Good Erev Shabbat to all!
As we approach Rosh Hashana, our students are being prepared for the Yom HaDin. According to beautiful Sephardic Minhag, the sounds of inspirational Selichot have reverberated throughout the halls of HAWQ all Chodesh Elul. We also are preparing of pre-Rosh Hashana visit to Coler-Goldwater Hospital on Roosevelt Island, creating lovely New Year cards for the residents.
HaRav Hecht, Shlita, shared an eye-opening insight with our students this week. He told us the sounds of the Shofar are a clear reminder of the entire Teshuvah process that we are all so deeply involved during this season. He explained that the first long Tekiah represents the pure, straight Neshama that Hashem bestows upon us at birth. As we go through life our Avairot "break-up" our pure Neshama and we "cry out" to Hashem for forgiveness. These are the broken sounds of the Shevarim and the crying sounds of the Teruah. Then when Hashem accepts our Teshuvah and wipes the slate clean, our Neshamot return to their original state of purity, as symbolized by the concluding Tekiah.
We at HAWQ wish everyone a Ketivah V’Chatima Tovah!
Shabbat Shalom!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
September 7, 2008 Newsletter
Good Erev Shabbat to all!
Baruch Hashem, the Kol Torah is once again echoing throughout the halls of HAWQ. It is a true pleasure to have all our Talmidim and Talmidot back together with us. Our ranks include a number of children who are joining us from Public School. May Hashem bless us with a year of much Hatzlachah and progess for each and every one of our wonderful students!
In this week’s Parasha, we find the restriction placed upon a Jewish King not to marry many wives. The Pasuk gives a reason: "Lest his heart be turned away" from serving Hashem. In Tanach, the Navi tells us that Shlomo HaMelech ignored this commandment and married hundreds of wives thinking that his vast Torah wisdom in his pure heart would protect him from being swayed away from Avodat Hashem. Of course, he he did this Leshaim Shomayim (for the sake of heaven). By marrying many women he hoped to spread the knowledge of Hashem throughout the world by converting them and bringing them under the wings of the Shechina. However, we are told in Sefer Malachim, that in his old age, Shlomo’s wives did succeed in swaying his heart towards other gods. Chazal are careful to explain that this is not to be taken literally, G-d Forbid. Rather, the fact that he allowed his wives to worship their gods and he did not stop them, was as if he himself worshipped foreign gods.
We see here an important lesson. If we have an opportunity to prevent someone from going on the wrong path and we stand idly by and do nothing, we are equally to blame for the transgression. It is our sacred obligation to do all within our power to bring that Neshama back to the path of Torah. As we begin another school year at HAWQ, we once again appeal to our friends and supporters, not to stand quietly on the sidelines, but to become our partners in bringing our precious students back to the Torah way of life. With the difficult economic times we face, the Yeshiva needs your support. As we prepare for Rosh Hashana during the Days of Elul, what bigger Zechut can we bring before Hashem than helping a Jewish child rediscover his Torah heritage!
Shabbat Shalom!
Baruch Hashem, the Kol Torah is once again echoing throughout the halls of HAWQ. It is a true pleasure to have all our Talmidim and Talmidot back together with us. Our ranks include a number of children who are joining us from Public School. May Hashem bless us with a year of much Hatzlachah and progess for each and every one of our wonderful students!
In this week’s Parasha, we find the restriction placed upon a Jewish King not to marry many wives. The Pasuk gives a reason: "Lest his heart be turned away" from serving Hashem. In Tanach, the Navi tells us that Shlomo HaMelech ignored this commandment and married hundreds of wives thinking that his vast Torah wisdom in his pure heart would protect him from being swayed away from Avodat Hashem. Of course, he he did this Leshaim Shomayim (for the sake of heaven). By marrying many women he hoped to spread the knowledge of Hashem throughout the world by converting them and bringing them under the wings of the Shechina. However, we are told in Sefer Malachim, that in his old age, Shlomo’s wives did succeed in swaying his heart towards other gods. Chazal are careful to explain that this is not to be taken literally, G-d Forbid. Rather, the fact that he allowed his wives to worship their gods and he did not stop them, was as if he himself worshipped foreign gods.
