ISSUE#36 – 5/22/2024

ךיא ,ישרעה !יירד זיב לייצ

LAG BAOMER INITIATIVE

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing war in Eretz Yisroel, Har Meron and the Tzion of RABBI SHIMON BAR YOCHAI WILL BE CLOSED OVER LAG BAOMER.

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On June 16th, Klal Yisroel will gather once more to celebrate our most cherished treasure — our yungerman. The feeling is palpable as we instill in our children a love for Torah and respect for those who dedicate themselves to it every day. Give them, and yourselves, the gift of celebrating our mesorah that transcends all else. Secure your tickets today.

LETTER EDITOR from the

Lag BaOmer is nearly upon us.

Lag BaOmer. The day that Rabbi Akiva’s students stopped dying and the day that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai passed away — which he asked to be celebrated.

In a normal year, Meron, the site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s tzion, is a beehive of activity on Lag BaOmer. Even the days leading up to Lag BaOmer are hectic as police and authorities from the moshav work together to ensure the safety of the site.

After all, in a normal year, hundreds of thousands of Yidden — from all over the world — throng to the mountain.

Anyone who’s visited Meron on Lag BaOmer can attest to the electricity in the air. The bonfires situated all around, the strains of “bar Yochai”, the tents and booths set up with drinks and food as chai rotel (a weight that multiplies with eighteen as a segulah) is distributed everywhere…. It’s an atmosphere that’s uniquely uplifting.

But this year is unfortunately slated to be different. With the war raging, Meron is closed to visitors.

Three years ago, klal Yisroel was reeling after the Meron tragedy. And now we have questions, about horrific heartbreak, once again.

The war has been going on for seven long months. So many families are in a state of mourning. There is so much grief all around.

But with Lag BaOmer upon us, our ruchniyus seems to be affected too. I don’t think there’s a Yid anywhere who isn’t saddened, and distressed, by the state of affairs.

So many tefillos are recited in Meron on Lag BaOmer every year, people might be thinking, doesn’t Hakadosh Baruch Hu want more?

So many children have been born (and named Shimon or Elazar) thanks to tefillos recited at the kever on Lag BaOmer, Yidden might be wondering, doesn’t Hashem want our heartfelt pleas?

These questions aren’t meant to be answered. Indeed, no answer can really resolve the inner

turmoil that they express. Three years ago, after the Meron tragedy “Vayidom Aharon— and Aharon was silent,” was the response that Rabanim told us to adopt.

And that response is still valid. Still necessary. But there’s more.

There’s something that we need to learn from Rabbi Akiva.

That something is about the way we need pick ourselves up and rebuild.

Rabbi Akiva lost 12,000 pairs of students in the short period of time between Pesach and Shavuos. 24,000 deaths!

Yet, when Rabbi Akiva’s students ceased to die on Lag BaOmer, he neither mourned excessively, nor blamed himself or others for the tragedy. Instead, he brushed the metaphorical dust off and began to rebuild.

The Midrash teaches that on Lag BaOmer, on the very day that Rabbi Akiva’s students stopped dying, Rabbi Akiva went and sought out five new students: Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes, Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Yossi, and Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua.

The Chida teaches that it is Rabbi Akiva’s important character trait of resilience, of rebuilding despite great difficulty, that makes Lag BaOmer a day of celebration and not just a break from an epidemic.

Horrific tragedies have befallen am Yisroel this year, and it is extraordinarily sad to hear that Meron will be closed over Lag BaOmer. But where we are headed to from here on is what’s most important.

After Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students passed away, his new student, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai wrote the Zohar.

It is the Zohar, and the light of the nistar, that will herald in the ultimate light of Moshiach. May our Yiddishe, innate strength to persevere and soldier on be our focus this Lag BaOmer.

The Lakewood Vibes Editorial Team

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Vibes of Greatness

Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes

Rabbi Meir was a fourth generation Tanna. This means that he lived in 139–163, in the period after the Bar Kochba Revolt. During that time, the Roman emperor, Hadrian, cracked down on the Jews in Judea (Eretz Yisrael), banning Torah learning and persecuting them harshly.

After Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students passed away, he had five more students, including Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Rabbi Meir’s wife, Bruria, was one of the daughters of Rabbi Chanina ben Teradyon (one of the asarah harugei malchus).

The Romans caught Rabbi Chanina Ben Teradyon teaching Torah and sentenced him to be burnt to death, his wife to decapitation, and his daughter to imprisonment.

The Romans wrapped Rabbi Chanina in the sefer Torah that he’d been teaching from, encircled him with bundles of branches, and set it all to fire. They also placed tufts of wool that had been soaked in water onto his heart, so that he’d die a slow and painful death.

“Father, must I see you like this?” Rabbi Chanina’s daughter asked him.

Said Rabbi Chanina, “If I alone were being burned, it would be difficult for me. But because this sefer Torah is burning with me, He who will seek retribution for the insult to the Torah will also seek retribution for the insult to me.”

“Our teacher, what do you see?” His students asked him.

“I see the parchment burning, but its letters are flying to the heavens,” Rabbi Chanina ben Teradyon replied.

“Open your mouth so the fire fills you, and you can die quickly,” his students told him.

To this Rabbi Chanina replied, “It’s preferable that He who gave me my soul take it from me. One should not harm himself to hasten his death.”

“My teacher,” his executioner said to him. “If I increase the flame and remove the tufts of wool from your heart, will you bring me to life in the World-to-Come?”

“Yes,” Rabbi Chanina replied.

“Take an oath for me, that what you say is true,” the executioner requested.

Rabbi Chanina ben Teradyon swore, and the executioner immediately increased the flame and removed the tufts of wool from Rabbi Chanina’s heart, causing his soul to depart quickly. Then the

executioner leapt into the fire and he, too, died.

A bas kol then came out and said, “Rabbi Chanina ben Teradyon and his executioner are destined for life in the World-to-Come.”

Rabbi Chanina’s daughter was still imprisoned and Bruria, Rabbi Meir’s wife, pleaded with her husband to save her.

Rabbi Meir agreed, and he took a container of coins to the place that his wife’s sister was being held.

“Return my sister-in-law to me,” he told the guard.

“I’m afraid to do so,” the guard said. “I’m worried that I’ll be punished by the government if I do.”

“Take this container of coins,” Rebbi Meir said. “Give half to the government as a bribe and keep the other half.”

The guard took the container, but he still had a question. “When the money is finished what shall I do?”

“Say, ‘Elokah d’Meir aneini (God of Meir answer me)! That will save you.” To prove that this would work, Rabbi Meir took a clump of dirt and threw it in the direction of ferocious dogs who came charging toward him, clearly intent on tearing Rabbi Meir to pieces and to devour him.

“Elokah d’Meir aneini!” Rabbi Meir cried out.

The dogs immediately turned around and left.

When the guard saw this, he released Rabbi Chanina ben Teradyon’s daughter fromf prison and allowed Rabbi Meir to take her with.

In due time, the story reached the king’s court, and the guard was sentenced to hanging for failing in his duties.

As the guard was about to be hung on the guillotine he cried, “Elokah d’Meir aneini!” And so it was that despite repeated attempts by his executioners, he was unable to be hung.

Eventually, the executioners gave up and lowered the guard to the ground. When they asked him what stood behind their unsuccessful attempt to execute him, the guard related the story with Rabbi Meir.

The Romans were enraged. They engraved Rabbi Meir’s image on the entrance to Rome and declared that anyone who found a man who resembled the engraving should bring the person to Rome.

It happened once that a Roman saw Rabbi Meir and he only narrowly avoided his capture. Subsequently, Rabbi Meir fled to Bavel.

Rabbi Meir’s yahrzeit is Yud Daled Iyar

(Adapted from Avodah Zarah 17b–18b, Sefaria)

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Vibes of Greatness

Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (c. 90–110

– c. 163)

After Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students passed away, he had five more students, including Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The “Rabbi Shimon” who is frequently mentioned in the Mishnah, Gemara, and Midrash is none other than Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.

Interestingly, the Gemara in Berachos says that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was the anonymous student who deposed of Rabban Gamliel and replaced him with Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria.

Rabbi Shimon and his son Rabbi Elazar lived full and interesting lives both before and after the years that they spent hiding from the Romans in a cave. The following incident probably occurred before they went into hiding:

There was a couple in the town of Sidon (in modern-day Southern Lebanon) who was married for ten years and had no children. They came to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai seeking a divorce.

Rabbi Shimon told them, “Just like you made a feast when you got married, so shall you make a feast when you get divorced.”

The couple followed this advice and made a big party. At the party the wife got her husband drunk.

“My daughter,” the husband told his wife. “You may take anything that you want from my house when you return to your father’s house.”

Indeed. The husband fell asleep, and the wife asked her servants to pick up the bed that her husband was sleeping on, and to carry it to her father’s house.

The servants did as asked, and in middle of the night when the husband woke up, he turned to his wife and asked, “My daughter, where am I?”

“In my father’s house,” she answered. “What am I doing here?”

“Didn’t you tell me that I could take whatever I wanted to my father’s house? You’re the most important thing to me in the world, so I took you!”

And so it was that the couple went to Rabbi Shimon bar Yocḥai, who davened for them, and they had a child.

The Midrash concludes that as soon as the wife told her husband, “You’re the most important thing to me in the world,” she had a yeshuah.

Kal vachomer, if Klal Yisrael says to Hashem, “You’re the most important thing to me in the whole world,” we will have a yeshuah.

(Adapted from Shir Hashirim Rabbah 1:4, Sefaria)

Interestingly, some time after emerging from the cave, Rabbi Eliezer worked for the Roman government and turned in Jewish thieves. He only helped depose of “bad guys,” but he later regretted cooperating with the Romans and voluntarily suffered terrible yisurim as a kapparah. He was eventually buried near his father in Meron.

Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi and Rabbi Elazar had been chavrusas when they were young. Decades later, after Rabbi Elazar had passed away, Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi went to see what had become of his children. [At some point Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi also proposed marriage to Rabbi Elazar’s widow, who turned him down for being inferior

to Rabbi Eliezer — but that’s a different story.]

Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi went to Rabbi Elazar’s hometown and asked the locals if the righteous Reb Elazar had a son.

“He has a son who is wayward and living a morally degenerate life,” the locals told him.

Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi found Reb Elazar’s son, Yosei, and ordained him as a rabbi. He then entrusted him into the care of Rabbi Shimon ben Isi ben Lakonya, his mother’s brother, whom he asked to teach him Torah.

Young R’ Yosei, however, had a hard time learning. Every day he would declare, “That’s it, I’m going home.”

Rabbi Shimon ben Isi encouraged him to stick it out. “You’ve been made wise,” he would tell him. “A golden cloak has been spread over you (i.e. you are recognized as the son and grandson of incredible tzaddikim) and you’re called ‘Rabbi’; you still want to leave it all and go home?”

Rabbi Shimon ben Isi’s encouraging words would find their mark so that R’ Yosei would say, “I promise to stay,” until the story would repeat itself the next day and again he’d want to give up until Rabbi Shimon ben Isi would tell him how great he was and how much he believed in him.

Eventually, the boy matured, and he joined Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi’s yeshivah. There, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi heard his voice and said, “He sounds like Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon.”

Those present said, “He is his son.” And so it was that Rabbi Yosi took his rightful place among the Tanaim.

After Rabbi Yosei passed away, a bas kol came out and stated that he was as great as his illustrious father, Rabbi Elazar.

(Adapted from Bava Metzia 85a, Sefaria)

Shira Yael Klein

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The Other Side of Wall Street

Virtually every single bank in the entire world lends with interest. Not a single financial institution in any country will think twice about charging additionally for a loan. So why is it that the Torah frowns upon ribbis so heavily? Why do the Torah, Mishnah and Gemara elaborate so much about the severity of charging interest? What is it about charging interest that is so terribly bad? Both parties agree to it. Nobody is getting ripped off. How is charging ribbis any different than marking up the price of a sack of potatoes to make a profit? Why is one financially unethical and the other “business as usual”?

To compound the question, the name the Torah uses for interest is neshech. The Baal Haturim explains that the name is derived from the word nachash, snake, meaning to say that lending with interest is tantamount to causing one to get bitten by a snake.

The question is, in what way? And why specifically a snake of all animals? Why don’t we compare it to the touch of a poison dart frog, or the sting of a killer wasp, or the ferocious attack of a great white shark?

The Gift of Goodness

The Kli Yakar gives the following explanation. We know that Hashem does not benefit at all from the world or its inhabitants. He created us purely to give good to us. The ultimate good is spiritual pleasure, which emanates from Hashem Himself. The more we connect ourselves to Him, the more of this pleasure we receive. In a utopian world, Hashem wants nothing more than to give us pleasure and has no problem giving us all the food and money we need on a silver platter. In fact, that is the life Adam was living in Gan Eden. That lifestyle was doubly good. He had all his needs taken care of by Hashem, and he therefore had the closest of relationships with Him. It was immensely obvious to him that the goodness was coming from Hashem, which then heightened his appreciation of Him, in turn strengthening his relationship with Him, which in turn added to his spiritual pleasure. In short, life was great.

Then Adam sinned. He ate from the forbidden fruit. He breached his relationship with Hashem. His punishment was that the Heavenly kitchen, offering him three meals a day, was now closed, and he had to work for his food. This was a twofold punishment. He no longer got his needs handed to him, and he no longer saw Hashem’s direct hand in all areas of his life. This in turn lessened his recognition and appreciation of Hashem, which in turn tarnished his relationship with Hashem, which in turn lessened the pleasure of his existence. In short, life got significantly less pleasurable spiritually. This was mankind’s destiny for the duration of history as we know it.

Our saving grace that would guarantee at the very

Behar

Hillel Eisenberg

least a small relationship with Hashem was that we would still need to come onto Hashem for our food to grow and our business to prosper. Even though a farmer now has to plant his crops, and a salesman has to sell his product, he isn’t entirely cut off from his relationship with Hashem, for he still needs to daven that his crops grow and his product sells. The same is true with all avenues of income. All, except one: ribbis. Lending with interest is guaranteed profit, to the point where it cuts out God from the equation. There is no praying that the crops will grow. There is no davening that customers will show up. There is no praying that the business deal will go through. It is merely lending and getting free money in return. God is entirely out of the picture.**

One who lives a life independent of Hashem is missing out on the ultimate pleasure that our world has to offer. Dependency on Hashem isn’t merely a way to access more pleasure. It is pleasure in and of itself. It is our soul realigning with its true self. It is our eternal neshamah connecting to infinity.

The snake that persuaded Adam and Chava to sin was given a peculiar punishment. He was told, “Beginning now until the end of time, you will eat the dust of the earth.”

One might ask, what’s so devastating about this punishment? An animal doesn’t care what it eats! With this punishment, the snake now has the whole world to eat. Wherever he goes, he finds food. What type of punishment is that? The answer is that his retribution is the fact that he is cut off from God forever. There is no relying on Hashem for the grass to grow. There is no dependency on Hashem to send deer and fish to prey on. There is merely spiritless dirt.

We call ribbis – neshech, symbolizing a snake, for that is what the snake represents. Living life Godless. Banks the world over have no problem charging interest, because for them, money is an end, not a means. We believe there is something far more meaningful. Our relationship with Hashem is what’s dearest to us, and we vigorously avoid detractors from it.

When we suffered from a terrible plague in the desert, Aharon took a staff with a snake circling it, and ran into the middle of the camp, holding it up for all to see. He was sending the message to never forget the mistake of the snake, and to always remember that our connection to Hashem is what’s paramount. Nowadays, ambulances and hospital logos likewise bear a snake, for it symbolizes the desperate need, in times of health crises, to bolster our relationship with God, for that is what brings true healing and health.

I was once reading Perek Shirah (the listing of the spiritual DNA of all living creatures in the world), going through all the animals, and was amazed at what the snake says. The pasuk that the snake belts out when it’s his turn to sing Hashem’s praises is,

“Somech Hashem lechol hanoflim… Pose’ach es yadecha umasbia lechol chai ratzon” (Tehillim, 145). I was shocked. The snake, out of all the possible angles of praising Hashem, proclaims Hashem as the true Source of nourishment. The snake, who was given nothing but dirt to consume, is the one telling us how great Hashem is, in that He sustains all life. After centuries of being cut off from Hashem, the snake finally belts out loud and proud: “Hashem is the ultimate Source of good.”

The Rich Man

A young man once asked an old, rich man how he had made his money. The old man straightened his designer glasses and said, “Well, son, it was 1932, the depth of the Great Depression. I was down to my last nickel. I invested that nickel in an apple. I spent the entire day polishing the apple and, at the end of the day, I sold the apple for ten cents. The next morning, I invested those ten cents in two apples. I spent the entire day polishing them and sold them at five o’clock for twenty cents. I continued this system for a month, by the end of which I accumulated a fortune of one dollar and thirty-seven cents.”

“Wow!” the young man exclaimed with wide eyes. “And then what happened?”

“Then my wife’s father died and left us two million dollars!”

We all put in the grind to succeed, but ultimately it is Hashem Who supports us, and the sooner we come to that conclusion, the richer our relationship with Him will be. For on our side of Wall Street, that’s the only thing that really matters.

** One may ask, if the concern for ribbis is that it leads to feeling independence from Hashem, then why is ribbis allowed while lending to a non-Jew?

The Kli Yakar answers that unlike when one lends to a Jew, when one knows for certain that he will be paid back, when one lends to a non-Jew, there is in fact no guarantee that he will return the money, and therefore the dependency on Hashem is still there.

Hillel Eisenberg, originally from Rochester NY, teaches courses on the fundamentals of Judaism at Princeton University as well as in Torah Links Yeshiva in Lakewood NJ. He is the author of the newly published book THE PARSHAH ON FIRE as well as the host of a podcast with the same name. His dynamic and passionate style of teaching the joy of Judaism has made him a sought-after teacher and lecturer throughout the United States. Feel free to reach out to Hillel by email Hilleleisenberg613@gmail.com or phone 585-414-9729.

The Guy Next Door

Chapter 34

Debbie, Avi, Rikki, and I almost tiptoed into the silent house, each of us as quiet as our surroundings. Incongruously, I thought that if we’d had a mouse or rat problem, this was when we’d find out about it. Reb Shaya’le’s photo was on the kitchen wall, of course, and it was meant to protect us, but our silence could have called the rodents out of their hiding places….

I, for one at least, didn’t know my place in the world any longer. Debbie looked traumatized and Rikki looked blank. Only Avi seemed in control, at least from the way he’d sounded at our meeting. I was so proud of my son I could burst, but that was the only enjoyable feeling of the night. Other than that, I felt nothing but dread. It was like knowing there was a huge spider hidden in the corner of your bedroom that would come out of its concealment and climb onto your face the minute you got into bed, only there was no point in putting the lights on and searching for it, because it wouldn’t be visible.

No, instead you just had to wait it out until Superhero, or Avi Feld disguised as a superhero, came to reassure you.

We got ready for bed that night in silence; there was simply nothing to say. Debbie put her sleep mask on and her earplugs in as tight and deep as she could get them without rupturing her eardrums, and turned her back to me.

I’m usually one of those guys who is snoring within minutes of hitting the pillow. And yes, Debbie usually complains about it. But that night there were no

complaints. I don’t know whether anyone else slept. All I know is, I had a mighty hard time sleeping, though I must have because I woke up, and you don’t wake up unless you’ve been asleep, right?

I lay in bed for a while thinking about everything that had happened and that could happen. Then I realized it was Friday, which meant Shabbos was coming, obviously. Even in my sleep deprived state, I figured that one out. Shabbos came no matter what; North Korea, Iran, the whole nine yards. Shabbos said boo to all those minor irritations.

I looked across at Debbie and she still had her back to me, so I couldn’t tell if she was awake or asleep, except by her deep even breathing.

I got up, dressed, and went to shul. It was earlier than I usually went, because I just couldn’t achieve my usual habit of waking too late for the best minyan, but keeping a sense of normality helped me. I couldn’t help myself as I passed Mr. Jeong Sang-Hoon’s now-threatening-butpreviously-neighborly house close to our own. I just had to look up at what I presumed was his bedroom window, to see if there was a surveillance camera peeking out from between the curtains. I couldn’t see one, but then isn’t that the point of surveillance cameras; that they’re hard to spot?

Bottom line: the safety of our home, previously taken so much for granted, had been permanently compromised. I managed to arrive at shul unscathed. A walking miracle, that’s me.

