Torah Mitzion

A compilation of Torat Eretz Yisrael by Torah MiTzion

ממלכת כהנים וגוי קדוש Judaism, Zionism and Tikkun Olam

בס״ד Opening Message from Zeev Schwartz Founding Executive Director Dear Friends, shlichim participate in an online, international Beit Midrash Since its inception 23 years ago, – Lilmod.org. Offering over Torah MiTzion has been a leading 400 shiurim a year in German, force of Religious Zionism in the Russian and French, the program Diaspora. Only last year our Batei brings together learners from 20 Midrash hosted 14,000 Chavruta countries! hours and 46,000 participants in various events and activities. The fulfillment of the verse from the prophet Isiah "for out of Zion The founding Rosh Yeshiva of the Torah MiTzion was shall the Torah come forth, and the Hesder Yeshiva in Ma'aleh Adumin, established with the goal word of the Lord from Jerusalem" Rabbi Haim Sabbato, defines the expresses perfectly the vision shlichim's mission as "Every day of strengthening Jewish of Torah Mitzion – a worldwide that we bring someone closer communities around the movement. to Torah, to Yir'at Shamayim, to Judaism – has no substitute. We globe and infusing them In the following pages we are will not be able to do tomorrow with the love for Torah, happy to share a taste of our what we did not accomplish today". shlichim's impact in communities the Jewish People and worldwide. Thousands of Jews from the State of Israel communities that do not Looking forward to seeing you in have the opportunity to host Israel!

Torah MiTzion Staff, Israel Shabbat & Am Yisrael as Centers of Kedusha Rabbi Yedidya Noiman Rosh Kollel Montreal by numbers, from Shabbat and until ’...שָׁם שָׂם לוֹ חֹק ו ּ ּמִשְׁפָט וְשָׁם ּנִסָהו ּ’ Shabbat. We understand that everything )שמות טו כה( comes from Shabbat and goes towards "...There He gave them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them". Shabbat, on a constant basis. We can say that Hashem revealed the concept of Kedusha even before giving us the n the Gemara Sanhedrin (56b) we are fundamentally foreign to us. Although Torah in order to teach us the right told that in the pasuk above lays a this understanding does have valid I approach to our own role as a chosen hidden historical secret. When Moshe reasons to exist, it seems that the entire nation. addressed the people's need for water picture is more complex. Rav Kook in after the miracle of Kriat Yam Suf he his book Orot Yisrael (Ch.6, a) suggests Even though we see ourselves as didn’t only give them water. Chazal a different approach to the concept of a holy nation, this perception should say that on that very occasion Moshe Kedusha. According to Rav Kook we not create walls between the world Rabeinu introduced the nation to the should view holiness, not as a stranger, and us. We should look at ourselves Laws of Shabbat. We can say that this but rather as the special representative as responsible to influence and inspire is the first time we as a nation were of its surroundings. our fellow nations to connect and exposed to the idea of having holy day. For example, he says, when thinking relate to Hashem. Being the holy nation Zooming out we can say that this is the about the holiness of Shabbat we entails much more responsibility than first time our nation was exposed to the shouldn’t look at it as if Shabbat is holy privileges, and we should constantly idea of something being defined as holy while all the other days of the week seek to find ways how to share our light at all. have no spirituality in them. We should with the world. We should be a center of spirituality and morality, creating a When thinking about the concept consider Shabbat as being the spiritual vibrant and creative nation that shows of Kedusha, our initial assumption is core of the week, bringing Kedusha the way to connect matter and spirit. that we are referring to something into the dimension of time. Thus all the We as a nation should be an Or L’Goyim distant and detached from our day-to- other days of the week are recipients and we should always see ourselves as day lives. When thinking about a holy of its special light. Thinking about it, we Hashem’s ambassadors in the world, man, nation, time or place we typically can say that this idea is exactly what we spreading Kedusha to all the nations. picture a mysterious setting, which is do when in Hebrew we name the days

The Torah MiTzion Kollel in Montreal was Each evening, the Shlichim have chavrutot founded in 1998 and is housed in The Hebrew with members of the community and offer Academy of Montreal. classes and lectures for men, women, and students of all ages and from all Jewish In the morning, the Shlichim have internal backgrounds. The Shlichim also run special morning seder followed by a shiur led by the programming for events and holidays in Rosh Kollel. Over the course of the day, the the Kollel and in the different Shuls in the Shlichim go into classes to teach and learn community. with students. During the breaks, the Shlichim have one-on-one chavrutot. The KTM Women’s Beit Midrash offers weekly classes for women of all ages, special After school, the Shlichim run programming lecture series, and chavrutot. for students of all ages, including an after school Bekiut club, Bat Mitzvah program, and Torah classes for college students.

2 The Beit Midrash for students in Berlin was founded in September 2016 and welcomes Jewish students and young professionals from all backgrounds.

It was established as a joint venture by Torah MiTzion from Jerusalem and Lauder – Morasha from Germany.

