CYHSB Weekly 5/19/2023

CYHSB WEEKLY

Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys

Volume 17, Issue 17

Electric Vehicles: The Next Generation of Cars?

Page 3

Cooper Clicks

Page 4

New Corner! Avi’s Awesome Authorities

Page 5

Early Season MLB

Predictions and Season

Breakdown

Page 6

Parshas Bamidbar: The Power of Our Words

Page 7

This week’s Weekly is sponsored by the Weekly staff in honor of their hard work.

Israel’s Judicial Reforms: Fall of a Democracy or Necessary Step?

Ethan VanderWalde (25’)

Over the past few months, hundreds of thousands of protesters have been taking the streets of Israel by storm. Streets were blocked, institutions closed down, and many of the country’s workers went on strike. People waving Israeli flags and chanting “Democracy!” marched in TelAviv, and some of the demonstrations got so out of control that police had to step in. At one point in late March, so many workers went on strike that they had to close Ben-Gurion airport for several hours. All of these protests and strikes were in

response to Benjamin Netanyahu’s governmental and judicial reforms, radical changes to Israeli law that had been going on since January. These laws and policies, which many Israelis see as a ploy by Netanyahu and his right-wing government to gain more power, have been a source of political discontent and disagreement in Israel since the beginning of the year, and the outcome of the argument can affect Israel and the world for years to come.

At the end of last year, Benjamin Netanyahu, who had served as prime minister of Israel Continued on next page:

Protests both for and against Israel’s new judicial reforms have run rampant across the country these past few months. Source: dw.com

for 12 straight years, was reelected to be head of Israel’s most religious, right-wing coalition to date. As soon as the new government was sworn in, discussions began as to how to ensure that laws can be passed quickly and effectively. The Israeli government has been relatively unstable over the past few years, with multiple elections and changes in power hindering significant progress. To solve this issue, Netanyahu and his supporters proposed several reforms that would increase the power of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), and decrease the ability of the judicial branch to veto new laws. Three of these reforms have been particularly controversial, and even some of Netanyahu’s allies have voiced concerns regarding them.

The first of these laws was written to address the issue of the Israeli Supreme Court being able to strike down legislation for reasons that some people view as arbitrary. This new proposed legislation, known as the Override clause, would give the Knesset the power to override any Supreme Court decision with a simple majority of 61. This significantly decreases the authority of the court, and allows the Knesset to pass laws almost unhindered. The next reform gives the Knesset more say in choosing judges in the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court. This again increases the government power and influence in the courts. The third reform is not related to the diminishing of power in the judicial system, but rather increases power in the executive branch. Presently, according to Israeli law, ministries of the executive branch are required to accept advice from legal advisers. These advisers are appointed through a public process, and are intended to assist and balance the power of the executive branch. Under this new reform, legal advisers would be appointed directly by the ministers themselves, and their advice would be considered only a

recommendation, not legally binding. This would essentially turn advisers into yes-men, allowing ministers to dismiss and appoint new ones at will.

These three big laws are the center of the new parliament’s overall reformation plan; however, there are also many other potential changes that would increase the power of the executive branch. These include laws that prohibit criminal charges against Prime Ministers, laws enabling public

The issue of new judicial reforms is not just a problem concerning politics and government, but has even caused other issues regarding the economy and security of Israel. Mass strikes have ensued because of the proposed legislation and Netanyahu’s policies, and Israel’s economy has suffered tremendously. Many reserve soldiers have also protested against the reforms by not showing up to training, and even soldiers in active duty have voiced their disapproval and concerns. This could cause a lot of harm to the state of Israel, because if the IDF isn’t unified, it can’t fully defend our country.

servants to be elected by politicians instead of by public vote, and even laws that would widen the authority of the Rabbinical Court. While some of these laws appeal to members of right-wing and religious political groups, especially those concerning the Rabbinical Court, many Israelis feel that these new laws were made for the purpose of ridding the government of checks and balances. Many of these laws also seem to increase the power of ministers of the executive branch, especially Netanyahu, who is now being faced with criminal charges of fraud and bribery. Because of this, many Israelis feel that these reforms could harm the democracy of their country. A public poll by the Israeli Democracy Institute found that 72% of Israelis want a compromise to be reached regarding the reforms, and 66% think the Supreme Court should still be able to strike down laws.

Torah Mitzion Kollel Member Netanel Aaronson explained the extent of the danger and situation: “The IDF has a very important job: to protect the state of Israel from its enemies. Therefore, any actions that soldiers take against the state of Israel - for the politically right or left - hurts the unit of the army and disrupts their job. If every soldier is not happy with something going on i n the country and decides to protest, the IDF will not function properly.” As Netanel explained, this controversy of the new judicial reforms doesn’t only affect the politicians and public servants of Israel, but every citizen’s safety and security.