Recap: Avi explains his role in the plan to nab Mr. Nakamura and Nachman and Debbie reluctantly agree that he’s better off not living at home for the time being.

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The fact that my only son was involved in espionage, and preventing a global threat to humanity, seemed to have escaped all my co-worshippers in shul. They were all oblivious; just saying their prayers as if nothing momentous was going on outside of their realm of awareness. How could they be? Didn’t my new international superhero-by-proxy status shine from my face?

Obviously not.

Resisting the urge to brag, I walked home again. Chatting outside shul, which had previously been a delightful if time-wasting pastime for me and my friends, now seemed ridiculous. The future of civilization hung in the balance, so I just went home alone. However, I did feel several pairs of eyes on my back, in a kind of “what’s wrong with him?” sort of way.

Well, tough cheese, as we Brits say.

When I walked in, Avi, Debbie and Rikki were at the breakfast table. I know my Avi. He doesn’t sleep in and miss shul if he can help it, and with Elul rapidly approaching, he was even less likely to do so.

Preening from the great heights, and in my newly acquired mantle of “early minyan goer”, I asked him where he had davened that morning. I fully expected a sheepish reddening of the face and a confession to having slept in and davened at home.

“I went to neitz at five fifteen, Dad,” he said. “I couldn’t sleep. Too much weighty stuff on my mind.”

“Dad,” Rikki interjected with an impatient expression on her face. “I need to talk to you… Well, we need to talk to you about where this is all going.”

“I’ll make you a cup of tea,” Debbie said, getting up hurriedly.

She placed a bowl of my usual cereal in front of me and withdrew again to unnecessarily make my tea; a job I could, and usually did, do myself.

“Okay, Rikki,” I said to my daughter, having made the relevant brachah and started to eat.

Rikki, as always, cut straight to the chase. “I don’t think I should go back to Gateshead, Dad.”

“But you’ve only just completed the first year,” I protested, noticing out of the corner of my eye, that Debbie was skulking in the kitchen, watching my reactions very closely.

“I know, and I did mean to stay for at least two years,” Rikki agreed. “But this is game-changing. I don’t think you guys can cope on your own. I’m staying here.”

“But what will you do?” I protested. “Your mother and I don’t need babysitting.” I saw Debbie make a “I’m not so sure about that” kind of motion while still skulking in the kitchen. This was followed by her hugging herself, signaling to me she loved the idea of Rikki staying home.

Rikki gave a small smile. “I’ve got a few options, Dad.

I’m looking into them all very carefully because I don’t want anything that will prevent me from being here for you if I’m needed. For instance, a job has come up in the local Beis Yakov school as a teaching assistant, but that’s pretty much full time and not easy to get out of at a moment’s notice. On the other hand, there’s a course running at our local community college, on cyber security and the prevention of hacking kind of thing. That might prove to be more useful in the long run.”

“Okay,” I said. I had to agree the change of plans made sense.

Debbie, standing behind the kids and therefore invisible to them, gave me a huge thumbs up.

“That’s settled then,” Rikki said, and she came over to give me a peck on the cheek.

I looked at Avi. “Don’t tell me you’re not going back to yeshivah in Israel either.”

“Oh, I’m going back for Elul,” Avi said. “Learning Torah is the best guardian against warfare and other nefarious attacks.”

“Good boy,” I said.

“However,” he added, clearing his throat, “I will be working for the Israeli security services whilst I’m there. They know exactly where I am, and they intend to use me as a valuable asset. Before I go back, I’m going to be instructed on various things I can do.” Smugly, he added, “which I can’t tell you about.”

“No need to look so smug,” I said.

“I’m not being smug,” he protested. “Just telling you how things are.”

Debbie made a few “chill” motions. So I did.

If that was breakfast, I wondered what would happen at lunch. Not that I’d be round for lunch. I had to go into my office even on Fridays.

“I’ll help Mum make Shabbos,” Rikki announced.

“I have things to do in my bedroom.” Avi said and disappeared.

“I have to go to my office,” I said, trying to sound half as important as Avi and failing.

“The day is still young, anything could happen,” I added, but no one took any notice.

I took my laptop case and started off up the street.

Mr. Nakamura aka Mr. Jeong San-Hoon emerged from his house, looking very much as though he’d timed things because he saw me walking past.

As he hurried down his front path towards me, he waved his hand in a manner that signified that he wanted me to stop because he had something to say to me.

This had never happened before. It was, to put it mildly, a bit of a shock.

To be continued…

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1) What does ךריצק חיפס mean?

2) Are rich people allowed to eat from the produce on הטימש ?

3) What do the words ךבשותלו ךריכשל come to include?

4) Why does the Torah have to speak out that you can give the הטימש produce to a המהב?

5) Do we keep לבוי if we did not keep הטימש?

6) Which הריבע causes the Yidden to go to תולג?

7) What is the Torah teaching us when it says ץראה יל יכ?

This week’s questions are until יעיבר If you would like to submit answers and be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card, please call 848 373 5489. To get this Parsha sheet emailed to you every week, send a request to torahshleimah@gmail.com.

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CHAPTER 4

Devorah Talia Gordon

“Here you go, Ari!” I yelled, as I threw the basketball to Ari, who stood a few feet away from the basket.

Instead of reaching for it, Ari ducked, and the ball bounced off his shoulder.

“Hey, you almost hit my glasses!”

We both ran after the ball, but I slowed down so that he’d get it. “It was nowhere near your face, Ari. Don’t worry, just have fun!”

Ari held the ball against his chest and ran toward the basket as I trailed behind, hardly feeling the pavement in my new pink sneakers — a gift from my parents for practicing with Ari. “You’re traveling! Dribble the ball!”

Ari stopped mid-run and looked at me. “Oh, right!” He dribbled the ball twice, but it got away from him and rolled toward me. I scooped it up and ran in for a lay-up. Swoosh!

“Again.” Ari muttered, and looked down at the ground.

“Try again!” I tossed him the ball and ran to the back of the court, breathing hard. I was sure if he could make just one basket, he’d feel better. I hung back as he ran toward the hoop (and didn’t call him out on his traveling), but he still missed it by a good three feet. Yikes.

“I’m done!” Ari said, and he took off to the end of our backyard,

Recap: Liora suggests that her family take a with Zaidy to help him catch his breath from work. She offers to run a bake sale to raise funds and her father promises to match any money that comes in. In school, Liora tells Miri that there’s been progress with her shidduch suggestion for Tovi.

where a tire swing hung under our big oak tree. He yanked on the swing’s chain and kicked the tire a bunch of times before finally climbing on.

“Ari, come on!” I ran to him and gave him a water bottle, but he flung it on the grass. “We’ve had just two practices. You’re going to get the hang of it. I promise. Bli neder.”

“This is a dumb idea.” He shut his eyes and turned his flushed cheeks up to the sun.

“No moping allowed, Aryeh Leib Bergenfeld.”

I twisted the swing around tight, then held the tire steady as I climbed on. We spun around and around, and when it stopped Ari said, “It’s assur to make a promise you can’t keep.”

“Okay, I’m not promising but, seriously. With Hashem’s help nothing can stand in your way if you really want something. Today, let’s focus on making baskets. Wanna play ‘Horse’ to practice that?”

He sighed. “I didn’t dunk one basket this whole day. Or yesterday. It’s no use. Anyway, Shmueli’s my friend. Who says I need other friends?”

“Don’t you want to be part of things? Like basketball, but also when the boys go biking, or just get together?”

“Boys don’t just get together and schmooze, like girls,”Ari joked, but he chewed on his lip the way he does when he’s worried. “Can’t we be done?”

“Nope, we have twenty-seven minutes left on the clock!”Jumping off the swing, I yelled, “Let’s go!”

Twenty-eight minutes later, as Ari and I were in the kitchen gulping down water and spritzing each other, there was a knock on the door. Ari ran to get it.

“Hi Zaidy!”

That was strange. Ever since Bubby was nifteres and Zaidy moved into a duplex two streets over, he’d been letting himself into our house with a key.

I sprinted to the door but stopped short when I saw Zaidy standing,there with a bouquet of yellow roses in one hand and a big bakery box in the other.

“Mazel Tov!” Zaidy smiled from Ari to me, then he lowered his voice. “She’s not home yet, is she?”

“Who?” I said, with a funny feeling in my stomach. I looked at Ari, and he opened his eyes wide and shrugged.

Zaidy raised his white eyebrows and gave us a mysterious smile. “Your mother.”

“It’s Wednesday. She’s working late.”

“I thought so. Here, take this.” Zaidy handed Ari the box. “Let’s set everything up before she comes home.”

Zaidy walked inside slowly. His suit was perfectly ironed, and he wore a blue tie with little white diamonds. On the day that Zaidy became a Tatty (when my Uncle Yonason was born), he put on a tie to show his gratitude to Hashem. Later, as his family got even bigger, Zaidy thought about it, and realized that he was grateful to Hashem for everything He decided that, no matter what, he’d wear a tie every day.

He carried the roses to the kitchen, and we trailed behind him.

As Zaidy took a vase from the cabinet, Ari and I peeked into the box. It was a large lemon meringue pie, Mommy’s favorite, with “Happy Birthday, Raizy” written in chocolate on top.

I stared at the cake and felt a sharp stab of pain at my right temple.

“What’s going on?” Ari whispered.

Zaidy grinned as he set the vase on the table. “Isn’t it perfect? Yellow roses and lemon pie…bright and sunny, just like my Raize’le.” He took off his hat and jacket and sat down at the kitchen table, rubbing his forehead.

Ari touched Zaidy’s shoulder gently. “But Zaidy, Mommy’s birthday is….”

“Ari, go put some water in the kettle for Zaidy’s tea.” I told Ari, and then I shook my head. Ari shrugged and ran off to the sink.

“How’s my favorite girl doing? Up for a quick game with your Zaidy?”

Hearing Zaidy’s half-joking, gentle voice made me feel a little

better. I swallowed hard and took a deep breath. “I’m fine, Zaidy, baruch Hashem. But after I put Mommy’s lasagna into the oven, I’ve got to study for a math test.”

“That’s my girl, always doing chessed. And always working hard.” Zaidy smiled at me with his soft eyes, and I felt myself stand up a little straighter. “Aryeh, bring your mishnayos over. Zaidy will chazer with you.”

