Five Towns Jewish Home 04.09.25

Refusenik Rabbi Yosef Mendelevitch Inspires

Street Renamed After Fallen IDF Officer Omer Neutra

Dear Readers,

As we sit around the table on the Seder night, we are all supposed to see ourselves as if we, personally, are coming out of Mitzrayim. We need to be able to visualize the galus and the hardships that we endured in the exile. And then, we need to experience the geulah, the redemption that came along with the Ten Makkos, the Korban Pesach, and the rushing out of the Mitzrayim with the matzos on our backs.

Every year, we try to impart those visualizations to our children, to help bring Yetzias Mitzrayim into reality for them. Some people have a minhag to share their personal journeys of Yetzias Mitzrayim during the Seder. Many of those who survived the Holocaust share their stories of survival and freedom, as do others who have found themselves lifted up from the abyss.

Recently, our nation witnessed some of our brothers’ and sisters’ personal sagas of Yetzias Mitzrayim as they were released from the dark tunnels of Gaza. We all saw the tearful reunions with their family members and shared their joy as they finally returned home.

Perhaps the most poignant and inspirational return was of Agam Berger, the 20-year-old soldier who was finally brought home after 482 days of being held in terrorists’ hands.

In the helicopter, as these hostages are being brought back to Israel, they are given a whiteboard to inscribe their thoughts and their wishes to all those witnessing their return.

Agam, sitting between her loving parents,

wrote on the board: “B’derech emunah bacharti, u’b’derech emunah shavti, I chose a path of faith, and with a path of faith I return.” Her Yetzias Mitzrayim was one filled with emunah and love in the One Above, immersed in gratitude to her Creator and to those who helped bring her home.

Agam’s faith and resilience were not born in a vacuum. Her mother, Meirav, took on Shabbos observance a few months before Agam was taken captive. Her rallying cry throughout the months that her daughter was in Gaza was “b’derech emunah bacharti,” urging people to take on mitzvos to help free Agam from evil hands.

As I think about the Seder this year, I envision Agam and her family and the Yetzias Mitzrayim that they will live and feel while they sing Shira to Hashem. Agam chose those poignant words, “b’derech emunah bacharti,” as she made her way from her galus to geulah. And as I think about the Sedarim that we will be holding this year, I wonder: what tenets are we helping to inculcate in our children as we pass along the history of our nation?

If we would ask our children today what message they would like to share with others as they relive Yetzias Mitzrayim at the Seder, what would they say?

Wishing you a beautiful yom tov, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern, PUBLISHER publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

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Friday, April 11

Parshas Tzav

Candle Lighting: 7:12 pm

Shabbos Ends: 8:14 pm

Rabbeinu Tam: 8:44 pm

Motzei Shabbos, April 12

Candle Lighting After: 8:14 pm / (RT 8:44 pm) Sunday, April 13

Candle Lighting After: 8:14 pm / (RT 8:44 pm)

Showers Rain Cloudy

Dear Editor,

I want to respond to a letter written a couple weeks ago by someone who had a negative experience with therapy as a child. To start, I want to be open and say that I am a therapist so my opinion might be biased, but I’ll try my best to not be.

First, I want to say I’m very sorry for your experience. I cannot say if you should have been in therapy or not, but I can be sure if you needed therapy, you had the wrong therapist. The most important thing in therapy is not the modality or technique used; it’s the client-therapist relationship. It’s not always easy to build rapport with a client, and one that is mandated (as children usually are by their parents) makes it even more difficult. (However, there are some therapists who are very talented and can do it seemingly with ease.) This does not excuse the situation you were put in at all, but it’s obvious to me that the therapist you had was not one that should have been working with you.

One thing I want to address is the way you said you hoped therapy went “the way of leeches.” Now I can understand where the feeling comes from, but I strongly disagree with that sentiment. For starters, I know I have been in therapy and benefited greatly from it (and my experience is one of the reasons I choose to go into the field). What would happen to all those who need help if therapy was no longer? All those battling depression and anxiety? All the mothers dealing with

the stresses of postpartum? All the addicts looking for a way out? I can go on and on. Should they all fall through the cracks because of a horrible experience you had? I know therapy has and can help countless individuals. I understand that nothing is perfect, and every field has some negative outcomes, but I would ask that you reconsider your thoughts that we would be better off without therapy.

Lastly and probably my most difficult ask is this: I implore you to not let your negative experience affect how you would manage a family member being suggested therapy. I understand that this might be the exact situation surrounding your experience, but I really hope you can put aside your feelings and view any future situations objectively.

If you want to discuss the matter further, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Moshe Ross

Dear Editor,

This letter is for the woman who is scared to hold her child back in kindergarten. If your teacher is approaching you with concerns, for your child’s sake, please listen openly. Your teacher spends significant amount of time with your child each day. She sees your child in context of other children the same age and stage. If she’s saying that your child needs an extra year to grow and develop, please, please, take her seriously.

Many times, we are too rigid to listen

Continued on page 18

Continued from page 14 to people’s advice because we have our own biases or opinions. But a wise person knows how to listen and allows others to share their advice with them.

If may be hard, but in the long run, it may be truly beneficial for your child.

Sincerely,

Adina Roth

Dear Editor,

Please note the following corrections and pass them on to the appropriate parties.

1) The ad on PG. 14 for Bleu Glove balance advertised weight loss injections for 550$ and 350$. The correct way is to place the $ in front of the number, e.g., $550. Please ensure correct copy because, when people see the incorrect way written, they think it’s the correct way. As a former English teacher, you would do a great service to instructors and students to ensure printed material is accurate, so we don’t have to re- educate students and readers.

2) Regarding Rivka Kramer’s article about dementia, in her point #4 on p. 126, she writes about the power of music as music therapy. This is a misnomer although music is an effective intervention with this population.

As a social worker and licensed music therapist with a master’s degree in both professions and with a lot of experience with this population, I am emphasizing the difference between music therapy and therapeutic use of music. Music therapy is a bona fide form of psychotherapy that is provided by a licensed, degreed professional music therapist where the patient has goals and progress is tracked and documented over time. A layperson can use music therapeutically; however, that is not music therapy and one cannot call him/herself a music therapist.

Please be mindful and respectful of professionals who invested several thousand dollars and years to earn the title of music therapist.

For more information and support with dementia, one can contact Caring Kind NYC, the NYC chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Sincerely,

Shoshana Averbach, LMSW, MA Brooklyn, NY

P.S. For locating a music therapist, see musictherapy.org. Caringkindnyc. org may also have a list of music and arts therapists. I also provide private sessions and social work support: www authenticradiance.life.

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. 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.”

Court Ousts

S. Korean President

The Constitutional Court of South Korea on Friday voted unanimously to formally remove Yoon Suk Yeol from the presidency, thus setting the stage for the next election.

Yoon was impeached on December 14 by the National Assembly following his December 3 surprise declaration of mar-

tial law, which lasted six hours before it was ended by lawmakers. Since then, he has been suspended from using presidential powers, pending a court ruling.

“By declaring martial law in breach of the constitution and other laws, the defendant brought back the history of abusing state emergency decrees, shocked the people, and caused confusion in the society, economy, politics, diplomacy and all other areas,” said Moon Hyung-bae, the acting chief of the Constitutional Court. “Given the negative impact on constitutional order caused by the defendant’s violation of laws and its ripple effects are grave, we find that the benefits of upholding the constitution by dismissing the defendant far outweigh the national losses from the dismissal of the president.”

The court said that Yoon prevented the assembly from lifting martial law and removed the military’s neutrality and the freedom of political party activities. Additionally, the court declared that Yoon’s declaration of martial law was unjustified.

The decision triggered protests, both in support of the ruling and in opposition to it. In a statement, Yoon didn’t outright accept the ruling but expressed his regret for not meeting the expectations of his people. His party, the People Power Party, said it would accept the ruling. However, Yoon Kap-keun, a lawyer of Yoon, declared the decision purely political and “completely incomprehensible.”

Early polls show Democratic Party opposition leader Lee Jae-myung as the frontrunner for the next presidential election. Meanwhile, Lee, who praised the court’s decision, is the subject of multiple trials, including corruption and other charges. As things stand now, it’s unlikely for Yoon’s conservative party to secure a victory in the upcoming election, according to Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington.

Yoon declared martial law as a lastditch effort to inspire public support and fight the Democratic Party’s “wickedness,” he said in his final testimony at the hearing.

Yoon, the first South Korean president to be arrested or indicted while in office, still faces charges of rebellion. He faces

a death or life sentence. Additionally, he may be hit with other charges, including abuse of power. Although he was imprisoned in March, a Seoul district court canceled his detainment, thus permitting him to stand trial without being detained.

Pyongyang Marathon

On Sunday, North Korea held its first international marathon in six years. The Pyongyang International Marathon included foreign runners in the reclusive country who arrived to participate in the event.

Around 200 runners came from China and Romania, among other nations, over the weekend for the Sunday race.

Runners from overseas practiced at a hotel in Pyongyang for the race, said Simon Cockerell, general manager at Beijing-based Koryo Tours, in his Instagram posts showing streets and a recreational area in Pyongyang.

Koryo Tours is the official partner of the Pyongyang Marathon, helping arrange the sign-up process for international visitors for the event.

The isolated state sealed its borders in 2020 at the start of the pandemic but has been slowly lifting restrictions since 2023. It allowed some Russian tourist groups into the country, but its capital still remains closed to regular tourism.

The marathon is a return course run through central Pyongyang, passing Pyongyang’s landmarks, heading out into the countryside just outside of the city center, and coming back to the stadium with a crowd of 50,000 locals, according to Koryo Tours.

The Pyongyang International Marathon is one of the events celebrating the April 15 birthday of Kim Il Sung, North Korea’s founder and grandfather of the current leader Kim Jong Un.

The last time the marathon was held, in 2019, around 950 foreigners took part in the race, up from roughly 450 the previous year.

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.”

“This person’s actions not only endangered his own life, they put the lives of the entire Sentinelese tribe at risk,” the group’s director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement. “It’s very well known by now that uncontacted peoples have no immunity to common outside diseases like flu or measles, which could completely wipe them out.” (© The New York Times)

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.

41 Billionaires in Israel

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

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 ranking 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.

The two women landed at Ben Gurion 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 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.”

Bibi Visits Orban

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday visited Budapest, Hungary, delivering a joint statement with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban about antisemitism and Israel’s war against Hamas.

That day, Netanyahu was greeted at Buda Castle in an extravagant military

ceremony. Orban had invited him in November, shortly after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel’s then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Following their meeting, Orban declared in a joint statement that the October 7 massacre “undermined the security of the entire world.”

“You and your government can guarantee the security of Israel and your right to self-defense,” Orban told Netanyahu, adding that Hungary has supported Israel since the beginning of the war. He branded Israel “an anchor in the Middle East” and stressed the importance of the Jewish state staying strong.

“In Hungary, Hamas flags were not waved,” said Orban, noting that antisemitism has become increasingly widespread in Europe. “We are showing zero tolerance, and Jews in Hungary can feel safe.”

Orban blamed antisemitism partly on illegal immigration in Europe. He added that his country would not take part in any European Union asylum-seeking agreement.

Netanyahu lauded Orban, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, for taking a “very bold stance against antisemitism.”

The Israeli premier also compared Israel’s war against terrorism to Hungary’s efforts to protect Europe’s Judeo-Christian values against radical Islam.

Netanyahu drew further comparison between Israel’s establishment after the Holocaust and Hungary’s struggle to gain independence after World War II.

Yair Lapid, an opposition leader and the son of Joseph Lapid, who survived the Budapest Ghetto, criticized Netanyahu.

“Netanyahu mentioned the Holocaust of Hungarian Jews,” Lapid posted on X, “but cowardice prevented him from mentioning the Hungarians’ role in the extermination.”

Coinciding with Netanyahu’s fourday visit, Hungary announced it would be withdrawing from the International Criminal Court, which Orban called a political court for targeting Israel.

Qatargate

On Friday, the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court denied a police request, ruling that the two aides of Netanyahu who are being accused of having illegal dealings with Qatar should be released from police custody and be put on house arrest. However, the police later that day appealed that decision to the Lod District Court.

Subsequently, the court’s judge, Michael Kershan, ruled that one of the aides, Eli Feldstein, should be released to house arrest, and the other aide, Jonatan Urich, should stay in police custody until Monday “subject to developments.” According to reports, Kershan said that the two cases cannot be compared with each other. Judge Menachem Mizrahi, who issued the original ruling, criticized the

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investigation, asserting that the police likely probed not only the suspects’ connections to Qatar, but also the two aides’ ties to the leaked classified documents. The police, in turn, criticized the judge for completely removing the sweeping gag order, rejecting their requests, and forcing authorities to speak about “sensitive documents” in court hearings.

“He writes classified things and then deletes them from the minutes after the media has already published them,” police said.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, on the other hand, praised Mizrahi’s ruling as “a testament to the new winds blowing in the judicial system.”

As part of the Qatargate scandal, Urich and Feldstein have been accused of having contact with a foreign Qatari agent and engaging in corrupt practices on behalf of lobbyists and businessmen from Qatar. According to the allegations, Urich and Feldstein helped advance a disinformation campaign by Qatar to, among other things, downplay the part Egypt played in negotiating a hostage deal in Gaza. Qatar denies such accusations.

Feldstein has also been accused of leaking a highly classified document about Hamas’s negotiation plans from the Prime Minister’s Office.

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32 During a hearing on Friday, Urich reportedly fainted while being questioned by police. Urich’s attorney, Amit Hadad, has claimed that when Urich told investigators he was experiencing chest pain, the questioners ordered him to “shut up,” an allegation that police denied.

“You didn’t do anything about his pain until he was on his way to the [police] car, and then Urich lost consciousness and fell to the ground,” said Hadad, which authorities have also denied, claiming that the police representative “came immediately to the parking lots.”

Also being interrogated as suspects was an unnamed Israeli businessman and Zvika Klein, the editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post.

Criticism for Bibi’s Word Choice

The Hostages and Missing Families 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.”

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 were men aged 13 to 55 – a demographic largely composed of combatants. The updated figures contradict Hamas’ earlier claims that most casualties were women and children.

Salo Aizenberg, from the U.S.-based nonprofit HonestReporting, uncovered the changes through a detailed analysis of Hamas’ casualty lists. The investigation revealed that 3,400 names, including over 1,080 children, were removed from the group’s March 2025 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.

many are actually fighters.”

His analysis showed a striking gender imbalance: at age 13, there are 588 male casualties compared to 385 females; by age 19, the gap widens to 800 males versus 285 females. This trend continues throughout the age spectrum, suggesting a disproportionately high number of male combatant deaths.

Adesnik also highlighted issues with how deaths were recorded.

“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.

U.S. Revokes S. Sudanese Visas

In a statement on Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the U.S. will immediately revoke all visas issued to all South Sudanese passport holders due to the African nation refusing to accept its citizens who have been removed from the U.S.

Rubio added that the U.S. will also block any arriving citizens of South Sudan at U.S. ports of entry.

He pointed to “the failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner.”

“It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States,” said Rubio. “Every country must accept the Did you know?

“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 excess men. That gives you an idea of how

return of its citizens in a timely manner when another country, including the United States, seeks to remove them.”

South Sudan is holding onto a fragile internal peace deal that was agreed to in 2018. But regional fighting broke out on March 8, and the U.S. has ordered all its non-emergency staff in South Sudan to leave the country.

South Sudanese in the U.S. were previously granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows them to re-

main in the U.S. for a set period of time.

TPS for South Sudanese in the U.S. had been due to expire by May 3.

South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, gained independence in 2011 after seceding from Sudan. But just two years later, following a rift between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar, tensions erupted into a civil war, in which more than 400,000 people were killed. A peace deal was reached in 2018.

Justice Department.

“Although I am still a Democrat, I am announcing that I will forgo the Democratic primary for mayor and appeal directly to all New Yorkers as an independent candidate in the general election,” Adams announced. “There isn’t a liberal or conservative way to fix New York, but there is a right way and a wrong way, and true leaders just know the right path [if] they have the guts to take it.”

Independents have won the New York City mayoral election in the past. Michael Bloomberg secured his third term as mayor by running as an independent, following previous runs as a Republican and Democrat. Some experts say that Adams has a better chance of winning as an independent instead of attempting to survive a crowded Democratic primary.

“The Democratic primary is about 80 days away, early voting and so forth. You have 80 days to remake your image and get the message out there after distractions of the court case. Now, you’ve got over 200 days to go between now and November. You also have to get away from the clutter of a very crowded field in a Democratic primary,” noted O’Brien Murray, a political consultant. “It’s a tough needle to thread. It is not going to be easy, but you have campaigns in threes. He has a record to run on. He now has a future to plan. He gets to pick the issues he wants to run on and make it the third one. It’s not going to be easy, but he had no chance to win the Democratic primary.”

NYC Mayor to Run as Ind’t

On Thursday, Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, said he would as an independent instead of as a Democrat in the upcoming mayoral election. A day before his announcement, a judge dismissed his federal corruption case, following an order to do so by President Donald Trump’s

Several people are running in the Democratic primary, including former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, City Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, state Sen. Jessica Ramos, former Assemblyman Michael Blake, and Whitney Tilson, an activist. A poll released a week before Adams’ exit from the Democratic primary showed Cuomo, Mamdani, and Lander leading him.

Several of the candidates have criticized Adams’ announcement. Lander said Adams would lose as a Democrat or as an independent since he “sold out” his ac-

Blake accused Adams of not caring about his Democratic voters anymore. Stringer said, “Eric Adams hasn’t been a Democrat for a very long time.” Mamdani criticized Adams as anything but independent.

On the other hand, Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid allegations, didn’t criticize Adams.

“They call it democracy. Mayor Adams can run as an independent if he chooses. He can run in the Democratic primary if he chooses. That’s up to Mayor Adams,” said Cuomo.

Curtis Sliwa, a Republican candidate for the mayoral election, said, “There’s no doubt that Eric Adams being an independent helps me.”

The Trump administration ordered Adams’ charges to be dropped, noting that the criminal case against him prevented him from effectively campaigning and working with the president to crack down on illegal immigration. In 2024, federal prosecutors accused Adams of abusing his power by accepting undisclosed gifts and illegal donations.

Liberation Day

President Donald Trump declared Wednesday, April 2, “Liberation Day.”

During a speech from the White House Rose Garden, Trump announced blanket reciprocal tariffs, with a minimum of 10% levied on all imports. Trump’s move aims to bring about the United States’ “economic independence.”

“We will charge them [all countries that levy tariffs on U.S. goods] approximately half of what they are and have been charging us, so the tariffs will be not a full reciprocal,” Trump announced Wednesday. “I could have done that, I guess, but it would have been tough for a lot of countries and we didn’t want to do that.”

While the European Union imposes a 39% tariff on the U.S., the United States

will, under the Trump administration, levy a 20% tariff on all EU imports. China levies a 67% tariff on U.S. goods, and now the U.S. will respond with a 34% tariff, in addition to the 20% tariff imposed on China due to the country’s role in fueling America’s fentanyl epidemic.

The blanket 10% tariff will be implemented on Saturday at 12:01 a.m., while higher tariffs for around 60 other countries will be imposed on April 9. This new batch of tariffs won’t be added onto tariffs the Trump administration already unveiled for steel, cars, and aluminum. Until Canada and Mexico comply with Trump’s immigration and fentanyl demands, the U.S. will place a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada that don’t fall under the purview of the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement.

Economists fear that the tariffs will raise prices and are concerned that countries will retaliate, starting a major trade war.

The stock market fell in response to Trump’s announcement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in an interview with CNN, told countries: “don’t immediately retaliate…because if you retaliate, that’s how we get escalation.” He added, “Doing anything rash would be unwise.”

On Sunday, China, South Korea, and

Japan, all of whom were given tariffs of over 20%, said they would respond. Many world leaders, including in Europe, said they would also respond. Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico, said she would announce Thursday an economic plan to deal with the tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Trump’s decision “fundamentally changes the international trading system” and vowed “to fight these tariffs with counter measures.”

“Republicans are crashing the American economy in real time and driving us to a recession,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “This is not Liberation Day; it’s Recession Day.”

Santos’ Sentencing

Former U.S. Rep. George Santos has been accused of many things, among them falsifying FEC filings, fabricat-

ing donor contributions, and inflating fundraising totals to meet the $250,000 threshold required to join the National Republican Congressional Committee’s (NRCC) coveted “Young Guns” program.

Now, federal prosecutors are urging a judge to sentence Santos to seven years and three months in prison, calling his conduct a “brazen web of deceit” that defrauded donors, misled voters, and fueled his political rise through lies, theft, and identity fraud.

The government outlined the extent of Santos’s fraudulent activity across the 2020 and 2022 election cycles in a detailed sentencing memo filed on Friday.

Santos was running a fraudulent political consulting firm, Redstone Strategies LLC, falsely presenting it as a registered Super PAC or 501(c)(4) nonprofit. It was neither, according to prosecutors. He used Redstone to launder donor money, keep commissions, and fund personal expenses.

Santos was expelled from Congress in December 2023 and has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity fraud.

Defense attorneys said in their own memo that Santos deserves no more than two years in prison, arguing he “accepted full responsibility for his actions.”

“This plea is not just an admission of guilt,” Santos told reporters in August. “It’s an acknowledgment that I need to be held accountable like any other American that breaks the law.”

Santos will be sentenced on April 30.

23 States Sue RFK Jr. and HHS

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia sued the Department of Health and Human Services and the agency’s head, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., last week after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control cut around $12 billion of funding to states.

Around $11.4 billion of the funding in question was originally given to states during Covid-19 to respond to the pandemic. The other $1 billion cut was allocated to the Substance Abuse and Mental

Health Services Administration.

The states are suing for an immediate temporary restraining order and injunctive relief, banning the Trump administration from carrying out the cuts.

“The Covid-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago. HHS is prioritizing funding projects that will deliver on President Trump’s mandate to address our chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again,” the HHS said last week.

Attorneys general and governors from 23 states and Washington, D.C., however, say that the funds weren’t exclusively for the coronavirus pandemic, even though they were initially allocated to help states fight Covid. The states say that the funds were being used to deal with several public health crises.

“Slashing this funding now will reverse our progress on the opioid crisis, throw our mental health systems into chaos, and leave hospitals struggling to care for patients,” said Letitia James, the attorney general of New York. New York would lose over $400 million in funding as part of the cuts.

Dr. Joseph Kanter, the CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, claimed that the funds were also being used to respond to the ongoing measles and bird flu outbreaks.

The states also allege that only Congress can choose to cut funding, since it was Congress that originally allocated the funds.

Private Astronauts Splash Down

Four private astronauts ended a mission in a SpaceX vehicle Friday by splashing down in waters near Oceanside, California.

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

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

ered adequate protection from a continuing rain of space debris.

SpaceX last year announced changes that it planned to make for the Dragon landings.

For the Fram2 mission this week, Chun Wang, an investor who made his fortune in blockchain and cryptocurrency mining, paid an undisclosed amount. He selected three people to accompany him: Jannicke Mikkelsen, a Norwegian filmmaker; Rabea Rogge, a robotics researcher from Germany; and Eric Philips, an Australian explorer who specializes in expeditions to the polar regions. (© The New York Times)

Halt of Brown Univ. Funding

The White House announced last week that it will be halting more than half a billion dollars in contracts and federal grants to Brown University in response to how the college responded to acts of antisemitism taking place on its campus.

Nearly $510 million in federal contracts and grants are on the line.

In an email on Thursday to campus leaders, Brown Provost Frank Doyle said the university was aware of “troubling rumors” about government action on its research money. “At this moment, we have no information to substantiate any of these rumors,” Doyle said.

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 consid-

Brown would be the fifth Ivy League college penalized by President Donald Trump’s administration for their refusal to halt practices of antisemitism on their campuses. Dozens of universities — including every Ivy League school except Penn and Dartmouth — are facing federal investigations into antisemitism following a wave of pro-Palestinian protests last year.

Columbia University was the first one targeted, losing $400 million in federal money with threats to terminate more if it didn’t make the campus safer for Jewish students. The school agreed to several demands from the government last month, including an overhaul of student discipline rules and a review of the school’s Middle East studies department. The government later suspended

48 about $175 million in federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania. Last Monday, a federal antisemitism task force said it was reviewing almost $9 billion in federal grants and contracts at Harvard University amid an investigation into campus antisemitism. Last Tuesday, Princeton University said the administration had halted dozens of its research grants.

Last year, during the protests being held on its campuses against the Israel-Hamas war, Brown struck a deal with student activists. In exchange for the students dismantling an encampment, the university committed to having its governing board vote on whether to divest from companies that protesters said were facilitating Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

The Corporation of Brown rejected the divestment proposal.

TikTok Sale Delayed

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 purchase 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 120-day 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.

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 contracted 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.

Storms Sweep South and Midwest

At least 16 people lost their lives over the past week as a storm system swept through the South and Midwest, bringing with it tornadoes and flash floods.

Many of the impacted areas already are heavily waterlogged by days of severe storms that spawned deadly tornadoes. New tornado warnings were issued over the weekend in Alabama and Mississippi, along with flash flood warnings for several counties in Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Saturday included more of the torrential rain and flash flooding that has pounded the central U.S., rapidly swelling waterways and prompting emergencies from Texas to Ohio. The 16 reported deaths since the start of the storms included 10 in Tennessee alone.

Dozens of locations in many states were expected to reach a “major flood stage,” according to the National Weather Service, with extensive flooding of structures, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure possible.

A 57-year-old man died on Friday evening after getting out of a car that washed off a road in West Plains, Missouri. Flooding killed two people in Kentucky including a 9-year-old boy who was swept away on his way to school and a 74-yearold whose body was found on Saturday inside a fully submerged vehicle in Nelson County, authorities said. A 5-year-old

50 died at a home in Little Rock, Arkansas, in a weather-related incident.

Tornadoes last week destroyed entire neighborhoods and were responsible for at least seven of the deaths.

Flash flood emergency and tornado warnings continued to be issued on Saturday across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky, with more heavy rains and damaging winds in the mix. All of eastern Kentucky was under a flood watch through Sunday morning.

Since Wednesday, more than a foot of rain has fallen in parts of Kentucky, and more than 8 inches in parts of Arkansas and Missouri, forecasters said on Saturday. The extreme weather was attributed to warm temperatures, an unstable atmosphere, strong wind gradient, and abundant moisture streaming from the Gulf. There were at least two observed tornadoes on Friday evening in Missouri and Arkansas.

Torpedo Bat’s Grand Slam

A new type of baseball bat called the “torpedo” bat recently became popular in Major League Baseball after the Yankees, with help from the torpedo bat, hit 15

home runs in their opening three-game series.

The torpedo bat, which is built where a player’s hitting “sweet spot” is the widest part of the bat, was used by shortstop Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Austin Wells.

“It doesn’t feel like a different bat. It just helps you in a little way,” said Chisholm Jr. following a game where he hit several home runs. “I don’t know the science of it.… I think I still hit the ball the same, like, exit velocity as I always did. I just feel like it gives you a feeling of – just feeling like you have more to work with.”

Bellinger described the bat’s weight as “closer to my hands,” which makes it, in a way, feel lighter to him.

Aaron “Lenny” Leanhardt, an MIT physicist, created the torpedo bat during his time as a Yankees analyst. The bat was invented to better suit players’ batting

needs. Leanhardt now works as a field coordinator for the Marlins.

“It’s just about making the bat as heavy and as fat as possible in the area where you’re trying to do damage on the baseball,” Leanhardt explained to The Athletic. “It’s just through those conversations where you think to yourself, ‘Why don’t we exchange how much wood we’re putting on the tip versus how much we’re putting in the sweet spot?’

“That’s the original concept right there. Just try to take all that excess weight and try to put it where you’re trying to hit the ball and then, in exchange, try to take the thinner diameter that used to be at the sweet spot and put that on the tip.”

Besides the Yankees, other teams have been experimenting with the bat. Ryan Jeffers, a catcher from the Minnesota Twins, and Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz, two players for the Tampa Bay Rays, have been seen using the bats, as have players from the Baltimore Orioles, according to Cody Asche, the Orioles’ hitting coach. After seeing the Yankees’ success with them, the Atlanta Braves also ordered the torpedo bats.

Some Yankees players aren’t using them, however, including Aaron Judge. Trevor Megill, a pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, said he thinks the bats are “terrible” and “genius,” adding that he feels “it’s something used in slow-pitch softball.”

Torpedo bats are allowed by the MLB, since they comply with the league’s rule that says, “The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.”

erty to inspect,” Sheriff Joe McGill said. “We have known for several years he has had big cats on his property, and for the last two years, this has been in violation because he had no permits for those cats.”

Mitchell ended up being arrested when he struggled with a deputy during the search warrant.

“Our intention was to seize the cats, number one for public safety, number two for the safety of the cats. And then he struggled with the deputy,” McGill explained.

Mitchell, for his part, has said that the tigers are his emotional support animals.

“The animals did not deserve to be snatched up, knocked out with drugs shipped across the country when they were happy and content where they had lived for more than 10 years,” he said.

“I’m a 100% disabled veteran with PTSD. The VA and my doctors have approved the tigers to work as support animals.” We don’t support his rationalizations.

Back and Forth Birthday Wishes

Emotional Support Tigers

They’re soft, they’re cuddly, they’re the perfect animals to help you confront your fears.

Or maybe they’re the stuff of nightmares.

Last week, authorities in Nevada seized seven tigers from the home of Karl Mitchell, the owner of Big Cats entertainment.

“Mr. Mitchell was being evicted from the property, and the owner of the property was not being allowed onto the prop-

Pat DeReamer is 95 years old. Last week, she received a birthday card from her friend, Mary Wheaton.

The card was pretty familiar. The two women have been exchanging the exact same birthday card for the past 81 years. That means that when Mary’s birthday rolls around in May, she’ll be getting the same card from Pat in the mail.

The tradition began on Pat’s 14th birthday in Indianapolis, when Mary gave her a birthday card. Pat added her own signature to the card and returned it to Mary for her birthday in May.

“We never said, ‘We’re going to do this.’ At least, I don’t remember ever saying that. It just happened,” Pat said.

The women earned a Guinness World Record in the 60th year of their 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.

Rat Record

Ronin is a giant African pouched rat. But he’s no ordinary vermin. The landmine-hunting rat in Cambodia recently set a new world record by sniffing out more than 100 mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance.

Ronin has tracked down 109 landmines and 15 other potentially deadly war remnants since his deployment to northern Preah Vihear province in August 2021.

The five-year-old rodent has been

named the most successful Mine Detection Rat (MDR) in the Belgian charity APOPO’s history.

“His exceptional accomplishments have earned him the Guinness World Records title for most landmines detected by a rat, highlighting the critical role of HeroRats in humanitarian demining,” APOPO said.

Ronin beat the previous record, held by hero rodent Magawa who found 71 landmines and 38 UXOs during his fiveyear service before retirement in 2021.

Magawa, who was awarded a gold medal for heroism for clearing mines from about 225,000 square meters of land – the equivalent of 42 football pitches – died in 2022.

But Ronin is still on the run. According to APOPO, he may have two years or more of detection work ahead of him.

“He’s not just an asset, he’s a valued

partner and colleague,” Phanny, Ronin’s handler, said.

Cambodia had struggled with civil war for more than 30 years and is littered with mines and discarded ammunition. Deaths from mines and unexploded ordnance are still common, with around 20,000 fatalities since 1979, and twice that number wounded.

Sounds like he is winning the rat race.

Old Parents

Tortoises do things slowly, but this one takes the cake.

A pair of nearly 100-year-old Galapagos tortoises became first-time parents last week at the Philadelphia Zoo.

The critically endangered tortoises gave birth to four hatchlings. The parents’ names are Mommy and Abrazzo and they’re the oldest residents of the Philly Zoo.

The zoo said it’s “overjoyed” by the arrival of the new cuties, a first in its more than 150-year history.

For now, the babies are being taken care of behind the scenes and are “eating and growing appropriately,” the zoo said. They weigh between 70 and 80 grams, about the weight of a chicken egg.

“This is a significant milestone in the history of Philadelphia Zoo, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this news with our city, region and the world,” President and CEO Jo-Elle Mogerman said.

“Mommy arrived at the Zoo in 1932, meaning anyone that has visited the Zoo for the last 92 years has likely seen her,” she said. “Philadelphia Zoo’s vision is that those hatchlings will be a part of a thriving population of Galapagos tortoises on our healthy planet 100 years from now.”