The Beit Midrash has developed an educational and social platform on which young Jewish adults can build their Jewish future in a comfortable and non-judgmental atmosphere.

The Beit Midrash offers regular Torah classes, Chavrutot, Shabbat meals, special events towards the holidays and more.

– Camps Bay and Claremont – to learn with members of those communities. The Shlichim also offer learning opportunities for university students. We also continue to be active in the Morasha Community – for chavrutot, Shabbatot and Chagim.

In the summer, the bachurim serve as madrichim in South Africa's Bnei Akiva summer camp. In 2014, Torah MiTzion organized a reunion in Israel in honor of 20 years of Yeshiva of Cape Town for former Shlichim and Olim from Cape Town.

The Yeshiva of Cape Town – the first Torah MiTzion Kollel – was initiated and directed by Rabbi Jonathan Glass in the fall of 1994.

Each year, Torah MiTzion sends about five bachurim who are each responsible for one school in the United Herzlia Schools network – Constantia Primary, Highlands Primary, Weizmann Primary, the middle school, or the high school. Each bachur is in charge of informal Jewish education and activities in his respective school.

In the afternoons, all the bachurim merge at the Beit Midrash of the Marais Road Shul (The Green and Sea Point Orthodox Hebrew Congregation), also known as the Yeshiva of Cape Town, where they have internal afternoon seder. Following seder, the bachurim have one-on-one chavrutot with community members at the Marais Road Shul. Two nights a week, the Shlichim travel to other neighborhoods

3 The Yeshiva University Torah MiTzion Kollel The Kollel fellows spread Torah throughout of Chicago, first founded in 1996 by Torah the community with weekly Shiurim on a MiTzion, later merged with Yeshiva University wide range of topics, one-on-one chavrutot, in 2008. The Kollel, led by Rabbi Reuven and special community programming for all Brand, is comprised of eight families of ages. In the evenings, the fellows learn with Avreichim from across Israel and America. community members of all levels.

The core of the Kollel is the Beit Midrash, NILI – Chicago Institute of Women’s Learning, which is located in Ida Crown Jewish is a unique initiative of the Kollel that provides Academy. The Avreichim engage in intensive learning opportunities to women of all ages study of Talmud, Halacha and Jewish thought and backgrounds in the greater Chicago area. in the mornings and afternoons. Their studies The highlights include its Annual Women’s include Gemara B'Iyun morning seder and Health Forum and the two day Women’s Halacha B'Iyun afternoon seder each day. Learning Conference in the summer.

Many Jews do not have access to the Shlichim, and often look online for added Our unique model allows us to recruit the best lecturers from around the world, Jewish content. While there are nearly limitless Jewish resources online, nearly who give semester-long courses on a wide range of subjects – Hebrew, Tanach, all of them are in English or Hebrew, and very few allow live interactions with Israeli Hasbara, Jewish history, Jewish thought, Zionism and more. teachers or other learners. With hundreds of active weekly participants, our portal hosts a shiur nearly every Having analyzed the need, in 2012 we launched a new project: 'Lilmod.org'. day of the week! Since its inception, our online Beit-Midrash offered thousands Lilmod is an online, interactive Beit Midrash that allows students from all around of shiurim. Just during the academic year of 2017-18, we had 7,216 cumulative the world to listen to, and participate in high-level shiurim in German, Russian hours of learning, with over 350 regular participants from 20 countries. Our and French. YouTube channel hosts some 2,500 shiurim, with over 145,000 views.

Torah MiTzion established the Kollel in learning around which the Beit Midrash atmosphere thrives. Melbourne in 1998 together with The Mizrachi of Melbourne. Torah MiTzion Melbourne also works closely with Bnei Akiva and the bachurim serve as madrichim in the local Bnei Akiva branch. In addition to the regular The four members of the Kollel, known schedule of chavrutot, The Shlichim run special programming each week and colloquially in the community as “Hesder around the Chagim. Boys”, together with the shlichot, who play a leading role in the community’s Midrasha, are led and guided by a Rosh Kollel and Rosh Midrasha.

During the day, the Shlichim are based in Leibler Yavneh College, where they develop and run informal programing both inside and outside the classroom. As well as contributing a strong Israeli presence to the school, they serve as Torani role- models to the school body, many of whom are drawn to learn with them in regular chavruta sessions.

In the late afternoon and evenings, the Shlichim are located at Mizrachi’s Naftali Herc Beit Midrash. At the Mizrachi Beit Midrash, the Shlichim are available to learn in chavrutot with community members of all ages, creating a strong core of

4 Tikun Olam y Tikun Uma Rabbi Guy Tal Rosh Kollel Mexico City ntre todos los seres humanos fue elegido YAAKOB su hijo, antes de que se fuera a JARAN EABRAM. Un hombre grande y justo. Un le dice: “y que el Eterno SHADAY te bendiga, te hombre con mucha influencia sobre todos los que haga fructificar y te incremente, y te convertirás le rodeaban. Como afirma el versículo: “y las almas en congregación de naciones. Y te otorgue la que habían hecho en JARAN” (BERESHIT 12, 5). bendición de Abraham…” (Bereshit 28, 3 -4).

