What's Happening at Yeshivas Ohr HaChinuch

בס״ד

ג׳ טבת תשפ״ה

Dear Ohr HaChinuch Families,

Welcome back! After a beautiful Chanukah off-Shabbos, the boys returned with a renewed hunger for learning and growth. Beyond the joyous festivities of Chanukah that filled our yeshiva each day, we celebrated a major milestone that marked a new chapter in our yeshiva’s journey.

Our 5th-grade class, the oldest in our yeshiva, began an exciting step in their Torah learning journey — Gemara! This momentous occasion wasn’t just about turning a page in a sefer; it represented a leap forward in their connection to Hashem and their development as Bnei Torah. In preparation for this milestone, the boys dedicated time to learning foundational skills essential for understanding Gemara. Their anticipation and excitement were palpable.

To further enhance this moment, we took the boys to Bais Medrash Govoha, where they were privileged to have a private audience with the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Malkiel Kotler shlita. Rav Kotler spoke heartfelt words of chizuk and inspiration, emphasizing the unparalleled power of learning Torah Shebaal Peh. He described how toiling in Torah engraves the words of Hashem onto our neshamos, transforming us into living sifrei Torah. The boys left uplifted and excited for their new adventure carrying the Rosh Yeshiva’s message deep in their hearts. Following the visit, they enjoyed delicious donuts, graciously provided by 5th grade Mr. Rami, adding a sweet touch to an already unforgettable day. The boys returned to yeshiva shining with the light of Torah, ready to embrace to grow further!

The week concluded with a spirited Zos Chanukah mesiba in yeshiva. The room was alive with the sound of singing and dancing, filling the lunchroom with simcha. With more donuts, uplifting music, and captivating storytelling, the boys experienced the joy of the Yom in a way that left a lasting impression. 

A special mazel tov to our superstar 2nd grade Rebbe, Rabbi Edelson, on the birth of a grandson. Shalom Zachor tonight at the Edelson home and the bris is Wednesday. Wishing the entire Edelson family much simcha and nachas.

Be sure to check below for highlights from our wonderful Morahs and Rebbeim. This week’s Shabbos Totty is Zacky Kramer. Be sure to check below for our “Who’s Who” feature highlighting Zacky!

Parshas Vayigash

After two parshiyos and a cliffhanger, we finally come upon the big reveal: Yosef tells his brothers who he is! The brothers are shocked. Most meforshim focus on this revelation and its consequences, not just then but throughout our history. However, I want to focus on the end of the parsha—a pasuk that initially seems joyous, yet upon further reflection reveals a deeper message. As we know, this parsha (and the next one) sets up Klal Yisrael for a precarious situation. While everything appears fine at first, eventually Yosef dies, and the next Pharaoh begins the decline into 210 years of slavery for Klal Yisroel. But how did this all begin?

The last pasuk of this week’s parsha states:

וַיֵּ֧שֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ גֹּ֑שֶׁן וַיֵּאָחֲז֣וּ בָ֔הּ וַיִּפְר֥וּ וַיִּרְבּ֖וּ מְאֹֽד׃
“And Klal Yisrael dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen, and they acquired property in it, and they were prolific and multiplied greatly.”

The passuk uses the word “Va’ye’ah’chazu,” derived from the word “achuzah,” meaning “estate” or “something owned.” This implies that the Yidden acquired land in Goshen. However, “achuzah” also stems from the root word “achaz,” which means “to grasp.” Another way to read this passuk is that it was the “land of Goshen” that “grasped” Klal Yisrael—that the Yidden were being held by Goshen! So which is it? Were they trapped by the land, or did they acquire the land?

The chassidic masters delve deep into this passuk, introducing a well-known idea regarding our Avodas Hashem. We live in a material world, and one of our primary goals is to find the kedusha (holiness) within everything around us and elevate it from the tumah. Everything has something kadosh within it. It’s all about how we use it.

For example, a phone can simply be a tool for making calls, but it can also be a means of fulfilling the mitzvah of kibud av v’em by calling parents to wish them a Good Shabbos. The internet can be used for vile and wicked purposes, or it can be harnessed to learn Torah and connect with other Yidden through online shiurim. Our mission is to interact with the material world in ways that uplift it, transforming it into a vehicle for Avodas Hashem.

This idea is echoed in the works of our mussar masters. Working out can be purely for vanity, or it can be used to stay healthy and fulfill the mitzvah of “venishmartem…” Everyday, mundane activities can be turned into mitzvos, leading to the ultimate tikkun in this world: elevating the physical and transforming it into spiritual ruchniyus.

The final passuk in our parsha conveys this foundational concept while also warning us of its opposite. Initially, the shevatim and their descendants uplifted their surroundings, but over time, they allowed themselves to be “grasped” by the land. They stopped using the material world as a means for mitzvos and instead became ensnared by it. Chazal even tell us that Klal Yisrael reached the 49th level of Tumah, one removed from the highest level, and had they  stayed in Mitzrayim a moment longer, they would have been completely consumed by it.

This passuk teaches us an essential yesod in our avodah. When living in this material world, we face two options: we can either be “grasped” by the world around us and become enslaved to it, or we can “acquire it” by uplifting it and making it kadosh.

Recently, a shiur has gone viral from Rabbi Simcha Klein of Detroit speaking to the very real predicament we all find ourselves in as it relates to materialism in our community. If you haven’t done so already, I implore you to please listen to it as it is of great value for us, both as parents to our children, as well as for ourselves personally. May we be zoche to remain mindful of this vital idea, always using the material blessings Hashem gives us to connect to Him and fulfill His mitzvos and Torah!

Wishing you a meaningful and restful Shabbos,
Rabbi Bitton,
Rosh Yeshiva