Mommy is considered one of the most genetically valuable Galapagos tortoises in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ species survival plan. She is also the oldest first-time mom of the Western Santa Cruz Galapagos species. The last clutch of such tortoises to hatch at an AZA-accredited zoo was in 2019 at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. The San Diego Zoo, Zoo Miami and Honolulu Zoo also have breeding pairs.

The babies are set to be shown to the public on April 23. At that time, the zoo will hold a contest to name the four reptiles.

You know what they say: slow but steady wins the race.

Geezer Geckos

Antoinette and Brucie-Baby may be old, but they’re still kicking.

These two senior citizens are giving scientists a thrill, as they’re the oldest geckos in the world on record.

At 64 and 60 years old, they were discovered on a small island in New Zealand.

Marieke Lettink, an expert on reptiles and amphibians, was part of the team that found the pair of Waitaha geckos on Motunau Island, off the coast the country’s South Island. It was an “exciting” moment, she said, adding that it was humbling to realize “that these animals are older than us and still out there doing their thing.”

Scientists conduct a survey of the island every five years. During each survey, the team sets up a grid of traps on the small island, typically catching a few hundred geckos over a few days. The geckos come out at night – so the team also goes trekking in the dark with flashlights to look for geckos perched on leaves and bushes.

The surveys have been going on since the 1960s, when the late conservationist Tony Whitaker began marking geckos on the island with a practice called toe clipping – which involves clipping a certain number of toes on the geckos, each with a unique pattern. The practice is no longer used by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation. But Antoinette and Brucie-Baby have those markings, which helped scientists identify them.

Both geckos were fully grown when they were marked – so they could be even older than the 60 and 64 years recorded. Geckos found in other places generally only live around a decade. But Waitaha geckos are known to live longer, and Motunau Island is predator-free, which allows geckos to live without fear of enemies.

Leaping lizards! What a life!

Around the Community

A portion of Manetto Hill Road in Plainview was renamed Captain Omer Neutra Way on Sunday in memory of murdered IDF soldier Omer Neutra. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and other officials were instrumental in the name change.

JCCRP Food Distribution

JCCRP would like to thank the following schools for volunteering to help pack Pesach food boxes for over 362 families in the communi-

ty: Ateres Eitz Chaim; BYQ; Central; Darchei; HAFTR; HALB; HANC; Har Torah; Nishmas Hatorah; Rambam; SKA; TAG; TMM; and Zareinu.

Pesach Prep at HANC

The students in HANC Elementary School in West Hempstead have been working for weeks, learning all about Pesach and preparing to become active participants in their family seders. As you walk through the halls, one can observe children hard at work preparing their handmade haggadot, hear singing of the “Ma Nishtanah” and other seder Songs emanating from the classrooms, and even see magnificent bulletin boards reflecting the children walking through the Yam Suf led by Moshe, walking with Hashem’s protection to their freedom, and a bulletin board that reflects the multitude of special traditions at HANC family seders, created by our B’not Sherut, Chana and Sara.

Bringing the Pesach story alive has been the focus in the third grade class-

JCCRP gave out food, gift cards and gifts to verified families in financial need in the Five Towns, West Hempstead, Far Rockaway and Bayswater. Thank you to

rooms. In Morah Yocheved Silverman’s class, the children have been acting out the ten plagues, with some students dressed up as Egyptians in authentic costumes and the others reenacting the lives of the Hebrew slaves. The children marveled at the Red Sea, created by a red tablecloth covered with gummy fish that they could eat! Some children dressed up as frogs, including frog masks and a frog umbrella; lice was depicted by confetti; boils were created with cotton balls, lipstick and bandaids that they placed on their arms; stuffed animals depicted the infiltration of wild animals and each child had a role to play as they acted out each plague. The learning of the Pesach story was enhanced with videos and music, and the children wrote their own commentaries in the beautiful haggadot that they created.

the schools, classes and individual volunteers who helped make this happen.

Down the hall, in Rabbi Elie Bashevkin’s class, the children were also busy learning the story of Pesach. Accompanied by his guitar, Rabbi Bashevkin taught the children all of the songs that are sung at the Seder and the Makkot were reenacted as well. The children especially enjoyed creating hail with fire inside, which they created by adding cherry sauce to ice shavings. They also marveled as they watched water being poured into a cup, and the water miraculously turned red! Reenacting the life of Moshe, the children took turns walking with a gigantic stick as he walked through Mitzrayim protecting his fellow Jews. Adding to the fun was an Afikoman that kept disappearing each morning, and the children had a great time trying to find it!

The Kindergarten students were busy creating Seder items that would enable them to participate in their family seders. They created a wheel of the Makkot, a necklace that had a paper “bead” for

each of the sections of the Seder, paper dolls so they could act out the questions of the four sons, beautiful seder plates and a magnificent cup for Elijah. In addition, the children incorporated their math skills in a Pesach lesson on addition and subtraction. When presented with a word problem, the children illustrated the equations on a paper plate using little chametz snacks. After practicing their addition and subtraction, they were able to eat up all of the chametz in order to make their classrooms ready for Pesach. Who knew the Pesach mitzvah of removing chametz could be so educational and yummy at the same time?!

After all of their hard work, the students in HANC will be well prepared to share their divrei Torah, sing the songs of the Seder, and enhance their families’ Seder tables with their magnificent creations. There is no doubt that each child will contribute a great deal of nachat to their families during the holiday. Chag kasher v’sameach to all.

HAFTR Family Learning Brings Pesach to Life

Rabbi Doron Perez’s Powerful Address at MTA

Rabbi Doron Perez delivered an inspiring and heartfelt speech to the MTA talmidim, sharing both personal reflections and professional insights. Rabbi Perez began by honoring the memory of his son, Daniel, Hy”d, a fallen soldier in the IDF, who heroically gave his life during the tragic events of October 7. Through his son’s story, Rabbi Perez emphasized the values of courage, sacrifice, and dedication to the Jewish people.

Rav Doron also discussed the significant work of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), stressing its vital role in supporting Jews both in Israel and around the globe. Rabbi Perez’s position as the Executive Chairman of the World Mizrachi Movement allowed him to elaborate on the importance of the WZO in fostering Jewish unity and connection to Israel, while also highlighting the ongoing elections for the World Zionist Congress.

Additionally, Rabbi Perez spoke about the enduring relationship between Mizrachi and Yeshiva University, encouraging MTA students to get involved in this important mission of Mizrachi, which is endorsed by YU’s Senior Leadership and Roshei Yeshiva. He stressed that age should not be a barrier, as everyone can contribute to the future of the Jewish community and the State of Israel.

In his address, Rabbi Doron Perez not only shared the personal loss of his son but also inspired the talmidim to engage actively in the work of the World Mizrachi Movement and to recognize the impact they can have on the world, regardless of their stage in life.

MTA is grateful for Rabbi Perez taking time out of his busy schedule to address our talmidim and rebbeim this morning and are confident that his message resonated with everyone in attendance.

At HAFTR, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom doors; it extends to families, strengthening bonds and deepening connections to our heritage. This Pesach season, our third HAFTR Family Learning program this year brought upwards of 400 parents and children together for an engaging and inspiring exploration of Pesach as a holiday of faith and freedom.

Through interactive Torah study, thought-provoking discussions, and meaningful takeaways, families delved into the themes of Yetziat Mitzrayim, the power of gratitude, and the enduring message of redemption. Whether uncovering new insights into the Haggadah or reflecting on personal moments of faith, parents and children shared a special learning experience that will enhance

their Sedarim for years to come.

Pesach is the holiday of mesorah— the transmission of our story from generation to generation. The Haggadah commands us, “V’higadeta l’vincha”—to teach our children about Yetziat Mitzrayim, ensuring that every generation feels connected to our past and carries it forward. Through Family Learning, parents and children engaged in this sacred tradition together, strengthening their role in passing down the beauty and depth of our heritage.

As we head into Pesach, we look forward to seeing the lessons of our Family Learning program come to life at each of our students’ Seder tables!

Morah Naomi Schustal’s kindergarten students at Yeshiva Darchei Torah did the walking water experiment as they explored their water unit

Mrs. Haglili’s fifth graders at Yeshiva Darchei Torah learning about bar graphs and line plots

Around the Community

TAL Academy Brings the Story of Pesach to Life

At TAL Academy, the countdown to Pesach was filled with excitement, creativity, and learning. Students dove into the story of Yetziyas Mitzrayim as they prepared personalized Haggados for their Seder tables.

Using TAL’s multisensory approach, teachers used their Haggados to bring the Pesach story to life with vibrant stickers, hands-on manipulatives, and engaging visuals.

In collaboration with the school’s language pathologists, students stepped into the shoes of Bnei Yisrael and wrote

RNSP Training

The RNSP (Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol), also known as Shomrim, held its monthly training session, welcoming an impressive lineup of law enforcement leaders and community safety advocates. The event, titled “Ways the RNSP can Assist Law Enforcement in Keeping the Community Safe through Cutting Edge Technologies,” highlighted the ongoing collaboration between RNSP and local police departments, showcasing how advanced tools and teamwork are enhancing safety across the region. Among the distinguished attendees were NYPD Queens South Chief Kevin Williams, NYPD Community Affairs Chief Richie Taylor, and Long Beach Police Department Commissioner Rich DePalma. Their presence underscored the strong partnership between RNSP and law enforcement agencies, a relationship built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to protecting the community.

The training session began with RNSP Chief Shmuli Kassover giving over a comprehensive training detailing the latest technologies being used in tandem by RNSP Shomrim and numerous departments of the NYPD, NCPD, and other law enforcement agencies. He described how this technology can and should be used to solve crimes in progress, past crimes, find wanted criminals, reunite missing persons with loved ones, and return stolen assets to their rightful owners. The usage of cutting-edge technologies greatly expands the ways in which RNSP Shomrim can work with local law enforcement to keep the community safe. Much thanks to the members of the RNSP TARU team (Technical Assistance Response Team) for setting up RNSP Shomrim’s highly sophisticat-

ed LPR camera system throughout the large area that Shomrim serves. Regarding the area that Shomrim serves, RNSP Shomrim Chief Elkanah Adelman mentioned that of all Shomrim chapters, the RNSP covers the largest area geographically.

The next segment of the training was facilitated by NYPD Patrol Borough of Queens South Chief Kevin Williams, NYPD Community Affairs Chief Richie Taylor, and Commissioner Rich DePalma of the Long Beach Police Department. Chief Williams spoke warmly of the meaningful relationships between the RNSP and some of the numerous precincts under his command. “The partnership between the RNSP and local law enforcement is a model of what can be achieved when communities and police unite for a common goal,” said Chief Williams, “With innovative tools and a shared vision, we’re making a real difference in keeping our neighborhoods secure.” Chief Taylor added that the tight collaboration described by Chief Williams is the true embodiment of community policing. He then gave a shout-out to 101 Community Affairs Detective Lynn Blanchette who was honored at the 2024 RNSP Appreciation Event. He closed his remarks by thanking RNSP Shomrim for the incredible work they did in collaboration with the NYPD’s Major Case Squad in locating a Torah scroll that was stolen from a yeshiva during a past burglary. As for that Torah, it is almost finished being repaired, and Chief Taylor awaits the celebration of its return to the community. Long Beach Police Commissioner DePalma recognized the RNSP for its collaboration during several special category missing person searches and rescue operations. And in light of this particu-

vivid diary entries as if they themselves had lived through the Ten Makkos and

the miraculous splitting of the Yam Suf. These powerful writing exercises not only build language skills but also deepen each child’s personal connection to the story of our redemption.

To top it off, students practiced how to confidently share divrei Torah at their family Sedarim. For TAL students, this year’s Pesach Seder will be a chance to connect and to share the beauty of the Torah they’ve learned with pride.

lar training, he mentioned how the Long Beach Police Department worked with RNSP Shomrim, using cutting edge technology, to help solve a case at Chabad of the Beaches regarding the theft of a Torah scroll and vandalism of their sanctuary several years ago.

The training session also served as an opportunity to honor several individuals for their exceptional service. RNSP Shomrim presented special recognition to P.O. Victor Boamah of the NYPD’s 100 Precinct Community Affairs, Sgt. KM Hasnat and P.O. Jonathan Bord of the NYPD’s 23rd Transit District, and RNSP members Menachem Kleinman (RN-33), Dr. Ronald Deutsch (RN-48), and Yaakov Mittman (RN-68).

The leadership of multiple NYPD precincts also attended this training session, including representatives from the 100th Precinct, 101st Precinct, 116 Precinct, and the 23rd Transit District. Their participation highlighted the broad support of RNSP Shomrim’s effort and the results they bare across various jurisdictions, as well as the organization’s pivotal role in bridging community needs with police resources.

Deputy Inspector Carrol Hamilton, the commanding officer of the 100th Precinct, recognized how the collaboration between her command and RNSP Shomrim has resulted in several stolen cars being returned to their rightful owners

and missing persons being reunited with their loved ones.

Captain George Ng, the commanding officer of the 101st Precinct spoke warmly of the long-standing relationship between the 101 and RNSP Shomrim and the many tangible ways it has and continues to benefit the community.

Captain Darnel Simon, the executive officer of the newly minted 116th Precinct and formerly the executive officer of the 101st Precinct, also presented at the training event. Lieutenant Andre Rosario, representing NYPD’s 23rd Transit District commanding officer Captain Waheed Akhter, presented at the training as well.

RNSP Chief Adelman closed the training session by praising the work of the Shabbos and Yom Tov marked patrols units and the spouses of each and every RNSP Shomrim unit. About the Shabbos and Yom Tov Patrol Division, Adelman described that aside from patrolling, they check in on the elderly and infirmed and fulfill many other community needs. He also praised the commitment of the spouses of all Shomrim members for being supportive of their significant others, putting aside their own needs which enables all RNSP units to respond to any and all emergencies, even on Shabbos and Yom Tov if the situation requires them.

The amazing YOSS Mechina Members of the Tech-N-Check Program were privileged this week to a magical performance by Shlomo Levinger! Shlomo began by talking about his own experience growing up without the use of technology, which allowed him to explore his own hobbies, and how it probably would not have happened if he grew up busy with technology. Shlomo then wowed the students with his min-

dreading abilities and jaw-dropping illusions.

“I still can’t figure out how he got the word in the football,” said Mordechai Halali (original Tech-N-Check member). The students continued to be baffled and amazed as each trick was performed. Shlomo culminated the show with an amazing trick using a calculator and random numbers which somehow equaled TECH N CHECK!

HAFTR’s Personalized Haggadah

At HAFTR, education is more than just learning—it’s about fostering deep connections to heritage, tradition, and faith. One of the most cherished and meaningful traditions in our Lower School is the Personalized Haggadah Project, a cumulative journey that transforms our students from young learners into active participants in their Sedarim, equipped with insights, understanding, and personal reflections that last a lifetime.

Even before first grade, our youngest learners in our 2s, 3s, and 4s (Pre-K) through our Early Childhood program begin connecting to the themes of Pesach through songs, books, and creative projects. In Kindergarten, students create a special Haggadah that reflects their curriculum, with each page highlighting a learning experience that brings the Seder to life. They explore Hebrew vocabulary, Seder songs, and brachot, while applying their writing skills in both English and Hebrew. Interactive elements, such as a Ten Makot drip mat and Ten Frames for numerical understanding, help students engage with the content in meaningful ways.

The journey continues in first grade, when students receive their very own

Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato Honored For Making NYS History

New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato and former New York State Assemblywoman, and current Queens County Clerk and Commissioner of Jurors, Audrey I. Pheffer, received special recognition by Governor Kathy Hochul during her Women’s History Month Celebration in response to their trailblazing work in promoting women in government. Pheffer and Pheffer Amato are noted as the only mother and daughter duo to be elected in New York State. There have been fathers and sons, brothers and brothers, and uncles and nephews, but Stacey Pheffer Amato and Audrey I. Pheffer are the first (and currently only) mother and daughter to be elected.

Audrey I. Pheffer served as the Assemblywoman for the 23rd District, representing much of the same area her daughter now represents. She served for 25 years and was responsible for spear-

heading some of the largest consumer protections throughout New York. She retired from the Assembly in 2011 after being appointed Queens County Clerk and the Commissioner of Jurors. Stacey Pheffer Amato has been in office since 2017 and serves as the Chairwoman of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Employees where she has reformed Tier 6 and expanded health insurance coverage to firefighters and their families. She holds the recent distinction of having more bills signed into law than any other elected official in NYC.

Haggadah—a moment of pride and excitement that marks the beginning of their active role in the Seder. They learn the order of the Seder, discovering how to participate meaningfully in the rituals and discussions around the table. Much of the design and visual elements of their Haggadah are created at this stage, instilling in them a deep sense of ownership and connection to their work.

As students progress, their Haggadah evolves alongside their growing knowledge and maturity. Each year, they revisit their role in the Seder, expanding their insights and adding new divrei Torah, building upon their previous knowledge, ensuring that their understanding grows deeper each year. By third and fourth grade, students delve into midrashim, analysis, and personal reflections. They continue to practice their reading fluency and solidify their knowledge through interactive learning. Throughout this process, Morah Janet Goldman brings the Haggadah to life through music, teaching and reviewing familiar and traditional Pesach songs, ensuring that their connection to the Seder is both intellectual and musical. Meanwhile, Mrs. Royce Maron and the Art Department guide students in creating custom Haggadah

covers and artistic projects, evoking the spirit of Pesach through creative expression. Beyond the pages, students practice their divrei Torah and different segments of the Haggadah in preparation for sharing them at their family Sedarim. This hands-on approach ensures that they feel confident and eager to take an active role, sharing all that they have learned with their families. By the time students reach fifth grade, their Haggadah is no longer just a project—it is a rich, personal keepsake that embodies five years of learning, growth, and connection to their Jewish heritage.

This treasured tradition at HAFTR is more than an academic exercise; it is a gift of Jewish continuity, a bridge between generations, and a source of family pride. Parents marvel as they watch their children’s understanding deepen year by year, transforming from wide-eyed kindergartners learning their first Pesach songs into confident, knowledgeable participants in their family Sedarim. The Haggadah they create is not just a book— it is a living testament to their growth, their connection to tradition, and their ability to share Torah in a way that is personal and profound.

The Personalized Haggadah Project

is a testament to HAFTR’s commitment to instilling a lifelong love of Torah and tradition, ensuring that each student carries the meaning of Pesach with them long after they leave our classrooms. As they open their Haggadah at the Seder table year after year, their voices join the unbroken chain of Jewish history—linking them to their ancestors and to the generations yet to come.

At HAFTR, we take immense pride in fostering an environment where our students don’t just learn about Judaism—they live it, embrace it, and pass it forward to future generations. This is the HAFTR difference, and it is what makes our community so strong.

STEM at HALB Legendary Refusenik Rabbi Yosef Mendelevitch Inspires at YCQ

HALB sixth graders made Jewish holiday-themed games in their STEM class. They had to create a game using electrical circuits to either light up or buzz when played. They then had the chance to play each other’s games.

The Grow Torah garden is back at Lev Chana. The children got to see how the things they planted in the fall are now growing tall

YOSS Economics Club

The

grade

the

investments, portfolios, and the stock market. Students had the opportunity to receive expert feedback on their virtual $100,000 investment, gaining valuable professional insights into market strategies and financial decision-making.

In an extremely powerful and timely message before Pesach, Rabbi Yosef Mendelevitch spoke to Junior High School students at YCQ on Wednesday, April 3. He blew them away with his incredible story of mesirut nefesh. Rabbi Mendelevitch detailed the risks and sacri-

fices he made to keep his Jewish identity and commitment to Torah alive while being imprisoned in the Soviet Union. After his talk concluded, the eighth grade had a special opportunity to participate in a moving question and answer session.

Ezra Academy Students Embody the Spirit of Pesach Through Acts of Kindness

At Ezra Academy, a Jewish high school in Queens, the values of compassion, leadership, and community service shine far beyond the walls of the classroom. This Pesach, students demonstrated what it truly means to live by the lessons they learn not just through study but through action.

In preparation for the holiday, dozens of Ezra students chose to spend their free time after school packaging and delivering essential Pesach food items to families in need. Their dedication ensured that no Jewish family would go without a beautiful and dignified seder. These efforts were carried out in partnership with the organization All About Kindness 613, reinforcing the school’s belief in chessed—kindness—as a way of life.

Among the standout efforts, student Ben Khaimov took the initiative to collect tzedakah throughout the week, raising money to fulfill the mitzvah of ma’ot chitim, which provides funds for those who struggle to afford holiday needs. This act of giving highlights how Ezra students

embrace their responsibilities to the broader community.

Students who participated in these meaningful efforts include Daniel Murdakhayev, Rafael Borokhov, Johnny Khaitov, Johnny Shimunov, Ben Aranbayev, Josh Mordukhayev, Daniella Geula, and Loren Lieberman. Each of them embodied the deeper themes of Pesach—freedom, redemption, and unity—not only in theory but in practice.

Pesach is a time when we recall our journey from slavery to freedom, and these students brought that message to life by ensuring others could experience the joy of the holiday without burden. At Ezra Academy, we don’t just learn about our traditions—we live them. Giving back to the community is not an extracurricular activity; it’s a core part of who we are.

The administration and faculty could not be prouder of these young leaders. Their actions reflect what Ezra stands for: excellence in education, a passion for Torah values, and a lifelong commitment to chessed.

seventh

Economics Club at the Abraham and Sara Silber YOSS Mechina recently hosted Mr. Roman Yukobov, a representative from Morgan Stanley, for an insightful discussion on

economy,

YOSS talmidim volunteering at Chasdei Lev’s Pesach distribution

Building for Eternity Mesivta Netzach HaTorah Expands into a New Home

NEW BUILDING. NEW POTENTIAL.

Since its founding in 2017, Mesivta Netzach HaTorah has focused on creating a Makom Torah where meaningful learning happens. It’s a place where each talmid experiences tremendous growth — surrounded by rebbeim who believe in him, fellow bachurim who inspire him, and an atmosphere that pushes him to shteig in learning.

Now, with tremendous gratitude and excitement, Mesivta Netzach HaTorah is entering a new chapter.

After years of thoughtful planning, the Mesivta has recently acquired a new property, a spacious campus that will become the future home of Netzach HaTorah. The move marks a meaningful step forward in the Mesivta’s growth and will allow for more space and opportunities to reach and impact each talmid, and the broader community.

The newly named Friedman Family

Building was dedicated through the generosity and partnership of Mr. and Mrs. David and Judy Friedman, who share the Mesivta’s vision for strong, purposeful chinuch. The new building is more than a physical upgrade. It represents what Netzach HaTorah has stood for from the start – believing in each talmid’s potential and building on it.

A Mesivta That Feels Different

From the day it was founded, it was apparent that Mesivta Netzach HaTorah was something different, something more. It was established with a clear focus, to give each talmid the tools, hadracha, and connections he needs to grow into a confident, stellar Ben Torah.

From day one, the Mesivta has emphasized relationships between rebbeim and talmidim, between parents and hanhalah, and among the boys themselves. This sense of connection has shaped the atmosphere in the hallways and the tone in the classroom — resulting in talmidim

who emerge as stronger versions of themselves after four transformative years.

At the heart of it all is a staff of dedicated menahalim and rebbeim who understand that real growth doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when top-tier bochurim are given clear direction, a serious and structured environment, and the kind of personal attention that encourages them to reach higher in every area of their Avodas Hashem.

Talk to a parent, and they’ll tell you about their son who’s thriving in ways they never imagined.

Talk to a rebbe, and he’ll speak of each talmid who has been impacted in his learning, middos, and self-confidence.

Talk to a former talmid, and you’ll hear about his personal growth in learning and relationships that shape his life, long after graduation.

That’s what Netzach HaTorah has been offering since its inception — and that’s exactly what the new campus will make possible on an even larger scale.

The Mesivta Has Found Its Place

With a growing student body and increasing demand for what the Mesivta offers, the need for a larger space has become clear.

The new campus — located at 650 Broadway in Cedarhurst — sits on over 1.5 acres and includes more than 61,000 square feet of space. It’s being renovated and thoughtfully designed to reflect both the ruchniyus and practical needs of the Mesivta.

The Friedman Family Building will include:

-A spacious, well-designed Beis Medrash that fosters focus and growth in learning

-Ten classrooms, each designed to allow for comfortable class sizes

-A state-of-the-art gym, library, and

-A new simcha hall to serve the community

The new campus will do more than just allow current talmidim to thrive in a more spacious environment. It will also provide an opportunity for more boys in the Five Towns, Far Rockaway, and surrounding communities to be a part of Mesivta Netzach HaTorah.

A Home for the Community

As an established part of the Five Towns community, the Mesivta has always maintained a strong connection with the surrounding neighborhoods. The new simcha hall and expanded event spaces will allow the Mesivta to host community events, shiurim, programs, and milestones that bring together talmidim, families, and the community at large.

None of this would have been possible without the support of those who believe in the Mesivta’s mission. At the forefront is the Friedman family, whose partnership helped turn this vision into reality.

Looking Ahead

The move to the new building is an exciting milestone, and the next step in a longer journey.

What makes Netzach HaTorah successful isn’t only the building or its curriculum. It’s the people. The rebbeim who go above and beyond. The staff who create a thoughtful, caring environment. The parents who trust the process and invest in the growth. And the talmidim who embrace every challenge, reaching new heights in growth and learning.

With the new campus underway and renovations progressing, the future is bright, and the opportunities are real. More space. More connection. More growth.

Mesivta Netzach HaTorah is ready for what’s next. Will you join us?

outdoor basketball court

HALB V’Shinantam Siyum

HALB students, rebbeim, fathers and grandfathers gathered together on Sunday morning for the second annual V’Shinantam Siyum. The morning began with a beautiful tefillah complete with a musical hallel. Everyone then made their way into the gym for a delicious breakfast and learning together and as families. It was a very special morning for everyone involved!

Hakaras Hatov at YHT

For Parshas Vaykira, Yeshiva Har Torah’s Early Childhood students learned that the Jewish people brought korbanot to say thank you to Hashem for the good in their lives. This important theme in the parsha led to a discussion about the people in YHT that

the students are thankful for. Each child chose someone in the school to make a card for, to show their hakarat hatov. At YHT, important values and messages are not just taught but brought to life in a way that’s relatable to each and every child!

Ruach at HANC HS Color War

By Erin Steinberg

The term “Color War” usually brings to mind kids dressed in team colors and participating in activities like sports, banner making, and more. It certainly doesn’t connote a meeting about the school building’s plumbing – but at HANC High School on Wednesday, March 26, that’s exactly how Color War began. Late that morning, an announcement was made calling all students down to the gym for an update on an issue with the plumbing. That update turned out to be a Color War breakout –or so it seemed. Complete with colors, team themes, and scheduled activities, it was nothing more than a fakeout! Students had to wait until that afternoon for the real breakout and were thrilled to find out their real teams: Team Blue, representing Tefillah, and Team Silver, symbolizing Torah.

The excitement ran nonstop from the first day until the end. Decked out in the regalia of their team colors, students participated in sports games such as football, soccer, and dodgeball. Events like Cake Wars and the Breakfast-Making Competition tested students’ skills in the kitchen, while teams’ artists poured

all their skill into their banners – though, in a surprising twist, this year’s banners were outdoor murals visible to anyone who visits campus.

Project Runway saw students using whatever supplies they could to design outfits to help their friends shine in team colors, and in Tug O’ War, it was an allout team-versus-team fight by grades. Of course, HANC would have been remiss to have such an event without incorporating Limudei Torah into the fun. On Thursday morning, students watched a presentation for the Chidon created by Rabbi Friedler about the deeper meaning of karpas; on Friday after davening, one representative from each team gave a dvar Torah before the entire school.

In the end, Team Blue – Tefillah –won, but both teams performed so well that it was a close game. Students worked together to overcome challenges, forming closer bonds in the process, and overall, it was a fun and meaningful experience for everyone involved.

Thank you to the incredible Student Life team and to all the student leaders who ensured that Color War 5785 was an incredible success!

5 Towns Flag Football League

As the 5 Towns Flag Football League rolls into Week 4, it’s hard to believe that it has already made such an incredible impact on our community and the players involved. This season has been filled with excitement, teamwork, and unforgettable moments—setting a strong precedent for the rest of the league. From the first day of practice to the kickoff of our inaugural games, the energy has been palpable. The sense of camaraderie among players, coaches, and families is evident every Friday. Whether it’s the kids showing off their skills on the field or the passionate cheers from the sidelines, the league has truly become a community-wide event. Weeks 1 to 4 have showcased not only impressive skills but also the spirit of sportsmanship and middos. The games

have been marked by thrilling plays and nail-biting finishes, with teams pushing each other to excel. Observing the players support one another, whether celebrating a touchdown or encouraging teammates after a tough play, has been heartwarming. This positive atmosphere fosters not just competition but also lasting friendships.

In the Pre-1A age group , Rabbi Fine has been teaching the boys how to play the game of football and has been grooming them for next season when they get to play in the big leagues. In the first to eighth grade leagues the action is nonstop, and as we move forward into the remaining weeks of the season, excitement is building for what’s to come. With playoffs approaching, teams are gearing up to give it their all. Coaches are working

hard to prepare their squads, instilling valuable lessons not just about football, but about perseverance, resilience, and teamwork. If the first four weeks are any indication of what’s to come, we can expect thrilling showdowns, heightened rivalries, and perhaps even a few surprise

victories as teams jockey for position heading into the playoffs. Parents, players, and fans alike can’t wait to see how this season unfolds!

Wishing everyone a good yom tov and an amazing Pesach.

Chai Lifeline Hosts Pre-Pesach Retreat for Families Facing Illness at Camp Simcha

From March 27–30, Chai Lifeline’s LH Financial Services National Retreat provided families of children with serious illnesses from across North America with a meaningful and restorative pre-Pesach experience. More than 275 children, parents, and staff gathered at the scenic Camp Simcha campus in Glen Spey, NY, where they were enveloped in warmth, support, and the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges.

The retreat featured a full schedule of engaging programming for children, including camp-style activities and entertainment, while parents benefited from inspiring sessions led by renowned experts such as Dr. David Pelcovitz and members of the Chai Lifeline team. A highlight of the weekend was the Motzei Shabbos fire show and kumzitz,

which fostered a powerful sense of unity, strength, and renewal.

“Meeting others from different backgrounds and places only served to underscore that we are more connected through our challenges than the seeming differences that separate us,” noted one parent. “Each and every person had something to offer that was supportive, inspirational and energizing.”

“When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, the entire family is affected,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, CEO of Chai Lifeline. “Our goal is to provide more than just support—we offer families the chance to step away from the daily challenges of medical care and rediscover joy, connection, and hope.”

Rabbi Mordechai Gobioff, MSW, National Director of Client Services, added, “This weekend was a powerful reminder

of how essential support and respite are for families facing illness. The love and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters make it all possible, and we are beyond grateful for their commitment to bringing light into the lives of these children and their families.”

HAFTR Brings Joy of Pesach to Kulanu

In the spirit of inclusivity and community, HAFTR Middle School students had the privilege of leading Model Seders at Kulanu, bringing the beauty and traditions of Pesach to a wider audience. This unique initiative allowed students to share the essence of the holiday—freedom, faith, and unity—with their Kulanu peers, making the

Seder experience meaningful for all involved.

With warmth and enthusiasm, the students guided participants through the key moments of the Seder, from reciting the Ma Nishtana to singing Pesach songs and discussing the themes of the Chag. The event fostered a profound sense of connection, demonstrating that the mes-

sages of Pesach—empathy, resilience, and gratitude—transcend all boundaries.

For HAFTR students, this experience was more than just a lesson in leadership; it was a chance to live out the values of chesed and inclusion, strengthening their connection to the holiday while enriching the Pesach experience for others. As they left Kulanu, their hearts were

To learn more about Chai Lifeline programs and services ,or to make a donation, visit www.chailifeline.org.

full, knowing that they had celebrated Pesach and shared its light with their community.

HAFTR is incredibly proud of its students for embodying the spirit of Pesach—bringing its joy, meaning, and unity to all.

Thank you Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Mayor of Lawrence Sam Nahmias, Lloyd Keilson, Michael Fragin and Lawrence village board members for visiting the Special Children Center and joining the ribbon cutting

Rav Sholom Kaminetzky Addresses Beis Medrash of Lawrence Adopt-a-Kollel Renewal

The Beis Medrash of Lawrence, led by Rav Dovid Fordsham, has a longstanding bond and partnership with the famed Brisker Kollel of Yerushalayim. The Rosh Kollel, Rav Moshe Aharon Rosengarten, visits the shul regularly and has created close relationships with the Rav and many of the community members.

