Monday, January 20, 2014
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Rabbi Finkelstein's Sermon
Parshas Bo 5774
Bo: To man and to G-d, a tribute to Rabbi Efraim Greenblatt
When we said farewell to Rabbi Efraim Greenblatt, z’l, of blessed memory, I
remember how strange it was. You mean Rabbi Greenblatt won’t be in Memphis
anymore? Rabbi Greenblatt was Memphis. People still ask me, so is Rabbi Efraim
Greenblatt there? It was hard to imagine our shul, our community without the
presence of his scholarship, his warmth, his outreach to so many.
But then we became used to the situation; Rabbi Greenblatt is not here. But he
is there. He is one phone call away, and many called him all the time. We can
go visit him, and many have. Our mission to Israel made a routine of visiting
Rabbi Greenblatt for a dinner together each year. But now to imagine, not only a
Memphis without Rabbi Greenblatt, but a world without Rabbi Greenblatt, this is
much harder to fathom.
But if we ask ourselves, what was so special about Rabbi Greenblatt and what
made him so beloved and so missed?
Read the rest of Rabbi Finkelstein's drasha here
Bo: To man and to G-d, a tribute to Rabbi Efraim Greenblatt
When we said farewell to Rabbi Efraim Greenblatt, z’l, of blessed memory, I
remember how strange it was. You mean Rabbi Greenblatt won’t be in Memphis
anymore? Rabbi Greenblatt was Memphis. People still ask me, so is Rabbi Efraim
Greenblatt there? It was hard to imagine our shul, our community without the
presence of his scholarship, his warmth, his outreach to so many.
But then we became used to the situation; Rabbi Greenblatt is not here. But he
is there. He is one phone call away, and many called him all the time. We can
go visit him, and many have. Our mission to Israel made a routine of visiting
Rabbi Greenblatt for a dinner together each year. But now to imagine, not only a
Memphis without Rabbi Greenblatt, but a world without Rabbi Greenblatt, this is
much harder to fathom.
But if we ask ourselves, what was so special about Rabbi Greenblatt and what
made him so beloved and so missed?
Read the rest of Rabbi Finkelstein's drasha here
Memphis Commercial Appeal Newspaper Obituary
Rabbi Efraim Greenblatt, a Memphis rabbi for more than half a century and a world-renowned Torah scholar, died last week in his native Israel. He was 81.
“The Torah world lost one of its most brilliant minds and the Memphis community lost one of its most cherished teachers,” said Rabbi Gil Perl, dean of Margolin Hebrew Academy/Yeshiva of the South.
Rabbi Greenblatt was born in 1932 in Jerusalem, the son of a rabbi and the oldest of 11 children. He came to Memphis in 1952 and spent nearly every waking hour of the next 58 years studying, learning and teaching Hebrew scripture and Jewish law.
He was the weekly Torah reader and served as the cantor for part of the High Holiday Services at Anshei Sphard Beth El Emeth Congregation. He also taught Judaic Studies to elementary students at Margolin Hebrew Academy.
“Part of what made him so incredible is precisely the rather mundane nature of his jobs,” Perl said. “He was not the rabbi of a synagogue. In fact, he didn’t hold any official position there. In the school, he was a simple teacher.
Read the rest of the article here
Read the rest of the article here
Friday, January 10, 2014
Memories from Arnon Cline
This week we have lost not only the Posek Hador but a man whos tzidkus was not matched. I am a talmid of rebbi and if you need to confirm look at Revivos Ephriam chelek shmini:Kuf Daled. no where else in revives ephriam does he give status of talmid but there.
I want to just any readers of this post to have confirmation that what I am about to write is emes.
when I first started learning under him I was young.. I would ask him questions that rashi would explain but he would always first reply “that is a very good question, I will look it up.” his door remained open from dawn to dusk, following Pirkei Avos 1;5 “yehi beisecha pasuach larvacha” - let your house be open wide.
In the morning he would have us put away a stack of seforim 4-5..after asking him why he always has them out on his table? he responded “people send me their seforim for approval, I finished those last night.”
In the morning he would have us put away a stack of seforim 4-5..after asking him why he always has them out on his table? he responded “people send me their seforim for approval, I finished those last night.”