We see here an important lesson. If we have an opportunity to prevent someone from going on the wrong path and we stand idly by and do nothing, we are equally to blame for the transgression. It is our sacred obligation to do all within our power to bring that Neshama back to the path of Torah. As we begin another school year at HAWQ, we once again appeal to our friends and supporters, not to stand quietly on the sidelines, but to become our partners in bringing our precious students back to the Torah way of life. With the difficult economic times we face, the Yeshiva needs your support. As we prepare for Rosh Hashana during the Days of Elul, what bigger Zechut can we bring before Hashem than helping a Jewish child rediscover his Torah heritage!
Shabbat Shalom!
August 29 , 2008 Newsletter
Good Erev Shabbat to all!
We are excited as the first day of school approaches. We have enrolled new students and we are putting the final touches around the building for opening day. We begin this school year with a hearty Mazal Tov to Morah Miriam Kaikov upon her engagement. May she and her chatan be Zocheh to build a Bayit Neeman B'Yisrael!
In this week’s Parasha, the Torah emphasizes the Mitzvah of Tzedaka. We also find the famous Drasha of "Asar T’asar" regarding the giving of tithes. If we switch the dot on the "Seen" from the left side to the right, it becomes a "Sheen". Then the Pasuk can be read, "Asar T’ashar", that if you give Tzedaka, Hashem will repay you by making you wealthy. We generally think of this promised "wealth" as more money. I was generous with the money that Hashem has given me, so he blesses me with more. But perhaps we can broaden our understanding and interpret "wealth" in a spiritual sense.
Rabbi Paysach Krohn in his Sefer "The Reflections of the Maggid", tells a moving story about HaRav Shach, Tzazal. One day in his later years, he told his grandson that he needed to attend a funeral. It happened that the day was cold and rainy and his grandson tried to dissuade him from going out, but Rav Shach insisted. When they arrived at the funeral the grandson was astounded to discover that the Nifteres (departed one) was an elderly widow and there was barely a Minyan present. Why was this funeral so important to attend? Rav Shach explained to his grandson that when he a young Bechor of 12 years old he was attending a Yeshiva for very gifted students. The living conditions in the Yeshiva were extremely difficult, particularly in the cold of the winter. One day Rav Shach received a letter from his childless uncle who was a very successful blacksmith. He offered Rav Shach to come and work with him and eventually the whole business would be his. Why suffer under such poverty and hardship in the Yeshiva? Rav Shach was very tempted by this offer, as the harsh conditions that winter were wearing him down. It happened on that day that a young widow who had some extra heavy blankets came to the Yeshiva and donated them for the students, Rav Shach being one of the lucky recipients. Armed with his new blanket to give him warmth, Rav Shach opted to remain in the Yeshiva. Rav Shach explained that this was the pivotal moment of his life that propelled him into his lifetime study of Torah. This was the woman who had passed away and that was why he felt attended this funeral was so important. What an impact this woman’s small donation had on Rav Shach’s future and indeed the future of all Klal Yisroel.
When one gives a few dollars to a Yeshiva we do not know what impact that will have on the future. One Neshama that is saved from Public School could end up being a leader of Klal Yisroel! Please be our partners in beginning the school year on a strong note. We have done recruitment and small renovations over the summer. Your help is crucial to the children’s success. A small investment of Tzedaka can often yield big dividends in the spiritual world!
Shabbat Shalom!
We are excited as the first day of school approaches. We have enrolled new students and we are putting the final touches around the building for opening day. We begin this school year with a hearty Mazal Tov to Morah Miriam Kaikov upon her engagement. May she and her chatan be Zocheh to build a Bayit Neeman B'Yisrael!
In this week’s Parasha, the Torah emphasizes the Mitzvah of Tzedaka. We also find the famous Drasha of "Asar T’asar" regarding the giving of tithes. If we switch the dot on the "Seen" from the left side to the right, it becomes a "Sheen". Then the Pasuk can be read, "Asar T’ashar", that if you give Tzedaka, Hashem will repay you by making you wealthy. We generally think of this promised "wealth" as more money. I was generous with the money that Hashem has given me, so he blesses me with more. But perhaps we can broaden our understanding and interpret "wealth" in a spiritual sense.