This past Thursday, 5 Nissan/April 3, the shul held its twelfth annual renewal event. The event was held at the home of R’ Daniel Wolfson. The special guest speaker was Rav Sholom Kaminetzky, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Philadelphia, who has a close relationship with the Rosh Kollel. Rav Kaminetzky

eloquently brought out the beauty of the partnership.

The Rosh Kollel, Rav Moshe Aharon Rosengarten also addressed the event.

Matzah Factory Experience

Gesher’s annual matzah factory experience was a great handson learning experience! Children had an opportunity to thresh the wheat stalks, grind the wheat, and make their very own matzah! The smell of the baked matzah got the entire Gesher family excited and in the Pesach spirit.

Ezra Academy Prepares for Pesach with Hands-On Learning and Traditions

As the festival of Pesach approaches, Ezra Academy has been abuzz with meaningful, hands-on preparations designed to deepen students’ understanding and connection to the holiday.

This week, upper classmen were privileged to travel to Boro Park to participate in a unique and powerful mitzvah: baking matzot. In a visit to a traditional matzah bakery, students rolled up their sleeves and got involved in every step of the process. From kneading the dough to watching the fiery ovens work at lightning speed, the experience brought to life the urgency and precision that defines matzah baking. More than just a trip, it was an opportunity to internalize the halachot and history behind the “bread of affliction” — and to feel a personal connection to the journey from slavery to freedom.

Meanwhile, the younger grades have been immersed in interactive learning through model seders. The Mechina and Alef classes participated in beautifully prepared mock seders, complete with all the traditional items on the Seder plate.

Teachers guided students through the steps of the Seder with detailed explanations, songs, and engaging experiential activities. Each child had a chance to ask the Four Questions, lean like royalty, taste the bitter herbs, and understand the symbolism behind every action. Whether baking matzot or acting out the story of the Exodus, Ezra Academy’s students aren’t just learning about Pesach — they’re living it. The school’s approach to experiential education continues to instill a love for Torah, tradition, and community in a way that resonates long after the last piece of afikoman is found.

Chag kasher v’sameach from all of us at Ezra Academy!

Around the Community

Bringing Learning to Life

The Matzah Factory came to Lev Chana last week! The children learned all about how to make matzah, why we make matzah, and then had the chance to make their very own. They learned a lot and had a great time!

HALB’s second grade girls learned all about Pesach, but instead of simply lis-

tening to the story, they reenacted it! The students dressed up as slaves in Egypt and then crossed the Yam Suf, singing together!

HALB’s second grade boys brought the makkot to life when they each brought a stuffed animal to school for Makkat Arov!

Brand New Wedding Hall to Open on Long Island

As our community continues to grow and there are more simchos, the lack of convenient local options is becoming an increasing issue. For many years, we have all traveled long distances on many busy weeknights to attend weddings for local couples, far from home, with traffic and other factors that impact the ability to fully enjoy the simcha.

Over the past number of years, many individuals have worked tirelessly to find the best location, that not only allows us to build what works best, but also meets the needs of the community. Baruch Hashem, after much effort, and some disappointments along the way, we have successfully closed on a large property in West Hempstead. The committee of dedicated community members have spent hundreds of hours, contributing their time and expertise, continuing to work

on making this venue the optimal event space for our simcha needs.

This location is a short drive from many communities, including the Five Towns, Queens, Brooklyn, etc. There are no tolls, and there will be ample parking, including valet parking. The LIRR also has a stop one block from the venue, allowing guests easy access from many places, including NYC.

In addition to the ease of commute, the hall itself provides a number of opportunities to plan your ideal simcha. The hall will accommodate around 650 guests, all on one floor, with the chuppah and ballroom in their own individual rooms, not requiring any changeovers throughout the night. The elegant décor and beautiful ambiance provide a number of options that will allow you to customize your event. We are currently in the process of signing our builder and

designer, both of whom have worked on many wedding halls for the Jewish community enjoyed by thousands of people weekly.

The hall will have three nights a week with several packages available at different price points to meet your financial needs, while still hosting a beautiful simcha. The other two nights will be more flexible and allow for more options outside of the packages offered.

Regardless of the package you choose, catering will be led by Michael Schick, whose reputation as an outstanding caterer precedes him. His care and individual attention to each simcha is legendary. Michael’s food and presentation is always of the highest quality, and the events he caters never fail to impress.

As the primary goal of this project has been to serve the needs of our communities, the simcha hall has been set up

as a not-for profit. Our recent closing was funded by a few generous individuals, and now that the building process will begin, we are continuing with our fundraising, with the goal of opening Ateres Perel sometime in 2026. The name of building was dedicated by the generous donation of the Ganger family, in memory of Mrs. Ganger’s mother, Esther Perel Newman, a”h, a Holocaust survivor who lived her life with simcha and was very involved in hachnosas kallah. Many other dedication opportunities are available for those who want to join in this great effort. A website is currently underway with more details, but in the interim, please email ateresperel@gmail.com for more information. We are looking forward to sharing in many future simchos at Ateres Perel iyH!

DRS Seniors Celebrate Torah Learning at V’Haarev Na Chasunah

“Chazer, chazer and chazer again!” That’s the passionate tagline of the revolutionary V’Haarev Na Gemara Learning Program — and it’s a mantra that Rabbi Yudin’s twelfth grade shiur at DRS has embraced with all their heart and mind.

For the past number of years, Rabbi Yudin’s talmidim have engaged deeply with this unique style of learning — a method rooted in chazara, clarity, and true mastery. Through V’Haarev Na, the focus is not on covering ground quickly, but on internalizing the Torah, reviewing each sugya again and again until it be-

comes part of one’s very being.

Each year, Rabbi Yudin’s shiur proudly completes Maseches Ta’anis, but more importantly, they own it. Blatt after blatt is reviewed meticulously, often dozens of times. Through “Retzifus Seder,” hourslong sessions of uninterrupted chaburah-style learning, the talmidim engage in intense review, helping one another solidify their understanding. With painstaking attention to detail, they translate, punctuate, and annotate their Gemaros, learning not only what the Gemara says but how to truly learn Gemara on their own.

The year-long investment culminates in an unforgettable celebration: the V’Haarev Na Chasunah in Monsey. Hundreds of talmidim from yeshivas across the tri-state area — boys from all backgrounds — gather together for a night of achdus, simcha, and Torah. With live music from Jewish music legends like Eitan Katz and Boruch Levine, a full threecourse seudah, and dancing that rivals any wedding, the night is a true tribute to

the power of Torah learned the right way — deeply, meaningfully, and joyfully. Watching Rabbi Yudin’s talmidim participate, it’s clear: this is more than a program. It’s a life-changing approach to limud haTorah. It’s about building confidence, clarity, and connection. It’s about tasting the sweetness of Torah, and letting it become a central part of one’s life. Chazer, chazer and chazer again — and you’ll never learn the same way again.

Around the Community

Touro’s New York Medical College Celebrates Match Day with 99% Placement Rate

Last week, the Class of 2025 at Touro University’s New York Medical College (NYMC) School of Medicine gathered on campus with family and friends for the culmination of years of hard work – the annual Match Day celebration. Along with graduating medical students across the nation, NYMC seniors learned where they were matched to medical residency programs and will continue their training for the next several years in their chosen specialties. Conducted annually by the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), the Match uses a computer algorithm to match the preferences of applicants with the preferences of residency programs, to fill the available training positions at U.S. teaching hospitals. This year’s match included the largest number of applicants in NRMP’s history, with a record number 52,498 applicants total, competing for 45,237 positions.

Ninety-nine percent of the Class of 2025 obtained a residency placement and graduates will go on to train in 24 states and the District of Columbia at 103 different institutions, including at NYMC affiliates Westchester Medical Center

and NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, as well as local affiliates Phelps Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, St. Mary’s and Saint Clare’s Hospital, Northern Westchester Hospital and Greenwich Hospital. They will also train at other major top-tier, academic medical centers across the country, including Beth Israel-Deaconess and Massachusetts General of the Harvard Medical School, Brown, Mount Sinai, Johns Hopkins, Boston University, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Columbia, Georgetown, Weil Cornell, New York University, Cedars Sinai, UCLA, Tufts, and Yale. The top career choices for the Class of 2025 were internal medicine, anesthesiology, pediatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and surgery.

Shomer Shabbos Residency Matches

NYMC partners with its clinical sites in founding and promoting Shomer Shabbos medical residency training slots, which accommodate Shabbos observance while prioritizing patient care.

“New York Medical College and Touro University are proud to offer the largest number and variety of Shomer Shabbos medical and dental residency training

opportunities in the United States. I am always pleased on Match Day to see students avail themselves of this option for their training,” said Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., Chancellor and CEO of NYMC.

Students matched to Shomer Shabbos

Met Council Provided Massive Passover Food Relief

Over the past few weeks, as Jewish families prepared for Passover amid soaring food prices, Met Council led a massive food relief effort to ensure that more than 250,000 food-insecure Jewish Americans could celebrate the holiday with dignity.

With grocery costs skyrocketing— some items increasing by 40% since last year and over 200% from pre-pandemic

prices—Met Council distributed millions of pounds of free kosher-for-Passover food across 185 distribution sites in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. Working in partnership with local food pantries, synagogues, and community organizations, Met Council’s coordinated efforts helped struggling families access the essential foods needed for a proper Seder.

residencies at NYMC-affiliated sites in internal medicine, psychiatry, and pediatrics.

For more information, visit www.nymc. edu.

This year’s distribution was supported by major partners, including Deb El Food Products, which donated millions of eggs—one of the most expensive and hardest-to-find holiday staples—providing crucial relief to families hit hardest by inflation. A Special thanks to UJA-Federation of NY for supporting this Passover food distribution effort.

More than 30 elected officials joined

Met Council’s efforts over the past few weeks, emphasizing the urgent need for food assistance as inflation continues to squeeze household budgets. Events were held across all five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida, making it easier than ever for families to receive high-quality kosher food in a dignified and respectful manner.

Graduating seniors at Touro’s New York Medical College Sender Labkowsky and Avrohom Karp on Match Day

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.”

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?

Answers: 1-True; 2-True; 3-True; 4-True; 5-True; 6-True; 7-True; 8-True; 9-True; 10True; 11-True; 12-True; 13-True; 14-True

• The lantern must be carried back and forth.

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.

This year, as is true in most years of the Jewish calendar, the Torah reading of Tzav coincides with the Shabbos preceding Pesach – Shabbos Hagadol. Since on a deep level of understanding there are really no coincidences in Torah matters, the connection between Tzav and Shabbos Hagadol should be explored and explained.

The word “ tzav ” is one of a mandatory command. It does not present reasons or explanations and does not brook discussion or argument. It is representative of military discipline, of service to a higher purpose even if all of the participants in the project are not really aware of the workings of that higher purpose. A necessary part of living in society is the mandatory obligations, which are part of everyone’s life.

Torah Thought

Parshas Tzav

By Rabbi Berel Wein

If it were not for these rules, mores and practices imposed upon us, life would become so chaotic as to be unlivable. It is the “tzav ” part of life that allows all of the other more freedom-of-choice opportunities to be present in our lives. An ordered society demands that there be commands, not only recommendations or suggestions. There is an understandable reflex built into our emotional system that resists and resents commands from others. Any parent of a three-year old can easily testify to the truth of this observation. Nevertheless, the young child must eventually respond to commands in order to grow, mature and become a successful human being. So, “tzav ” plays a vital role.

Perhaps there are no two areas of Jewish life and law that are as complexly

intertwined with mandatory commands and laws as are Shabbos and Pesach. The concepts behind these holy days and their observances represent noble values – serenity, leisure, freedom and independence. But noble ideas alone, without detailed instructions as to their realization, are useless in a practical sense. The sons who appear in the Torah and the Haggadah all ask the same question: “What relevance do these laws have in our time?” Is it not sufficient that we honor the ideas that Shabbos and Pesach represent and then ignore all the mandatory commandments that accompany these days, their values and ideals? Without mandatory commandments, no commemoratory day – no matter how well meaning and well planned –will stand the test of time and changing cir -

cumstances. It is the “tzav ” component of Shabbos and Pesach that make this Shabbos the Shabbos Hagadol, the great Shabbos that it is.

It is an historical fact that those movements and individuals that ignored or rejected mandatory observances associated with Shabbos or Pesach eventually slipped out of Jewish life and continuity entirely. Again, without “tzav,” there can be no Shabbos Hagadol. This is the basic issue that divides much of the Jewish world today. The avoidance of mandatory commandments, attractive and popular as this idea may initially appear, is a sure recipe for Jewish extinction. Shabbos Hagadol comes to remind us of this lesson.

Shabbos shalom and chag kasher v’sameach.

Parshas Tzav

Searching for the Inner Afikomen

By Rav Moshe Weinberger

Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

Parshas Tzav falls out on erev Pesach this year. It seems as if Hashem is bringing us into the world of Pesach through the lens of the korbanos brought on the altar in the Beis Hamikdash. In order to understand how, let us study a remarkable Midrash (Vayikra Raba 2:11) together:

When Avraham Avinu bound Yitzchak his son, Hashem instituted two rams [for the Eternal Offering], one for the morning and one for the afternoon. And why did He do all of this? So that when the Jewish people would bring the Eternal Offering on the altar and read this pasuk, “‘toward the north [side of the alter] before Hashem” (Vayikra 1:11), Hashem will remember the binding of Yitzchak: “I call the Heavens and the earth as witnesses that whether gentile or Jew, whether man or woman, whether slave or maidservant, [if one] reads this pasuk, ‘toward the north before Hashem,’ the Holy One

Blessed is He will remember the binding of Yitzchak…”

It is amazing. Our whole existence is dependent on the merit of Avraham’s act of sacrificing his son. But what is the connection between the binding of Yitzchak and the reading of this one particular pasuk in last week’s parsha, “toward the north before Hashem”?

Let us learn another Midrash relevant to an early part of Avraham’s and Yitzchak’s lives. The pasuk says that Avraham made a great celebration to celebrate Yitzchak’s birth and health (Bereishis 21:8): “And Avraham made a great celebration on the day of Yitzchak’s weaning.” The Midrash (Bereishis Raba 25:4) says that the angels complained, “Avraham rejoiced and caused everyone to rejoice, but he did not separate a single bull or ram for Hashem!” Not allowing their complaint to stand, Hashem Himself responded: You just wait. You will see what kind of sacrifice Avraham will bring. “I will tell him to sacrifice his son, and he will not withhold [him].”

How can we understand the nature of the angels’ complaint? Rav Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, zt”l, in Derech Hashem (2:6:2), explains the process of judgment in the upper worlds. He teaches that the various types of angels each examine the hidden details of every aspect of man. Some dissect and examine the negative aspects of man’s actions, and others examine the positive aspects. They see parts of us that we do not see; aspects of ourselves which are not outwardly visible.

Based on this, we can understand the angels’ complaint against Avraham Avinu at his celebration for Yitzchak’s birth. While Avraham’s celebration for the miracle of Yitzchak’s birth created a great sanctification of G-d’s name, the true measure of a person is what he is willing to give up, what he is ready to sacrifice. The angels saw that something was missing from Avraham’s feast because he did not give anything up for Hashem; he did not bring a sacrifice.

That is why Hashem gave him the

test of the binding of Yitzchak. He did not even wait for the defending angel to respond to the prosecuting angel’s complaint. He wanted to show the angels that Avraham had something hidden deep inside of him that even they could not comprehend. He had the capacity to give Hashem “your son, your only son that you love, Yitzchak” (Bereishis 22:2). He was ready to give up everything he held precious in the world. That is what he had hidden within him.

That is the secret of “toward the north before Hashem.” The Hebrew word for “toward the north, tzifona” has the same root as the word for hidden, tzafun. That is why the Midrash says that the pasuk “toward the north before Hashem” reminds Hashem of the binding of Yitzchak Avinu. It reminds Hashem of Avraham’s hidden capacity for self-sacrifice. The pasuk “toward the north before Hashem” was taught in the context of the Elevation Offering, which is completely consumed by fire. The person who brings the korban

and the kohanim take no portion in it. It is emblematic of a Jew’s hidden capacity to give up everything for G-d, to sacrifice his needs, wants, property, and even his life, if necessary, for the sake of his service of G-d.

But how does this connect to the month of Nissan and Pesach? The thirteenth of the fifteen parts of the Seder is Tzafun, which literally means “hidden.” At this point in the Seder, we find and eat the Afikomen. And what is the Afikomen? It is the larger portion of the matzah which was hidden earlier in the Seder. This refers to our obligation to search inside of ourselves for the hidden goodness within, our own hidden capacity for holiness. Why do we have to search this out? Because that larger part of ourselves often becomes covered by our sins or the confusion of daily life. We must therefore search for it, our own personal Afikomen.

There are actually two hidden aspects of ourselves. One is the hidden goodness within ourselves. The other is hinted at in the pasuk in Yoel (2:2), “And I will distance the northern one, ha’tzifoni, from you.” The simple meaning of the pasuk is that Hashem will distance the northern kingdom of Bavel, located where modern-day Iran and Iraq are, from us. But

on a deeper level, the Gemara (Sukkah 52a) teaches that this “northern one, ha’tzifoni,” is “the evil inclination, which is hidden , tzafun, in a person’s heart. There is an aspect of our heart which attempts to prevent us from sacrificing or giving anything up for Hashem’s sake. It demands that we withhold parts of our

komen, the greater piece of ourselves which we can give over to Hashem. Are we willing to give up little things for Hashem? Can we sacrifice that few extra minutes of sleep to come to shul on time? Can we give up speaking about our insights into international politics for an hour a day to avoid talking during daven-

This refers to our obligation to search inside of ourselves for the hidden goodness within, our own hidden capacity for holiness.

heart and our lives from G-d. This aspect of us tries to keep the greater, holy part of ourselves, the “piece of G-d above” that resides within us, from being found. It may permit us to do some mitzvos and hold feasts for Hashem, as long as we don’t give up anything for G-d. The greatness of Avraham was how he was willing to give over everything, whether hidden or revealed. Our challenge is to look for our own inner Afi -

ing? Can we sacrifice a few minutes of rest to be in the beis medrash in our seat when our scheduled time for learning begins?

The goal of the Seder is to find our own inner Afikomen to the point where giving our inner life over to Hashem becomes second nature. That is why we conclude the Seder with a “game” of free association. We reach the point when someone asks, “Who knows one?” and the first thing that comes to mind is “One is

Hashem in the Heavens and the Earth.” If someone says, “Who knows five?” the first thing that comes to mind is “the five books of the Torah.”

The Chazon Ish, zt”l, wrote a letter to one of his students who spent all of his time studying Torah, “The main thing is to remember before Whom you are toiling.” A person can do mitzvos and study Torah without being aware of the “Who knows one.” He lives a “religious” life without ever searching for or finding the Afikomen, the inner part of himself which is ready to sacrifice for G-d and live not for himself, but for Hashem.

May we all merit to actualize that inner part of ourselves, our Afikomen, our greater self by demonstrating a willingness to give things up for Hashem, a willingness to sacrifice for G-d. And in that merit, may Hashem grant us the ability to once again offer the korban Pesach and Elevation Offerings in the Beis Hamikdash, may it be rebuilt soon in our days with the coming of Moshiach.

Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congreagation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.

Delving into the Daf

Soaring to New Heights

By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

On May 5, 1980, Eastern Airlines Flight 885 took off from Miami International Airport at 8:56 AM, heading to Nassau International Airport in the Bahamas. The aircraft was a three-engine Lockheed TriStar, carrying 162 passengers and 10 crew members. Just under 20 minutes into the flight, while climbing through 15,000 feet, a warning light for the #2 engine came on. Moments later, that engine flamed out.

The flight crew had to make a critical decision: continue to Nassau, which was only 54 miles away, or return to Miami, 110 miles in the opposite direction. Despite being closer to their destination, the captain chose to return to Miami due to poor weather conditions in Nassau. Flight simulator tests later confirmed this was the right call.

However, the situation got worse. While heading back, warning lights for engines #1 and #3 turned on. At 9:28 AM, engine #3 flamed out. Just five minutes later, engine #1 also failed. With all three engines down, the aircraft began to lose altitude. The cabin lights went out, flight instruments failed, and the plane became eerily quiet. From 13,000 feet, the TriStar glided downward, seemingly powerless.

Then, at around 4,000 feet, the crew managed to restart engine #2. Thanks to their skill and calm under pressure, the pilots made a safe emergency landing in Miami. Amazingly, all 172 people aboard survived without injury.

Statistically, the odds of one engine failing midflight on this aircraft were about one in 1,000. Two engines? One in a million. All three? One in a billion. It seemed like a freak accident—or was it?

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated and discovered something shocking: it wasn’t

random at all. The same mechanic had serviced all three engines and had made the same mistake on each – failing to seal the oil tanks properly with O-rings. Oil leaked from all three engines. This wasn’t the first time either. Internal documents showed he had made the same error multiple times before.

Now, let’s take this airborne catastrophe and apply it to Torah learning.

The Gemara in Taanis (7a) quotes Rebbe Chama b’Rebbe Chanina: “Just as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), so too two scholars who learn together sharpen one another.” Similarly, Rebbe Yosi b’Rebbe Chanina taught that sages who study alone deserve punishment by the sword – and worse, they become foolish.

In Makkos (10a), the Gemara emphasizes group learning again. Rav Ashi interprets a verse in Koheles (5:9): “Whoever loves a multitude will merit to acquire Torah.” The Maharsha adds that if someone claims to be part of a Torah study group but remains ignorant, he’s likely lying. Genuine group study leads to real growth.

But why does the Gemara go so far as to say that learning alone is not just ineffective but a disgrace to Torah?

The Maharsha explains that Torah is unlike any other body of knowledge. It’s filled with layers of meaning, deep logic, and divine wisdom. Without dialogue, questions, and debate, it’s easy to misinterpret or oversimplify. Someone who studies alone might think Torah is just another subject, like aviation mechanics – read the manual, memorize the content, pass the test. But Torah demands more. It’s not just knowledge; it’s a spiritual journey that thrives on collaboration.

And here’s where Flight 885 flies back into the picture.

The NTSB found that the same flawed approach repeated three times caused a near-tragedy. One mistake, multiplied. Similarly, a solo Torah learner can make one conceptual error and unknowingly build an entire worldview around it. No one is there to challenge him, to sharpen his thinking. As the Gemara warns: learning alone can lead to foolishness. It’s “plane” dangerous.

Of course, there are exceptions. If a person can’t find a suitable study partner

even without a partner.

The Sefer Chasidim and the Pri Megadim also note that some individuals may thrive more in quiet, personal study, especially if they find the noise of a beis midrash distracting or can’t find the right teacher. History has shown that many great Torah scholars learned alone and succeeded brilliantly.

Still, all things being equal, the ideal is to learn in a group or with a chavrusa. Together, we soar higher.

It’s not just knowledge; it’s a spiritual journey that thrives on collaboration.

or group, learning alone isn’t a disgrace, it’s a triumph. The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos (3:2) teaches that even someone who learns alone receives reward from Hashem. Rav Yaakov Emden underscores this idea: if there’s no available chavrusa, solo study is still valuable.

Interestingly, Rav Emden also wrote that learning in Eretz Yisrael can be more beneficial than learning with a chavrusa outside the land. Why? “The air of Eretz Yisrael makes one wise.” The holiness of the land elevates the learning experience,

Flying solo might work in some cases, but if you can join a chaburah, you’ll go from cruising altitude to spiritual lift-off. Torah needs regular maintenance – and sometimes a good co-pilot makes all the difference.

Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow is a rebbe at Yeshiva Ateres Shimon in Far Rockaway. In addition, Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hempstead, NY. He can be contacted at ASebrow@gmail.com.

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 responsa 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 forbidding it. Rav Ettinger’s brother-in-law and chavrusah, Rav Yoseph Shaul Nathanson, 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 with his brother-in-law the Maamar Mordechai ended on a somewhat sour note. A 25-year collaboration 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.

We have been married for over 55 years, and this will be the fourth time that we are making Pesach. For the first years of our marriage, we would split the sedarim between our two families, and when Bob’s parents made a permanent move to Florida and it became too hard for my mom, we would go to Florida. When it became too difficult for my mother-in-law, right after Covid, we celebrated in Toronto with the Levy family.

We are making Pesach, not the Seder.

The first time we made Pesach was in our new Cedarhurst home, never once when we lived in Brooklyn; we had inherited all of my mother-in-law’s robust Pesach inventory from the apartment purge before she relocated to Florida. The only request that she, Edith/Anyu, made was that we continue to invite her only brother’s family to the Seder.

When the Vandors escaped Communist Hungary, she tried her best to help them maintain, despite their lack of desire or commitment, some of the traditions of their Jewish roots. There they would be at every Seder enjoying the meal but little else. Yet, the image of stoic Uncle Shimi grating the marror, tears rolling out of his beautiful blue eyes, is forever embedded in my memory.

There is no describing the heavy lifting that is Pesach preparation while working full time and caring for a young family. I’m not one of those who finds joy in decluttering, cleaning and organizing. I am gratified when it happens and I am not the one doing the work.

After the holiday, I was determined never to host again; “slaves we still are!” I thought. Yet, once the work is behind you, Pesach begins, and it is my favorite chag.

Once the “Big Deutsches” got settled in Florida, we were happy to lock up, join them in Florida for Pesach, and return to our former pattern of celebrating. Covid struck, and we were left with no options and stayed home. We stocked up on a minimal supply of Pesach stuff, having long ago given the Deutsch family stockpile to the Levys in Canada; we enjoyed two

School of Thought

Pesach Reflections

By Barbara Deutsch

quiet Covid Pesachs in Cedarhurst.

Before our aliyah, we joined the Levys, their traditions, and the Deutsch family dishes in Toronto. We will miss them.

A drawback of not making Pesach in your own home is the absence of creating your own family traditions. Pesach, to my thinking, is a unique chag in that there are universal customs practiced by Sephardim that are different from Ashkenazim and within core family units who practice their own.

Shimi’s non-observant family and the Simons, an immigrant couple, their son Stevie and a single brother Bob who always came along for traditional celebrations.

Different from our nuclear Hoffert family, my parents, Baba and Zayda, and my two brothers, Sydney and Teddy, sat around a small table eating the limited options for Pesach permitted food allowed in our family: eggs, potatoes, soup, chicken, gefilte fish, and fruits and vegetables that had to be peeled.

noodles for the soup? Why don’t you make matzah balls?”

Anyone recall the Abbott and Costello skit where Abbott says and acts out the words, “Slowly I turned, step by step?” Well, that was my mom. Horrified at the idea that I tasted matzah balls, she could not contain her rage. “You ate matzah balls?” she screamed. “You did what? You are not allowed to eat gebrochts!” What’s gebrochts? On Pesach, I ate what I was fed without question. Did we cover the study of gebrochts in Esther Shoenfeld? Maybe I was out in the hall or absent?

Many in our family continue to maintain a tradition of my dad’s, Zayda. After the second Seder, he would take a leftover piece of afikomen and create a small circle of the matzah to put on the doorpost of the dining room. No one knows a real reason for the tradition, but speculation has it that that small piece represents the future.

The following year, as you search for chometz, and you happen upon this piece of matzah, you collect it and burn it with the rest of the chometz. This is how you know that you have rid your house of all chometz.

“You ate matzah balls?” she screamed. “You did what? You are not allowed to eat gebrochts!”

In our combined European, Polish and Hungarian traditions, we have a few.

When Bob and I got engaged, in January 1968, I was invited for the first Seder to his family’s celebrations. Anyu, even when working full-time in the family Jewelry business, took joy in the privilege of surviving the horrors of Auschwitz to be able to celebrate on her terms. The hard work enhanced the pleasure of the Seder table. Anyu was a talented hostess and a renowned cook. Hungarian survivors were well known for their magnificently appointed tables. Hers was populated with Uncle

Sitting last Monday morning learning with Ricki Rabinowitz during her weekly Chumash class in Yeshurin, she commemorated the yahrzeit of her mother with stories of Pesach traditions in her family’s home. As she described the permitted foods, the custom of no dairy for grownups, and practices, I was catapulted back to my childhood home and Pesach family table. On year, my mother was waiting for me when I returned home, and Mom wanted to hear all of the details. “Mom?” I asked. “Why do you stand for hours making thin egg pancakes which you cut into strips for

It has been 25 years since we have been with our daughter Rachel and her family. We look forward to learning Shapiro family customs; we know the Seder will be memorable.

The three times we made Pesach, we created that circle. When we moved out of our house in July, the Covid Pesach piece still sat on our doorpost.

The circle of matzah left with us. Waiting for the hostages to return to the table.

Barbara Deutsch is the former associate principal at HANC, middle school principal at Kushner, and Dean of Students at Yeshiva of Flatbush. A not-retired educator, she is trying to figure out life in Israel through reflections on navigating the dream of aliyah as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

The Wandering Jew Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo & Montenegro

Part II

By Hershel Lieber

We left Ohrid on Tuesday morning and headed to Skopje, Macedonia’s capital. The name Macedonia conjures up the image of Alexander the Great who hails from this region. There are a number of stories about the great conqueror and the nations that he ruled over, both in the Talmud and in history books. Present-day Macedonia wa s created in 1991 with the breakup of Yugoslavia into independent countries after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. The country has much to offer in terms of natural beauty, ancient history, and tourist attractions. I guess that was the reason we were traveling there.

The local GPS we were using did not have the newer highways in its system, so we were forced to drive on smaller roads past many towns and rural areas. This may have cost us time, but it gave us a picturesque view of pastoral farms and colorful villages that we would otherwise miss. We arrived late afternoon in the city’s center and met the agent who took us to our apartment. The central location that we had was absolutely great. We immediately went down and met up with a prearranged group which was led by a tourist guide. While he was telling us about the city’s history, we walked the streets and squares which were adorned

with fountains, statues and monuments.

We walked over the Art Bridge, which had twenty-nine statues of noted Macedonian artists and musicians. There were architecturally noteworthy buildings, many with shops selling a variety of goods as well as souvenirs. There were vendors that were selling all sorts of artsy goods – scarves, jewelry, pottery, etc. – that created an exciting atmosphere. Most of the sights were located in a pedestrian-only

zone. Between the walking tour and our own exploration of this stimulating city, we spent over four hours on our feet.

The following morning, Wednesday, before leaving Skopje, we went to visit the Skopje Holocaust Museum. We had passed the building on the prior evening and were surprised by its sheer existence and its location in the city’s center, especially since the present Jewish community numbers less than one hundred

members. The museum, though small, has a treasure trove of historical photos and artifacts from the 8,000-strong community that existed before World War II. The story of the deportation and extermination of this community is told movingly by charts, photos and relics from the prewar years. It is a tribute to the country that this museum exists and is being used to educate the next generations about this tragic era.

Leaving Skopje, our problematic GPS directed us straight into a street bazaar with dozens of vendors and hundreds of shoppers! The scene turned chaotic, with people screaming and waving their hands and fists at our car until we were guided out of that quagmire.

The next country on our agenda was Kosovo. The country was formed in 2008 from a breakaway region of Serbia that is populated by ethnic Albanians. Today, it is a recognized country by most nations, except Serbia. After reading about what there is to do in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital, we decided to skip going there. But our GPS had other ideas! It directed us to a brand-new attractive highway passing striking vistas of mountains and valleys. The problem was that this highway was going to Pristina, and there were no exits during the entire route of 90 km.

Small towns between Ohrid and Skopje

Massive statues in Skopje

Shopping street in Skopje

Monumental Building in Skopje

Art Bridge in Skopje

Yes, we drove for an hour and a half into Pristina just to turn around and head to our next destination! We accepted our fate with laughter and headed toward the small Kosovan town of Prizren. We made a short stop to take photos of the colorful town and bought some cold drinks to accompany our lunch which we enjoyed under the shade of a café’s awning.

After leaving Prizren, I entered the destination of Shkoder, Albania, into the GPS, and it stated that it would take about three hours. It was late afternoon, but we figured we could still arrive by nightfall. We started driving, and after a short while, our GPS died out! There was no way to restore it, and we realized that we were somewhere in the backwoods on a lonely road with no other cars in the vicinity. We were lost and were driving without a clue in which direction we were heading. We asked the sole person we met walking along the road where the Albanian border crossing was located, but he could not communicate with us in any common language. So we continued driving for an hour, hoping to find a solution to our dilemma. We took a turn, and lo and behold, out of the blue ,we found ourselves facing the border crossing. What a relief! Hashem is great!

