The Importance of Yichus - YU Torah Online

Dvarim Hayotzim Min Halev 3Taken from Aish.com0 201326 IyarYahrtzeit of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (1707-1747),author of classic works of Jewish philosophy, known bythe acronym of his name, Ramchal. He was born in Italywhere he quickly became known for his vast Torahknowledge and beautiful literary style. It is said that byage 14, he already knew the entire Talmud and Midrashby heart. Ramchal's Path of the Just, which describes astep-by-step process to attaining spiritual perfection, is aclassical work of Mussar (Jewish ethics) that is studiedwidely today. Other of Ramchal's important works includeThe Way of God, a systemized study of Jewishphilosophy, and Da'at Tevunot, an exposition on kabbalisticconcepts. Ramchal moved to Amsterdam where heworked as a diamond cutter, and later to Israel, where heperished in a plague at the age of 40. He is buried next tothe famed Rebbe Akiva on a hillside in Tiberias.27 IyarIn 1945, the Theresienstadt concentration camp was liberated.Theresienstadt was not a death camp by the usualdefinition. It was the center of a Nazi PR ploy -- a mythic,idyllic city that was supposedly built to protect Jewsfrom the vagaries and stresses of the war. The Red Crosswas once allowed to visit Theresienstadt, which wasspruced up for the occasion; inmates were dressed up andbaked goods suddenly filled the shelves. (The Red Crossconcluded that the Jews were being well-treated.) In reality,starvation and disease proved rampant. Of the200,000 people (mostly Czech Jews) who passed throughits gates, thousands died of malnutrition and exposure,and others were sent to Auschwitz.28 IyarIn 1967, Israeli paratroopers completed their capture ofthe Old City of Jerusalem, restoring Jewish control of theTemple Mount, Judaism's holiest site. Soldiers danced,sang and cried at the Western Wall, the site of Jewishprayers for centuries. A plaza was cleared in front of theWall, and one week later, tens of thousands of Jewsswarmed to the site on the holiday of Shavuot. Iyar 28 iscelebrated today as Yom Yerushalayim, commemoratingthe reunification of the Holy City, which has stood as thecapital of the Jewish nation for 3,000 years.29 IyarYahrtzeit of Shmuel (Samuel) the Prophet (930-878BCE). Shmuel was born to Chana, who had been barrenfor many years and prayed intensely for a child. Shmuelwas raised in an atmosphere of great holiness, and becamea leading prophet in Israel. Shmuel's greatest contributionwas in anointing the first king of Israel, Saul,and later anointing King David in his stead. (Somesources list Shmuel's yahrtzeit as 28 Iyar.)1 SivanIn the Hebrew year 2448 (1312 BCE), seven weeks afterthe Exodus from Egypt, the Jewish people arrived atMount Sinai. They spent the next five days in intensepurification and preparation to receive the Torah.2 SivanIn 1946, Rumanian leader Ion Antonescu was executedfor his role in World War II. Antonescu passed dozens ofanti-Jewish laws, and directly ordered pogroms and deportationsto concentration camps. Antonescu, whosestepmother and wife were both Jewish, said: "I give themob complete license to massacre [the Jews]. I will withdrawto my fortress, and after the slaughter, I will restoreorder." Under his governance, approximately 300,000Jews were killed in Romania and Transnistria, wheremany had been deported. Toward the end of the war, Antonescuwas arrested and put on trial by the Communistgovernment in Bucharest -- on the primary charge ofhaving supported the German invasion of the USSR. Hewas sentenced to death and executed.