Once Ari was learning with Zaidy, I paced around the living room with the phone, trying to reach Mommy. Please pick up, please…My heart raced; all I could think of was those roses and the pie. Zaidy had never made such a mistake before.

After trying three times, I hung up the phone. I heard Ari saying his mishnayos and, here and there, Zaidy correcting him, his voice strong. I walked over to the doorway and saw Zaidy’s hand on Ari’s arm as he nodded . “Good, Ari. That’s right…”

I took a deep breath and sat down with my math book, waiting for Mommy to get home.

When I heard Mommy’s car door slam an hour later, I dropped my pencil and ran to the front door.

Mommy waved, then turned to ease Shaya out of his car seat. She draped him over her shoulder, and he kept his head down. I hurried over to help Mommy with her things.

“Zaidy’s here,” I whispered.

Mommy raised her eyebrows at me, then knitted them together. “Why? He has a chavrusah Wednesday nights with Mr. Landau.” She walked into the house and I followed her.

“Raizy? Is that you?”

Mommy was at the bottom of the stairs.“Tell Zaidy I’ll be right down after I put Shaya in his crib.”she whispered, turning to go up, but I grabbed her arm.

“Mommy, I tried to call you a bunch of times. Zaidy thinks it’s your birthday. He brought flowers and dessert. I didn’t know what to do.”

Mommy’s mouth dropped open. “My birthday?”

I nodded, and Mommy stared at me for a moment. Then she shook her head. “What did you tell him?”

“We acted like nothing happened.”

Mommy gave my cheek a little rub.“Zaidy must be very stressed out to make such a mistake.” “ You did the right thing. We won’t make him feel bad.”

When Mommy came back downstairs in her tichel and slippers, I followed her into the kitchen.

“Tatty!” Mommy gave Zaidy a kiss on the cheek. “It’s so nice that you’re here. What a surprise!”

Zaidy put down his tea and looked from my mother, to the roses, and back to my mother. His cheeks turned pink, and he covered his mouth with one hand.

To be continued…

Devorah Talia Gordon is a freelance writer, editor, and creative writing teacher. Her first book, The Impossible Project, a middle-grade novel, has recently been published by Menucha Publishers.

Writing Contest Writing Contest

I went to the storage shed to get my bike. While I was inside the door got closed and the combination lock got stuck so I couldn’t open the door. I was scared because it was dark in there and I couldn’t get out. Baruch Hashem my three year old little sister saw me go in and realized that I got stuck. She thought it was so funny so she went to tell my father. My father ran outside and opened the door for me. If my little sister wasn’t there maybe I would have been stuck for a while but Hashgacha Pratis that she was there so she told my father and I got out.

Sorala G., 8

$50

Congratulations to our winner!

One time I missed the bus and I was really annoyed because I woke up early to go on the bus and it didn’t make any difference that I woke up early because I missed the bus. Later I went to school and the bus just came to school then. I asked somebody why they got to school so late and they said that the bus crashed so they had to wait for an hour and a half for the police to come and it ended up taking really long and they were so hot. So it was a good thing that I missed the bus and I didn’t have to wait for a really long time to get to school I was able to be at home instead of on the hot bus.

Elisheva Gittel Gross

One night I was in my bed trying to fall asleep. I was twisting and turning from righ to left. I got really thirsty and needed a drink. I got out of bed and looked for a water bottle, but I could'nt find one. I decided I'll go downstairs to get one even though I was very tired and lazy. As I walk into the kitchen I see the fridge door wide open. It was so Hashgacha Pratis that I came downstairs because otherwise everything could have gotten spoiled.

Leah L., 10

Kids, tell

Parashas Behar/ Lag BaOmer

Down:

1. Whose property was not allowed to be sold on a permanent basis?

3. Which instrument is blown to declare the year of yovel?

5. When Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his son came out of hiding, what was the first man who they saw holding?

6. The mitzva of shemitah is only kept in which land?

8. Who goes free in the year of yovel?

9. How many years is a yovel?

12. Hashem promised that the produce planted in the sixth year of a farming cycle would last for _____ years.

14. What rests during the year of shemitah.

15. What sefer did Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai write?

17. What is the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s son?

Across:

2. What is automatically returned to the seller in the yovel year?

4. What is the seventh year of a farming cycle called?

7. What did Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his son eat while hiding in the cave from the Romans?

10. Who was Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s teacher?

11. What may one not charge when he lends money?

13. What’s the English word for yovel?

16. How many shemitah cycles make up a yovel?

18. Where is Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai buried?

19. What day is an instrument blown to declare yovel?

20. The mitzva of yovel was only kept in the times of the_______.

Lag B’Omer

According to the Shulchan Aruch, Lag Ba’omer is a day of joy because it is the day that the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying. Imagine: For thirty-three days, twenty-four thousand tanaim, all tremendous talmidei chachamim, pass away. Every day there are close to eight hundred funerals, an unfathomable tragedy.

On Lag Ba’omer, they cease to die and as a result, this day is celebrated with happiness.

It’s hard to understand the great happiness. Rav Moshe Friedman gives a dramatic — thankfully hypothetical — mashal, to understand the question. Imagine a family with fifteen beautiful, talented children, all incredible individuals with good middos who give their parents tremendous nachas. One day, tragedy strikes, and the oldest child is killed in a car accident. One day into shivah, their second son is bitten by a snake and dies. Shortly afterward, their third child falls off a cliff and dies. And so on until all the children pass away. After the shivah for his youngest child, the father gets up, rents a hall, and makes a seudah. His friends question him, “What is going on?” The father answers, “It’s a huge simcha, my children have stopped dying.”

All his children have died, and he’s throwing a party?

How is celebrating Lag Ba’omer any different? All of Rabbi Akiva’s students stop dying and we go to Meron, light bonfires and celebrate with music?

There is a very important lesson here. Rabbi Akiva taught twenty-four thousand students, all with tremendous qualities, all holy — with the apability to resurrect the dead. In an extremely short time, they all die, and Rabbi Akiva sees his life’s mission unraveling.

A regular man would probably hide himself in his room, lock the door, pull down the blinds and cry incessantly. His sadness and depression would be intense. But Rabbi Akiva is not a regular person. He picks himself up at the age of 100, goes down south together with five students, and begins from the very beginning. From those students, the world fills with the Torah that we have today. The gemara that we learn, the kabbalistic principles on which the world runs… It comes from those five talmidei chachamim.

Rav Akiva used the tragedy to teach us that even if a Jew goes through something tragic and overwhelmingly painful, he can still start again and turn a new page. This message brings us huge simcha because it empowers us to get up no matter how hard we fall.

Mr. Charlie Harari relates that he was once in California giving an investors’ presentation, when he met an ex-military officer who had been wounded and was therefore moved into the military academy. He shared that his job was to train soldiers in how to become great soldiers. “The way I do this,” he explained, “is by training soldiers to look out for the hero’s moment. How? There are three types of soldiers. Good solders, great soldiers, and the hero. Good soldiers follow standard orders. Great soldiers go the extra mile. The hero is the one who hits a point when everything goes wrong, and everyone quits...yet, he says ‘I’m not stopping. I will never give up no matter what happens.’ That’s the hero’s moment. He could choose to remain defeated on the ground, or to pick himself up. The moment that he doesn’t give up he becomes a hero.”

Rav Mordechai Gifter, the Rosh Yeshiva in Telshe, once noticed a student learning diligently, but his

face reflected great sadness. Rav Mordechai decided to help the bachur and asked him to accompany him to a diamond store. When they arrived, Rav Gifter requested that the diamond dealer give a short rundown on how diamonds are created. The diamond dealer explained that diamonds are removed from the earth and mud and at the outset do not look precious at all. Only after the stones have been polished and cleaned, do they shine and look beautiful. Any small black dot or tiny scratch greatly reduces the diamond’s value. The cleaner the stone, the greater its value. They left the store with the bachur wondering about the purpose of the visit.

Upon their return to the Yeshiva, Rav Gifter banged on his shtender and addressed all the bochurim. “My dear students, what looks at first glance like a block of mud is a diamond. Even if someone feels that he has a problem or difficulty, he must know that in Hashem’s eyes it is a diamond. Hashem sees the hardship, and the effort required to overcome it, and values it greatly.”

Rav Gifter then turned to the bachur and asked him, “Why do you look so broken and dejected? If you have a problem, learn with happiness. When Hashem sees someone overcoming his challenges and continuing to learn despite his troubles, that is treasured in Hashem’s eyes.”

One of the reasons that Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai became so great is because he learned with tremendous mesirus nefesh. The Gemara (Shabbos 33:2) relates the story of three tanaim who were sitting and discussing the developments of the Romans. Rav Shimon bar Yochai spoke out against the Roman’s achievements, pointing out that everything that they did was for their own interests. Yehudah ben Gerim who overheard the conversation repeated it to the Romans who then attempted to kill Rabbi Shimon. Rabbi Shimon, afraid for his life, escaped to a cave where he lived for thirteen years with his son, Rabbi Elazar, eating only carob and drinking water.

Rabbi Shimon achieved his greatness in Torah by

the giving over of his very soul. The physical and emotional difficulty he experienced while learning in the cave created a depth of understanding that was unparalleled, and he merited writing the Zohar, and revealing the hidden Torah.

The Gemara (Megillah 6:2) says, “If someone tells you, ‘I worked hard, and I understand,’ you can believe him.” Our deepest understanding and profound lessons are the ones we learn from difficulty and adversity.

We’re a nation built off of challenges overcome by heroes. When Bnei Yisroel stand at the banks of the Yam Suf and say, “What are we doing here anyway? We’re not going into the water,” it was Nachshon who jumped in and said, ‘I’m not giving up.’ All the Jews are standing at the edge of Canaan afraid, and Kalev says, “Let’s go up and we’ll inherit Eretz Yisroel.” All the Yidden are petrified of Goliath cursing Hashem, and Dovid stands up to him.

In every generation, we each have this innate ability to rise to greatness. When a parent doesn’t give up on their child, or a spouse doesn’t give up on their marriage, or one who is struggling with their Yiddishkeit perseveres, he has created greatness.

Two people, Rav Akiva and Rav Shimon bar Yochai, are connected to the simcha of Lag Ba’omer and they both teach us to do whatever it takes to get up, no matter how hard it is. The yetzer harah’s job is not just to throw us down, but to keep us down.

This year, especially, when we can’t physically reach Meron and the war in Eretz Yisroel continues, this message is especially pertinent.