I drove up to the border control and asked if anyone spoke English. A uniformed young man approached us, and I asked him to direct me to the road that would take us to Shkoder. He looked at me in disbelief and told me that it would

be pure recklessness to drive along that road at night. The road is almost entirely empty at night. Much of that road runs along the mountains, and many areas have no guardrails. Many sections of the road are in terrible disrepair with broken pavement. In addition, there is no telephone reception along the way. In short, he told me, “Don’t do it!” He suggested that we stay overnight in the resort town of Frieze, which was just a half an hour away and take the next day’s auto transport ferry to Komani where I could pick up the road in the direction of Shkoder.

the car – not a great idea but the only idea that made sense. I told Pesi that I would look for a quiet parking spot in back of the hotel, and she should meet me there in ten minutes. While I was settling the car in for the night, I looked up at a sign on an apartment building that read, “Kings –guest apartments,” with a phone number. I took a chance and called. A woman answered and said in English that she had an apartment available for one night only, that very night! Within a half an hour, we settled into a comfortable apartment. Relieved again. Hashem is great!

imagine. We left to the boat dock way before 1 PM and were rewarded with a spot for our car on the ferry. More relief. Hashem is great!

The scene turned chaotic, with people screaming and waving their hands and fists at our car until we were guided out of that quagmire.

We followed his advice and drove to Fierza. The town was truly a tourist destination as we saw quite a few hotels along the main street. We parked our car and went into a nice-looking hotel and asked for a room. The manager told us that he had no rooms available and probably all other hotels were fully booked. I asked him if he could make some calls to some other hotels, and he obliged me but came up empty-handed. Pesi and I realized that we had no other choice but to sleep in

My next duty was to see if we could get on the ferry to Komani the next day. Summer is a very busy season, and the ferry service that I called said he was not sure there would be room for our car for the next day’s 1 PM trip. He told us to come early and pray for a spot. On Thursday, we had a light morning which was spent walking along the main street, which resembled a bazaar with stands of fruits, vegetables, clothing, books, kitchen gadgets and anything that one can

Hershel Lieber has been involved in kiruv activities for over 30 years. As a founding member of the Vaad L’Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel he has traveled with his wife, Pesi, to the Soviet Union during the harsh years of the Communist regimes to advance Yiddishkeit. He has spearheaded a yeshiva in the city of Kishinev that had 12 successful years with many students making Torah their way of life. In Poland, he lectured in the summers at the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation camp for nearly 30 years. He still travels to Warsaw every year – since 1979 – to be the chazzan for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur for the Jews there. Together with Pesi, he organized and led trips to Europe on behalf of Gateways and Aish Hatorah for college students finding their paths to Jewish identity. His passion for travel has taken them to many interesting places and afforded them unique experiences. Their open home gave them opportunities to meet and develop relationships with a variety of people. Hershel’s column will appear in The Jewish Home on a bi-weekly basis.

Skopje Holocaust Museum

Wall of Remembrance at Skopje Holocaust Museum

Old fashioned shoe shop in Prizren

Roadside squash sales on the road to Fierza

The sign for the apartment to rent in Fierza

Maja Bogicaj Mountains near Fierza

On the road between Fierza and Komani

RRav Shmuel Zucker

The Greatest Challenge of Our Generation

By Eliyahu RosEnBERg

av Shmuel Zucker is a chassidish rabbi in Ramat Eshkol known for his unique wisdom on a wide range of spiritual issues. With perspectives on everything from davening to raising children, Rav Zucker seeks to inspire the Jewish nation to overcome what he sees as the greatest challenge of our generation: our nation’s disconnect from Yiddishkeit.

“People are very busy, and people are very exposed to the outside world. And people feel ‘goyish’ to a certain degree,” the rav explains. “They’re very into the news, they’re very into the media, they’re very

In His Words…

into what’s going on in a world that’s alien to us. You’re allowed to listen to the news, you’re allowed to know what’s going on.

But it’s not just news. It’s media in general. People get carried away, and then it gets increasingly difficult to be anchored and feel like they’re living a Yiddishe life. So, baruch Hashem, there are so many people who are shomer Torah and mitzvos. But what needs a big chizuk is to actually feel connected.”

Through his long, gradual journey from yeshivish bachur to chassidish rabbi, Rav Zucker gained many insights into how we

Davening is warmth, davening is fire, davening is connection. People were less knowledgeable before the war; they had less knowledge of halacha. a nd yet, they were g-d-fearing, and they were passionate about their yiddishkeit.

Tefillah develops our relationship with hashem. if a person has a relationship when it comes to davening, he’ll have a relationship with learning and in every area of avodah... Torah is our closest relationship with hashem, but it’s gotta be built through tefillah.

To succeed in chinuch, the home has to be a home that shows interest, passion, simcha, and excitement... a child should never feel that he’s not living up to his parents’ expectations, because that could be very, very damaging.

can build—or rebuild—our connection with Hashem.

“I was raised in London. I went through the cheder system. My father, alav hashalom, was more Litvish, but we had a lot of chassidim in our family,” shares Rav Zucker. “My father’s grandfather (my great-grandfather) was chassidish. He moved to Germany for business purposes. So, my father’s father (my grandfather), who later came to England, was raised in Germany and adopted many of the minhagim from the yekeshe world… So, the chassidishe world wasn’t new to me.”

As a child, Rav Zucker attended what he calls “more of a heimeshe cheder.” Later, Rav Zucker, while learning as a bachur in England’s Gateshead Yeshiva, found himself meshing well with the yeshiva’s chassidish crowd. And gradually, Rav Zucker became more and more drawn to the chassidish lifestyle.

“It wasn’t a transition, so to speak, but I definitely felt that living the life of a chassid adds a terrific amount to a person, because it opens a person up to looking at Judaism as a big picture,” Rav Zucker explains. “Chassidim put an emphasis on trying to make everything that a person does during his day part of avodas Hashem.”

The feature of the chassidish lifestyle that attracted Rav Zucker most of all— that most helped him connect to Yiddishkeit—was its strong emphasis on davening. While others emphasize talmud Torah k’neged kulam—and rightfully so—chassidim recognize that connecting to Hashem, above all else, depends on one’s connection to davening. As a yeshiva bachur, Rav Zucker would sometimes see brilliant students who were highly successful at learning but were lacking in their spirituality and davening.

“Torah is our closest relationship with Hashem, but it’s gotta be built through tefillah. The biggest tzaddikim said they felt the difference in Torah whether they had a good tefillah or not,” adds Rav Zucker.

Indeed, davening has always been an essential part of connecting to Hashem, but it is especially important today, Rav Zucker maintains.

“Davening is warmth, davening is fire, davening is connection. People were less knowledgeable before the war; they had less knowledge of halacha. And yet, they were G-d-fearing, and they were passionate about their Yiddishkeit,” shares Rav Zucker. “There’s so many distractions today. Today, there’s so much negative passion. There’s many more nisyonos today than there were once upon a time… Tefillah develops our relationship with Hashem. If a person has a relationship when it comes to davening, he’ll have a relationship with learning and in every area of avodah. But it has to start with tefillah.”

As Rav Zucker makes clear, one obviously doesn’t need to become chassidish to daven well or connect to Yiddishkeit. Of course, for many, it’s not easy to consistently and passionately daven with kavanah, but there are things one could do to strengthen one’s connection to tefillah. We could, for example, learn about the importance of tefillah, we could read seforim dedicated to the topic of davening, and the like.

As Rav Zucker says, “It’s all tied to tefillah. If a person feels tefillah, he’ll have the closest relationship in everything.”

* * *

Among the biggest spiritual hardships of today is the challenge of raising children who feel connected to Yiddishkeit. In fact, it wouldn’t be too farfetched to say that

it’s never been more complicated to raise children than now, considering the difficulty of balancing overprotectiveness and under-protectiveness in this day and age.

“To succeed in chinuch, the home has to be a home that shows interest, passion, simcha, and excitement… On Shabbos, a child has to feel that when his father sings zemiros, the father’s emotional; when the father’s making kiddush, the father’s into it. He’s into the avodas Hashem,” shares Rav Shmuel Zucker. “He’s into the Chanukah; it’s not just playing dreidel and eating doughnuts. There’s a certain passion to it, a certain build-up, leading up to it, talking about it,

revealing insights about it. And that brings a person to feel that this is alive.”

That much is obvious: parents must be positive role models for their children. But that’s only one part of parenting. The other part involves setting realistic expectations, encouraging good behavior, and mindfully raising the child al pi darko, according to the child’s strengths and weaknesses.

“A lot of parents put pressure on their children to be the tops, and that doesn’t always work. A person has to be very careful – especially nowadays in today’s society where so many kids are problematic – a person has to be very grateful if he can keep his child on the right path, even if

his child doesn’t go to the best yeshiva,” says Rav Zucker. “It’s gotta be healthy. You have to encourage. And you have to make a siyam over small accomplishments. And you have to build your son to enjoy it from a young age.

“There should be a lot of simcha in the house, a lot of encouragement, and the children should get prizes for accomplishments in Mishnayos, in Chumash, and so on, but without putting pressure on them. A child should never feel that he’s not living up to his parents’ expectations, because that could be very, very damaging.”

As Rav Zucker explains, parents have to recognize their children’s strengths and weaknesses from a young age, cultivate

their gifts, and set realistic expectations on their weaker points. Infinitely more important than a child’s acceptance into a top yeshiva now is their connection to Yiddishkeit in the long run.

Indeed, in a world with so much distraction and complexity, disconnecting from what really matters is a serious threat to both this generation’s spirituality and the next’s. But there’s hope. As Rav Shmuel Zucker teaches, if we emphasize davening and performing mitzvos with joy—and we train the next generation to do the same—we, as a nation, can build a world of warmth and connection where we all recognize that Yiddishkeit isn’t just a tradition but a treasure.

This article is based on a podcast, “Inspiration For the Nation,” hosted by Yaakov Langer. To catch more of this conversation, you can watch it on LivingLchaim.com or YouTube.com/LivingLchaim or listen wherever you listen to podcasts (just search for “Inspiration For The Nation”) or call our free hotline: 605-477-2100.

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**

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.

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 Shadchan

Michelle Mond

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.

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.

You have to give it your all. If she really cannot be the life partner that you want and need, then you will

Being loved should never feel like walking on eggshells.

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.

Hopefully, of course, you find a path forward. Together. May you be blessed.

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.

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

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

School of Thought

By Etti Siegel

Q:Dear Etti,

My son is obsessed with death and murder. His teacher has called numerous times to share that he mentions death a lot.

The Purim story and the hanging of the ten sons of Haman, and now the Pesach story and babies being crushed into walls instead of bricks… he enjoys it all a little too much, you know?

Any advice for me? The Torah is full of death and war. I can’t keep him away from it. I am not sure if I should try.

- Deathly Embarrassed

A:Dear Deathly Embarrassed, I hear your concern and the teacher’s concern.

The good news is that your child is probably a regular kid going through a regular phase.

Many children go through phases where they become intensely fascinated with death, war, and justice, especially when they are exposed to powerful, dramatic narratives like those in the Torah.

While your son’s enthusiasm for the more gruesome details of the Purim and Pesach stories might feel unsettling, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. More likely, he is simply trying to make sense of big, complex ideas in the way that kids do, by focusing on the parts that feel the most intense and exciting.

Melinda Wenner Moyer, in her 2022 article “When Kids Are Obsessed with Death,” explains that children often become fixated on death not because they are disturbed, but because they are grappling with something they don’t fully understand. “Children,” she writes, “are naturally curious about the world, and death is one of its greatest mysteries.”

This is especially true for kids in the 6-to-12 age range, when abstract thinking starts to develop, and they begin to question the nature of life, fairness, and what happens after we die. In this context, his fascination might not be about the violence itself but rather about the enormity of what these stories represent.

Dr. Gail Saltz, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, points out that when children show a strong interest in death, they may be using stories as a way to process their own fears and emotions. The Torah, filled as it is with tales of war, divine punishment, and dramatic reversals of fate, provides an endless supply of material to work through.

The question is not whether he is engaging with these themes, but how. Is he drawn to the excitement of the battle, or is he genuinely trying to understand justice and morality? Is he just enjoying the spectacle, or does he reflect on the meaning behind these events?

Rather than shutting down these discussions or discouraging his curiosity, consider channeling his interest into deeper conversations. Dr. David Pelcovitz, a psychologist and expert in Jewish education, suggests that when children bring up violent or dark stories, the best response is not to recoil but to ask guiding questions. Instead of brushing past the ten sons of Haman being hanged or the firstborn of Egypt being killed, you can ask him, “What do you think this story is trying to teach us? Why do you think these details are included? What do you think the people in the story felt?”

More likely, he is simply trying to make sense of big, complex ideas in the way that kids do, by focusing on the parts that feel the most intense and exciting.

These types of questions can shift the focus from the gore to the ethics, from the destruction to the lessons embedded within the narrative.

Melinda Wenner Moyer also suggests that when kids seem particularly fixated on death, it’s important to reassure them rather than just give them facts. If he keeps bringing up violent details, he may not be looking for a history lesson—he may be looking for reassurance that the world is ultimately safe and that justice prevails. Talking about these stories in terms of their moral lessons, rather than their bloodshed, can help him build a more nuanced understanding of them.

Another helpful approach is to find ways to channel his fascination into structured and productive outlets. Dr. Lisa Miller, a clinical psychologist and author specializing in spirituality and child development, points out that children who are drawn to battle stories may be working through ideas about power, justice, and morality. Some children find that martial arts or strategy games help them process ideas of battle in a way that is disciplined rather than purely destructive.

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, a psychologist and Jewish educator, suggests that children who are fascinated by

intense themes often grow into people with strong moral compasses, provided they are given the right framework to process these ideas.

Of course, as with any strong interest, it’s important to be mindful of whether it is developing in a healthy way. Moyer, along with psychologist Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair, emphasizes that an interest in death is not necessarily alarming unless it is accompanied by warning signs such as a lack of empathy, violent behavior, or distressing thoughts that seem to take over a child’s life.

If your son shows signs of being emotionally troubled, such as talking about hurting himself or others, experiencing nightmares, or expressing a persistent fear of death, it may be worth speaking with a child psychologist.

But if he is simply drawn to dramatic stories and enjoys discussing them with excitement, this is likely just a phase, one that, with the right guidance, can be turned into a valuable learning experience.

For now, try not to worry too much. Keep the conversations open, encourage him to think about the deeper messages behind these stories, and remind yourself that his fascination with the Torah’s dramatic events can be a gateway to deep moral and intellectual growth. It may be unsettling now, but with the right guidance, it might just be the first step toward him becoming a thoughtful, justice-oriented person.

In the meantime, remember that plenty of parents get similar awkward phone calls from teachers. Share that you are aware of the issue and how you are dealing with it. Show the teacher you are on the same team.

Have a chag kasher v’sameach,

- Etti

Health & F tness

Searching for the Right Therapist

By Michal Goldman, LCSW

Dear Therapist,

We have been married for ten years and love each other deeply, but we feel stuck in the same frustrating patterns. No matter what we try – books, podcasts, long talks – we keep circling back to the same issues. We’ve decided it’s time for couples therapy, and while we’re hopeful, we’re also nervous.

We’ve heard stories of therapy making things worse for couples, leaving them feeling more disconnected or misunderstood. We don’t want that to happen to us, but with so many therapists out there, it’s overwhelming to know where to start. What should we be looking for in a couples therapist, and how will we know we’re in the right hands?

The Therapist Responds:

Deciding to find a therapist is a big step, and it can often feel hard to choose a therapist. It sounds like you’ve looked at other ways to improve your relationship and have decided that therapy is the best route. Marriage counseling can be incredibly helpful and can help you build a deeper, stronger, more secure bond where you can work through painful, disconnecting patterns.

Deciding to engage in marriage counseling means that you are bringing a third party into your relationship. When another person is coming into your life in such an intimate way, there is a huge potential for healing. At the same time, like in life in general, the bigger the potential for healing, the bigger the potential for harm. Therefore, it’s important to choose a marriage therapist carefully.

There are some things which I see as non-negotiables in finding a couples therapist (and most of these apply to individual therapy as well).

Firstly, couples therapy is different from individual therapy, and therapists work differently with couples and individuals. Individual therapy is about the specific client, and couples therapy is about the bond between two people. It’s important that the therapist has specific training in a couples therapy modality and is experienced in working with couples.

It is also vital to find a therapist who

prioritizes continued learning and will continue to hone in their skills.

Additionally, the relationship between both of you and your therapist is considered one of the most critical keys towards growth in therapy. Try going to the clinician a few times and see if you feel comfortable with and trust and respect them.

It’s equally important that you both feel respected and valued by your therapist. Therapy is a vulnerable process, and you’ll be able to explore yourself more openly when you feel accepted and genuinely liked by your therapist.

In addition to the above-mentioned qualities, different therapists have different styles. However, no effective therapy will include shaming. Part of the process of couples therapy may be noticing how each of you are contributing to the challenges, but it should be done with understanding and compassion towards both of you.

The last thing that is non-negotiable is that the therapist you are working with receives regular supervision. This is crucial because it protects you, as the client, from potential inadvertent harm by your therapist. Supervision safeguards you from any unintended negative impacts, because in supervision, your therapist is checking themselves to make sure that they are giving you the best quality of care and that they are not inadvertently putting their own feelings or priorities onto you.

Contrary to common misconception, supervision is not limited to new clini-

cians. In truth, many therapists consider supervision to be part of being an ethical therapist, and the most skilled clinicians continue receiving peer or other supervision throughout their careers.

Another aspect is that a therapist who gets supervision is probably a more humble clinician. It is important to find a therapist who has a combination of competence and humility. Without the therapist exhibiting humility, therapy can easily feel like you are not being understood, taken seriously, judged, or dismissed. It takes humility for a therapist, who has years of experience, to acknowledge their own humanity by continuing to check their work with another therapist.

Finally, the very fact that a clinician voluntarily invests in ongoing supervision when it is not required – and is a professional investment which often goes unnoticed – is a sign that the therapist has a genuine dedication to their clients’ well-being and growth.

When you are searching for a therapist who receives regular supervision, there are a few points to keep in mind.

First, even if you find a clinician through a referral which indicates that the therapist receives supervision, it’s still best to ask the therapist directly. Just because they used to get supervision doesn’t mean that the therapist is actively utilizing it at the exact time that you are reaching out to them.

Next, it is essential to understand how

often the therapist is getting supervision. Is the therapist only getting supervision informally from a friend once every few months, or is it regular and ongoing? If the therapist is getting ongoing supervision, it can give you some reassurance that they are continually checking in on their work and making sure that their blind spots aren’t getting in the way of providing the best care.

(To anyone reading this column, if you are currently in therapy and haven’t yet asked, it is always okay and recommended to ask your therapist if they are getting supervision! Feel free to blame it on this article:).)

The ideas listed above are some of my suggested guidelines for choosing a therapist. However, even if you have a therapist who checks all the boxes listed above, they still may not feel like a good fit. There are many differences between clinicians and their approaches, and some will feel better or worse for you. Notice what feels comfortable for you and explore until you find a good fit. Furthermore, if anything feels wrong at any point during the treatment process, it is crucial to discuss it with your therapist, and that in and of itself may lead to further growth. Additionally, consulting with other therapists or people who are well-versed in the therapy process who you trust is always an option if you’re feeling uncertain.

Going to marriage therapy is a big step. With these points in mind, my hope is that it will be a very helpful, connecting experience for both of you!

Michal Goldman is a licensed clinical social worker in Queens specializing in helping individuals and couples navigate relationship challenges. She can be reached through her website at www.michalgoldmanlcsw.org, via email at michalgoldmanlcsw@gmail.com, or by phone at 917-590-0258. If you have questions that you would like answered here, you can submit them to the email provided. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a replacement for therapy.

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. You can make simple yet delicious Pesach-friendly meals such as vegetable om-

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 with fresh vegetables, grilled chicken, or fish. Opt for proteins like fish or a balanced

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

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

Look, Donald Trump is, you know, he may not be an antisemite, but he certainly tolerates antisemitism in so many ways. Calling me a Palestinian, you know, don’t tell my mother. But also talking about in Charlottesville, both sides had good people.

- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) who advised Columbia University how to avoid accountability for the vile pro-Hamas rallies on campus, which routinely called for death to the Jews

When [Trump] talks about birthright [citizenship], and he’s going to undo the fact that the Constitution allows those who are born here, even if the parents are undocumented, they have a right to stay in America. If he wants to start looking so closely to find those who were born here and their parents were undocumented, maybe he ought to first look at Melania

- Rep Maxine Waters (D-CA) at an anti-DOGE protest in Los Angeles

At the end of the day, it’s about the batter, not the bat. It’s about the hitters and their hitting coaches, not the hitting implements. So I’m happy to always help those guys get a little bit better, but ultimately, it’s up to them to put good swings on pitches and grind it out every day. So, credit to those guys.

- Aaron Leanhardt, the MIT trained physicist who created a new bat that has MLB players cranking out home runs, talking about his invention

Some days, the show is a prison drama: a mass of prisoners assemble under the watch of an authority. Some days, it’s a police procedural: protagonists in uniform conduct raids on dark city streets. Some days, it’s a western: a figure in a cowboy hat patrols on horseback, keeping an eye on the wild frontier. The show has many forms, but it is all one production — the social-media feed of the homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem.

- James Poniewozik, The New York Times

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.

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”

- Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper

Political Crossfire

The Signal Chat’s Big Takeaway? Trump Has Built an Effective Team

Amid the outrage over Signalgate, one thing should matter most: The text exchanges have given Americans a window into the inner workings of a highly competent national security team carrying out a successful military operation on the orders of a decisive U.S. president. After four years of Joe Biden’s disastrous leadership on the world stage, we should all be relieved.

Most Americans will never sit in on a National Security Council principals committee meeting. But thanks to the mistaken inclusion of a journalist in a Signal group chat last month, we all got to be flies on the wall as President Donald Trump’s team deliberated before executing effective military strikes against the Houthis, Iran’s proxies in Yemen whom Biden had allowed to fire with virtual impunity more than 140 times at merchant vessels and 174 times at U.S. warships.

Trump’s team respectfully debated the costs and benefits of military action. Vice President JD Vance raised concerns that the mission might be “a mistake” because the Houthi attacks primarily affected European trade. He suggested proceeding with the mission could lead to a rise in gas prices, adding that “there is a strong argument for delaying this a month, doing the messaging work on why this matters, seeing where the economy is.” CIA Director John Ratcliffe chimed in to say that “a delay would not negatively impact us and additional time would be used to identify better starting points for coverage on Houthi leadership.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded: “If I had final go or no go vote, I believe we should. This [is] not about the Houthis. I see it as two things: 1) Restoring Freedom of Navigation, a core national interest; and 2) Reestablish[ing] deterrence, which Biden cratered.” National security adviser Michael Waltz pointed out that only the United States could carry out the mis-

By Marc A. Thiessen

sion because “European navies do not have the capability to defend against the types of sophisticated, antiship, cruise missiles, and drones the Houthis are now using,” adding: “we have a fundamental decision of allowing the sea lanes to remain closed or to re-open them now or later, we are the only ones with the capability unfortunately.” Hegseth agreed: “Mike is correct. … Nobody else even close. Question is timing. I feel like now is as good a time as any, given POTUS directive to reopen shipping lanes. I think we should go.” Vance replied: “If you think we should do it let’s go.”

Hegseth then laid out the timing of the initial strikes, adding “Godspeed to our Warriors.” Shortly after the operation began, Waltz reported to the group that “the first target – their top missile guy –we had positive ID of him walking into his girlfriend’s building and it’s now collapsed.” Hegseth added: “More strikes ongoing for hours tonight, and will provide full initial report tomorrow. But on time, on target, and good readouts so far.”

Nothing embarrassing was revealed, no military operations were compromised, and no Americans were killed. Trump’s team executed a successful military operation. There was no “Team Pete” or “Team

Mike” or any daylight between them. There was only “Team Trump.”

Should we have had this window into NSC deliberations? Of course not. U.S. officials should not have been using Signal or Gmail (as The Post reported Tuesday), for confidential conversations, and as a result of this incident I expect future conversations will be conducted differently. But those missteps fall far short of the breach by Hillary Clinton, whose personal emails, then-FBI Director James B. Comey revealed, included multiple chains with information classified at the Secret and Top Secret/Special Access Program level.

The idea that anyone on Trump’s team should be fired for this minor incident is absurd. And it’s clear that the inadvertent disclosure was also a blessing in disguise, because it showed the world what a welloiled national security team faithfully executing the president’s policies looks like.

We never saw the deliberations by Biden’s NSC as it planned the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, the most shameful foreign policy calamity in my lifetime. We weren’t privy to the behind-the-scenes debate when Biden rejected the unanimous advice of his military commanders to leave a residual force in Afghani-

stan that could have prevented a Taliban takeover. We never saw how Biden’s NSC came to the catastrophic decision to put the safety of U.S. service members at the Kabul airport in the hands of the Taliban and Haqqani network by refusing the Taliban’s offer to let the U.S. military secure the Afghan capital while we evacuated – a decision that led to the suicide bombing that killed 13 Americans.

And we never learned its internal deliberations for the retaliatory strike to that bombing that killed an innocent aid worker and nine other Afghan civilians, including seven children – and then failed for three years to fulfill Biden’s promise to hunt down the terrorists. (It took Trump’s national security team just 43 days to capture one of the senior ISIS-K officials responsible.)

No one was fired for these acts of incompetence, just as no one was fired for the Biden administration’s capitulation to Russia on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline after Trump had stopped it in his first term, or for its refusal to provide Ukraine with Stinger and Javelin missiles for months before Russia invaded – which, together with the Afghanistan debacle, sent a message of weakness that clearly emboldened Vladimir Putin.

No one was fired for allowing a Chinese spy balloon to enter U.S. airspace, withholding critical weapons from Israel, or allowing U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria to be attacked dozens of times by Iranian-backed terrorists virtually without consequence. And no one was fired for the decision to remove the Houthis from a U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations.

Those were all firing offenses. The accidental disclosure of a group chat discussing a successful military operation is not. Trump’s national security team is serving him and the nation well.

Israel Today Lawfare Around the Globe is a Threat to Democracy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had enough on his plate leading a country at war, a fractious governing coalition, and coping with the distraction of a trial on corruption charges that has been going on for a staggering five years with no end in sight. Now he’s got another problem to deal with.

“Qatargate ” is the latest addition to the list of issues facing Netanyahu. The scandal is based on the claim that two people who worked in the prime minister’s office were in “contact with a foreign agent” as well as engaged in “money laundering, bribery, fraud and breach of trust.”

That’s a shocking accusation, especially the part about his advisers allegedly being in cahoots with Qatar, a nation that is allied with Iran and Hamas, as well as a leading funder of Islamist fundamentalist schools and mosques around the world.

But if Netanyahu’s supporters smell a rat, it’s not because they suspect the accused of being traitors. On the contrary, both the prime minister and many of his backers see this as just another dishonest attempt on the part of his opponents to use the legal system to discredit or topple him.

Moreover, they are not alone in thinking this way about the rash of similar efforts to take down the leaders of right-wing and populist political parties among the world’s democracies by non-democratic means.

Qatargate is being analogized to the Russia collusion hoax that plagued President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019; the attempt to impeach him over his threats to cut off aid to Ukraine; and the efforts to jail and/or bankrupt him during the four years between his first and second terms.

By Jonathan S. Tobin

Nor is this phenomenon confined to the United States and Israel.

Lawfare in France

This week, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the right-wing Rassemblement National Party (RN) and the frontrunner in the 2027 French presidential race, was convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to prison. Yet rather than being accused of stealing money for personal gain, the indictment hinged on a technicality and a complicated chain of events concerning whether RN staffers who work for its representatives should have been paid by the European Parliament or by the party in France.

It’s far from clear that the RN’s conduct was very different from what other French parties do or anything that should have been labeled as embezzlement. It was, instead, widely perceived as an attempt by the French political

and legal establishment to prevent Le Pen from running for president. The fact that the sentence handed down involved a five-year ban on running for office, coupled with the judge’s insistence that this part of his ruling be immediately enforced rather than only after appeals have been exhausted, made it appear even more partisan.

As far as the RN is concerned, what has happened to Le Pen is no different from the lawfare that was waged against Trump in the United States.

Last year, France’s leading neo-liberal centrist and far-left parties came together to deny RN control of the French parliament, despite the fact that they won the most votes and seats. Those factions have, under various parties, alternated in control over the French Republic for the last 70 years. And they have no intention of letting the upstart RN ascend to power.

The RN was founded by Marine’s antisemitic father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, and had more than a tinge of Vichy France fascism about it. Under his daughter, however, it has undergone a transformation. Following Marine Le Pen’s succeeding her father as its leader in 2011, it shed his racist point of view and expelled the elder Le Pen in 2015 (he died in January of this year).

It is now a vocal opponent of the spirit of antisemitism that is so much a part of contemporary French life. Jew-hatred in France is, as is the case elsewhere in Europe, driven by a red-green alliance of Marxists and Islamists. RN is against the mass immigration from the Middle East and North Africa, especially from former French possessions where Islam is a dominant force, which has enabled that troubling development.

Many French Jews are still reluctant to make common cause with the RN because of its past, as well as the historical association of the French right with antisemitism dating back to the Dreyfus Affair in 1894. But in what can be considered both a historic irony as well as a sign of the changing times, RN has become a crucial defender of the embattled Jewish community. It’s also a stalwart supporter of Israel in a country where the traditional hierarchy is either lukewarm at best or openly hostile to the Jewish state.

But what just happened in France is a theme playing out all across Europe, where a similar reaction to the way mass immigration has enabled what could be called the Islamization of societies and the marginalization of existing national cultures. In some places, like Hungary, the Netherlands and Italy, right-wing populist parties have ascended to government. Elsewhere, their opponents— whether traditional liberals, centrists or

leftists—have done their best to anathematize them.

In Germany, that’s been made easier by the right-wing AfD Party’s failure to purge the ranks of their parliamentary candidates of those who evince nostalgia for their country’s Nazi past. But, as U.S. Vice President JD Vance pointed out in a seminal speech to the Munich Security Conference in February, the reason for the AfD’s rise is because they are speaking out in defense of national borders and against the impact of mass immigration enabled by both the traditional left and right.

Vance’s Democracy Lesson

The same point applies to Romania, where a right-wing party won the country’s national elections. Rather than accept the verdict of democracy, that victory was invalidated by the Central Election Bureau, which then denied its leader, Călin Georgescu, the right to run in the do-over balloting. That body gave no rationale for this anti-democratic decision, but it came two weeks after Georgescu’s political opponents, who were angry about his sympathy for Russia and hostility to Ukraine, had orchestrated his indictment for “incitement to actions against the constitutional order”; the “communication of false information”; and involvement in the establishment of an organization “with a fascist, racist or xenophobic character.”

One needn’t be sympathetic to Georgescu or Le Pen—or any of the other nationalist and populist parties in Europe that have come to the fore because of the impact of mass immigration—to understand two things.

One is that the accusation that the electoral success of contemporary rightwing political parties is a rerun of the Nazi rise to power in the 1920s and ’30s is tone deaf to the realities of the 21st century. Today, it is the left and their Islamist allies that are the primary source of European antisemitism.

The other is that the lawfare being employed in France and Romania is antithetical to democratic norms.

That was the point Vance made in Munich when he said: “We must do more than talk about democratic values. We must live them.” He went on to note that during the Cold War, it was the forces of an evil Soviet empire that “censored dissidents, that closed churches, that cancelled elections.” Sadly, he accurately noted that in 2025, the winners of the Cold War—the nations that were the self-described members and leaders of the “free

world”—were acting in that manner. That wasn’t something the gathering of foreign- and defense-policy elites from Europe and North America wanted to hear.

Characterizing lawfare against political opponents as a triumph of “the rule of law,” as liberal commentators in Europe and America have done, requires observers to ignore the obviously partisan nature of these cases. At stake here is not the efforts of a “reactionary international,” as French President Emmanuel Macron put it, threatening the independence of the courts. What we are witnessing is a dying establishment seeking to defend its power by any means necessary, even if it means traducing the basic principles of democracy.

Banana Republic Tactics

It may be, as The New York Times claimed, that the Romanian fiasco was a “propaganda coup” for

opponents of his judicial reform proposals and the catastrophe of Oct. 7, 2023, he has an even chance of extending his already record term of office when the country goes back to the polls, likely sometime in 2026.