דברים היוצאים מן הל ‏“ב 4Fire, Water, and DesertBy Uri Himelstein, 11th GradeThe Medrash on the beginning of Bamidbar states that the Torah was given though three things: fire, water,and desert. The obvious questions are, what do these three things have to do with one another, and also whatdo they have to do with Torah?The author of the Sefer Chashav Sofer explains that these three things symbolize the difficulties all menface and how they must struggle through them while still grasping the Torah. Fire is constantly flickering; at timesit is high and at times it is low, yet the flame is always burning. This represents a person’s success which varies,or flickers, yet he must always keep the Torah burning. One of water’s intrinsic properties is that it is always movingto lower elevation. Yet, as low as it gets it is still flowing. This shows that we must keep the Torah no matterhow low we flow. Finally, the desert represents a barren wasteland. In the real world this is Galus. Yet, even in thelowest of times we must never separate from the Torah.Rav Meir Shapiro takes a different approach. He explains that these three things represent tests that wewent through in order to receive the Torah. The first test we went through was that of fire. This is referring to Avraham’stest of being thrown into the Kivshan Ha’aish. This mesiras nefesh set the stage for all the other acts ofextreme self sacrifice seen throughout our history. However, this wasn’t enough; this just showed that one man inone generation was great. Why should the whole nation receive the Torah? Therefore, we received the test of water.At the Yam Suf, an entire nation jumped into the water simply relying on their Bitachon in Hashem. However,this too wasn’t enough, this was just a momentary test. All they had to do was jump in, nothing more, certainlynot enough to merit the Torah. So the final test came. The Bnei Yisroel had just gone through a terrible enslavement,yet they decided to follow Hashem by subjecting themselves to the desert, a desert totally devout of resources,save for poisonous snakes and scorpions. This test, a true long term commitment taken by the entire nation,showed Hashem the worthiness of the people to receive the Torah.Adapted From Torah Lada’as by R’ Matis BlumShavuos, Yom HadinBy Yaakov Bluestein, DRS AlumnusThe Sefer Hakuntress brings down in the name of the Shla, that Shavuos is the Yom HaDin (the day ofjudgement) for how much Torah every person will acquire in the upcoming year. Knowing this, how is a personsupposed to be zoche (merit) a good decree in his Limud HaTorah for the upcoming year?B''H many people in Klal Yisroel have taken upon themselves to stay up learning throughout the night.But in addition to this, a very important way for us to be zoche this hatzlacha is by davening for success in learning.There are many times in tefila that we ask Hashem for success in our Torah learning. To give a few examplesof this, in the bracha of “Hamavir Shayna,” we ask Hashem: 'shetargelanu betorahtecha' - accustom us to studyingYour Torah; in the bracha of “Ahava Rabba,” we go to great lengths to ask Hashem to allow us to understand theTorah and to 'enlighten our eyes to Your Torah'; and at the end of “Rebbe Yishmael” and twice in every Yom TovShemone Esrei, we ask Hashem to grant each of us our own unique share in the Torah.This kavana is especially important to keep in mind for those that plan to stay up all night learning Torah.After staying up learning, the Yetzer Harra could try to convince us, 'don't worry, its ok if I have a little less kavanain davening because after all, I'm tired and I've been learning Torah all night.' Therefore, it’s especially importantthat each of us make a special effort to have kavana to ask Hashem for a good din regarding our learningfor the coming year.May we each be zoche to a good din regarding our learning for the upcoming year!

דברים היוצאים מן הל ‏“ב 6(Daniel Ash — Continued from page 1)tation is based on a play of the word “Na’aseh”, “We will do” – it is to be read “Na’asuh”, “It was alreadydone” (by our forefathers).The Yalkut makes this radical change from the simple meaning of the passuk because there is an obviousquestion one could ask about Klal Yisroel’s unambiguous statement, “Everything that Hashem has spoken we willdo” – How could sincere people undertake a responsibility to do whatever they were commanded? How couldthey be sure that they would be able to honor their commitment? The answer is that the fact their forefathers hadalready fulfilled Hashem’s commands under the most difficult circumstances made it possible for them, the children,to make such a commitment. So the Yalkut is explaining that the reason why Klal Yisroel proudly declared“Na’aseh”, “We will do”, was that “Na’asuh”, “It was already done”.The Vilna Gaon adds that the simple meaning of the Bracha that we make before reading from the Torah,“Asher Bachar Banu Mikol Ha’amim V’nasan Lanu Es Toraso”, “Who selected us from all the nations and gaveus His Torah”, does not refer to the Jewish people at the time of Matan Torah. It refers to the Avos: Avraham,Yitzchak and Yaakov. Hashem chose THEM to become the forebears of His beloved people, because they servedHim with love and joy even under the most trying