e-mitzion The official newsletter of Midreshet HaRova 7th edition- Rosh Hashana 5769 ים” “כי ירושל מציון תצא ה ודבר ה’ מ תורשנה טובה! “הקהל את העם הזה...” על מצוות הקהל - קבלת תורה ואחדות

From Our Rosh In this Edition: Rav David Milston

s we approach Rosh Hashana 5769, A message from we also come to the official end of our By canceling all financial debts, by opening A Rosh Midrasha Shemitta year, even though many of the up our fields to all of our brothers, and by halachik ramifications of Shemitta will go freeing slaves, we have been taught to Rav Milston well into next year. internalize once and for all that we are all one people, that no one is really better What is Hakhel? In the Parasha of Vayeilech (Devarim 31:10- than anyone else. Shemitta is the ultimate Rambam Hilchot 13) we are instructed regarding the Mitzva equalizer – every seven years, we all go back Chagiga of Hakhel: to the starting line and begin again, and we מאמרו של ראש המדרשה all have a year to prepare ourselves for a Matan A Immediately after the Shemitta year during fresh start. What a revelation, what a lesson Covenant of Love the festival of Sukkot all of Am Yisrael, men to our egocentric reality. If we have spent Shprintzee Rappaport women and children, are to gather together this year as we should have done, then we at the site of the Bet Mikdash, to hear chosen now know that our fellow Jews are our real Devoting Our excerpts of Sefer Devarim that will be read brothers and equals in every way. Lives to Klal out to the masses by the King. Yisrael Rav Shimon We have also learnt something crucial What is the purpose of Mitzvat Hakhel? regarding our place in the hierarchical Shkop ladder of this world. We are not animals. During the Shemitta year we have learnt We are human beings, comprised of both News and much about issues regarding man and body and soul. But we are also not gods. Announcements his fellow, and equally as much about our During this year, the believing Jew is

A Message from Rav Milston A Message Rav from relationship with the Almighty. taught to understand in the most practical way possible, that it is God who owns the world, not daily routine, we come to the holiest place on earth in powerful men and their governments. We should be order to gain the strength to bring holiness into this forgiven on occasion for being confused regarding world – after all that is what we are ultimately meant this matter, but when the Shemitta year comes along to be doing here. relieving us of our acquired possessions, slaves and debts, we are shown in the most overt fashion that Midreshet Harova has for over eighteen years been God is God and not man. providing a personal Shemitta/Hakhel experience for a year at a time for every one of our wonderful students. And so we gather together at the year end, at the site Moments before entering the ‘real world’ of university of the Bet Mikdash, before we return to the “dog eat and business, students from all over the globe gather dog” six-year cycle, to remind ourselves once more together at the site of the Bet Mikdash, the of of how we should live our lives both regarding our Yerushalayim, for a year of introspection, a year that is set to serve as a foundation stone for the rest of their relationship with our fellow man, and with regards מאמרו של ראש המדרשה our relationship with God. We gather lives. together as equals, men women and children, just as we did at Mount Midreshet Harova The incredible spectrum of students Sinai. Such a unique gathering has for over from all over the world each arriving comes to remind us one final time eighteen years with their own cultures and norms, that we are all equal, that we all merging together during a year of been providing a have a role to play together. growth, is the perfect breeding ground personal Shemitta/ for developing better relationships And then the King himself reads from Hakhel experience between man and his fellow. Tolerance, the Torah – even the King, the most sensitivity and selflessness are the for a year at a time powerful man in the kingdom is required ingredients for a happy and subservient to the Almighty King of for every one of fulfilling year. kings. our wonderful A Message from Rav Milston A Message Rav from students. The intense learning experience and Yet perhaps there is another reason unique location provides the ideal for Hakhel: environment for developing ones relationship with the Almighty, and There is one element to Shemitta that we have hitherto ones understanding of oneself too. not even mentioned. We spoke of the relationship between man and his fellow man, we spoke of the We know that you truly appreciate and understand our relationship between man and the Almighty, but we reason for being and our service to the community. did not yet speak of the relationship between man In the same way that we have served you in the past, and himself! and will, with God’s help continue to serve you in the future, we hope to bring in hundreds and thousands During this holy year, we are not allowed to work our of students in the years to come. fields; Am Yisrael takes a year off, a gap year, a year off! During this year the hard working farmers of the I would like to thank-you all from the depths of my land have been able, even by default, to sit and learn heart for all the support and help that you have given Torat Hashem. Just as once every six days, we have a us in the past, and in anticipation of our continued day set aside for introspection and self analysis, so partnership from within the family of Midreshet too once every six years we have a year set aside for Harova in the future. macro Cheshbon Nefesh – deliberation of the soul. And as we come to the close of this special year, we gather Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year, together for one final surge of spiritual inspiration – the Seuda Shlishit of the Shemitta year. Moments Ketiva VeChatima Tova before we go back to the long working hours of our Rabbi David Milston The Mitzva of Hakhel at the End of the Shmitta Year

