Good Erev Shabbat to all!
We have completed another week of accomplishment and summer fun here at HAWQ. Our Summer Learning Center went on a bowling trip Thursday as a reward for the extra special learning throughout the past few weeks. Next Wednesday,our program will be moving to Roosevelt Island for the day to visit with the Jewish patients at Coler-Goldwater Hospital, B'Ezrat Hashem. We will be joined by our esteemed Menahel, Rabbi Haim Alcabes, who is the chaplain at the facility. Also, on Wednesday, the girls' division of our Summer Recruitment Program will feature a special 9 Days project at HAWQ for Public School 5th and 6th grade girls. Finally, we are having a 9 Days Workshop Reunion for all the current HAWQ girls at the Yeshiva this Sunday, coordinated by Miss Esther Froimowitz, who has generously volunteered her time to both suggest and run this worthwhile program. Thank you Miss Froimowitz!
We continue to appeal for your support of our summer recruitment efforts by being a sponsor for these events, at $150 per event. Particularly during this period of mourning for the Beit HaMikdash, join us in the Zchut of saving one of these precious Jewish Neshamas by bringing them into the Yeshiva!
The Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Leibowitz, Tzatzal, asks in his Sefer "The Majesty of Man" on the the Midrash quoted by Rashi in the beginning of this week’s Parasha. The Midrash compares Hashem’s recounting of our travels in the Midbar to a father who took his ill son on a journey to find a cure for his malady. After successful treatment, on their return trip, the father recalls the difficulties they had faced at each stop, filled with joy that the illness has been overcome and the pain and suffering is now a distant memory. Asks the Rosh Yeshiva, what’s the comparison? The Klal Yisrael rebelled against Hashem in these locations. They were not innocent victims of an illness! Surely, recalling these incidents of ingratitude could only be painful and a source of anger and disappointment, K’viyachol, to the Ribono Shel Olam. The Rosh Yeshiva answers that in Hashem’s abundant love for the Klal Yisrael, he views their rebellious behavior, as a "temporary illness." Difficult circumstances clouded their judgement and they acted inapproprately. In this light, they deserved Hashem’s sympathy and love, not anger.
When we are involved with children, it is important to emulate Hashem. Of course, there are many occasions when children act inappropriately and require harsh discipline. However, we must always be on guard not to take their disrespectful attitude and disruptive behavior personally. We must realize, as the Rosh Yeshiva phrases it, that they are suffering from a "temporary illness." Although we cannot hesitate to take action to "cure" that illness, we must do so only with love and sympathy, and not anger and resentment. In the end they will perceive the difference, and it will enhance how they will respond to our discipline. As our esteemed Mashgiach Ruchani, HaRav Hecht, Shlita (himself a close disciple for many decades of the Rosh Yeshiva) often says, "How do you show your students that you really love them? You must train yourself to truly love them! Viewing their difficult behavior with the Rosh Yeshiva’s insight is an excellent tool towards achieving that goal
Shabbat Shalom!
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