 January Father/Son
Learnathon (cont...) (BACK
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Rabbi Zohn’s shiur was preceded by a chavrusa segment during which fathers and sons prepared sources
from Gemara Sanhedrin, Rambam Hilchos
Eyvel, Gesher
haHayyim and the Igros Moshe. The shiur focused on
the notions of responsibility and honor for loved ones
in times of sickness and death and the role and work
of the Chevra Kadisha. Rabbi Zohn reviewed the various
approaches to the mitzvah of proper burial that are
posed by the Gemara Sanhedrin.
He then reviewed some
of the notable challenges that he and other Chevros
Kadisha faced in recent times, including the
need to identify (through forensic and DNA evidence)
victims
of terror, both for purposes of kavod haMeys as
well as for life issues such as avoiding instances
of Agunot.
He spoke of the work currently being done in Israel
by Zaka as well as his involvement in the
Lockerbie terror incident in which he and his team
were able
to successfully identify each of the Jewish victims
- although many of the other victims on the flight
were never identified. He also spoke of the challenges
that had arisen as a result of the 9/11 terrorist
attacks. He discussed the assassination of Rabbi
Meir Kahane
where the efforts to avoid an autopsy were successful
but ultimately resulted in the acquittal of the accused
assassin. The case, noted Rabbi Zohn, embodied the
challenges being faced by Chevros Kadisha in modern
times.
“It’s always important to create opportunities
for fathers and sons to learn together,” says
Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, the Rosh HaMesivta. “But
this year’s program did even more. It sent the
message that in the most trying and difficult of times,
we turn to Halakha for guidance. This is the hallmark
of kedushas Yisroel.”
This year’s program continues the Rambam tradition
of offering programs that focus on a diverse range
of contemporary Halakhic issues that are of particular
interest and concern in the modern Orthodox community.
Past programs have included: “Electricity on
Shabbos”, “Dah Mah LiHashiv - Refuting
Missionaries”, “Smoking and Shmiras
haNefesh”, “Practical
Issues in Kibbud Av viEym”, “Golem, Fact
or Fiction”, and “Bugs and Lettuce - How
Many is Too Many”. Past speakers have included
Rabbi Abba Bronspiegel, Rabbi
Yehudah Kellermer, Rabbi
Stephen Pruzansky, Rabbi Tuvia Singer, Rabbi
Mordechai Tendler, and Dr. Shneiour
Leiman.
This year’s program was sponsored by Harry
and Elkie Bram, Martin and Esther
Ehrenberg, Yale and Sherry
Fishman, Alan and Mona Goldman, Shelly
and Anne Golombeck,
Zevi and Rivki Isseroff, Emile
and Thelma Kattan, Alan
and Brenda Rubin, Marvin and Rivki
Wertentheil and
Stewart and Gail Weinberg.
The program included morning tfilla and a hot, delicious
breakfast served by members of the Rambam Women’s
League. Special thanks to Rose Bernstein (Chair), Paula
Burg, Sherry Fishman, Renee
Friedman, Mindy Gluck,
Mona Goldman, Ronit Gross, Judy
Grushko, Linda Keehn,
Phyllis Kornbluth, Miriam
Kugelman, Naomi Mayer, Sarah
Seligson and Lee Weinstein. |