ספר דברים פרק לא - פרשת וילך “אתה בחרתנו מכל העמים וכו’”. עד “מקדש ישראל והזמנים” כדרך “ויצו משה אותם לאמר שמברכין בתפילה. הרי שלש ברכות כמטבען. רביעית מתפלל על מקץ שבע שנים במועד שנת השמיטה בחג הסוכות. המקדש שיעמוד וחותם בה “ בא”י השוכן בציון”. חמישית כמטבען. בבוא ישראל לראות את פני ה’ אלוקיך במקום אשר יבחר רביעית: מתפלל על המקדש שיעמוד וחותם בה “הבוחר בישראל”. תקרא את התורה הזאת נגד כל ישראל באזניהם ששית מתפלל על הכהנים שירצה הא-ל עבודתם וחותם בה “בא”י הקהל את העם ,האנשים,והנשים ,והטף וגרך אשר בשעריך מקדש הכהנים”. שביעית מתחנן ומתפלל בה כפי מה שהוא יכול למען ישמעו ולמען ילמדו וחותם בה “הושע ה’ את עמך ישראל שעמך צריכין להושע בא:י ויראו את ה’ אלקיכם שומע תפילה”. ושמרו לעשות את כל דברי התורה הזאת...” הלכה ה: The Rambam describes the ceremony of Hakhel הקריאה והברכות בלשון הקדש. שנאמר “תקרא את התורה הזאת” .which was held during Sukkot after the Shmitta year בלשונה אע”פ שיש שם לועזות

