A week after the Yated Ne'eman's revelation of an ancient document identifying the gravesite of the Master of all Diaspora Jewry, Rabbenu Shlomo Yitzchaki, Rashi HaKadosh, a new significant development has emerged. Torah researchers and local investigators in Troyes, France, have united in a joint effort of an extensive research project to reveal the precise burial site of Rashi within the boundaries of the ancient Jewish cemetery that was destroyed.

The Emir of Qatar Received a Delegation of Rabbonim from Islamic countries which came to offer condolences over the demise of his father. Rabbi Hitrik, chairman of the Union of Rabbonim from Islamic countries, led the delegation which was received in the palace in Doha.

The delegation consisted of the Chief Rabbi of Iran, Rav Yehuda Grami; the Chief Rabbi of Nigeria; Rav Yisrael Uzan and the Rav of the Jewish community in Qatar; Rav Eliyahu Hitrik. Also present at the meeting were the Qatar Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister; Sheik Mohammed ben Abu Avd A-Rachman el Ta'ani; and head of the Emirite divan.

A terrible attack took place this week in Germany in the course of a public event, perpetrated by a Muslim fanatic. A German expert on radicalism published a caustic article in which he condemned the public talk in the country and demanded a stop to calling events in general terms of 'extremists' or 'violence' and, rather, insisted that the public come out and term such occurrences by name: Islamism.

"Enough. Enough of cliches. Enough of empty reactions, evasions and general terminology where the same verbiage is used repeatedly instead of calling things by their true label," he wrote. "Come - let's call it by its name: this is Islamism. Not radicalism in a vacuum, not 'violence' without a real address or an act by an 'isolated and befuddled terrorist'; this is an ideology which has a name, a list of enemies with a shut world-view which sanctifies murder."

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This hesped was first published thirty years ago, in 1996.

Among the many towns dotting the countryside of Romania is a town called Vasloi. Although not a particularly important town, in the years before the Second World War it became a household word among Jews across the country, for in it lived the famed tzaddik Reb Sholom Halpern, who became known as the Rebbe of Vasloi. He was regarded by all who saw him as an ish Elokim, and thousands came from far and wide to see him and to receive his brocho.

Reb Sholom was born on the 15th of Shevat 5617 (1857). His father was Reb Dovid Halpern, who was a son-in-law of the Rebbe, Reb Yisroel of Ruzhin zt'l. Reb Dovid was from a distinguished line of famous rabbonim and gedolim. Reb Dovid, however, refused to accept the yoke of rabbonus, preferring to remain within the shadow of his shver, the Ruzhiner zt'l, where he could sit and learn without interruption.

Despite his reticence, Reb Dovid soon made a name for himself as a major talmid chochom. Blessed with a very sharp head, his comments and sayings were passed from mouth to ear. On one occasion when the Ruzhiner gave him a brocho that Hashem should fulfill all his heart's desires, Reb Dovid asked: "Is that all?"

"Isn't that enough?" the Ruzhiner asked him back in surprise.

"There are things which happen to a person which he doesn't even dream of," Reb Dovid explained. "Did it ever occur to me that one day I would end up being the Rebbe's son-in-law? Yet it still happened!" The Ruzhiner smiled at Reb Dovid's original answer and blessed him that Hashem should help him in whatever he needs, even if he does not know that he needs it.

As a young child, Reb Dovid's son Reb Sholom was recognized to possess an extraordinary mind and character. However, even these attributes were exceeded by his remarkable hasmodoh and the energy he invested in his learning and avodas Hashem. Most of his waking hours were spent delving deep into Shas and poskim until he had a considerable reputation as a talmid chochom.

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