this is not the subject at hand today. Instead, I would like to introduce you to Beit Medrash Zichron Moshe, home to eight avreichim committed to the study of Kodshim, seeking to master these complex halachot so that when Moshiach arrives and the Beit HaMikdosh rebuilt, they will be ready.
Heading the kollel is Rabbi Yaacov Wolf, whose smile only takes a back seat to his modesty and love for Eretz Yisrael and Torat Yisrael. Rabbi Wolf met with me to explain his kollel in some detail, adding that there are more avreichim anxious to get in, but they simply lack the funds. He explains the kollel is “not just for anybody”, but only those who have learned in a yeshiva gedola for a decade are eligible to apply since the level of Torah study is commensurate with one who has already been through Shulchan Aruch and much of Shas with commentaries. “We are not about teaching basics, but assume the avreich is well on in his Torah study” the rabbi explained.
Rav Wolf explains Kodshim is the avoda to HKBH, citing how this is called ‘chachma’, that which is foreign to the world of the tangible, the physical, addressing the holiness in the world and avodas Hashem.
He spent a good deal of our time together quoting from the writings of the Chafetz Chaim, who addresses how the Jewish People yearn for the redemption, Eliyahu HaNavi, and the building of the Third Beit HaMikdash and the renewal of the korbanot which must be accompanied with an acceptance of our responsibility to delve into these halachot. Rabbi Wolf feels we must prepare ourselves as much as possible for this day, especially kohanim and levi’im – quickly pointing out yisraelim must also be familiar with the laws pertaining to korbanot.
The rosh kollel exhibits a refreshing air of indefatigable optimism and emunah; to the point his smile and upbeat attitude is contagious. He reminds me that just a few short years ago he and a handful of others were the pioneers and today Baruch Hashem, Maale Zeitim is home to no less than 85 families and many many children blei ayin hora, so for him it may be a bit easier to maintain the air of optimism. He sees the constant growth along with the melding of the physical and the spiritual in our materialistic world.
His pamphlet which promotes the program clearly states that “we have seen so many of the signs described in the Gemara, so it is clear that day is rapidly approaching so we must prepare” by committing to undertaking to learn this critical halachot that have been lost to so many.
He constantly refers back to the Chafetz Chaim who held learning these laws in high regard and he admits for him, this is what compelled him to act, launching the program a number of years ago to train avreichim towards enabling them to train others.
Interestingly, part of Rav Wolf’s efforts surround his unrelenting effort to establish a learning dialogue with rabbonim in the chareidi tzibur, explaining he tries very hard to invite rabbonim and roshei yeshiva to give them shiurim for he feels preparing for the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdosh crosses all the boundaries and hashkafa and for him, it’s about achdut and Torah study. He has merited limited success in this area but remains encouraged and committed.
It was clear to me that when I decided to introduce this modest beit medrash to you the readers, Rabbi Wolf is concerned about funding, one of the responsibilities he shoulders, but he is far more concerned with getting the message out to the world, both in Eretz Yisrael and the Diaspora. He asked me to extend a genuine invitation to readers, that the next time you visit Eretz Yisrael, please make arrangements to visit and see their wonderful community, which is literally a two-minute ride from the Kotel. In addition, he requested that I inform you that there are currently 20 apartments for rent and sale, including 5 penthouses.
If you are interested in learning more and/or visiting the residents of Maale Zeitim, you may contact Rabbi Wolf at [email protected] . Rabbi Wolf’s rebitzen is a former American and he promises she will assist if he gets stuck with the English so don’t hesitate and perhaps, drop him a line. I add that over recent years I visited the gated community a number of times and I emerged invigorated after seeing the rebirth of Torah life in the heart of this Arab-occupied area of our Holy Capital.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
to YWN and to this community both yasher kochachem!
people talk about bridging the secular and the frum.
i think ywn is doing great bridging the charedi and the mizruchnik communities!
may the geulah be closer then around the corner!