הלכה ו: מצוות הקהל - דברי הרמב”ם וגרים שאינן מכירין, חייבין להכין לבם ולהקשיב אזנם לשמוע באימה ספר משנה תורה - הלכות חגיגה פרק ג ויראה וגילה ברעדה כיום שניתנה בו בסיני. אפילו חכמים גדולים שיודעים כל התורה כולה חייתין לשמוע בכוונה גדולה יתרה. הלכה א:הגדרה של המצווה מצוות עשה להקהל כל ישראל אנשים ונשים וטף בכל מוצאי שמיטה מי שאינו יכול לשמוע, מכוון לבו לקריאה זו שלא קבעה הכתוב אלא בעלותם לרגל ולקרות באוזניהם מן התורה פרשיות שהן מזרזות לחזק דת האמת ויראה עצמו כאילו עתה נצטוה בה ומפי הגבורה אותן במצות ומחזקות ידיהם בדת האמת. שנאמר:” מקץ שבע שנים שמעה שהמלך שליח הוא להשמיע דברי הא-ל. במועד שנת השמטה בחג הסכות בבוא כל ישראל לראות וגו’ הקהל את העם האנשים והנשים והטף וגרך אשר בשעריך”. :And so to sum up we see that After the Shmitta year, Am Yisrael is commanded to come to הלכה ג: מתי ואיך היו מקיימים את זה? the Beit Hamikdash and gather around the king and hear the אימתי היו קורין? במוצאי יום טוב הראשון של חג הסכות שהוא תחילת ימי חולו של .Torah read מועד של שנה שמינית, והמלך הוא שיקרא באזניהם. ובעזרת הנשים The Rambam describes the mitzvah and gives us reasons for היו קורין. וקורא כשהוא יושב ואם קרא מעומד הרי זה משובח. this special mitzvah. He teaches us that one should be at the ceremony and it should be as if the Torah has just been given. מה היה המלך קורא מהתורה? The Rambam teaches us that as a climax to the spirituality of מהיכן הוא קורא? מתחילת חומש “אלה הדברים” עד סוף “פרשת שמע” ומדלג “לוהיה the Shmitta year,Am Yisrael-men ,women and children, come אם שמוע” וגו’ ומדלג “לעשר תעשר” וקורא “מעשר תעשר” על around the King in the Beit Hamikdash and הסדר עד סוף ברכות וקללות עד מלבד הברית אשר כרת אתם hear the Torah read. In this way Am Yisrael in effect relives בחורב ופוסק. Mattan Torah every seven years in a moving ceremony of Unity –Achdut. הלכה ד: איך התנהל הקריאה? כיצד הוא קורא? And so the two themes of Hakel are Kabalat Torah and תוקעין בחצוצרות בכל ירושלים כדי להקהיל את העם. ומביאין .Achdut Yisrael בימה גדולה ושל עץ היתה ומעמידין אותה באמצע עזרת נשים In our times the custom is to have a ceremony called “Zecher וממלך עולה ויושב עליה כדי שישמעו קריאתו וכל ישראל העולים Lemaamad Hakel” which is held at the Kotel and is attended לחג מתקבצין סביביו. וחזן הכנסת נוטל ספר תורה ונותנו לראש הכנסת וראש הכנסת .by thousands of people נותנו לסגן וסגן לכהן גדול וכהן גדול למלך כדי להדרו ברוב בני אדם. והמלך מקבלו כשהוא עומד ואם רצה ישב ופותח ורואה ומברך כדרך שמברך כל קורא בתורה בבית הכנסת. יהי רצון שנזכה לקיים את מצוות הקהל וקורא הפרשיות שאמרנו עד שהוא גומר וגולל ומברך לאחריה כדרך שמברכין בבתי כנסיות ומוסיף שבע ברכות באמת במהרה בימינו... ואלו הן: “רצה ה’ אלוקינו בעמך ישראל וכו’ מודים אנחנו לך וכו’”. At Hakhel, Am Yisrael relives Matan Torah. What actually happened at Har Sinai? Matan Torah-A Covenant of Love Shprintzee Rappaport

any of us grow up believing certain facts are as a “covenant”. Moshe was implying “this is not Mtrue or that certain events took place, only about two parties who share a business relationship to find out later in life that those facts or events are in which the terms of their contract are carefully not true. One such a fallacy regards how the Jewish spelled out. nation accepted the Torah. Most people would probably say that the Jews’ response when presented This is a Covenant-i.e. a relationship of love. Love with keeping the Torah was “Naaseh V’nishmah-- means more than just listening to the other party’s we will do and hear”. But a closer look in the Torah terms and fulfilling them. Love means taking the shows that what actually happened was (Parshat time to HEAR what the other person is really saying, Mishpatim 24:3) “And Moshe came even if he or she does not spell it out in detail. As a result of this love, you end up doing even and told the people all the words of Love means more Hashem and all the laws and the nation more than what was actually expressed”. than just listening answered in one voice ‘All the words that to the other Hashem spoke NAASEH--we will do’”. When the Jews heard this, they changed party’s terms and their response to say “Everything fulfilling them. So why is it that we all think that their Hashem said we will do and hear”. In Love means other words, they were saying “We will response was “Naaseh V’nishmah”? taking the time Probably because it happened to have not merely listen to His exact words to HEAR what which He expressed in the ‘Aseret been the SECOND response of the Jews the other person when Moshe asked them a second HaDibrot--Ten Commandments’. is really saying, Rather if Hashem really wants to time, as it says (ibid. 24:7) “And Moshe even if he or she took the book of the Covenant and establish a relationship of love with us, does not spell it then we are willing to take the time to read it in the people’s ears and they said out in detail. ‘Everything that Hashem said NAASEH HEAR what He really is saying and do V’NISHMAH--we will do and hear’”. that and more”. When Moshe heard this, he felt he could truly give them the Torah One might wonder why the Jews were asked the . same question twice and why their response was So it turns out that “Naaseh V’Nishmah” may not be a different. The Kli Yakar says that the first time the Jews fallacy after all. And yet, there are many Jews today responded to Moshe’s question, they were saying who believe that keeping the Torah is only about a that they would do only what Hashem specifically contractual relationship with Hashem, rather than a expressed in words, and nothing more. They felt loving one. The only difference between those Jews that these laws were payback for what Hashem did and ourselves is that somewhere along the line, we for having taken them out of Egypt and they felt like were lucky enough to have that fallacy shattered for any party to a contract who must fulfill its obligation. us, whereas they are unfortunately still believing that it is true. But Moshe saw their mistake and therefore he asked A Shana Tova to all our students and Bogrot them a second time, this time, referring to the Torah Hakhel teaches us the importance of Achdut-unity within the Jewish people. This is demonstrated in this famous passage.

