For much of my youth, my parents, siblings, and I had the distinct privilege of spending Pesach with my grandparents, Yehuda & Chana Friedman Z”L. It was easily the highlight of our year. We’d pack up the station wagon and head to their home in Washington, D.C., where the rolling hills of Shepherd’s Park were painted with blooming tulips and the soft pink hues of cherry blossoms. It was a break from school, a chance to unwind – but more than anything, it was a time to be together as a family.
Walking into their home on Erev Pesach, you were immediately embraced by the aroma of Yom Tov – the kitchen buzzing with activity, the warmth of tradition filling every corner. My grandparents were always a team, especially in the kitchen. They prepared the charoses and other Seder staples with quiet coordination and a sense of calm. There was no frenzy, just a steady, loving rhythm as they set the stage for the Seder.
And the Seder – that was the moment we all waited for.
Both of my grandparents were Holocaust survivors. You might have expected them to lead the Seder with personal stories of escape and survival, to draw parallels between their own Exodus from captivity and the one we read about in the Haggadah. But they rarely went there. Instead, they sat at the head of the table, content and radiant, simply basking in the nachas of their children and grandchildren. That was their Geulah.
They listened as we shared divrei Torah, chuckled along when the inevitable Seder giggles erupted, and played along with the kids as they hid the Afikoman. The Seder wasn’t heavy or intense, it was warm and
joyful. Long divrei Torah were replaced by short, creative insights. There was room for everyone, especially the youngest voices. My grandmother would serve each dish with care, her eyes lighting up at every compliment. The joy on our faces as we ate was her way of remembering, reaching back to her childhood in Mád, Hungary, while gently drawing her children and grandchildren into that world through the love she poured into every dish. They didn’t dwell on the past. They didn’t ignore it either, but they refused to be weighed down by it. When they did speak of their journey, it was always with an unmistakable tone of gratitude to Hashem. I must have heard it a hundred times: “Who would have believed I’d still be here, surrounded by this family?”
The one moment my grandfather’s voice would tremble was during Hallel, as he reached the words: “
“We are not capable of thanking You enough.” It was more than just words; it was the heartbeat of his story.
They taught me that the Seder isn’t about intense Divrei Torah or heavy-handed lessons. It’s about presence. About appreciating your family and cherishing your heritage. It’s about sitting around a table – alive, connected, celebrating the simple, profound miracle of still being here.
Because הדמעש איהו – through every generation, Hashem stands by us. We are not defined by victimhood. We are defined by resilience. And every year, at every Seder, we pass that resilience on.
Wishing everyone a peaceful Shabbos and beautiful Yom Tov!
Aaron M. Friedman
your: community events,
& photos, and mazal tovs to editor@baltimorejewishhome.com to be featured in coming editions!
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Around the Community
Baltimore Family Inspires Bat Mitzvah Celebration For IDF Daughters
In Yerushalayim
ABy: BJLife Newsroom | Photos: Sharon Altshul
special moment of joy and solidarity recently unfolded in Yerushalayim as nine girls celebrated their Bat Mitzvah celebrations in a powerful ceremony arranged by the nonprofit organization Our People. The girls, whose fathers have been serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) since the outbreak of war on October 7, were honored in a moving group ceremony during an incredibly challenging time for their families.
The event, held at Yerushalayim’s Ramban Synagogue located in the German Colony, was made possible thanks to a family in Baltimore who were exploring a meaningful Bat Mitzvah opportunity for their daughter, who was turning 12. They learned about Our People and the incredible work it does. They proposed partnering with Our People to create a meaningful Bat Mitzvah event for multiple Israeli girls who have endured so much since the beginning of the war.
Within weeks, friends and family from all over joined in to support this worthy cause. The nine Israeli Bat Mitzvah girls, all aged 12, came from various parts of Israel. Each had a father who had been called up to serve in the IDF since the war began. For many of these families, the absence of their fathers during such a critical and difficult time has been a source of deep emotional strain. The Bat Mitzvah event, however, offered a moment of respite and joy.
The celebration included a Hafrashas Challah ceremony, lively dancing, gifts for the girls and their mothers, a shared sense of camaraderie and support, and a full dinner.
Our People, a Jerusalem nonprofit originally established after the war in Ukraine to assist in the absorption and Jewish identity programming for Russian-speaking families, has utilized its considerable war experience to provide financial, social, and emotional support to Israeli children and families affected by the ongoing war. This was the 10th group Bar and Bat Mitzvah event organized by Our People this year.
Leah Aharoni, Executive Director of Our People, spoke about the significance of the group Bat Mitzvah. “In times of crisis, it’s easy for the needs of children to be overlooked,” she said. “But these girls are stepping into adulthood without their fathers by their sides. This celebration was a way to affirm their strength, resilience, and their place in the Jewish community. It was an honor for Our People to be part of this important milestone in their lives.”
The event was attended by family members, community leaders, and supporters from across Israel. Each of the girls received a special gift from Our People, a symbolic gesture of connection and solidarity during a time of great national struggle.
Each mother of a Bat Mitzvah girl had a chance to share a few words with her daughter during the event. One mother’s words were particularly inspiring:
“Look around the room and always remember that Am Yisrael is a small nation but one big family with one Neshama. You are privileged to be a part of that family.
In this room, you are surrounded by true superheroes—the real Chashmona’im of today. These champions and their families are fighting for our existence in Israel and around the whole world.
Now, as you become a Bas Mitzvah, we give you a bracha that you should always feel proud and special to be part of Am Yisrael. You should continue to do lots of chessed and give Nachas to your parents and Hashem in everything you do.
And may we all see the return of all the hostages, the safe return of all our Chayalim, and Mashiach Tzidkeinu very soon!
Am Yisrael Chai! Mazel Tov!”
As the evening came to a close, the girls and their families expressed deep gratitude for the event, which not only marked a new chapter in their lives but also served as a reminder of the strength and resilience of the Israeli
people in the face of adversity.
“This is a moment of light, a sign that even in dark times, there is hope,” said one of the Bat Mitzvah girls “We will remember this day forever.”
BJL was honored to be present and see the smiles on the Bat Mitzvah girls’ faces, along with the seminary girls who came to help and serve the meal. It was truly a momentous occasion.
Around the Community
Tragic Awakening Screening Sparks Powerful Conversation In Baltimore
By: Karen Largman
The Beth Tfiloh Mintzes Theater was filled with a captivated audience for the screening of Aseret’s new documentary, Tragic Awakening. The film explores antisemitism’s roots through the story of a Syrian/Lebanese woman. Rawan Osman, who was raised in a Hezbollah stronghold in Lebanon, portrays the harsh realities she experienced under Hezbollah’s rule.
After experiencing Israel for herself, Osman’s eyes were opened to a different reality, and she has since become a strong advocate for Israel and the Jewish people. The event was co-sponsored by Beth Tfiloh and the Baltimore Zionist District, together with community sponsors Shomrei Emunah, Ner Tamid, Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion, and FIDF Maryland.
Rabbi Nitzan Bergman, Director of Aseret Global, the diaspora division of the Aseret movement, which produced the film in partnership with Raphael Shore, opened the evening. He explained that the Aseret movement is devoted to realigning the Jewish people with our mission and purpose based on the covenantal principles of the Ten Commandments.
Joking that he would not speak for as long as Senator Corey Booker, he said that as a Jew, he feels his message and the message of the evening were just as important. He said,
“A significant change happened in Jewish history on Simchat Torah 5784, Oct 7, 2023. About fifteen years ago, I was driving on a Sunday to shul
for mincha with my son Yaacov. We arrived at the four-way stop, on the corner of Labyrinth and Fallstaff, at pretty much the same time as another car from another direction. I decided to go first. The driver in the other car was not happy; he chased closely behind us, and when I pulled in to park next to the shul, he pulled up beside us, rolled down his window, and said, “Hitler should have finished the job.” As shocking as it was, he was an outlier; neither I nor my son had ever experienced something like it. We wrote him off as crazy. We can’t do that anymore.
Rabbi Bergman continued,
“Antisemitism forces us to confront a lot of issues. Our safety? Our future? How to debunk and reeducate antisemites? These are all important issues, but they are not why I am here, and they are not why we made the film. I am here because, as the object of hate, we are forced to ask a very self-effacing question: Who are we? What is it about us that they hate? The answer the film is going to provide is profound. It’s daunting. And most surprisingly, it’s actually inspiring.”
After the screening, Rabbi Bergman offered more reflections:
“We are good. We are the people of light. It’s very simple: Light and darkness, good and evil, are constantly before us. Our purpose, humanity’s purpose, is to make the world a place of light, a place of good, and rid it of darkness and evil. The Jewish mission is to lead this effort. The Oct 7 wakeup call is that we can do better, no, we
can be great. Antisemites hate Jews because of our mission. Some antisemites don’t want a better world; they love darkness; these are the sociopaths and psychopaths of our world. The people who can’t tell between heaven and hell. Some people hate us because our very presence reminds them of what they are unwilling to face. Unwilling to take responsibility for themselves, they project their frustration back onto us. Then there are those who hate us because they hate our G-d. They resist the idea of Divine authority and the truths we represent. They want to rule the world.
The war we are in is on all fronts, and it has to be fought on all fronts. The front we are all fighting on, 24/7, is the front of light and darkness. This is, perhaps, the most important battle. Simply put - this is a battle over Sinai - they don’t want it and we need to uphold it.”
He concluded by referencing his book Shining Our Light 10XStronger: The Jewish Mission and explaining the importance of returning to our foundations and viewing our role through the lens of the Ten Commandments.
“Sometimes it feels like a mountain over our heads. No one said it would
Breaking: Senator Dalya Attar’s Hatzalah Bill Passes Full General Assembly Unanimously
By: BJLife Newsroom
Senator Dalya Attar’s groundbreaking legislation, SB 1030, allowing Hatzalah volunteers’ personal vehicles to use emergency lights, has successfully passed the full General Assembly with unanimous support.
The bill, which previously passed the Senate unanimously, has now cleared both chambers and has been sent to the Governor’s desk for his
signature. This critical development marks a significant step forward in enhancing the efficiency and safety of Hatzalah’s life-saving services.
Senator Attar’s exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to the community were instrumental in guiding this bill through the legislative process. Her advocacy ensures that Hatzalah volunteers can respond more effectively to emergencies, providing
crucial care when every second counts.
Senator Attar states: “I am grateful for my colleagues’ support for this important legislation, and I want to thank co-sponsors Senator Hettleman and Delegate Stein for their work on it.”
The community awaits the Governor’s signature to officially make this vital legislation law.
be easy. But it’s meaningful. It’s the ultimate meaning. It’s the light that will eventually win over their darkness.”
The evening continued with a Q&A with Rawan Osman, whose personal journey adds depth to the film’s themes. She shared her insights on the powerful messages within Tragic Awakening. Her unique background and experiences provided a vital perspective, enriching the following discussion. Rabbi Chai Posner further guided the conversation, helping attendees unpack the film’s significance in today’s world. Audience members were then allowed to ask questions and express their reactions to the film’s emotional and intellectual impact.
The event was a resounding success. For many, it was the first time they had learned about anti-Semitism in this way. When asked how the film was, Mrs. Sharon Benus, mother of Beth Tfiloh’s chair elect, Avi, responded that she was apprehensive coming to the film, but she’s actually leaving inspired.
Aseret plans on organizing many more screenings and follow-up discussions around antisemitism and the Jewish mission for the community.
MILLIONS OF SOULS AN ETERNAL FLAME
LIKRAS distributes thousands of candles every Erev Shabbos throughout Israel, rekindling sparks. Reminding Jews from all walks of life, that beneath all the layers, their pintele yid shines bright.
Over 700 holy woman, who volunteer of their precious time every Erev Shabbos, hand out beautiful candle packets to all passersby. One little flame, one tremendous impact.
Around the Community
It’s A Taub Pesach Tradition!
By: Margie Pensak for BJL
Yiddishe nachas! That is the phrase that came to mind as I watched a dozen of HaRav and Rebbetzin Taub’s grandchildren from New York working away (while obviously having fun!) to help them get ready for Pesach.
For the past 15 years, the Taubs’ grandchildren – high school age and up -- have divided the labor. The girls scrub away inside the house, while the boys bake matzah in the woodburning “matzah bakery” oven located outdoors on the premises of Congregation Arugas Habosem.
This year, 5 grandsons and 7 granddaughters (clad in cute bright orange tee shirts) made the trip to Baltimore in a Sprinter that left 3 a.m. Sunday morning from Monroe, New York. It made one stop in Williamsburg, where cousins from there and Bedford Hills hopped on.
“They won’t leave until the house is clean and I can open up the Pesach kitchen door,” shares Rebbetzin Taub with pride.
Matzah baking started at the shul in 1951, by HaRav Shaye Taub’s father, HaRav Amram Taub, zt’l. Recalls the Rebbetzin, “I have photos of my father-in-law and Mr. [Jack] Boehm standing at the table in aprons, rolling out the dough.”
Yeshivas Toras Simcha Bakes Matzo
The preschool boys in Yeshivas Toras Simcha had a very exciting in school field trip. Rabbi Raices came to YTS to show the boys a matzo
baking demonstration. The boys got to separate and grind the flour from the wheat stalk, helped to make the dough, roll out their own matzos, roll the matzos with holes and
watch them bake in a special oven. Because the matzo were actually chometz, the boys also got to eat their delicious matzos!!
Around the Community
Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah
Hosts Inspiring Community Shiur by Harav Gershon Ribner, Shlita, to Launch Yeshivas Bein HaZmanim
By: BJLife Newsroom
This past Sunday, Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah had the Zechus of hosting a community Shiur on Inyanei Pesach to kick off its highly acclaimed Yeshivas Bein HaZmanim.
Hundreds of Bachurim, Yungerleit, and Baalei Batim crowded into the main Beis Medrash to hear the Shiur and Divrei Chizuk given by Harav Gershon Ribner Shlit”a, one of the senior Maggidei Shiur in Beis Medrash Govoha (BMG) of Lakewood.
Rav Ribner gave a novel approach to understand the requirement on Leil HaSeder of:
— That one must see himself as if he left Mitzrayim.
He also spoke about the difference between the spiritual cleansing of this time of year versus the Yomim Noraim.
Everyone in attendance left with a deeper appreciation of the focus on Yetzias Mitzrayim and its relevance to our lives!
Yeshivas Ner Yisrael: Bein Hazmanim Back On Campus
By: BJLife Newsroom
Over 50 first, second and third year alumni of Mechinas Ner Yisroel came back to their Bais Medrash for a day of learning and reconnecting with their Rebbeim and chaverim.
The bochurim heard shiurim on Pesach from Harav Yosef Neuberger and Harav Yehuda Weiner. At lunch, Harav Simcha Cook and Harav Boruch Neuberger shared Divrei Bracha.
Two Choshuv Speakers Come To Yeshivas Toras Simcha
Recently, the 5th through 8th grade Bochurim of Yeshivas Toras Simcha, heard beautiful Divrei Torah and Divrei Brocho from two Rabbonim. Rabbi Avraham Halevi Schorr, Rav of Congregation Nezer Gedalyahu, NY spoke to the Bochurim about how much one can attain and grow during the month of Adar. Two weeks later, the Bochurim were zoche to hear from Rabbi Shaya Kohn, Rov of Ahavas Chaim, who shared insights and depth on the sugya of “Chessed, Giving to others really simultaneously gives to oneself”.
Sunday, March 30 - Sunday, April 27
BREAKFAST SERVED THROUGHOUT BEIN HAZMANIM
AGUDATH ISRAEL OF BALTIMORE
Around the Community
WITS Career Mentorship Program
Launching the spring semester with enthusiasm, WITS kicked off its annual Career Mentorship Program. This initiative aims to forge connections between students, alumnae, and community members, facilitating career success for students. The program fosters networking opportunities, enhances career readiness skills, and offers invaluable insights into various fields, particularly as frum women. It is also a platform for alumnae to give back and empower the next generation.
A big thank you to all our dedicated mentors: Rivka Alyeshmerni, Rosa Bennett, Chedva Berdy, Adina Burstyn, Miriam Freidman, Shoshana Freund, Ahuva Goldstein, Sheina Hollander, Yehudis Jager, Baila Langer, Sara Loloyan, Zipporah Neuman, Sarah Ohsie, Shira Pepper, Shira Rabinowitz, Ahuva Radzyner, Pessie Rappaport, Aliza Shugarman, Chevy Silberstein, Ruchoma Skurnick, Sara Tendler, Chaya Bracha Waldbaum, Yael Weiss, Shaindel Wise, and Shalva Zellis.
OCA Middle School Students Participate In Robotics Tournament
This year marked the launch of OCA’s Middle School Robotics Club, and what a fantastic debut it was! After months of building, programming, and testing their robots, our students had the opportunity to compete in a national robotics tournament in New York
City. Hosted by The Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE), the competition brought together hundreds of teams from Jewish Day Schools across the country.
The challenge this year was called “Rapid Relay” (designed by Vex),
HIRINGHIRING
Elementary School
2nd/3rd Grade Assistant Position PT/FT Starting a er Pesach through the end of the year
and it required teams to build robots capable of launching balls into one of four goals—aiming for the highest possible score by making as many goals as possible in 60-second qualifying rounds. Our students put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test, first competing in regional tournaments before heading to the national championship on March 31 at the Fort Washington Armory in Manhattan. With over 700 students in attendance, the energy was electric!
While our teams just missed the top 20 which advance to the final
rounds before a winner is determined, one of them secured an impressive 24th place out of 70 for their division! What a remarkable achievement for our first year! More importantly, they demonstrated teamwork, perseverance, and resourcefulness throughout the process.
We are incredibly proud of our robotics teams and their dedication. This inaugural season was just the beginning, and we can’t wait to continue learning, building, and competing in the years to come!
The Huddle
Baltimore Chesed League By Columbia Group Final Banquet – A Night Of Reflection, Inspiration, And Celebration
The Baltimore Chesed League (BCL) held its annual final banquet at Suburban Orthodox, bringing together boys and coaches from all 23 teams for a night of celebration, inspiration, and recognition. The evening was filled with gratitude, reflection on the season, and a shared commitment to the core values of chesed that define the league.
A Warm Welcome and Delicious Dinner
The program kicked off with a warm welcome from the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Zevi Daniel, who expressed thanks to the league’s sponsors, coaches, committee members, and the 157 participants who made the season a success. The banquet’s atmosphere was warm and inviting, with all attendees – from the young participants to their dedicated coaches – enjoying a delicious dinner that showcased the culinary talents of master chef Jon Kaplan. The menu featured an array of mouthwatering dishes, including hot dogs, poppers, and pulled beef, a hearty feast that satisfied everyone after a season of hard work and dedication.
Words of Inspiration and Gratitude
Zevi Daniel also took a moment to recognize the final banquet sponsors, Tactic Therapy and Pricebusters, for their generous support. He also gave special mention to BCL Executive Director, Mrs. Michelle Rakovsky, for the countless hours she put in this year behind the scenes, ensuring the season would be a tremendous success. His heartfelt gratitude set the tone for the evening’s inspiring program.
BCL’s Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor, Rabbi Shmuel Silber, then took the stage, delivering a powerful message to the attendees. Rabbi Silber drew a deep connection between the BCL banquet and the upcoming holiday of Pesach, highlighting the timing of the event as a poignant reminder of the meaning of true freedom. Rabbi Silber explained that true freedom is not just about personal liberation but about the ability to give of one’s time and efforts to help others.
His words resonated deeply with the boys, reinforcing the central message of BCL — that acts of chesed are key to personal growth and the betterment of the community.
Recognizing “Above and Beyond” Acts of Chesed
League Commissioner Dovi Ziffer spoke next, acknowledging several boys who went “above and beyond” throughout the season. These boys were recognized for their self-directed acts of chesed, which included teams volunteering to pick up lawn signs from past community campaigns, boys helping organize and beautify local shuls, and others who stayed after their scheduled activities to bury shaimos in the cemetery, ensuring that the task was completed with respect and care. To honor these exceptional acts, prizes were awarded, sponsored by Chesapeake Urology and Union Bridge Family Dentistry, further encouraging the spirit of kindness and community involvement.
Coach Ben Gutman’s Heartfelt Speech
Next, Coach Ben Gutman addressed the crowd, sharing his thoughts and personal experiences. He spoke about the pride he felt for his team, particularly reflecting on a special moment during the season when his boys volunteered at Sterling Care, a local nursing home. Initially apprehensive, the boys overcame their hesitation and embraced the opportunity with open hearts. They not only rose to the challenge but excelled, interacting with the residents in a way that made them feel like superstars. Coach Gutman was moved by the boys’ growth and compassion, and shared with the audience that, inspired by their positive experience, they volunteered to return to Sterling Care after the season had concluded. His words exemplified the transformative power of chesed in the lives of the boys.
Fun and Engaging BCL Trivia
To bring some lighthearted fun to the evening, the boys participated in a lively game of “BCL Trivia,” hosted via the popular platform Kahoot!.
The competition was fierce, but in the end, Team Pikesville Remodeling emerged victorious, taking home prizes for their efforts. The trivia game provided a perfect way to reflect on the season’s highlights in an enjoyable and engaging manner, bringing smiles and laughter to the crowd.