circumstances. This created an eternal bond between Hashemand their descendants. Therefore, Hashem gave Klal Yisroel the Torah only because of their Yichus.Written(Daniel Aharon — Continued from page 1)extra mile, without setting any limits or restrictions. When Rashi says that whoever teaches a friend Torah, it’s asif he fathered him, it only applies when the Rebbe acts like a father would act for the child.Rav Yissocher Frand relates a beautiful story that helps to illustrate the point of the Maharal. Rabbi Frandheard the story from Rav Shiya Fishman, who is the Executive Vice-President of Torah U’Messorah. When RavFishman was younger, he had a child who was in a serious medical condition. Needing Chizuk, he went to hisrebbe, Rav Yitzchok Hutner (1907-1980). As Rav Fishman was relating to his Rebbe all of his personal strugglesand difficulties, he began to break down in tears and cover his face with his hands. After he recovered, he lookedback towards his rebbe. Rav Hutner, too, was crying. The rebbe felt the pain of his beloved talmid. The student’stears were the rebbe’s tears as well. Rav Hutner was not just a teacher. He was the embodiment of the rebbethe Torah refers to when it calls Moshe the father of Aharon’s children.(Parsha Questions — Continued from page 2)ried to Elisheva, the sister of Nachshon (Exodus 6:23).5. Reuven, the son of Yaakov (Numbers 1:20), and Nadav the son of Aharon (Numbers 3:2), are each called afirstborn.6. The deaths of Nadav and Avihu are mentioned (Numbers 3:4).7. The deaths of the Egyptian first born is referenced in the law of redemption of first born sons (Numbers 3:13).8. Number 3:19 mentions Moshe's uncle Chevron (the brother of Moshe's father Amram), who shares the name ofa well-known ancient city in the land of Israel where the Patriarchs and Matriarchs are buried (Genesis 23:19).9. Before being transported, many of the Tabernacle vessels are covered with skins of the tachash animal(Numbers 4:6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14). The identity of this animal is not conclusively known (see Rashi - Exodus25:5).10. Five members of Aharon's family the High Priest all have names beginning with the letter alef: Aharon, hiswife Elisheva, and their three sons: Avihu, Elazar and Itamar.To sponsor an issue of please email us at info@hayotzim.com

Dvarim Hayotzim Min Halev 7-(Stories of Greatness — Continued from page 8)prise. He happily accepted their request. Having heardindividual Jews singing their prayers before, he figuredto himself that a whole congregation of them shouldprove to be quite an entertaining spectacle for himselfand his fellow aristocrats. He promised the tenants thathe and his associates would definitely attend. He thendismissed them and immediately launched preparationsfor a huge party for all the Polish aristocrats in the region,the highlight of which would be the spectacle ofthe Jewish prayer that would take place on the groundshe had leased to one of his tenants. The invitations hesent out included his promise of a “highly amusing surprise.”The Shpoler Zeide arrived early in the day beforeShavuot, with a large number of followers accompanyinghim. They quickly realized there would not beenough room on the farm for so many people. The rebbetold them to go to the nearby hill and raise up a largeawning there, under which they would set up a platformwith a table on it for the reading of the Torah.Shavuot morning arrived. The grassy landsaround the hill were crowded with hundreds of Jews,waiting in nervous anticipation to see what would happen.A significant number of gentiles—all the dukes,counts and lords, and other wealthy landowners andnobility in the region—also waited eagerly, looking forwardto the wonderful surprise their host had promisedthem.The rebbe approached the platform to lead theprayers himself. A hush fell over the assembly. TheJews began to pray with enthusiasm. The gentiles—seeing an old man with a long beard, covered from headto knees with an oversized white shawl with stringsdangling off it to the ground, chanting loudly the wordsof the prayers while all his limbs seemed to be tremblingand shaking—all laughed heartily. But when hecalled out in a extraordinarily powerful voice, “ShemaYisrael . . . echad,” their laughter ceased instantly. Itwas as if a lion had roared. They were gripped by terror.They tried to hide it with nervous smiles. Howcould a puny, absurd Jew make them afraid? But theycouldn’t shake the mood as the Zeide’s voice continuedto reverberate off the hillside, until, a few minutes later,the praying Jews stood absolutely still and silent.The repetition of the festival Standing Prayerwas followed by the joyous singing of Hallel(“Thanksgiving”) and chanting of the Akdamut. Thefestival joy was palpable. The rebbe signaled for theTorah scroll to be brought out and rolled to its properposition in the Torah portion of Yitro for the Shavuotreading. (Ex. 19–20) He then gazed at the surroundingcrowd and slowly swiveled his head. It was clear thathe was searching for someone. His gaze finally settledon a tall, very distinguished-looking man whom nobodyelse seemed to know. The Zeide summoned him to bethe Torah reader.Everyone murmured in surprise, but they weresoon pleased by the choice. The guest’s voice was bothmusical and powerful. When they reached the sectionof the Ten Commandments, the atmosphere altered radically.It had been a beautiful, clear spring morning.The sun was shining brightly, the sky a solid sheet ofpastel blue, with not a dot of cloud to be seen. Suddenlythe heavens darkened, and tremendous peals of thunderboomed down upon them. Fright took hold of everyone.The reader’s voice rose in volume and intensity.