RASHI explica: “que los introdujeron bajo el ¿De todas las bendiciones ofrecidas a Abraham, resguardo de la Presencia Divina. ABRAHAM a cual hace referencia con sus palabras el patriarca convertía a los hombres y SARA a las mujeres, y ITZHAK y la denomina como “la bendición de la Escritura los consideró como si los hubieran Esta orden refleja un aislamiento. Abraham”? hecho”. ¿Cuál es la necesidad de establecer una nación Rashi explica: “Que (Dio-s) prometió a Abraham: MAIMONIDES también escribe: “ABRAHAM separada y no buscar el mejoramiento de toda la “Te convertiré en una gran nación” y “en tu tenía 40 años cuando descubrió al Creador. humanidad? descendencia se bendecirán…” – que esas mismas Empezó a debatir con sus conciudadanos bendiciones sean dichas para ti” mostrando que (la idolatría) no es el camino de Cuando continuamos la lectura del texto, las la verdad… iba predicando ante todo el mundo la promesas del Eterno a Abraham encontramos: “y Vemos que según Rashi las dos bendiciones existencia de un solo Dio-s al que hay que servir te bendeciré; y engrandeceré tu nombre y serás principales y más importantes de Abraham son la y adorar, caminando de una ciudad a otra… así se bendición. Y bendeciré a los que te bendigan, y nacional y la universal. Crear una gran nación y ser le unieron miles y decenas de miles de personas a los que te maldigan maldeciré; y se bendecirán bendición para toda la humanidad. Entendemos y ellos son la gente de la casa de Abraham”… por ti todas las familias de la tierra” (BERESHIT 12, que estas dos cosas están conectadas. (HILJOT AVODA ZARA 1, 3). 2 – 3). Para poder dar bendiciones y hacer TIKUN Esta gran obra es la esencia del término En la cúspide de todas las bendiciones OLAM es necesario primero ser "una gran nación” “TIKUN OLAM”. Se trata de educar a toda la personales, se concluye con una de carácter hay que empezar por el mejoramiento personal humanidad, enseñar y mostrar el camino correcto, universal: “se bendecirán por ti todas las familias TIKUN UMA. Cuando logremos perfeccionarnos no importando edad, sexo o raza. Todos somos los de la tierra”… toda la humanidad. como judíos podremos entonces desarrollar hijos de HASHEM y todos tenemos que hacer el Despues de la AKEDA (el sacrificio de Itzjak) el nuestro objetivo último, el TIKUN OLAM y seremos bien y conocer y enseñar la verdad. Eterno vuelve a bendecir a Abraham: “Ciertamente una bendición real para toda la humanidad. te bendeciré y multiplicaré tu descendencia… En Considerando la importancia de esta gran labor tu descendencia se bendecirán todos los pueblos El Rav Kuk escribe en su libro Orot: es lógico preguntar porque HASHEM ordena a de la tierra” (Bereshit 22, 17-18). El mundo y su contenido espera por la luz de Israel, Abraham abandonar todo y trasladarse a otro por la luz suprema de la claridad de la alabanza del lugar: “El Eterno dijo a Abraham: Vete de tu tierra Aquí también las bendiciones empiezan con Nombre de D-ios, de este pueblo que el Eterno creó y de tu lugar de nacimiento y de la casa de su el aspecto personal o familiar de Abraham, pero para Él, para contar su alabanza, el conocimiento padre” (BERESHIT 12, 1). terminan con una bendición universal para todas heredero de la bendición de Abraham, el bendito para las naciones. el D-ios Supremo que posee el cielo y la tierra, por Emigrar a un nuevo lugar significa tener menos el pueblo que habita solitario y que no es contado influencia, ser un extranjero en una tierra ajena. Es interesante resaltar que más adelante en la entre las naciones, por el pueblo que D-ios solo guiará TORA esta mencionado “la BERAJA de Abraham”. y junto con él no hay dios extranjero, el pueblo que Además, con el propósito de: “te convertiré en purifica al mundo entero de su impureza y de toda su una gran nación” (BERESHIT 12, 1). En la segunda bendición de YITZHAK a oscuridad… (Orot, Israel Utjiyato 5)?