I read someone wanted a good R’ Moshe story.. One time close to purim R’Ephriam was going to visit his rebbi.. on the way he stopped in one of the small southern towns and bought a liquor only sold down south called “moonshine” which is extremely potent.. Rav Moshe said ” you shouldn’t have spent money on me on this..” rabbi Ephriam leaned over and said well if rebbi says so…and reached to grab them..Rav Moshe jumped forward and wrapped his aarms around them and said “well, once you already did…”
Our Rebbi was my rock and my strength. He came all the way from Memphis for my Bar Mitzvah in Baltimore.. when my father asked why he came all the way up:? He understood its very hard for Rebbi to leave his Kehilla for a whole thurs-sunday! Rebbi told my father “one day Arnon will give berachos so I had to come.”
for people that want to understand Rebbi, please get the sefer Revivos Ephriam al hatorah..he wrote it in Hebrew but wrote it in the easiet form of hebrew he could so most could learn it. Every Parsha he stresses our need to help and dedicate as much energy and effort into being mekarev all our brothers and sisters who are rachok mitorah uumitzvos. It is a guidline to unify ourselves through the torach and deal with everyone besever panim yafos and learn every day bikivius.
Rebbi heard meepee Rav Shach tz”l “Rak Meshuga Ein Emunah!”
OUR rebbi gave me a siddur “minchas yosef kol bo hashalem” that I use everyday.. in the index he wrote in pencil “asher yatzar otchem bedin, vezan otchem bedin, vekalkal etchem bedin, veasid lehachoschem bedin, velehakuchem bedin. B”A”H Mechayei Hamasim.”
I cry writing this and chills run down my spine. because I never understood why until now.
I cry writing this and chills run down my spine. because I never understood why until now.
Rarely when Rebbi opened a sefer did he need to turn a page to get to the right page. if he did it was one and rarely two. When Rebbi got a phone call and it was a shayla.. he ALWAYS grabbed a sefer and im sure there were times he needed it but 995 of the time he knew.. read Revivos Ephriam and you will see he knew..and why? the person wasn’t there.. he wasn’t doing it to make the person feel good about his question.. it was because Rebbi was an anuv. he was a tremendous anuv.
Rebbi once told my father.. “anyone can be Rav Moshe”.. my father asked him what? How cfan everyone be Rav Moshe??? Rebbi responded “rav Moshe fulfilled his potential in life.. he wasn’t a genius like Einstien but he plugged away at every available moment and never wasted any time.. he focused with all his capability on every line and every word.. he fulfilled his potential. an autistic child has very little capabilities and therefore his potential level is very low but if he hits that potential he is doing all he can and can be like Rav Moshe and fulfill his potential”
My father was sitting down to shabbbos sueda with Rebbi while the rebetzin ola BESHALOM WAS IN A COMA. Rebbi balled up a napkin into a ball and started placing it from a very short distance into a plastic cup. After a minute or so of doing this, he looked up at my father and said “7 foot people are being payed millions of dollars and spend there whole lives doing this!” Haha.
My father is a doctor and when my mother was pregnant with my youngest brother Eliezer..the ultra sounds came back and results were not good. the radiologist said the baby is going to have mental health issues based on the sounds. being a doctor at the Trauma unit at the University of Tennessee my father made apppointments with one of the world reknown radiologist in Utah and he said the same.. start purchasing certain equipment for the child. He went to one more big shot in Florida.. same result.
next day my father took the picture of the ultra sound to Rebbi. My father explained the entire story and the professionals who have all concluded the same diagnosis. Rebbi asked my father if he can get the ultra sound? my father said “I have it with me” handed it to Rebbi. Moreinu removed his glasses and held the ultrasound xray an inch from his face. My father said 5 min went by, 10,20,30 and 45 min later Rebbi put his glasses back on handed the ultrasound back and said “the baby is turned at an angle, hes perfectly fine and do NOT buy any special equipment. Two long stressful months went by and ELI- “ribono shel olam” EZER- “helped” was born with no birth defects baruch haashem and is learning and a masmid in yeshiva BH.
next day my father took the picture of the ultra sound to Rebbi. My father explained the entire story and the professionals who have all concluded the same diagnosis. Rebbi asked my father if he can get the ultra sound? my father said “I have it with me” handed it to Rebbi. Moreinu removed his glasses and held the ultrasound xray an inch from his face. My father said 5 min went by, 10,20,30 and 45 min later Rebbi put his glasses back on handed the ultrasound back and said “the baby is turned at an angle, hes perfectly fine and do NOT buy any special equipment. Two long stressful months went by and ELI- “ribono shel olam” EZER- “helped” was born with no birth defects baruch haashem and is learning and a masmid in yeshiva BH.