A Sweet Conclusion
As the night drew to a close, a dessert of ice cream was served, allowing everyone to relax and unwind while watching a slideshow that celebrated the boys’ accomplishments throughout the 2025 season. The slideshow served as a reminder of the hard work, teamwork, and kindness that defined their year, with clips of the boys participating in various community service activities and bonding with their teammates.
Closing Reflections
The evening concluded with bentching, followed by Maariv. As
the boys gathered together in unity, they were reminded of the incredible impact their actions had on others during the season. The BCL community’s commitment to chesed was not just an activity but a way of life. Rabbi Silber’s words of inspiration echoed in their hearts, and with a final message of motivation, the boys left the banquet inspired to take all they had learned during the 2025 season into their everyday lives.
The BCL final banquet was a fitting end to another successful season of camaraderie, kindness, and community service. With so many inspiring moments, it was clear that the boys who participated in the league are young men dedicated to making a positive difference in the world around them.
As the season wraps up, the spirit of the Baltimore Chesed League will continue to thrive, one act of chesed at a time.
Safety Tips for the Three-Day Yom Tov: Focus on Ventilation and Appliance Use
Yom Tov, unlike Shabbos, permits the kindling of a flame from a preexisting one. This means that you can cook using your stove, as long as the flame was lit before the commencement of Yom Tov. However, this presents certain safety concerns.
Leaving your stove on over Yom Tov requires careful consideration.
In such cases, it’s vital to ensure proper ventilation. If your stove is powered by gas, carbon monoxide - a deadly, odorless gas - can accumulate in your home if the room isn’t well-ventilated. The best way to mitigate this risk is to leave a window partially open near the stove, which will allow fresh air to circulate. You can also use an exhaust fan to expel any gases from the kitchen area. While it’s important to conserve energy, your safety and the safety of your family should always be your top priority.
In addition, please make sure not to block your oven vents which can be located under the bottom of the cooktop back splash or part of the left or right cooktop burner.
Chag Sameach
AGUDATH ISRAEL OF BALTIMORE
דעומה לוח הלכ יחרי
CONTEMPORARY KASHRUS QUESTIONS
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
LAB-GROWN MEAT: FLEISHIG, PAREVE - OR TREIF?
MODERN-DAY MILK: IS OUR MILK SUPPLY KOSHER?
WHISKY AND SPIRITS: DOES THE BARREL MATTER?
KITNIYOS : DOES QUINOA COUNT?
Each day’s topic is an independent subject
8:00 AM Shacharis, followed by Breakfast 10:00 AM Seder
Mareh Mekomos will be provided. Bring your own chavrusah, or we can provide a chavrusah. 11:10-11:40 AM Shiur by HaRav Mordechai Frankel א“טילש
LOCATION: AGUDATH ISRAEL OF BALTIMORE 6200 PARK HEIGHTS AVENUE
Shiurim sponsored
Breakfast sponsored by the Gibber family
Greater Washington: Around the Community
Yeshiva of Greater Washington Boys Division Hosts Substance Abuse Awareness Program
For The Yeshiva of Greater Washington’s Boys Division hosted a critical mental health, wellness, and substance abuse prevention program. The event was organized by Communities Confronting Substance Abuse (CCSA), a division of Ohel, and aimed at educating students about the dangers of alcohol and drug use while also fostering open communication about these important topics.
The program emphasized the significant role that early education plays in preventing substance abuse. Experts in prevention education spoke to the students about the harmful effects of various substances, offering valuable insights into the risks they pose. The overarching message was clear: prevention education, when delivered early and often, can strengthen protective factors that reduce the likelihood of future substance-related issues.
The students were encouraged to understand that addiction is not an isolated issue; it impacts both their community and the broader society. This made it even more essential for students to feel comfortable engaging in open conversations about substance use.
The program also featured a deeply personal and moving account from a member of the Jewish community who shared their experience with addiction. The students were reminded of the immense courage and vulnerability it takes to speak about such a sensitive topic. As the speaker shared their journey, the students were urged to show the utmost respect and empathy.
Rabbi Abba Florans, the Yeshiva of GW guidance counselor, also spoke during the event, sharing with parents and students an important message: “No one is immune to these issues. The difference is how taboo they remain. Speaking about the issues and identifying them is what needs to happen so we can tackle the problem.” His words
underscored the importance of destigmatizing conversations around addiction and mental health. By acknowledging the reality of these challenges, Rabbi Florans emphasized that the community can better address them collectively, with understanding and compassion.
The session was engaging; the boys asked insightful questions and participated in meaningful discussions. The atmosphere was one of openness and freedom of judgment, allowing the students to address addiction and substance struggles in a safe and supportive space.
That evening, parents were invited to hear from the same presenters. This component of the program aimed to foster dialogue between students, parents, and the school, reinforcing the idea that these difficult conversations should extend beyond the classroom. The overarching message for both students and parents was clear: asking for help is acceptable and critical, and there should be no shame in seeking assistance when needed.
The day was a resounding success, providing an educational and impactful experience for everyone involved. The Yeshiva of Greater Washington Boys Division, through this initiative, has made a significant contribution to raising awareness about substance abuse, and more importantly, has opened the door for ongoing communication about mental health and wellness within the community.
In the end, the message was simple yet powerful: We are all in this together, and it is essential to speak up, ask for help, and support one another through challenging times.
613 Seconds with Rabbi Zvi Holland, of Star-K Kosher Certification
BJH: Can you tell us about your background?
Rabbi Zvi Holland: I was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania. After learning in Yerushalayim, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where I founded the Phoenix Community Kollel and served as Rosh Kollel for 12 years. In 2012, I moved to Baltimore and began working full-time at Star-K.
BJH: What makes Star-K unique in the kosher certification world?
RZH: At Star-K, it’s always Pesach. We begin preparations in June, working on the Pesach book and product directory, updating articles, reviewing medical information, and ensuring everything is current. We print around 10,000 copies of the book, and it’s downloaded digitally hundreds of thousands of times.
BJH: What can people find in the Star-K Pesach book and app?
RZH: The guide includes four major sections:
• Instructions for kashering kitchens and other areas of the home
• Halachic guidance on all aspects of Pesach observance, including pet food
• Medicine and cosmetic lists, prepared in partnership with Rabbi Gershon Bess and Kollel Los Angeles
• The Star-K Pesach product directory
questions in multiple languages to ensure everyone gets the help they need.
BJH: What’s one important Pesach-related issue consumers should understand?
RZH: Many people have questions about “Chometz She’avar Alav HaPesach” (chametz that wasn’t sold before Pesach). In the U.S., unless you know for certain that a store is Jewish-owned, you’re not required to assume so. In addition, non-chametz items may be purchased even from a Jewish-owned business that did not sell its chametz. For more details, consult our Pesach guide or app.
BJH: What advice do you have regarding medication during Pesach?
RZH: Star-K is one of the largest kosher certification agencies in the world, with a presence in over 102 countries. What sets us apart is that we’re a nonprofit organization focused solely on kosher certification. We grew out of a local agency, and despite our global scope, we remain deeply committed to consumer education and support. There’s no other agency with that exact profile.
BJH: How does Star-K prepare for Pesach?
• This year, for the first time, the medicine and cosmetic lists are available for free on our app.
BJH: How do consumers get help with Pesach questions?
RZH: During peak season, we receive up to 1,000 phone calls a day. In addition to phone support, we’ve expanded digital communication via email, text, and WhatsApp. Our trained staff and Rabbonim respond to
RZH: Never stop taking prescribed medication without speaking to your doctor and your Rabbi. While it’s praiseworthy to be careful about chametz in medications, health comes first. There’s a strong minhag to avoid chametz in over-the-counter pills and cosmetics, but when it comes to medical needs, halacha prioritizes health. Liquid and chewable medications should be confirmed chametz-free by checking our app, book, or contacting us directly.
BJH: What does your role at Star-K involve beyond Pesach?
RZH: As Director of Special Projects, I’m involved in a variety of areas, including:
• Kosher shechita and wine production in the U.S., South America, Israel, and Europe
• Oversight of Star-K’s offices in Israel
• Special certification projects across industries and continents
• Q: How much do you travel for your work?
• RZH: I travel frequently, though I often say, “This trip will be my last.” Travel can be exhausting, but it’s also eye-opening. Every trip teaches me something new and gives me a deeper appreciation for the global kosher community.
BJH: What do you love most about Baltimore?
RZH: Baltimore has a rare sense of camaraderie. People genuinely care about one another, and there’s a strong spirit of cooperation. Even though I wasn’t born here, I feel like I’m truly part of this community.
BJH: Any final advice for Pesach preparation?
RZH: Download the Star-K app at star-k.org/passover and read through the Pesach guide. It’s written by expert Rabbonim and packed with practical, reliable halachic guidance to help you prepare properly for Yom Tov.
The Week In News
The Week In News
Russian Strikes Kills 19
On Friday, a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, the home city of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, took the lives of at least 19 people. Nine children were killed in the strike, which was one of the deadliest of the year.
Among the 72 people injured was a baby as young as three months old,
with the attack also damaging dozens of apartment buildings and six education institutes along with shops and businesses, said Oleksandr Vilkul, Kryvyi Rih’s mayor, on Telegram on Saturday, calling it a “tragic evening and night.”
“Another bloody crime was committed by the terrorist country. Rocket and massive Shahed attacks on residential areas and playgrounds,” the mayor said.
Russian troops struck Kryvyi Rih with a ballistic missile with a cluster warhead, which is “designed to hit a larger area and a larger number of people,” the Ukrainian General Staff said.
Kryvyi Rih has been attacked other times this year. Earlier this month, four civilians were killed in a taxi parking lot during a strike.
Zelensky addressed the families of those killed and injured in his nightly speech soon afterward.
“Many injured, houses damaged. The missile actually hit the area next to residential buildings – a children’s playground, ordinary streets,” Zelensky said.
Russia also targeted a power plant in Kherson with a drone on Friday, Zelensky said.
“Such strikes cannot be a coincidence – Russians know that this is an energy facility,” Zelensky said. “These types of facilities must be protected from any attacks, as per the promises Russia made to the American side.”
After Friday’s attack, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink wrote on X, “Horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a playground and restaurant in Kryvyi Rih. More than 50 people injured and 16 killed, including 6 children. This is why the war must end.”
Zelensky criticized Brink’s post. “Reaction of the American Embassy is unpleasantly surprising: such a strong country, such a strong people, and such a weak reaction. They are even afraid to say the word ‘Russian’ when talking about the missile that killed the children.”
Addressing the nation later on Saturday, Zelensky said that it was “wrong and dangerous to keep silent about the fact that it is Russia that is killing children with ballistic (missiles).”
“It only incites the scumbags in Moscow to continue the war and further ignore diplomacy. Weakness has never
ended a war. That is why I am grateful to every country whose representatives have spoken out: leaders, foreign ministers, embassies,” he said.
Several European officials condemned Russia for the strike.
In a statement on Telegram, the Russian ministry of defense claimed the strike had targeted a meeting between Ukrainian and Western officers, describing it as “a high-precision strike… with a high-explosive missile on the site of a meeting with unit commanders and Western instructors in one of the restaurants in the city of Kryvyi Rih.”
“As a result of the strike, the enemy lost up to 85 servicemen and officers of foreign countries, as well as up to 20 vehicles,” the post said.
Hungary to Leave ICC
According to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyás, Hungary will begin withdrawing from the International Criminal Court.
Greater Washington Weekday Minyanim Guide
6:15 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah M-F
6:25 am Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua M-F
6:30 am Beth Sholom Congregation M-F
Beit Halevi (Sfardi) M, T
Chabad of Silver Spring M-F
Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah OLNEY M-F
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah S YGW M, Th
6:35 am Ohr Hatorah M, Th
6:40 am YGW S, T, W, F
Magen David Sephardic Congregation M-Th
6:45 am Beit Halevi (Sfardi) S, T, W, F
Kemp Mill Synagogue M, Th
Ohr Hatorah T, W, F
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah M, Th
6:50 am Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah M, Th Silver Spring Jewish Center M-F
Chabad of Upper Montgomery County M-F
6:55 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah T, W, F
7:00 am Kemp Mill Synagogue T, W, F
Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua S Silver Spring Jewish Center S
Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah T, W, F
Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac T, W, F
7:05 am Kesher Israel M, Th
7:15 am Kemp Mill Synagogue M, Th Kesher Israel T, W, F
Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue M-F
Ohr Hatorah S
7:30 am Chabad of DC M-F
Chabad of Potomac M-F JROC M-F
Kemp Mill Synagogue T, W, F
Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua M-F
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah S
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sfardi) M-F
7:45 am YGW (Yeshiva Session Only) S-F
8:00 am Beth Sholom Congregation S
Kemp Mill Synagogue S Kesher Israel S
Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah OLNEY S
Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua S
Chabad of Upper Montgomery County S Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah S
8:00 am YGW (High School; School-Contingent) S-F
Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac S Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sfardi) S
8:05 am Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville M, Th
8:15 am Ohr Hatorah S Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville S, T, W, F
Kehilat Pardes / Berman Hebrew Academy S-F
Silver Spring Jewish Center M-F
8:30 am Chabad of DC S Chabad of Potomac S JROC S Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue S Silver Spring Jewish Center S YGW (Summer Only) S-F
8:45 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah S-F
9:00 am Chabad of Silver Spring S Kemp Mill Synagogue S
mincha
2:15 pm Silver Spring Jewish Center S-F
2:20 pm YGW M, T, W
2:45 pm YGW M-Th
3:00 pm YGW Middle School School Days
mincha/maariv
Before Shkiah (15-18 minutes), S-TH
Beit Halevi (Sfardi)
Beth Sholom Congregation
Chabad of Potomac
Chabad of Silver Spring
Chabad of Upper Montgomery County
Ezras Israel Congregation of Rockville (20 min before, S-F) JROC
Kemp Mill Synagogue
Kesher Israel
Magen David Sephardic Congregation
Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue
Ohr Hatorah
Silver Spring Jewish Center
Southeast Hebrew Congregation
Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah
Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Asheknaz) Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sefarhadi) maariv
8:15 pm OSTT (OLNEY) S-Th
8:45 pm YGW School Days
9:30 pm YGW S-Th Silver Spring Jewish CenterSpring/Summer
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The decision was announced Thursday, coinciding with the beginning of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s four-day visit to Budapest.
In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, with the court falsely accusing the Israeli leaders of committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip. All member states of the ICC are obligated to detain those for whom the court has issued arrest warrants. Thus, Hungary would have been obligated to arrest Netanyahu during his visit. Instead, the country decided to withdraw from the court.
“I am convinced that this otherwise important international judicial forum has been degraded into a political tool, with which we cannot and do not want to engage,” said Orbán at a press conference on Thursday after greeting Netanyahu.
The Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, which is behind the ICC, said it “expresses concern” at Hungary’s exit from the court and the Rome Statute, the treaty that founded the ICC.
“When a State Party withdraws from the Rome Statute, it clouds our shared quest for justice and weakens our resolve to fight impunity,” stated the president, led by the assembly’s president, Päivi Kaukoranta, and vice presidents Margareta Kassangana and Michael Kanu, from Finland, Poland, and Sierra Leone, respectively. “The ICC is at the center of the global commitment to accountability, and in order to maintain its strength, it is imperative that the international community support it without reservation. Justice requires our unity.”
The ICC’s members include 125 countries, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The so-called “state of Palestine,” representing Palestinians in Gaza and Judea and Samaria, joined the ICC in 2015. The United States and Israel do not recognize the court and have condemned the ICC for its mistreatment of the Jewish state. U.S. President Donald Trump recently sanctioned the ICC for engaging in “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel.”
An Illegal Visit to a Remote Island
An American tourist set off alone last week on an inflatable boat for the remote
island of North Sentinel in the Indian Ocean. He had packed a Diet Coke and a coconut as an offering for the highly isolated tribe that lives there, and he had brought along a GoPro camera in hopes of filming the encounter, the Indian police said.
Guided by his GPS navigation, the man, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, reached the northeastern shore of the island at 10 a.m. on March 29, according to police. He scanned the land with binoculars but saw no one. So he climbed ashore, left the Diet Coke and the coconut there, took sand samples, and recorded a video, police said.
Polyakov was arrested March 31 when he returned to Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an archipelago more than 800 miles east of India’s mainland, authorities said.
Few outsiders have been to the island of North Sentinel, which is a territory of India and is illegal to visit. Indian government regulations prohibit any outsider interaction with its isolated tribe, whose members hunt with bow and arrow and have killed intruders for stepping onto their shore.
But Polyakov was not deterred. He had planned his journey “meticulously,” police said, studying sea conditions, tides, and accessibility from Khurmadera Beach, located on Andaman island. Even after he pushed back from North Sentinel island, Polyakov tried to attract the attention of the Sentinelese people by blowing a whistle from his boat, police said.
He was accused of attempting to “interact with the Sentinelese tribe,” police in Andaman said in a statement. Polyakov is being held on charges that include violating a law protecting aboriginal tribes and is scheduled to appear in court April 17. The charges carry a possible sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine.
Survival International, a group that protects the rights of Indigenous tribal peoples around the world, said that Polyakov’s attempted contact with the tribal people of North Sentinel was “reckless and idiotic.”
Forty-one Israelis made this year’s Forbes list of billionaires – four more than last year.
Miriam Adelson, 79, is the highest-ranking Israeli on the list. She is the 56th-richest person in the world, with a net worth of $32.1 billion. Miriam is the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. Forbes places her in the U.S. in its annual ranking since she is an American citizen and is based in Las Vegas.
Eyal Ofer, 74, Israeli-born shipping and real estate magnate, was ranked the wealthiest Israeli on the Forbes list. He is the 68th-richest globally with a fortune of $28.2 billion, up from spot number 84 last year. His brother, Idan Ofer, 69, is the second-richest Israeli and moved up to 89th place from the 120th place a year earlier
with $22.5 billion, generated from shipping interests. The Ofer brothers are the sons of the late Israeli shipping tycoon Sammy Ofer, who was once Israel’s richest man. Igor Bukhman, 43, and his younger brother Dmitri, 39, owners of the gaming giant Playrix, were ranked 280th in the global list with $9.8 billion.
Rounding off the top five in Israel are the Wertheimer family with a net worth of $7.6 billion, as well as Teddy Sagi, 53, the founder of gambling software firm Playtech with $7.1 billion, listed in 464th place globally. Other Israelis on the list are Check Point Software Technologies co-founder Gil Shwed 56, with a net worth of $6.4 billion; filmmaker Arnon Milchan, 80, with $6.3 billion; and businesswoman Shari Arison, 67, with $6 billion.
The Israeli founders of cloud security firm Wiz, which was sold last month to Google in a historic $32 billion deal, more than doubled their fortunes over the past year. Wiz co-founders Assaf Rappaport, 41, Yinon Costica, 42, Ami Luttwak, 41, and Roy Reznik, 36, with a net worth of around $2.1 billion this year, were already part of the billionaire rank-
ing after entering the billionaires club last year with a net worth of about $1 billion each.
This year they were joined by newcomers to the billionaire list Canadian-Israeli philanthropist Sylvan Adams, 66, with a net worth of $2.8 billion; Ishay Davidi, 63, founder of private equity firm FIMI Opportunity Funds, with $1.8 billion; real estate businessman Yigal Dimri with $1.2 billion; and Oran Holtzman, 41, founder of Oddity Tech with $1 billion in the list released late on Tuesday.
The richest person in the world according to Forbes’ most recent list is Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX. The 53-year-old added $147 billion to his fortune over the past year, taking his net worth to a whopping $342 billion.
The world’s second-richest person was Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, 40, with a net worth of about $216 billion, followed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, 61, with $215 billion.
U.S. tech giant founders Larry Ellison, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Steve Ballmer, as well as France’s Bernard Arnault, CEO of luxury goods giant LVMH, and U.S. investor Warren Buffet, were
also in the top 10. Donald Trump’s net worth more than doubled, from an estimated $2.3 billion to an estimated $5.1 billion over the past year, ranking the U.S. president as the 700th richest person in the world.
According to Forbes, there were 3,028 billionaires around the world this year, with combined assets worth $16.1 trillion, up almost $2 trillion over 2024.
The U.S. has a record 902 billionaires, followed by China with 516, and India with 205.
British MPs Banned from Israel
Two British Members of Parliament, Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, were denied entrance to Israel on Saturday. An investigation had revealed that the two MPs wanted to enter Israel to document the activities of security forces and spread anti-Israel hatred, Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority said.
A quiet moment at Kever Rochel. Her siddur open, tears forming. This is where she discovers the power of her tefillos in a way she never could elsewhere.
Walking the paths of our Avos and Imahos in Chevron. Climbing the hills of Yerushalayim. Standing where generations of women like her stood before her.
Eretz HaKodesh fights those who are trying to effect these experiences. We consistently navigate bureaucracy, secure visas, and stand firm against those who are fighting to control it.
on at 2:30 p.m. after flying in from Luton with two aides. At airport security, they claimed to be part of an official delegation visiting Israel on behalf of the British parliament. But the Population and Immigration Authority claimed this was untrue as no official in Israel had approved the arrival of the delegation.