As a Jewish community in Memphis, Tennessee, many might be wondering how Israeli politics could possibly affect us. However, as history has shown us time and time again, the safety and security of the Jewish people depends on stability in Israel. It is vital for us to be able to rely on Israel as a country that will accept us even if all others don’t, and these new laws regarding the Israeli government could change the way other countries view Israel and the Jewish people. I hope that a compromise will soon be reached concerning this issue, and that Israel will continue to be a safe haven for Jews all over the world.

The reforms in Israel alow the Knesset to veto any decision. Source: wikipedia.com

Electric Vehicles: The Next Generation of Cars?

Rafi Davidovics (’26)

Traditionally cars have been fuelpowered, but there's a new kid on the car block: Electric Vehicles (EV). Have you ever wondered how EVs get from point A to point B? Is it the same as an internal combustion car but wired to a battery or is there something else going on here? Surprisingly, the operating principle behind most electric cars predates the internal combustion engine by several decades. A Dutch professor named Sebranda Stratting built his small electric vehicle in 1834. The catch was that the battery was not rechargeable like the cars we have now.

The principle that drives electric cars is magnetism. Everybody knows how two positive or negative magnets will repel each other, and a negative with a positive will attract. So let's imagine an experiment using two magnets. One is fixed and the other mounted on a rotating shaft, if the two poles nearest each other on both magnets share the same polarity, say north to north, the magnet on the shaft will be repelled by the fixed magnet and will rotate so that the south pole of the magnet on the shaft is facing the north pole of the magnet that is fixed. If this experiment was used in electric cars, however; we would only be able to get a half rotation. This is where electromagnetism comes into play. In a fixed or permanent magnet, like the kind on your fridge at home, those magnetic poles are rigid and never change, north is always north and south is always south, however; on an electromagnet, the poles can be reversed. Imagine one of our experimental magnets is now an electromagnet, if the south pole quickly flips over to the north the fixed magnet will repel the moving magnet another half of the way making it a whole spin. To see how this works imagine a circuit with a

battery and a light bulb. The electron flow occurs in one direction from the battery to the light bulb. If you flip the battery one hundred and eighty degrees and put it back in the circuit the electrons will still flow just in the opposite direction and the circuit will still work. Electromagnets like light bulbs will work regardless of the direction the electrons are flowing. Brilliantly the polarity gets reversed along with the flow of electrons so to keep the magnet in permanent repel mode you have to keep flipping the battery to keep the polarity correct. The problem with flipping the battery is that every time you wanted to move one rotation you would have to go to the mechanic and get your tire flipped, meaning that just to get to school every morning I would have to go to the mechanic 5280 times. The solution to this problem is the inverter module. The inverter on the EV draws current from the battery through the combination of quick switches and slick circuitry. This

flips the flow of electrons back and forth nearly sixty times every second.

So now that we know how they work let's talk about some of the advantages. First of all, EVs tend to be more efficient than the typical gas model, and EVs are less likely to fail or require expensive maintenance. Another cool thing EVs can do is that they can recharge themselves even while driving. It does this by utilizing the kinetic energy created by the kinetic energy created while breaking, or even just the friction of the road while you are driving.

Overall electric vehicles are incredibly interesting new ventures into the realm of transportation. From FedEx shipping introducing their new fleet of electric trucks to charging stations being added to our local Memphis infrastructure, EVs are certainly not going away anytime soon.

Electric cars are the future, and each year automakers are adding more EVs to their lineup. Source: caranddriver.com

Word WheelCooper Clicks

Top Lef: Some random old guy poses for an awkward selfie with Rafi Goldkin and Ezra Wiener. Top Right: Rafi Goldkin chazers with Malachim on the bus. Middle Lef: DR Wogan surfs a gnarly wave.

Bottom Lef: Milions cheer as Ezra Wiener wins NCSYer of the century.

Bottom Right: Ezra Wiener relaxing with the boys afer winning a boat as his prize for NCSYer of the century.

First person to send in a completed puzzle to nathan.greenbaum@mhafyos.org gets a prize!