Rabbi Paysach Krohn in his Sefer "The Reflections of the Maggid", tells a moving story about HaRav Shach, Tzazal. One day in his later years, he told his grandson that he needed to attend a funeral. It happened that the day was cold and rainy and his grandson tried to dissuade him from going out, but Rav Shach insisted. When they arrived at the funeral the grandson was astounded to discover that the Nifteres (departed one) was an elderly widow and there was barely a Minyan present. Why was this funeral so important to attend? Rav Shach explained to his grandson that when he a young Bechor of 12 years old he was attending a Yeshiva for very gifted students. The living conditions in the Yeshiva were extremely difficult, particularly in the cold of the winter. One day Rav Shach received a letter from his childless uncle who was a very successful blacksmith. He offered Rav Shach to come and work with him and eventually the whole business would be his. Why suffer under such poverty and hardship in the Yeshiva? Rav Shach was very tempted by this offer, as the harsh conditions that winter were wearing him down. It happened on that day that a young widow who had some extra heavy blankets came to the Yeshiva and donated them for the students, Rav Shach being one of the lucky recipients. Armed with his new blanket to give him warmth, Rav Shach opted to remain in the Yeshiva. Rav Shach explained that this was the pivotal moment of his life that propelled him into his lifetime study of Torah. This was the woman who had passed away and that was why he felt attended this funeral was so important. What an impact this woman’s small donation had on Rav Shach’s future and indeed the future of all Klal Yisroel.
When one gives a few dollars to a Yeshiva we do not know what impact that will have on the future. One Neshama that is saved from Public School could end up being a leader of Klal Yisroel! Please be our partners in beginning the school year on a strong note. We have done recruitment and small renovations over the summer. Your help is crucial to the children’s success. A small investment of Tzedaka can often yield big dividends in the spiritual world!
Shabbat Shalom!
August 22 , 2008 Newsletter
Good Erev Shabbat to all!
We are extremely proud of our Summer Learning Center that opened for the first time here at HAWQ. All told 10 young men spent part of the vacation time in Torah learning! We covered in depth over two Dapim of Gemara Berachot, as well as many Perakim of inspiring stories in Malachim Bet. We hope to expand this successful program next summer.
In this week’s Parsha, Parashat Aikev, is written the second paragraph of Kriat Shema. I saw a profound thought in Rav Dovid Goldwasser’s sefer brought in the name of Rav Avigdor Miller, Tzatzal. He asks, why does the Torah say "and it will be if you listen to my Mitzvot…" (V’ Haya Im Shemoa)? Should not our receiving reward depend on performing the Mitzvot, not merely listening to them? Rav Miller answers that taking action is not always in our hands. We cannot always achieve the results that we wish. However, we are commanded to listen to Hashem’s commandments and try our very best to fulfill them and on that basis Hashem will judge us. Rav Goldwasser quotes the Halacha that if a man marries a woman on the condition that he is a complete Tzaddik, even if we discover later that he is not a Tzaddik, the marriage is still valid. Why? We assume that at the time of the Chupah his thoughts were those of complete Teshuvah and therefore at that moment he was a complete Tzaddik. This is true even though those thoughts never completely materialized into action.
Sometimes in Chinuch, particularly in a Yeshiva such as ours, we are often frustrated that we put in much effort and have high aspiration for our students, and our goals are sometimes not achieved. We spend months recruiting public school students and, in the end, they remain in Public School, Rachmana Litzlan. We try to build up our graduates to go to Yeshiva High Schools and they choose otherwise. We see from Rav Miller’s beautiful thought that is our job to try our best and when we do, we receive credit as if it was accomplished. Hashem’s ways are great and very often even when you think you have failed, you find out later that you had tremendous success! Many a student who we thought went off to Public School and left a life a Torah forever, we will find out later was inspired to return to Yiddishkeit because of that spark we implanted in them many years before.
Speaking of the second paragraph of Kriat Shema, the Rabbis point out that the first paragraph is written in the singular, while the second paragraph is written in the plural. This is to remind us that every Jew has not only an individual responsibility to the Torah, but a communal one as well. With the opening of school right around the corner, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters for making our Yeshiva possible, and to invite them to renew their support for the coming year. Become our partners in bringing a Torah education to the children of our community!
Shabbat Shalom!
We are extremely proud of our Summer Learning Center that opened for the first time here at HAWQ. All told 10 young men spent part of the vacation time in Torah learning! We covered in depth over two Dapim of Gemara Berachot, as well as many Perakim of inspiring stories in Malachim Bet. We hope to expand this successful program next summer.