And that is the context in which Qatargate must be understood.

The War on Netanyahu

At this stage, with little of the evidence of the alleged misconduct of Netanyahu’s staff being made public, it’s hard to know what to think about these charges. Most people act on the assumption that where there is smoke, there is fire—and that prosecutors and police, as well as the judicial system, can be trusted to get to the truth. Given the seriousness of these accusations, a wait-and-see approach to the issue seems prudent.

Yet even if we are inclined to give the investigators the benefit of the doubt, the notion that Netanyahu’s advisers

If Netanyahu’s supporters smell a rat, it’s not because they suspect the accused of being traitors.

Russia. But that’s only because what the authorities did there, as well as months later in France, unfortunately validated the claims of Moscow’s authoritarian leader, Vladimir Putin, that those in the West who oppose his tyranny at home and aggression against Ukraine are hypocrites when it comes to their supposed defense of democracy.

As Vance said, if Americans and Europeans want to stand up for democracy, they have to stop behaving like they are running banana republics by engaging in censorship of dissent and trying to jail their political foes, corrupt practices that the Biden administration also engaged in.

As Netanyahu has said , the same problem of a “deep state” that seeks to defeat political forces that oppose the liberal establishment by fair means or foul exists in Israel. He is in power by virtue of winning a clear majority in a democratic election. And despite everything that has happened since his victory in November 2022, including both the paralysis of the Jewish state by

state era. In recent years, that impulse to view the right as beyond the pale has taken on an even more desperate character. That’s a product of the way demography and the implosion of the once-dominant left-wing Labor Party over its catastrophic “land for peace” policies have led to the increasing electoral success of Netanyahu’s Likud Party, and its various religious and right-wing allies.

The Israeli left has used its stranglehold on a self-perpetuating majority on the country’s Supreme Court that seeks to dominate the country’s government, rather than merely act as a check on it as it does in other democracies, to hamstring Netanyahu. The determination of the country’s liberal elites to falsely demonize Netanyahu as a would-be authoritarian because of his efforts to reform the judiciary is not unlike the Democratic Party’s similarly disingenuous approach to Trump.

From Russia Collusion to Qatar

This is why Netanyahu’s pushback against Qatargate and the other efforts to take him down should resonate for Americans who saw how the justice system in the United States was weaponized against Trump.

were actually agents of Qatar seems, on its face, preposterous.

More to the point, there is a sense of déjà vu among many Israelis about all of this.

In 2016, when the investigation of Netanyahu on the charges on which he is still standing trial began, many observers assumed that at least some of the accusations being lodged against the prime minister were legitimate. Or rather, they assumed that they had to be since those making them had jobs in the legal system that normally inspire trust.

But once the investigation unfolded and the nature of the four separate cases that were brought against him was made plain, that assumption proved unfounded. The charges were so flimsy and clearly so partisan in nature that the only people who really treated them as legitimate were those whose hatred for Netanyahu was so great that they’d believe any accusation lodged against him.

There is a long tradition of Israel’s liberal establishment seeking to delegitimize the political right, dating back to the pre-

It is theoretically possible that Qatargate will, unlike Russia collusion, prove to be a real scandal as opposed to a partisan conspiracy theory. But the way the corruption cases against Netanyahu have imploded during the endless trial about them and the open animus that the legal establishment has for the prime minister, skepticism about such a scenario is far from unreasonable.

At this point, the claim that these efforts to take down populist or rightwing political leaders are solely about upholding the rule of law is risible. The political left—whether in the United States, Europe and Israel—is not so much interested in debating its opponents as they are in delegitimizing them. Asserting that any other point of view but one’s own is inherently undemocratic is the standard argument of tyrants, not the advocates for political freedom.

Democracy is in peril in 2025. But as Vance rightly argued, the main threat to it now comes from the practitioners of lawfare, who are the loudest in claiming to be its defenders.

Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of JNS (Jewish News Syndicate).

Forgotten Her es Pesach on the Frontlines

By Avi Heiligman

Celebrating holidays for soldiers, sailors, and other service members while on duty is no easy task. It gets even harder for those service members on foreign soil and on the frontlines. Throughout modern history, putting together a Seder and having provisions for the entire Pesach for these soldiers has been a challenge. Many Jews that have served in uniform, whether it’s for Israel, the U.S. or any other country, have been successful in procuring matzah, kosher wine and other necessities to have a Seder. Here a few of their stories and pictures that document their celebration of Pesach.

Around 10,000 Jews served on both sides of the conflict during the American Civil War. Twenty-one-year-old Isaac J. Levy was a Confederate soldier with the 46h Virginia Infantry Regiment. He was killed during the Battle of Petersburg in August 1864. Just a few months earlier, he had written to his sister back home that their brother, also a soldier, had purchased matzah in Charleston. In his letter, he wrote they were “observing the festival in a truly Orthodox style.”

There are several similar stories of soldiers making a Seder during the Civil

War. In 1862, about 20 Jewish soldiers from the 23 rd Ohio Infantry Regiment were granted leave by the regimental commander so they could celebrate Pesach. The commander of the regiment was none other than future President Rutherford B. Hayes. One of the soldiers sent matzah and haggadahs from his hometown of Cincinnati, but they were unable to obtain horseradish. Instead, they “found a weed whose bitterness ... exceeded anything our forefathers enjoyed.”

Myer Levy was a corporal in Company C of the 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry, also called the Cameron Dragoons. Several other Jewish soldiers also served in the unit. Myer was in Virginia during Pesach 1865 and noticed a boy on the steps of his house eating a piece of matzah. He asked the boy if he could get some matzah. The boy ran inside, screaming, “Mother, there’s a Yankee Jew outside!” The mother came outside and invited Myer to come for the Seder that night.

During World War II, service members tried their best to put together a Seder wherever they were stationed. The commanding officer of the battleship USS Iowa ordered the only Jewish officer on

board to put together a Seder for the enlisted sailors in his command.

Chaplains were on the frontlines putting together Sedarim and helping the Jewish soldiers prepare for Pesach.

Chaplain Rabbi Aaron Paperman of Baltimore had learned in Telz and in 1944 was stationed in Italy. He was very involved in helping the spiritual needs of the Jewish soldiers, and this included arranging minyanim and obtaining lulavim and esrogim for Sukkos. Before Pesach, he went above and beyond to acquire kosher wine and matzah for the troops. In 1944, he arranged a Seder for 1,500 servicemen in Naples, and it was attended by Fifth Army commander Mark Clark whose mother was Jewish. The next year, Rabbi Paperman led the seder for an incredible 4,000 service members in Naples. Kosher wine was brought in from Algiers on the general’s private plane

American soldiers weren’t the only ones making a Seder in 1945 while in uniform in Italy. Jewish soldiers from the British Army’s Jewish Brigade were in the middle of battling the Nazis and were preparing for Pesach at the same time. Wine was brought in from Eretz Yisrael, and matzah was provided by the army. A

The cover of the program for

shochet went around with the headquarters unit to provide kosher meat for the soldiers. The British Eight Army was very helpful in helping the chaplain obtain the necessary items. In fact, they even provided Rabbi Paperman with real potatoes for his Seder as the American Army usually used powered potatoes which posed kashrus concerns. Many soldiers in the Jewish Brigade had their Seder while under fire from enemy mortars and guns. Since World War II, there have been many Pesach Sedarim for those serving in the military. These include for American soldiers in Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. Israeli soldiers have been celebrating Pesach and other yomim tovim on the frontlines since the establishment of Israel in 1948. For the soldiers serving on the frontlines, having a Seder is a time to remember the miracles done for the Jewish people so many years ago as well as a time to relax (if possible) from the harsh realities of war.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.

 A U.S. soldier celebrating Pesach in Germany, 2016

A Seder for American soldiers in 1944

Isaac J Levy of the 46th Virginia Infantry Regiment

Matzah being unloaded by the quartermasters for the 77th Division in 1919

the Seder led by Rabbi Paperman in Italy, 1945

Moshe Sharett and soldiers  from the Jewish Brigade on Pesach in Naples, Italy, 1945

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Many will ask what’s different about this night? But the joke will be it’s more similar from one home to another than any other night!

Most of us will be sitting with family, doing more of the exact same things than we do any other night.

True, many nights we sit together, especially on Shabbos. But how long can we hold people off from demanding the first course?

Tonight, we all sort of work together in what plays out like a synchronized ballet. I’m not saying other nights there aren’t rituals, but tonight they are truly coordinated.

Yes, most nights we wash in water. But tonight, we don’t have to wait for anyone to get out of the shower. We all dip at once.

Most nights, someone may complain something on the menu is not to their taste. However, tonight everyone will be simultaneously spitting it out and complaining that it’s bitter!

We know there are plenty of times

What’s the Same About This Night?

By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS

we can’t locate something in our house, such as glasses or keys, for instance. Happens to everyone! Yet how often can one easily get a team to look for it?

You’re usually lucky if you get one volunteer to help. Tonight, however, there’s a troop of enthusiastic volunteers wait-

Tonight, what’s truly amazing is that the family is interrogated, without anyone getting defensive. Even when the question is so basic as, who knows one?

The family drinks together. All ages. Without criticism from the elders. In fact, they are there refilling the cups!

Tonight, what’s truly amazing is that the family is interrogated, without anyone getting defensive.

ing at your behest to search every inch. Amazing – where are they when you need them all other times?!

Sure, most nights, we do eat dinner, though sometimes it’s all different hours or different family members are available. But tonight, everyone’s there, and it’s closer to a unified midnight snack.

And the night ends with talk of burning, violence, killing, and beating, and everyone’s singing and laughing about it – not our usual take on these kinds of things.

However, really, it’s just a fun song to keep kids up late. That seems just plain amazing. Any other night we want them

asleep – as early as possible.

They say that the family that prays together stays together. This is one night that certainly proves true, even if the prayer is: please don’t let the Seder run so late.

The bottom line is that maybe this night we behave different than we do all other nights, but from family to family, our behaviors are more the same than ever.

And that’s a unifying event.

May we keep that ability to unify within us throughout the year. Because with unity comes “matzah” other good things!

Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and individuals and is a certified relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or at rivkirosenwald@gmail.com.

Torah Thought Three Times Ten

The Calculus of the Eser Makkos

By Rav Yaakov Feitman

If one were to ask a typical Jew, “What happened on Pesach?” the answer would be, “We were redeemed from Egypt with great miracles.” Of course, this is surely correct. However, my rebbe, Rav Yitzchok Hutner, zt”l, (Maamorei Pachad Yitzchok 8:7, page 56) makes clear that this is an insufficient answer. In truth, what happened was that there was a second Creation. The first, as detailed in Bereishis, is the creation of the physical world. The second creation was the fulfillment of the purpose of the first, which was for the sake of Klal Yisrael (see Rashi Bereishis 1:1 “Bereishis Barah”). In other words, 2,448 years after the universe came into being, with all its myriad galaxies, planets and creatures, the spiritual component of each detail came into fruition. This relationship and chronology have tremendous ramifications for all of human history.

Let us begin with one of these consequences. We return to the first Rashi in Chumash. The great commentator teaches us that the Torah, being a book

of laws, should have begun with the first mitzvah in the Torah. But in order to silence the enemies of Klal Yisrael who claim that we took Eretz Yisrael away from its previous inhabitants, Hashem made the terms of Creation clear. He created the world, gave various parts to certain nations, and then granted us Eretz Yisrael when the time was right. This process not only justifies our conquering of Eretz Yisrael but also combined the physical and spiritual creations into one.

Furthermore, we can now understand much more deeply the relationship between the three “tens.” Hashem created the world in Ten Statements (Pirkei Avos 5:1), punished the Egyptians with Ten Makkos, and then gave us the Ten Commandments. According to the Maharal (Gevuros Hashem, Chapter 57), each of the Ten Makkos corresponded to one of the Asarah Maamaros, the Ten Statements. For example, when Hashem made light, he said, “Yehi ohr.” The penultimate plague was darkness. To modernize the Maharal’s explanation of this

relationship, let us use a metaphor or a mashal. Someone is having an electrical problem in his home and summons an electrician. The first thing he does is shut down the electricity so that he can work safely on the wiring. Alternatively, there is a flood in the house, and the plumber is called. He first shuts down the water in order to solve the problem.

The Ten Plagues served two functions. Of course, they punished the Egyptians for their many sins. Rav Tzadok Hakohein of Lublin in his Haggadah details the middah keneged middah – concomitant appropriateness – of each makkah as a punishment for a certain assault on the Jewish people. But the even more profound reason for the Makkos was the recreation of the world purely for the sake of Am Yisrael. In the Beginning, it was for mankind as a whole. But after the failure of both Adam and Noach to save the world from iniquity and imperfection, it was now up to the Nation of Israel to justify and restore the world to that perfection. Thus, each

makkah shut down one of the Ten Statements with which the world was created in order to start all over. It literally became a new world.

We can now certainly understand why Hashem required the Makkos at all. In a way, many of us must have wondered whenever we learn the parshiyos of the Makkos in Shemos and celebrate Pesach at the Seder: why did Hashem bother? He could have just smitten the Egyptians in a moment, as He did with Makkas Bechoros and whisked us out of Mitzrayim. As we know, zerizus , or speed, was an absolute necessity since we were sunken in the 49th level of depravity and rapidly deteriorating. Nevertheless, an overriding concern was the recreation of the universe totally for Klal Yisrael. Another way of understanding this is the prophesy (Michah 7:15) that “as you left Egypt, I will show you wonders.” According to Chazal and the meforshim , this means the exodus from Egypt is the blueprint for all future exiles and redemptions. The reason for this

P10 is now clear. In order to survive and be able to push forward toward Moshiach, we needed the power of that recreation to get through the difficult millennia ahead. Without that status, who knows how we could have survived Crusades, Inquisitions, Expulsions, the Holocaust, and numerous other acts of colossal antisemitism.

Where do the Ten Commandments fit in? The Kli Yakar (Shemos 20:1) explains that “the Ten Commandments come to teach us that the world was created for the purpose of the Sefiros.” Rav Dovid Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron, (Sefer Zeman Cheiruseinu, page 91) explains this to mean that the Sefiros, which energize the world, are in turn revealed through the Aseres Hadibros, making clear once again that the world was recreated for those who learn the Torah and keep its mitzvos. This point is also made by the Sefas Emes and his son, the Imrei Emes, (Parshas Bo) that the only way that Klal Yisrael was able to supersede the laws of nature was by accepting and adhering to the Torah which was given in the form of the Aseres Hadibros.

In this light, the Seder and all of its stories, halachos and interpretations take on a much more universal and eter -

nal meaning than just leaving Mitzrayim, as important and crucial as that may be. In many homes where we are still privileged to have a survivor of Churban Europa/the Holocaust or the Soviet Gulag, stories are recounted about the most recent of our ordeals and redemptions. There is no doubt that the stories of our encounters with Hamas will be added to this curriculum, but essentially, we are only reliving the cosmic power of Pesach in our communal and personal lives over the centuries. I grew up on the saga of a Seder being held in Auschwitz, Chanukah candles being lit in Bergen Belsen, the shofar being sounded in Treblinka, and a rudimentary sukkah being built in Mauthausen. But as we recline comfortably at our Seder, we must realize that all of these and more events are part of Yetzias Mitzrayim as well.

With this approach, we are now in a position to understand a cryptic statement in the Torah. When Moshe Rabbeinu experiences his first prophesy at the Burning Bush, Hashem tells him that he will return to this spot “to serve Hashem at this mountain.” Hashem is making clear to Moshe, and by extension to all of us, that the entire purpose of Yetzias Mitzrayim is neither freedom nor liberty.

It is Matan Torah. This also explains why the Brisker dynasty (see many examples in the Haggadah M’Bais Levi) takes the position that we can fulfill the mitzvah of sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim by studying Torah. One example of this is that we say to the Wise Son that “we may not eat anything after the Afikomen.” This statement is nearly incomprehensible without the Brisker explanation that Torah study is part and parcel of the story. In fact, as we have learned from the Maharal and others, it is not a sidebar, but that is the purpose and essence of the story itself.

We may also add that the preoccupation on Seder night with various forms of communication: Haggadah, sippur, amirah , and ultimately, shirah reflects that this night is all about realizing that Pesach is essentially the preparation to receive the Torah and spend our lives learning its words and growing in its teachings. This is similar to going through the process of the Eser Makkos so that we can receive the Aseres Hadibros just a few short weeks later. We go from the low of the 49 th level of defilement to the ability to listen to Hashem directly. Quite a trip, but this is our spiritual creation after the physical creation of Bereishis.

We may conclude with a new answer to the famous question of why the Haggadah and the Seder revolve around the various drashos on the parshah of Bikkurim in the beginning of Ki Savo. Surely there are enough pesukim in Shemos which deal directly with Yetzias Mitzrayim. Why did the Baal Haggadah use specifically the halacha of Bikkurim? One answer is that Bikkurim is the halachic way that every Jew can fulfill the concept of a “first.” Not everyone has or is a bechor. Yet Hashem declares that His firstborn is Klal Yisrael, which, in turn, counteracts the claims of both Egypt and Amalek that they are the first. Utilizing the idea that Pesach night commemorates our study of halacha and our rebirth as a nation and the recreation of the world, it makes sense to explicate Bikkurim, which is the connection of every Jew to our obligation to all the firsts. May we soon see the geulah sheleimah b’yameinu with the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeiu bimeheira b’yameinu

Harav Yaakov Feitman is the rav of Kehillas Bais Yehudah Tzvi in Cedarhurst, NY.

Approach #1: The Baal Haggadah

We refer to the author of the Haggadah as the “Baal Haggadah.” However, his identity seems to be shrouded in mystery. Who is this Baal Haggadah? Who is the author of this time-honored text that is our guidebook on the night of the Seder?

Rav Shimon Schwab, in the Haggadah Shel Pesach Beis HaSho’eivah, writes that although we do not know the identity of the author of the Haggadah, we have a tradition that the Baal Haggadah lived in the time of the Gaonim.

Approach #2: Anshei Knesses HaGedolah

In his introduction to the sefer Kli Chemdah, Rav Meir Don Plotzky discusses why Moshe Rabbeinu is not featured prominently in the Haggadah. He articulates the question as follows: Why, when the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah compiled the Haggadah, did they not mention Moshe’s name, when he played the critical role in the Bnei Yisrael leaving Mitzrayim? Thus, it is clear that the Kli Chemdah ascribes the authorship of the Haggadah to the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah.

Since much of the text of the Haggadah also recounts teachings that were taught and events that transpired well after the era of the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah, Rav Plotzky was clearly discussing only the basic structure of the Haggadah and the primary Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim — Mah Nishtanah, Avadim Hayinu, the verses expounded throughout Maggid, and Hallel. This leaves us with the question of who compiled the rest of the Haggadah.

Approach #3: Moshe Rabbeinu

Some have even suggested that Moshe Rabbeinu himself composed the Haggadah. He left his own name out of the Haggadah in a display of humility.

This approach is also challenging. Was Moshe Rabbeinu recording Hillel’s future custom regarding eating koreich or an account of a Seder that would take place many years later, in the city of Bnei Brak? It is unlikely that Moshe, had he written the Haggadah, would have included events that had not transpired yet.

The Curious Plea That Bookends the Haggadah

The opening paragraph of the Haggadah, Ha lachma

Who Wrote the Haggadah?

By Ra BBi Daniel Glatstein

anya, contains a tefillah, petition: “Ha’shata hacha l’shana ha’baah b’areah d’Yisrael, now we are here, in exile; next year may we be in Eretz Yisrael.” In the same vein, the Haggadah concludes with the plea, “L’shana ha’baah b’Yerushalayim, next year in Yerushalayim ”

The opening and concluding paragraphs of a literary work often encapsulate its essential theme. However, the Haggadah is recited at the Seder, a time that is devoted to recollecting and reliving the events of the geulah from our slavery in Mitzrayim. Why do we bookend the Haggadah with a request for Geulah? The reason we are all gathered together and engaged in the performance of the Seder is to commemorate geulas Mitzrayim. Shouldn’t that be the focus of the introductory and concluding words of the Haggadah?

When Will Mashiach Come?

The Gemara cites a machlokes, dispute, as to when the Geulah will take place. Rabbi Eliezer maintains that it will come in Tishrei, while Rabbi Yehoshua posits that just as the exodus from Mitzrayim transpired in Nissan, the future redemption will likewise take place in Nissan.

The Derashos HaRan states that the halacha is in accordance with Rabbi Yehoshua. Likewise, the Aruch HaShulchan codifies that Amalek will ultimately be destroyed in Adar, and we will merit the Final Redemption in the month of Nissan.

The Roke’ach writes that not only will we be redeemed from our current exile in the same month as Yetzias Mitzrayim, but the Geulah will take place on the same day we left Mitzrayim. We left Egypt on the fifteenth of Nissan, and the Geulah will come on that very same day. This is why, in Maariv, there are fifteen words in the bracha of geulah: “And it is further said: ‘For Hashem has redeemed Yaakov and delivered him from a power mightier than he.’ Blessed are You, Hashem, Who redeemed Yisrael.”

This concept is clearly articulated in the Midrash Tanchuma, which states, “On the fifteenth of Nissan we were redeemed from Mitzrayim, and on the fifteenth of Nissan we will ultimately experience the Final Redemption.”

Incredibly, the Sefer HaManhig cites a novel reason for the custom to leave one’s doors unlocked on the night of the Seder. We anticipate the arrival of Eliyahu HaNavi heralding the Geulah Sheleimah on the very night of the

Seder — at the precise time that we were redeemed from our tenure as slaves in Mitzrayim. We are so eager to welcome Eliyahu that we want him to find the doors to our home unlocked, an open invitation and a testament to our longing for the Geulah

It is not merely coincidental that the Future Redemption will occur during the very same month, the very same day, and the very same time of day as the Exodus. The Exodus was the pre-enactment, the maaseh avos siman l’banim, that brings the Final Redemption to fruition. This is the meaning of the prophecy of the Navi Michah, who states, “As in the days when you left the land of Egypt, I will show it [the nation] wonders” (Michah 7:15).

Rabbeinu Bachya writes that, in fact, all the Neviim concur that the Final Redemption will mirror the geulah from Mitzrayim. Just as when we left Egypt we went to the Midbar, this will also happen when the Geulah comes. Hashem split the Yam Suf as we left Egypt; so too, there will be another splitting of the sea when Mashiach comes. Rabbeinu Bachya points out that the Torah references three different times when our exile in Mitzrayim would end.

We were told that Klal Yisrael would be in Mitzrayim for 430 years. Elsewhere, we learn that we would be in exile for 400 years. The number 210 is also given as the duration of the time we were enslaved in Mitzrayim. Similarly, when Sefer Daniel foretells the duration of the final exile, three different values are given: 1,150 years, 1,290 years, and 1,335 years are all mentioned in regard to how long we will be compelled to endure galus Rabbeinu Bachya says that when we were enslaved in Mitzrayim, we were unable to reconcile the three different times given for the end of the galus. However, once we were redeemed, we were able to understand the meaning of each of the numbers given.

We understand that 430 years was the duration of time from the Bris Bein HaBesarim until we left Mitzrayim, and 400 years was the time that elapsed from the birth of Yitzchak Avinu until Yetzias Mitzrayim

The period of time that we were actually in Egypt was 210 years. In hindsight, these three different markers are all understandable.

Likewise, we are currently embroiled in a bitter exile, and we have no clarity as to what the three differ -

ent numbers brought in Sefer Daniel refer. However, we firmly believe that when the Geulah takes place, it will all become clear, and we will appreciate what each number denoted.

Rabbeinu Bachya is teaching that every aspect of the Final Redemption, each event that will occur when we merit the Geulah, had a parallel that already transpired during the geulah from Mitzrayim. Our leaving Mitzrayim was a pre-enactment, a dress-rehearsal of sorts, of the Geulah Sheleimah.

The Haggadah relates the events of the geulah from Mitzrayim, but it is much more profound than that. These events are a pre-enactment of the Final Redemption that we so eagerly await. As we read the Haggadah, we are not merely reflecting on the past, but we are longingly awaiting our glorious future, imploring Hashem for these events to happen once again. We plead with Hashem that all that transpired when we left Mitzrayim will take place a second time and that we will promptly merit the coming of Mashiach.

Thus, the focus of the night is not reminiscing about events that were; rather, it is about anticipating their happening again. We therefore appropriately begin and conclude the recitation of the Haggadah with the request that the redemption occur speedily and that next Pesach we will all be in Yerushalayim.

Eliyahu Featured Prominently

This enables us to understand why Eliyahu HaNavi plays such a prominent role in the Seder. When we pour the fourth cup of wine, we pour an additional cup, which we call the kos shel Eliyahu HaNavi.

There is a machlokes, disagreement, among the poskim as to the number of cups of wine we drink at the Seder — is it four or five?

Throughout Shas, when there is no clear resolution to a query posed by the Gemara, the Gemara concludes with “teiku,” an acronym for Tishbi yetareitz kushiyos v’abayos. Eliyahu HaNavi will eventually resolve the issue when he comes to herald the coming of Mashiach.

At the Pesach Seder, we are not sure if we should be drinking four or five cups of wine. We pour the fifth cup and refer to it as the kos shel Eliyahu, the cup of Eliyahu, alluding to the fact that Eliyahu HaNavi will eventually inform us whether the fifth cup is needed.

As mentioned, it is also customary to open the door at this time so as to welcome Eliyahu HaNavi into our home. The important role that Eliyahu plays is understood in the context of what we are learning. All the events that we are relating are those that will create the events of the Final Redemption. Thus, Eliyahu’s future role of heralding the Final Redemption was fashioned through the events of Yetzias Mitzrayim

This shines great light on a mysterious comment of Targum Yonasan. When Hashem instructed Moshe Rabbeinu to return to Mitzrayim and serve as His messenger to redeem Klal Yisrael, he demurred, stating, “Bi Ado-ni, shlach na b’yad tishlach, please, my L-rd, send through whomever You will send” (Shemos 4:13).

The Torah does not clarify as to whom Moshe was referring. Who was the shaliach, the messenger, who Moshe suggested would be better suited to lead the Jewish people out of slavery?

Turning to Targum Yonasan, we learn that Moshe’s

recommendation was that the Jewish people be redeemed by Eliyahu HaNavi.

When Moshe Rabbeinu told Hashem, “Shlach na b’yad tishlach,” he wanted Eliyahu HaNavi to take the Jewish people out of Mitzrayim. Why Eliyahu HaNavi? What is his connection to Yetzias Mitzrayim? It is now quite apparent. The events that were unfolding were the pre-enactment of the Geulah HaAsidah, when Eliyahu HaNavi will play the pivotal role in heralding the Geulah. Moshe argued that therefore it would be appropriate for Eliyahu HaNavi to be the one to take Klal Yisrael out of Mitzrayim.

Approach #4: Eliyahu HaNavi

We can now appreciate the opinion of Rav Simcha Bunim of P’shischa. The Haggadah Shel Pesach Tzemach Menachem, written by Rabbi Aharon Menachem Mendel of Nashelsk, citing a tradition that he heard from Rav Simcha Bunim, writes that the Haggadah was written by none other than Eliyahu HaNavi, evident from the fact that it is written in the same style as the Tanna D’Vei Eliyahu. This similarity is specifically apparent in the phrase, “Baruch ha’Makom, baruch Hu, Blessed is the Omnipresent, Blessed is He,” a clause that is oft repeated in Tanna D’Vei Eliyahu.

Eliyahu’s authorship of the Haggadah is best appreciated in light of what we have learned: The Exodus was the pre-enactment of the Final Redemption, as the Navi

•

Our leaving Mitzrayim was a pre-enactment, a dress rehearsal of sorts, of the Geulah Sheleimah.

Michah tells us, “As in the days when you left the land of Egypt, I will show it [the nation] wonders” (Michah 7:15).

Thus, Eliyahu wrote the Haggadah as the handbook and the outline, the ultimate maaseh avos siman l’banim, writing the template of the events that we will eventually merit when Mashiach comes.

As is common in our liturgy, the opening word of the Haggadah alludes to the identity of the author. The Haggadah begins with the words, “Ha lachma anyu.” My dear friend R’ Ezra Cohen pointed out that the first word, “ha,” is an allusion to Ha’Navi Eliyahu.

Approach #5: Rabbi Akiva

Rav Chaim Palagi directs us to a Gemara to identify the author of the Haggadah shel Pesach. The Yerushalmi writes that according to some, Aggadah was authored by the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah, while others posit that it was written by Rabbi Akiva.

Rav Chaim Palagi therefore concludes that Rabbi Akiva was the author of the Haggadah. This view is cited by Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef. Rav Avraham Pontrimoli published the Zechirah L’Chaim, and he provides support for the theory that Rabbi Akiva authored the Haggadah. Moshe Rabbeinu beseeched Hashem, “Shlach na b’yad tishlach , send through whomever You will send,”

to deliver the Jewish nation from Mitzrayim. Rashi writes that Moshe was referring to Aharon HaKohen, and Targum Yonasan, as mentioned above, states that he was referring to Eliyahu HaNavi. However, says Rav Avraham Pontrimoli, Chazal teach that Moshe was referring to Rabbi Akiva. Moshe was imploring Hashem to send Rabbi Akiva in his stead.

Rav Avraham Pontrimoli then presents a cryptic reason to prove that Rabbi Akiva would have written the Haggadah and legislated its recitation. Rabbi Akiva lived in a time of churban and desolation, during which he suffered horrifically. He was imprisoned, and ultimately his flesh was raked with iron combs. Thus, his life was rooted in the travails of Egypt; he therefore had enhanced sensitivity to expound upon the miracles of the Makkos and subsequent Exodus.

Rav Yaakov Chaim Sofer, a descendant of the Kaf HaChaim, disagrees with Rav Chaim Palagi. He presents a different interpretation of the Yerushalmi. The Yerushalmi states that Rabbi Akiva compiled Midrash, Mishnah, halacha, and Aggadah, while others maintained that these were written by the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah. Aggadah, Rav Yaakov Chaim Sofer says, does not refer to the Haggadah. Rather, mefarshim on the Yerushalmi interpret as follows: Rabbi Akiva was mesaken Midrash, meaning that he composed the Sifra and Sifri. Halacha refers to the dinim, laws, that were taught by the Amoraim. And finally, Aggadah refers to Bereishis Rabbah and Vayikra Rabbah. According to these mefarshim, Aggadah does not refer to the Haggadah Shel Pesach, at all.

Rav Sofer bolsters this interpretation of the Yerushalmi by pointing out that the second opinion in the Yerushalmi, that the aforementioned works were written by the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah, could not possibly maintain that they wrote the Haggadah, as much of the Haggadah Shel Pesach speaks about Tannaim and Amoraim who lived only later.

Furthermore, he adds, he is not aware of any source in which we find that “shlach na b’yad tishlach” actually refers to Rabbi Akiva.

B’siyata d’Shmaya, I recalled that there is a Chazal interpreting this phrase of Moshe Rabbeinu, “shlach na b’yad tishlach” as referring to Rabbi Akiva.

In the Haggadah, we read, “And even if we were all men of wisdom, understanding, experience, and knowledge of the Torah, it would still be an obligation upon us to tell about the Exodus from Mitzrayim.”

Why would we entertain the idea that someone who is a scholar, someone who is knowledgeable in Torah, would not be required to fulfill the obligation of retelling the events of Yetzias Mitzrayim? Every Jew is responsible to perform every applicable mitzvah in the Torah; why, then, do we need to specifically include talmidei chachamim? Why would one think that they would be exempt from the mitzvah?

The Chida addresses this question in his peirush on the Haggadah, Simchas HaRegel: The Arizal teaches that Klal Yisrael had to be taken out of Mitzrayim at that precise moment. Had they remained there a moment longer, they would have fallen to the point of no return. They would have descended into the fiftieth level of impurity, a level from which redemption would have been impossible. Why was the geulah possible only from the forty-ninth level of tumah, but impossible from the fifti-

eth? Why was the fiftieth level considered to be the point of no return?

The Chida explains that when someone is ensconced in tumah, he can be saved only if there is someone who can pull him up and extricate him from his state of impurity.

Moshe Rabbeinu, who had been charged with the mission of rescuing the Jewish people from Mitzrayim, had achieved the forty-ninth level of binah, the forty-ninth level of kedushah, holiness. The Gemara tells us that there are fifty levels of Torah, with the understanding that Moshe was granted access to forty-nine.