During questioning, the passengers reportedly revealed that the purpose of their arrival was to “document security forces and spread hate speech against Israel.”
As a result, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel decided to refuse entry to the two and subsequently ordered their removal from Israel.
On Saturday night, British foreign secretary David Lammy said that the two MPs were part of a parliamentary
delegation. “It is unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry by the Israeli authorities. I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British Parliamentarians, and we have been in contact with both MPs tonight to offer our support.”
Abtisam Mohamed was born in Yemen. She is the first Arab woman and the first British Yemeni MP to be elected as a British MP. She currently serves as the Labour MP for Sheffield Central. In her July 2024 acceptance speech, Mohamed said, “I will use my voice to advocate for peace, coexistence in the region, for an immediate ceasefire, for the release of hostages on all sides, for the recognition of Palestine.”
However, in April, she accused Israel of ethnic cleansing and of pursuing the destruction of Gaza.
“On 30 March, the first day of Eid, Israeli attacks on Gaza killed dozens of Palestinians, adding to the death toll since Israel breached the ceasefire agreement. Israel is now in the process of enacting
the largest forced displacement, ordering hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from Rafah.
“How will this end? Israel cannot and will not stop. Is the goal ethnic cleansing? We are witnessing that. Is the goal the complete destruction of Gaza? We are now witnessing that. Is the goal the permanent occupation of Gaza and the West Bank? We continue to witness that. Is the goal a complete end to the two-state solution? Israeli Ministers have made their intentions clear. Will the Minister unequivocally condemn their actions for what they are: war crimes and crimes against humanity?”
Yuan Yang is a British-Chinese Labour MP for Earley and Woodley. She is also the first Chinese-born British citizen to be elected to the UK Parliament.
On March 31, she posted on her official Facebook page, “Eid Mubarak! Next week, I’ll be visiting the West Bank as part of a parliamentary delegation, and this year, I know many of us will be spending Eid thinking of those who are unable to celebrate as we are.”
In a January 7 speech in parliament, she called for sanctions against Israeli
L CHAIM
politicians Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for “supporting the illegal resettlement of northern Gaza.” She added that “although we have entered a new year, the horror in Gaza continues” and called for more action against Israel.
Two months ago, in February, Arbel banned French-Palestinian politician Rima Hassan from entering Israel due to her involvement in initiatives to boycott Israel and her undermining of the Jewish state’s legitimacy.
Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli, who urged Arbel to instigate the ban, stated, “Israel is not obligated to allow the entry of any official representative from a foreign country if they engage in boycotting it and undermining its legitimacy.”
Criticism for Bibi’s Word Choice
The Hostages and Missing Families
WEEKLY CALENDAR
APRIL 14TH - APRIL 18TH
Tuesday April 15th Wednesday April 16th
10:00 am
Chol Hamoed Exercise and Yoga with Deborah Bandos
11:00 am
Lesser known selections of Pesach Midrashim with Rabbi Karp
1:00 pm
Passover Bingo
2:00 pm
Live Piano MusicThe Music of Abie Rotenberg: Dveykus
10:00 am
Chol Hamoed Exercise and Yoga with Deborah Bandos
11:00 am
Rabbi Karp Discuses Amazing Halachic Dilemmas
1:00 pm
Arts & Crafts
2:00 pm
Live Piano Music- The Music of Abie Rotenberg: Journeys
Thursday April 17th
9:45 am
Lesser known selections of Pesach
Midrashim with Rabbi Karp, Part 2
10:30 am
Chol Hamoed Exercise and Yoga with Deborah Bandos
1:00 pm
Pesach Riddles and Word Games
2:00 pm
Live Piano Music- The Music of Reb Shlomo Carlebach
Walking to shul, you feel it in every "Gut Shabbos" exchanged between strangers who feel like mishpacha. Even the stones of Yerushalayim seem to rest. At the Kosel for Kabbalas Shabbos, thousands sway as one.
Wishing you and your family a joyful and meaningful Pesach.
In this Z’man Cheruteinu, may we be reminded of the power of community, tradition, and the shared responsibility to build a better future—together.
Chag Kasher v'Sameach!
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Democratic Candidate Baltimore County Council
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@karsonbkamenetz karsonkamenetz/
By Authority: Committee for Karson Kamenetz, Samuel Shubin, Treasurer.
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Forum criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s choice of words after the premier said the police were holding “hostage” two of his aides, Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein, whom authorities allege contacted a foreign agent and committed fraud, money laundering, and bribery on behalf of Qatar.
“Netanyahu, you are confused. So let’s remind you the real hostages are our 59 brothers and sisters who have been held in Gaza for 542 days. You would be better off taking your time and addressing us, the families of real people being held hostage,” the forum said, adding the families of the hostages are “angry and hurt by the prime minister’s unfortunate choice of words.”
The forum took issue with a video Netanyahu posted to social media on Monday. Opposition leaders, including Benny Gantz, also criticized Netanyahu for his word choice.
“I understood beforehand that this was a political investigation, but I did not realize the extent to which that is the case,” the prime minister said in the video. “They are holding Jonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein as hostages, embittering
their lives over nothing.”
Urich and Feldstein were interrogated on Monday morning and were detained by police. On Tuesday, authorities were expected to bring them to the Rishon LeZion Magistrate’s Court, seeking to extend the two aides’ detentions, according to reports.
Feldstein was charged with stealing and leaking classified IDF documents. Authorities claim that while he worked in the Prime Minister’s Office, he was also employed at a Qatari-contracted international firm meant to provide stories that portray Qatar favorably to the Israeli media. Urich, on the other hand, has been accused of playing a part in covering up bribery payments from Qatar.
In Netanyahu’s video, he said that police asked to question him, despite him not being a suspect.
“The moment that I was asked to give testimony, I said, ‘I’m clearing my calendar.’ The police said, ‘It’ll take four hours.’ After an hour, they ran out of questions. They took a half-hour break, returned for 20 minutes,” the premier said. “I told them, ‘Show me material, show me something,’ but they had nothing to show.”
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Reportedly, Netanyahu was asked if the Prime Minister’s Office was paying Feldstein and if he knew that Qatar was giving Feldstein money. Additionally, Netanyahu was questioned about Urich’s connections to Qatar.
Later, Netanyahu released another video, in which he again slammed the investigation.
“It’s a political witch hunt. It has one purpose: To prevent the firing of the head of the Shin Bet as though there is some kind of [illicit] episode [being investigated]. There’s nothing. [It’s also aimed] to bring down a right-wing prime minister. A political investigation, a political witch hunt — that’s what this is. There’s nothing else,” said Netanyahu.
Police also questioned a journalist suspected of having contact with a foreign agent and a businessman whom they also suspect.
Hamas Shrinks Death Lists
Hamas quietly revised its casualty figures from the Gaza War, as the terror group apparently overcounted the amount of people killed in the war against Israel. Additionally, the new count reveals that 72% of those killed
report after being listed in 2024.
Aizenberg pointed out that the original reports, published by the Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of Health, were widely cited by major international organizations, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“These ‘deaths’ never happened. The numbers were falsified – again,” he noted.
A spokesperson for the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating Israel for war crimes, said, “We cannot provide comments on matters related to ongoing investigations. This approach is essential to protect the integrity of investigations, and to ensure the safety and security of victims, witnesses, and all those with whom the Office interacts.”
David Adesnik, vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, who has also been tracking the figures, reached a similar conclusion as Aizenberg. According to his analysis, 72% of the fatalities fall within the male combat-age bracket of 13 to 55.
“Even at age 13, there’s a major excess of male over female deaths, and the disparity grows with age,” Adesnik explained. “If you calculate from age 13 to 59, there’s a little more than 15,000 ex-
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“Significant numbers of names disappear from the list over time. It’s like 2,000 names are removed and new ones added,” he said.
Hamas maintains two lists: one for deaths confirmed by hospitals, and another for deaths reported by family members via an online form – often in cases where bodies couldn’t be retrieved.
“Over time, officials realized many of these family-reported names were inaccurate or unverified, and started quietly removing them from the count – replacing one set of data with another to cover up their original manipulation,” Adesnik said.
Measles Death in Texas
Last Thursday, an eight-year-old girl in Texas died of “measles pulmonary failure,” according to The New York Times, citing records it obtained.
This is the second death in the state linked to the ongoing measles outbreak. The first death was in an unvaccinated school-age child in February. A death in New Mexico remains under investigation.
The measles outbreak – now spanning Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and possibly Kansas – reached at least 569 cases on Friday, according to data obtained from state health departments.
Texas has reported 481 outbreak-associated cases as of Friday, and nearly all were unvaccinated.
New Mexico has reported 54 cases, and Oklahoma reported 10 cases – eight confirmed and two probable – as of Friday. Cases in Kansas, which the state health department said may be linked to the outbreak, reached 24 as of Wednesday.
Many of those who have contract-
ed the virus were not vaccinated. Additionally, experts say that there is likely a higher number of cases, as many cases go unreported. Most of those reported as having the measles are under 18.tradition for the longest greetings card exchange.
“I think one of my children came up with the idea that this card had been going back and forth for so many years,” Pat explained.
The two friends don’t live near each other and don’t get to see each other frequently.
“I think as you get older, you don’t seem to … you’re supposed to have more time, but we don’t seem to have as much time to share as we did when we were younger,” Pat said.
All in good time.
Private
Astronauts Splash Down
Four private astronauts ended a mission in a SpaceX vehicle Friday by splashing down in waters near Oceanside, Cal-
ifornia.
It was the first time the company had brought people back to Earth in the Pacific Ocean, after six years of its Dragon capsule splashing down off Florida in the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico.
The Fram2 mission had circled Earth for four days in a north-south orbit. The journey was the first time people have been able to look down directly at the North and South poles from orbit.
SpaceX moved its operations to the Pacific to eliminate the problem of Dragon debris falling on random parts of Earth. The Pacific is the biggest pool of water on the planet, and the weather along the West Coast of the United States tends to be pretty nice, too, which provides more days favorable for the return of astronauts.
The first SpaceX astronaut mission, a
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test flight in May 2020 with Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken of NASA aboard, launched to the International Space Station. Just over two months later, they returned to Earth, splashing down in Gulf waters off Pensacola, Florida. This was the first flight using SpaceX’s upgraded Dragon 2 capsule design.
Fourteen other astronaut missions followed — nine flights financed by NASA, five private ones — as well as 10 cargo missions for NASA taking equipment and supplies to the International Space Station. All splashed down safely off Florida.
However, pieces of the spacecraft’s trunk — the cylindrical segment below the capsule that is jettisoned before reentry — were coming down in unexpected places: a sheep field in Australia; a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada; and a hiking trail in North Carolina.
No one was hurt, and no property damage occurred. Hoping for continued good luck, however, would not be considered adequate protection from a continuing rain of space debris.
SpaceX last year announced changes that it planned to make for the Dragon
On Friday, President Donald Trump announced he would grant ByteDance, a Chinese technology company, a 75-day extension to sell its app TikTok.
Previously, Trump set the deadline for TikTok’s sale for April 5. Under Trump’s executive order, which postponed a ban on the app, TikTok won’t be banned if it’s sold to a non-Chinese company or individual. According to two sources, a deal for TikTok’s pur-
chase was reached. However, the deal was paused after Trump announced tariffs on China.
“My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress,” Trump posted to Truth Social. “The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days.”
On Thursday, ByteDance reportedly told the Trump administration that China would reject the deal unless Washington and Beijing negotiate over tariffs and trade. According to the deal that was reached, TikTok would be purchased by a company based in America, with American investors owning a majority stake in the company and ByteDance owning a minority stake. According to reports, Trump planned to issue an executive order, approving the deal and ordering a 120day closing period to finish paperwork and financing.
In 2024, former President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation to
ban TikTok. Congress was concerned that the Chinese-owned app gave the Chinese government access to the data of TikTok’s 170 million American users. In the last days of Biden’s presidency, TikTok tried challenging the ban in court. However, the Supreme Court supported the ban. Shortly before the start of Trump’s second term, TikTok shut down in the U.S. but quickly returned when Trump said he would try to save the app through a deal.
Vice President J.D. Vance and a negotiating team reportedly worked on the deal for almost two months, engaging in talks with potential buyers and officials from ByteDance.
Several companies have signaled interest in purchasing TikTok, including Amazon, AppLovin, and Perplexity AI. Additionally, several people have expressed interest in buying the app, including Reid Rasner, an entrepreneur from Wyoming; Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, who is part of the bid of Frank McCourt, a billionaire investor; and Steve Mnuchin, Trump’s former Treasury Secretary.
Chol Hamoed Guide
Baltimore, Maryland
Here are some great activities in Maryland that are family appropriate. While some you may recognize, others are off the beaten trail and can make for amazing Chol Hamoed trips. This list is just some suggestions and not an all inclusive list of things to do in Maryland.
Editor’s note: The costs and entry fees are based on information available online at the time of publishing. However prices may be different or have changed.
attractions
Antietam Battlefield
302 E Main St, Sharpsburg, MD 21782
9am - 5pm
$10/person | $20/vehicle | Annual Pass $35
CALVERT CLIFFS STATE PARK
10540 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657
7:30am - 7:30pm
$5/vehicle (+$2 for out-of-state residents)
CYLBURN ARBORETUM
4915 Greenspring Ave, Baltimore, MD 21209
T-S 8am - 5pm
Free Flower and Vegetable Gardens | Nature Education Center
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD MUSEUM
901 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223
10am - 4pm
Child (2 - 12) $12 | Adult $20 | Senior (60+) $17
CLARK'S ELIOAK FARM
10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
S 10am - 5:30pm, M-F 10am - 5pm
$8 (Rides are Extra) Farm | Petting Zoo | Miniature Train Rides | Fairy Tale Forest
FORT MCHENRY NATIONAL MONUMENT
2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230
9am - 5pm
$15 (7 day pass)
$45 (annual pass) for up to four adults (16+)
Self-guided and Virtual Tours | Special Events Scheduled On Chol Hamoed. Check Website for Details.
GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT VISITOR CENTER
9432 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20771
Th-F 10am - 3pm | Free
Research Laboratory for NASA | Spacecraft Displays and Space Technology | Model of the Hubble Space Telescope | Interactive Space Related Displays
Trails | Open Wetlands | Upland Forests | Meadows | Farmland | Natural Habitats for Animals and Vegetation | Exhibition Hall with Exhibits for Children
MARYLAND ZOO
1 Safari Pl, Baltimore, MD 21217
10am - 4pm | $33, Senior Discount Online
PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK
8020 Baltimore National Pk, Ellicott City, MD 21043
9am - Sunset
$2/vehicle (+$2 for out-of-state residents), +$1 on Weekends and Holidays
Conservatory showcases many different types of flowers and other plants in five distinct greenhouse rooms.
PORT DISCOVERY
35 Market Pl, Baltimore, MD 21202
S 11am - 5pm, Th 10am - 3pm | $24.95
SkyClimber | Tot’s Trails | The Oasis | Overlook
Activities
AMF WOODLAWN LANES
6410 Security Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21207
Check online or call for hours.
Prices vary. Check online or call to see what special deals are currently running
BOWLERO PIKESVILLE LANES
1723 Reisterstown Rd, Pikesville, MD 21208
Check online or call for hours. Most days start at 4 PM and on Sundays opens at 12 PM
Prices vary. Check online or call to see what special deals they are currently running
MAIN EVENT
10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy Suite 2520, Columbia, MD 21044
11am - 12am (check closing times if going late)
Prices depend on activities. They run special deals from time to time.
Video Arcades | Bowlings | Pool Tables And Laser Tag
CLIMB ZONE
13200 Mid Atlantic Blvd Ste 130, Laurel, MD 20708
10am - 7pm (Special Hours for Chol Hamoed and Isru Chag, April 15 – 18 and 21)
Prices Vary
CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN ORCHARD
15036 North Franklinville Rd. Thurmont, MD 21788
9am - 5pm
Fees Vary
AMAZING GLAZE
1340 Smith Avenue | Baltimore, MD 21209
T-Th 10am - 8pm, F-M 11am - 7pm
Fees Vary
Paint your own pottery, stoneware, or canvas | Create mosics or glass fusing art
ULTRAZONE LASER TAG
7835 Eastpoint Mall #11, Baltimore, MD 21224
S-T 12pm - 8pm, W-Th 4pm - 8pm, F 4pm - 12am
$8.99 (1 Game), $19.99 (3 Games),
All Day Passes
Prices Vary on the Day
519 Old Westminster Pike, Westminster, MD 21157
M-Th 4pm - 8pm, S 12PM-6:30PM
Starting at $10.50
**Waiver Required
Pick Your Own Fruits and Flowers | Explore Catocin Mountain Park
PLAYERS FUN ZONE
THE GREAT PESACH PHOTO RAFFLE!
Sarah Leah set the Seder just right, With shining plates and linens white. Merav made crafts with flair and grace, Matza mosaics all over the place!
Shira packed snacks for the family trip, While Meira mapped out each Chol Hamoed skip. Zehava baked cake with a sweet lemon glaze, Shuie and Yitsy hid the Afikoman in the cleverest ways!
Avrami told jokes that made us all grin, (He says that alone deserves a win!) Now it’s your turn — don’t delay, Send us your Pesach fun today!
You Could Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
Submit a photo of your Pesach: your Seder table, a project, a Chol Hamoed trip, or anything that shows off your Yom Tov spirit!
» Dispose of garbage properly and cut up all boxes.
» PARK LEGALLY: Park ONLY in designated spots, even if it’s “just for a second.”
» Please do not walk in the streets on Shabbos and Yom Tov—PLEASE use the sidewalk.
» Do NOT cover electric stovetops with a blech or silver foil — it will crack or get damaged.
» GOLF CARTS ARE NOT FOR MINORS –Too many Hatzoloh calls EVERY YEAR for serious preventable injuries.
Before Checking Out
» When checking out, leave the home in a respectful way as if it’s your own:
» Remove all tape.
» Move furniture and appliances back to where it was upon arrival.
» Replace dishes and flatware in their original drawers and cabinets.
» Empty refrigerators and cabinets of food! (This is the second biggest complaint.)
(taken from checklist for Pesach guests in Florida)
CHOL HAMOED QUOTES
“We must be careful not to give children the impression that Chol HaMoed is all about trips. While simchas Yom Tov is important, it is not the sole purpose of Chol HaMoed.”
“Behaving in a way befitting bnei Torah — bringing more kavod Shamayim — elevates our trips with deeper meaning and kedushah.”
“A true Kiddush Hashem also means giving chashivus to learning Torah.”
“Property owners have the right to set expectations for their premises, and we must respect them.”
“A chillul Hashem can occur even when rules aren’t enforced. For example, if a venue prohibits outside food, ignoring that policy still reflects poorly.”
— RABBI DOVID ZUCKER
Rosh Kollel, Chicago Community Kollel
“When a Yid walks through a park and keeps his gaze focused rather than looking at inappropriate sights, speaks gently instead of being demanding, or politely holds a door open for another—he becomes a living testament to Hashem’s Torah.”
“Every Jewish child, through their actions, proclaims to the world: ‘Hashem Hu Ha’Elokim!’”*
— RABBI AKIVA KLEIN
Rav of Beis Medrash of Melrose Court, Maggid Shiur in Orchos Tzvi, Lakewood
For a free booklet of amazing stories, email: LivingKiddushHashem@gmail.com / visit: LivingKiddushHashem.org
Zmanim for Pesach 2025 ה״פשת
THURSDAY, APRIL 10 | 12/13 NISSAN (NIGHT)
Morning: Taanis Bechoros
Bedikas chametz (Mukdam) any time after 8:30PM (Tzais)
The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel - 5915 Park Heights Ave
The Shul at the Lubavitch Center - 6701 Old Pimlico Rd
Tiferes Yisroel - 6201 Park Heights Ave
Tzeirei Anash - 6706 Cross County Blvd
edits, additions, or sponsorships, email ads@baltimorejewishhome.com
Kol Torah
Market Maven
8:55 PM Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh
Wealcatch Insurance - 37 Walker Ave 2nd floor
Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah - 6819 Williamson Ave
Torah Thought Here I Am, My Son
By Rabbi Zvi Teichman
The ‘Four Sons’ represent the challenge in successfully conveying the depth of our relationship with our Creator in each generation to our children.
If we talk about raising four types of children there must be a parallel in the lives of our Patriarchs that serve as the paradigm guide for us to effectively navigate this difficult journey.
It is remarkable to observe that there are only four sons who directly receive and are conferred the title ‘my son’, by the Patriarchs
As they head for the Akeidah, Yitzchok begins to suspect what his role might be, looking for support he calls out “my father”, and Avraham lovingly reassures him “Here I am, my son ”
Yitzchok, although old and blind is still holding out hope that his cherished son Esav will yet reach his potential. He warmly beckons him “ my son ”, requesting of him to prepare delicacies so that Yitzchok would attain a blissful state of prophecy and bless him appropriately.