In this week’s Parsha, Parashat Aikev, is written the second paragraph of Kriat Shema. I saw a profound thought in Rav Dovid Goldwasser’s sefer brought in the name of Rav Avigdor Miller, Tzatzal. He asks, why does the Torah say "and it will be if you listen to my Mitzvot…" (V’ Haya Im Shemoa)? Should not our receiving reward depend on performing the Mitzvot, not merely listening to them? Rav Miller answers that taking action is not always in our hands. We cannot always achieve the results that we wish. However, we are commanded to listen to Hashem’s commandments and try our very best to fulfill them and on that basis Hashem will judge us. Rav Goldwasser quotes the Halacha that if a man marries a woman on the condition that he is a complete Tzaddik, even if we discover later that he is not a Tzaddik, the marriage is still valid. Why? We assume that at the time of the Chupah his thoughts were those of complete Teshuvah and therefore at that moment he was a complete Tzaddik. This is true even though those thoughts never completely materialized into action.
Sometimes in Chinuch, particularly in a Yeshiva such as ours, we are often frustrated that we put in much effort and have high aspiration for our students, and our goals are sometimes not achieved. We spend months recruiting public school students and, in the end, they remain in Public School, Rachmana Litzlan. We try to build up our graduates to go to Yeshiva High Schools and they choose otherwise. We see from Rav Miller’s beautiful thought that is our job to try our best and when we do, we receive credit as if it was accomplished. Hashem’s ways are great and very often even when you think you have failed, you find out later that you had tremendous success! Many a student who we thought went off to Public School and left a life a Torah forever, we will find out later was inspired to return to Yiddishkeit because of that spark we implanted in them many years before.
Speaking of the second paragraph of Kriat Shema, the Rabbis point out that the first paragraph is written in the singular, while the second paragraph is written in the plural. This is to remind us that every Jew has not only an individual responsibility to the Torah, but a communal one as well. With the opening of school right around the corner, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters for making our Yeshiva possible, and to invite them to renew their support for the coming year. Become our partners in bringing a Torah education to the children of our community!
Shabbat Shalom!
August 15, 2008 Newsletter
Good Erev Shabbat to all!
This week in our Summer Learning Center, we learned a Gemara that contains an important and valuable insight into interpersonal relationships, and, in particular, the teacher-student dynamic in the classroom. The Gemara is found in Berachot 36a. The Gemara there is discussing a dispute over the proper Bracha recited before eating palm shoots. The dialogue is between Shmuel and his disciple Rav Yehuda, to whom he lovingly refers as "Sharp One" (Shinina). After bringing arguments back and forth the Gemara concludes that "even though Shmuel praised Rav Yehuda for his position on this matter, the Halacha accords with Shmuel." What a tremendous lesson! Even when a child (or for that matter any person) gives a wrong answer, it is an opportunity to build him up. It is chance to validate his thought process and to make him feel that his opinion is taken seriously and, indeed, has contributed to us arriving at the correct conclusion in the end.
It is often quoted in the name of Rav Pam, Tzatzal, that there are two ways to "acquire" a student. Through two Kinyanim (means of acquiring). First there is"Meshicha", bringing him close, and then "Hagbaah", lifting him up.
As the new school year approaches, let us all try to remember the lesson of Shmuel in the Gemara in Brachot. Let us search for every avenue to raise our students’ self-esteem and self-confidence, so they can reach new heights in learning and character development in the coming year!
Shabbat Shalom!
This week in our Summer Learning Center, we learned a Gemara that contains an important and valuable insight into interpersonal relationships, and, in particular, the teacher-student dynamic in the classroom. The Gemara is found in Berachot 36a. The Gemara there is discussing a dispute over the proper Bracha recited before eating palm shoots. The dialogue is between Shmuel and his disciple Rav Yehuda, to whom he lovingly refers as "Sharp One" (Shinina). After bringing arguments back and forth the Gemara concludes that "even though Shmuel praised Rav Yehuda for his position on this matter, the Halacha accords with Shmuel." What a tremendous lesson! Even when a child (or for that matter any person) gives a wrong answer, it is an opportunity to build him up. It is chance to validate his thought process and to make him feel that his opinion is taken seriously and, indeed, has contributed to us arriving at the correct conclusion in the end.
It is often quoted in the name of Rav Pam, Tzatzal, that there are two ways to "acquire" a student. Through two Kinyanim (means of acquiring). First there is"Meshicha", bringing him close, and then "Hagbaah", lifting him up.
As the new school year approaches, let us all try to remember the lesson of Shmuel in the Gemara in Brachot. Let us search for every avenue to raise our students’ self-esteem and self-confidence, so they can reach new heights in learning and character development in the coming year!
Shabbat Shalom!
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