Having achieved the forty-ninth level of Torah, Moshe was ideally suited to rescue Klal Yisrael from the forty-ninth level of tumah. However, were Klal Yisrael to descend one more level, to the fiftieth level of impurity, they would have slipped beyond the reach of Moshe Rabbeinu. He could not have served as the conduit through which the geulah came about.

The Arizal amazingly reveals that Rabbi Akiva was the one individual who reached the fiftieth level of kedushah. To some extent, he achieved a level of Torah greater than that of Moshe Rabbeinu.

Had Rabbi Akiva been present in Mitzrayim, there would have been no urgency to rescue Klal Yisrael. The Jewish people could have descended to the fiftieth level of tumah, and Rabbi Akiva would have still been able to redeem them.

From the standpoint of Rabbi Akiva, the miracles that were performed to take Klal Yisrael out of Mitzrayim urgently were not necessary. Had he been there, they would never have reached a point of no return; Rabbi Akiva could have always rescued them.

One might think, therefore, that someone like Rabbi Akiva, someone who had achieved the fiftieth level of Torah, would not need to discuss and relate the miracles that transpired during Yetzias Mitzrayim. For him, the miracles may not have been essential. So why speak about them?

The Haggadah is teaching that even someone who has achieved the loftiest level of Torah, as Rabbi Akiva had, would still be obligated to participate in the mitzvah of Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim.

The Chida adds that this is why the Haggadah then relates an anecdote about tzaddikim who spent the entire night discussing the Exodus — and Rabbi Akiva was among them. The point is clear: Even Rabbi Akiva, for whom no degree of tumah is beyond redemption, is required to spend time retelling the miraculous events of the Exodus.

The Chida quotes his father, who used this idea to explain the teaching of Chazal stating that “shlach na b’yad tishlach” refers to Rabbi Akiva. He explained that this is precisely why Moshe Rabbeinu wanted Rabbi Akiva to be chosen to take the Jewish people out of Mitzrayim. Moshe argued, “If I take them out, it will be with great urgency lest the Jewish people slip beyond the threshold of rescue; let Rabbi Akiva take them out and there won’t be any pressure of time. Even if they fall to the fiftieth level of tumah, Rabbi Akiva could save them.”

Thus, the Chida cites a statement of Chazal that explicitly interprets that Moshe’s request, “shlach na b’yad tishlach,” refers to Rabbi Akiva. Recently, I found that

the Midrash HaGadol, as well as Osiyos Divrei Akiva, both interpret “shlach na b’yad tishlach” as a reference to Rabbi Akiva.

The Gilgul of Shevet Shimon

Here is another reason Moshe Rabbeinu wanted Rabbi Akiva to take us out of Mitzrayim and why we assume Rabbi Akiva wrote the Haggadah. Klal Yisrael had been exiled to Egypt as a result of mechiras Yosef, the sale of Yosef into slavery by his brothers. The sale was effected predominantly by Shimon. He was the one who said, “Look! That dreamer is coming” (Bereishis 37:18), he was the one who threw Yosef into the pit, and he was the one who executed the sale. The Megaleh Amukos reveals that Rabbi Akiva was the gilgul of Shimon. This explains why Rabbi Akiva suffered the worst fate of all the Asarah Harugei Malchus.

As Shimon was the dominant force behind mechiras Yosef, which resulted in the Bnei Yisrael being exiled to Mitzrayim, he should shoulder the brunt of the responsibility to help free Klal Yisrael from the clutches of Mitzrayim. Rabbi Akiva, then, as the reincarnation of Shimon, is the ideal candidate to lead Klal Yisrael out of Mitzrayim.

This would further explain why Rabbi Akiva was motivated to write the Haggadah, in order to publicize and relive the Exodus from the exile that he (as Shimon) had played a key role in initiating.

The most discussed Seder in Jewish history, which took place in Rabbi Akiva’s home, is incorporated into the Haggadah as a testament to his desire to lead Klal Yisrael out of Mitzrayim.

Approach #6: Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel

The Haggadah Arzei HaLevanon cites Rav Aharon Kotler, who raises the following question, based on this text of the Haggadah: “It could be from Rosh Chodesh [that one would have to discuss the Exodus. However] we learn [otherwise, since] it is stated, ‘On that day.’”

Why would we think we should start expounding upon the events of Yetzias Mitzrayim on Rosh Chodesh Nissan? Isn’t it the halacha that we begin studying the laws of yom tov thirty days prior to the beginning of the festival? Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, however, disagrees. He holds that one must begin reviewing the halachos of a yom tov two weeks prior to the onset of the festival.

Since the commonly accepted practice is “dorshin b’hilchos ha’chag shloshim yom kodem ha’chag,” the Haggadah ought to state “yachol m’Purim” and not “yachol mei’rosh chodesh.” We would think that the mitzvah of

relating the events of Yetzias Mitzrayim begins at the same time that we are required to begin studying the halachos of the chag; i.e., on Purim. Rav Aharon asserts that from here we see that the author of the Haggadah was Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, who maintains that we are obligated to begin to learn about a yom tov two weeks prior to its onset. It would follow, then, that the mitzvah of Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim would begin then as well.

Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel addresses this erroneous notion when he writes in the Haggadah, “yachol mei’rosh chodesh.” Since the mitzvah “dorshin b’hilchos ha’chag” begins two weeks before yom tov, we would think that the mitzvah of Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim begins then as well.

Rav Aharon points to the opening paragraph of the Haggadah to further bolster his thesis that Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel wrote the Haggadah.

This is the bread of affliction that our forefathers ate in the land of Mitzrayim. Whoever is hungry, let him come and eat! Whoever is needy, let him come and partake of the Pesach offering

The Korban Pesach is unique in that, unlike other korbanos, it can be eaten only by those who had previously registered as participants of that specific Korban Pesach. One who was not part of the group who arranged to share the meat of that korban may not decide to join after the korban has been slaughtered.

How can we then declare — at the Seder — that anyone who wants can join and partake of the Korban Pesach? If they were not part of the group who planned to eat this specific Korban Pesach, then they are prohibited from eating it!

There is one way to join after a Korban Pesach was slaughtered, and that is if a condition was stipulated at the time of the slaughtering. The korban was brought on behalf of those already part of the chaburah, as well as on behalf of anyone else who may desire to join the group, even after the korban is brought.

Anyone who would join at a later point would retroactively be considered to have been part of the initial group through the principle of bereirah, which allows one to make a selection at a later point and have it considered as if that had been his intention all along.

Throughout Shas, there is one Tanna who consistently maintains yeish bereirah. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel is the one who professes the concept of bereirah as a halachically applicable principle.

As the author of the Haggadah, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel can truly say, “Whoever is hungry, let him come and eat! Whoever is needy, let him come and partake of the Pesach offering.” It is his principle of yeish bereirah that allows even those who join late to be considered among the chaburah assigned to a specific Korban Pesach. It is his view that one should begin studying the halachos of a yom tov two weeks before that would lead one to think that the mitzvah of Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim starts from Rosh Chodesh.

Approach #7: Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanos

Rav Yitzchak Yosef cites the Siddur Rashban, written by Rav Shlomo Tzvi Shick. In this remarkable work, he discusses the various parts of the siddur, identifying who

P20 wrote each section and when it was written. He advances that the Haggadah was authored by Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanos, the author of Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer. He was a student of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai and the rebbi of Rabbi Akiva.

The Rashban advances eleven proofs that the Haggadah was written by Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanos; here are several examples:

The Name “Haggadah”

The title of the compilation recited at the Seder is “Haggadah.” Siddur Rashban ponders the origin of this title. He postulates that it cannot be from the pasuk, “V’higadeta l’bincha ba’yom ha’hu, and you shall tell your son on that day” (Shemos 13:8), because were this the source of the mitzvah of Haggadah, then we ought to say, “V’chol ha’marbeh l’hagid…harei zeh meshubach” and not “V’chol ha’marbeh l’saper…harei zeh meshubach.”

Rather, he suggests that the word Haggadah means “to draw,” as Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanos explains the meaning of the word “gad” in reference to the manna. The Torah tells us that the manna was “k’zerah gad lavan” (ibid. 16:31). Rabbi Eliezer explains that the manna served to whet the appetite of one consuming it. In this same manner, the Haggadah is meant to gad, draw, the attention of the children, to pique their curiosity.

The title “Haggadah” is thus appropriate for the Seder night when we interpret its meaning as does Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanos.

Matzah is Lechem Oni

Matzah is referred to as lechem oni, bread of affliction This can be understood in one of two ways. One way to understand this title is that matzah is a bread “she’onim alav devarim harbei, over which much discussion is held,” as, indeed, there is an abundance of speaking over the matzah.

Another approach to the description of matzah as lechem oni is that it must be simple; it must be an impoverished form of bread. It cannot be baked with oil, wine, honey, or any other additives. It must be “a poor man’s bread.”

Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanos rules that one is permitted to incorporate oil, wine, or honey into the matzos. He must therefore ascribe to the first definition of lechem oni. The matzah is called thus because it is a bread which sparks much discussion.

It is this point of view that prompted him to write the Haggadah, a fulfillment of the mitzvah inherent in the expression “lechem oni: she’onim alav devarim harbei.”

Mah Nishtanah

The Haggadah incorporates the Mah Nishtanah, which is a stam Mishnah, a Mishnah whose authorship is not explicitly ascribed. It is commonly accepted that stam Mishnah k’Rebbi Meir; i.e., a Mishnah whose authorship is not ascribed to any specific Tanna is presumed to have been taught by Rebbi Meir. He

learned it from his rebbi, Rabbi Akiva, who in turn was taught it by his rebbi, Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanos.

Avadim Hayinu

The text of Avadim Hayinu, which is recited after the Mah Nishtanah, is not found in Shas. The Gemara mentions only the first two words. The rest of the paragraph, including the phrase, “v’afilu kulanu chachamim…,” originates from a discussion in Mechilta

In the Mechilta, Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanos provides the source for the halacha that even a group of chachamim who celebrate the Seder together are obligated to discuss the events of Yetzias Mitzrayim. He derives this ruling from the pasuk, “Mah ha’eidos v’ha’chukim, What are these testimonies and the decrees…” (Devarim 6:20), which, he teaches, is referring to the son who is called chacham, wise.

Clearly, the text of Avadim Hayinu as we have it in our Haggadah follows Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanos’s teaching in the Mechilta.

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The Haggadah is teaching that even someone who has achieved the loftiest level of Torah, as Rabbi Akiva had, would still be obligated to participate in the mitzvah of Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim.

These are several of the proofs that the Siddur Rashban brings in support of his assertion that the Haggadah was written by Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkanos.

Approach #8: Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi

A Haggadah was published in the style of the great gaon, the Malbim. The Malbim Haggadah advances that the Haggadah could not have been written prior to the era of the Tannaim, because Rabbi Yehudah bar Ila’i is quoted in the Haggadah. He taught the mnemonic Detzach Adash B’Achav.

Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi was a student of Rabbi Yehudah bar Ila’i. Rav, in turn, was a student of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi, while Shmuel served as his personal physician.

The Gemara contains a dispute between Rav and Shmuel with regard to which events are to be recalled under the umbrella of “maschil b’ganus,” beginning with the lowly origins of the Jewish people. Rav held that in discussing the lowly origin we must mention the fact that our ancestors engaged in idol worship. Shmuel disagrees, stating that the ganus is that initially we were slaves.

Clearly, Rav and Shmuel had a text of the Haggadah. They merely disagreed as to how the Haggadah begins, but evidently it had already been written.

The Haggadah must, then, have been written in the time of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi, since his rebbi is quoted in the Haggadah, and his student already had the Haggadah.

Moreover, the format and wording of the Haggadah parallel that of the Mishnah, and none of the Amoraim are mentioned in the Haggadah. The Haggadah must have been written during the time of the Tannaim, but after Rabbi Yehudah bar Ila’i and before Rav and Shmuel.

The Malbim Haggadah therefore concludes that the Haggadah was composed by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi. Rebbi was the author of the Haggadah. He was the redactor of the Mishnah, and he incorporated Mishnayos and Mishnaic expressions into the Haggadah Shel Pesach.

Approach #9: Chachamim in Kerem B’Yavneh

Rav Yaakov Chaim Sofer quotes the sefer Aggados Yaakov, authored by Rabbi Yaakov Shur. In this sefer, an analysis of the language of the Haggadah demonstrates that it was authored by one of the early Tannaim.

The Gemara relates that after the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed, the Chachamim were exiled to Kerem B’Yavneh. Their primary concern there was ensuring the perpetuity of the Torah. They feared that Torah, especially the Torah Shebe’al Peh, would be forgotten.

Present at this holy convocation were Rabbi Yehudah, Rabbi Yose, Rabbi Shimon, and Rabbi Nechemiah, who were all students of Rabbi Akiva. In an effort to preserve the Torah for future generations, Rabbi Yehudah wrote the Sifra, also known as Toras Kohanim Rabbi Shimon scribed the Sifri on Bamidbar and Devarim. Rabbi Yose authored Seder Olam, and Rabbi Nechemiah wrote the Tosefta. Although the general principle was that Torah Shebe’al Peh was not meant to be written, they chose to write these works as a way to preserve the Torah. Rabbi Yaakov Shur postulates that these same Chachamim wrote the Haggadah as part of their efforts to preserve the Torah.

Approach #10: The Jewish People

Rav Avigdor Miller maintains that the Haggadah was not authored as the complete document we have today. Rather, it developed over generations.

He notes that the Haggadah is like a mushroom after it rains. Although its text is now formalized, it is continually growing. Even though we cannot add to the wording of Haggadah today, there are new peirushim and explanations constantly being written.

Rabbi Miller’s approach allows for all the previously mentioned potential authors to have contributed to the Haggadah. But none of them was the sole author, and there were others who added to the Haggadah. Together, they created the beautiful Haggadah Shel Pesach that we use every year at the Seder, and that we will continue to use until the Ultimate Redemption, bimheirah v’yameinu, Amen

Sparks of Light

Baruch HaMakom – The Place For Every Child at the Seder

By Rabbi Benny Berlin

As Pesach approaches, Jewish homes fill with activity and anticipation. But behind the cleaning, cooking, and shopping, there are families quietly carrying something heavier. For many parents and grandparents, the days leading up to Pesach are not only about physical preparation. They are emotional and spiritual as well.

At the heart of the Haggadah is the section of the Four Sons. Before we even meet them, we say: “Baruch haMakom, Baruch Hu, Baruch shenasan Torah l’amo Yisrael, baruch Hu.” Four times, we say, “Baruch.” Rabbi Shimon Schwab ties these four expressions of blessing to the four very different types of children the Haggadah is about to discuss. Each child brings their own questions, challenges, and character, and yet for each one, we say “Baruch.” This demonstrates that each child is a source of blessing and part of the Jewish people’s story.

It is no coincidence that the name we use for Hashem in this moment is “HaMakom.” Rabbi Schwab points out that “HaMakom” is the name we turn to in moments of pain, as in “HaMakom yenachem eschem.” It is the name we invoke when something hurts, when something is missing. That is because “HaMakom” means that Hashem is everywhere, even in the places where we feel Hashem’s

absence. It means that Hashem holds a place for every Jew, even those who have wandered far and even those who are not at our Seder tables.

The Haggadah does not ignore the challenges that come with parenting. It does not pretend that all children are the same. The wise son asks deep questions, the simple one is content with little, the one who does not know how to ask is pas-

pain of that rejection can be overwhelming. Some parents may feel helpless, even ashamed. But the Torah offers another way to see the moment.

There are children who test us, who disappoint us, who choose paths we never imagined. And yet the Haggadah reminds us that they are still our children. The rebellious son is still part of the story. We still speak to him. We do not erase him.

It means that Hashem holds a place for every Jew, even those who have wandered far and even those who are not at our Seder tables.

sive, and the rebellious son distances himself and rejects what he was given. But yet, the Torah still calls each one “your son.”

There may be someone reading this for whom this is not theoretical. A father or mother may have reached out before yom tov, pleading with a son or daughter to come to the Seder. Sometimes the child refuses, choosing to spend the night elsewhere, engaged in activities that seem to mock everything the Seder represents. The

Pesach night is called “Leil HaSeder” not only because of the order of the rituals but because it provides clarity. It puts our minds in order. It gives us the ability to look at our lives with a wider lens. The Haggadah enables us to see that every soul has a place in Hashem’s world, even if their journey looks very different from what we hoped. The souls that come into this generation are often the most complex. They may be challenging to raise, but they were

entrusted to us for a reason. And this test is not only for the parents. It is a challenge for the entire community. When Moshe Rabbeinu began the process of redemption, it started with his willingness to look at the pain of his brothers. The Torah says, “Va’yaar b’sivlosam,” he saw their suffering. He gave his eyes and heart to feel what they were going through. Redemption begins when we see not only our own children but also those struggling by making space for every child.

This Pesach, as we sit at the Seder and speak of the Four Sons, let us remember that they are all ours. Let us say each “Baruch” with full sincerity. Let us turn to HaMakom and recognize that He has a place for all of us. Let us remind ourselves and each other that there is no child beyond hope. No soul that cannot be reached. The Seder is a night of telling stories, but it is also a night of writing new ones. May this Pesach be a time of healing, clarity, and renewed love. May all our children find their way home. And may we merit to say, all together, “Baruch HaMakom, baruch Hu.”

Rabbi Benny Berlin is the rabbi of BACH Jewish Center in Long Beach, New York. For more information, visit: www.bachlongbeach.com

PeSAch

Do You have a Father?

Rav Moshe Weinberger

According to many poskim, one may fulfill the mitzvah of v’higadita l’vincha, teaching the story of the exodus from Egypt to children, through an agent. According to this opinion, the main purpose of the mitzvah is that the children should hear the story. It is not a mitzvah that must be fulfilled personally like tefillin, which may not be performed through an agent. The sefer B’tzeil Hachochma (Vol. 6:67) and Teshuvos V’hanhagos (Vol 2:215) advo -

cate this approach. According to this view, the mitzvah to teach the story of the exodus is like the mitzvah of bris mila and teaching Torah to one’s children, which may also be fulfilled through an agent.

Along similar lines, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l, rules (Halichos Shlomo 111) that when many people are gathered together for a Seder, each father need not individually recount the exodus to his own son privately. It is perfectly acceptable for one person to lead the Seder, recounting the story of the exodus to everyone present. It is not even necessary for each father to specifically appoint the leader as his agent to fulfill the mitzvah of recounting the exodus to his son. His role as agent for everyone present is obvious and need not be spelled out.

The sefer B’tzeil Hachochma even adds that the usual principle of (Kiddushin 41a) “it is better to fulfill a mitzvah personally than through an agent,” is not applicable. There is no reason to avoid fulfilling the mitzvah through an agent.

how I made a mockery of Egypt...” This is similar to the ruling of the Haflo’oh (on Kiddushin 30a), who rules that if a father is unable to teach his son Torah, it is preferable that the child’s grandfather teach him instead, based on the pasuk (Devarim 4:9), “And you shall make them known to your children and your children’s children.” The reason behind this rule is that the grandfather is preferable to anyone else in the world because he is one generation closer to our acceptance of the Torah on Sinai. He is therefore a most fitting Torah teacher if one’s father cannot teach his son himself.

We must further examine this relationship between the generations as it applies at the Seder.

Being a Father, a Son, and a Firstborn

There are, however, those who disagree with these poskim. Most notably, Rav Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, in Chazon Ovadia (p. 323), rules that one may not fulfill the mitzvah of teaching his children about the exodus on Seder through an agent. He explains that the lesson of emunah in Hashem of the Seder night only truly enters a child’s heart when taught by his or her father. According to this view, the father should teach his children about the exodus, or at least personally join in the discussions regarding the exodus at the Seder.

In addition, grandfathers also have a mitzvah to recount the exodus to their grandchildren as the pasuk (Shemos 10:2) says, “In order that you shall tell your son and your son’s son

The haftara for Shabbos Hagadol ends with the pasuk (Malachi 3:23-24), “Behold I will send you Eliyahu Hanavi before the coming of the great and awesome day of Hashem, that he may turn the heart of the fathers back through their children and the heart of the children back through their fathers.” The Midrash (Shmos Raba 3) says, commenting on these pesukim, “Siman l’geulah ha’rishona she’b’anochi yeirdu l’Mitzrayim…v’siman l’geulah ha’acharona she’b’anochi heim misrapim v’hein asidim l’higael…” Our sages say that a sign of the original redemption was that the Jewish people descended to Egypt with the word “I,” as the pasuk (Bereishis 46:4) says, “I will go down with you to Egypt.” And Hashem took us out of Egypt with the word “I.” And it is a sign of the final redemption that the Jewish people will be healed and redeemed with the word “I,” as the pasuk says, “Behold I will send you Eliyahu Hanavi...”

According to the Midrash, the key to exile and our original redemption, as well as our final redemption, is one word, “anochi, I.” The nature of the original exile and redemption and our current exile and upcoming redemption are connected.

In order to understand how this is so, we must first delve into nature of the conflict between the essence of the Jewish people and the nature of Egypt. And in order to do that, we shall examine the first words Hashem commanded Moshe to relate to Pharaoh, which were (Shemos 4:22-23) “‘My son, my firstborn, Israel... Release my son that he may serve me’ and he will refuse to release him, [tell Pharaoh] ‘Behold, I will kill your son,

your firstborn.’” We therefore see that Hashem sets up the process of the exodus from Egypt as a battle between the Jewish concept of “firstborn” and the Egyptian concept of “firstborn.” We must now understand the inner meaning of this struggle.

Before we can understand the difference between the Jewish and Egyptian concepts of “firstborn,” we must first understand the more general concepts of what it means to be a father or a son, what it means to be a firstborn, and why it is that (Avos 3:14) “chavivin Yisroel she’nikri’u banim l’Makom, the Jewish people are so precious that they are called children of the Omnipresent.”

In order to understand these concepts better, we must use a principle we received from Rav Tzadok Hakohein (Machcheves Charutz 86, Yisroel Kedoshim 33, and elsewhere). Rav Tzadok taught that if we want to understand the essence of a concept, we must look at the first place in Tanach where the word which refers to that concept is found. The way the word is used there teaches us the deepest essence of the meaning underlying that word.

The word for “father” is used for the first time in Bereishis 4:20-21, although it is not used in the context of a biological relationship. The pesukim there say as follows: “And Ada gave birth to Yaval, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have cattle and the name of his brother was Yuval, he was the father of all those who grasp the lyre and flute.” We therefore see that the essence of what it means to be a “father” has nothing to do with biology. These individuals, Yaval and Yuval, initiated new ways of doing things, they blazed new trails such that anyone else who followed in their path throughout history is like their child and they are that person’s parents, who brought them into that way of life. Yuval, as the father of music, brought the potential of all future music into the world such that anyone who creates music from his time until now is merely actualizing an element of the potential for that music which Yuval brought into the world. Being a father really means beginning a path and bringing others along that path after him.

We can now infer from the essence of the concept of “father” what it means to be a son. Being a son means continuing in one’s father’s path, actualizing the potential one’s father brought into the world and continuing in his ways.

The Tanya (Perek 2) explains the deep connection between a father and son in detail. Chazal (Eruvin 70b) characterize a son as the leg of the father. The legs of a person move him forward. Similarly, one’s children pick up where he leaves off, continuing in his path and often accomplishing things that he may not have been able to achieve in his lifetime for whatever reason. Indeed, the root of Yuval’s name means “l’hovil, to bring,” because as the father of music, he brings that path in life from the past into the future.

Being a child therefore means being the parent’s legs. That implies movement. On a spiritual level, people are not meant to remain static. Rather, we must constantly move from one level to the next. Hashem’s first commandment to our father Avraham was “lech lecha, go!”

The Torah is called a “path,” as the pasuk (Shemos 18:20) says, “And you shall make known to them the path on which they should walk.” The essence of man, who was created from the earth, is to take what came before him

and move it forward more and more. That is the essence of the productivity of man. The essence of the earth, the original birthplace of man, is not that which is in it but what it can produce. It has infinite potential. One apple tree with all of its apples and seeds can produce billions of apples over centuries to come. That is one reason why man, Adam, is named for the word for earth. Being a true human being means constantly actualizing one’s potential. If someone remains static, without growing, that is a type of failure because it violates the essence of man’s nature. That is why Chazal call one’s children his legs. They follow in his path and bring his hopes and dreams to fruition.

That is why the Torah emphasizes the mitzvah of honoring one’s father and mother so much. The essence of the son is to actualize the potential within his parents. This is the essence of our mesorah, our holy tradition, which we pass on from generation to generation. It is also the essence of the concept of “firstborn,” since a firstborn child is the first stage of the process of bringing the path of the Torah into the next generation.

According to the Vilna Gaon (end of Safra D’Tzneiusa), “The first child [whether male or female] is like a parent to all of the other children.” Similarly, Rav Tzadok

Being G-d’s Firstborn

All of this provides the groundwork for us to understand why the Jewish people are described as “bini bechori Yisroel, My son, my firstborn, Israel.” Hashem is the Creator and “first cause” of the world at large, in regard to which the pasuk (Koheles 5:7) says, “For the Highest over the high, over whom there are even higher ones, waits.” Only the Jewish people are called G-d’s “children” and his “firstborn.” Out of everything and everyone in the world, Hashem has only one “firstborn.” Based on what we have learned, we now understand that this is because we are Hashem’s “legs,” so to speak. Our role is to actualize His dreams and hopes. We are the means by which Hashem moves His great project forward. We are, as it were, the ones who make Hashem into “our Father,” as the pasuk (Yirmiyahu 2:3) says, “The Jewish people are sanctified to Hashem, His first fruits.” Only Hashem’s firstborn can move His project forward through the Torah, which is also called “first,” as the pasuk (Mishlei 8:22) says, “Hashem acquired me [the Torah] at the beginning of His way before His ancient works.”

Being a father really means beginning a path and bringing others along that path after him.

Hakohen wrote (Resisei Layla) that “it is known that the firstborn have an elevated status because he includes all those born after him within himself, and this is the reason for the obligation to honor one’s oldest brother as explained by the Arizal...” The firstborn therefore shares the quality of his parents relative to his siblings because he began the process of bringing his parents’ way of life into the next generation. That is why the Torah (Devarim 21:17) calls a firstborn son “reishis ono, the beginning of [his father’s] strength.”

The firstborn is the one who “makes” his father a father. Until a man has children, he is just an aleph, which has the numerical value of the number one. He is just one individual person. But when he has his first child, he adds the quality of “two,” the letter beis, so he is then an av, a father,” which is spelled with the letters aleph and beis

A firstborn son has two qualities. On the one hand, he is his father’s son, but he is also like a father to his siblings who come after him. It is because of this double quality that he inherits a double portion of his father’s property. This “double-ness” is the essence of a firstborn. Indeed, the word for a firstborn, “bechor,” equals the number two three times, i.e., 222.

The amazing thing is that the centerpiece of the recounting of the Exodus at the Seder comes from some of the verses (Devarim 26:5-10) recited by those bringing their “first fruits” to Yerushalayim. By bringing these first fruits to Hashem, the Jewish people rectify the curses of (Bereishis 3:17-18) “the earth shall be cursed because of you,” and “thorns and thistles will grow for you.” When Hashem’s “first” born bring their “first” fruits, it serves as a part of the rectification of the original sin and curse of Adam. They recount the story of the Exodus, in which they say, as homiletically explained in the Haggadah, “Arami oveid avi, an Aramean attempted to destroy my father.” He tried to destroy the concept of “father.” At the time of Adam, the snake tried to cut off Adam and Chava from their Father above, which led to the ground being cursed. By connecting themselves to their forefathers by recounting the Exodus when they brought their first fruits from the ground which produced produce rather than thorns and thistles, they demonstrate that they are still connected to their ancestors and to their Father above.

The Exodus from Egypt was the ultimate showdown between the Jewish concept of firstborn and the Egyptian concept of firstborn. The Egyptian concept of firstborn was that all man needs is within him and before him. He needs nothing from the past and need not look above for anything he needs. This is why Moshe’s first words to Pharaoh were that his “firstborn” would be killed. A major purpose of the Exodus was to “kill” the Egyptian concept of firstborn. As we say in the Shacharis davening, “You killed their firstborn and redeemed the firstborn of Israel.” The Exodus served as the destruction of the Egyptian concept of firstborn and the victory of the Jewish concept of firstborn, i.e., that we must look above us and into the past to the path which we carry forward into the future.

On the deepest level, the root of evil and heresy in the world is the modern Western world’s effort to sever the connection between fathers and sons, between parents and children. The world teaches us that we as a society and our children as individuals do not come from anywhere. Each exist as independent realities

which do not need to build on anything greater than themselves or continue any project bigger their own individual lives. The Torah (Bamidbar 24:20) describes the nation which represents ultimate evil as “Amalek is the first of the nations and his fate is everlasting destruction.” Their focus is only on their end. They have no beginning. For them, there is no “in the beginning, G-d created...” There is no Father. They recognize only themselves.

Egypt, too, is called (Yechezkel 29:3) the “sanin ha’gadol, the great serpent.” The serpent in Eden was cursed (Bereishis 3:14) with “and you shall eat dust all of the days of your life.” The fact that the snake had everything it needed right under its nose without the need to look toward Hashem or anything or anyone outside of itself for its sustenance was considered the ultimate curse. So, too, Egypt was described (Bereishis 13:10) as “like the garden of G-d was the land of Egypt.” Because Egypt received all of its sustenance from the overflowing of the Nile and never had to depend on rain, they also had everything that they needed without realizing that they had to look above for anything. This is why the Egyptian concept of “firstborn” was that they were totally self-sufficient and had no need to look into the past or to their Father above for their sustenance. Egypt was full of keshufim, magic. Hebrew uses that word for magic (Sanhedrin 67b) because magic “she’michachishin pamli shel maaleh, denies the hosts above.” Instead of walking, of moving forward, like a man, Egypt, the serpent =“slithers on [its] belly.” It wants everything to be right in front of it so that it need not ever look up or back.

When we are redeemed, that redemption will also include (Yeshayahu 27:13) “those exiled in the land of Egypt.” What does it mean for us to be exiled in Egypt? It means that we and our children are cut off from the generations before us. Over the last fifty years, Western society around us delivers books, comics, and movies depicting children as the main characters with no parents in the picture at all. This is an effort to kill the concept of fatherhood. Even when parents do figure into today’s stories, they are usually pitiful, incompetent characters or worse. This is especially true with regard to how fathers are portrayed. There is no sense of recognition that the previous generation has anything to offer or any path that must be carried forward.

Pharaoh says (Yechezkel 29:3), “Li yeori v’ani asisani, the river is mine and I made it.” It appears that Pharaoh was delusional; that he thought that he made the Nile. But that is the “firstborn” attitude of Egypt. It is the attitude of “there was nothing worthwhile before me. Everything starts with me, and I need not look elsewhere.” Today, too, we have come to expect that we do not have to look anywhere but under our own noses for anything. One goes to a single “super” market for everything he needs. He can find all information in the world and communicates with anyone, anywhere, using a device he carries in his pocket. This culture cultivates a feeling that the world begins and ends with oneself.

In reality, the original firstborn son was Reuven, Yaakov’s first son, about whom he said, “Bechori atah kochi v’reishis oni, you are my firstborn, my power and my first strength.” Yaakov did not focus on his “ani ,”

his ego. Rather, his focus was on “oni, my strength,” on Hashem which powered him. The only “I” Yaakov was focused on was the “I will go down with you to Egypt,” that Hashem would take us out of Egypt with the word “I ” and finally, “Behold I will send you Eliyahu Hanavi...” When Eliyahu comes, the pasuk says he will return the hearts of the fathers to the sons and the hearts of the sons to the fathers. We will see the restoration of the connection between the generations.

The Egyptian attitude is the focus on the external, while our focus is on the internal. That is why, on the night of the Exodus, we were commanded (Shemos 12:22-23), “And no man shall go out of his house until morning. And Hashem will pass to smite Egypt and He will see the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts and He will jump over the door and He will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to smite.” On Pesach, we have to focus on life within the home, and we may not leave. Even non-observant Jews usually recognize that Pesach is the time to be home with the family. Pesach is the time for parents and children to be together, for the children to ask questions, and for parents and grandparents to communicate the

the individual at the expense of the collective. Therefore, parents attempt to calculate how they can most effectively limit their children’s freedom, while the children plan and scheme how they can free themselves of their parents and their old, outmoded ways.