After a brief stint of two years in 2001-2003, own internal morning seder, and spend the Torah MiTzion returned to Mexico City in rest of the morning having one-on-one and 2014. small group chavrutot with students during breaks and assisting in Hebrew classes. During The Kollel serves the Yavne community in the the afternoons they learn with community Interlomos suburb and is located in the Yavne members, participate in local Bnei Akiva School and community, a K-12 school in peulot and initiate programs for teens. They Mexico City. The Shlichim work primarily with also organize special events, holiday activities, Yavne's high school students and community and Shabbatonim. members and arrange small group study sessions with the students. One day a week the bachurim learn at the nearby Beit Yitzchak Synagogue, where they The community Rabbi also serves as the Rosh give shiurim. Kollel. The Shlichim start their day with their

5 ?ממלכת כהנים What Is A Rabbi Ari Posner Rosh Kollel Perth t is a common belief that the Jews shining a spotlight on the Jewish Iare the “Chosen People”. It is natural idea of ‘the firstborn’. In Egypt, as in for anyone believing they are special to most ancient patriarchal societies, the develop an elitist attitude, to think they firstborn represented the strongest

are ‘better’ than the rest. What does as Cohanim only later on in the Torah. It of the family, the one with the most being a Chosen People mean for Am is curious that as Hashem gives Moshe physical power and hence the authority. Yisrael? the guidelines for preparing to receive Egypt was a society where ‘might was the Torah in Parashat Yitro, He tells right’ and the strong would overpower One of the first expressions of this him, “Also the Cohanim who approach and subjugate the weak. In contrast, idea chosen-ness is found right after Hashem, shall be sanctified…” (Shemot the Torah’s view of the firstborn is not we leave Egypt. In Parashat Yitro, we 19:22) Who are these Cohanim? that of power and authority, rather of are preparing to receive the Torah and responsibility and holiness. The firstborn

Hashem promises us, “if you listen to Rashi and other commentators sons of Yisrael were sanctified, at the Me and keep My covenant…you will identify these Cohanim as the firstborn very time the firstborn of Egypt fell, as be a Mamlechet Cohanim (a kingdom of Bnei Yisrael. The Torah tells us that the ones to uphold the ideas of holiness of Cohanim) to Me and a holy nation.” the firstborn became sanctified to and service of Hashem. (Shemot 19:5-6) What is a Mamlechet Hashem at the time that the Tenth Cohanim? Why is it special? plague was carried out in Egypt – Death Similarly, if we live a life of Torah and of the Firstborn (Bamidbar 8:17). Rav mitzvot then we as a nation uphold the We are familiar with the Cohanim – Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik ztz”l values of Torah and serve as examples the descendants of Aharon HaCohen explains that Hashem was intent on for the world. Then we are a Mamlechet responsible for carrying out the service overturning the Egyptian philosophy Cohanim – a kingdom of role models and in the Beit Hamikdash. However, the of ‘the firstborn’, while simultaneously teachers among all of Hashem’s people. descendants of Aharon were designated

The Torah MiTzion Kollel in Perth was founded in 2007. The Kollel staff (“Tzevet Perth”) is comprised of Torah MiTzion bachurim and Bnei Akiva Shlichot under the direction of the Rosh Kollel who also serves as the community Rabbi.

The Tzevet operates in the mornings at the Carmel School. After their own internal morning seder, the Shlichim teach classes, run extra-curricular learning programs, and learn with students.

In the afternoons and evenings, the Shlichim learn in the Torah MiTzion Beit Midrash at the Dianella Shule, run programming for the community, and have chavrutot with community members of all ages and backgrounds. Torah MiTzion Perth also works closely with Bnei Akiva, where they serve as madrichim.

6 אין, אין על עם ישראל!

