Pershischa. Not a chassidus, but a brand name. The small town of Pershischa was a factory of sorts where sincere Yidden with raw but lofty ideals developed into holy individuals. Men of madreigoh who wished to forget completely their earthly needs and surroundings, to rise and fly above all that is mundane and remain in an atmosphere that is spiritual only - those were the men who came to Pershischa.

From Our Archives

Rabbi Nachman Bulman -- the Man Who Belonged to Everyone by M. Samsonowitz Part II The first installment of this series described Rav Nachman Bulman's early years and achievements. Rabbi Bulman had become a recognized leader and speaker in the religious community in the United States. He had won the implicit trust of gedolei Torah, and he had taken several moribund or sleepy communities and turned them into Torah powerhouses. At this point, the most prestigious and attractive rabbinical positions awaited him. But instead he took a step that was highly unusual for an American rav of his stature.

Opinion and Comment Recognizing the Challenges of the Modern World to Torah Life by Mordecai Plaut Most Torah Jews who speak English today face serious challenges that many are not even aware of. While our freedom to practice the Torah is effectively unfettered, many of our basic beliefs, attitudes and values are under ferocious assault in the world around us.

Guidelines for Interpersonal Communication by Chaim Walder 1. How do you create proper, positive communication between people? When you respect both yourself and the person with whom you are sharing a conversation. When you speak without being arrogant. When you are open enough and do not try to whitewash your remarks or get carried away. When you are reasonable and considerate while maintaining a dignified, steady tone and never grovel or evade. Look your fellow conversationalist in the eye and have faith in your ability to express yourself, as well as in his ability to understand you. When you do not burst out in anger or have such a short fuse that others cannot say what they want to tell you, then you can achieve positive interpersonal communication.

With the Blood of his Heart by HaGaon R' Yechezkel Abramsky, zt'l Twenty-six years have passed since the demise of Maran HaGaon R' Yechezkel Abramsky zt'l (Elul, 5736). Aside from the greatness of his genius, which finds expression in his work, Chazon Yechezkel, his finger was always poised on the pulse of his people. His concern for the public welfare was also evident in the numerous messages of hashkofoh which he wrote for various periodical publications. He maintained an unflagging campaign against the enemies of religion, and his exhortations were compiled in a collection of essays.

The Effort Factor: Its Crucial Importance In Fulfilling Mitzvos by Rav Yehoshua Sklar Written in memory of HaRav Chaim Sho'ul Karelitz, zt'l, av beis din of Shearis Yisroel, who was niftar on the twentieth of Tammuz, 5761. I came across an exceptional passage in the commentary Nimukei Yoseif on the Rif's Hilchos Sefer Torah (which is also quoted by the Taz at the beginning of Hilchos Sefer Torah in Yoreh Dei'ah siman 270): "Rabbi Yehoshua bar Abba said in the name of Rav Gidal [who was] speaking in Rav's name, `A person who buys a sefer Torah in the market is like someone who grabs a mitzvah in the marketplace. If [however,] he wrote one [i.e. a sefer Torah,] the posuk considers it as though he received it at Har Sinai.' Rav Yehudah said in Rav's name, `Even if he only corrected one letter in it, the posuk considers it as though he wrote [all of] it.' "