The Jewish way is that the father should be viewed as the source, the go-to person for the children to learn a way of life. Fathers also attempt to provide a framework in which their children should live but not for the purpose of enslaving them or hampering their freedom. Rather, the goal is to bring them into an elevated way of life, to sign them up for the great mission for which our people were appointed. The goal is to liberate them to be who they truly are and fulfill the potential of who they can become. The father’s goal is to implant within his children the faith that Rav Kook spoke so often about, “to believe in one’s own inner essence,” to believe in the Divine spark within them and the great destiny that awaits them.

The whole purpose of the Seder is to reconnect the generations so that the children learn to look at their parents and grandparents as guides to teach them their path in life.

chain of tradition of faith to the next generations so that they continue in that path.

Many of our minhagim at the Seder are specifically designed (Rambam, Chometz U’Matza 7:3) “so that the children should see and ask questions.” The whole purpose of the Seder is to reconnect the generations so that the children learn to look at their parents and grandparents as guides to teach them their path in life. The message is clear: “You have a father! You come from somewhere deep and ancient! Turn your heart to your father and carry on his path!”

In the modern world, there is no father. He has been killed. In the classic Greek myth of Oedipus Rex, the main character killed his father, the king, so that he could become king. That is the attitude today. One Jewish professor wrote that there are two types of relationships between fathers and sons: “Me or you” or “Me and you.” The modern Western world celebrates

Without a father, without any transmission of the truth of a path in life, there can be no true sense of identity and therefore no freedom. That is why the Haggadah presents cutting oneself off from tradition, from the Jewish people, as the ultimate heresy, when it says about the wicked son, “hotzi es atzmo min ha’klal…kafar b’ikkur, he removed himself from the community [and thereby] denies a fundamental principle of faith.”

“Do You h ave a Father?”

The yahrtzeit of Rav Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik is coming up on the fourth day of Pesach. I was moved to the core by a story from his childhood in Khaslavich which was included in a recently published book, Vision and Leadership. I will quote a few paragraphs which affected me deeply:

By sheer association, I recall an experience of my early youth. I was then about seven or eight years old. I attended heder in Khaslavich, a small town on the border of White Russia and Russia proper. My father was the rabbi of the town. My teacher was a “Habadnik ,” a follower of the Lubavitcher Rebbe[, the Rebbe Rashab]... He taught me how to experience Judaism and not just practice it.

The episode that I am about to relate took place on a murky winter day in January. I still remember the day; it was cloudy and overcast. It was after the Hannukkah festival, and the Torah portion of the week was Vayigash (Gen. 44:18-47:27). With the end of Hanukkah, the little serenity which this festival brought into the monotonous and listless lives of these poor Jews passed... As far as the boys from the heder were concerned, a long and desolate winter lay ahead. It was a period in which we had to get up while it was still dark and then return home with lanterns in our hands because nightfall was so early.

On that particular day, all the boys were in a depressed mood – listless, lazy and sad. We recited – or I would rather say chanted mechanically – the first sentences of Parshat Vayigash in a dull monotone. We read mechanically: “Then Judah approached him [Joseph] and said: . . . My lord asked his servants saying: ‘Have you a father or brother?’ And we said to my lord:

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‘We have an old father, an av zeken, and a young child of his old age, a yeled zekunim’” (44:19-20).

Then something strange happened. The melamed, the teacher, who was half asleep while the boy was droning on the words in Yiddish and in Hebrew, suddenly jumped to his feet with a strange, enigmatic gleam in his eyes. He leaped to his feet like a lion. He usually had velvety blue eyes, but suddenly his eyes became piercing, searching, and investigating. He motioned to the reader to stop and turned to me, “Podrabin!” – assistant to the rabbi, as he called me whenever he was excited – “What kind of question did Joseph ask his brothers? ‘Do you have a father?’ Of course they have a father; everybody has a father! The only person who had no father was the first man of Creation, Adam. But whoever is born into this world has a father. What kind of question was it?”

I tried to answer. “Joseph,” I finally said, “meant to find out whether the father was still alive.”

“In such a case,” the melamed thundered back at me, “he should have phrased the question differently: Is your father still alive?” (cf. Gen. 43:24).

To argue with the melamed was useless. As he began to speak, he no longer addressed himself to the boys. The impression he gave was that he was speaking to some mysterious visitor, a guest who had come into the heder, into that cold room...

“Joseph,” the melamed continued with fervor, “was anxious to know whether they felt themselves committed to their roots, to their origins. Are you, Joseph asked the brothers, rooted in your father? Do you look

upon him the way the branches or blossoms look upon the roots of the tree? Do you look upon your father as the foundation of your existence? Do you see him as provider and sustainer of your existence? Or are you a band of rootless shepherds who forget their makor, their origin, and wander from place to place, from pasture to pasture?”

Suddenly, he stopped addressing himself to the strange visitor, and he began to talk to us. Raising his voice, he asked: “Are you modest and humble? Do you admit that the old father represents an old tradition? Do you believe that the father is capable of telling you something new, something exciting, something challenging, something you did not know before? Or are you insolent, arrogant, and vain, denying your dependence upon your father and your makor?”

“Do you have a father?!” exclaimed the melamed , pointing at my study-mate Yitzik, who was considered the town’s prodigy. The melamed turned to him and said: “What do you say? Who knows more, you or your father the blacksmith who can hardly read Hebrew? Are you proud, Yitzik, of your father?” he asked. “Do you feel humble in his presence? Do you have a father?” ...

The answer the sons of Jacob gave to Joseph must hold true even today. We are still committed to our “old father,” to a great mysterious past and to eternal ideals. Only this can account for our mourning for a Temple consumed by fire nearly two thousand years ago; only this can account for our deep attachment to the Land of Israel. We are committed not only to a great past, but to a glorious future, to the “young

child.” The child is our ambassador of the future. We behold a great vision of tomorrow, and we know that in order to realize it we must know how to bring up and educate the child. We are both past-minded and future-oriented.

There is an ancient Jewish custom that the first word the child says when asking the four questions is “Tatteh leben, dear father.” One time, a child left out the phrase “dear father” when asking the four questions in front of Rav Yissochar Dov of Belz. The Belzer Rebbe corrected him, “You left out the most important part of the four questions!”

We want Hashem to answer all of our questions and teach us the Torah. But we must first recognize that we have a precious Father above! The Seder concludes with “the little lamb that father bought for two zuzim.” Hashem invested the two zuzim of the Torah in us and thereby brought us into a way of life to make us His legs in this world, to give Him a dwelling place in this lower world.

May we merit to celebrate Pesach together next year in Yerushalayim with the coming of Moshiach and the return of parents’ hearts to their children and the children’s hearts to their parents.

Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congreagation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.

As we wind down from the winter and spring emerges, there is much excitement in the air. With much delight, we see the grass and trees turn green and the beautiful flowers sprout everywhere. It is time for a new beginning. The Torah marks this occasion with the yom tov of Pesach, the holiday of open miracles.

The climax of all of our preparation is the first night of Pesach. It is a time when we sit around the Seder table with our children around us. We encourage their questions, and we respond with loving and understandable answers, each on his or her personal level. Teaching our children about the miracles Hashem has done for us and the forming of the Jewish nation is a focus of the evening.

I find it fascinating that the Haggadah clearly states that the obligation of teaching the story of Yetzias Mitzrayim must take place at the Seder table when matzah and marror are placed before you. Why not in shul or in any other place or time? Perhaps a nice walk in the park would be a beneficial place to communicate with our children.

There is a very significant message

Parenting Pearls

Pesach A Time For Gratitude

By Rabbi Dov Silver

The Hannanshvili family’s Seder in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1924

that we must learn from this Chazal. This lesson is the concept of family meals. Although there is much professional, secular literature written on the subject, it was first introduced by Chazal.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at an Ivy League university in New York conducted a study a few years ago on the significance of family dinners. “Kids who live in families that eat together regularly are less likely to be involved in anti-social behaviors.” They reported that “these children are 61% more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs.”

The report lists additional benefits of a family eating together, including bonding time; time for family updates; opportunity to resolve family conflicts; time to model good manners; and healthier diets.

So, the argument and need for family dinners is quite clear. However, I can also understand the argument that a bais medresh or a library might be much more conducive to concentrating and learning new subject material. Why is the quiet, more private setting not recommended? Let’s explore and better understand why this is the case.

Rabbi Shimshon Pincus, zt”l, in his remarkable way, explains the significance of communicating and teaching at mealtime. He explains that when a person is hungry and sits down to eat, he feels G-d in his life in the most profound way. Before he eats, he is weak and hungry and feels a lack of energy. Then, in an instant, as he starts to eat, he feels himself getting stronger and energized. At this point, his feelings of gratitude to Hashem are at its peak. It is a time that he can see that G-d is the Provider of all food, and he can more easily feel Hashem in his life.

In the same vein, on the night of the Seder, while we are already at a meal and in the mindset of gratitude, we are taught to tell the story of our ancestors leaving Egypt to become a nation. As a result, we feel gratitude to the Creator of the world. The gratitude flows from our stomachs to our hearts and to the rest of the body. We can actually feel the difference in our bodies in a matter of seconds.

This message is appropriate for people of all ages. It is possible to teach gratitude to even very young children. Yes, to communicate to them the need to be grateful is important. But to really

drive home this message of gratitude, the most effective way is to teach by example. When our children observe us in this light, it makes a deep and lasting impression on them. We must strive to constantly share and imbue this important attribute in our children.

Unfortunately, however, I often observe that our children have come to expect everything they are given without understanding the hardships that had to be overcome in acquiring these things. Instead of entitlement, parents should strive to teach humility and appreciation.

Recognizing that everything in our life comes from Hashem is a feeling that brings much stability and emotional health. If we would focus on this lesson, perhaps we would see less hardship and pain within our community.

I bless our community to have much nachas from their children. We should be successful in raising good, healthy, and grateful children.

Good yom tov.

Rabbi Dov Silver is the founder and executive VP of Madraigos.

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

P38 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.

“Rabbi Lew was the principal

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.

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.”

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

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

From Darkness to Light

Rabbi Doniel Katz Helps otHeRs HaRness tHe poweR of D’veiKus in elevating tHeiR RelationsHip witH HasHem

By Malkie Schulman

he key to healing and transformation, according to Rabbi Doniel Katz, founder and director of The Elevation Project, lies in helping individuals access d’veikus, a deep connection to the Divine.

“When you help people experience this, they can tap into it and feel joy and clarity from within themselves,” he says.

This approach is rooted in helping people access their emotional and spiritual states so they can experience a more transcendent and meaningful relationship with Hashem.

An Awakening

Rabbi Katz was born in Melbourne, Australia, to a very assimilated Jewish family.

“Neither my parents nor my grandparents had grown up with religion. As a child, I’d never even met a religious Jew.

I had a Reform bar mitzvah and attended a secular Jewish elementary school called Sholom Aleichem, where I learned some Yiddish and was introduced to Zionism. That was it.”

At the age of 24, Rabbi Katz’s father, who was born in Austria and who together with his parents had fled to Shanghai during World War II, took him to Austria and Israel. In the spirit of reparation, the Austrian government had a program to encourage Jews to return to Austria. They held a ceremony where they presented the Jews with a key to the city. After that trip, the Katzes continued to Israel.

“I was totally disconnected from my Jewish roots. I had no interest in visiting Israel. My father had to promise me a trip to the Egyptian pyramids for me to agree to accompany him,” says Rabbi Katz with a laugh.

A pivotal moment occurred when his fa-

ther took him to Kikar Zion in Jerusalem. With tears in his eyes, his father recalled living in Jerusalem in 1948, at the time the State of Israel was declared.

“I remember him turning to me and saying, ‘Look at what we built,’” shares Rabbi Katz. “We had grown up very secular, so I was amazed that he had that Jewish pride.”

However, though he hung around the Old City and even spent time in Aish Hatorah and Tzfat, Rabbi Katz soon returned to Melbourne to continue his career in film and theater, winning some awards for his short films along the way.

“Like most typical Jewish spiritual seekers, I had gotten into eastern religions like Buddhism, Hinduism and Sufism,” notes Rabbi Katz. “But the only place I never considered looking in was my own backyard.”

It was only close to three years later, in

2000, that he returned to Jerusalem to explore his roots more deeply.

Rabbi Katz spent a few years learning at various yeshivas including Yeshiva Ohr Somayach and Aish Hatorah. And while the traditional yeshivish style of learning had a lot to offer, for Rabbi Katz, it wasn’t the only item on the menu. There was a power to the mystical teachings that attracted him. As he immersed himself in chassidus, he came to understand that this is what’s missing in our generation.

As he observes, “Learning Gemara and mussar are absolutely vital, but there’s a crisis of spiritual disconnection today, not just among the secular. There’s so much darkness around, we need to build emunah. There are too many people coming out of the yeshiva system with no real feeling of connection to Hashem.”

For the past 20 years, Rabbi Katz has dedicated himself to teaching Torah, fo -

cusing on Jewish mysticism and Kabbalistic teachings. He has created an app to be launched in June to share these teachings with the world and organizes multi-day retreats to offer wisdom and healing.

“Transformational chassidus is the movement the world is waiting for,” he asserts. He is building the infrastructure to make that happen. Through his organization, the Elevation Project, Rabbi Katz seeks to build a global movement that offers the spiritual seeker a path toward deep spiritual awakening.

While Rabbi Katz is sometimes referred to as a “healer,” he does not identify with this label.

“I’m not a healer; I’m a mashpia ,” he says. “My role is to draw from all the streams of Torah and, through Kabbalah and cassidus, attune myself to the individual in front of me—bringing down the depths of Torah and transmitting its profound teachings in a way that speaks directly to their heart. Hashem is the Healer. When a person’s soul is awakened, healing occurs naturally.”

If you can open a person to the holiness within, it will shift their heart and their body in beautiful and powerful ways.

“The Ba’al Shem Tov and Ari Hakadosh both say,” continues Rabbi Katz, “that the root of all sickness is that we lose contact of the soul within our body. And the root of all healing is to return the neshama back to our body.”

Generational Challenge

After extensive travels through communities around the world and conversations with rabbanim, Rabbi Katz shares a growing concern he hears repeatedly: While outward observance (chitzoniyus) has never been stronger, the inner feeling and experience ( pnimiyus) of connection to Judaism is facing serious challenges. There seems to be a crisis of meaning and a loss of connection to the deeper aspects of our tradition.

“And it’s because of Galus,” he says simply, “our 2000-year exile.”

The Jewish nation has been in fight/ flight mode for so many years, we’ve lived through expulsions, pogroms and Holocausts. When you’re in survival mode, all the resources of the body are centered on survival. There is no time or energy for anything else. For centuries, Jewish leaders needed to focus on strengthening the study of Gemara and strict observance of Jewish law.

“It’s incredible that they were able to accomplish that and rebuild after all our losses. But now we have the time and the menuchas hanefesh to re-tap into what

we’ve missed over the years. It’s not about creating new ideas,” insists Rabbi Katz, “it’s about rediscovering the depth of the Torah that’s been lost. Unfortunately, some people don’t understand that. They think we’re trying to turn Judaism into something that it never was.”

Thousands of Jews today, frum people included, are running to non-Jewish personal development platforms through meditation and self-healing programs like Tony Robbins, Joe Dispensa, Eckhart Tolle, breathwork, psychedelics and Landmark.

“It’s sad,” reflects Rabbi Katz, “because all this knowledge is in the Torah.”

Chazal in the Gemara and in the Navi state that in the times of Moshiach Torah will be forgotten in a true way.

“The true way,” Rabbi Katz explains,” is the ‘p’nimiyus of Torah,’ the ability to feel that deep connection to Hashem and to infuse that connection into every aspect of life. Chazal, the Zohar, the Ba’al Shem Tov, the Gra and the Leshem (to name a few) say pnimiyus of Torah is what ultimately will bring us back to Hashem.

“Today, we have stadiums full of Yidden finishing Shas, baruch Hashem, nevertheless at a Shavuos resort event I was giving a shiur to the frum olam on the importance of kavana, and a woman came up to me pleading with me to talk to her 12-year-old son who was refusing to go to shul. ‘Before I speak to your son,’ I said, ‘let me speak to your husband.’ After speaking to her husband, I could easily see why her son had no interest in davening. When I asked the father if he felt Hashem when he davened, he shrugged his shoulders. ‘I daven to be ‘yotzei’ like I was taught in yeshiva,’ was his painful [to Rabbi Katz] response.

“How can we expect our children to love davening when we ourselves don’t know how to daven with kavana – to feel Hashem’s overwhelming love? If we ourselves can’t feel Hashem’s light around us during prayer and we can’t feel the pressure and distress we’re carrying release as we talk to Him, it’s not a generation of children at risk. It’s a generation of parents at risk.”

The bottom line is you can’t give over to your kids what you don’t feel yourself. Torah’s essence is not just in its intellectual study but in its ability to transform the individual on a deep, personal level.

Then we get into the realm of education, how children are being taught in schools. Our holy seforim are filled with techniques on how to reach our children but nobody is teaching them. If we don’t teach children how to recognize their fears and calm their minds, we are setting ourselves up for a tremendous challenge. We don’t teach them how to authentically connect to Hashem in

their daily life. We make kids Torah-abiding Jews but don’t teach them how to heal emotionally. For example, Rabbi Katz maintains, a good mechanech should listen before speaking. Who am I talking to? What is this child going through? What’s their journey? These are all questions a teacher should be asking before they begin the class. What often happens is that the teacher or rebbe only transmits halacha and hashkafa. This is the chitzoniyus.

“When a mother comes to me and says,” Rabbi Katz observes, “‘My son was the best in yeshiva and suddenly he went off the derech. What happened?’ I know that can’t have been the case. No child ‘suddenly’ goes off the derech. What happens every single time is that the outside looks good, but no one was listening to the child’s inner world. The best mashpi’im listen to the bochur who admits that he feels like a failure because he’s not a talmid chochom. They sit with the kinderlach and listen to their fears, doubts and worries. They build from the inside out.”

Not long ago, Rabbi Katz shares, he

received a call from a menahel who had heard about a class Rabbi Katz had given on rikuz hamachashava– a technique for how to focus in order to open the heart to tefillah. He asked if Rabbi Katz could teach the technique to his rebbeim so they could teach their talmidim.

“I said I’ll come down to teach the technique to your rebbes so they can learn how to do it for themselves. Otherwise, it’ll just become another chumra the rebbe is pushing on his bochurim. You must conquer your own heart before you teach to others.”

Unfortunately, the menahel was not interested in that mehalech

“But we went later to a Bais Yakov and taught 12-year-olds how to truly daven with kavana. The girls were crying. They had no idea they could feel this close to Hashem.”

Outreach in 2025

Though so much money has been invested in kiruv, they’re not reaching the numbers they aspire to. The question is why.

Rabbi Katz is adamant that we must

look at current generation’s needs. Each era has its own challenges, and if we continue offering something that may have worked in the past but doesn’t address today’s reality, it’s doomed to fail. Intellectual understanding and explanations were wonderful 30 years ago when seekers were craving answers to how do we know there is a G-d, but that is not the call of this generation.

“It says in the Navi Amos that the times before Moshiach there will be a hunger and a thirst, not for food and water but for d’var (the word of) Hashem. The Gemara explains that ‘d’var Hashem’ is prophecy. People will crave that direct spiritual experience, the deep soul connection. They will want to feel Hashem not just intellectually understand the concept of G-d. Especially,” adds Rabbi Katz, “ba’alei teshuva who’ve been across worlds and back, who’ve seen light and seen darkness. They need something deeper to bring them alive.”

That Torah to bring everyone back will be pnimiyus haTorah. Just like with the observant community, it’s not simply transmitting knowledge, but helping people con-

is the Torah that has the power to create movements, ones that bring people back to their Judaism with a renewed sense of purpose.

Rabbi Katz recalls an experience in New York. A retreat participant shared that the teachings helped him put into words something he’d been feeling for a long time.

“When you give a generation the language to express what they were all collectively feeling and struggling with but could never find the words, that’s how you begin to spark transformation.”

Elevation retreats bring together a diverse group of people, religious and secular, united by their desire for spiritual connection. Rabbi Katz claims he’s seen firsthand how gathering these different groups together creates powerful unity. The goal isn’t to make people more religious externally but to help them form a deeper, more authentic relationship with Hashem…and themselves. The sense of Jewish unity formed in the retreat space alone is a game-changer.

And the most powerful tool of all?

it allows us a bigger impact. Let’s say, you have a needle in a haystack, and you want to get the needle wet. What’s the best way to do it? Searching for the needle in the haystack or hosing down the entire haystack knowing that the hidden needle will get wet? The answer is obvious. Flood the world with Torah, and the secular Jew will hear about it as well.”

nect with their own spiritual core in a way that’s immediate and profound.

“We did a $500,000 film shoot in Tel Aviv,” shares Rabbi Katz, “for an upcoming video series. We hired one of the top secular film crews in Tel Aviv. After the shoot, we were bombarded with questions from them. They’d never heard or seen anything like what we were offering and were surprised to discover that it was in their own heritage. We ended up taking the director of photography out for dinner who admitted to an incredible spiritual awakening because of what he’d seen. He’s started to investigate his Yiddishkeit.

“These are the kinds of breakthroughs we are witnessing.”

The key to reaching people is not about pushing new ideas but about helping them express something that’s already inside. At his retreats, participants are often drawn to teachings that resonate with the subtle, unexpressed yearnings of their heart and soul. This is the secret to creating lasting change, speaking to the heart of what people already know and feel deep inside. This

D’veikus, the experience of deep connection to Hashem. It’s a real-time practice that changes the nervous system and emotional state. It’s a core part of our tradition and also a mitzvah in the Torah. It’s brought down in every holy book and is accessible today to every person. D’veikus provides instant simchas hachaim and menuchas hanefesh and opens you up to Hashem and His guidance. It’s more beautiful than any other transformational work in the world. Through d’veikus, you can access clarity, knowing Hashem’s aura is within you. Tears roll down their faces as people say, “I didn’t know I had this in me.”

“At first, we used to end our retreats by teaching participants how to access d’veikus,” Rabbi Katz explains. “But we soon realized this is where we needed to begin. Everyone can experience it right here and now. No need to wait until you’ve worked through all your trauma. Wherever you are, you can access deep connection with Hashem.”

Teaching Torah to the World

Expanding that opportunity to more Jews, Rabbi Katz maintains, requires thinking beyond the traditional kiruv model. The future of outreach lies in sharing our teachings with the wider world, not solely the Jewish community.

“There’s a massive thirst for spiritual transformation across the world. People are searching for a connection to something greater.

“We’re not looking to make converts,” he insists, “but if we reach out to non-Jews,

Thousands of people are looking online at Eckhart Tolle, Rabbi Katz points out. But we have these next-level teachings in Torah, so when we share them on platforms like Instagram, people recognize that this is the deep truths they’ve always wanted to discover within their own tradition. Teaching consciousness is the grand unifier. When we lead with consciousness and inner transformation, people respond. They say, “Oh, you understand me.” And when the whole world embraces these teachings, Jews start coming back. That’s what it means to hose down the haystack. In the times of Moshiach, penimiyus haTorah will spread to the entire world. People are beginning to say, “This is the Judaism I always wanted to learn.” And when they find it, they bring it back to their spouses, their children, and their communities.

There are Christian groups in middle America that unfortunately have many Jews attending their church circles. There have been several ex-Christians who discovered Christianity to be false and are spiritual seekers.

“We had a small group learning with us for many years,” notes Rabbi Katz. “They have big souls.”

“These individuals were dismayed when they saw uninformed Jews attending Christian groups, knowing the Torah contains all the wisdom they’re searching for. They made it their mission to attend some of these circles, find the Jews, draw them out and encourage them to come learn the real thing.”

It’s also gratifying for the secular Jew to see the non-Jew appreciating Torah’s wisdom. It gives them a feeling of pride, “Wow, we have something from our own religion to offer,” they say. Secular Jews love to feel that their own tradition is making an impact. When Torah becomes a global brand, more profound than anything else in the world, it creates massive interest, and when that happens, Jews start flooding back.

The transformative power of Rabbi Katz’s approach of spreading Torah is illustrated in the following remarkable story.

A Christian woman in Australia, active in the Salvation Army, discovered Rabbi Katz’s online program and shared it with her church. The members were deeply moved by it, and each week they would

meet to discuss what they described as the most powerful spiritual healing they’d ever experienced.

Then the church leader shared it with her son and his Jewish wife, who, as it turns out, is Rabbi Katz’s niece.

“So now my niece who had no Jewish connection all her life, along with the Christians, falls in love with Elevation. Then my niece shares it with her mother, my sister,” relates Rabbi Katz. “My sister is a talented psychologist but not especially knowledgeable when it comes to her own religion. She also was drawn to it, and now half my family has fallen in love with Judaism and are turned back on to their roots.”

Of War, Spiritual Growth, and the End of Days

Rabbi Katz believes that the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Arab world, which has elicited such rabid antisemitism around the world, is deeply connected to the spiritual state of the Jewish people. He sees the struggle as a reminder of the Jewish people’s unique role as a light unto the nations.

“It’s Hashem’s last line of defense to remind us of our Jewish identity. Hashem is telling us ‘The gentiles don’t care about you, but you have to care about you.’ Left, right, religious, secular, we all

must unite and start being the light.”

“It’s amazing,” he continues, “how many of the non-religious leftist hostages, who didn’t believe in G-d before, spent a year subsisting in tunnels under horrific conditions and began praying and connecting to Him. They recognized that it was only Hashem Who was keeping them alive.”

because, she said, ‘I just wanted to do something Jewish.’ Hashem knows what He’s doing. He’s waking us up from the four corners of the world.”

Every source says that before a period of great light, there is darkness.

“We’re on the edge of a rebirth,” Rabbi Katz maintains. “The Holocaust brought us to the Land of Israel. Now we’re in

“it’s not about cReating new iDeas. it’s about ReDiscoveRing tHe DeptH of tHe toR aH tHat’s been lost.”

this personal spiritual practice as the foundation for a broader, collective shift toward redemption.

“The Baal Shem Tov taught about Torah Chadasha , the inner Torah that will be revealed in the time of Geula,” he explains. “When we do mitzvos today with emunah, with a clear awareness of Hashem’s will, we begin to experience their true power. It’s the same mitzvos we’ve always done, but now we’ll see and feel their spiritual impact, whether it’s in tefillin, prayer, or learning Torah. We’ll understand how our actions affect the upper worlds.”

How can every individual set forth on this path in their own lives? Through a daily spiritual practice of d’veikus. Every Jew should learn a technique to access d’veikus and practice it for 10-15 minutes a day, he says.

The spiritual awakening goes further.

On the online webinars Rabbi Katz and his team have hosted, they have seen disengaged Jews expressing a renewed desire to reclaim their Jewish identity.

“We’re hearing story after story. One non-observant person told us that after October 7, for the first time, she felt the desire to connect to his Judaism. She drove two hours to buy a kosher burger

a time of spiritual return. We need to gather the best of every path. That’s who Moshiach will be – the best of all of us.”

This belief is reflected in Rabbi Katz’s teaching style. In the middle of a class on chassidus, he’ll often bring in Mussar.

“Rav Yisroel Salanter was a gadol ,” he says. “I love teaching all the different paths.”

Looking ahead, Rabbi Katz envisions

“It will change them,” Rabbi Katz asserts, “and it will change the world.”

This is what people are searching for when they turn to practices like breathwork and other spiritual modalities. They’re looking for direct experience. We need to recognize that the moment for this awakening is already here.

The time is now. We’re seeing the beginning of a global rebirth, and the best is yet to come.

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 s ePha Rdic h eRitage 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 Fo R t hought voluM e 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.

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.

My Israel Home A Hidden Gem in Jerusalem

By Gedaliah Borvick

My mother lives on David Shimoni Street in Jerusalem’s Rassco neighborhood. Despite its central location and rich history, Rassco remains largely unknown to overseas visitors. A few streets, such as Tchernichovsky and Shimoni, hold a measure of recognition, partly due to their notable past residents. For instance, Rabbi Benjamin Scharfman, renowned for his blue Chumashim with linear English translations, and Rabbi Alfred Kolatch, author of The Dictionary of English and Hebrew First Names, once called Shimoni Street home.

For those unfamiliar with Rassco, that may soon change. The neighborhood is undergoing a significant revival, spurred by new residential projects and the anticipated Green Line of the Light Rail, which promises to further connect the area to the rest of the city.

Rassco is situated in a prime location, west of Old Katamon, north of Kiryat Shmuel and Rechavia, and east of the Botanical Gardens, Nayot, and Givat Mordechai. The community is a vibrant mix of ages and backgrounds, with secular and religious families living side by side. Local amenities include several synagogues, kindergartens, elementary schools, and the country’s oldest community center, situated on Herzog Street.

Officially named Givat Havradim –

Hill of Roses – the neighborhood is more commonly known as Rassco, after the company that constructed many of its buildings in the 1950s. These modest four-story structures, or shikunim (as they were developed by the Misrad Hashikun, or Ministry of Housing), were built to house the influx of over a million olim, including many Jewish refugees from

shikunim have since become outdated and are not earthquake-resistant. This has made Rassco a prime candidate for urban renewal, with two major programs—TAMA-38 and Pinuy Binuy— driving the transformation.

TAMA38-1 strengthens existing buildings to meet earthquake safety standards while adding new floors to create

Due to the urgency of the housing crisis, these buildings were often finished with stucco instead of the traditional stone exteriors mandated by municipal ordinances.

Arab countries expelled after 1948. Due to the urgency of the housing crisis, these buildings were often finished with stucco instead of the traditional stone exteriors mandated by municipal ordinances. By the 1970s and 1980s, Rassco saw further development with the addition of taller, stone-clad buildings featuring modern amenities like elevators and parking. However, many of the original

additional housing. Residents benefit from expanded apartments, complete with safe rooms (mamad ), and upgraded infrastructure, while developers profit by selling the new units. TAMA38-2 takes down the original building and replaces it with a brand-new building.

Pinuy Binuy, on the other hand, involves demolishing several older buildings and replacing them with modern,

higher-density developments. This approach, which in effect creates new sub-communities, addresses several needs at once: residents receive new apartments; municipalities gain updated communal infrastructure, more housing, and increased tax revenue; and developers profit from the sale of new units.

Rassco has already seen several completed TAMA-38 projects, and a number of sizable Pinuy Binuy initiatives are in the pipeline. These developments are breathing new life into a well-located established neighborhood that has needed modernization.

With its prime location, strong public transportation links, and more affordable prices compared to its better-known neighbors – Old Katamon, Rechavia, and Kiryat Shmuel – Rassco has become an increasingly attractive option. As the neighborhood continues to evolve, we expect our Anglo clients will keep discovering and embracing this hidden gem in the heart of Jerusalem.

Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome.com), a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail.com.

Chol Hamoed

Places to Go, Things to Do

Chol Hamoed Places

Pesach comes out as the buds are beginning to blossom and the sun starts to peek through the clouds. We hope to have balmy temperatures as we celebrate Chag HaAviv, but remember that nothing warms you up more than enjoying quality time together. Take advantage and spend time with the family during chol hamoed – indoors or outdoors.

Pesach comes out as the buds are beginning to blossom clouds. We hope to have balmy temperatures as we nothing warms you up more than enjoying quality time with the family during chol hamoed

TJH has compiled a list of ideas, activities, and places to go for you to enjoy. Make sure to pack enough food (macaroons, matzah, and marshmallows!) and music for the road and have fun!

TJH has compiled a list of ideas, activities, and places enough food (macaroons, matzah, and marshmallows!)

Zoos and Farms

Queens County Farm Museum

73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, NY 11004

718-347-3276

White Post Farms

250 Old County Road, Melville, NY 11747

631-351-9373

New York Aquarium

Surf Avenue & West 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11224

718-265-FISH

Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center

431 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901

631-208-9200

Prospect Park Zoo

450 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225

718-399-7339

Queens Zoo

53-51 111th Street, Flushing, NY 11368

718-271-1500

Central Park Zoo

64th Street & 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10065

212-861-6030

Hamoed

Places to Go, Things to Do

blossom and the sun starts to peek through the we celebrate Chag HaAviv, but remember that time together. Take advantage and spend time hamoed – indoors or outdoors.

places to go for you to enjoy. Make sure to pack marshmallows!) and music for the road and have fun!