Rabbi Eitan Bar Or Kollel Nashville שפט זה, הנאמר במקרים רבים של עזרה העולם, ישנם גם קבוצות הולכות וגדלות של מהדדית או של גילוי ערבות גדולה, מבטא גויים אשר תומכים בעם היהודי ובמדינת ישראל. את התחושה של רבים מאזרחי מדינת ישראל; הם מכירים בתרומה הייחודית שיש ליהודים הידיעה שלא משנה כמה שונים אנו, בסוף לתת לעולם ורואים בנו שותפים בתיקון העולם. יש בנו משהו מיוחד שנחשף בעיתות משבר. נראה שאנו בתחילה של תקופה בה לעם לעומת זאת כאשר מגיעים לחו"ל מגלים אנשים לפי הגישה השנייה על עם ישראל לעשות ישראל יש אפשרות לממש את תפקידו כמעניק נפלאים ותחושת אדיבות ועזרה מאלו שאינם דברים בפועל ובצורה אקטיבית על מנת להוות ברכה לעולם. עם ששם על דגלו חיבור בין רוח נמנים על בני העם היהודי. לפעמים התנהגות ברכה עבור כל העמים. לחומר, בין אמת לשלום ובין אמונה לאחריות הגויים אפילו עולה על זו שלנו. עולה השאלה אישית. לא רק אנשים מורמים מעם אלא ציבור בכל מקרה, בשתי הגישות לא נטען כי העם האם באמת עם ישראל הוא משהו מיוחד? ואם שלם שחי ומחנך על פי עקרונות של קדושה עצמו שונה, אלא בעיקר שיש לו משימה ייחודית. כן - במה? ומעורבות חברתית. כך גם ניתן להבין את המושג בספר שמות פרק רבים מנסים למצוא בחכמה היהודית הוכחה י"ט, "ממלכת כהנים וגוי קדוש". אין ספק כי מדינת ישראל צריכה ויכולה להיות המנוע לייחודיות האומה, בין אם מתוך היותו 'עם הספר' הגדרה זו קשורה בהתנהגות שונה מאשר שאר של תהליך זה וקהילות רבות ברחבי העולם ובין מספר זוכי פרס הנובל היהודים הגדול כל העמים. קדושה תמיד קשורה לנבדלות מהאחר, צריכות להיות שותפות בתהליך. מידת הענווה כך. הוכחות אלו, למרות שהן נכונות, אינן חזקות במקרה הזה אנשים אחרים. אולם אולי דווקא היא קריטית במקרה זה - אין אנו באים לתקן את דיין כדי לחזק את הטענה כי יש משהו שונה בגלל זה חשוב לזכור כי הנבדלות כשלעצמה המקולקלים כי אם להדליק רצון לעורר אמונה בעם ישראל. איננה המטרה הבלעדית אלא רק השלב ולעודד את הטוב הקיים בכל אחד. כשחוזרים לתנ"ך מגלים תמונה מעט שונה. הראשון בדרך להענקת הברכה לעולם. עם ישראל מיוחד במשימה המיוחדת שלו לא הקב"ה בוחר באברהם ובזרעו אחריו ומבטיח לו רבים כיום בעולם תוקפים את רעיון הלאומיות פחות מאשר בהיסטוריה שלו או במורשת שלו. ארץ משלו וקשר ייחודי עם בורא עולם. "והיה היהודית וקובעים כי העולם עובר לעולם גלובלי ברכה" "ונברכו בך כל משפחות האדמה". ניתן לא עוד פחד הסתגרות כי עם עוצמה, גבורה ואוניברסאלי. כיום יותר ויותר יהודים מתחתנים להבין מילים אלו בשני אופנים. ומנהיגות. כזו של אברהם, שלא הסכים לקחת עם גויים בטענה שכולם בני אדם והאהבה היא דבר מאנשי סדום או זו של משה שהכיר טובה הבטחה – העם שלך יהיה ברכה לכל העמים מעל לכל. החומות בין יהודים וגויים הולכות אפילו ליאור. ויורדות. )ודאי במדינות צפון אמריקה(. אין ציווי – על העם שלך להיות ברכה לכל רק חברה יהודית שבה יש חשבון נפש מוסרי צורך להכביר במילים לגבי הסכנה העצומה העמים. פנימי מתמיד ובד בבד פתיחת שער וחיבור לעמי שתהליכים אלה טומנים בחובם להמשכיות נראה ששני הכיוונים מבטאים שתי גישות העולם, תוכל לממש את החזון של 'ממלכת העם היהודי, אולם, ניתן גם לראות את הזדמנות שונות ביחס של עם ישראל לגויים. לפי הגישה כהנים וגוי קדוש' המעניקה ברכה לעולם. שהמציאות מביאה לפתחנו. כיום, למרות הראשונה עם ישראל צריך לחיות את חייו ויעודו האנטישמיות שפושה בחלקים מסוימים של החומות נפלו ועכשיו השאלה הוא - מה כאשר הברכה תתממש מאליה. לעומת זאת, העולם יראה?

The center in Nashville was founded in 2018 in cooperation with Congregation Sherith Israel, led by Rabbi Saul Strosberg.

The Community Beit Midrash includes one family. Both husband and wife teach Hebrew and Judaism in the Akiva community elementary school. They also teach in the Sunday Schools in town and in the Chabad kindergarten.

They offer Shiurim and chavrutot to men and women, on various subjects, in both the Orthodox and Conservative communities. The Nashville community is warm and accepting, and has a uniquely good relationship with the other Jewish communities in the area.

7 Torah MiTzion Sydney was founded in 2010 by Rabbi Davey Blackman, and the community knows the shlichim colloquially as “The Hesder Boys”.

During the day, the Shlichim are based in Moriah College as a part of the informal education department, under the direction of Rabbi Ilan Lavan – Coordinator of Experiential Jewish Education. The Shlichim run Tefillah workshops and go into Judaic Studies and Hebrew language classes. We also are proud of the vibrant Women’s Beit Midrash, which is steadily growing.

In the afternoon the shlichim have their daily learning, followed by chavrutot with community members in the Beit Midrash of the JLC.

Torah MiTzion Sydney also works closely the Mizrachi Synagogue and with Bnei Akiva, where the Bachurim serve as madrichim.

