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Will even a trace of Ashkenaz Jewry remain in the coming generation?
Will your children remember our heritage?
Does your shul preserve the minhagim?
What has become of the plesant, slow-paced tefillah with the special Ashkenaz piyutim?
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Yeshivas Frankfurt
Bank Pagi 52
Branch : 172 Acc’t No : 724742
Yeshivas Frankfurt
The roots of Jewish settlement in Germany can be found at the end of the era of the Ge’onim, in the year 4700 (940).
Gradually, the community developed along the Rhine River in three main cities: Speyer, Worms and Mainz.
These three communities achieved great fame among European Jewry, especially for the Torah giants that emerged from them, such as Rashi, Rabbeinu Tam, Harav Meir of Rothenberg, Harav Asher ben Yechiel (the Rosh), the Maharil, and many other great and famous personages who often serve as a source for halachos and Jewish customs.
The German Jewish community suffered terrible persecution: the Crusades, deportations, murders, pogroms and various decrees. Still, despite their tribulations, the community held fast to its ancient customs and centuries-old liturgical poems and nusach hatfillah.
During the era of the Acharonim, too, the community was famous for its Torah giants: Hatay Masson Adler (“The Great Eagle”); Harav Yonason Eibschutz, author of Ye’aros Dvash; Harav Yomtov Lipman Heller, author of the Tosfos Yom Tov; the Shelah Hakadosh; the Chasam Safer; Harav Samson Refael Hirsch and many others.
But this magnificent heritage came to an abrupt end with Kristalinacht, Night of the Broken Glass. In a well-oiled anti-Semitic operation, German thugs, backed by military forces, rampaged through the streets. On the Fuhrer’s orders, tens of thousands of Jews were deported to an unknown destination. Torah scrolls, religious articles and holy objects that had served the community for hundreds of years were pillaged. The majestic shuls were burned down.
Over the new six years, European Jewry was subject to indescribable suffering. Its members were humiliated, beaten, starved and crammed into cattle cars on their final journey to the death camps.
Six million Jews were murdered; may Hashern avenge their blood.
After the Holocaust, the surviving Jews began slowly recovering and rebuilding. Many communities, both Lavish and Chassidic, were established in Eretz Yisrael and the U.S.
But the ancient heritage of German Jewry did not rise from the ashes; it remains desolate, in danger of extinction.
A community that will protect and revive the ancient heritage and transmit it to the coming generations.
“It is a mitzvah to support them so that they will be able to glorify and augment Torah.”
– Hagaon Harav Shimon Galai, Shlit”a
“May they be blessed by Hashem, allthose involved in preserving this anicient heritage and establishing shuls based on these customs.”
– Harav Avigdor Nebenzahl, Shlit”a
The Chasam Sofer says: “Torah is yerushah for us, members of the Ashkenaz community.” Rav Moshe Mayberg, shlit”a, whose devotion to this matter is most admirable, has taken it upon himself to raise funds to build a shul for members of the Ashkenaz community in Eretz Yisroel
Anyone who holds holds the German-Jewish heritage dear will surely want to assist him in any way possible. And may G-d save the sons for the sake of the forefathers.
– Harav Hamburger, Shlit”a
We still cannot understand how a heritage of thousands of years went up in flames in a moment. We must see to perpetuate it and transmit it to the next generation!
– The Novominsker Rebbe, Zt”l
“In recent years, due to the great work of Harav Hamburger shlita and Machon Moreshes Ashkenaz there has been an awakening among members of the German – Ashkenaz community to revive their heritage. Here in Eretz Yisrael, our heritage is coming to life again. We at Yeshivas Frankfurt are establishing communities that will preserve and protect its Torah and greatness. Shuls, the melodies and customs of German Jewry, for us and for the coming generations!”
Without a Yeshiva we have no long term future
YESHIVAS FRANKFURT IS PREPARING TO PRINT IN DEPTH AN ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS MINHOGIM WHICH PEOPLE TEND TO QUESTION SUCH AS:
WHY DO WE MAKE KIDDUSH AND HAVDOLO IN SHUL?
IS MACHINE MATZO KOSHER FOR SEDER NIGHT?
WHY DO WE WEAR HATS DURING SHACHARIS?
WHY ISN’T SAYING YIRU EYNEYNU A HEFSEK EVEN IN ERETZ YISRAEL?
WHY DON’T WE JUST CLOSE THE SEFER TORAH WITH A BUCKLE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE?
WHY DON’T WE REPEAT BORACHU AFTER DAVENING FOR LATECOMERS?
IF YOU THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE THESE ANSWERS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE PLEASE SUPPORT PRINTING THIS SEFER IN MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED WHO HAVE PASSED TO US OUR MESORAH. LET IT NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
