Good Erev Shabbat to all!
This past Monday evening, the Kew Garden Hills community was spiritually uplifted by an "Evening of Inspiration", on behalf of the children of the Hebrew Academy of West Queens. The program featured a thought provoking and stirring Drasha by world renowned Torah personality HaRav Yissocher Frand, Shlita on the topic Klal Yisroel: A Study in Diversity. The tone of the evening was set by HaRav Mordechai Hecht, Shlita, Mashgiach Ruchani of HAWQ, leading the overflow crowd in special Tehillim for a Refuah Shlema for the Chofetz Chaim Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Henoch Leibowitz, Shlita. Then the event chairman, Mr. Jack Schmidt, addressed the crowd and spoke of his association with HAWQ for many decades and their pioneering work in saving Jewish Neshamos. He said that he and his wife decided this year to expand their annual parlor meeting into an event that would benefit the entire community. Rabbi Haim Alcabes, the Menahel of HAWQ, delineated for the audience the goal of the Yeshiva,- to reach out to every child. Within the nurturing and warm environment of HAWQ and their individualized approach to learning, the students are guided to reach their full potential. He said that we are instructed by Chazal, "Al Tikray Baniyich, ela Boniyich", to view our children, not merely as children, but as builders of the Klal Yisroel, whose role in at least as important as the adults. HaRav Mordechai Hecht, Shlita, in introducing Rav Frand, remarked about the theme of Purim being Achdus and Ahavas Yisroel. So, asked Rav Hecht, why then is Purim the only holiday that is celebrated on two separate days in different places. Rav Hecht quoted Rav Shlomo Teitelbaum as explaining the following. What do the Jews outside Yerushalayim do on Shushan Purim? We also celebrate with no Tachanun and no Haspedim. Why? It is not our Yom Tov. But the answer is that when another Jew has a Yom Tov it is also our Yom Tov. Thus, we express the true essence of the Purim theme of Achdus and Ahavas Yisroel. In this spirit, said Rav Hecht, it is incumbent upon all the members of the Queens community to support the effort of HAWQ to reach out to all the lost Neshamos in our midst.
The evening reached its zenith with the Drasha of Rav Frand himself. He noted that this was the second time he has spoken for HAWQ this year and how impressed he is at the dedication, Mesiras Nefesh, and Ahavas Yisroel the Yeshiva encompasses. He commended the Queens community for hosting such an important Mosad of Hatzlalos Neshamos. Rav Frand pointed out that Pesach night is the time on the Jewish calendar most devoted to Chinuch Ha Banim. On this special night, as we read about the Arbaah Banim, we emphasize the theme of educating every child according to their own individual Derech. However, this concept predates the Hagadah by many centuries with our Avos. He explained that when Yaakov blessed his grandsons, Efraim and Menashe, and his twelve sons the, Shivtai Kah, the concept was not to give them talents that they didn’t already have. Rather, the idea behind a Brachah is to encourage the individual to use the unique qualities and gifts that Hashem has bestowed upon him to the maximum potential. Since each child is different, if we try to use the same approach with every child, it leads to futility and frustration. It is like trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. The child feels trapped in a situation in which he cannot succeed and thus, r’l, is at risk for going off the Derech HaTorah. Rabbi Frand acknowledged that in most Yeshivos, conformity, of necessity, is the name of the game. (He pointed out that HAWQ is the exception to the rule, where in a smaller environment the individual needs of each student is met.) However, said Rav Frand, in our homes the "one size fits all" approach is unacceptable. He gave a mashul of a man who was the king’s water carrier. With great strength he carried daily fresh water from the river, up the mountain to the king’s palace. When he grew older, he wanted to give over his job to his two sons. One son was strong like his father, and was quite capable of efficiently carrying water to the palace without spilling a drop. However, the second son was not endowed with the same physical strength, and struggled to carry the water up the mountain spilling almost everything by the time he reached the top. The father, observing the situation, had a solution. He placed flower seeds along the path, allowing the spilled water to cultivate the seeds into beautiful flowers. When the flowers blossomed, he put them into an exquisite bouquet and had his son present it to the king, who was very pleased. Similarly, it is our role as parents, to guide our children on the path that will bring them success and fulfillment.
Rav Frand concluded, by returning to the theme of unity that is associated with the Chag of Purim. Another aspect of Yaakov Avinu’s blessing to his 12 sons on his deathbed is that he spoke to them together. Rav Frand asked, if each one was to receive their own unique and special Bracha, why not call each one individually? Why did each Shevet need to hear the Bracha of his brother that didn’t apply to him? Rav Frand answered that it was to teach each Shevet to respect the role of his fellow shevet. Levi had to know that he could not be the King, and Yehuda had to realize he could not be a Kohain. Yissocher had to know his role was to study Torah and not go into business, and Zevulun had to realize his role was to be involved in business for the purpose of supporting Torah. They all stood in unison and in mutual respect for the special role that each played in Klal Yisroel. Rav Frand distinguished between Chilukay Dayos and Machlokus. Chilukay Dayos is defined as honest, spirited, disagreement about the proper approach to Torah and Avodas Hashem, based on mutual respect, Achdus, and Ahavas Yisroel. Machlokus, Chas V’Shalom, is divisive, destructive, and full of Sinas Chinam. Referring to the recent heart-wrenching tragedy at Yeshivas Merkaz HaRav, Rav Frand read a list of the Gedolay Yisroel from every camp who came to Merkaz HaRav to the levaya of the eight Kedoshim, z’l. Isn’t it a shame, he noted, that only a tragedy of such a magnitude brings us together, rather than many joyful Torah accomplishments we could share!
We would again like to thank Mr.& Mrs. Schmidt and Mr. & Mrs. Laub, Rabbi Steinberg and YIQV, all our generous sponsor, and all those who attended for making the evening such a big success!
Shabbat Shalom!
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