“I am G-d who brought you out of Egypt.” A Jew stoodnext to the landlord to translate word by word, butamazingly, the man realized he was able to understanddirectly, without aid, even though he didn’t know a singleletter of Hebrew. “You shall not have others’ godsbefore Me. Do not make any statue or image...” Thelord trembled and felt weak in his stomach as hethought of how he had demanded the Jews put engravedimages of Christian worship on their walls.When he heard “Remember the Shabbat daythat it should be holy,” his knees buckled. His throatwas constricted. Why had he tried to force the Jews toopen their businesses on their holy day? “...The seventhday is the holy Sabbath of G-d.” He felt he was close tofainting.His friends were similarly affected. They toofelt they understood the commandments directly, as ifthe Holy Tongue were their native language. Each one(Continued on page 2)You can get weekly by email!Visit http://eepurl.com/tu3wL or scan the barcode with yourSmartphone to subscribe

דברים היוצאים מן הל ‏“ב 8The following story entitled “The TenComandments In The Field” by YerachmielTilles surely will help prepare us for Shavuos.Have an amazing Shabbos!His disciples from a rural area outsideShpoli had been suffering for years under theheavy yoke of their cruel landlord, a highrankingmember of Poland’s nobility, whoowned all the land in that area. He was constantlyraising the rents on their homes andthe leases for their businesses. But that he didto his non-Jewish tenants too. What hurtmore were his vicious anti-Semitic twists. Hewould make Jews who were indebted to himsing and dance in front of his aristocraticfriends during their drunken parties, so thatthey could enjoy themselves laughing at theJews. He had tried to force them to open theirbusinesses on Shabbat. But his most recentdepravity was the worst: he had issued a degreethat in all buildings on his extensiveproperties, there had to be hanging a depictionof “that man” from Nazareth, aroundwhom the Christian religion was centered.Over the years, whenever any of theJewish tenants happened to be in Shpoli, theywould ask the rebbe to bless them and prayfor their relief from this anti-Semitic tyrant.But this recent decree was too much. It wasunthinkable. They all gathered as one andcame to the Zeide together. When the tzaddikheard this latest tale of woe, he was furious.“I’ve waited a long time for thatwicked man to change his evil ways. But thisis intolerable. He has to be taught a lesson. ItSTORIES OF GREATNESSTOLD OVER BY: DAVID LAUERis time for him to hear the Ten Commandments.There is no choice.”His disciples, circled around him,were astonished by his words. They had noidea what he had in mind. But before anyonecould muster the courage to ask for an interpretation,the rebbe had already startedspeaking again.“Listen carefully, please; this is whatyou must do. I know that every year for Shavuotyou all travel to the city in order to celebratethe festival with a large congregation.This year, don’t leave. Instead, stay home,and gather together at the home of the tenantwith the largest property for the prayers andthe communal holiday celebrations.“Before the holiday, send a small delegationto the poritz (nobleman), tell himabout your arrangements, and invite him tocome and hear the festive morning prayers,and to bring all of his noble friends with him.“As for you, prepare yourselves andpurify yourselves properly for the holy occasionof the Receiving of the Torah. I, also,shall come to join you. So now, go home inpeace and don’t worry.”The astonishment of the listeners didn’tdiminish at hearing these instructions. Indeed,it heightened, but still no one had thenerve to ask the tzaddik for an explanation.They quickly filed out of the rebbe’s roomand hurried home, eager to carry out his commands.The villagers who went to invite thelord met a pleasant reception, to their sur-The DRS Yeshiva High School For Boys700 Ibsen Street, Woodmere, NY 11598 Weekly Torah Publication of the DRS Yeshiva High SchoolIf you have any comments, questions, or suggestions,feel free to email us at info@hayotzim.com(Continued on page 7)PUBLICATIONSTAFFEditors in ChiefYitzie ScheinmanBenjamin WatmanAssociate EditorsEli Alterlayout editorElly Deutschrabbinic articlesYoni KadishJeremy Teichmanstudent articlesProduction StaffJeremy Bienenfelddirector of productionMoshe SpirnAvi WeingartenJudah Willigproduction staff/Authors סופריםDaniel AharonBenny AivaziDaniel AshAriel AxelrodZach BliskoAri BrandspiegelBrian ChernigoffHillel FieldYehuda FogelMax FruchterYossi GoldscheinYoni GutenmacherYaakov HaglerAryeh HelfgottUri HimelsteinYehuda InslichtEitan KaszovitzEitan LipskyMoshe LonnerBenjamin RamrasMoishy RothmanAaron RubelAriel SacknovitzAlex SelesnyMaggid of DRSDavid LauerMenahelRabbi Y. KaminetskyFaculty AdvisorsRabbi E. BrazilRabbi M. ErlbaumRabbi A. Lebowitz