Although Yaakov is not consciously called ‘my son’, by his father Yitzchok, nevertheless when Yitzchok senses the scent of the Garden of Eden emanating from the son in front of him, he declares “see the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field”, affirming this son’s status as deserving of blessing, and promptly blesses him.
Finally, the beloved son Yosef, innocently tries to readjust his father Yaakov’s hands while he is blessing his children Efrayim and Menashe, thinking that Yaakov has erred. He is confidently ‘put in his place’, when Yaakov fondly corrects him, “I know, ‘my son’, I know”
One is Wise: After Avraham asserts his bond as a dutiful father and proceeds to the Akeidah, his son Yitzchok confoundedly inquires, “Where is the burnt-offering?”
Doesn’t this echo the Wise Son’s question: “What are the testimonies, decrees and ordinances that G-d, has commanded you?”
They both quest for understanding in the face of baffling questions, at times frustrated when they are faced with expectations that don’t always add up.
How can we expect them to simply follow blindly?
Avraham offers no logic, no reason, but something much more compelling. “I am here, my son!” I am here for you! G-d has a plan,
and we are committed and in this together and the challenge is as great for me as it is for you! There is a mission we have been chosen for, there is a Father in heaven we can rely on, and I know that I can only expect of you an allegiance that is equal to my own loyalty!
This is our instruction to the father, ‘and you too, should tell him (all) the laws of Pesach (to its last detail) ...’, emphasizing the importance of his equal devotion and involvement.
One is Wicked: Yitzchok refuses to give up hope in directing his troubled son Esav towards greatness.
Esav is unwilling to exchange earthly pleasures for noble pursuits. A life of Torah seems so rigid, confining and lackluster as compared to the sensual excitement of indulgence. When he finds himself hungry and exhausted, an enticing pot of porridge seems more worthy than the responsibilities that accompany the ‘privilege’ of being the the firstborn.
Esav asks: “Look, I am going to die, so of what use to me is the birthright?” Is this not the precursor to the Wicked Son’s cynical question: “What is this service to you?”
Yitzchok knew the only way to reel in this wayward child would require, not only an affirmation of his unconditional love towards Esav, and he said to him (affectionately) “my son”, but also a display of utter joy in the serving of G-d.
He seeks to engage Esav by requesting of him to capture and prepare the ‘delicacies’ for him and enjoying them with him.
The key to positively impact children, who are tempted by the allure of ‘pleasure’, is to make sure they observe how within the construct of Torah we enjoy our lives with an even greater joy!
The Midrash describes how the Jews in Egypt were wary of performing circumcision upon themselves and thus disqualified from partaking of the Paschal Lamb. G-d infused it with a scent from the Garden of Eden into the meat thus enticing them to partake. Their teeth ‘ached’ to devour it, but they were shunned because they were uncircumcised. They immediately conceded by undergoing circumcision and dined with their brethren.
With gusto we express to the Wicked Son: It is because of this that G-d did to me!
It is the joy that we experience in living a life of commitment that must be persuasive.
Only a fulfillment of service through joy becomes identified with ‘me’! One who wears his Judaism with a feeling of duty rather than happiness does not become integrally attached to what he does.
And also you shall ‘blunt’ his teeth. We create a irresistible excitement that causes the wicked son to weaken his stubborn resolve and ‘ache’ to join us in this thrilling devotion!
Had he been there he would not have been redeemed We are not G-d forbid asked to reject him, but rather to create such a state of ecstasy in our observance that he will feel that he is ‘missing the boat’!
•
One is Simple: Yaakov of all the Patriarchs is faced with constant challenges to his faith. The snatching of his beloved bride, the abuse of his daughter Dinah, the vengeful hatred of his brother Esav, the larceny of Lavan and of course all the heartbreak in the episode of Yosef.
Yaakov was a simple man, abiding in tents. Yaakov had a simple request, to quietly devote himself to G-d in the tents of Torah. But life is about challenge, trials and tribulations. He was tested time and again to see how he would react.
When Yaakov discovers he has been duped by his nefarious father in law, Lavan, he exclaims in utter astonishment and frustration, “What is this that you have done to me!”
The simple one seeks an uncomplicated life. When events develop that detour him from his ‘noble’ pursuits, questions of faith arise. Self-doubting, his relationship with G-d is questioned, “What is this?!” Am I unworthy or being cast out?
When Yaakov receives his ‘seal of approval’ from Yitzchok as a deserving “son”, the fragrance Yitzchok smells is the scent of Gan Eden. It is an aroma that accompanies those who carry with them a awareness that every occurrence in our lives and how we deal with it reflects on the ‘master plan’ that is uniquely devised for each individual, and on our living up to the expectations of us.
When we lose our ‘scents’ of direction, we lose that conduit which infuses our life with the uplifting and encouraging fragrance of Gan Eden!
It was Yitzchok instructing the noble son in front of him, to never doubt that worthiness. Despite the tests that at times give one reason to “question” oneself, one must stay focused on the truth, that Hashem directs every nuance and detail in a ultimate test of endurance that serve to bring out and develop our greatest qualities.
To overcome questions of the ‘Divine Plan’ and to avoid self-doubt, it is imperative to be conscious of the ever present hand of Providence. It is equally significant for one to know that we each have a unique role to play that no one can duplicate or fill.
We thus encourage this Simple Son by reassuring him, “With a strong, (steady and directed) hand, G-d took us out of Egypt!”
• • •
One is Unable to Ask: There are children who have a complacent and accepting nature.
No matter what comes their way, they deal with it. Wherein lays their strength?
Yosef never asks questions. He is told by Yaakov, his father, to seek out his brothers, he knows they hate and resent him, yet he dutifully proceeds to carry out his mission, no questions asked. He follows what he is told, with the consequences quite familiar to us all! He faces all sorts of ordeals in his role as a slave, acquiescing to all that he is requested to do, with great dispatch and nary a complaint.
Was Yosef merely a wimp?
Regarding Yosef the Torah attests time and again, His master perceived that Hashem was with him. G-d was with Yosef.
When Yosef innocently tries to redirect his father’s hands during his blessing of Efrayim and Menashe, Yaakov assures his son, “I know, my son, I know”
The Lev Simcha quoting the Seder HaDoros informs that Efrayim and Menashe were twins and Yaakov was intimating to Yosef, I know better than anyone the rivalry and consequences of twins. At this moment Yaakov displays his profound understanding of the Divine Plan in hindsight, from the perspective of distance and his own personal history with a similar situation.
But Yaakov expects Yosef to accept, with his greater level of faith, the hand of G-d even as he enters the unknown. Only one who lives with G-d as a constant presence, as Yosef proved time and again that he did, can accept with joy and alacrity the mysteries of the Divine Plan.
‘You’ shall initiate to him. ‘You’ is used in the feminine gender, תְּאַ, perhaps to underline the role the mother plays in planting this vital constant awareness of Hashem in all our activities.
Perhaps it seeks to intimate the role of his mother, Rachel, who possessed this quality to remain silent, accept and not ask, gladly providing her sister the ‘signs’ she needed to save her from embarrassment. Only one who lives with G-d can act so selflessly!
We conclude with the sentiment, Because of this G-d did to ‘me’, stressing the very personal companionship of G-d in all that we do.
If we succeed in implanting within a child his special connection to G-d, his silent devotion will reflect greatness as it was so radiantly displayed in the personality of Yosef the Righteous One.
Do we live with a sense of mission? Do we enthuse all we do with joy? Do we realize how truly privileged we are? Do we live with G-d as our ever-present Guide and Mentor?
Pesach is about the very core of who we are, how we live and what we yearn for!
How we raise our children and how healthy they will turn out is contingent on the vitality of our own relationship with our Father in Heaven!
You may reach the author at: Ravzt@ohelmoshebaltimore.com
PARSHA
OVERVIEW
The parshah discusses the burning of the ashes, the constant fire on the Altar, and the laws pertaining to the meal/sin/guilt offerings. The gifts to the priests as well as the inauguration of Aharon and his sons are also discussed.
Quotable Quote “ ”
“Holiness is the space we make for G-d.”
TSorahparks
Inspiration Everywhere
Parshas Tzav
Rabbi Lord J. Sacks zt”l
GEMATRIA
The numerical value of הבכת אל - it must not go out - is 458.
Interestingly, 458 is the value of תחנ , or nachas.
We hope and pray that our entire lives are filled with non-stop nachas being given to Hashem. The nachas we give to Hashem should never go out!!
BH, my new book for Pesach, Karpas: The Big Dipper, is now available on Amazon! Check it out!
Rabbi Ori Strum is the author of “Ready. Set. Grow.” “Dove Tales,” and “Karpas: The Big Dipper.”
His shiurim and other Jewish content can be found on Torah Anytime and Meaningful Minute.
You can reach him at 443-938-0822 or oristrum@torahsparks.com
Pesukim - 96
Words - 1,353 PARSHA STATS
Letters - 5,096
Mitzvos - 18
Thoughts in
QUICK VORT Chassidus
The Parshah (6:6) says דקות
לע - a continuous fire should burn upon the Altar. It must not go out.
The Ksav Sofer, HaRav Shmuel Binyamin Sofer zt"l, quotes the Shla"h who says in the name of Reb Moshe Kordeveira, that there is an incredible segula to say this passuk to be saved from הריבע רוהרה - sinful thoughts.
The Ksav Sofer explains that someone who has an internal fire and passion fo r Hashem and His mitzvos, Hashem will help him to be saved from thinking about sinning.
By no means is this an easy level to attain, but at the very least, we can want to want and strive to strive to have this type of connection with Hashem; a connection where we feel deeply passionate and close with the Master of the Universe.
The Sfas Emes, the Gerrer Rebbe, explains from the heilige Baal Shem Tov that the heart of a person is likened to the Mizbeach, which had a constant fire on top of it.
So too, in our hearts, we should strive to have a passionate connection with Hashem.
When we do this, הבכת אל!
Points to
Ponder
The word “Tzav” is related to “Mitzvah.” Of course, we know this word means “commandment.” However, the seforim teach us that it also has a connotation of connection.
What do Mitzvos mean to you? How does they impact your life? What Mitzvah do you connect to more?
Scan the QR code to view Torah classes from R’ Ori Strum on Torah Anytime!
My Personal Yetzias Mitzrayim
Elisheva Martinetti Shares
Her Journey from Jixi to Judaism
By Malkie Schul M an
Each Pesach, Rus Elisheva Martinetti, Chabad shlucha based in Italy, has the custom of sharing the story of her path to Judaism.
“This is my personal yetzias Mitzrayim,” she says simply, “and so I feel obligated to speak about it.”
Elisheva grew up with her parents in the city of Jixi, in northeastern China in the province of Heilongjiang.
“My mother started off as a primary teacher, but as I got older and she wanted to monitor what I was being taught, she moved up to teach middle school Chinese literature. My mother felt the Chinese education system was like a brick factory – an institution trying to produce the same type of people who look and think the same as each other. She felt something was fundamentally wrong with that.
“My mother was a truth seeker,” Elisheva continues. “When she was pregnant with me, she was already searching for what could she give her newborn child as a heritage. She understood that money comes and goes, and prestige is fickle because what the world respects today, it can disrespect tomorrow. She was looking for something beyond the physical, something that would encompass every detail of her child’s life. Actually, she was looking for Yiddishkeit but didn’t realize it then, especially living in communist China and having never met a Jew.”
Elisheva’s mother had specific ideas of how she wanted to raise her daughter. The problem was that her ideas differed with her husband’s.
“My father was from a traditional Chinese family that regarded girls as second-class citizens.” shares Elisheva. He didn’t believe in investing in his daughter’s education.
Elisheva’s parents ended up separating when Elisheva was 11 over these and other similar issues. It’s only in retrospect that Elisheva realizes what a tremendous sacrifice it was for her mother to divorce her husband.
“Divorce was a huge stigma in China in those days. People would talk behind her back and there was no chance of getting remarried.”
Once she decided to separate from her husband, Elisheva’s mother knew she had to anchor herself in a clear direction for her daughter. She met a knowledgeable Chinese man well-versed in a range of topics. He gave her a few books, including one called The Popular Talmud, a selection of ideas and laws from the Gemara, Midrash, and halacha, written in Chinese. She became engrossed in the book and gave it to Elisheva to read as well.
“It said whoever doesn’t serve idols is a Jew, so since my mother didn’t serve idols, and everything else in the book resonated with her, she decided she must be Jewish, even though she had never heard of a Jew before.”
Elisheva felt the same way after reading the book. Obviously, neither of them had any idea of truly what it meant to be a Jew nor what was involved in becoming one.
Now that they both believed they were Jewish, the urgent question became: where could they go to learn more about Judaism? They returned to the Chinese man who had first introduced them to Jewish ideas.
“I told him I had more questions,” Elisheva recalls. “He said, ‘I gave you all I had. In China, you can’t go further. If you want authentic Judaism, you’ll have to do what G-d told Avraham—lech lecha me’artzecha… el ha’aretz asher areka—go out to the land that I will show you.’”
Originally, Elisheva and her mother planned to go somewhere together, but it soon became clear that leaving China would be a major challenge, both financially and bureaucratically. The focus shifted to getting Elisheva out of the country, with her mother planning to accompany her only to help her get settled.
Elisheva with her husband Dovid and their children
After research, they discovered exam centers in Singapore that, for a fee, would provide students with a visa and prepare them to pass an entrance exam to attend a regular British school there. Some centers, for an additional cost, provided room and board. Because of limited funds, Elisheva’s mother chose the cheaper option.
“When I left for Singapore, my mother handed me $4,000,” Elisheva notes. “‘This is it’, she told me. ‘Make sure to make it last.’ I budgeted $1 a day. It wasn’t easy for me or for her. Years later, she told me, ‘We were like a mirror image—what you went through, I went through, too.
“My mother always projected a strong front. It wasn’t until years later, not until after I gave birth to my first child, in fact, that she began to share the hardships she endured to make this all happen,” shares Elisheva. “She sold her house to pay for my ticket and living expenses. For the first few months, she lived in a public house. Some nights, she stayed with friends. A few months later, she shared a room in a hostel with a young single woman.
“My mother was formerly a middle-class professional woman. But she realized I would need a lot of money to live on my own, so she subsisted on the bare minimum to sustain me. For weeks, she would live off of one head of cabbage, just eating enough not to starve.”
Stepping into the Unknown
Elisheva’s mother’s visa didn’t arrive in time for them to leave together, so Elisheva traveled alone to Singapore, remaining in the airport for three days until her mother arrived. Once her mother came and after dropping off her bags at the school, Elisheva was anxious to finally meet a Jew. They were directed to the local Chabad Singapore Jewish center.
“We had no idea that it was Purim,” recalls Elisheva with a laugh. “There was a Purim party going onm and the rabbi, Rabbi Abergel, was dressed up like a clown. I was shocked. I didn’t expect a Jew to look like that. I expected a Jew to look like the Rambam, with a turban and robe.”
Her mother’s visa was only for five days, and soon it was time for her to leave.
“I didn’t want her to go,” recollects Elisheva. “After she passed through customs, I ran up to her, crying. I insisted I was coming back with her. We’d never been separated before and now we were parting, expecting never to see each other again. But she said to me, ‘Remember, what Hashem said to Avraham – Lech Lecha – he went knowing he’d never see his father again.’ ‘But he was 75 years old and I’m only 15,’ I tearfully answered. Even then my mother was strong and though I’m sure her heart was breaking also, she encouraged me to have a fighter spirit, saying Hashem would be with me.”
Although, thankfully, it wasn’t the last time they saw each other, it was the last time they were together for many years. Still, they maintained their deep connection through daily Skype calls.
“I went to shul every day,” relates Elisheva, “and absorbed as much as I could about Yiddishkeit. Every day, I would teach my mother what I learned. On Fridays, I would remind her that for the next 24 hours we wouldn’t be able to speak on the phone.”
After Elisheva taught her about kashrus, her mother stopped eating meat and made sure to eat only kosher fish.
A few days after her mother left, Elisheva went to speak to Rabbi Abergel. After hearing her out, he warned her that becoming Jewish was a huge commitment. He explained that she might not be aware of Jewish history, about the pogroms and persecutions. At the time, Elisheva felt devastated.
“I broke down in his office,” she recalls. “I couldn’t understand why, after everything I had gone through to get there, he kept insisting that I wasn’t Jewish and couldn’t become Jewish.”
Only later did she realize that he was only saying what he was required to say. Eventually, he agreed to let her observe the community to see if the Jewish way of life was something she truly wanted to take on.
Life was challenging for Elisheva.
“When I arrived, I was ready to accept that I wouldn’t have school friends. My goal was to become Jewish, so I didn’t want to associate with Chinese people anymore anyway,” she maintains.
“It said whoever doesn’t serve idols is a Jew, so since my mother didn’t serve idols…she decided she must be Jewish, even though she had never heard of a Jew before.”
But connecting with Jews wasn’t simple, either. The Singapore Jewish community was mostly transient, made up of businesspeople. The only consistent presence throughout the year were the two Chabad shluchim and their families. In the beginning, whether because they were busy, unsure how to relate to Elisheva, or because Elisheva herself was shy and didn’t make an effort to reach out, she ended up doing most of her learning on her own.
Every now and then someone would recommend a book for her to read like “To Be a Jew” by Rabbi H.H. Donin, which gave her an overview on being Jewish. She also devoured every book in the Chabad library. A hurdle to overcome was the language barrier. All the books on Judaism were written in English. To speed up the learning process, Elisheva stopped speaking Chinese altogether (except to her mother) to train herself to even think in English.
countries. Elisheva met with Rabbi Gutnick, the shaliach and Av Beis Din of Sydney, Australia, to talk about her desire to convert. After questioning her about her process, he handed her a syllabus and said, “I want to help you. Study this, and when Rabbi Abergel feels you’re ready, we’ll proceed to the next step.”
For the next year, Elisheva immersed herself in her Jewish studies while also passing her exams at the non-Jewish school. However, she was no longer interested in remaining there.
“I told Rabbi Abergel I wanted to attend an all-girls yeshiva and learn Torah,” she recalls. “He said it would be difficult, but he would look into options.”
In the meantime, her visa was expiring, and she had to either renew it or risk having to return to China. Elisheva wanted to go to Israel, but she had no visa, she wasn’t Jewish, and she was a minor. Rabbi Abergel was apologetic, but after speaking with the Israeli ambassador, he told her he couldn’t help her get into an Israeli school.
“I felt lost because I’d also missed the admission date for regular school,” Elisheva says.
However, in an instance of hashgacha pratis, Elisheva met the Jewish administrator of an international school in Singapore who was sympathetic to her situation. She told Elisheva that, for a fee, she would arrange a visa for her so she could remain in the country until she figured out her next step.
“I told my mother it was expensive, but she said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll take out a loan.’”
For the next two months, Elisheva attended the international school, all the while wishing she were in a Jewish one. She decided to Google girls’ yeshivas and email them, hoping someone would be willing to help her. A Chabad school in Melbourne, Australia, responded that they’d be willing to accept her, but since they don’t handle visas, they encouraged her to contact the Chabad school in Sydney to see if they could assist.
The Chabad school in Sydney arranged for a visa and set her up to live with a frum family. Several weeks later, however, they realized they had no legal permission to grant a visa to a foreigner after all. (She could only apply for a short visitor’s pass.)
“I thought this was the end,” Elisheva recalls. “I was crying to my mother.”
As always, her mother was there with strength and clarity.
“She said to me, ‘You must be like Nachshon ben Aminadav and jump into the water. You’ll see, it will split for you.’”
Elisheva adds, “My mother is amazing that way. Whatever I taught her over the years, whatever stories I shared with her from Tanach, she always knew when to bring them up and apply them to what I was going through. She taught me how to live the stories I was teaching her.”
(Later when Elisheva converted, she chose Elisheva as her name partly because Elisheva was the sister of Nachshon ben Aminadav.)
Like nachShon Ben aminadav
In the summer of 2009, four months after her arrival in Singapore, there was a kinus shluchim of all the Asian
JUmping in
Elisheva arrived in Sydney with a visitor’s visa allowing her a 28-day pass. She immediately arranged to meet
with Rabbi Gutnick to complete her conversion process. After being impressed with her knowledge and sincere desire to convert, the beis din agreed to set the mikvah immersion for the following day.
“On chaf daled Elul tav-shin-ayin, right before Rosh Hashana, my giyur was completed,” shares Elisheva. “That yom tov, my first one as a real Jew, was an incredibly emotional experience.”
With the conversion behind her, the next step was figuring out how she could legally remain in the country. Since Elisheva was still underage, Rabbi Gutnick became her legal guardian and advised her to apply for asylum as a refugee. The case was made that she would face religious persecution if she returned to China. On Chanukah, she received her visa granting her permanent residency. Meanwhile, she finally got to achieve her dream of attending Kesser Torah, the girls’ Jewish high school.
Although the Australian Jewish community was welcoming, every so often, as an Asian convert, Elisheva experienced feelings of insecurity. One time in the school playground, a little boy walked over and asked, “Are you Jewish?” Elisheva felt panicked inside. Why do you think I’m not, she wanted to scream. Nevertheless, she quietly answered, “Yes.”
“Me too,” the little boy said and ran off.