The Buenos Aires Kollel was reestablished in 2018. of the fact that only Haredi and Conservative Led by David and Sarah Saied, it strives to develop communities were active, the young people the newly renewed religious Zionist community in the decided to renew the religious Zionist city after it has been in a significant retreat for several community, which was more suited to their years. religious character. With hundreds of active members, the community realized the potential The shlichim operate in the Belgrano neighborhood of bringing in shlichim from Israel. in northern Buenos Aires, the home of a large Jewish community of 40,000. The delegation was made possible by the exceptional cooperation between World Bnei The project is the result of a process that began about Akiva, the World Mizrachi movement, Torah four years ago, when the younger generation of local MiTzion, the World Zionist Organization and Jews, mostly from non-religious families, began to the Jewish Agency. The name chosen for the search for a suitable community framework. In light joint project is 'La Cassa', which means "home".

Kollel Torah MiTzion in Montevideo, Uruguay, founded in 1997, is one of our veteran kollelim. It is a part of the Yavne Institute in Montevideo, an educational institution that includes formal education from Kindergarten through High School, a synagogue, a university student group and an adult education center (CEJ).

In addition to their own internal learning, the Shlichim in Montevideo work daily with high school students, college students, and community members. Each Friday, the Shlichim put on a parsha play for the Kindergarten students. They run a Bar Mitzvah program and organize special community programming and activities year round. Every Friday night the shlichim host students from the community for an amazing Shabbat experience. For some, that is the first taste of an uplifting, Kosher Shabbat.

The Kollel works together with Bnei Akiva, and the Shlichim serve as madrichim in the Bnei Akiva summer camp.

8 Three Steps to Father’s House Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Rosh Beit Midrash, YU Torah MiTzion Beit Midrash Zichron Dov of Toronto Prior the Exodus our ancestors were told a journey back to the home which we left, to prepare in three ways: and to which we had always been meant to • Designation and sacrifice of the return. korban pesach; Seen in this light, the Exodus requires that • Placement of blood from the korban we identify as the rightful heirs of Avraham, pesach on their doorposts; to merit that return home. This is the role • Circumcision of all males. To Father’s House works on several of the three preparatory activities outlined We could view these three activities as levels, one of which is a parable for our above: elements of the korban pesach. However, departure from Egypt; our labour in Egypt • Circumcision was Avraham’s mitzvah, we might also see in them a broader theme, was perpetual and unrewarding, and we and it became the mark of the Jew. crucial for the Exodus. shared the protagonist’s sense of not • Korbanot were a hallmark of Avraham and Sarah, who built altars each time Agnon’s Exodus belonging. Suffering made us long for the they settled a new part of Canaan. In the late 1920’s, S. Y. Agnon wrote a house of our Father, and we left in haste. • Placement of blood from the korban short story called L’Veit Abba, “To Father’s We displayed great ambivalence en route to Pesach marks the structure as a home House”. The protagonist begins the story our land. The end of the book of Yehoshua dedicated to G-d, like the landmark working at home, but he is frustrated by is part of the Haggadah, and the tavern’s tent of Avraham and Sarah. labour which “has neither beginning nor end, “set table” parallels the Shulchan Orech which you start without benefit and from phase of the Seder – but the heretic and the Having performed these deeds, we were which one can never walk away.” He also liquor, presumably grain-based, don’t fit at ready to return home. suffers from an uncomfortable sense that he a reunion with our Father on Pesach. These Arrival events represent our own troubled journey does not belong there. Abruptly, he decides The conclusion of this arc comes in to Israel. In the end, like the Jews who left to go to his father, whom he has not seen Yehoshua, when G-d “removes the shame Egypt, the hero does not actually enter the for many years, for Pesach. He departs in of Egypt” from our nation. The males are land. haste, but he then encounters delays, which circumcised, they bring a korban Pesach, and may be a product of his own ambivalence Leaving Egypt or Going Home? they camp in Gilgal, their first step in building about visiting his father. Once in his father’s With this story, Agnon puts the Exodus a home in The Land. One odyssey met its town, he encounters a heretical individual itself in perspective as part of a greater arc. completion long ago, but our wanderings who wants to discuss the end of the book The arc starts with the lives of Avraham continue to describe a still longer arc. While of Yehoshua. A little further along he finds and Sarah and continues with our descent we work toward the final Exodus, let us himself in a tavern with “a set table” holding to and subjugation in Egypt. Then we leave remember the need to identify ourselves as bottles of liquor, even as Pesach is about to Egypt; receive the Torah and journey Home. part of that original family. Whether through begin. Finally, he arrives at his father’s home As Agnon hints with his title, the Exodus circumcision, korban and the Jewish home, – but he remains outside, unable to enter, as is not merely Yetziat Mitzrayim, a group of or through other actions, we must merit the the story ends. slaves departing from Egypt. It is L’veit Abba, long-awaited return to Father’s House.

Yeshiva University Torah MiTzion Beit Midrash one chavrutot, Shabbatonim, and community Zichron Dov of Toronto was founded in 2009, programming for all ages. The Kollel also and is headed by founding Rosh Beit Midrash provides weekly classes in non-Orthodox Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner. The Kollel staff is venues, for the broader community. The Kollel comprised of families of Avrechim from Israel, partners with many community organizations, America, and Canada. and especially Bnei Akiva.

