In 5761, Kollel Linas haTzedek was founded in Sanhedria
Murchevet, Yerushalayim, to learn the halochos of bein
odom lechavero. Less than two years later, the venture
has expanded into the Linas haTzedek Kollel Network, a group
of five kollelim which study hilchos bein odom
lechavero.
Modeled after the original program of the first kollel
in Sanhedria Murchevet (which is now in its second
cycle), additional kollelim were established in the
Ramot and Unsdorf neighborhoods, as well as the growing
communities of Beitar and Ramat Beit Shemesh.
In Sanhedria Murchevet, Mr. and Mrs. Hershel Boehm of
Baltimore have dedicated Kollel Zichron Aryeh in memory of
their father, Reb Aryeh Fishman, z"l. Kollel Ateres
Avraham, in Ramat Beit Shemesh, has been dedicated by Mr. and
Mrs. Elchanan Galbut, in honor of Mr. Avraham Galbut, of
Miami, Florida. Chazon Nachum of Beitar honors the memory of
Rabbi Nachum Moshe Ben- Natan, z"l. The Ramot branch
is Kollel Netzach Yosef, and the Unsdorf location is still
unnamed.
Several other communities are also vying for
kollelim.
Rabbi Yitzchok Berkovits, a leading posek in
Yerushalayim, and a world-renowned authority on bein odom
lechavero, heads the Network. "Linas haTzedek has
designed a unique method for learning hilchos bein odom
lechavero," he says. "Forty-two comprehensive booklets of
mareh mekomos have been prepared, covering every
aspect of the sugyos, starting from the gemoras,
through the relevant rishonim and acharonim,
and ending with practical piskei halacha. This
enables avreichim to cover large and complex sugyos
with relative ease, speed and clarity," Rabbi Berkovits
explains.
The Kollel Network is a project of the Center for Jewish
Values, a unique organization that promotes hilchos bein
odom lechavero. The Center's director, Paysach Freedman,
describes the recently completed first cycle of the Kollel:
"Every major area of bein odom lechavero was covered
at a rigorous pace within nineteen months. Upon completion of
the curriculum, Kollel members had acquired unparalleled
proficiency in every one of the topics covered, and are now
qualified to pasken in these areas."
The Kollel inspires its avreichim to disseminate
hilchos bein odom lechavero, he says. "Three of the
graduates are now roshei kollel of new Linas haTzedek
branches, and nearly all the others are involved in various
bein odom lechavero endeavors."
Rabbi Yitzchok Boehm completed the initial cycle, and
currently serves as rosh kollel of the Sanhedria
Murchevet location. Rabbi Boehm discusses the need to learn
hilchos bein odom lechavero. "Hilchos bein odom
lechavero are relevant to every area of daily life, and
comprise more than half of the mitzvos that apply today," he
says. "Ranging from midvar sheker tirchak to
tzedokoh, from loshon hora to sechiras
poalim, they also include: business ethics [which tax
loopholes are permissible?], shidduchim [must one
reveal that a prospective shidduch was expelled from
yeshiva a decade ago?] and family life [how should a spouse
respond when their partner hurts their feelings?]."
Rabbi Yosef Friedman, another graduate, and rosh kollel
of the Unsdorf branch adds, "All of these mitzvos apply
on a regular basis. The resolution of each of these scenarios
and countless others cannot be decided by what `seems right.'
The concepts are familiar, yet much of the halacha
lema'aseh is unknown."
Drawing on the comprehensive research of the kollelim,
the Center for Jewish Values has started making these
vital halachos accessible and comprehensible to other
segments of the Jewish community. "Once people become aware
of our work, they demand to know more. The Center receives
inquiries from a wide spectrum of interested individuals and
organizations around the world", says Paysach Freedman. "For
instance, a high-quality series of tapes on hilchos bein
odom lechavero by Rabbi Berkovits is being prepared for
wide distribution. Additionally, the Center has prepared
English versions of the sugyos."
A chabura of baalei battim in Los Angeles uses
the Center's mareh mekomos for a weekly seder limud
on hilchos bein odom lechavero. Similar groups are
being formed in New York, Baltimore, and Toronto. Dayan
Yitzchok Silver, rosh kollel of the Ramot branch,
delivers a popular weekly shiur on hilchos bein
odom lechavero to talmidim of the Mirrer Yeshiva.
An extraordinarily successful yeshivas bein hazmanim
program drew participants in three Israeli cities last
summer. Plans are underway for an even larger attendance, in
more locations, this year. Additionally, various kiruv
organizations have utilized the Center materials for
yarchei kallas and seminars.
Rabbi Berkovits concludes, "With the possible exception of
loshon hora, these mitzvos are rarely learned on a
regular basis. The Kollel's work is restoring these mitzvos
to the central place in Yiddishkeit that they rightfully
deserve."