Green Meadows Farm

73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, NY 11002

718-470-0224

Green Meadows Farm Brooklyn

At the Aviator Sports Center 3159 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234 718-470-0278

Rose Hill Farm 19 Rose Hill Farm, Red Hook, NY 12571 845-758-4215

Greig Farm

227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY 12571 845-758-8007

Bronx Zoo

2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460 718-220-5103

Long Island Game Farm

489 Chapman Boulevard, Manorville, NY 11949 631-873-6644

Scenic Attractions

Central Park

Boating, biking, the Great Lawn, model-boat sailing, carriage rides, carousel Between 5th & 8th Avenues and 59th & 106th Streets, New York, NY 212-360-3444

Bryant Park

6th Avenue, between W 40-42 Street, New York, NY 10018 212-768-4242

Hempstead Lake State Park

Eagle Ave, West Hempstead, NY 11552 516-766-1029

New York Highline

Gansevoort St. to West 30 St. between Washington St. and 11 Ave., New York, NY 212-500-6035

Brooklyn Bridge Park 1 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 718-222-9939

Little Island Floating Park

Pier 55 in Hudson River Park West 13 Street, New York, NY 10014

Roosevelt Island Tramway

300 E Main St, New York, NY 10044 212-756-7476

Fort Tyron Park

Riverside Drive to Broadway, W 192 Street to Dyckman Street, New York, NY

New York Circle Line

Pier 83, West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036 Pier 16, South Street Seaport, New York, NY 10038 212-563-3200

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferries from Battery Park, NY 1 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004 212-363-3200

Jamaica Bay Riding Academy

7000 Shore Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11234 718-531-8949

Bethpage Equestrian Center

499 Winding Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804 516-845-1000

New York Equestrian Center 633 Eagle Avenue, West Hempstead, NY 11552 516-486-9673

Old Westbury Gardens

71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568 516-333-0048

Sands Point Preserve

127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, New York 11050 516-571-7901

Great Neck Steppingstone Park

38 Stepping Stone Lane, Great Neck, NY 11021 516-487-9228

Sagamore Hill

20 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay, NY 11771 516-922-4788

South Street Seaport

89 South St., New York, NY 10038 212-732-7678

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

900 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 718-623-7200

Brooklyn Heights Promenade Downtown Brooklyn Remsen Street to Orange Street along the East River

The New York Botanical Garden 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458 718-817-8700

Wave Hill Public Gardens

4900 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471 718-549-3200

Union Square Greenmarket Union Square West, New York, NY 10003 212-788-7476

Historic Richmond Town 441 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306 718-351-1611

Bear Mountain State Park Route 9W North, Bear Mountain, NY 10911 845-786-2701

The Amish Village 199 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, PA 17572 717-687-8511

Mystic Seaport 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355 888-973-2767

Amusement Parks

Six Flags Great Adventure 1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527 201-862-0250

Hersheypark

100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 717-534-3900

Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park 1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 833-263-7326

Adventureland

2245 Broad Hollow Road (RT 110), Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-694-6868

Adventurer’s 1824 Shore Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11214 718-975-2748

Luna Park Coney Island 1000 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224 718-373-5862

Bayville Adventure Park 8 Bayville Ave, Bayville, NY 11709 516-624-7433

Big Kahuna Water Park & Diggerland 535 N Route 73, West Berlin, NJ 08091 856-767-7580

Indoor Fun Parks

Legoland Discovery Center Westchester 39 Fitzgerald Street, Yonkers, NY 10701 844-740-9223

P68

Fun Fuzion at New Roc City

19 Lecount Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801 914-637-7575

Fun Station USA

3555 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314 718-370-0077

The Funplex

3320-24 NJ-38, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

856-273-9666

Laser Bounce

80-28 Cooper Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385 347-599-1919

Laser Bounce

2710 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown, NY 11756 516-342-1330

RPM Raceway Go-Karting

40 Daniel St, Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-752-7223

RPM Raceway Go-Karting

99 Caven Point Rd, Jersey City, NJ 07305 201-333-7223

One World Observatory

Beat the Bomb

255 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 917-983-1115

Brooklyn Boulders

23-10 41 Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101 718-482-7078

MetroRock Brooklyn

321 Starr Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237 929-500-7625

High Exposure Rock Climbing

266 Union St, Northvale, NJ 07647 201-768-8600

Area53 Adventure Park

616 Scholes St, Brooklyn, NY 11237 347-305-7448

Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park 5 Prindle Ln, Danbury, CT 06811 203-942-2585

Long Island Adventure Park

75 Colonial Springs Rd, Gate #3, Wheatley Heights, NY 11798 631-983-3844

One World Trade Center, 117 West Street, New York, NY 10007 844-OWO-1776

Chelsea Piers

Hudson River—Piers 59-62—New York, NY 212-336-6800

Edge at Hudson Yards

30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001 332-204-8500

Woodmere Lanes

948 Broadway, Woodmere, NY 11598 516-374-9870

Maple Lanes RVC

100 Maple Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 516-678-3010

Funfest Bowling

6161 Strickland Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11234 718-763-6800

Chuck E. Cheese

162 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11550 516-483-3166

Chuck E. Cheese

750 Sunrise Highway, Valley Stream, NY 11581 516-234-5535

Kids N Shape

162-26 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach, NY 11414

866-567-1989

Circus Academy NY 467 Marcy Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206 212-242-8769

P70

Trapeze School NY – Pier 40

353 West St, New York, NY 10014

212-242-8769

Empire Adventure Park

1500 Old Country Rd, Westbury, NY 11590

516-992-6778

Urban Air

4422 2nd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232

347-732-5438

Urban Air

683A Old Country Rd, Dix Hills, NY 11746 631-213-3894

Skyzone Trampoline Park 33 Lecount Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801 914-740-8272

Skyzone Trampoline Park 111 Rodeo Drive, Deer Park, NY 11717

631-392-2600

Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park 241 Market Street, Yonkers, NY 10710 914-510-9119

Launch Trampoline Park

163-50 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414

718-593-4204

Ferox Ninja Park

72 Noble St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

347-482-1580

DEFY

77 Willowbrook Blvd., Wayne, NJ 07470 973-302-3340

iFLY

849 Ridge Hill Blvd, Yonkers, NY 10710 914-449-4359

Glow Golf

Roosevelt Field Mall, Garden City, NY 11530 516-747-3682

Topgolf

1013 US-1, Edison, NJ 08817 732-374-4097

Smith Point Archery 215 E Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772 631-289-3399

Rise NY 160 West 45th St, New York, NY 10036 718-701-4998

City Climb

30 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001

332-204-8500

Dave & Busters

395 Gateway Dr, Brooklyn, NY 11239

718-368-6100

Dave & Busters

1504 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY 11590 516-542-85011504

Palisades Center

1000 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack, NY 10994 845-348-1000

American Dream Mall

1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

Skating

Iceland Long Island

3345 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040 516-746-1100

City Ice Pavilion

47-32 32 Place, Long Island City, NY 11101

718-706-6667

Long Beach Ice Arena

150 W Bay Dr, Long Beach, NY 11561 516-705-7385

Northwell Ice Arena

200 Merrick Ave, East Meadow, NY 11554 516-441-0070

Lefrak Center Ice Skating 171 East Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11225 718-462-0010

Big Snow 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073 833-263-7326

United Skates of America 1276 Hicksville Rd, Seaford, NY 11783 516-795-5474

Something Different

Puppetworks

338 Sixth Avenue, Park Slope, NY 11215 718-965-3391

Build a Bear

Roosevelt Field Mall, 630 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530

516-248-0027

Build a Bear

9015 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373 718-289-7135

Sloomoo Institute: Slime Museum

475 Broadway, New York, NY 10013 Sloomooinstitute.com

Color Factory NYC

251 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013

Artrageous Studio

5 N Village Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 516-255-5255

Once Upon a Dish

659 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 516-742-6030

Brooklyn Clay Industries 62 5th St, Suite 306, Brooklyn, NY 11205 301-395-0143

Color Me Mine

123 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013 212-374-1710

Color Me Mine

177 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10023 212-877-0007

La Mano Pottery

110 West 26 Street, New York, NY 10001 212-627-9450

Casa de Spin

81 Grand Avenue, Massapequa, NY 11758 516-654-7746

Taro’s Origami Studio

95 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215 718-360-5435

Bury the Hatchet 25 Noble Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222 917-243-9696

2BA Pilot Flight Lessons

9100 Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY 11735 516-662-8887

Classic Harbor Line Sailing

Chelsea Piers, Pier 62, New York, NY North Cove Marina, Battery Park, New York, NY 212-627-1825

Museums

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

Pier 86, 12th Avenue and 46th Street 212-245-0072

9/11 Memorial and Museum

200 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10006 212-266-5211

Jewish Museum

1109 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128

212-423-3200

Museum of Jewish Heritage 36 Battery Pl, New York, NY 10280 646-437-4202

Living Torah Museum 1603 41 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218 718-851-3215

Long Island Children’s Museum 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 516-224-5800

Museum of Ice Cream 558 Broadway, New York, NY 10012 866-665-1018

Skyscape

928 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10019 212-549-1941

Museum of Illusions

77 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10014 212-645-3230

National Museum of Mathematics

11 East 26 Street, New York, NY 10010 212-542-0566

Brooklyn Children’s Museum 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-735-4400

Jewish Children’s Museum 792 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213

718-467-0600

Children’s Museum of Manhattan 212 W 83rd St, New York, NY 10024 212-721-1234

NYC Fire Museum

278 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013 212-691-1303

American Museum of Natural History

Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 212-769-5100

New York Hall of Science

47-01 111th St, Corona, NY 11368

718-699-0005

Metropolitan Museum of Art

1000 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10028

800-662-3397

Frick Collection

1 E 70 St., New York, NY 10021 212-288-0700

Lower East Side Tenement Museum

103 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002 877-975-3786

The Skyscraper Museum

39 Battery Pl, New York, NY 10280 212-945-6324

Banksy Museum

277 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013

Madame Tussaud’s New York 234 W 42 Street, New York, NY 10036 212-512-9600

CitiField Non-Game Day Tours

41 Seaver Wy, Queens, NY 11368 718-803-4097

Yankee Stadium Tours 1 E 161 Street, Bronx, NY 10451 646-977-8687

Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, NY 11721 631-854-5579

Liberty Science Center

Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305 201-200-1000

Crayola Experience

30 Centre Square, Easton, PA 18042 1-866-875-5263

The Franklin Institute 222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-448-1200

Please Touch Museum 4231 Avenue of the Republic (formerly North Concourse Drive), Philadelphia, PA 19131 215-581-3181

Imagine That! Children’s Museum 4 Vreeland Road, Florham Park, N.J. 07932 973-966-8000

TJH assumes no responsibility for the kashrus, atmosphere, safety, or accuracy of any event or attraction listed here. Please call before you go. Have a great time!

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.

Cooking for the Pesach Crowd

By Naomi Ross

The sedarim of my youth involved long tables, lots of folding chairs, and, in general, a lot of guests. Armed with a stack of Maxwell House Haggadahs, an industrial-size can of macaroons and copious amounts of matzah, we who lived in the house knew Pesach was a time to serve a crowd…to make some new memories and to relive old ones. Sure, there was work to be done, but intermingled with the preparations was an almost tangible excitement in the air that fueled our energy. While the menus may have evolved (I don’t miss those macaroons! See updated recipe below!), we do try to create the same atmosphere of anticipation.

Serving a Crowd

Seasoned cooks and hosts know that the dishes and menu choices which accommodate a large crowd may differ from what you might make for an intimate meal. If large quantity cooking is new to you (or if you just need a little refresher), here are some tips to help along your menu planning and preparations.

Menu Considerations

Make a list of all the dishes you plan on serving. Then consider the following: the cost of the ingredients, how much time is required (and how complicated the recipe is), and the yield (i.e. how many it will serve).

• Cost: Some recipes are not cost efficient for serving a crowd. Braised short ribs, for example, are a lovely choice for a small dinner party, but if you are cooking for 25, a large piece of meat (like a brisket or roast) will be a more economical choice.

• Time: Cooking large quantities takes longer than small quantities – obviously, it will take longer to peel 20 potatoes than 5 potatoes, so factor in that extra time. Limit (or eliminate!) long or complicated recipes, and choose recipes that scale up in quantity easily.

• Yield: Look for recipes that have a large yield. A recipe can be doubled or even tripled, but beyond that, the numbers don’t always add up, and the quality and taste of the recipe may be compromised.

More Helpful Hints…

• Large quantity storage: Plan ahead to have space in your refrigerator for all you will be cooking. Don’t forget you will also need to store leftovers. If you have a second fridge/ freezer, plug it in and get those big storage containers and tins (with covers!) ready.

• Think ahead! Are your pots, pans and serving dishes large enough to prepare and serve your intended recipes? If not, consider making a new purchase or switching the recipe.

• When multiplying a recipe, keep in mind that cooking times may differ if you change the recipe size – doubling does not mean doubling the cooking time, but adjustments often have to be made with a watchful eye.

• Delegate, delegate, delegate! Be realistic about how much you can do by yourself. Enlist “helpers” and delegate chores so that others can be involved in the mitzvah of making Pesach…and the mitzvah of preventing the host/hostess from being overwhelmed!

MeaT & v egeTable soup

This is a loaded “kitchen sink” type of vegetable soup with a large yield – a perfect choice for a holiday soup to feed a crowd. Most of the work of this soup is cutting vegetables – prep ahead!

Yield: 16-18 servings

Gluten Free/Pesach Friendly/ Freezer Friendly

Ingredients

◊ 3 quarts (12 cups) water

◊ 1-pound beef flanken, cut into chunks (in between bones)

◊ 3 beef bones

◊ 5 celery stalks, thinly sliced

◊ 1 very large or 2 medium onions, chopped

◊ 4 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

◊ 4 small (6-8 inch) zucchini, halved and thinly sliced crosswise into half-moons

◊ 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced

◊ 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed

◊ 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons)

◊ 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced

◊ 1 large yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced

◊ 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, chopped (or canned diced tomatoes can also be used)

◊ 2-3 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste

◊ ½ teaspoon black pepper, or more to taste

◊ 2 tablespoons sugar

◊ 4-5 tablespoons tomato paste

◊ ½ cup red wine

◊ 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley

◊ 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

Special Equipment: Large stock/soup pot (16-quart capacity)

Directions

1. Skim: Bring water, flanken and bones to a simmer in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. When foam and impurities rise to the top, skim the surface to remove as much scum as possible.

2. Simmer: Add all of the remaining ingredients (except fresh parsley and basil). Stir to blend. Allow soup to return to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer partially covered for about 1½-2 hours.

sHeeT-pan ZuccHI n I an D ToM aToes

Easy vegetables en masse? No problem! Sheetpan roasting on high temperatures is your answer to flavorful, evenly-cooked vegetables.

Serves 16-20

Gluten Free/Vegan/Pesach Friendly

Ingredients

◊ 8 zucchinis, scrubbed, trimmed and cut into 2” long strips (¼” thick)

◊ 3 pints grape tomatoes, rinsed

◊ 6 cloves garlic, minced or crushed

◊ 4 teaspoons kosher salt

◊ 1 teaspoon black pepper

◊ 2 tablespoons fresh or 1 tablespoon dried oregano

◊ 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F degrees. Line two sheet pans with foil. Arrange oven racks to be in the upper third and middle rack oven the oven.

2. Combine all ingredients in a very large mixing bowl; toss to coat.

3. Spread out in an even layer between the two baking sheets.

4. Roast for about 8 minutes; give vegetables a quick stir, then rotate sheets from top to bottom and roast for another 7-8 minutes or until all vegetables are tender and tomatoes are starting to split or burst.

Directions

1. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

2. Mix coconut, sugar and egg whites in a large nonstick saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, about 12 minutes, until mixture appears somewhat pasty but not dry, and individual coconut flakes become visible. Remove from heat. Mix in vanilla extract. Spread out coconut mixture on one of the prepared baking sheets. Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 300°F. Using moistened hands, form walnut-sized mounds; place on prepared sheet, about 1-2 inches apart. Repeat with remaining coconut mixture. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer to rack and cool. Set rack over a baking sheet (or piece of tin foil to catch drips).

4. Place cream/whip topping in small saucepan over medium-low heat until scalding (do not boil). Remove from heat, and add chocolate. Steep for a minute; mix until mixture is smooth and blended. Dip each macaroon in ganache, covering most of the macaroon with a generous blanket of chocolate. Refrigerate until glaze sets, at least 2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.

DO AHEAD: Macaroons will keep for up to 5 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, or 1-2 months in the freezer.

Recipes reprinted with permission from The Giving Table, Menucha Publishers

3. Season: Add parsley and basil; stir to blend. Season to taste, adjusting salt or pepper as needed. Simmer for another few minutes to absorb seasonings; season to taste once more.

coconu T Macaroons w ITH cHocolaTe ganacHe

Adapted from food blogger Molly Wizenberg, these sumptuous treats are the way a real coconut macaroon should taste!

Yield: 2 dozen Gluten Free/Pesach Friendly

Ingredients

◊ 3 cups (lightly packed) shredded coconut

◊ ¾ cup sugar

◊ ¾ cup egg whites (about 5-6 large)

◊ 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

◊ 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

◊ ½ cup heavy whipping cream or frozen nondairy whipping cream, defrosted

Naomi Ross is a cooking instructor and food writer based in Woodmere, NY. She teaches classes throughout the country and writes articles connecting good cooking and Jewish inspiration. Her first cookbook, The Giving Table, was released in December 2022. Follow her at @naomirosscooks on Instagram/FB/TikTok or visit her website: www. naomirosscooks.com

Fish ’n Chips

pareve – yields 6-8 servings

Being an Australian, I couldn’t resist including a fish ’n chips recipe. I came up with this playful twist, coating the fish in these iconic potato stick “chips.” I love that this recipe is baked, not fried.

INGREDIENTS

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 Tablespoons white vinegar

1 cup potato starch

2 (6-ounce) bags potato sticks

2 pounds fresh baby flounder, cut into strips

• oil, for frying

• lemon wedges, for serving

• tartar sauce, for serving (see recipe, below)

METHOD

1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

2 Place eggs and vinegar into a bowl; whisk to combine. Place potato starch into a second bowl and potato sticks (not crushed) into a third.

3 Dip each piece of fish into potato starch, then into egg, and then into potato sticks, making sure the entire strip is fully coated. Place on prepared baking sheet.

4 Bake for 25 minutes.

5 Serve with a wedge of lemon and tartar sauce.

Tartar Sauce

INGREDIENTS

4 large canned Israeli pickles

1 cup mayonnaise

1 Tablespoon pickle juice

2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

METHOD

1 In a food processor fitted with the “S” blade, chop the pickles.

2 Add mayonnaise and pickle juice; pulse to combine.

Nachman

by Naomi

with permission from

Blueberry Cobbler

pareve – freezer friendly yields 8 servings in 1 (9-inch) round pan or 8-10 ramekins

This warm dessert is perfect comfort food any time of the year, from a summer afternoon to a winter evening. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a little extra indulgence.

INGREDIENTS

Blueberry Base

3 pints (6 cups) blueberries ½ cup sugar

½ Tablespoon cinnamon

2 Tablespoons potato starch juice of 1 lemon (about 3 Tablespoons)

Crumbs

2½ cups potato starch

1 cup sugar 1 egg

1 cup oil

2 cups ground almonds or nut of your choice

METHOD

1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare 1 (9-inch) round pan or 8-10 ramekins.

2 Prepare the blueberry base: Combine blueberries, sugar, cinnamon, potato starch, and lemon juice in a bowl. Toss to coat evenly. Place mixture into prepared round pan or divide among prepared ramekins. Set aside.

3 Prepare the crumbs: Combine all crumb ingredients; mix with a fork until coarse crumbs form. Spread the mixture over fruit base in prepared pan or ramekins. To prevent spillage, don’t overfill pan(s).

4 Bake for 60 minutes for 9-inch pan and 45 minutes for ramekins, until the tops are golden brown and crisp.

To take advantage of seasonal fruits, substitute 6 cups of fruit(s) of your choice, such as apples, peaches, nectarines, pears, plums, etc. in place of the blueberries.

Cook’s Tip

Elevating Your Pesach Table Rivky Kleiman Shares Her Secrets for Pesach Cooking

By SuSan Schwamm

Rivky, it’s been only a few years since you came with Simply Gourmet and Simply. When did you come up with this idea for Simply Pesach & Beyond?

It was always a passion that I have had. It always bothered me that many people have treated Pesach food as subpar, like the taste just never could be elevated. And honestly, in my house, Pesach was always all about fabulous food. I was raised in my house that way. I share a story in the preface of the book that illustrates this. A teacher came over to me one time. She said, “Rivky, I have to tell you a story.” Her students had just come back from Pesach vacation, and she was asking them all about what they did that was special over the Pesach break. One said they went to Disney World; the other one said they went to an aquarium. And one little boy proudly stood up and said, “I ate at Morah Kleiman’s house, and it did not taste like Pesach.”

Oh, that’s the biggest compliment.

It was like my crowning moment, you know? There are a lot of available products that people use on Pesach these days. But what made me proud in this book is that I was very cognizant of a lot of different, shall we say, stringencies or different ways that people run their yom tov. Even people who use literally “nothing” on Pesach, there’s so much to come away with from the book.

I see that, and I also see that you use interesting kosher for Pesach ingredients like coconut aminos or coconut flour. When did you start using these types of interesting ingredients in Pesach?

Coconut aminos is a very new ingredient that is kosher for Pesach. It’s just a very close substitution to soy sauce, and it’s very organic. I remember trying, at one point, a “fakeout” for soy sauce for Pesach, but it was very subpar. So I got used to using very real ingredients, like lemon, different vinegars that are out there, and different spices. I found that I was very successful with those ingredients.

A lot of photos in Simply Pesach & Beyond look almost chometzdig – the galette, raspberry ribbons, cookies, meats. How did you come up with these recipes for Pesach?

In terms of the galette, I feel like it’s such a beautiful way to be able to put a sweet side out for family and

guests. I’m very into roasting all different types of vegetables for side dishes. And I think the world likes that type of good, clean eating. But you know what? I still think that people do enjoy a nice, sweet side. The beautiful thing about the galette is, it can be a dessert if you want or it can be a side dish.

I’m not a huge margarine user, although, I will tell you, if it’s necessary, I’ll use it. There are only two recipes in the book that have margarine. My original attempts for those recipes were with oil, and that was disastrous. I tried to freeze oil and see if I could achieve what I needed, but it wasn’t working. The beauty of margarine and its properties is that, as the food is baking, it’s slowly melting into the crust, and that’s what gives you that flakiness.

What recipe would you say was the hardest to perfect?

I would say that there were certain desserts and certain baked goods that were harder to compose than food, for the simple reason that, with food, you have the luxury and the leeway in developing the recipe. You can add a little bit of this, you can add a little bit of that, and you can get there to the right point. When you bake something, if it’s not exact, it won’t work; it’s a science. And if it doesn’t work, you’re back to square one. You’ve got to sit back and try to troubleshoot and see how you can get to where you want to be.

One recipe that was really, really difficult for me was the Glazed Lemon Loaf. In my humble opinion, it’s kind of the Starbucks copycat type, like the ones that you see in the store. It took me a long time to perfect the recipe because my flavor profile was spot-on from the first try. But with gluten-free flours, it’s very unforgiving. I didn’t want – I don’t know if you’ve ever had this, but sometimes, when you’re baking with gluten-free flours, you get that almost little jelly layer on the bottom – I absolutely did not want that. It was very hard to perfect and to get it right. But I worked at it, and I’m very proud of it in the end.

People like to freeze as they cook and bake for Pesach. Which recipes from Simply Pesach & Beyond are good for freezing?

I actually delineated throughout the book anything that freezes well. Pesach is different than making Shabbos, where you’re going to get a meat order or go to the

store and you’re picking up for one meal. The way this year falls out, we’re preparing for six meals at one time, so we need to be smart about our meat orders. When you buy your meat, wipe down the meat, put each portion into a Ziploc bag, fill it with a marinade, take out any air, and freeze it. Make sure to label it. When you need it, as it defrosts, you’re already giving that first layer of flavor to your meat.

This is a time where braised meats very often can be better second time around. So, to me, for ribs or any of the braised meats or briskets, I’ll make them and I’ll freeze them. This way, I can pull them out before the meal to serve them.

When it comes to Pesach, what I tend to do is that I’ll start off and make all my baked goods, because they freeze beautifully.

Which baked goods are staples in your house?

Have you seen that there’s a movement that’s kind of moving away from “real” cakes and going more towards the finger foods? I still make certain cakes – those four that I put into the cookbook – which really go in my house. But I can’t keep up with certain cookies and baked goods. I’m really quite proud of that section. My family loves brownies, though. The brownie I put in, I am telling you, you are not going to taste a better brownie. Period, exclamation point. And the way that you can tell how amazing it is, is that you look at the ingredients. When you have melted chocolate, as well as cocoa, it’s going to be a handsdown winner. That’s when you’re going to get that real fudge. It’s not going to be dry.

Sounds delicious! Let’s talk about eggs this year and the high egg prices. What should someone do with the high cost of eggs?

You know what I would say? Look at the recipes and see how many eggs they need. None of my recipes have

P90

a major amount of eggs. My lemon loaf has two eggs, I believe. My babka has also two, tops, maybe three. I have one recipe in there, a dessert, that calls for six eggs, so if you’re making it, you have to get it right. You can’t mess it up.

Our family happens to eat gebrochts. Do you?

We don’t.

OK. The funniest thing is, my kids wait for Pesach to get their Pesach latkes. Really? Latkes, of all things. And it’s funny, because one of my daughters-in-law, as I was perfecting this recipe, she was so happy because she loves it. There’s not that many eggs in that recipe. But still, you can look for different recipes and find one that has less eggs. Pick and choose a little bit. Or just make one batch.

Going back to the baked goods, in my trials, I found that some recipes really did better with good, old ground almonds instead of with almond flour. For example, my Raspberry Ribbons, which I cannot make enough of, just period, exclamation point. They’re the first thing to put in the freezer. I promise you, I turn over the kitchen, it’s the first thing out. I always end up having to make a double batch, because I can’t keep up with the demand. I used to make it with almond flour, and I just found that it just spread more than I wanted. I tried it with the ground almonds, and shockingly, again, it has to do with the properties of each flour, but it absorbed in a different way. And they’re teeny-tiny gorgeous – did you see the picture in the book for the Raspberry Ribbons?

They’re beautiful – I thought that you could have just taken the photo from your non-Pesach book to use, it looked so good.

I like to make my recipes succinct, and I put in a lot of pictures. I also wrote a guide to gluten-free baking at the beginning of the book to help people with Pesach baking. There was so much I learned along the way, like the difference between baking the biscotti and it filling up your entire baking tray or actually staying in place, you know? I know people don’t like refrigerating or freezing things in between, but you will see a huge difference in your end result.

Do you consider yourself more of a baker or a cook?

What gives you more enjoyment?

That’s a very good question. And honestly, I would have to say it’s even. I get a thrill working with food and flavors. There are times when I’ll almost, in my brain, come up with a concept of what I’d like to see or a flavor profile that I’d like to see. And very often, baruch Hashem – I know it’s a gift from Hashem –I’ll come pretty close to what I thought I wanted to develop with the recipe. At the same time, there were times when you just fall on your face, and you’re, like, oh wow, that’s a big fail, OK, let’s start again. If you’re a food developer, you understand what’s going to work well, what flavor profiles will work well with each other.

When it comes to baking, there’s a math equation of what’s going to work, and then you’re going to play a little bit with different properties and ingredients. I like to be creative.

Do you have any formal training in cooking or baking, or it’s all self-taught?

My mother actually had gone to culinary school, and she really let me be her right-hand woman. But for me, it’s very, very self-taught. When I was younger, my mother really gave me free rein in the kitchen. I would say that by the time I was in sixth, seventh grade, I made all the baked goods for my mother, all the desserts for my mother, all her kugels.

When I was a newlywed, I would make for my husband desserts that would take me, like, 15 hours to put together. I would make him these buttercreams that you needed to whip over an ice bath. I would make these ginormous cakes. That was how Simply Gourmet was really born, because I do like things to be elevated, but, no, you should not have to spend 15 hours on a dessert.

What is on your counter on erev Pesach for people to eat?

My little way of keeping things going is that I always have a potato kugel, an apple kugel, and usually I make – I had actually put into A Taste of Pesach many years ago – a cabbage kugel out for everyone. I’ll cut up tons of vegetables with a dressing so they can dip. And I’ll cut up a lot of fresh fruit. So, this way, the kids really have something to eat. And I’m going to be honest here: the cookies start to come out for them to eat. I also stock up on tons of yogurts and chocolates. I have so many little kids hanging around the house, and there needs to be enough for the adults to enjoy as well. When I put the variety of food out, they just love it. I find I need to have stuff for them to eat, because you can’t just tell them you can’t eat or just eat nosh. I think there has to be real food out.

You have a lot of people at your Seder. What do you usually serve at the Seder?

I serve more “elevated” at the Seder. Years ago, I used to make chicken marsala, or a really nice sweet and sour chicken, or something like that. But honestly, my kids kind of, really, outgrew that. My family ended up being a lot more of a meat-and-potato type of family. In Simply Gourmet, I have a garlic-crusted brisket that became a staple for us.

There are so many great Pesach recipes in my Simply and Simply Gourmet cookbooks that I actually have an extra one of those cookbooks just for Pesach. I’m not going to make the baked goods from there for Pesach, but so much of the fish, and the chicken, and the meat I make for Pesach from there.

In this book, I was very cognizant of the economy and put in a lot of recipes that are braised for cheaper cut meats. The square cut meat is a beautiful cut for braising. In the picture, we showed you that you could turn it into pulled beef, which you can do with a brisket. You can do that even with a flanken, if you cook it properly. It just comes apart.

What I actually did this past year, that was so cool, is that I took a chuck roast and cut it into squares almost mimicking English ribs, and then prepared it as such, braising it for about 3 hours. And then I got fall-off-thebone – wink, wink – ribs.

I love the split minute steak roast, but it’s very expensive. The brick roast is good, too.

The truth is, even if the meat is expensive, think about how much you need, per person, and you may not need so much. There were times when I would make a meat, and I would make a chicken with it. But now, you don’t need to do that. Make two, three vegetables to serve with it, and you don’t have to do a chicken and a meat.

For the Seder, I generally will make a fish – which I marinate a few days before yom tov. I’ll make a soup. I’ll make, like I told you, either ribs or a brisket. And I’ve done a chicken scallopini or a veal scallopini, that’s also a beautiful thing to serve. I’ll make one vegetable side dish. That’s it. It’s too late at night, and I do not do dessert that night.

What lessons have you learned along the way, as you came out with your first book a few years ago and now you just published Simply Pesach & Beyond?

I see that people really appreciate that the recipes do not include a tremendous amount of ingredients. It’s funny – one of my daughters, she’s a fantastic cook. She has a busy family and works hard. I remember her telling me from my book Simply that I have a recipe for sweet heat chicken subs. She told me, “Ma, I always looked at it, and it just looked like a big recipe.” But then she told me that she tried it once, and she makes it in her house once a week now. She was overwhelmed by such a long recipe. So, I do urge people to read through a recipe, even if it looks long. I try to break it down for you, which makes it easier. But my recipes are really not hard.

In this book, did you see the Deconstructed Lime Pie? It’s insane. And it’s so funny, because my food stylist, Renee Muller, she’s very stringent with the ingredients she uses on Pesach. She told me, “This is crazy, Rivky. I can make this.” She can make the crumb. She can make the shards. The only thing she can’t do is the cream, but that’s still amazing. If she could use the curd and the shards and the crumbs and the meringue, it’s still a beautiful dessert. Another thing I’ve learned is that I try to make my recipes as approachable as possible. I feel like with each book, I’m getting “cleaner” and “cleaner” with the ingredients and the cooking. I just feel like the world is craving it.

Still, I have a strong feeling that if you’re going to do a baked good, enjoy it, in proportion. I have not yet tasted any of these like avocado cakes or sweet potato cakes, and said, “Oh my gosh, best pastry I’ve ever had.” For goodness sakes, if you want to have a piece of babka, enjoy a piece of real babka, and say, “That was delicious.” And then stop at just one piece.

You are so busy all the time. What do you do to relax? I do get bored if I have too much relaxation, but I happen to be a very, very, very avid reader. There are times when I love a good podcast or a shiur on TorahAnytime or listening to music. If I’m in my kitchen, erev yom tov, the music just puts me in a happy place. So I would say music or Torah.

That’s beautiful. If you have music, Torah, food –you have it all. Oh, and family, too, and it sounds like you have a lot of family for yom tov, too.

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.