The heart of the Kollel is the Beit Midrash, Recently the Kollel opened a new Women’s where the Avreichim engage in intensive Beit Midrash. Other women's learning study of Talmud, Halacha and Jewish thought opportunities include “Midreshet Yom Rishon” in the mornings and afternoons. programs for women around the city and weekly classes just for women. The Kollel fellows spread Torah throughout the community with weekly Shiurim, one-on-

9 Свет из темноты

Rabbi Zeev Sultanovich Lilmod Program Предисловие к книге рав Авраама назвал свою книгу «Орот» - увидеть Ицхака Кука Рав Зеев Султанович все в новом (точнее – в истинном свете). Возвращение из изгнания ьмой является изгнание (галут). При ставит перед еврейским народом задачу Тисходе из него сразу же возникает переосмысления всей традиции. необходимость определения, что есть саму идею, но отрицали возможность Земля Израиля и осознания ее сущности. ее практического осуществления Мы приглашаем Вас принять И это несмотря на то, что это вопрос на данном этапе, были и такие, кто участие в программе «ИЗРАИЛЬ всегда обсуждался во всех еврейских отрицал саму идею, но помогал в ее И ЧЕЛОВЕЧЕСТВО», рав Зеев кругах. В то время земля Израиля была практическом осуществлении, а были и Мешков, новый проект Университета незаселенной, пустынной территорией, такие, которые отрицали все, что связано «БРИТ ОЛАМ». запущенной окраиной Оттоманской с возможностью переезда на корню. империи. Переезд в нее был труден Каждое из этих направлений имело Программа ориентирована на тех, и связан со многими проблемами. свои круги и своих представителей кто интересуется иудаизмом, евреев и Тот, кто решался на него, должен в еврейских общинах, в которых неевреев, религиозных и нерелигиозных, был отказаться от своего сановного проходили напряженные дискуссии на любящих народ Израиля, Страну имущества, положения в обществе, эту тему, в попытке найти легитимный Израиля и Тору Израиля, желающих обычного порядка жизни, к которому ответ на вызов времени. получить как фундаментальные, так и он привык, гражданство и другие права. углубленные знания по иудаизму в свете Но переезд в святую землю перестал перевод с иврита – Зеев Мешков еврейской классической традиции, быть просто идеей, и его реальность а также современного подхода к стала столь четко обозначенной, что толкованию Писания, выраженного он требовал определенного отношения Нет сомнения, что в изгнании перед в трудах рава А-И Кука и рава И.Л. к себе. И те позиции, которые заняли еврейским народом стояла лишь задача Ашкенази (Маниту) а также рава Ури различные слои общества, движения выживания и сохранения традиции. Шерки, и др. и его представили были совершенно Ни о каком непосредственном влиянии не похожи друг на друга: были такие, на народы не могло идти и речи, хотя курс включает 11 месяцев учебы. кто поддерживал и идею возвращения, опосредованное всегда была очень и ее конкретное осуществление, сильным. Однако, новое время и задачи были такие, которые поддерживали нового времени совсем другие - рав Кук

The Torah MiTzion Kollel in Moscow has been The Shlichim run extensive learning programs led since its inception in 1998 by Rabbi David for all ages – from young children in Cheder and Ayelet Yushuvayev. The Chief Rabbi of to seniors in old-age homes, and every age in Moscow, Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmit was a key between. player in launching the Kollel. Torah MiTzion Moscow is one of the only The Moscow Kollel is housed in a learning Zionist centers in Moscow, and Moscow's center attached to the city's central only religious Zionist presence. Moscow's synagogue. It is run by five permanent official Yom Ha'Atzmaut ceremony, with families of Shlichim, an Israeli administrative participation by the Israeli Ambassador is staff, and scholars-in-residence who come for organized by Torah MiTzion. 1-2 weeks each month to give shiurim to the community.

