In these charged days of the "conscription issue," the insight emerges - shared by many Haredim - that the "Torah and Art" exemption is appropriate and essential for those who are diligent in their Talmud. Those who are not Torah students do not have the privilege of hiding under the service exemption. This axiom, it must be admitted, is also controversial, but it seems that many members of the sector, even if not all, share it, if there are camps that will allow for an ultra-Orthodox life.
But a new language is emerging:
Who is a 'son of Torah'? How do you define a true 'yeshiva boy'? Are there clear criteria for a 'son of aliyah'?
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These dilemmas brought me back to the wonderful book 'Ben Torah' by Mordechai Shai (Zohar Publishing, year unknown) that accompanied my youth, nearly 40 years ago. I don't know how many people read it then, and unfortunately very few, if any, come across it today. To the best of my knowledge, there is almost no way to obtain it.
In any case, I went back and read it again and then gathered some of the touching, heart-wrenching descriptions, full of ancient grandeur, of the 'Ben Torah', the 'Ben Aliyah' of the magnificent Lithuanian yeshivot of the late 19th century.
My conclusion from reading and uploading the quotes is not unequivocal, but it does point to one truth: A 'son of Torah' like 'Mordechai Zalman' - the orphan hero of the book who is exiled to the high yeshiva until his marriage - will receive an exemption from service even from the radicals who support conscription of yeshiva students, but he will also raise thoughts that are not easy for opponents of conscription, the radicals as well: Why aren't there enough young men in the current yeshiva world like Mordechai Zalman and Yehoshua Heminsky?
• "There were still a few minutes left before the train left and Mordechai Zalman's mother began to remind him, as other Jewish mothers do: He should tell the head of the yeshiva the name of the late father and then they would recognize him. Okay, mom, okay. He should take care of the suitcase and when he arrives, he should immediately send a letter. Shafir. And when will he return? His sister Reisel asked her mother, "When money and time allow - the mother answered, her lips trembling.".
• "And perhaps he will tell me who in his opinion is the best in the yeshiva?" Naftali asked, and the answer was Yehoshua the Minsky... Almost all the yeshiva members knew Yehoshua the Minsky. They knew that he studied with Rabbi Elchanan in Kovna, with Rabbi Shimon in Grodno, and with Rabbi Baruch Ber in Kamenitz. It was Yehoshua the Minsky's custom that when his qualities became known, he would move to another yeshiva. When they asked him what kind of exile this was, he replied: I want to know how Rabbi Shimon Sugia studies. I travel to Grodno. I want to know the method of Rabbi Baruch Ber, who lifts his feet and arrives in Kamenitz.".
• "Isser Slutsky was known in the yeshiva as the 'Rebbetzin of Slutsky.' He used to lie in his bed until near noon. After that, he prays Shacharit, goes to eat 'Yamim' and asks to eat breakfast and lunch together [of course, he never received it]. After that, he returns to his room, combs his hair for about half an hour. He bathes and perfumes himself with all the women's cosmetics, and takes the comb and mirror with him, puts them in the back pocket of his pants, and comes to the teahouse.".
• "Can you tell me what his name is? Mordechai Zalman Tiktiner, Mordechai Zalman stammered. And what is the name of the master? Mordechai Zalman asked anxiously. Israel, answered the man briefly. Can you say Rabbi Israel the... angel, I mean to say the overseer? In the yeshiva I am called the overseer, but before the Lord of the world there is no mercy. And what else did the master add in his words, angel? Nonsense. Listen to what he says, there is a verse in which it is said, 'The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, and the earth he gave to men,' for men and not for angels.".
• "Did Mr. say something?" the doctor asked, "Hmm... nothing particularly important," replied Mordechai Zalman. He looked at Rabbi Israel and thought: If Rabbi Israel knows how a Ben Torah should die, he probably knows how a Ben Torah should behave when he is sick.".
• "As he knocked on the yeshiva head's door, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. The door opened and the yeshiva head welcomed him with a radiant face and hurried to let him into his room. He sat down, evidently bringing with him some gossip about the subject of Ha-Ha. He opened his mouth and his words became clear. Mordechai Zalman frowned and began to say what he had innovated. He studied all night until he managed to produce these innovations. Now he hopes that his labors were not in vain.".
• "I would rather not contradict his words. A slight silence followed by a horrifying scream. Black on white. Really explicit here and there, and a finger pointed at an ancient, worn book, with tiny letters. Steps, a plucking of the beard. A slap on the face and horrifying screams. All this in the Torah War... while somewhere at the end of the room, a colorful, faded curtain was being pulled aside, delicate, feminine hands were holding it tremblingly. A pair of large, black eyes shot from their stomachs into the room and looked once at the father, the head of the yeshiva, and once at Mordechai Zalman, who was at that moment going crazy to resolve the issue of the head of the yeshiva.".
