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In the Aftermath… Editorial Introduction The walk down Broadway, from the Woolworth Building past Wall Street toward the Battery, had always been predictably stimulating, a visual capsule of the metropolitan experience, a tourist’s delight. This time – ten days after the devastating terrorist attack – the walk was startling, depressing: merely glancing at the Liberty Street promenade to the right was far, far more jolting than expected. Instead of leading the eye to the World Trade Center, the now-ashen plaza was punctuated by a forty-foot-high heap of rubble, smoldering with fires not-yet-extinguished [still the case a month later!], framed by twisted ten-story steel arches that once graced the entrance to the 110-floor skyscrapers. And above them – instead of 50,000 people involved in commercial, professional and civil pursuits – there was blank space… dusty, choking air. More than New York City’s imposing skyline changed with the collapse of the Twin Towers on that fateful September 11 morning, a day of infamy, when the Pentagon also was struck by a shattering blow from the same brazen source. America’s sense of inviolability, unchallengeable might, and mastery over its destiny also suffered severely, as did the sense of security of its air space and the stability of its economy. The terrible toll of human suffering and tragic loss of life, matched by the incredible bravery of the rescue personnel – city, state and federal officers, as well as volunteers, Hatzalah workers notable among them – still looms large in everyone’s mind. Also significant, however, was the transformation of our inner landscape that resulted; and this human factor was underscored by the portentous time of this vicious attack: the closing days of Ellul, only a week away from Rosh Hashana, the Day of Judgment for all mankind. As the emergency workers painstakingly dug through the rubble from this atrocity, in hope of finding survivors, and continue to sift through the ashes, to perhaps discover a clue as to who or what had been destroyed there, we too search for meaning and clues of instruction from this overwhelming event. To be sure, as People of the Torah, our understandings and our guidance must come from Torah sources, as examined and interpreted by Torah teachers. The following pages will contain thoughts conveyed during an evening of inspiration sponsored by Agudath Israel of America addressed by Rabbi Yaakov Perlow shlita, Novominsker Rebbe and Rosh Agudath Israel, and Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon, shlita, Mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha. The Bostoner Rebbe shlita, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Horowitz also spoke on this issue to his Kehilla in Boston. In addition, the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation organized a gathering in Yeshiva Ohr Somayach in Monsey, where Rabbi Yisroel Simcha Schorr shlita, Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshiva Ohr Somayach, and Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman shlita of Rosh Yeshiva Meor Yitzchok of Monsey, NY, addressed the topic. We will draw from their words to study the impact of the event, highlight the timing of the attack, and focus on insights to be gained. These discussions, incorporating citations from the lectures, are prefaced by “Reflections the Day After,” by Dr. Aaron Twerski, who is a member of the Editorial Board of The Jewish Observer. This issue also includes a discussion of the political and diplomatic forces at work in our current precarious state as Jews and as Americans, by contributing editor to JO, Yonason Rosenblum. May the insights gained and the lessons learned help guide us to achieve inner strength and spiritual growth, in keeping with the expectations and demands of our Creator. N.W. |