When one perseveres even though things are tough, it is then that he becomes a hero.

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Lakewood Vibes News

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All ages enjoying the Lakewood Vibes

Submit Your Stories Submit Your Stories

The mailman…

The grocer… Our children’s bus drivers…

Our days are filled with so many chessed-filled encounters, but how often do we stop to acknowledge those involved? How much do we thank our service providers? Or the random people who brighten our lives with goodness?

In Vibes of Gratitude, our newest column, we open the floor to you — our readers — to thank service providers and helpful individuals who add so much helpfulness and convenience to our days.

Vibes of Gratitude is about thanking others for their actions and recognizing the chessed that graces our lives. It’s our reader’s stage — your place to thank the special people who add so much vibrance to your life.

Olam Chessed Yibaneh.

Acknowledging chessed is the first step toward ensuring its continuity.

Submit your stories about acts of kindness you are grateful for to: Editor@lakewoodvibes.com

Names of service providers, neighbors, etc. need not be mentioned — but the act of chessed should be explicit enough for the doer to recognize.

Looking forward to publishing your submissions!

Hi,

Kudos to your periodical for the Thank You column initiative. There’s lots to be thankful for each day, and maybe one day I’ll write a letter about something along those line, but what I’m writing in about now is actually quite the opposite. It’s about something that needs to stop.

Here’s the story. I live in Boro Park, but I visit Lakewood frequently because I have relatives there. Lakewood is quieter and more country-like than Boro Park, obviously, and most people in Lakewood respect that fact and take it for granted. If someone were to honk in front of their house, for example, they would likely call the police.

Trouble is that it often feels like when Lakewood residents visit Boro Park they’re less mindful of the residents need for silence. Somehow it seems like they believe that people in Boro Park (especially in the 14th Ave area) don’t mind honking, but this is really not so.

When was your dryer vent cleaned last? It can be dangerous!

People aren’t bad; they’re just unaware, so the purpose of this letter is to raise awareness. People in Boro Park are grateful (Vibes of Gratitude column) when there’s quiet too. I hope you can publish this letter.

Thank you,

-A Reader who lives in Boro Park

Dear Lakewood Vibes, Mi Keamchah Yisrael. Ever since the appreciation column started running, the letters section is the first column that I turn to when I open up Vibes. I love reading about different chassadim that Yidden do for each other, and it fills me with a sense of drive to do more chessed of my own.

Last week, I was in a Yiddishe grocery store (not in Lakewood, but I thought this was important enough to write about anyway) when I saw a little girl come up to the cashier with an ices and some other item. Now, I don’t know what the story was, but the girl had no money to pay for her choices. Behind the girl was a yungerman (and me) who saw the cashier tell the girl that she couldn’t have the ices if she had no money. After a moment of everyone wondering where the girl’s mother was (and that deserves a letter of its own; letting kids wander like that is beyond dangerous) the yungerman right behind her on line handed the cashier a few dollars and said that he’d pay for the girl’s ices.

The girl left the store with a smile.

Again, I don’t know why the girl was in the grocery like that, and I really hope that her parents figured out that she’d wandered there on her own so that they can teach her an important lesson on personal safety, but watching that Yid foot the bill of a child whom he didn’t know “just because”, filled me with a deep sense of appreciation for being a Yid.

-S.W.

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Lakewood Vibes News

At the Bar Mitzvah of Binyomin Feigelstock-son of Yaakov Shloimy of Lakewood

At the Singer-Ostreicher Vort-Both from Lakewood

Bris son of Yekusiel Janklowicz of Lakewood

At the Flintenstein-Pinter Vort- Lakewood to London Kallah is daughter of rav of Kopishnitz shul of Lakewood

Yurtzeit of Rabbi Yishaya’le of Kerestier Zy”u by Hagaon Rabbi Elimelch Biderman in Elad

Tenoim for Granddaughter of the Pupa Rebbe

Rachmestrivkah

Thousands daven at the Tzion of the Yampoli Rebbe Zy”u on the Yurtzeit

STRATEGIES FOR OPTIMUM SUCCESS S S

Rifka Schoenfeld

SELECTIVE (OR ELECTIVE) MUTISM

Q: My five-year-old daughter started kindergarten this year and I have been getting a lot of calls from her teacher about issues in the classroom. Her teacher keeps telling me that my daughter does not speak to her or other children in the class. She mentioned that I should have my daughter checked for autism.

I’m actually shocked by this news! At home and with my family my daughter is outgoing, communicative and just a pleasure to be around. From what I know about autism, she doesn’t seem to fit that description at all. But, then again, I don’t see her in school. Is it possible that my daughter is autistic even if she doesn’t seem that way at home?

A: It’s difficult for me to make a statement about your daughter anchored in description alone, but based on the way you have portrayed her – I would venture to say that autism is not the problem at all. While autism is often associated with a lack of communication, children with autism display other behaviors such as hand flapping, repetitive behavior, and social isolation.

So, what might be making your daughter so quiet in the classroom? It is possible that your daughter suffers from selective mutism. The New York Times explains that children and adults with this disorder are fully capable of speech and understanding language, but can fail to speak in certain situations when it is expected of them.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association details the specific symptoms of selective mutism:

•This inability to speak interferes with educational or occupational achievement.

•The length of the inability to speak last more than one month (excluding the first month of school).

•The failure to speak does not stem from a lack of knowledge or comfort with the language required for the situation.

•Selective mutism usually occurs before a child is five-

years-old and is usually first noticed when a child starts school.

It makes sense that your daughter’s teachers would not have picked up on this in preschool because children are not often forced to speak in the learning process. In addition, children in preschool who do not speak are considered shy, whereas in kindergarten, teachers begin to get wary and believe it might be something more than shyness.

The good news is that when diagnosed and addressed early, selective mutism can be treated and defeated. Often selective mutism stems from anxiety that children feel when placed in social situations. This anxiety builds each instance that the child remains silent – creating a cycle of fear that prevents speech even when the child wishes to speak. Forcing a child to speak will only aggravate the problem. Therefore, the first step in treating selective mutism is reducing the anxiety associated with speech. Depending on the child, one or more techniques might be utilized:

•Stimulus Fading: This technique involves bringing the children into a relaxed situation with someone they talk to comfortably. With time, another person should gradually be introduced into the room in a number of small steps. Often, it can take a long time for the first person to be “faded-in,” but eventually, the child will lose some of their anxiety when it comes to new people.

•Shaping: Instead of encouraging the child to speak right away, this structured approach allows the child to communicate non-verbally through gestures, facial expressions, and mouthing. Once this is achieved, the child is slowly encouraged to make sounds and eventually words.

Using these techniques in a controlled and comfortable setting will help your daughter gain the confidence and assurance that she too can speak outside of the home. Before you know it, her teachers will be calling to tell you she’s being disruptive in class and needs to quiet down!

Trip for the Yurtzeit of Rabbi Yishaya’le of Kerestier Zy”u by Lalechet tours

Yurtzeit of Rabbi Yishaya’le of Kerestier Zy”u

Thousands will iy”H be visiting the tziyun of the Bobover Rebbe zy”a, Harav Naftali Halberstam, on Lag Ba’omer at the Beis Hachaim in Deans, NJ, as has been customary for the past thirteen years, where heartfelt te los will take place for yeshuos v’rachamim. Kol Tov Seloh.

The Beis Hachaim is open

Motzei Shabbos all night, Sunday all day

„ו„„ ‡˙„ועס ˜"˘ˆומב ע"יז ‡חי˘מ ˙„ועס ‡˘י„˜ ‡לולי‰ throughout all night and day in honor of

Shachris

Sunday ,ןי˜י˙וכ 5:10 9:30 ,9:00 ,8:00 ,7:00 followed by Breakfast

Minyanim

Mincha Maariv

Minyanim Tehillim

Around the Clock

Minyan reciting Entire Tehilim

Motzei Shabbos 1:00am Sunday 2:00pm, 6:30pm

םינ‰כל „חוימ םו˜מ Separate walkway for Women

Lag B’Omer Tales and Park Trails

Imagine stepping into a time machine and traveling back 2,000 years to meet one of the most amazing teachers, not to mention one of the greatest tzaddikim, ever. Rabbi Akiva was such a beloved rebbe that everyone wanted to learn from him. He had twenty-four thousand students, until, a plague spread amongst them, and most of his students got sick and passed away. One of the reasons given for their deaths is that they didn’t treat each other with enough respect. Since Rabbi Akiva’s students were such great Torah scholars and tzadikkim, Hashem expected them to be more respectful than He expects regular people. To remember the tragedy, which happened during sefirah, we don’t listen to music, get married, or get haircuts during this time.

Except on one day. In the middle of this mournful and serious period, on Lag Baomer, none of Rabbi Akiva’s students died. To celebrate this, we do lots of fun things including listening to music, going to parks, and getting haircuts on this day.

Now, let’s zoom in on one of Rabbi Akiva’s five students who became a legend himself; Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai is said to have written the Zohar, a treasure chest of the Torah’s deepest secrets and wisdom.

Rabbi Shimon was like a torch, lighting up the dark with his knowledge and wisdom. Before he passed away, he told his students that he wanted the day of his passing to be a day of celebration, not mourning.

That’s why today, 2000 years later, Lag BaOmer is a day of celebration, cheerful bonfires, and tasty BBQs.

Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s ideas and teachings are like a bright flame, and they continue to light up the world. Lag BaOmer is a day of joy, playing outside, and also learning — because of the Torah that Rabbi Shimon shared.

Of Bows and Arrows…

One exciting Lag BaOmer tradition is going to a park or a field and playing with bows and arrows.

Why bows and arrows, you ask? Well, there’s a fascinating story behind the tradition. While Rabi Shimon bar Yochai was alive, Hashem didn’t bring any rainbows. A rainbow that stretches from one end of the sky to the other, as most people know, is not a good sign. It means that the world may deserve to be destroyed, but because of Hashem’s promise to Noach after the mabul He’s preserving it. During Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai’s lifetime, because he was so good and pure, Hashem never brought a rainbow. Bow and arrow games remind us of Rabbi Shimon’s greatness and that we didn’t need a rainbow back then.

from others and from the world.” And just like releasing the bowstring launches the arrow to great distances, being humble and openminded can send us soaring to incredible heights.