“I felt so relieved,” she admits. “I realized then that most of my insecurities were coming from within.”
Her class was small – only nine girls – and they were all friendly. There were some folks in the community, however, with their “wise” advice, who would say things like, “You’ll have a hard time with shidduchim. Most people don’t have it easy, but you’ll have an even harder time.”
“I was only 17 then so I wasn’t thinking about shidduchim. Anyway, I knew I wanted to be Jewish no matter what,” Elisheva reflects. “And I just thought, Hashem will help me.”
After graduating Kesser Torah, Elisheva realized her aspiration to study in seminary in Tzfat, Israel. But it was a culture shock, she admits. Although, the seminary had two tracks, one for Israeli girls and one for girls from outside of Israel, the main language was Hebrew. Additionally, it was a huge seminary and most of the students were daughters of Chabad shluchim who came from a completely different background. There was so much to learn and absorb. The girls were curious about her, but they didn’t want to offend her. They weren’t sure how to interact with her. And although everyone was polite, it was hard for Elisheva to know who might become a friend. She also felt she didn’t have enough Chabad background to feel comfortable joining conversations. In the end, perhaps because she was most familiar with the English culture, she made a lot of British friends. That’s what eventually brought her to England after seminary, where she taught at a high school.
of the London school where I taught. He was incredibly supportive,” remarks Elisheva. “He would often say to me, ‘You’re a living lesson for my students. All you have to do is be here. You don’t even have to say anything.’”
“I’d been in Stamford Hill London for four years already,” continues Elisheva, “living with a local Chabad family when one of the daughters met a friend from Crown Heights in camp. They were schmoozing and the daughter told her friend that she had 12½ siblings. She explained that the ‘half’ was me and related my story.”
Her friend excitedly said, “I have a shidduch for her.”
Apparently, this friend’s aunt and uncle often hosted an Italian bochur, Dovid Martinetti, who was also a convert to Judaism.
When the shidduch was suggested, Elisheva read Dovid’s resume. What caught her eye was that the date of Dovid’s conversion was the exact same date as her own. What are the chances of that? she thought. And because of that hashgacha pratis, she agreed to meet him.
“We always talk about hashgacha pratis, but when you see it through the lens of your own life, it becomes personal.”
Unfortunately, as a refugee, however, she didn’t own a passport, only a travel document which made it difficult to obtain visas. So, the gracious women of Stamford Hill who had adopted her as their own bought the bochur a ticket so he could fly to London to date Elisheva.
Dovid arrived in London on Tu B’Av, and they met that Sunday in Rabbi Lew’s house. They were both inspired by each other’s story and, after a few more dates, agreed to marry. They are shluchim today and, together with their children, reside in Milan, Italy.
“Rabbi Lew was the principal
miSSion to Be accompLiShed
Elisheva notes that she was always nervous in high school when they had to do a family tree project.
“It was embarrassing. I had no family tree; I had no roots.”
In seminary, her roommates posted pictures of their families on the wall. Elisheva had no pictures to hang up.
One day, she decided that instead of pictures, she would hang up one-line sentences
that had given her chizuk throughout her venture. One of them was “Ein davar ha’omed bifnei haratzon,” as long as you’re focused, nothing can stand in the way of your will. She kept reminding herself that Hashem is her Father and her Mother, and this is how every Jewish person is taught to live. Because of her situation, she was forced to really live that concept.
There were times, however, she felt resentful. She’d turn to Hashem and say, “Why did You have to make me look so different?” But then she remembered that Hashem is so much bigger than her. He knows what He’s doing. For example, she realized, if she hadn’t had all her visa issues, she might never have met her husband. Everyone in life gets a personalized curriculum. She realized that even though He sent her neshama so far away, He sent her mother along to help that neshama come home. Everything is precisely calculated.
Elisheva strongly believes that her mission today is to be a devoted mother to her children like her mother was to her.
“That’s a big goal for me,” she says. “My children were born Jewish so they will have a different journey.”
Nevertheless, Elisheva seeks to inject the same passion into their journey as her mother did for her.
Regarding her mission vis-a-vis those outside her family unit, “If Hashem gave me this unique path, it means that I’m meant to help others who are on a similar course.”
Recently, Elisheva spoke at the Kinus Hashluchos in Edison, NJ. Several Chinese converts came over to speak to her. Up until then, they’d thought they were the only Asian converts. One woman shared about her 20-year-old daughter in shidduchim who was repeatedly rejected. Elisheva encouraged her, saying, “Hashem is the kol yachol – He can do anything. Don’t get caught up in externalities. Never give up.”
She adds, “We always talk about hashgacha pratis, but when you see it through the lens of your own life, it becomes personal. I get very emotional when I realize how involved Hashem has been in my life. We must recognize we’re never alone. We don’t always understand, and maybe we won’t understand for a while. But slowly we come to appreciate –He’s there for us.”
A few non-Jews have come to her over the years seeking advice about conversion. One girl from Malaysia started her process in England and, through a mutual friend, connected with Elisheva. The young woman wished to emigrate to Israel but since Israel has no relations with Malaysia, she was denied entry. Ultimately, she was deported back to Malaysia and the Sephardi Beis Din of London eventually dropped her case, saying they couldn’t track whether she was keeping Shabbos. Elisheva deeply resonated with her struggle, advising her to go to Singapore.
“This past Elul, she converted in Singapore,” reports Elisheva, “and is now studying in seminary in Har Nof.
“If you’re able to help collect neshamos, Hashem will help you.”
Postscript: Although Elisheva’s mother herself never officially converted, she currently resides in Beijing and remains a loving mother and grandmother who is thrilled that her daughter’s life now revolves around her Judaism.
Elisheva’s mother and son last year
Maple-Nut Crunch Salad
From concept to completion, I had a really good feeling that this salad was an absolute winner. The first time I served it was when my daughter and her family were over. The next Thursday, I received a voice note, “Ma, I’m so into your new salad. Please send me the recipe so I can make it this Shabbos.” Need I say more?
Meat / Yields 6 servings
IngredIents
5 oz. sliced smoked turkey breast, cut into thin strips
6-8 oz. shredded red cabbage
8 oz. romaine lettuce or lettuce of choice
1 small red onion, diced
½ cup dried cranberries
Maple-Nut Crunch
½ cup slivered almonds
3 Tbsp raw shelled pistachios
3 Tbsp raw walnuts
2 Tbsp pine nuts
½ tsp kosher salt
2 tsp pure maple syrup
Red Wine Vinaigrette
4 Tbsp oil
4 Tbsp red wine vinegar
4 Tbsp pure maple syrup
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
PreParat Ion
Prepare the maple-nut crunch: Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spread nuts over a baking pan or baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt. Toast for 6-8 minutes.
Remove from oven and drizzle with maple syrup. Toss to combine. Set aside to cool. (See note for storing information.)
Prepare the red wine vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients until blended and emulsified.
To serve: Combine turkey, red cabbage, lettuce, red onion, and dried cranberries in a large serving bowl. Top with maple-nut crunch. Dress salad with vinaigrette; toss before serving.
Note: The maple-nut crunch can be prepared in advance. Store in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature for up to 4 weeks. When nuts are no longer fresh, they develop a rancid odor.
Best-Ever Pesach Brownies
The combination of melted chocolate and cocoa powder in these brownies yields chocolate perfection in every bite. I introduced this recipe in my cookbook, Simply. Loved it so much, I converted it to gluten-free so it can be enjoyed all year round.
Pareve / Yields 1 (8-inch) square pan
Freezer Friendly
IngredIents
7 oz. good-quality pareve chocolate, such as Schneider’s or Noblesse
½ cup oil
3 Tbsp cocoa powder
3 eggs
1¼ cups sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
½ tsp sea salt
½ cup potato starch
PreParat Ion
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
In a double boiler, melt together chocolate, oil, and cocoa powder. Alternatively, microwave at 20-second intervals, stirring between intervals. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt until slightly thickened. Slowly add warm melted chocolate mixture, followed by potato starch. Continue to whisk until thoroughly combined. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
Bake 25-28 minutes on center rack, until slightly puffed. Remove from oven; brownies will become firm as they cool. Cut into squares or bars.
Recipes reprinted from Simply Pesach and Beyond by Rivky Kleiman, published by ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications.
To Raise a Laugh
Custom Minhagim
Pesach is all about minhagim. No two families have the same minhagim, and you always want to make sure that your kids carry on whichever minhagim you have.
In fact, here is a list of things that, as far as my kids know, are our Pesach minhagim. Unless I say something to my kids, my sons are going to get married and tell their wives this is what we do, and my daughters will specifically marry people who don’t do some of these things.
“Do you have a minhag to eat way too many eggs?” they’ll ask someone on a date.
-We have a minhag to break something while Pesach cleaning. Usually the oven.
-I have a minhag, when I’m selling my chometz, to cooly slip the rabbi some money in a handshake, even though there’s no one else in the room.
-We have a minhag, handed down through the generations, to go to zoos on Chol Hamoed.
-We also have a minhag to go on the Staten Island Ferry at least once every few years. Once on the ferry, we have a minhag to point at the Statue of Liberty.
-I have a minhag that every kos has to be a mixture of at least 2 or 3 kinds of wine.
-I have a minhag to spill wine on my kittel. I’m extra makpid on this one.
-We have a minhag to do a bad job breaking our matzah. One year I put my thumb through it.
-Our official minhag is that for the Mah Nishtanah the youngest kid goes first, except that the youngest kid has never in the history of our family actually gone first. The actual minhag is that the youngest child stands up on a chair, gets shy, shrugs his shoulders for ten minutes, and eventually agrees to do it after his siblings, but even then he doesn’t always do it.
And the older siblings have a minhag to speed through it as fast as they can, like they’re embarrassed that they have questions. On Pesach.
-My kids have a minhag every year to try to figure out which of the kids are which of the arbah banim.
-We have a minhag, when a lot of family comes over, that between every paragraph of Maggid, someone goes to the bathroom (or checks on a baby or puts someone to bed or does something in the kitchen or pretends to go to the bathroom but actually looks for the afikoman so he could hide it somewhere else) and we all sit around and wait. And then someone says a D’var Torah.
-We have a minhag to use our pinkies to take out wine for the Makkos, and then to lick our pinkies afterward.
-We have a minhag to measure our matzah up against that shiurim picture, and then break it so the shards fit into the corners of the picture. My brother-in-law is Sefardi, so his minhag is to measure it by weight. So he brings his own Pesachdikke scale. (Alternatively, you can use a bathroom scale. First you step onto the scale holding the matzah, then you step onto the scale NOT holding the matzah, all while taking great pains not to bring the matzah into the bathroom.)
-We have a minhag to taste the matzah the first night of Pesach and say, “This matzah isn’t as good as last year’s.” This tradition dates back thousands of years. Apparently, matzah has been steadily getting worse. No matzah in history has ever been as good as the previous year, going all the way back to Mitzrayim, which had the best matzah ever. Maybe the secret is baking it on your back.
-We all have a minhag to make faces while eating marror.
-We have a minhag, at the beginning of Shulchan Orech, to eat the egg in salt water and then grab the whole rest of the potato off the Seder plate and fight over it. One person has a minhag to then lose that potato in the
By Mordechai Schmutter
salt water and use his bare hands to find it.
-Possibly related, we have a minhag to throw out the salt water and make some fresh for the second night.
-We have a minhag to start Shulchan Orech by saying, “I’m not hungry. I hope there’s not a lot of food.”
-My kids had a minhag at some point to hide the afikoman on the highest shelf they could possibly reach, which was directly in my line of vision.
-We have a minhag, the rest of Yom Tov, to bentch out of coffee-themed haggados from the supermarket.
-Our kids have a minhag to insist that Eliyahu Hanavi drank from his kos. Then we pour it back so we can reuse it the next day.
-We have a minhag to fly through Nirtzah. One year, growing up, I tried saying divrei Torah, and people were not receptive.
-We have a minhag for someone to announce, on the first night of Sefirah, that they didn’t Omer the previous night. On some years, someone says, “Last night was zero!” and then someone else says, “No, last night was 354!” And then someone says, “Oh no! I haven’t counted since Shavuos!”
-We have a minhag to intend to make animal noises for Chad Gadya. Until we get to the stick.
-We have a minhag to look at the clock as we finish the Seder, like when we finish has any kind of significance. Like everyone’s leaving Mitzrayim, and we don’t want to miss it. Or like we’re waiting for the year that we go, “Hey, it’s z’man Kriyas Shema! We made it! It’s a good thing we zoomed through Nirtzah!”
Mordechai Schmutter is a freelance writer and a humor columnist for Hamodia and other magazines. He has also published eight books and does stand-up comedy. You can contact him at MSchmutter@gmail.com.
Health
& F tness
The Exodus from Overeating A Pesach Survival Guide
By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN
Pesach is a beautiful and meaningful yom tov, but it also presents unique challenges when it comes to maintaining healthy eating habits. With an abundance of matzah, multi-course meals, and late-night sedarim, it’s easy to overindulge and end the holiday feeling sluggish or seeing unwanted weight gain. However, with mindful planning and balanced choices, you can enjoy Pesach without compromising your health.
Matzah Consumption
Matzah is an integral part of Pesach, but it’s also easy to overconsume. Stick to the required portions during the sedarim, and for the rest of the holiday, be mindful of your intake. Whole wheat or spelt matzah is a better choice than white flour matzah, as it contains more fiber and will keep you full for longer. During meals, pair your matzah with protein or healthy fats to slow digestion and maintain balanced blood sugar levels.
Wine/Beverages
The four cups of wine or grape juice at the sedarim can add loads of sugar and calories. If you drink wine, opt for dry varieties, which contain less sugar. If you prefer grape juice, choose a light version to cut down on excess sugar. For the rest of Pesach, stick to water or seltzer instead of sugary drinks.
Stay Hydrated
Pesach meals can be heavy, and matzah is notorious for causing digestive discomfort. Drinking at least 8 cups (64 oz.) of water daily can help prevent bloating and constipation. If plain water is difficult for you, try herbal teas or infuse your water with lemon, orange slices, or fresh herbs. Limiting caffeine and alcohol will also help keep you properly hydrated.
Eat Mindfully at the Sedarim and Beyond
Late-night meals can make it difficult to listen to your hunger cues, especially when the Seder is long, and you’re hungry by the time the meal begins. To prevent excessive hunger and ultimately overeating, try having a light, protein-based snack or mini-meal before the Seder, such as a hard-boiled egg, tuna, or Greek yogurt and a small salad or a vegetable-based soup. These options provide steady energy without making you too full to enjoy the meal.
During the Seder and seudos, practice mindful eating by slowing down and paying attention to your body’s hunger and fullness signals. Start your meal with fiber-rich vegetables and protein sources, like fish or chicken, which help keep you satisfied and prevent overindulging in carb-heavy dishes later. Take small bites, chew thoroughly, and pause between courses to assess how hungry you still are; the slower you eat your meal, the less food you will consume at that meal. Drinking water throughout the meal can also help with digestion and prevent
mistaking thirst for hunger.
During the daytime, the same mindful eating principles apply. Be intentional with your meals and snacks by choosing nutrient-dense foods that provide energy without leading to sluggishness. Opt for balanced meals that include proteins, healthy fats, and fiber, such as eggs with avocado, a salad with nuts and grilled chicken, or a baked sweet potato with olive oil. Avoid grazing on matzah or carb-based foods all day, as they can be heavy and lead to bloating. Instead, plan structured meals and snacks to avoid mindless nibbling.
Balance Your Meals
With multiple yom tov and Shabbos meals over eight (nine, this year!) days, it’s important to balance your intake:
• Protein: Choose lean options like chicken, turkey, fish, or eggs. Limit red meat to no more than 3-4 meals over the holiday.
• Vegetables: Every meal should include vegetables—roasted, raw, or in salads. They provide fiber and help with digestion.
• Healthy Carbs: Instead of relying solely on matzah-based dishes, incorporate sweet potatoes, quinoa, and fresh fruit.
Snack Wisely
Unplanned snacking can add unnecessary calories and leave you feeling sluggish. Stick to fresh fruit, nuts (about 12 nuts per serving and avoid honey glazed or sugar coated, but salted is fine), cut-up vegetables, and simple proteins like hard-boiled eggs or cheese. Avoid processed Pesach snacks, which are often filled with potato starch and unhealthy oils.
Desserts
Pesach desserts have greatly improved over the years, but many are still loaded with sugar and refined ingredients. If you want to indulge, do so in moderation. The best time to have a treat is earlier in the day when your body can use energy. Choose fresh fruit with a bit of whipped cream, compote, or small portions of almondflour-based baked goods instead of heavy, starch-filled desserts.
Chocolate
Pesach is often a time when chocolate takes center stage, with many households stocking up on kosher l’Pesach treats. From barks to rich chocolate desserts, it’s easy to indulge. However, choosing dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% or higher) can be a healthier option, as it contains less sugar and more antioxidants. Dark chocolate also provides beneficial compounds like flavonoids, which support heart health. To enjoy chocolate in a balanced way during Pesach, opt for small portions and savor it mindfully. This way, you can still enjoy Pesach’s signature treat while simultaneously making healthier choices.
Physical Activity
Pesach often means long meals and little physical activity. Make an effort to move
daily—take a walk after meals, play outside with family, or schedule a Chol Hamoed activity that involves exercise, such as hiking, biking, or even dancing with the kids. Staying active will help with digestion and overall well-being.
Plan Ahead
While some may be at home and others will be guests, it is important to plan ahead as much as you can. A well-thought-out meal plan will set you up for success. Before Pesach, map out meals with a focus on lean proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats. If you’re traveling, bring healthy snacks so you’re not tempted by whatever is available.
Practical Healthy Foods
For Pesach, you can take advantage of the many whole foods that are naturally non-chometz and keep them stocked in your home. Fresh fruits and vegetables like apples, bananas, oranges, berries, cucumbers, zucchini, and sweet potatoes are great staples. Other nutritious options include eggs, fish, chicken, nuts, seeds, and unprocessed meats. Dairy products like plain yogurt and cheese are also chometzfree if they have proper certification.
elets, roasted chicken with sweet potatoes, homemade applesauce, or a fresh salad with avocado and nuts. For a filling side dish, mashed cauliflower can be a great substitute for potatoes or make zucchini noodles or “zoodles” instead of the potato starch-filled Passover noodles; you can bake nut-based treats using almond flour. Keeping these wholesome, non-processed ingredients on hand will make it easy to prepare healthy and satisfying meals throughout the holiday.
Staying Balanced at a Pesach Program
Going away to a Pesach program can be an amazing experience, but with unlimited food options and constant meals, it’s easy to overindulge. The key to maintaining your weight or minimizing weight gain is making smart choices while still enjoying yourself.
Start your day with a healthy breakfast. Most programs offer great options like omelets, Greek yogurt, or cottage cheese. Try to avoid daily pancakes and waffles; instead, treat yourself once or twice.
For lunch, focus on proteins and vegetables. Many programs have salad bars
matzah-based meal instead of heavier options like pasta or Pesach dough pizza which can be calorie-dense and leave you feeling heavy. If you’re craving pizza, matzah pizza is a more controlled option than a plate of “pasta.”
Dinners should be balanced with a protein, a vegetable, and a healthy carb like quinoa or sweet potatoes. Since yom tov meals are often heavy with meat dishes, try incorporating fish for some dinners to balance your intake. Avoid French fries, which are commonly served, or limit them to an occasional treat.
Pesach programs often include endless eating events—BBQs, tea rooms, dessert parties, and late-night events. Plan ahead so you’re not eating at every event. If you want to enjoy a BBQ, skip the next food event rather than eating five or six meals daily. Stick to three meals with light snacks and avoid unnecessary late-night eating. If there’s a late-night event, brushing your teeth beforehand can help curb unnecessary snacking. The tearoom can be a trap— opt for fruit, a handful of nuts, or a small piece of chocolate instead of cakes loaded with sugar, margarine, and potato starch. A helpful tip is to avoid keeping food in your room, thereby allowing you to have three portioned meals a day.
While there is an abundance of food, it doesn’t all have to be eaten! Allow yourself a treat to avoid deprivation but indulge mindfully and in moderation.
Pesach programs also offer plenty of ways to stay active. Take advantage of the hotel gym or any given exercise classes. If you’re in a warm climate, enjoy swimming, playing tennis, or taking a walk. By making mindful choices and staying active, you can enjoy the program while feeling your best.
Pesach is a time for celebration – family, meaningful minhagim, and food is a big part of that experience. However, you don’t need to sacrifice your health to enjoy the holiday. By consistently making smart choices, staying mindful of portions, and keeping active, you will feel great at the conclusion of Pesach rather than feeling weighed down by guilt or pounds.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and fulfilling yom tov. Chag kasher v’sameach!
Aliza Beer is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz show. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail.com, and you can follow her on Instagram at @alizabeer
Israel Today Sirens
By Rafi Sackville
The residential complex we call home in Jerusalem comprises five buildings, sheltering 240 families. Despite the diverse sizes, shapes and styles of our apartments, the safe rooms—our bastions during times of crisis—are hauntingly similar: thick walls, double-glazed windows, and a heavy steel plate that can be slid across the window, thus sealing us away from the outside world.