• "And when they had finished their work, they returned to the table. The rabbi hurried to the kitchen to bring the fish, and the Rosh Yeshiva began to mutter Torah. This was something he did not usually do this time. He did not even stroke his beard once. He was afraid that the hairs in his beard would be torn out. This prevented him from concentrating much. It was almost a natural tendency to stroke his beard. He had to be doubly careful... Fatigue enveloped Mordechai Zalman. On Friday night he did a 'mishmar' - he sat and studied all night, and on Friday morning he himself did not have time to take a nap... The Rosh Yeshiva noticed this and immediately asked: He must have done a 'mishmar' and now he is tired? Now he is certainly tired, Mordechai Zalman replied with a smile, He sat and studied in a 'mishmar' - that I do not know... Why is Mr. tired? The Rosh Yeshiva's little daughter asked him, I myself do not know, Mordechai Zalman replied, his face red.".
• "And where are Zipporah and Raizel? Right here next to you. Where? These - the mother replied, pointing at two girls. At first I thought they were the neighbor's girls. What business did a yeshiva student have of examining them? They stood to the side, their faces blushing. One grabbed the back of the chair and scratched at the dirt that had stuck to it. The other stared at the young man who was growing up - and when their eyes met, she looked down at the floor of the room. Of necessity, making an acquaintance - blurted out Mordechai Zalman. Well, preparation for the days to come, said the mother, arranging her handkerchief on her head. In that case, I didn't say anything - replied Mordechai Zalman. What are you afraid of? The mother asked. I'm still young in years and haven't yet filled my stomach with Shas and poskim. Will I take a wife and have the burden of childbirth placed on my neck? Be it as you wish. However, remember that Raizel has grown up.".
• "After the morning prayer, the townspeople gathered to take a look at that one of the townspeople who had left them as a toddler and had apparently returned as a distinguished scholar. They shook his hand warmly and dismissed him in peace. Even 'crazy Noske' made way for him. Kimea pushed his way, stepping on someone's foot, and when he reached Mordechai Zalman he asked: Is Mar knowledgeable in all of Shas? Not yet. What orders is he knowledgeable in? Women, Moed, Neziki, and a decent portion of the Temples with the first and most of the last. Didn't he learn about seeds and purity at all? I took a sip of Kimea from them, but I didn't finish them. Phew... Crazy Noske blurted out dismissively, "Here you have a scholar of the younger generation"...
• "She got up and hurried to her room. Without noticing, she reached for the perfume bottle that Aunt Mindel had brought for better days... and turned it over her hair. The perfume poured out in a thin stream and filled the room with the sharp scent of roses. Oh, what am I doing? She cried in panic, this is terrible excitement. The price of this bottle is very expensive, and what is such a quantity for? She placed the bottle on the dresser and looked at it sadly. There were only a few drops left in it. It will be necessary - she muttered to herself - to get engaged to that Mordechai Zalman, since the others have no more perfume left.".
• "She probably studies morality. That's evident from her words, isn't it? A little here, a little there. What books will I hear? Obligation of the Hearts. Mesilat Yesharim. Sha'arie Teshuvah. Arhot Tzaddikim. Nefesh Ha'im. Ma'alot Hamidot. Gate of the Border to the Ramban. Sometimes the talks of Rabbi Yisrael.... And what else is she knowledgeable about? I am knowledgeable. What things will we hear? In the commentary of Rashi, Ramban, Seferno and Ibn Ezra on the Torah, and all the Malabim, Radak, Mezudat David and Mezudat Zion on the Bible.".
• "It is immediately obvious to the Torah scholars that these are them. For example, this kind of hand movement is typical and common among the Torah scholars. They insert words from the Gemara into their vocabulary. They are evident in their sitting, eating, and sleeping, she said. And Rabbi Israel says that even in their death – he finished the sentence in a flash.".
• "...she went to the bed to put on a little makeup, and as she laid her head on the pillow, she burst into tears of excitement. Hot, salty tears slowly rolled down her cheeks, and from there they fell onto the pillow and were absorbed deep into her heart. The heart of a Ben Torah woman.".
• "No one can cry out such a cry as is cried out from the heart of a Ben Torah for not advancing in learning. No one will understand how much the soul of a Ben Torah yearns to ascend higher and even higher than the highest. No one will understand how and why the soul of a Ben Torah cries and is tormented. No one will imagine how much the prayer or tears of a Ben Torah work in heaven... And again he would scream in a throat filled with flowing tears: I am worthy to be a Ben Torah, I am Mordechai Zalman Ben Beila, to be a Ben Torah.".
• "Suddenly shaking himself from his thoughts, he remembered that in a short time he would have to deliver the lesson in front of the boys. He raised his head and stared blankly into the distance. He slid a drop onto his beard. His white hair stood out in a cheeky way. He chuckled a tiny chuckle and let out a soft sigh. Woe to the one who left and never returned, she... the chosen ones.".