That’s why, on Lag BaOmer, kids, and even adults, play with bows and arrows. It’s not just a game; it’s a fun way to remind ourselves of the power of humility. By recognizing that we can always learn more, and by respecting others, we set ourselves up for amazing adventures and achievements. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai knew this, and through his teachings and the Zohar, he shared this t with the world.

But here’s the twist: Playing with bows and arrows is also a big lesson in humility and respect. Think about how a bow and arrow work. To shoot an arrow far, you need to pull the bowstring back as much as you can. The more you pull, the farther the arrow flies. This is a metaphor for life: The bow is like us, and the arrow represents our potential—how far we can go and what we can achieve.

Pulling back a bowstring is like stepping back, or letting go of our ego and being humble. It’s a way of saying, “Hey, I’m not the center of the universe. There’s so much more to learn

In the end, Lag BaOmer is more than just a break from sadness or a day for fun and games. It’s a celebration of a great teacher’s life, his wisdom, and the light he brought into the world. Playing with bows and arrows, lighting bonfires, and enjoying the company of friends and family remind us of the joy, the learning, and the humility that Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai stood for.

Children are especially joyous on this day and it has become a day of field trips (for bow and arrow games) and exciting celebration.

Now let’s visit some interesting parks in the area that can be a great backdrop for your Lag BaOmer.

Parks

Allaire State Park:

This park, located in Wall Township, New Jersey is a historical gem with over 3,000 acres of forests and fieldsand fun biking and hiking trails. There’s also an old-fashioned train ride on the Pine Creek Railroad which is one of the oldest types of steam trains in the U.S. And if you like to go fishing, the Manasquan River offers some great catches! On top of all that, there’s a fascinating historic village to visit with the following history:

Back in the 1750’s, Allaire State Park was a bustling center for iron production, and for crafting everything from tools to cookware. In 1822, a guy named James P. Allaire bought the place, called it Howell Works, and turned it into a town with a population of 400 people, most of whom were involved in the iron industry. Business thrived until 1838, but by 1848, when the main iron furnace shut down, the once bustling area grew silent.

Though nobody actually lives in the area today, many people come to visit. The place is called The Historic Village at Allaire and it’s located within the park. If you choose to visit that park on Lag BaOmer, make sure to visit the historic section, to walk around it, and see what life was like back then. There are 13 old buildings to explore, and people dressed in old-timey clothes, showing how things were made in places like a blacksmith’s or carpenter’s shop.

Monmouth Battlefield State Park:

This park is in Manalapan and Freehold, and it’s here that a huge battle took place during the American Revolutionary War on June 28, 1778. Imagine soldiers and cannons everywhere, with George Washington leading the troops!

Nowadays, at the Monmouth Battlefield State Park, you can hike, have picnics, and in June, you can even visit and see volunteers stage a reenactment of the battle.

FASCINATING FACT: It’s said that the battle at Monmouth was one of the largest of the American Revolution, with thousands of soldiers fighting for hours.

Washington Crossing State Park:

In Titusville, less than 40 miles from Lakewood, there’s a park named after an epic moment in history, when George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River in December of 1776 to surprise the British army forces in Trenton. Twice a year volunteers dress up in olden day army uniforms and do a reenactment of the crossing.

Aside from fun hiking trails, the park has museums, picnic areas, wildlife observation, fishing, and all kinds of boating.

FASCINATING FACT: one of the oldest trees in New Jersey, a massive red oak that’s said to be over 400 hundred years old, is in this park.

Liberty State Park:

In Jersey City, NJ around 40 miles from Lakewood, is Liberty State Park which is more than just a park; it’s a front-row seat to American history, with breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island across the Hudson River in New York.

Besides soaking up the beautiful sights here, you can also explore the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, where millions of immigrants began their American dream. Imagine standing where they stood while seeing America for the first time. Maybe even your great grandparents were one of those people!

The park also offers picnicking, biking, and fishing fun, plus it’s right next to the Liberty Science Center for a full dose of science adventure.

FASCINATING FACT: Liberty State Park stands on what used to be a massive industrial area, and the land for the park is partly from earth excavated during the construction of the (now, non-existent) World Trade Center in the 1970s.

Location:

Available From July 30, 2024

Morristown National Historical Park:

This park, located in Morristown, NJ, is a little further away, but it’s worth the drive for an adventurous day out.

The park isn’t just any park; it’s where General George Washington and the Continental Army spent a tough winter during the Revolutionary War. You get to walk on the same ground as these brave soldiers and see where they lived and planned their next steps. Then you get to have some fun exploring and hiking along their beautiful trails, the very same trails that the soldiers used. Pretending you’re a soldier and playing with your Lag BaOmer bow and arrow here should come naturally, though of course in the Revolutionary War they fought with guns, not archery. There are also plenty of open areas for playing games or having a picnic.

FASCINATING

FACT: One of the coolest things about this park is that it includes the Ford Mansion, which served as Washington’s headquarters. It’s not every day that you get to see where the first commanding general of the US army, and first president of the United States, lived and worked. Plus, the park’s museum has an original copy of Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis,” a pamphlet with a few essays that were written to motivate and encourage the colonists during the Revolutionary War. Washington used to read these essay to his troops to inspire them.

This year, for Lag BaOmer, why not explore some parks in the area and let history come alive? Whether it’s walking through the battlegrounds where soldiers fought for freedom at Monmouth Battlefield State Park or hiking and picnicking at Liberty State Park with views of the Statue of Liberty, there’s so much to discover. Each park has its own unique story, and they’re all perfect places for your next adventure, combining fun outdoor activities with fascinating bits of history

Happy Lag BaOmer!

Memory

How many pieces of wood are under the fire?

The gerenuk is one of hundreds of species in the deer family. Despite the fact that they are part of such a widely branched family they are easily distinguishable: they have a very long neck (the name gerenuk translates in Somalian as giraffe), tall legs, and they eat from towering trees by habitually standing upright on their two hind legs!

They are found only in a few dry hot countries in Africa: Egypt, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania.

Gerenuk

The gerenuk is a very tall species of deer that can reach a weight of quite over 100 lbs. and a height of 5 ft..

Their tall legs and long necks are their strong identifying features. Their large, narrow and rounded ears protrude on the top of their heads and their eyes are circled with beautiful white rings.

Their fur has 3 beautiful colors: upper back is deep brown, the bulk of their body is light brown, and their lower abdomen and legs are white.

They like roaming about solitary, or in pairs. Even if they will gather in a group, it will only be a small one of 3-6 members.

Only the males have antlers on their heads. The antlers lean backwards and turn forward on top with a hook-like point.

Gerenuk babies are born weighing only 6.6 lbs., but the mother will keep them close to her (picture top and left) and protect them devotedly from predators or dangers.

The gerenuk will rarely bend over to the ground to feed on grass, contrary to most of the deer family. Instead he will use a tool that Hashem created him with: he stands upright on his tall skinny hind legs while simultaneously holding on tight to the tree branches with his front legs; like that he eats from parts where others can’t reach due to the height (pictures top and left).

Besides leaves that they consume (even from trees full of thorns!), they will also sometimes eat flowers, fruit and other plants that they come across.

Since they dwell in extremely hot locations - in the vast, barren deserts- Hashem created them without the need for drink, only they extract the fluid that their body needs from the food they eat

Their natural predators are: lions (picture left), cheetahs, jackals, and leopards. Because they can’t run as quickly as their enemies, they will use their sharp sense of hearing that Hashem created them with, and constantly be on the vigil to see or hear if anyone is stalking them or preparing to attack.

1. A male gerenuk sitting down, folding his tall, skinny legs under him; not an easy feat.

2. 2 male gerenuks charging with their horns; this can be either in greeting or a wrestle.

3. A male gerenuk standing upright on his hind legs, holding on to the branches with his front legs and feeding on the leaves.

4. A mommy gerenuk sitting and relaxing near a pond.

5. A baby gerenuk drinking from a bottle in a zoo.

6. A ferocious lion chasing a gerenuk.

TIDBITS

Habitat: A few hot countries in Africa

Weight: from 66 to 114 lbs.

Height: between 4.5 and 5 ft.

Shoulder height: 34-42 inches

Tail: 8-14 inches

Offspring: 1 every few years

Food: leaves and twigs, sometimes flowers and fruit

Predators: lions, cheetahs, jackals and leopards

Lifespan: up to 8 years in the wild; in zoo - up to 13

Population: approximately 70,000

רעשעלפ ןיא רעדניק

לפעל רענרעבליז א :32

אָ ךאָנ .ןגיאָוראָב "?טריטנאָראָג רעוו" :טגערפעג רע טאָה

טשינ טאָה אָנעריאָ זאָ ,ךיז טייטשראָפ

טשינ טאָה רענייק .טראָווטנאָ ןייק ןבעג טנעקעג טאָה ןעמ ןעוו עגאָרפ עלופנייפּ יד טגערפעג טלאָוועג עלאָ ןבאָה טצעי .םימותי טעוועטאָרעג

עטסעב סאָד טריבורפּ טאָה יז ןואָ סעיטנאָראָג יד טגאָזעגרעביאָ טאָה אָנעריאָ .ךילגעמ סאָוו ביואָ" :לאָמ רעטרעדנוה

LAG BA’OMER

DID YOU KNOW?

On Lag Ba’omer we have the custom to light bonfires. This is because the Torah, and especially the secrets within it, are compared to fire.

Just as Rashbi revealed the secrets of Torah to all of us, we too can share with someone a part of Torah that they don’t know yet.

IMAGINE

You know how to play piano. You’ve learned how to read the notes and after practicing for many hours, days, weeks, and months, you have mastered three of your favorite songs. There is nothing like the feeling of your fingers running across the keyboard, creating the harmonious sounds of music. Your good friend Yossi wishes he could play too. You think to yourself, “There’s a reason Hashem gave me this skill. Aside from using my talent to play music, maybe I can also teach it to Yossi.” One day after school, Yossi comes over for his first lesson, given by you. You can’t teach him everything in one day, but you start by showing him the right way to hold his fingers on the keyboard. One piece of information at a time, he can start to learn how to play.

DELVING DEEPER

BRING IT HOME

How can you be like Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who revealed the secrets of Torah?