The siren that pierces the air in our neighborhood sits atop a nearby apartment building. When it wails, its chilling urgency penetrates even the most stoic hearts among us. But it ’s not the siren that echoes in my mind after a missile attack, rather it’s the heavy, metallic clank of those steel planks being drawn across the windows. They sound like falling dominoes, like workers hammering huge, steel spikes into the earth. One chilling hammer blow after another, those plates lock us into a shared fate. In the midst of this cacophony, I am painfully reminded that, despite the unseen barriers between us, we are all united in this harrowing experience.
Safe rooms offer a fragile illusion of protection against the harsh realities that lurk just beyond the comfort of our lives in Israel. They serve as somber reminders of a norm that does not exist in the diaspora. Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of a safe room. Many must share their building’s safety in stairwells, or windowless rooms, or seek refuge in public shelters.
We moved to Jerusalem from the Western Galilee just over a year ago, where we had built our lives for over a decade. In our building lived a man with severe motor disability. At the onset of the war, when safe rooms became a necessity, he was confined to his apartment. The border was merely a few kilometers away, and reaching the safe room within half a minute was an im -
possibility for him. He laughed off his predicament, but the consternation in his eyes was unmistakable after a large piece of shrapnel landed perilously close during an attack.
Another neighbor—a mother of three grown children—suffered a psychological breakdown in the safe room. Her screams of despair reverberated off the thickened walls until her daughter finally managed to calm her down. I found myself grappling with an agonizing question: what was worse: listening to the siren or witnessing her distress?
Not long ago, I sat down with Shoshi, an 83-year-old grandmother from Tel Aviv, who shared the intricate tapestry of her complicated family situation. She devotes a substantial part of her life to caring for her 10-year-old grandson, Yonatan, who has cerebral palsy. From time to time, she visits her mother, who is 101 years old, in the north.
Yonatan is a bright student, enrolled in a regular class. I watched him address his classmates. Throughout his talk he referred to himself as “handicapped,” a label that his mother and grandmother have desperately tried to avoid. With surprising openness, he would declare, ”Handicapped people like me” and ”I have a specially fitted car for handicapped people like me.”
“In retrospect, it was quite funny. He threw political correctness out the window,” Shoshi laughs
Yonatan is a miracle; he was born two months premature under circumstances remarkably similar to our present turmoil. Ten years ago, Israel was embroiled in a limited war that ignited after the kidnapping and murder of three yeshiva students in Gush Etzion, just south of Jerusalem. During that time, Hamas launched rockets into the country. Eti, Shoshi’s daughter, was seven months pregnant at the time. She happened to be walking in Ramat Gan
when the air raid siren sounded. Panic washed over her, triggering an anxiety attack that left her reeling. A concerned neighbor found her cowering against a wall and brought her into her home. Soon after, Eti required medical assistance and was rushed to the hospital, where she gave birth prematurely to Yonatan and his twin sister Shaked.
Shaked emerged unscathed, but Yonatan faced immediate surgery and a long journey fraught with challenges. In the ensuing months, he underwent numerous operations, including one that required raising tens of thousands of shekels to fly him to the United States for specialized care. Through every trial, Shoshi has stood steadfast by her daughter and grandson, a pillar of strength in a world that is increasingly uncertain.
Shoshi drives a van equipped with a specialized elevator that allows Yonatan to enter and exit with his electric wheelchair. When one of his classmates asked how he goes to the beach, he proudly told them about “his” van.
The reliance of Eti on her mother ’s help puts a strain on their relationship. Shoshi realizes she should step back and let her daughter take on more responsibility.
These are the unintended consequences of a war we never chose to fight. Trauma affects everyone differently, and the scars of conflict shape our lives in ways we could never have anticipated.
In a cruel, twisted way, Israelis have become numb to the chaos of our lives, accepting it as our reality—even though we are far from immune to its challenges. I questioned my own response when a terrorist attack recently struck the north of the country, not far from where four of our children live. I was shocked, but it wasn ’t the kind of shock I might have felt, for example, had I been in an American city after a school shooting.
It ’s not a matter of “out of sight, out of mind”—it ’s a survival mechanism, a deep instinct of self-preservation that allows us to absorb the suffering of others yet somehow gives us the strength to keep moving forward.
This is the toll that a year of war has taken on the average Israeli. It has been a year of too many funerals, too many shiva calls, and too much national distress. It has been a year in which people thought twice before opening newspapers or listening to the news, in fear they’d hear the name of a fallen soldier they knew. It’s been a year when sirens screamed through our skies far too often. And when they did (when they do), I can only imagine the myriad responses of my neighbors, locked away behind their clanging windows that shield us from the world and that allow us to go on living.
Rafi Sackville, formerly from Cedarhurst, teaches in a prominent yeshiva in Yerushalayim.
Our Legacy Passed Along: A Passover Letter To My Child Voices of Greater Washington
My Dear Child,
By HaRav Ahron Lopiansky from his book Time Pieces
It is now a quiet moment late at night. After an exhausting day of Passover cleaning, you have sunk into the sweetest of sleeps, and I am sitting here with a pile of Haggadas, preparing for Seder night. Somehow the words never come out the way I want them to, and the Seder evening is always unpredictable. But so many thoughts and feelings are welling up in my mind and I want to share them with you. These are the words I mean to say at the Seder.
When you will see me at the Seder dressed in a kittel, the same plain white garment worn on Yom Kippur, your first question will be, “Why are you dressed like this?”
Because it is Yom Kippur, a day of reckoning. You see, each one of us has a double role. First and foremost we are human beings, creatures in the image of God, and on Yom Kippur we are examined if indeed we are worthy of that title. But we are also components of Klal Yisrael, the Jewish People, links in a chain
that started over 3,000 years ago and will make it to the finish line of the end of times. It is a relay race where a torch is passed on through all the ages, and it is our charge, to take it from the one before and pass it on to the one after. Tonight we are being judged as to how well we have received our tradition and how well we are passing it on.
“It is now 3,300 years since we received that freedom in Egypt. If we imagine the average age of having a child to be about 25 years of age, there are four generations each century. That means there is a total of 132 people stretching from our forefathers in Egypt to us today. 132 people had to pass on this heritage flawlessly, with a devotion and single-mindedness that could not falter. Who were these 133 fathers of mine?
One had been in the Nazi death camps; one had been whipped unconscious by Cossacks. One had children stolen by the Czar, and one was the laughing stock of his “enlightened” brethren. One lived in a basement in Warsaw with many days
passing with no food to his mouth; the other ran a stupendous mansion in France. One had been burned at stake for
refusing to believe in the divinity of a flesh and blood, and one had been frozen to death in Siberia for continuing to believe in the divinity of the Eternal God.
One had been hounded by a mob for living in Europe rather than Palestine, and one had been blown up by Palestinians for not living in Europe. One had been a genius who could not enter medical school because he was not Christian, and one was fed to the lions by the Romans…
132 fathers, each with his own story. Each with his own test of faith. And each with one overriding and burning desire: that this legacy be passed unscathed to me. And one request of me: that I pass this on to you, my sweet child.
What is this treasure that they have given their lives for? What is in this precious packet that 132 generations have given up everything for?
It is a great secret: That man is capable of being a lot more than an intelligent primate. That the truth of an Almighty God does not depend on public approval, and no matter how many people jeer at you, truth never changes. That the quality of life is not measured by goods but by the good. That one can be powerfully hungry, and yet one can forgo eating if it is not kosher. That a penny that is not mine is not mine, no matter the temptation or rationalization. That family bonding is a lot more than birthday parties; it is a commitment
of loyalty that does not buckle in a moment of craving or lust. And so much more.
This is our precious secret, and it is our charge to live it and to become a shining display of “This is what it means to live with God.”
132 people have sat Seder night after Seder night, year after year, and with every fiber of their heart and soul have made sure that this treasure would become mine and yours. Doubters have risen who are busy sifting the sands of the Sinai trying to find some dried out bones as residues of my great-great-grandfather. They are looking in the wrong place. The residue is in the soul of every one of these 132 grandfathers whose entirety of life was wrapped up in the preservation of this memory and treasure. It is unthinkable that a message borne with such fervor and intensity, against such challenges and odds, is the result of a vague legend or the fantasy of an idle mind.
I am the 133rd person in this holy chain. At times I doubt if I am passing it on well enough. I try hard, but it is hard not to quiver when you are on the vertical shoulders of 132 people, begging you not to disappoint them by toppling everyone with you swaying in the wind.
My dear child, may God grant us many long and happy years together. But one day, in the distant future, I’ll be dressed in a kittel again as they prepare me for my burial. Try to remember that this is the treasure that I have passed on to you. And then it will be your turn, you will be the 134th with the sacred duty to pass on our legacy to number 135.
COLUMBIA GROUP PRESENTS:
Captivity Of The Body, Freedom Of The Soul Living Kiddush Hashem
TBy Rabbi Shraga Freedman
he tragedies of October 7th and the ongoing suffering of captivity have given us a firsthand glimpse into the kur ha’barzel that defined the slavery of Mitzrayim.
From the many stories that have emerged, we have seen how physical suffering can lead to a profound cheirus hanefesh—the true freedom of the soul.
One powerful example is Agam Berger, a 20-year-old IDF soldier taken hostage on October 7th. During her 482 days in captivity, her mother turned to faith, lighting Shabbos candles and strengthening her observance. When she learned Agam’s release was scheduled for Shabbos, she made one request: “Please do not desecrate Shabbos by reporting on it.” In a remarkable turn of events, Agam was freed the following Thursday.
Upon her return, she held up a sign declaring, “In the way of faith I chose, in
the way of faith I returned.” Throughout her ordeal, she remained steadfast—keeping Shabbos, maintaining kashrus, and even fasting on Tisha B’Av. A siddur she found became her lifeline. Both mother and daughter, through immense pain and affliction, discovered profound freedom in their neshamos and in serving Hashem.
Keith Siegal, an American-Israeli hostage, underwent a similar transformation. Subjected to starvation and brutal conditions, he found beauty and meaning in yiddishkeit. He began saying brachos for the first time in his life and reciting Shema Yisrael. When he returned home, his only request for his first Shabbos meal was simple: “A kippah and a kos for Kiddush.”
Why Does Suffering Awaken the Neshama?
• Softens the heart – Fosters deeper emotions.
• Heightens sensitivity – Helps us connect to Hashem’s Middos of compassion and empathy.
• Shifts focus beyond the physical – Reduces attachment to material pleasures, allowing us to tune into our spiritual essence.
• Shatters illusions of control –Reminds us that true security comes only from Hashem.
• Reveals deeper meaning and purpose – Encourages a search for true fulfillment.
• Develops a deeper appreciation –Teaches gratitude, helping us cherish the simple blessings in life.
• Matza, the symbol of both affliction and faith, teaches us this paradox: hardship often becomes the doorway to spiritual awakening of our neshama
This year, as we reflect on captivity and galus, we can truly experience the slavery of Mitzrayim—not just as history, but as a personal journey. Through pain and suffering, we become free to serve Hashem with all our soul.
Rabbi Shraga Freedman is the Educational Director of the Living Kiddush Hashem Foundation and the author of Sefer Mekadshei Shemecha, Living Kiddush Hashem, and A Life Worth Living
Email LivingKiddushHashem@ gmail.com for a free download of inspiring stories and sefer Mekadshei Shemecha. Visit LivingKiddushHashem.org for more resources.
Rabbi Shraga Freedman is the author of Sefer Mekadshei Shemecha, Living Kiddush Hashem, and A Life Worth Living.
Email LivingKiddushHashem@gmail. com for a free sefer. Visit LivingKiddushHashem.org for more resources
Living Kiddush Hashem was founded with the goal of imbuing every Jew with a powerful sense of mission — the mission to be mekadeish Sheim Shamayim in his or her own unique way. We strive to accomplish this by raising awareness of the paramount importance of the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem and its centrality in everything we do.
Koby Goldschlag (Silver Spring) & Dina Shlionsky (Passaic/Har Nof)
Want to see your simcha here? Email mazeltov@baltimorejewishhome.com or text 443-675-6507 to submit your simcha!
Chaim Mordechai & Deena Meister on the birth of a daughter
Aaron & Rina Kuhr on the birth of a daughter
Mr. & Mrs. Chesky Lewin on the birth of a daughter
Zev & Ruty Weiss on the birth of a son
Binyamin & Zehava Gerstenfeld on the birth of a daughter
Boruch & Hindy Rabinowitz on the birth of a daughter
Ari & Esti Lurman on the birth of a daughter
Yehuda Mayer & Atara Naiman on the birth of a daughter
Sholom & Sara Borenstein on the birth of a son
Moti & Dina Sverdlov on the birth of a son
Want to see your simcha here? Email mazeltov@baltimorejewishhome.com or text 443-675-6507 to submit your simcha!
A Group is Called What?
Match each animal to its correct group name.
All of these are 100% real!
A. Owls
B. Crows
C. Flamingos
D. Hippos
E. Ferrets
F. Porcupines
G. Frogs
H. Cats
I. Penguins (on land)
J. Giraffes
1. Flamboyance
2. Crash
3. Parliament
4. Waddle
5. Bloat
6. Mischief
7. Army
8. Clowder
9. Murder
10. Tower
Riddle Me This!
Why don’t koalas count as bears?
Because they don’t have the right koalafications.
You Gotta Be Kidding Me
A lion, a zebra, and a chicken walk into a jungle bar.
The lion says, “I’m the king of the jungle. Everyone fears me.”
The zebra says, “Really? I run in zigzags, and no one ever catches me.”
The chicken sips her drink and says, “Amateurs. I cross one road, and the whole world won’t stop talking about it.” Answers: A – 3; B – 9; C – 1; D – 5; E – 6; F – 10; G – 7; H – 8; I – 4; J – 2
Animal Truth Detector
Can you tell if each of these facts are true or false?
1. A cheetah can go from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds.
2. A shrimp’s heart is in its head.
3. Bats always turn left when exiting a cave.
4. A blue whale’s tongue can weigh as much as an elephant.
5. Cows have best friends and get stressed when separated.
6. Caterpillars have more muscles than humans.
7. Crocodiles can’t stick out their tongues.
Riddle Me This!
A turtle, a dog, a sheep, and a cat all want to cross a narrow rope bridge over a canyon. But there are rules:
• Only two animals can be on the bridge at once.
• They must move at the speed of the slower animal.
• They need a lantern to cross, and only one lantern exists.
• The turtle takes 10 minutes to cross.
• The dog takes 5 minutes.
• The sheep takes 2 minutes.
• The cat takes 1 minute.
8. Octopuses have three hearts and blue blood.
9. Frogs can freeze solid and then thaw out alive.
10. Dolphins have names for each other — and they answer when called.
11. Giraffes only sleep about 30 minutes a day.
12. Elephants can recognize themselves in a mirror.
13. Some sharks can live for over 500 years.
14. Snails can have over 14,000 teeth.
Why do you always think that people are lying to you?
What’s the shortest amount of time it will take for all four animals to cross the bridge safely? How should they do it?
Answer:
The shortest amount of time that it can be done is in 17 minutes:
Cat and sheep cross (2 minutes). Cat carries the lantern.
Cat returns (1 minute), carrying the lantern.
Turtle and dog cross (10 minutes), carrying the lantern.
Sheep returns (2 minutes) with the lantern.
Cat and sheep cross again (2 minutes). Sheep carries the lantern.
Notable Quotes
“Say What?!”
The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO. Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!). Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!
- Social media post by Pres. Trump on Monday morning, shortly before markets opened
As a partner in a law firm, have you ever taken to social media to attack a judge that ruled against you?
– Sen Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) questioning Jesse Panuccio—who worked for Trump in his first term— at a Senate hearing about Judicial vs. Executive authority
Well, let me just give you a quote: “I want to tell you, Gorsuch; I want to tell you, Kavanagh, you have released a whirlwind. You will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with the decisions.” That was something that Sen. Schumer said, and I thought it was awful and it unleased a wave of violent threats against Supreme Court justices. And, I do think that language is problematic.
– Jesse Panuccio, in response
You’re a tough cookie. You were really great. And that Doug –what a character! I love that guy.
- What Donald Trump said to Kamala Harris when they spoke after Trump won the election, according to a newly released book about the 2024 race
I was like, what? Honestly, I felt like, what is this? It’s so manipulative. He’s a sociopath.
- One of Harris’s aides telling the book author that Trump being gracious was manipulative and sociopathic
This is a serious issue that is happening within all sports, and it needs to be addressed. There is a difference between men and women. It is a civil rights movement for women and girls, and I prioritize the safety and rights and protection of women and girls.
- Women’s fencer Stephanie Turner who made the national news last week for refusing to compete against a man, on Fox News
A small group of people is holding a much larger athlete base hostage to extremist liberal views. - ibid.
You know who is rebuilding LA? Men. Men with their dump trucks and excavators. Men that the people in Palisades don’t [care at all] about.
- Megyn Kelly
I looked into his very intelligent brown eyes, and I felt a really deep connection.
- Conservationist Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, writing on CNN.com about the first time she saw a mountain gorilla deep in the jungle of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
I’m going to be 104 in May, and I’m inviting you to my birthday party.
- Soon-to-be 104-year-old World War II veteran Denver Moorer of Ohio in a now viral video
I got to vote for you again, and I hope I get to vote for you some more.
- ibid.
I’m a 100% disabled veteran with PTSD. The VA and my doctors have approved the tigers to work as support animals.
- Karl Mitchell, after Nevada authorities removed seven tigers from his home
When I first became a public defender, I had no criminal defense experience, and I walked in, and I told my boss, Charlie, I said, “Listen, you should hire me.” He said, “Why?” I said, “Because I’m black.”
- New mouthpiece for the radical left, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), oddly admitting at a Congressional hearing that she was a DEI hire, proving the point that people have been making about DEI
In the long run, he’s right. But in the long run, we’re all dead. Short run matters, too. Nobody knows what the impact of these tariffs is going to be on their economy.
- Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) talking about Trump’s tariffs
Everyone, especially on your side — on the left— is freaking out.
- Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper
I’m not on the left.
- Jake Tapper, in response
Alright, Jake, thank you.
- Rollins’ sarcastic reply
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced that there will be equal standards for men and women in the military –women will have to do 50 pushups in one minute, and men will have to guess why women are mad at them.
– Greg Gutfeld
Have a great day everyone…and remember, the resistance is real, you are not alone! We will see you tomorrow.
– Whoopie Goldberg at the end of a recent episode of “The View”
Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…
Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
Dear Navidaters,
Dear Navidaters,
I’m a 23-year-old guy, recently engaged to an amazing person. We come from similar backgrounds, share the same values, and from the beginning it really felt like Hashem brought us together. She is sweet and thoughtful and has an amazing sense of humor. But since we got engaged, I’ve been seeing a side of her I didn’t expect.
She goes into these moods where she just shuts down. It’s not like a little quiet moment. It’s like she disappears emotionally. She’ll give one-word answers, won’t make eye contact, and I feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells, trying not to say the wrong thing. The most recent time was over Shabbos at her parents, where she barely acknowledged me the whole time. When I asked her about it afterward, she told me I’m overreacting and that all women are like this. Her father was hanging out with me for the majority of the day. I felt so confused. I asked her if I did anything to upset her, and she said no.
I really love her. I want to marry her. I don’t want to give up on this. I even suggested we go for counseling together, and she said she won’t go, but I’m free to go on my own. That stung.
I feel confused and sick to my stomach at the thought of ending this. But I also don’t know if this is something I’m supposed to just accept. Am I being too sensitive? Or is this a red flag I shouldn’t ignore? My parents are freaking out, encouraging me to call it off. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to lose her. She is still the incredible person I met too.
– David**
Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.
W E D D I N G P A C K A G E
The Panel
Dear Readers,
We want to offer YOU an opportunity to be part of the discussion! Please email us at MichelleMondShadchan@gmail.com, subject line “reader’s response,” if you would like to participate in the new “A Reader’s Response” columnist spot. We will send you a question and publish your answer in an upcoming Navidaters edition.
If you have a question you would like the Navidaters to answer, please reach out to this email as well.
Looking forward!
Michelle, the “Shadchan”
The Rebbetzin
Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.
Thank you for your question. This is definitely not an easy one. It is so hard to be in love with someone and to see worrisome behaviors at the same time. I am trying to understand if she shuts down because she is introverted and enjoys space or if something deeper is going on. It is also entirely possible that she is not self-aware of her behavior and how it may feel to others. When couples are dating, everyone is on “company manners,” but once you start to spend more and more time together, and eventually live together, you start to learn a person more wholly.
I know you had mentioned going to counseling with her, and she opposed it. Would she be open to speaking to a rabbi or mentor together? At this point, I don’t think “no” is an option. Both you and your parents are concerned, and her willingness or unwillingness to seek guidance speaks volumes. As her chosson, it is completely fair to say that you love her, but you are concerned and need to have a deeper understanding of this issue before proceeding forward. If she keeps dismissing you as overreacting, well, that also shows something. Your feelings matter, too. Even if you are overreacting, you deserve to be heard and have your concerns addressed, as I’m sure you would do for her if the roles were reversed.