Our family was instructed to move to Baltimore so we could get more Talmud torah from yeshivos like Yeshivas Chafetz Chaim and Ner yisroel. BH all are shteiging full time or working and learning but our Rebbi made this family into a beis torah and I loved him like a father. We spoke once a week and loved him more and more every week.
please get a sefer revives Ephraim al hatorah so you can understand how the torah is our sorce of love that makes us brothers and the answer to the galus. Rebbi was niftar Parshas Bo and Bo is the mentioning the “choshech”. Mori VeGaon Haztadick Rav Ephraim Greenblatt TZ”L was our Or in this galus of our generation. It may not be dark literally but there is a war for the nishamos of klal yisroel and the yetzer hara and life filled by chasing the yetzer hara is a life of choshech. Rebbi Hakadosh was our “Ohr Chadash Al Tzion Tair , Venikeh kulanu meheira Leoroh” He dedicated his entire being to leading yidin to the Ohr of torah. Through our actions bein adam lechaveiro and helping every yid in need, and that’s by giving him the biggest gift…the gift of torah..may hakadosh baruch huu show us his middas harachamim and give every yid the zechus of the oroh shel torah.. this was Rebbis mission… please take on something a little extra to get closer to each other as an “am eched lev echad”..and we can start our journey to eretz yisroel and along the way find our true foundation..achdus
Rebbi is right near the kisei hacavod as we speak ..use this time to get closer because there is a special gate open for our tefillos thru his zechus .amen K”YR BDE I love you Rebbi!
Memories from Victor Shine
I had already prepared a different article for this month's issue when I received word that my Rebbe, Rabbi Ephraim Greenblatt zt"l, was niftar. Although my family left Memphis decades ago, we remained in touch with him. He officiated at my own wedding. I was happy that we got to visit with him during a recent vacation in Jerusalem.
Our families go back to 1970, when my parents moved us back down to Memphis and enrolled us in the Memphis Hebrew Academy. We lived a block away from the rabbi, and he used to drive us to school. He and his wife, Miriam z"l, invited our family for our first taste of Shabbos. She taught me alef beis in the first grade, and he opened my eyes to Chumash in the 3rd grade, and taught me Talmud in 8th grade.
He learned by his own rebbe, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein in the early 1950s. He later went to spread Torah in Memphis. He went down as a bochur, and later established his family there. Each of his children have become pillars of their own communities.
Rabbi and Rebbitzen Greenblatt sacrificed the Jewish comforts of Brooklyn to bring the light of Torah to thousands of the uninitiated, like my family.
He did not have his own congregation. Rather, he was the ba'al koreh at the local orthodox shul. He taught bar mitzvah lessons to hundreds of young boys. He recorded practice tapes of the davening and the Torah readings. He did not make copies from one master tape. Instead, he custom recorded the lessons for each boy, during their sessions. He did everything with a smile, a sense of humor, and a pure love for fellow Jews of every age and background.
I still remember fondly how he would keep our third grade class interested in learning. He used to have fun with it. A kid would ask to be excused, and he would be allowed to leave the classroom. Two minutes later, the rabbi would send out another kid to "spy" on him. A few minutes after that, the rabbi would send another kid to spy on the spy. We ate that up. It made learning fun. He would clean his glasses with hundred dollar bills, like they were meaningless pieces of paper. That always made us smile. He also had a weekly raffle, where everyone would guess a number, and the winner got a prize. (I always chose 44). What I wouldn't give to hear one more of his "Benny stories", which was about a character he had created.
For all of the humor and fun, he never compromised his principles. He would go toe to toe with whoever necessary when he stood up for daas Torah on a matter affecting the community or an individual. He remained in constant touch with his own rebbe, to the point where he may have the most responsa addressed to one individual in the Igros Moshe, Rabbi Feinstein's major work on Jewish Law.
People sent questions to Rabbi Greenblatt from all over the world. He compiled the answers to those questions in his own series, the Rivevos Ephraim. That work made him a household name all over the Torah world. For all of the recognition, he was still quite approachable and unassuming. You would never think that as a young
teenager, he volunteered for Lechi, one of the precursors of Tzahal, the Israeli Defense Forces. He was too young to fight the British and the Arabs at the time, but he was quite adept at gun running to support the
nascent defense efforts.
He was a strong proponent of giving every Jewish child a chance for a solid Jewish education, regardless of circumstance. When some people suggested that he modify his lesson plan to include more topics, he
replied that his job is to make sure his third graders come back for fourth grade. His observations were very astute, as I remember classmates who dropped out of the MHA even before eighth grade. I cannot recall a single time when the rabbi ever lost his temper in class. He always found a way to control the class without reverting
to a loud power play or through fear. It was all about respect and good humor.