Rashbi wrote the Zohar, a book that contains the secrets of the Torah, and revealed it to the world. Because of him, all Jews can now access the deepest parts of the Torah, strengthening their connection with Hashem. We honor this by lighting bonfires on Lag Ba’omer, his Hilula, the day he passed away ,since the secrets of Torah are represented by fire. Although we are not on the level of Rashbi, we can nevertheless take a lesson from his life. Just as Rashbi revealed and taught the deepest layers of Torah, you too can teach a part of Torah you know to someone who may not yet know. There is a well-known teaching, “If you know Alef, teach Alef.” Even if you only know one Alef Bais letter, one Parsha, or one explanation within Torah, you can share it with someone else who doesn’t yet know it.

Bonfire of Knowledge Painting PARSHA

Begin by sponging yellow paint over most of the canvas.

Cut out the printed template of a black open book.

Using a medium paintbrush, paint the Aleph-Bais Stampers with black paint. Randomly stamp the Aleph-Bais around

Add some orange paint dots around the canvas with a sponge. Blend the two shades by dabbing until yellow and orange mesh together.

Glue your book to the bottom of your canvas.

Your “Bonfire of Knowledge” Painting is complete. Have a Happy Lag Ba’omer

Repeat step 2 with red paint. Make sure your whole canvas is fully painted and blended with yellow, orange, and red paint to create the look of a bonfire.

Take 3 Aleph-Bais cookie cutters and dip them into black paint. Then, stamp them around the canvas.

SUPPLIES

Paint: Yellow, Orange, Red & Black

Printed Template - Open Book

Aleph-Beis Cookie Cutters

Medium Paintbrush

Aleph-Beis Stamps

Paper Towel

Small Plate

Liquid Glue

Scissors

Sponge

Canvas

*We would love to see how your Parsha Studio Project came out! Send us pictures to, info@jcm.museum

“When Eliyahu Hanavi Will Come, The First Thing He Will Demand is Shabbos!”

A Clarion Call for Shemiras Shabbos from the Home of HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, Shlita

By: Chaim Gold

It was a small meeting in the home of Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, but one that is destined to make a big, massive, transformative change in Klal Yisrael. Last week, a delegation of prominent Rabbanim in Lakewood led by HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Meir Katz, shlita, senior dayan and posek of Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood, gathered in the home of HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Mesivta of Lakewood and Telshe, to discuss and strategize on how to stir more awareness of the imperative to learn hilchos Shabbos. The laws of Shabbos encompass so many areas of daily life and if a person doesn’t make an effort to learn them properly and comprehensively, even if he is a “shomer Shabbos,” he will sadly not be able to properly be shomer the Shabbos. He and his family will inadvertently transgress multiple halachos.

The meeting was also graced by the Nasi of Dirshu, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita, who pledged to utilize Dirshu’s worldwide network to help facilitate greater awareness of the imperative to learn and know hilchos Shabbos.

Among the other Rabbanim in attendance were, HaRav Moshe Chaim Kahn, Rav of the Willam Street shul and dayan in Beth Medrash Govoha, HaRav Moshe Zev Feldman, dayan in Beth Medrash Govoha, HaRav Dovid Merling, Rav of Khal Zichron Yaakov, HaRav Eliezer Ralbag, Rav of the Lakewood Courtyard Shul, HaRav Chaim Weg, Rosh Kollel Bais Havaad and Rav of the Sunset Grove community, HaRav Yisrael Zucker, Rav of Khal Ner Avrohom and a Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Maggid shiur at Beth Medrash Govoha, HaRav Chanoch Saltz, dayan at the Beis Horaah of Lakewood, and numerous others,

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

Rav Eliezer Ralbag, made a profound point. He said, this year is an especially auspicious time to start learning hilchos Shabbos. Why? Because the Amud HaYomi is also currently learning Masechta Shabbos. Many tens of thousands of people across the globe have been investing heart and soul into learning Masechta Shabbos. They have recently learned about hotzaah, carrying on Shabbos, about cooking and baking on Shabbos, about insulating food on Shabbos… they are already familiar with the sugyos. “What an amazing opportunity for them to take it to the next level and learn the actual halachic outcome. All their knowledge of the masechta will give them so much more clarity! It would almost be a shame not to follow through!”

Rav Chaim Weg, added that indeed, he has repeatedly seen that when a person who learns the halachos is actually familiar with the sugyos in the Gemara, the halacha becomes so much clearer and relevant to him, it becomes “lichtig!”

Imagine Hearing that You Have Been Mechallel Every Single Shabbos!!

With a tinge of sadness in his voice, Rav Hofstedter commented, “Imagine what happens after 120 years of life. A frum Yid comes up to shomayim and is asked, ‘Were you a shomer Shabbos?’ His answer? ‘Of course, I was a shomer Shabbos! I am a frum person….’ Imagine if the Beis Din Shel Maalah then answers, “But you have not kept one Shabbos in your entire life! Without realizing it, you have been mechallel Shabbos every Shabbos!”

Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin added, “I would like to share a chiddush that I heard in the name of the Chofetz Chaim. The Chofetz Chaim said that it is a davar barrur, something as clear as day, that when Eliyahu Hanavi comes to herald the coming of Moshiach, the first thing he will muhn, the first thing he will demand will be an accounting for shemiras Shabbos!”

Rav Sorotzkin then continued, “The Chofetz Chaim said that there is virtually no one who can say, ‘I am a shomer Shabbos k’halacha. Certainly, if you are not a talmid chochom, you cannot make such a claim. If you are a talmid chochom it is your responsibility to make your friends and neighbors aware that one must learn hilchos Shabbos if he wants to truly keep Shabbos!”

Rav Sorotzkin’s words highlighted the purpose of the gathering in his home - to try devising ways to encourage the learning of hilchos Shabbos. When the numerous Rabbanim sitting at the table were asked for advice on how to arouse this awareness, there were several responses.

What was clear from all of the Rabbanim is that it was tremendously important to seize the opportunity presented by the fact that the popular Dirshu Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program will begin hilchos Shabbos this coming Shavuos, as the program embarks on Chelek Gimmel of the Mishnah Berurah.

If a person starts learning hilchos Shabbos with the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha this coming Shavuos, he will complete hilchos Shabbos within a year and a half. Can we even begin to imagine how many mitzvos assei’s and lo saseis he will have saved himself from transgressing just by dedicating a half hour per day to learning hilchos Shabbos?

Rav Dovid Hofstedter then reminisced about his years as a yeshiva bachur in Eretz Yisrael. “I learned in Yeshiva Bais Hatalmud of Yerushalayim when Rav Dov Schwartzman was the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Moshe Shapiro was a maggid shiur and ybl”ch, HaGaon HaRav Aharon Feldman, shlita, today, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Ner Yisrael of Baltimore, was the mashgiach. One winter zeman we learned Masechta Shabbos. I remember Rav Aharon Feldman urging us all to simultaneously learn hilchos Shabbos, saying, ‘You already learned the sugyos, you understand the underpinnings of the halacha, if you learn the halachos now, you will find it so geshmak and will gain so much!’”

Shabbos, the Mekor of Bracha and the Height of Shemirah

After much discussion, Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin and the other Rabbanim agreed that it is important that Rabbanim in kehillos the world over should devote time on this coming Parshas Bechukosai to encourage their kehillah members to make a kabbalah to learn hilchos Shabbos with a plan.

There is no better opportunity than to be mekabel Shabbos on Shavuos, the day of Kabbolas HaTorah! On Shavuos, the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha will begin learning hilchos Shabbos, what an amazing zechus!

It is for this very reason that a massive gathering at the Prudential Center in Newark just three days before Shavuos, on 3 Sivan/ June 9 has been planned, to mark the haschala of hilchos Shabbos and get as many people to join as possible, and make this kabbolla before kabollas HaTorah.

The reason for the large gathering in the Prudential Center is that nothing is too much when it comes to encouraging the limud of hilchos Shabbos. Shabbos is the mekor habracha and the greatest shemirah.

Dirshu is also making hundreds of new shiurim in hilchos Shabbos available in shuls all over the world. There are also many audio and digital options to hear shiurim daily from the most gifted maggidei shiur in the world.

Today, Klal Yisrael finds itself in an extremely precarious situation from within and without, both in Eretz Yisrael and the diaspora. We desperately need bracha and shemirah and Shabbos can provide both!

Let us answer the call of the Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbanim. Let’s be Mekabel Shabbos -K’Hilchaso!

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Contact the renowned Rebetzin Aidel Miller from Yerushalyim Kein Ayin Hora.

Rebetzin Aidel Miller is a granddaughter of the known Rabbi Yakov Yosef Herman ל״צז, who did much to strengthen Yiddishkeit in America.

The Rebetzin became known over the years for helping people with difficulties through special Segulos and prayers from holy sources, to fortify the faith and Bitachon of those in need of a Yeshua

Rebetzin Miller is also an expert in using the segula of “Blei Gissin” (pouring of lead).

This Segulah is mentioned in the Sefer קדצ

and other Seforim. This Segulah is known in Klal Yisroel for many generations and Mekubalim have given their approval of this Segulah

May Hashem grant her much Siyata Dishmaya to continue her work, and may Hashem the healer of the broker heart, heal all those in need of help.

“A year ago a lady came to the Rebetzin as she did not have children.

The Rebetzin gave her a big brocha, did the blei gissen and told her she will have twins. A year later she gave birth to twins. ”

Removing Ayin Hora through “Blei Gissin” is a known Segulah to aid with issues of health, Shidduchim, child bearing, Parnassa, anxiety and other difficulties.

Rebetzin Miller is blessed with tremendous Siyata Dishmaya and has had the Zechus to be the right Shliach to help and be Mechazek Klal Yisroel for close to 40 years.

“A man called the Rebetzin as his daughter had to go to the emergency hospital. The Rebetzin calmed the father down and did the blei gissen with tefillahs, and said she has nothing and will be going home the same night safe. It happened that the doctors found nothing and sent her home safely. ”

“A girl from Brooklyn NY called and was having a terrible time finding her soul mate. The Rebetzin did the blei gissen and told her to daven certain tehillims. A month later she became engaged and is today happily married. ”

Peanut butter cups

10 servings1 hour

ingredients directions

5 1/4 ozs Dark Chocolate (at least 70% cacao, broken into pieces)

1 1/2 tbsps Coconut Oil

1/2 cup All Natural Peanut Butter

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/8 tsp Sea Salt

Liatt Ehrman

Arrange paper baking cups on a plate or a small baking sheet. Set aside.