At this point, your parents are
concerned too, and assuming they are healthy, non-controlling people (which they sound like) then their opinions and worries should matter. I would very lovingly explain to her or even to her parents that for your own clarity you need to seek a counselor or mentor together.
Remember, most behaviors you see before marriage are amplified once you live together. Something like this should not be ignored, and if she is not willing to seek guidance, then that tells you a lot of what you need to know.
I wish you much hatzlacha.
The Shadchan
Michelle Mond
What a painful and confusing situation to be in. You clearly care about this girl deeply, and it sounds like you were genuinely excited to build a life together. That makes what you’re experiencing now all the more heartbreaking.
From what you’ve described, it seems like she’s emotionally distancing herself in ways that feel sudden and unexplained—and it’s leaving you anxious. That’s not a small thing. Relationships go through ups and downs, sure, but this kind of emotional shutdown, followed by denial and dismissal (“you’re overreacting,” “all women are like this”)—that’s not just a quirk. That’s a serious dynamic you need to
understand before moving forward.
There are a few possibilities worth considering. One thing to look into is whether she might be on any medication—especially if she’s trying to regulate things before the wedding. Some of those can trigger mood swings, anxiety, or emotional withdrawal. If that’s the case, it’s something that can likely be managed—but only if she’s open to talking about it.
If that’s not what’s going on, then it’s time to ask some hard questions. Is she truly happy in this relationship? Is there something deeper she’s struggling with that she’s not expressing? Have there been signs of this behavior in her past? It might be helpful to reach out to someone who knows her well—a mentor, kallah teacher, or rabbi—and explain what you’re seeing. Ask if they’ve ever seen her go emotionally cold like this before.
Another thing to consider: she might have avoidant tendencies. People with avoidant patterns often pour on the charm during courtship, but once they have what they want—a committed partner—they begin to pull away, shut down, or create emotional distance. It’s painful and confusing for the person on the other end—exactly what you’re feeling now.
You said something that really stood out to me: “She is still the incredible person I met.” I believe you. But you’re not marrying a memory or a version of someone you once knew— you’re marrying who she is now. And right now, she’s showing you a side of herself that’s emotionally unavailable, unwilling to get help, and dismissive of your feelings. That’s not something you can—or should—ignore.
If she’s unwilling to go to counseling with you now, before marriage, that’s a huge red flag. Marriage doesn’t magically fix communication issues. If anything, it amplifies them. I know this is a gut-wrenching crossroads. But staying with someone who won’t meet you emotionally, who leaves you feeling invisible, anxious, and small—that is a far lonelier path than walking away.
Whatever you decide, please know this: being loved should never feel like walking on eggshells.
You very much want to make this work, but you cannot accept a part-time wife or a sometime-best friend.
The Zaidy
Dr. Jeffrey Galler
The real mystery here is how did your girlfriend suddenly transform from the person you fell in love with to the person she is today?
Perhaps she was merely “faking it,” and now her real personality is emerging. Perhaps she has severe psychological problems and stopped taking her medications, or switched to a different medication that has not yet been properly calibrated.
(Important note: after getting engaged, young women often begin hormonal therapy in order to help regulate certain things. Initially, these medications can cause dramatic mood shifts. You may wish to very tactfully explore this possibility.)
But, if this new version of your girlfriend is how she really is, you have to ask yourself if you want to spend the rest of your life with a partner who is absent emotionally. Painful as it is, it is far less damaging to break off an engagement than to divorce after marriage. You already offered her a lifeline and offered to go together for counseling. You might wish to consider repeating that offer in a final attempt to rejuvenate this relationship.
This is a very sad situation, but the person that you fell in love with may no longer be present. In this new reality, it seems like, emotionally, she may already have divorced herself from you.
The Reader’s Response
Isaiah Cox, “The Curmudgeon”
What a question!
I agree 100% that in a marriage, a proper partnership, you have to let the other person in, even if you are being moody or don’t feel like engaging. Routinely shutting the other person out is a major red flag: I would not recommend that anyone marries a would-be partner who acts in this way.
It sounds like you have done everything you should: you have confronted
her directly, indicating that this is a major problem. You have made it clear that you love her and want to make it work.
I would sit down with her and lay your cards on the table: you love her and you want to marry her – open your heart. Don’t skimp on this, because if she chooses to walk away, she needs to know what she is walking away from. Make your case as effusively as you can, because there must be no ambiguity in your feelings and desires.
And then tell her that your vision of your lives together requires a full partnership. You are not prepared to accept her “checking out” any more than she should accept that from you. You need
Pulling It All Together
The Navidaters
Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists
First, thank you for writing with so much honesty and heart. It’s clear how deeply you care about your kallah and how seriously you’re taking this process. That kind of thoughtfulness and vulnerability really stand out, and it already speaks volumes about your capacity for a deep, lasting relationship.
What you’re describing would leave anyone feeling off-balance. When someone you love emotionally disappears, especially during something as emotionally heightened as an engagement, it can be incredibly destabilizing. It’s not just the quiet that hurts. It’s the disconnection. It’s the sense of being shut out and not knowing why. And it makes sense that your body is responding the way it is. That walking-on-eggshells feeling? That’s your nervous system trying
to make sense of emotional uncertain - ty.
You men - tioned that she goes quiet, gives one-word answers, avoids eye contact, and then tells you you’re overreacting. That’s not just a mood. That’s what Dr. John Gottman refers to as stonewalling—one of what he calls the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” which are communication behaviors that predict relationship breakdown if they go unaddressed. The four are criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. And stonewalling is exactly what you’re describing: when one partner shuts down emotionally or mentally withdraws from interaction as a way of coping with stress or conflict. It often leaves the other partner feeling invisible, dismissed, and alone.
to know what is wrong, so that the two of you – together – can fix it.
And then make her part of the answer. Ask: how do we fix this? Do we involve the shadchan? Parents? Rabbi? Therapist? Good friends? Tell her that you are open to any approach – as long as it can lead to an actual solution. Reiterate: you very much want to make this work, but you cannot accept a part-time wife or a sometime-best friend.
And then sit and listen. Don’t force it. Be infinitely patient until it all comes out – whatever it is. She must be heard. Once you’ve made your case, it is her turn. After all, you are trying to create a partnership.
Being loved should never feel like walking on eggshells.
You have to give it your all. If she really cannot be the life partner that you want and need, then you will both have clarity. It is much better to fail fast and early. You need to be able to always look back on this and have no regrets.
What’s important here is not just what is happening but how it’s being handled. The fact that you brought up how this dynamic made you feel—and did so with love and care—and her response was to dismiss it and say “all women are like this” – that deserves your attention. It’s not about being judgmental. It’s about being honest about whether she’s willing and able to engage in emotional repair.
And David, the way you offered to go to counseling? That’s incredibly mature. It shows you’re not afraid to face hard things head-on. But for a relationship to grow, both people have to be willing to look at themselves. When someone says, “You go ahead, but I won’t come with you,” they’re saying, “This is your problem to fix.” That’s not partnership.
I’m not saying you have to call it off. I know that’s not what your heart wants. And I believe you when you say she’s an incredible person. But even incredible people can have unhealed
Hopefully, of course, you find a path forward. Together. May you be blessed.
parts that hurt the ones who love them. You’re allowed to honor both truths. You’re allowed to say, “I love her” and also “Something here doesn’t feel right.”
And I just want to say this as clearly as possible: you are not being too sensitive. You are being appropriately sensitive to emotional distance and emotional unavailability. You’re noticing something that would affect any longterm relationship—and you’re asking the right questions.
Whatever you decide, please continue honoring what you know deep down—that love should not feel like chasing. That closeness shouldn’t come with guessing games. That emotional safety is not a luxury in marriage—it’s the foundation.
You’re not being dramatic. You’re being wise. And you’re showing up for yourself in exactly the way you need to.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Mann, LCSW
Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and certified trauma healing life coach, as well as a dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 718-908-0512. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email JenniferMannLCSW@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.
Join The Fun Tech Triumphs
As told to Rebbetzin Sara Gross
My wife has her own business. She used to rely heavily on her smartphone to keep it going, and it was taking a toll on our family. Having all her emails and business dealings in her hand at all times was distracting her from being present for me and the kids.
She made the decision to switch to a flip phone and keep all her work on the computer. It was a great change for our family. We worried that her business would suffer because of it, but to our immense surprise and gratification, business boomed. She kept her business and home separate, and it worked out great.
After a while of watching my wife with her flip phone, I realized that I wanted to make the switch myself and “join the fun.” It was much harder than I anticipated, but I did it. Along with the difficulty came freedom and relief from being constantly distracted and pulled to look at my phone. I felt stronger and calmer without the pull.
In truth, the gains far overshadow the difficulty.
DID YOU KNOW?
Short-form video apps like TikTok and YouTube Shorts deliver quick, addictive content designed for endless scrolling. It’s easy to fall into a rabbit hole of 30-second clips—turning a 10-minute break into 30 minutes, an hour, or more.
The long-term effects are serious. Often called “TikTok Brain,” the result can be shorter attention spans and high-
er anxiety—especially harmful to young, developing minds.
TikTok is avoidable: just don’t download it (or delete it). But YouTube Shorts is trickier. YouTube is far more popular and widely used, especially for seemingly innocent content like music or Shiurim. Shorts appear automatically, can’t be disabled in settings, and often bypass YouTube’s content filtering options—so many include inappropriate material.
A few workarounds exist for YouTube shorts on PCs, but they’re limited and technical. On phones, blocking YouTube Shorts is not possible. In both cases, a proper filter will block Shorts— some filters better than others.
Adults might have the self-control to stop scrolling, but kids often don’t. If children must use YouTube, supervise them closely and install a filter that blocks Shorts completely.
Mental Health Corner
Fostering Independence
By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman
Children begin their lives com- expect them to be independent adults all of these milestones and how do you know when to start fostering independence?
The secret lies in identifying the “Zone of Proximal Development”. This is a fancy term that describes the distance between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with support from someone with more knowledge or expertise. Once you identify your child’s specific zone, you can start fostering independence even before the child reaches the age of two!
Imagine a child who wants to take off his coat by himself. You can do it for him, or you can allow him to try to do it by himself. Many children will emphatically express their desire to do it on their own and cry out, “Me!, Me!”, but often get stuck in the complicated steps that taking off a coat requires. Offering the bare minimum amount of assistance that is needed balances the need for the child to learn independence and getting the support that they need. Thus, by identifying their zone of proximal development as it relates to taking off a coat, you have brought the child one step closer to independence.
the road by not fostering the child’s independence.
As children grow older, parents need to identify those tasks and chores that children can do on their own and then slowly ease the child into accepting that chore for him or herself. For example, the amount of responsibility that a child has for keeping their room clean and organized should change with age. A child who is seventeen years old who is still not responsible for keeping their own room neat and tidy is a child who is behind the learning curve on developing independence and self-sufficiency.
Sometimes, parents really want to foster independence in their child, but they do not know how to. Many children will fiercely resist their parents’ attempts to give them more responsibility and independence, and the parents are dumbfounded and do not know how to handle the situation. In this situation, professional intervention might be very crucial in providing parents with the skills and strategies that they are lacking.
Another point to bear in mind is the importance of not discouraging children who are wreaking havoc with their messy attempts at independence. Imagine a four-year-old child trying to make a cream cheese sandwich by herself. By the time she is finished, you will have cream cheese on the floor, cream cheese on the walls, and cream cheese oozing down the child’s legs! But you will also have one very proud four-year-old who is glowing as she holds in her hands her cream cheese sandwich. Besides the priceless memories, you will also have a child who is one step closer to eventual independence. If you choose to make the sandwich for your child, you are solving the short-term problem of your messy kitchen, but you might be creating a problem down
Sigmund Freud once said, “Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.” Indeed, the thought of being responsible for one’s self can be so anxiety provoking, that people are sometimes willing to give up their independence in order to alleviate their anxiety. Ultimately, you lose out so much that life has to offer. As Albert Einstein once said, “A ship is always safe at the shore, but that is not what it was built for!”
This is a service of Relief Resources. Relief is an organization that provides mental health referrals, education, and support to the frum community. Rabbi Yisrael Slansky is director of the Baltimore branch of Relief. He can be contacted at 410-448-8356 or at yslansky@reliefhelp.org
Headlines Halacha
Through Thick and Thin
How Matzah Became This
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman
“Yes, no joke! There are hand matzos this year with an Eida Chareidis Hechsher that are only ten dollars a pound.!”
“Alright, I believe you. But, this place. What do they charge for the thin ones? My family only eats thin. Very thin. What do they charge for that one?”
“The thin is only twenty dollars a pound.”
“Can’t be. Last year I paid more than double.”
The above was a conversation heard between two shoppers outside a local supermarket, and then, inside, this shopper witnessed something fascinating. The teeming masses were purchasing thin – not the thicker one that was half of the price.
There is no question. Thin is in.
But how did matzah become so thin? Didn’t it used to not be the case? And what about that Syrian matzah that is sold?
To get into the thick of things on the issue (sorry, couldn’t help it), it might be a good idea to examine the history of matzah making. We can possibly trace the development of this history by ex-
amining at least four different types of sources. The Machon Moreshes Ashkenaz in Bnei Brak is an important resource when it comes to understanding Ashkenazic history in general and particularly when it comes to matzos (see Yerushasainu Volume VII).
• The first source is how the Rishonim and Acharonim describe matzah and the processes involved. The problem is that there are clearly different frames of references, and not always can we be sure as to what they mean exactly. Regardless, however, we need to know the Gemara background.
• The second method is, believe it or not, is through pictures found in old Haggadahs.
• The third method is through the halachos of Eruv Chatzeiros. How so? If an Eruv Chatzeiros spoils, rots or molds, it needs to be redone. Thick matzah spoils – thin matzos last.
• The fourth method is through the recollections of older people as to when specific changes happened and their mesorahs handed down from older people as to when they recall that specific changes happened.
How To Interpret the Bavli
The first mention of thickness is in the Jerusalem Talmud (Psachim 2:4). “One fulfills the obligation with thick matzah up to a hand-breadth, just like the Lechem HaPanim.”
The issue of thick versus thin is further found in the Babylonian Talmud (Psachim 36a-37a), and therein lies the heart of the matter. Bais Shammai says you cannot bake matzah aveh for Pesach*; Beis Hillel says you can. [Matzah aveh at this point seems to be translated as “thick matzah,” but we will soon see otherwise. Also, there is a possibility that the word here by the asterisk is yom tov and not Pesach, but we will also soon see what that is about.]
Rav Huna says, “And how much is thick? – a handbreadth.” Rav Yosef attacked with a number of objections: If they said it regarding a hot oven in the Bais HaMikdash, will they also say it is permitted with regard to a cool oven? The Lechem Hapanim was baked in a metal oven that could be heated quickly. Will they say the same with regard to a clay oven which doesn’t? Rav Yosef rather answered that matzah aveh, thick
matzah, means merely that it required a large amount of kneading or that in this particular town it meant that there was a lot of bread.
Four Possible Understandings
There are no less than four different possibilities of understanding “Rav Yosef’s attack.” The first two possibilities are premised on the notion that Rav Yosef is only attacking Rav Hunah on his equating it to the Lechem HaPanim and that you can learn things out from there, but not on that the debate between Bais Hillel and Bais Shammai centers on whether there is a concern or not for thickness making things more susceptible to becoming chometz. But, according to this understanding, we do not know the parameters for what is the thick matzah that they are debating.
The next two possibilities (3 and 4) understand Rav Yosef as fundamentally disagreeing that the underlying issue is “chometzability,” rather, the issue is whether it is forbidden on yom tov because it is too much work.
1. The Bach and Bais Yoseph in Siman 460 learn, or seem to imply, that Bais Hil-
lel holds that as long as we keep it less than a tefach, thick matzah is permitted.
2. We should be machmir and not make it thick matzah, but we see from here that the matzah does not have to be the thinnest of the thin, since Bais Hillel holds that “thick” is okay.
3. We should be machmir and not make thick matzah, because only the Lechem HaPanim had safeguards in place to ensure that it not become chometz. We should, therefore, not make thick matzah but only because they had knowledgeable kohanim who knew what they were doing, and it had a controlled baking environment.
4. The first Lubavitcher Rebbe and the Machatzis HaShekel on the Mogen Avrohom 460:4 seem to understand that there are a number of other factors that cause the matzah to become susceptible to become chometz. They imply that we can only make tefach-thick matzah with the Lechem Hapanim, but if there was someone knowledgeable and careful who can address the other factors, it would be fine. Indeed, perhaps, even thicker than a tefach may be permitted.
The Three Possible Halachic Positions
These four different possibilities yield three different halachic positions.
5. Matzah less than a tefach is permitted to bake.
6. We should make the thinnest of the thin (based on possibility 2).
7. Any thickness is OK (based on possibilities 1 and 3).
Sefardic Rishonim
Many Rishonim, particularly among the Sefardic authorities, ruled like position B. Among them were the Rashba, the Ra’ah, the Ritva, the Maharam Chalava, and the Shita Mekubetzes on Baitzah.
The Raavad, Raavya, the Ohr Zaruah and the Rashbatz, on the other hand, were all lenient and adopted the first position that anything less than a tefach was permitted.
The Ohr Zaruah Hilchos Challah 26 seems to suggest that there was a practical reason for the more lenient position. He indicates that the need for thin was only because the individual ovens that the stringent poskim held (mostly among Sefardic poskim) took a long time to get hot. However, once the switch to larger, communal ovens transpired, they could be more lenient.
Eventually, matzos developed that had drawings on them. These drawings
were either stamped onto the matzos or quickly etched into the matzos by those manufacturing it. Evidence for this can be seen in the both the writings of the poskim immediately after the era of the Rishonim. There was a huge caveat here, however. The drawings could only be permitted if the matzos were thin. Otherwise, there would be significant problems of chometz.
There were geographic areas in Ashkenazic Europe where the trends went back and forth, but eventually the Ashkenazic community soon fully shifted to take the B position. Mind you, this was all before the advent of machine matzah. In other words, the eventual halachic ideal of position B combined with the technological advances brought on by machine matzah production eventually yielded the ability for matzos to get thinner.
The Machine Matzoh Revolution 1856 was the year everything changed, at least for some people. In Vienna, Austria, a Jewish baker created an international stir. He introduced machinery in the production of matzah. There was an earlier machine created in 1837 too, but that one did not stir up any controversy, perhaps because it did not automate as much as the latter version. When the issue became known in Galicia, the controversy began. Rav Shlomo Kluger wrote a response about the issue to his student, Rabbi Chaim Nosson Dembitzer, the famous rabbi and historian in Cracow and Rabbi Leib Horowitz (Cracow’s chief rabbi). The re sponsa is found in HoElef Lecha Shlomo (Hashmatos 32).
The Hand/Machine War Begins
Later, in 1859, Rav Kluger joined up with Rav Mordechai Zev Ettinger, the author of the Maamar Mordechai, and published together the Modaah L’Bais Yisroel where the two great luminaries categorically forbade the use of machine matzos and placed it under the ban. They gave a number of reasons for for bidding it. Rav Ettinger’s brother-in-law and chavrusah, Rav Yoseph Shaul Na thanson, author of the SHoel UMaishiv, was a world-class posek in his own right. Shortly after the printing of the Modaah L’Bais Yisroel, Rav Nathanson printed a booklet permitting the matzos entitled Bittul HaModaah. Needless to say, the chavrusahschaft er-in-law the Maamar Mordechai ended on a somewhat sour note. A 25-year col laboration on dozens of great halachic
works came to a tragic end because of the argument.
Initially, the Maharsham of Brezen (responsa Maharsham Vol. II #16) also issued a ruling permitting machine matzah, even for use at the Seder. This heter was based on the notion that the machinery required constant turning by human labor. Later, he rescinded the heter (Vol. IV #129) based upon the idea that the power was emanating from electricity and the human labor was merely a grama, a cause. The Divrei Malkiel, however, permitted it even with the electricity being the power source.
Another authority of those who permitted the matzos was the Ksav Sofer, the sonof the famed Rav Moshe Sofer, known as the Chasam Sofer.
What were Rav Kluger’s reasons forbidding the matzah?
There were four reasons for his strict ruling. 1) He felt the requirement of lishma was lacking; 2) he was concerned for crumbs and leftover dough that would stick to the machines; 3) he was concerned that the feeling for whole or broken wheat kernels which is normally done by hand would no longer be performed; and 4) he provided a sociological reason for the poor. Since the cost of
matzos would lower considerably, people would no longer provide them with charitable contributions.
The Sanzer Rebbe, Rav Chaim Halberstam (Divrei Chaim OC #23, and #24), agreed with the position that forbade the matzos. The Sochatchover in Avnei Naizer (OC #537) also came out strongly against machine matzos and cited the Sanzer Rebbe, as well as the Gerrer Rebbe forbidding it.
Rav Elyashiv, zt”l, vs. Rav Chaim, zt”l
In modern times, it is well known that Rav Elyashiv, zt”l, and his family used machine matzos. Rav Chaim, zt”l, and his family used hand matzos.