Avi’s Awesome Authorities

Shemaiah and Avtalyon

Together Shemaiah and Avtalyon make up the fourth pair of the zugot, receiving their tradition from Judah b. Tabbai and Simeon b. Shetaḥ. Both Shemiah and Avtalyon are said to have been descendants of proselytes (Git. 57b; Sanh. 96b). Avtalyon and Shemaiah were called "the two great men of their generation" (Pes. 66a), and "great sages and interpreters" (ibid., 70b), and the people held them in even higher esteem than the high priest (Yoma 71b). There the Kohen Gadol came out of the temple on Yom Kippur after performing the service and all the people were following him home in a display of immense respect. However, as soon as they saw Shemaya and Avtalyon they abandoned the Kohen Gadol to follow them. In the earliest dispute recorded in the Talmud, concerning the laying of hands on the head of a festal sacrifice , Avtalyon's views coincided with those of the nesi'im who preceded him that it "may not be performed" (Ḥag. 2:2). They were also teachers of Hillel, teaching him things such as that the paschal sacrifice is offered even on the Sabbath (Pes. 66a). Avtalyon's decisions are also quoted in Eduyyot (1:3; 5:6). They are highly regarded and held a sought after level of knowledge which makes them beyond deserving of any honor given towards them. ל”צז . -

Avi Becker (’24)

- CALVIN AND HOBBES © Watterson. Reprinted with permission of ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION. All rights reserved.

Early Season MLB Predictions and Season Breakdown

Zechariah Lichter (’24) and Benny Frieden (’26)

Last Week’s Solution

The 2023 MLB season is underway and it is off to a pretty crazy start. There are multiple non-playoff teams from last year that have started off the season hot. The Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks have all been off to a great start after being pretty bad for the past few seasons. The Orioles, the best of the bunch, have started the season 26-15 behind their star catcher Adley Rutschman, a young and up-in-coming lineup, and a very solid rotation. The Texas Rangers (25-16) hired Bruce Bochy, a 3 time World Series Champion, to be their manager while also signing Jacob deGrom to a massive contract to be their superstar pitcher. The Pirates, who shockingly started the season 20-8, have cooled down a bit, but are still one of the more exciting teams to watch this season. The Diamondbacks (24-18) called up all of their big name prospects last year and it is really paying off, and they are one of the better teams to start the season. Along with the good teams, however, there have been many disappointing teams as well. The New York Mets, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies all who were World Series contenders before the season have started the season very slow. They are all way too talented and experienced to not pick it up eventually.

Although it may be too early to make accurate predictions, we are still going to take a shot. First prediction is that good teams right now like the Pittsburgh Pirates,

Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers will fall apart in the summer and miss the playoffs. The Baltimore Orioles who are hot right now sneak into the playoffs for the first time since 2016 but get eliminated early on in the wild card.

also come from the AL East: The Tampa Bay Rays, who will finish 98 wins and led by Wander Franco and Randy Arozarena. They will be the fourth team from the AL East in the playoffs. The Houston Astros who are the defending champions have started off the season slower than expected. I say that they turn it around led by Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez finishing with a 101-61 record making them the 1 seed in the AL.

National League:

Full Playoff Predictions: American League: Coming in at the 6 seed and sneaking into the playoffs will be the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles will finish with a record of 88-74 led by young stars Adley Rutschman and Cedric Mullens. The 5 seed will be the Toronto Blue Jays. Another very good team led by stars Vlad Gurerro and George Springer will finish with a 90 win season. The 4 seed, and the last non-division winner team to make the playoffs, will be another team from the AL East: The New York Yankees, who are led by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. They will finish with a record of 93-69. Now for the division winners: From the AL Central which is probably the worst division in baseball will be the Minnesota Twins, led by Carlos Correa, with a record of 85-77. The 2 seed will

The team that sneaks into the playoffs will be the Milwaukee Brewers with a record of 85-77. Their pitching is one of the best in the league with starter Corbin Burnes and closer Devin Williams. The 5 seed will be the Philadelphia Phillies with a record of 89-73. After making the world series last year they started this season off slow but I believe they will bounce back led by Bryce Harper. The 4 seed will be the San Diego Padres. They will finish with 90 wins this season. They are another team that started off the season slow but led by Fernando Tatis they will turn it around. The St Louis Cardinals will take the 3 seed and win the central. They will win 92 games. They also started the season off 10-24 but are turning it around and are now only 8 games below 500. The 2 seed will be the Atlanta Braves finishing with 97 wins. The Braves have been really good for a few years now led by Ronald Acuna. And last but not least, the LA Dodgers will be the 1 seed in the national league finishing with 103 wins led by Freddie Freeman.

The first quarter of the MLB season has been surprising and electric. Source: mlb.com

Parshas Bamidbar: The Power of Our Words

Avi Becker (’24)

Our words are very powerful. As is a message repeated countless times throughout the Torah Diveri Halacha and shiurim. This idea is again exemplified in Bamidbar. The word “bamidbar” (רבדמב) can be read as two words “bam dabeir” (רֵבַד - מָבּ) — “in them you should talk.” This idea appears also in the Gemara (Yoma 19b) as commentary on the words “Vedibarta bam,” “Speak of them,” i.e. of Torah — and not devarim beteilim, idle or forbidden talk.

Noach’s Ark; what is unique about the days of Mashiach?

