The Rabbi and The Rebbetzin by Shlomo Wexler Page B

Rabbi Ilan Solomon would have to remain in Israel for
several months.
    The
dean asked, “How does that affect you?”
    Aaron
answered slowly. “Mr. Levine said that Rabbi Solomon also conducted services
for the congregation on Succos and Simchas Torah. He then asked me if I were in
a position to replace Solomon for the holiday. He reminded me of the expression,
‘He who commences the performance of a mitzvah is enjoined to complete it.’ I
tentatively agreed to do so.”
    The
dean was somewhat shaken by Adler’s statement. “The approval you received from
the yeshiva to go to Beth Israel was in response to an emergency situation and
limited only to the High Holidays. I do not recall telling you anything about
Succos.”
    Aaron
replied, “With all due respect to the Rosh Yeshiva, I must remind him that
Succos is a school holiday, and at Ohr Moshe the holiday extends until Rosh
Chodesh Cheshvan. Where does the Rosh Yeshiva think that I will be davening
during that time if not in an Orthodox community synagogue? I cannot see any
difference between my shul in New York and Beth Israel, except that the decorum
at the local synagogue is far superior. While the yeshiva may choose to worry
about what its students do during vacation periods, worshipping in an Orthodox
shul is not a questionable vacation activity.”
    Rabbi
Rosenberg was not quite content with Aaron’s words. “Aaron you have not yet
received your Semicha . Even then you will never be completely on your
own. When studying at a yeshiva you develop a spiritual character and form bonds
with the yeshiva ideology which can never be severed. Those who succeed in the
congregational rabbinate have inevitably compromised their religious practices.
The yeshiva must not let this happen to a student who is still studying at the
yeshiva and is not yet ordained.”
    Aaron
was not intimidated by the words of the dean, although they contained an
implied threat that his ordination might be jeopardized if he didn’t request
formal permission to conduct the Succos services. He was well-aware that he was
the number one scholar at the yeshiva and the school could not afford to lose
him. What is more, the dean was aware that Abe Levine was the main supporter of
the school and might withdraw his contributions if he heard that the dean was
barring Aaron from coming to Beth Israel. Aware of his strong position, Aaron
did not concede. Nevertheless, he saw no point in antagonizing the rabbi who had
supported his Torah studies for a number of years.
    “If
the dean will allow me to conduct the Succos services, I do not foresee any
further religious obligations at Beth Israel until Pesach. To maintain a good
relationship with the yeshiva faculty, I respectfully suggest that we let this
matter drop until then.”
    Not
wishing to rock the boat any further, the dean ended the discussion and closed
the meeting. He was vastly relieved that Rabbi Kurland had wisely absented
himself from the faculty conference. For his part, Aaron felt a measure of
guilt for speaking so defiantly to the faculty committee. He knew that doing so
meant weakening his status at the yeshiva, and he was certain that at some
point in time he would pay the price for his audacity.
    Aaron
used the next few days preparing intensively for the Yom Kippur services. He
used the time of his usual afternoon learning session with Shalom Pinkes to review
the melodies that were unique to Yom Kippur, particularly Kol Nidrei and
the martyrology prayers. Rabbi Bernstein was drafted again to help Aaron with
the appeal sermons. These sessions went well because Aaron had gained much
confidence after his experiences on Rosh Hashanah.
     
    Shulamit
arrived on Erev Yom Kippur at the prearranged time and place and picked
Aaron up. “I guess young women are unusual creatures in front of the yeshiva,
but I can live with it,” Shulamit teased him.
    “C’mon,
Shulamit,” Aaron complained. “I had enough problems with your debut last week.