Let’s keep in mind that whatever matzah is used, we should remember that the more we eat of it the greater dveikus b’Hashem and emunah we develop. The Zohar calls it “food of emunah” for a reason.
Have a chag kasher v’sameach!
This article should be viewed as a halachic discussion and not practical advice. The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@ gmail.com.
The Seder night is an extraordinary experience. Sitting down together at the freshly set table and everyone dressed in their yom tov clothing surrounded by the wine and matzah is truly a scene befitting royalty. On this night, we are truly nobility, a fact we may feel challenged to notice during the rest of the year.
The Seder is a priceless opportunity to pass on our precious mesorah. We are given this night to focus on our children and their role as the next link in this chain, originating with our nation’s humble beginnings. On this night, we are all given a specific divine task that will shape the future generation.
Be Prepared
Pesach is definitely one yom tov that we don’t slip into accidentally as it’s the most labor-intensive holiday. In between all the cleaning, cooking and shopping, it’s easy to forget to mentally prepare for the Seder.
The Seder is certainly a major event that requires advanced thought. Whoever leads the Seder should have some
Parenting Pearls Seder Magic
By Sara Rayvych, MSEd
ideas of things to say to enhance the telling of the nissim . Storytelling, in particular, is an excellent way to give over the events. Haggadahs with vibrant pictures will help keep younger ones engaged and interested. The detailed illustrations also assist parents in giving over the nuances of the narrative.
The Seder is for everyone, and we each deserve to taste true freedom. It’s a shame that so many adults will push themselves for the rest of the family, only to fall into the Seder exhausted and unfocused. Our presence is important, and we should try to make an effort to be emotionally present.
Everyone can benefit from a pre-yom tov nap. With erev Pesach on Shabbos this year, the timing is perfect for a good rest. Parents can take turns watching little ones while the other sleeps. I have found that even nap-avoidant children are motivated to rest when they understand it will help them stay up for the big event. Please check the relevant halachos to avoid erroneously preparing for yom tov on Shabbos.
The Seder is late, and nobody functions well without food in their tum -
mies. Make sure everyone has eaten earlier and isn’t going into the Seder hungry. Little ones may not be able to wait until Shulchan Orech, requiring a small meal before the others.
V’higadita L’bincha
The children are the VIPs of the Seder, and the discussion should be geared towards them. Parents need to be mindful of their child’s age and developmental level throughout the evening. A young child will have different needs from a teen – but neither are adults and may not appreciate an adult level discussion.
This applies both to the language and content used throughout the Seder. The words we use should be easily understood by the child. We can provide a simple translation when something is unclear. Ideally, most of the language should be on their level, permitting them to focus on the lessons we are trying to convey and not waste energy on vocabulary.
The content should be of interest to a child of that age, as well as developmen-
tally appropriate. A little child will be thrilled to sing “Paroh in pajamas” and imagine the footsie jammies. This will not appeal much to a teen.
Along with keeping the content interesting, we need to avoid overly frightening descriptions. Our nation has been through many painful times during galus. We need to be careful in how we share this information with children, with extra caution for children who are naturally more sensitive or fearful than others. We don’t want to terrify them ever, but on this night, they will also have trouble focusing on our message if the details are overwhelming. It can be challenging, but we can convey the information we need in a way they will absorb and connect with.
Baruch Hashem, most sedarim will host children of a variety of ages. It can be tricky balancing all their needs and requires extra thought. Despite their best attempts to stay awake, most little ones will fall asleep earlier in the evening. This can leave the later part of the Seder as a time to focus on the older ones.
It’s important to maximize the time
the children will be present for the Seder. Families should try to start promptly. With the first Seder on motzei Shabbos it can be difficult, but we can still do our best. While the kids take pride in having the latest-finishing Seder, it’s inadvisable to needlessly draw it out since we want them to be present and alert. After the little ones have heard Maggid, enjoyed some matzah and are in bed, there is plenty of time to discuss yetzias Mitzrayim until z’man kriyas Shema.
Overall, the Seder should be an enjoyable experience for everyone –especially the children. We want the memories to stay with them well into adulthood, bringing them feelings of warmth and spiritual connection.
In This Together
It’s unfair to drop all the work on the shoulders of one person. Everyone can help to make the Seder a success. Adding in assistants not only reduces the load; it also gets everyone involved in the excitement.
Little kids are eager helpers but not as useful practically. They can still be given small tasks, such as carrying the
napkins or bringing over small items. This not only encourages their natural enthusiasm; it also keeps them involved while teaching them how to do these jobs.
Older children can be assigned jobs in advance. I’ve found this to be especially important for boys who will be attending shul. When they know what’s
eryone does things slightly differently. Every person will do a given task with their own abilities, and accepting these differences can go a long way towards a family’s shalom bayis. An exception to this rule is if it’s clear the child intentionally did a sloppy job and could have done better.
The children are the VIPs of the Seder, and the discussion should be geared towards them.
expected of them they can plan their day accordingly. Learning to arrange your schedule and fit in all the necessary tasks is an important life skill.
The general rule is that children won’t do things exactly the way we would – and that’s OK. Not only is it part of the learning process to make mistakes, it allows us to accept that ev-
When asking a child to do a task, we need to make sure it’s age appropriate and something they are capable of doing. For example, little helpers may be able to put out the forks, but not correctly space out the plates. We need to be fair to the child and set them up for success.
We need to give clear instructions.
What sounds obvious to an adult is either vague or incomprehensible to a child. “Can you set the table?” “Please, wash the dishes.” “Your room needs to be cleaned.” For example, children and adults will define the word “clean” very differently. It’s more helpful to specify what needs to be done. “Please put a plate at each setting, with two forks (on one side) and one knife (on the other).” We can demonstrate by showing them how to complete one place setting. They still may not do it the way we expect, but we’re more likely to get decent results. The clarity of our words can help a child complete a job correctly and take pride in their work.
I look forward to joining all of you as we and our families welcome the ultimate geulah. Have a chag kasher v’sameach.
Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rockaway. She can be contacted at RayvychHomeschool@gmail.com.
Stories for the Seder
The Four Sons Tam: What Does Hashem Yisbarach Think of Us?
Pesach with Rav Belsky from Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, compiled by Rabbi Dovid Abramowitz
Every once in a while, I relate this incident involving one of the great tzaddikim:
A chassid was traveling to be with his rebbe for the Seder. Along the way, something happened — the wagon axle broke, or something similar — and the chassid was stuck in some small village for Pesach. He ended up staying with a simple Jew and was his guest at the Seder. The Jew was religious and pious but not learned.
This simple Jew was reciting the Haggadah, and when he reached the Arbah Banim and said, “Tam, mah hu omer,” he began crying and couldn’t stop. He said over and over again, “Tam, mah hu omer?” Afterward, he continued simply reading and translating the Haggadah for his family, and that was it.
After Yom Tov the chassid finally managed to get to his rebbe. The rebbe asked him, “Nu, what did you see in the village?”
The chassid replied that he had seen nothing beneficial and described his great sorrow at wasting his time being surrounded by people so devoid of learning.
The rebbe asked, “You saw absolutely nothing?”
The chassid replied that he had seen something, but it was very foolish. When the host said, “Tam, mah hu omer,” he was crying. Why should he cry at that point?
Then the tzaddik told him that the man meant something else entirely. Tam in Russian means there. (Actually, it is also the same word in Targum We say hasam in Hebrew, but the Talmud Yerushalmi, writing in Targum, leaves out the hei and writes tam, which means over there.) So Tam, mah hu omer means, “Over there, what are they saying?” What are they saying about us up in Heaven? We say all kinds of good and nice things, but what does Hakadosh Baruch Hu say about us? We are trying to do the mitzvos, but do we really make the grade?
I sometimes compare that with a Litvishe story.
One Yom Kippur, after davening a long Shemoneh Esrei, the Mirrer mashgiach, Rav Yerucham Levovitz, went off to a corner and buried his head in his hands. He was heard weeping and saying something over and over, but no one could make out the words. Someone went close enough to hear without making his presence felt. Rav Yerucham was repeating the words of the pasuk, “Ulai yemusheini avi v’hayisi v’einav kimsatei’a” (Bereishis 27:12), which means, perhaps my Father will feel me and I shall be as an imposter in his eyes. You have to know, Tam, mah hu omer — What does the Ribbono Shel Olam say about us?
Seder Sensitivity
at the Maggid’s sedeR by Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn
RavSholom Schwadron, zt”l, the Maggid of Yerushalayim, was a deeply sensitive man who understood the pain and the anguish of orphans and widows. He was only seven years old when his father, Reb Yitzchok, died in 1920. He never forgot his loneliness or the isolation of his mother, Freida Leah.
When he was 60, Reb Sholom gave his orphaned nephew a sefer as a bar mitzvah gift. He concluded his inscription, “Kamoni kamocha, I am as you are [an orphan].” This was 53 years after he had lost his father.
I recall one particular Pesach Seder we shared with Reb Sholom a few years after my father passed away. That year, the first Seder was on Motza’ei Shabbos. It is forbidden to prepare on Shabbos for the following evening, so the Seder started very late, since all the preparations began only after nightfall.
As an Israeli, Reb Sholom celebrated only one Seder. That night would be his only opportunity to fulfill the Seder mitzvos. Reb Sholom was very punctilious in his mitzvah observance, so he was extremely careful every year to eat the Afikoman before chatzos (halachic midnight).
At the Seder, it is customary and praiseworthy for participants to discuss divrei Torah (Torah thoughts) on the Haggadah. Children look forward to repeating that which they have learned in school — and rightfully so, as much of the Seder is primarily geared for them. All the younger children recite the Mah Nishtanah, there are songs to be sung, customs to be followed, recitations to be said, and food to be eaten. It is a time when parents and grandparents reap the rewards of their investment in their children’s education.
This all takes time, and I knew that if we were to continue at the pace we were keeping, we would eat the Afikoman well after chatzos. I therefore tried to rush things along. Reb Sholom realized what I was doing and said to me softly but sternly in Yiddish, “Eil zich nisht, Don’t rush!”
I tried to explain my intention to him, but he wouldn’t let me talk. He just motioned with his finger that I continue with no changes. A while later, I tried a second time to move things along more quickly, and once again he rebuked me. By the time we ate the Afikoman, it was after chatzos, and I was upset. I knew he had never violated this precept before, and I blamed myself.
After the Seder, when he and I were alone in the dining room reciting Shir HaShirim, I apologized for having caused him to eat the Afikoman so late. He responded, “Your mother waits all year for all her children to gather together for the Seder. Her biggest nachas is to hear them exchange divrei Torah and to see her grandchildren participate in the Seder. What right do I have to rush her Seder? Causing pain to a widow is a d’Oraisa (Biblical prohibition); eating the Afikoman after chatzos is a d’Rabbanan!” (a Rabbinic, and thus a lesser, violation).
And then he added a sentence that we should always ask ourselves before we act, “Where are your priorities?”
The great Maggid of Jerusalem often cited and lived by the credo of the verse: “V’lev almanah arnin – I would bring joyous song to the widow’s heart ” (Iyov 29:13). I can never forget that night’s practical application.
Perfect Solution
Rav chaiM k anievsky haggadah
compiled by Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Shteinman, adapted by Rabbi Dovid Hollander
Afamily was fighting bitterly about where to go for the Pesach Seder. The husband insisted that they go to his parents, and the wife was adamant that they go to hers. Someone suggested that the couple consult with Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky – as she had much experience dealing with many different life situations — and do whatever she advised.
After the rebbetzin heard both sides of the issue, she came up with an idea that appealed to both parties: she invited them to her house for the Seder! The couple accepted the rebbetzin’s offer and joined the Kanievskys for the Seder, thus restoring domestic harmony.
Fulfilled by Waiting
t he chazon i sh h aggadah
Compiled by Rabbi Asher Bergman, adapted by Rabbi David Oratz and E. van Handel
“On this night — we all recline.”
One week before Pesach, a young scholar passed away in Yerushalayim, leaving a widow and seven orphans. The rosh yeshivah of Ruzhin, Rav Yehoshua Heschel Brim, supplied the family with all their holiday needs and even arranged for a young man to conduct the Seder for them. Before departing for shul on Erev Yom Tov, Rav Brim told his family that he would come home late. He planned to stop at the widow’s house after Maariv to help with last-minute preparations for the Seder. Rav Brim found the atmosphere in the widow’s house mournful. The young man who was to conduct
After the rebbetzin heard both sides of the issue, she came up with an idea that appealed to both parties: she invited them to her house for the Seder!
the Seder had inexplicably failed to appear. Without hesitating, the rosh yeshivah proclaimed, “Kadeish.” Joyously, he led the entire Seder, ate the festival meal with them, and sang the familiar melodies.
Half an hour before midnight, Rav Brim entered his own home, where his family was waiting for him to conduct their Seder. He immediately began Kadeish again. This time, he rushed through the Haggadah; the Afikoman had to be eaten before chatzos! Only after the Afikoman was eaten did Rav Brim apologize for the delay.
“True,” said one of the family members, “you did a great act of kindness for the widow, but your family, too, needed a Seder!”
Rav Brim explained by telling the following story.
“As a bachur, I frequented the home of the Chazon Ish. Once, he told my friend and me, ‘Reuven has reached marriageable age. You must help him find a wife.’ The words of the Chazon Ish were sacred to us. We made the necessary efforts and were successful. When we reported to the Chazon Ish, he said, ‘I would like to be present for the signing of the tena’im , but since my time is very limited, please come get me when the ceremony is about to begin.’ When we came for him, he was sitting in his study with a couple. They were reading a list of items and asking which ones were preferable and how and where to obtain each item. He answered all their questions patiently. For an hour and a quarter, we waited outside the open door. The Chazon Ish saw us but continued the conversation. Finally, the consultation ended. The couple rose, and the Chazon Ish escorted them out and bid them farewell.
As soon as they had left his home, the Chazon Ish quickly donned his hat and we hurried to the tena’im
“You are surely wondering,” he said, “why I kept you and all of Reuven’s guests waiting.
“The couple with whom I was speaking are Holocaust survivors. They had told me that they had no source of income, and I advised them to open a store. Now they came to consult me about how to run it and what merchandise to buy.
“I could not help them financially, since I have no money. I was therefore obligated to assist them with advice, which is also a great mitzvah.
“This mitzvah was incumbent on you and Reuven’s other guests no less than on me. I fulfilled the mitzvah by advising them, and all of you fulfilled it by waiting for me.”
Rav Brim concluded: “Each of us was obligated to gladden the widow and orphans. I fulfilled the mitzvah by conducting the Seder, and you fulfilled it by waiting for me.”
•
Gratitude is Most Important
t he Rav s hach h aggadah
From Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach, compiled by Rabbi Asher Bergman, adapted by Rabbi Yaakov Blinder
“Had not the Holy One, Blessed is Be taken our fathers out from Egypt, then we, our children and our children’s children would have remained subservient to Pharaoh.”
T his statement seems rather unlikely. The Pharaohs have not ruled Egypt for centuries. So utterly forgotten by history is the Pharaoh of the Exodus that no one even knows his true identity with certainty. Surely, over the millennia, the Jewish people would have shaken off the yoke of slavery under natural historical circumstances, even if not for the Exodus. There aren’t even any slaves anywhere in the world anymore!
The answer to this question, said Rav Shach in the name of the great rabbis of the Mussar Movement, is that if Hashem had not taken us out of Egypt, but we would have gained our freedom through some political or natural process, taking advantage of Pharaoh’s magnanimity, we might not have remained enslaved to Pharaoh, but we would have been subservient to him — that is, we would have been beholden to him with a debt of gratitude, which would remain an encumbrance upon us for all time. There is no greater responsibility than the indebtedness owed to a benefactor for his kindness.
Rav Shach himself exemplified this trait in his personal life, as the following anecdotes illustrate.
In 5749 (1989), Rav Shach founded a new party called Degel Hatorah, which split away from the old, established party called Agudas Yisrael. As the new party prepared itself to enter the political fray and participate in Knesset elections, Rav Shach was greatly concerned that it should not fail in its attempts to gain a foothold in Israeli politics. Such a debacle would bring about a chillul Hashem in the eyes of the general public, since so many Torah leaders had thrown their weight behind it. Anything less than two seats in the Knesset, Rav Shach felt, would constitute a failure at the polls. He invested a great amount of time, effort, and emotional energy into the nascent party, which, as it turned out, did achieve a second Knesset seat, but by only a handful of votes.
At that time, an individual who was the head of an organization of English-speaking olim (immigrants to Israel) went to Rav Shach with the following question. Their organization had received extensive assistance in several matters from a senior party activist of Agudas Yisrael. How, then, does Rav Shach instruct them to vote? Rav Shach knew very well — and he never missed an opportunity to stress to others — that the fate of Degel Hatorah depended on every single vote it could muster. Yet, despite his tremendous dedication to this cause, he told the representative of the olim organization, “Gratitude is the most important of traits! If your organization received assistance from Agudas Yisrael, you must vote for them!”
For many years, Rav Shach used to visit an elderly woman in Ramat Gan and inquire after her welfare, offering to help her in whatever way he could. Rav Shach explained the background to his connection with this woman:
“When I was a child, we lived in a little village called Vovoilnik. My mother had the practice of spending the entire Yom Kippur in shul davening, straight from Kol Nidrei until Ne’ilah. One year, when I was about 5 years old, I was playing outside, when a band of Gypsies came along and snatched me, pulling me into their wagon as they continued to ride along. It so happened that several girls saw what had happened and began to run after the wagon, crying, ‘Stop! Thief!’ The Gypsies became frightened and threw their ‘catch’ out of the wagon. Thus, I was saved from being kidnapped and from who knows what other forms of calamity. This woman living in Ramat Gan is one of those girls from Vovoilnik!”
Many decades had passed since that incident. Rav Shach had gone on to study in Ponevezh, in Slabodka, Slutsk, Kletzk, Luninetz, Novoardok and Vilna. He had moved to Eretz Yisroel and lived in Yerushalayim and then in Bnei Brak. But he never forgot his debt of gratitude to that woman!
Old and New
t he sePha Rdic heRitage h aggadah
By Rabbi Eli Mansour and Rabbi David Sutton
“Initially, our fathers were idol worshippers.”
There is a powerful story about Rav Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor of Kovna that sheds an interesting light on this passage in the Haggadah. Rav Spektor was beloved by all Jews. Even the maskilim (the so-called enlightened Jews, most of whom had forsaken their precious heritage) admired him and thought that he was one of them, because in his rabbinical response, he seemed to them to have found leniencies in certain areas of halacha
Once, when Rav Spektor was returning from a railroad journey to St. Petersburg, he stopped at the Vilna station on his way back to Kovna. Many
people came to the station to greet him. One of the maskilim, who had been on the train but had not as yet seen Rav Spektor, became intensely curious as to the reason for the large crowd of well-wishers, and he was told that they had come out to greet Rav Yitzchak Elchanan of Kovna. At that point, the maskil wanted to meet the rav himself, and upon his being pointed out to him, the man saw a venerable chacham with a long beard and peyos, wearing a talis and tefillin
The maskil could not disguise his disappointment. He said, “Rabbi, we used to praise you as being one of us, one of the progressive elements, a member of the new generation. But now I see that you are from the old generation!”
Rav Spektor smiled as he answered, “No, it is just the opposite of what you are saying: I am from the new generation – and you are from the old generation! After all, we say in the Haggadah, ‘Originally, our fathers were idol worshipers.’ That is the old way, the way you maskilim practice your religion [by revering the ‘gods’ of the secular world around you]. However, the way I practice my religion is the new way — G-d’s way!”
Tears Over the Seder
Food FoR t hought voluMe 2 by Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger
Afew days before Pesach, Rav Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam, the Sanz-Klausenburger Rebbe, was hospitalized with a serious virus. On Erev Pesach, the physicians examined him and decided that he has to stay in the hospital for the Seder night. They added that due to the seriousness of his condition, no one, not even close family members, would be able to be with him.
While accepting the doctors’ decision, the rebbe broke down crying. He was seemingly devastated by what he had been told.
Toward the end of the month of Nissan, the rebbe was finally discharged and allowed to return home. At that moment, the rebbe explained why he had cried several weeks earlier. The rebbe endured unspeakable tragedies in his life. His strength and fortitude were the things of legend. His faith was indestructible and his resilience rock-solid. Why had he suddenly broken down in the hospital?
“From the time I was born,” the rebbe explained, “I can honestly say that there has not been one tzarah that I have not endured, but I never cried or paid attention to my troubles. I was always concerned that someone might think that I may have even a tiny complaint against HaKadosh Baruch Hu, chas v’shalom. I accepted everything with love.
“But when the doctors told me that I will have to remain in the hospital for the leil haSeder, I cried, because I saw the pain on the faces of my wife and my children. I saw their pain of not being able to be together for the Seder.
“It was my pain over their pain that caused me to cry.”
The rebbe ’s close attendant, Rav Yosef Binyomin Williger, upon telling this story, would note that the rebbe was orphaned at a young age and went through the Holocaust, during which he lost his first wife and eleven children. Yet he never cried. He only cried when others were suffering, and he felt their pain along with them.
All stories reprinted with permission from ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications.
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