1. Set up a double boiler: Fill a medium pot with an inch of water and place a smaller pot or heat-safe bowl on top ensuring the water is not touching the bottom of the smaller pot or bowl. The smaller pot or bowl should rest tightly on top of the pot and any water or steam should not be able to escape.

2. Bring water to a boil then reduce to lowest heat. Add the dark chocolate and coconut oil to the smaller pot and stir until melted. Remove from heat.

4.

3. Divide half of the melted chocolate between the paper baking cups. There should be a thin, even layer of chocolate in each baking cup. Freeze for 10 to 15 minutes until solid.

5.

Meanwhile, in a bowl combine the peanut butter, vanilla and salt. Stir until smooth.

6. Return to the freezer for about 30 minutes or until solid. Enjoy!

Divide the peanut butter between the baking cups by spooning the peanut butter into the center of solid chocolate. Drizzle the remaining melted dark chocolate around and overtop the peanut butter.

7.

"Cheesy" Lentil Pasta

ingredients: directions:

1/2 cup Dry Red Lentils

1 3/4 cups Water

2 Garlic (clove, small, chopped)

2 cups Gluten free Penne (dry)

3 tbsps Nutritional Yeast

1/4 tsp Sea Salt

1/2 cup Marinara Sauce

Preheat oven to 420ºF (216ºC).

Add the lentils and water to a large pot and boil. Reduce to a simmer and add the garlic. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes or until the lentils are tender.

Meanwhile, in a separate pot, cook the pasta according to the package directions.

Add the lentils, garlic, and remaining cooking water to a blender. Add nutritional yeast and salt. Blend until just smooth. Return the lentil sauce to the original pot. Add the marinara sauce and pasta and stir well. Serve and enjoy!

directions correction from last week’s gf macaroni & cheese

Place butternut squash, sweet onion and garlic cloves in a large mixing bowl. Add olive oil, season with a bit of sea salt and pepper and mix well. Transfer onto a large foillined baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes.

Now let's make the "breadcrumbs". In a food processor, combine the almonds, garlic powder and onion powder. Pulse until almonds are coarsely chopped. Set aside. In a blender, add cashews, nutritional yeast, sea salt and water. Blend until a creamy consistency forms. Now add in the roasted butternut squash and onion mix and blend until smooth.

Reduce oven to 350ºF (177ºC).

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook brown rice macaroni as per the directions on the package. When finished cooking, strain and run under cold water immediately to prevent from overcooking.

In a large bowl, mix together cooked macaroni and "cheese" sauce. Toss until well coated then transfer into a casserole dish. Top with almond breadcrumbs and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven. Let cool for 10 minutes. Spoon into bowls. Enjoy!

Trueyounourishment.com

Liatt Ehrman is a Certified Nutrition Coach, Certified Prenatal/Postpartum Nutrition Professional, and Certified Transformational Life Coach. Her passion is to nourish and support women with the tools to thrive during pregnancy, postpartum, and the years after. Bringing out the best version of themselves so they can be better wives, mothers, and Ovdei Hashem. She can be reached by email at liatt@trueyounourishment.com or 732-276-0276

I can’t believe its spelt Spelt Challah

Ingredients :

4 Tbls dry yeast

1 1/2 cup of sugar

5 cups warm water

5 pound bag of spelt flour

1 1/4 cup of oil

2 eggs

2 Tbls of salt

Directions :

Put yeast, sugar and water into mixer bowl

Mix together and let stand until bubbles (about 10 minutes)

Add flour, oil and eggs, mix slowly together

Add salt and continue mixing on low for 10 minutes

Let rise for about an hour

Braid challahs, let rise for another 15 minutes

Brush with egg wash

Bake at 350° for about 40 - 45 minutes

Makes 4 large challahs or 6 medium ones NINE

Bar mitzva • Vort

Sheva Brochos • Shabbos Kiddush...

Purple Cabbage Salad

Ingredients

1 16oz bag shredded purple cabbage

1/2 cup roasted cashews

1/2 cup craisins

1/3 cup sesame seeds

Dressing

1/3 cup olive oil 1. 1/3 cup vinegar 2.

1/3 cup soy sauce 3.

1/3 cup sugar 4. Mix together and pour over salad 5. NINE

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Real Estate

Magnificent, luxurious, walk in vacation villa in the heart of Romema of Yerushalim available for rent.

6 bedroom, 5 bathroom, large playroom, large sauna, 3 patios, all household Inventities, 2 private parking. Pls WhatsApp 845-274-3601

Summer Rental

4 bedroom/4 bathroom house on Charming Way (Segull Square) available first half by the week or for the month. Park on block, right near all shopping and pools. 848-299-2883

Help Wanted

Morah/Teacher

Looking for a Morah for younger 2 yr oldo for upcoming year. 9.30am till 3pm. No preparation. Grt pay!! Chesnut area. Call 347 893 1797

Merchandise For Sale

Exclusive Designer Womans

Gown

Beautiful, beaded, Ombre gown for sale size 10-12. Great price please call 718-473-7389

Affordable Simcha & Evening-Wear Boutique in Westgate:

One-of-a-kind, handpicked selection of dressy evening/ shabbos wear for older teens and fashionable women sizes xs-xl. We carry both new and preloved items, and a cool selection of higher-end/de-

signer items.

Shabbos dresses aprox. range btwn: $50-$100 Evening & Simcha-wear aprox. range btwn: $100-$225

Call for hrs & appointments: 848-243-0019

cash/check accepted

Baby Carriage

Great condition - “Marmet” Made in Holland - Worth over $250 but will accept a good offer.

Tel 732.977.3400

Small Refrigerator

Great condition - Best offer accepted

Tel 732.977.3400

3 speed English Bike

New Tyres - Excellent condition - $200 or best offer

Tel 732.977.3400

Wireless Wifi Rental

Short or long term for just $25 per week - Tel 718 435 1923

Classy ivory gown for sale, semi custom by silhouette Worn once size 4/6 Beautiful details! Elegant design! perfect for talls

Call or text 732-675-8551

BRAND NEW CARRIAGE FOR SALE:

Selling Minu V2 UPPAbaby lightweight travel stroller with one hand fold.

Brand new in box, light grey. Originally $400, selling for $225

Please text only 347-415-4051

Looking to sell a dinette set in great condition. It’s a 6 ft frosted glass table with 6 metal frame, sturdy chairs. Asking $800 obo. For pics/ more info please text/call 848-240-5067

Cotton ribbed baby stretchies for sale! Only $10-$20! CALL 732-806-0294 (Largest selection for babies 3 and 6 months old .)

Beautiful lavender exquisite gown size 8 very tall worn once selling for 225 or rent

for 100 text 848-299-7537

Beautiful mauve mother/ sister of the bride gown size 10 selling for 300 or rent for 125 text 848-299-7537

Beautiful white exquisite gown size 44 very flattering fit selling for 250 or rent for 100 text 848-299-7537

Selling used canon dslr camera. perfect for a beginner photographer. $330 or best offer. call/text 848-223-2775

Luxurious Custom Paintings! Call/text/WhatsApp 848-299-1887 to order yours or for more info.

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Brand new dining room table. WhatsApp/text: 845-445-8648 for details.

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ADORABLE CUSTOM IVORY KIDS GOWNS, Sizes 2-16. Great price. 848-245-4401.

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Brand new, Beautiful, 54’’ beds with headboards. Call/ Text

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Beautiful, navy blue Exquisite gown, women’s size 8 for sale. Call/text 732-994-8328.

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for $60 718-578-1996

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Custom ivory gown size 4/6, Pls call/ txt 848.226.9204

Gown for sale

Stunning mauve/pink/ champagne semi custom gown, women size 4. Call/ text 732-232-7167

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Denim Maclaren stroller, Air purifier, Beautiful Modern Light Fixture. Call/text 9175331784

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2016 Mitsubishi Outlander SE 112,000 miles new brakes and rotors. Drive good, 7 seats, Text 646-342-5457

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Experienced and profes-

sional seamstress available for all your alteration needs. Call/text 848-525-6619

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Professional Music Lessons by Mr Wertzberger now for just $10 per week, limited time special. Tel: 718-435-1923

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Black coach hands bag at seagull square

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Ladies Longenes watch near Sadigur Shul on Holly Street on Thursday 4/11

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New tznius hospital gowns in Oak and Vine. Please call: 347-486-2994 or 347633-6329

Vort Dress Gemach

If you have a perfect condition Simcha dress that you would like others to benefit

from, please call/text (848) 245-2633.

The Pickup Gmach-Picking up your current last season’s kids clothing in good condition and passing it on to local Lakewood families who appreciate it and wear it right. We keep outfits and matching together as sets. For pickups email pickupgmach@gmail.com

Deja New Clothing Home Pickups. We pickup your excellent clothing so others can enjoy them too! Text ‘pickup’ to 732-702-3352.

Zichron Naftali jewish dvd gemach for challenging times. Men/women/kid dvds -2week, provide dvd player. 917-628-1785

Beautiful current style and current season children, teen, infant dresses avail for a Simcha, such as brothers bar mitzvah or cousins wedding...Call\ text 7326911666 to inquire Lzchus r’s refael Moshe Chaim ben chana

Huge buckets of lego and duplo for your shabbos simcha. Call 732 370-2572 to reserve

New tznius hospital gown gemach in Oak and Vine. At no cost. Please call: 347486-2994 or 347-633-6329

Speaker System for Small Events (with mic) 7320-510-3917 call/text Jackson, Bates Area

Gemach Zichron Feige

Stunning childrens gownsmatching collection from sizes 9 months untill size 18 for appt call 908-461-0058

If you have up-to-date, beautiful childrens gowns in all sizes you’d like to donate to our gemach please call 908-461-0058

Gemach zichron Gittel ladies gown gemach. Beautiful gowns size 0-20 (732) 908-8263

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Brand new bumper for a Toyota Camry 2002-2004, no fog lights please text 908-943-8537

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Mishnayos for the Kedoshim

Many of those killed on Simchas Torah and during the current war may not have ppl to learn Mishnayos/say Kaddish for them. Please learn a perek/mesechta Leili Nishmas text 201-241-2875

Ayin Horah

The renowned Rebetzin Aidel Miller from Yerushalayim

Is now available to remove “Ayin Horah” over the phone. Call till 5:00 PM: 718.689.1902 or 516.300.1490