He was gentle, kind, and encouraging. His method was to set an example, and to make us want to follow in his path. It was never about shoving rules or lessons down our throats. We had a deep love and respect for Rabbi Greenblatt. That is something you do not often find for a grade school teacher. Can you even recall the names of every teacher you had growing up? Are you in touch with them? Do you let them know how well you are doing, and express gratitude for their contribution to your development? I am certain that Rabbi Greenblatt
enjoyed that from hundreds of his pupils, many of whom transformed their lives, and sometimes even that of their families, to live as Torah true Jews. That is his legacy, as are all of the many generations to come from his
handiwork.
Our families go back to 1970, when my parents moved us back down to Memphis and enrolled us in the Memphis Hebrew Academy. We lived a block away from the rabbi, and he used to drive us to school. He and his wife, Miriam z"l, invited our family for our first taste of Shabbos. She taught me alef beis in the first grade, and he opened my eyes to Chumash in the 3rd grade, and taught me Talmud in 8th grade.
He learned by his own rebbe, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein in the early 1950s. He later went to spread Torah in Memphis. He went down as a bochur, and later established his family there. Each of his children have become pillars of their own communities.
Rabbi and Rebbitzen Greenblatt sacrificed the Jewish comforts of Brooklyn to bring the light of Torah to thousands of the uninitiated, like my family.
He did not have his own congregation. Rather, he was the ba'al koreh at the local orthodox shul. He taught bar mitzvah lessons to hundreds of young boys. He recorded practice tapes of the davening and the Torah readings. He did not make copies from one master tape. Instead, he custom recorded the lessons for each boy, during their sessions. He did everything with a smile, a sense of humor, and a pure love for fellow Jews of every age and background.
I still remember fondly how he would keep our third grade class interested in learning. He used to have fun with it. A kid would ask to be excused, and he would be allowed to leave the classroom. Two minutes later, the rabbi would send out another kid to "spy" on him. A few minutes after that, the rabbi would send another kid to spy on the spy. We ate that up. It made learning fun. He would clean his glasses with hundred dollar bills, like they were meaningless pieces of paper. That always made us smile. He also had a weekly raffle, where everyone would guess a number, and the winner got a prize. (I always chose 44). What I wouldn't give to hear one more of his "Benny stories", which was about a character he had created.
For all of the humor and fun, he never compromised his principles. He would go toe to toe with whoever necessary when he stood up for daas Torah on a matter affecting the community or an individual. He remained in constant touch with his own rebbe, to the point where he may have the most responsa addressed to one individual in the Igros Moshe, Rabbi Feinstein's major work on Jewish Law.
People sent questions to Rabbi Greenblatt from all over the world. He compiled the answers to those questions in his own series, the Rivevos Ephraim. That work made him a household name all over the Torah world. For all of the recognition, he was still quite approachable and unassuming. You would never think that as a young
teenager, he volunteered for Lechi, one of the precursors of Tzahal, the Israeli Defense Forces. He was too young to fight the British and the Arabs at the time, but he was quite adept at gun running to support the
nascent defense efforts.
He was a strong proponent of giving every Jewish child a chance for a solid Jewish education, regardless of circumstance. When some people suggested that he modify his lesson plan to include more topics, he
replied that his job is to make sure his third graders come back for fourth grade. His observations were very astute, as I remember classmates who dropped out of the MHA even before eighth grade. I cannot recall a single time when the rabbi ever lost his temper in class. He always found a way to control the class without reverting
to a loud power play or through fear. It was all about respect and good humor.
He was gentle, kind, and encouraging. His method was to set an example, and to make us want to follow in his path. It was never about shoving rules or lessons down our throats. We had a deep love and respect for Rabbi Greenblatt. That is something you do not often find for a grade school teacher. Can you even recall the names of every teacher you had growing up? Are you in touch with them? Do you let them know how well you are doing, and express gratitude for their contribution to your development? I am certain that Rabbi Greenblatt
enjoyed that from hundreds of his pupils, many of whom transformed their lives, and sometimes even that of their families, to live as Torah true Jews. That is his legacy, as are all of the many generations to come from his
handiwork.
Beautiful Article in the Baltimore Jewish Life
Rabbi Efraim Greenblatt, ZT'L: The Greatness and Warmth of Torah
by Rabbi Yosef Tropper
Baltimore, MD - Jan. 8 - On January 3, 2014 (2 Shevat 5774) the world lost a most special gadol. My first meeting that I ever recall having with Reb Efraim zt”l took place when I was 13 years old. My grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Azriel (Ike) and Gladys Eskenazi of blessed memory, lived in Memphis and my family would spend the summer there. Grandpa had a weekly standing chavrusa slot with Rav Efraim in addition to the many public and private classes that he attended.
