HaRav Meir Shapira, zt"l: Rov of Lublin and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin
In honor of his yahrtzeit

One of the most notable and renowned of the last generation's luminaries was no doubt HaRav Meir Shapira. Whether the underlying cause is his introduction of the Daf Hayomi that he initiated to the Knessia Gedolah and which became accepted worldwide, or his holy yeshiva which became the springboard for roshei yeshiva and their yeshivos across the continents; it makes no difference. The fact is that the name HaRav Meir Shapira pulsates with life today and every day - almost 70 years after his passing.

From Our Archives

Opinion and Comment Rattling the Sabers and Increasing the Prayers by Mordecai Plaut Thoughts about war ten years ago, still, or again, relevant today. We have heard a lot about preparations for a war with Iraq lately, and much of it is reassuring. But we should not let any of it dampen our incentives to pray.

Opinion and Comment A Middos Workshop: Cooling Down the Angry Fires Based on Shiurim of Rav Dovid Siegel In previous articles we examined the challenging problem of haughtiness (ga'avoh), our basic human tendency to feel more important than others. We learned several techniques for eliminating this trait from our lives, most importantly to concentrate on the reality that Hashem's view of us far outweighs what we or our peers think of us.

Principles of the Teaching Profession: Let Us Create Worlds! by HaRav Tzvi Shraga Grossbard, zt"l "Noach found favor in the eyes of Hashem" (Bereishis 6:8). The Seforno (ibid.) comments that Noach's finding favor in Hashem's eyes, "is what saved his sons and daughters. He himself [i.e., his own zechus] was incapable of saving them but his finding favor in Hashem's eyes helped them. This is as the posuk writes: `Though these three men [referring to Noach, Doniel and Iyov -- see v. 14] were in it, as I live, says Hashem Elokim, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they alone shall be saved' (Yechezkel 14:16). [Their inability to save others] is because they did not teach those living in their times to recognize Hashem as Avrohom, Moshe, Shmuel, and those like them, did. It is as Chazal (Pesochim 87a) write that `Eilom [Doniel -- see Rashi, s.v. zu Eilom, and also Noach and Iyov] were zocheh to study but were not zocheh to teach.' Likewise Noach, although he rebuked [his generation] about their corrupt social behavior, he did not teach them to acknowledge Hashem's existence and walk in His ways. Although Noach was a complete tzaddik in what he thought and did, a tzaddik who perfects only himself can only save himself. If, on the other hand, someone perfects others too, he is capable of saving others. In such a case there is hope he will inspire them to do teshuvoh . . ."

"Reaching the age of responsibility means more than maturity; it means that one's life has achieved real significance" (R' Yaakov Weinberg, zt'l) Celebrating a Bas Mitzva in a Meaningful Way by Yonina Hall Part II Like a kalla on her wedding day, the Bas Mitzva girl stands at the threshold of a new stage in life. This occasion naturally lends itself to personal reflection and prayer.

Rav Shlomo Zalman Klein, z'l: The Man Who Went to the Ends of the Earth to Release Agunos by Binyomin Y. Rabinowitz The sheloshim of R'Shlomo Zalman Klein, who served for years as the head secretary at the Rabbinate beis din in Be'er Sheva was at the end of Elul. His sudden and untimely passing was a painful blow to his friends, family and acquaintances -- and particularly to the women who were freed from the bonds of aginus due to his selfless efforts, which in many cases involved true mesirus nefesh.

The Settling of Migdal Eder by Yated Ne'eman Staff `And you, Migdal Eder, the hill of the daughter of Tzion, unto you shall it come. To you the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Yerushalayim.' (Michah 4:8)