10 The Jewish People’s First Exile Rabbi Oriel Zaretsky Rosh Kollel Warsaw irst I would like to explain the presence into this world. Fsurprising beginning of this exile. And when we avoid speaking Lashon Then we will learn how the midrash Harah, when we only see the good suggests to maintain our Jewish identity, in our brothers, we can stand united and finally we will be able to see who as a nation, and thus worthy of being successfully followed all the instructions redeemed. to Yosef's status that his family was of the midrash. The Kli Yakar notes that Yosef is given their own separate land (Goshen) It is surprising that the terrible exile in the exemplar of the Jew in exile who to live in (making it the first in and Egypt began with Yaakov and his family succeeds to maintain his identity. endless list of Jewish quarters in the riding down to Egypt in royal carriages, Disconnected from his roots for 22 Diaspora). It is thanks to Yosef's status as honored guests of Pharaoh. Knowing, years, deeply entrenched in the Egyptian that Yehuda can establish a Beit Midrash as we do from Hashem's promise to culture, he still remained connected to in preparation for their arrival, which will Avraham that his descendants will his heritage. That is why the sages called pass the Jewish tradition and learning be enslaved in Egypt, we would have him Yosef HaTzadik, The Righteous. from generation to generation. expected the see Yaakov being brought Yosef even tells his brothers as much The midrash continues to tell us that to Egypt as a prisoner, similarly to how when he cries out "I am Yosef!" – Despite we merited our redemption because we Bnei Yisrael were eventually exiled to my position in the Egyptian court, maintained our identity, as was manifest Babylon – in chains. despite Pharaoh giving me an Egyptian in three ways: The gemara teaches us that "Yaakov name, I kept my name and remembered 1. We kept our Jewish names should have been taken down to Egypt in my family – I am Yosef! chains of iron, but his merit changed that" 2. We continued to speak Hebrew "כי פי המדבר אליכם" He tells his brothers This is unexpected. Surely, had Yaakov 3. We refrained from speaking Lashon Hara (slander or gossip) – My mouth is speaking to you – he been asked, he would have preferred spoke in Hebrew his merit saving him the anguish of Finally, Yosef was also careful not to not seeing Yosef for 22 years, even if A name can be extremely significant. speak Lashon Hara, and never revealed it meant not enjoying the honorable We see throughout Sefer Bereshit to his father that his brothers sold him descent to Egypt later on. how names bear within them meaning, into slavery. The Torah seems to be teaching us faith and hope. That is why when the Thus, the challenge facing us is how that it was necessary that Yaakov and Babylonians controlled Jerusalem, they to be more like Yosef – How can we his family begin their exile as they did, changed the name of the Jewish king. preserve and strengthen our Jewish as honorable and respected guests; Hebrew is also unique in as much as identity? What little step can we make otherwise, they would not have been it is a holy language, the language G-d today that will bring us closer to our final able to maintain of Jewish identity used to create the world, and which redemption? throughout their long exile. It is thanks we continue to use to bring Hashem's

The Torah MiTzion Kollel in Warsaw was the Kollel offers learning opportunities for founded in 2007 by the initiative of the Jews, descendants of Jews ("Zera Yisrael") American-born chief Rabbi of Warsaw and and others who are interested in conversion. Poland, Rabbi Michael Schudrich. The Kollel Besides leading group learning and one-on- was established with the support of the L.A. one chavrutot, the Rosh Kollel's wife offers Pincus Fund for Jewish Education in the shiurim in the community and in the JCC, Diaspora. women’s Rosh Chodesh events, Hebrew The Kollel is housed in the Nozyk Synagogue, studies, Kallah classes, and conversion the only synagogue in Warsaw that survived preparation. the Holocaust and is still active. In addition to leading the Torah MiTzion Kollel, Every morning a group of young professionals, the Rosh Kollel functions as a Rabbi in the alumni of various Yeshivot, comes to study Jewish community and assists the chief Rabbi, in the Kollel, and combine their Torah study Rav Shudrich. with work or secular studies. In addition,

11 In 1996, four bachurim with MHA/FYOS students and run after school clubs. At nights, the Shlichim came to Memphis to learn with members of the community of all ages and levels. The bachurim are begin the Torah MiTzion dorm counselors at the Cooper Yeshiva High School for boys, creating a warm Kollel, with the goal of environment in the small dormitory. The Rosh Kollel and bachurim also plan enhancing the ideals special events to help community members prepare spiritually for holidays and of Torah and Zionism Israeli national days. The Kollel collaborates with the local Bnot Sherut who serve at Margolin Hebrew in the community as well. Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South (MHA/FYOS) and infusing the community at large with a love of Torah and Israel. The longstanding president of the Kollel is David Cooper, whose years of dedication have allowed the Kollel to flourish

The Kollel is housed in the Cooper Yeshiva High School and also operates in three local synagogues – Anshei Sephard Beth El Emeth (ASBEE), the Young Israel of Memphis, and the Baron Hirsch Congregation.

In the morning and afternoon, the Kollel bachurim have intensive internal learning. Over the course of the day, the bachurim have chavrutot (one-on-one learning)

Founded in 1999, the Torah MiTzion Kollel of Greater Washington is one of the The Kollel is based in the Melvin original Torah MiTzion Kollels. The Kollel operates in three neighborhoods in the J. Berman Hebrew Academy (K- Greater Washington area – Kemp Mill, Aspen Hill and Potomac. 12). The Shlichim have a daily morning seder with the boys from the 'Kollel Class' (the highest level class) and the girls from the 'Midrasha Class'. Later they have their internal seder, and in the afternoons they run Beit Midrash electives for middle school and high school students. Over the course of the day, the Shlichim have one-on-one chavrutot with boys and girls from the school.

The Kollel activity includes Parent- Child Learning on Motz’ei Shabbat, 'Israel nights' for high schoolers, chavrutot with community members, Onegs and more. They also teach Hebrew to college students and adults at the 'Sixth and I' non-denominational synagogue in downtown Washington DC. One evening a week, they work with public school kids.