Read the rest here
by Rabbi Yosef Tropper
Baltimore, MD - Jan. 8 - On January 3, 2014 (2 Shevat 5774) the world lost a most special gadol. My first meeting that I ever recall having with Reb Efraim zt”l took place when I was 13 years old. My grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Azriel (Ike) and Gladys Eskenazi of blessed memory, lived in Memphis and my family would spend the summer there. Grandpa had a weekly standing chavrusa slot with Rav Efraim in addition to the many public and private classes that he attended.
Read the rest here
A Firsthand Report from Rabbi Efraim Greenblatt’s Funeral
Friday January 3rd, 2014
2 Shevat 5774
I just returned from the levaya, the funeral, and wanted to share with all of you just a bit about it. Its a short day - so I'll be brief.
It was so very special and very b'kavodic, everything was done with great dignity. There were many many people there (Baruch Gordon estimates 700 people, bli ayin hara) and for such short notice on a Friday morn!
Who spoke? Rav Yudi Silver, Nata Greenblatt (Rav Efraim’s youngest brother), Elazar Langsam, (Rav Efraim's son in law) read a beautiful letter from Rabbi Menachem Greenblatt, Rav Efraim's son in St. Louis, and he also spoke himself, one of Mashie's sons spoke and one of Sima's sons spoke.
They spoke of his incredible love of the Torah in all of its facets, from the seemingly most simplistic of things to the deepest and of his desire to be able to give that over to others. They spoke of his ability to relate to all different types of people - in so many ways - and how that was so apparent by all of the different types of people that they were able to impact; from 4th graders - and the unaffiliated, all types of bar mitzva boys, on and on! Memphis was mentioned lots of times, and how nestled there in Memphis was a little piece of Yerushalayim which you felt as soon as you walked into their home. They also spoke of his general persona - always with a smile - always treating everyone with such kavod, respect.
They spoke of this whole last t'kufa, period of time at Mashies house, how whatever they did - with anything - he was fine with it. He never contradicted what was going on in the house and gave Mashie and Elazar such incredible kavod, honor, all the time. These were just some of the things that were mentioned.
He was buried on Har Hamenuchos - next to Mrs. Miriam Greenblatt OB”M.
The Greenblatt’s certainly impacted all of our lives in so many vast and varied ways. It was a life well lived. as his grandson said, he truly had Arichus Yamim, length of days in that he utilized his days to the fullest.
Wishing you all a good Shabbos,
Chana Silver
2 Shevat 5774
I just returned from the levaya, the funeral, and wanted to share with all of you just a bit about it. Its a short day - so I'll be brief.
It was so very special and very b'kavodic, everything was done with great dignity. There were many many people there (Baruch Gordon estimates 700 people, bli ayin hara) and for such short notice on a Friday morn!
Who spoke? Rav Yudi Silver, Nata Greenblatt (Rav Efraim’s youngest brother), Elazar Langsam, (Rav Efraim's son in law) read a beautiful letter from Rabbi Menachem Greenblatt, Rav Efraim's son in St. Louis, and he also spoke himself, one of Mashie's sons spoke and one of Sima's sons spoke.
They spoke of his incredible love of the Torah in all of its facets, from the seemingly most simplistic of things to the deepest and of his desire to be able to give that over to others. They spoke of his ability to relate to all different types of people - in so many ways - and how that was so apparent by all of the different types of people that they were able to impact; from 4th graders - and the unaffiliated, all types of bar mitzva boys, on and on! Memphis was mentioned lots of times, and how nestled there in Memphis was a little piece of Yerushalayim which you felt as soon as you walked into their home. They also spoke of his general persona - always with a smile - always treating everyone with such kavod, respect.
They spoke of this whole last t'kufa, period of time at Mashies house, how whatever they did - with anything - he was fine with it. He never contradicted what was going on in the house and gave Mashie and Elazar such incredible kavod, honor, all the time. These were just some of the things that were mentioned.
He was buried on Har Hamenuchos - next to Mrs. Miriam Greenblatt OB”M.
The Greenblatt’s certainly impacted all of our lives in so many vast and varied ways. It was a life well lived. as his grandson said, he truly had Arichus Yamim, length of days in that he utilized his days to the fullest.
Wishing you all a good Shabbos,
Chana Silver
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Time January 5, 2014 at 7:58 PM