by Rav Our lives should be always devoted to Klal Yisrael… From the introduction to his book Shaarei Yosher by HaRav Shimon Shkop

מתוך ההקדמה לספר שערי יושר BLESSED SHALL BE the Creator, who created us in His “Image” and“ “ה’ הבורא ....בראנו בצלם ובדמות תבניתו....,להטיב עם זולתנו,ליחיד in the likeness of His “Structure”, and planted eternal life within ולרבים בהווה ובעתיד בדמות הבורא כביכול, שכל מה שברא ויצר היה us, so that our greatest desire should be to do good to others, to רצונו יתברך רק להיטיב עם הנבראים, כן רצונו ית’ שנהלך בדרכיו individuals and to the others, now and in the future, in imitation כאמור והלכת בדרכיו, היינו שנהיה אנחנו בחירי יצוריו, מגמתנו תמיד . of the Creator להקדיש כוחותינו הגופניים והרוחניים לטובת הרבים, כפי ערכנו, ,For everything He created and formed was according to His will ולדעתי כל עניין זה נכלל במצות ה’ של קדושים תהיו, דהנה only to be good to His creations. So too His will is that we walk in במדרש ויקרא פכ’ד על המקרא זה: “קדושים תהיו כי קדוש אני ה’ his ways. As it says “and you shall walk in His Ways” – that we, the אלוקיכם...” select of what He made – should constantly hold as our purpose to יכול כמוני?, ת”ל כי קדוש אני, קדושתי למעלה מקדושתכם...” ,sanctify our physical and spiritual powers for the good of others according to our abilities. “במצווה זו כלול כל יסוד ושורש מגמת תכלית חיינו, In my opinion, this whole concept is included in Hashem’s mitzvah שיהיו כל עבודתנו ועמלנו תמיד מוקדשים לטובת Be holy, [for I am Holy].” The Midrash (Leviticus, Emor, ch. 24) says“ about this verse: “Can it [truly] be הכלל, שלא נשתמש בשום מעשה ותנועה, הנאה ותענוג שלא יהיה בזה איזה עניין לטובת זולתנו, וכמובן בכל הקדשות שהוא התייחדות Like Me?’ This is why it continues, ‘for I am Holy’ to teach that My‘ למטרה נכבדה, והנה כשהאדם מישר הליכותיו ושואף שתמיד יהיו ”…Sanctity is above yours דרכי חייו מוקדשים לכלל, אז כל מה שעושה גם לעצמו להבראת And so, this mitzvah includes the entire foundation and root… גופו הוא מתיחס ג”כ אל מצות קדושה, שעל ידי זה יטיב גם לרבים, of the purpose of our lives. All of our work and effort should שבטובתו לעצמו הוא מטיב עם הרבים הצריכים לו.” constantly be sanctified to doing good for Am Yisrael. We should not use any act, activity, or get benefit or enjoyment that doesn’t “והאיש ההולך על פי דרכי תורה ה”אני “ שלו כולל את כל כלל ישראל, .have in it some element of helping another שבאמת כל איש ישראל הוא רק כאבר בגוף האומה הישראלית. ועד עשה בזה מעלות של איש השלם ראוי להשריש בנפשו להרגיש שכל And as understood, all holiness is being set apart for an honorable העלמות כולם הוא ה”אני” שלו, והוא בעצמו רק כאבר קטן בתוך purpose –which is that a person straightens his path and strives הבריאה כולה ואז גם רגש אהבת עצמו עוזר לו לאהוב את כל עם ,constantly to make his lifestyle dedicated to the Am Yisrael. Then ישראל ואת כל הבריאה כולה...” anything he does even for himself, for the health of his body and soul he also associates to the mitzvah of being holy, for through this he can also do good for the others. Through the good he does for himself he can do good for the many who rely on him. But if he derives benefit from some kind of permissible thing that isn’t needed for the health of his body and soul, that benefit is in Rabbi Shimon Shkop (1860-1940) was a rosh opposition to holiness. For in this he is benefiting himself (for that in the and a renowned Talmudic moment as it seems to him), but no one else… scholar. He was born in Tortz in 1860. At the age of twelve he went to study in the , and at …Someone who walks according to the way of the Torah, his “I” fifteen he went to Volozhin yeshiva where he studied includes the whole Jewish people, since in truth every Jewish six years. His teachers were the Netziv and Rabbi person is only like a limb of the body of the nation of . , with whom he was very close. And there are more levels in this of a person who is whole, who Rav Kook eulogized him in the book “Maamrei Reiya”, can connect his soul to feel that all of the world and worlds are his with great appreciation of his greatness. “I”, and he himself is only one small limb in all of creation. Then, his self-love helps him love all of the Jewish people and all of creation…” Mazal Tov to What’s New On the engagement of: Michelle Ezekiel (5765) / Esther Weinberg (5763) AT THE MIDRASHA Aviva Codron (MTA 2001) / Gila Guskin (5768) Sarah Shainhouse (5768) / Laura Shuman (5765) The 5769 school year began with the arrival of the new Dalya Cohen (MTA 1999) / Shani Alkolomber (5768) students. We are proud to welcome more than 110 / Leah Weinberg (5764) students. The students come from all corners of the globe: South Africa, Australia, England, Canada, U.S.A., Belgium, Holland and even Gibraltar. On the marriage of:

Announcements Rena Luger (5763) / Harriet Lewis (5766) May you all grow in Torah, Middot Tovot, Yirat Shamayim Taryn Gnesin (MTA 2004) / Malky Rosenthal (5762) and in your love for Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael! Yael Malkin (5762) / Michal Taylor (5764) During Rav Miston’s recent trip to North America, he Tari Gormley (5764) / Reena Friedman (5765) was inspired to see so many of our friends and alumni Alex Goldrein (5764) / Sara Rosengarten (5764) showing their support for Midreshet Harova. May you build a Bayit Neeman BeYisrael! Following that visit he embarked on a lecture tour to South Africa sponsored by Mizrachi of South Africa. He On the birth of: gave a series of shiurim during the Nine Days, both in A baby girl to Yocheved (Jacky Davis) Shull (5761) Cape Town and in Johhanesburg, which were very well A baby boy to Hindy (Cooper) Ginsberg (5761) attended. He was warmly received by bogrot, parents A baby boy to Yonina Hershinov (5763) and the community as a whole and was overwhelmed by A baby girl to Joanne (Erlich) Myers (MTA 2000) the thirst for Torat Yisrael wherever he visited. Staff Mazal Tovs: To Rav Yonatan Horovitz and family on the Bar Mitzvah of Elyashiv To Yakira Wald and family on the Bat Mitzvah of Ruti. On the Aliya of: Midreshet Harova Shoshana Krug (5767) Shoshana Cohen (5767) Sara Chana Shulman (5768) wishes a Mindy Davis (5767 Michal Taylor (5764) Daniella Kowall (5765) Shana Tova Chana Elmaleh (5765) and a Chatima Tova Naomi Alper (5768) to all its Bogrot, students, Staff and Midreshet Harova sends condolences Friends and to all Klal Yisrael ! to Rebecca Pinto (5768) on the passing of her father. May Hashem comfort you amongst May the New Year bring only goodness the mourners of Tzion and and blessing to all Am Yisrael ! Yerushalayim

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