In Noach’s time the whole world was in danger of destruction. In such circumstances there is no time for fighting, and enemies naturally become allies and struggle together for survival. In the days of

out of fear. Bilaam told them, “What you are witnessing is true unity. G-d is giving them the Torah, which will be their source of strength and which will unite them with common goals of study and observance.”

Upon hearing this, the nations exclaimed, “We realize G-d will bless His people with peace; through Torah they will have a blessing of peace and not peace necessitated by crisis.”

Last Week’s Solution

This use of speech is so powerful in the Torah that it is often regarded as the greatest miracle when G-d spoke to us at Har Sinai. The Gemara (Zevachim 116b) relates that, when Hashem gave the Torah to the Jewish people, His mighty voice was heard throughout the entire world and all the kings were gripped with fear. They gathered around the prophet Bilaam and asked, “What is the meaning of this mighty roar? Perhaps there is another flood coming to the world!”

Bilaam replied that Hashem had a valuable treasure which he had safeguarded for 974 generations before creation and was now giving it to His children, as stated in the verse “G-d will give might (Torah) to His nation” (Psalms 29:11).

Immediately, they all responded “G-d will bless His nation with peace,” (ibid.).

But why did the nations of the world think another flood was coming?

The prophet, speaking of the miraculous events of the days of Mashiach, states that “the wolf will dwell together with the lamb” (Isaiah 11:6). This also occurred in

Mashiach there will be universal prosperity and peace.

Unfortunately, in tranquil times, people often find time to quarrel.

The prophet therefore foretells the miracle that will occur in the days of Mashiach, when everyone will have all they need in an abundance. Even then there will be absolute peace, and the wolf and lamb will live together.

Concerning the preparations for receiving the Torah, it is stated, “Vayichan sham Yisrael neged hahar” — “And Israel encamped there opposite the mountain” (Shemot 19:2). Rashi explains that the word “Vayichan,” in singular, teaches us that the great multitude encamped as a single person with a single desire.

Upon witnessing such unity, the nations of the world came to Bilaam fearing another flood and wondering if the Jews had united

This concept of peace is further seen because the Torah says Bamidbar Sinai and not just Sinai. The words “Midbar Sinai” (יניס רבדמ) have the numerical value of 376, which is the same as the word ”shalom” (םולש). When the Jews arrived at Sinai to receive the Torah we are told that, “Vayichan sham Yisrael” — “And Israel encamped there” (Shemot 19:2). Rashi writes that the word “Vayichan” is in the singular to teach us that the Jewish people were “like one person with one desire.” A prerequisite for receiving the Torah was shalom. Shalom here is clearly something humans bestow upon themselves with the help of G-d. If we don’t seek peace ourself, peace will never come. And similarly, if G-d weren’t to graciously bestow it upon us it would never come.

But there’s another reason it was chosen to be in Sinai. Since the wilderness is considered ownerless it teaches that since the Torah was given in no one in specific’s land, it belongs equally to everyone. We all have a right to learn and teach and practice and understand the Torah and we should take advantage of that opportunity and do all those things while understanding that that is a gift from Hashem to each of us.

This week’s parsha is related to the idea of the importance of our words. Source: madmimi.com

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CYHSB Weekly Staff

Editor-in-Chief

Ezra Davidovics | ezra.davidovics@mhafyos.org

Layout Editor

Nathan Greenbaum | Nathan.greenbaum@mhafyos.org

Associate Editor-in-Chief

Nadav Lowell | nadav.lowell@mhafyos.org

Managing Editors

Ethan VanderWalde | ethan.vanderwalde@mhafyos.org

Raanan Vanderwalde | raanan.vanderwalde@mhafyos.org

Assistant Layout Editor

Amit Zalman | amit.zalman@mhafyos.org

News Editors

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Yaron Weiss | yaron.weiss@mhafyos.org

Akiva Levine | akiva.levine@mhafyos.org

Complaint Manager

J.J. Stein | jacob.stein@mhafyos.org

CYHSB Weekly Staff

Avi Becker | avi.becker@mhafyos.org

Baruch Finkleman | baruch.finkleman@mhafyos.org

Rafi Davidovics | rafael.davidovics@mhafyos.org

Benny Freiden | benjamin.freiden@mhafyos.org

Rafi Goldkin | rafael.goldkin@mhafyos.org

Jojo Ardestani | jonathan.ardestani@mhafyos.org

Yosef Vanderwalde | yosef.vanderwalde@mhafyos.org

Administrative Advisors

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Mrs. Ashley Brown

From the Editor:

In a world where connections matter, let us reflect on the power of our words. Just as Israeli judicial reforms strive for justice, let's remember that our words hold weight too. They can ignite change like electric cars revolutionizing transportation or bring unity like baseball uniting diverse fans. By choosing our words carefully, we can bridge gaps, foster understanding, and empower progress. Let us use our voices wisely.

- Ezra Davidovics