Ahead of the opening of Zman Elul in kollelim, Rav Yisroel Zicherman presented a series of practical and timely questions to his rebbi, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, addressing issues ranging from computers and cellphones in kollelim to struggling avreichim, family responsibilities and the importance of learning sugyos through practical halachah.
Rav Zicherman, Rav of Achuzas Brachfeld in Modiin Illit and the nasi of several kollelim, visited Rav Zilberstein at his home as the Torah world prepares for the beginning of Zman Elul in yeshivos and kollelim.
Rav Zicherman himself spent many years learning in Kollel Bais Dovid in Cholon under Rav Zilberstein. Drawing upon contemporary questions facing roshei kollel and avreichim, he presented his rebbi with a wide-ranging series of educational and halachic dilemmas.
The following is the full Q&A as transcribed by Matzav.com staff:
The Importance of Learning a Sugya Through Practical Halachah
Rav Zicherman: In our network of kollelim, we are currently learning the melachos of Shabbos. As we were privileged to learn in Kollel Bais Dovid, we study the sugyos all the way through to practical halachah. There are avreichim, including young men who have just come from yeshivos and are accustomed to the analytical style of yeshivah learning, who are now transitioning to learning asukei shemaitsa aliba dehilchasa — from the sugyos and Rishonim through the Tur, Shulchan Aruch and its commentaries. What is the proper way to instill in them an appreciation for learning halachah so that they become fully immersed in it?
Rav Zilberstein: One must know that an avreich who merits reaching asukei shemaitsa aliba dehilchasa is among the greatest that our nation possesses, because the highest level among Klal Yisroel is attained by one who merits issuing halachic rulings for the public. As explained in Maseches Gittin regarding the child who was imprisoned: “I am certain that he will become one who renders halachic rulings in Yisroel.”
Any talmid who is capable of reaching this level — if he is not lacking in understanding — will jump at the opportunity. He knows that his learning is taking him all the way to a conclusion and to practical application, and there is no greater satisfaction than that. Already while learning Abaye and Rava, one should be thinking about how the discussion emerges in practical halachah and looking into the poskim.
In addition, it is appropriate for the rosh kollel to present a fascinating question connected to the sugya each day, with the avreichim required to derive the answer through their learning.
How to Deal With an Avreich Who Arrives Late or Talks During Seder
Rav Zicherman: Is it appropriate for a rosh kollel to reprimand an avreich regarding keeping the sedorim and talking — only when it disturbs the other members of the chaburah, or also in order to help the avreich himself advance? Similarly, if an avreich sometimes arrives late and disrupts the schedule of the kollel, is it appropriate to remove him after he has been warned?
Rav Zilberstein: Removing him is out of the question. We are speaking about bnei Torah. What must be done is to investigate what lies behind his lateness, determine what is troubling him, and try to resolve the problem and help him.
Primarily, that avreich should be taught that he can merit reaching the King — Hakadosh Boruch Hu — and this is accomplished through studying practical halachah. If a person understands this, his heart opens much more and he will flourish.
Rav Zicherman: I remember when I was privileged to learn under the Rav in the kollel. We would travel by van from Bnei Brak. The moment the van picked up the avreichim, the Rav would immediately raise a question while we were traveling. In effect, the seder had already begun on the way, and there was no possibility of anything else.
Who Should Stay Home With a Sick Child — the Husband or the Wife?
Rav Zicherman: When there is a sick child at home, is the responsibility to care for the child incumbent upon the mother, or should the avreich also share the burden at the expense of his sedorim in kollel? If the burden falls solely on the avreich, it can lead to a weakening in his learning, while if it falls exclusively on the mother, who works to support the family, it can create problems with her employment. Should the kollel take such circumstances into consideration?
Rav Zilberstein: Certainly, when something like this happens, the kollel administration must take it into consideration. However, the family itself should make an effort to seek help from others, such as the grandmothers, so that the husband will not have to interrupt his learning.
An atmosphere should be established in the home that the husband is not a babysitter. A home of yirei Hashem is not built on the premise that the mother works under all circumstances while the husband is absent from kollel. If the wife understands the tremendous power of a Jewish mother and the importance of her husband’s consistency in learning, the family will know how to find solutions without causing him to interrupt his learning.
If a Chavrusa Is Sick, Should His Partner Go Learn With Him?
Rav Zicherman: If one of the avreichim is ill and is at home, should his chavrusa go to his house to learn with him, or should he refrain from leaving the bais medrash?
Rav Zilberstein: There is something very great, and that is chesed. Going to learn with an avreich in his home when he is weak is an unparalleled act of chesed. The Torah must be a Toras chesed.
Rav Zicherman: Even though it may cause somewhat of a weakening in the bais medrash?
Rav Zilberstein: If the chavrusa’s absence will cause a weakening in the kollel, he should remain in the kollel, but he should learn with him over the telephone. He should call him and discuss the learning with him.
Computers and Cellphones in the Kollel
Rav Zicherman: How should we conduct ourselves regarding computers? Should the use of Torah databases be permitted inside the kollel? For some people, it helps them organize the sugya, but on the other hand, there is a need for amal haTorah. Until now, our practice has been not to have computers. What is the Rav’s opinion?
Rav Zilberstein: From the day of Matan Torah, Torah was learned without computers. Because of the weakness of the generation, these things have come along to make matters easier, but the true path is amal haTorah.
Rav Zicherman: Regarding cellphones, in our network of kollelim they are bal yeira’eh u’bal yimatzei — they are not to be seen or found — and there is one public telephone. However, there are avreichim whose wives are approaching childbirth and they are not at ease. Should an exception be permitted?
Rav Zilberstein: Absolutely not. From the day of Matan Torah, there were no telephones.
(In extremely exceptional circumstances and in a situation of great necessity, the rosh kollel may permit an avreich to discreetly keep a cellphone in his pocket, set only to vibrate.)
Learning With a Struggling Avreich and Staying Up Late to Learn
Rav Zicherman: When there is a weaker avreich, is it appropriate for the rosh kollel to learn with him for part of the time, even though doing so will detract from the rosh kollel’s own personal progress?
Rav Zilberstein: Certainly. It is the greatest thing there is. When a rosh kollel sits beside a struggling avreich and learns with him instead of shouting at him, that is a wonderful level to attain.
Rav Zicherman: What about an avreich who remains learning until 3 a.m. because he is immersed in a sugya, and as a result arrives late to kollel in the morning?
Rav Zilberstein: That is literally the counsel of the yetzer hara. When the time comes to sleep, one must sleep, and someone who does not go to sleep at the proper time is acting improperly.
The Obligation of Roshei Kollel to Sacrifice for Others
Rav Zicherman: Roshei kollel are heavily occupied with preparing shiurim and mareh mekomos. To what extent should they sacrifice their own interests for the sake of the broader group?
Rav Zilberstein: That sacrifice is the greatest gain. When Hakadosh Boruch Hu sees an avreich sacrificing his own interests for the sake of another person, He takes him under His protection, because Torah is acquired through chesed.
{Matzav.com}
