Lighting Candles at the Gilad Shalit Tent

Posted in Chagim, Jerusalem on 09. Dec, 2010

This moving piece was written by a Year Course student and we thought it meaningful to share. As Chanukah comes to a close, we wish you a final “chag sameach”.  … Read more
This past Saturday, a number of us in Section Three attended a ceremony held in the center of Jerusalem where the family of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier abducted by Hamas terrorists 1623 days ago

Chanuka Sparks True Emunah – Parashat Miketz

Posted in Chagim on 02. Dec, 2010

By RYO  … Read more

Parashat Miketz teaches us the moral foundations upon which we may establish influence and authority over people.
It seems that when Yosef strived to arrive at a place of power using his innate unique characteristics, he did not succeed. On the contrary, the more he tried, the deeper he fell. It was his talents and his outer beauty that caused his stumbling. First

Parashat B’ha’alotecha

Posted in Parashat Hashavua on 02. Dec, 2010

By RYO  … Read more
In our parasha, B’ha’alotecha, Aharon is commanded to light the candles of the menorah and they will burn for seven days. However, if we examine the words carefully, “B’ha’alotecha et haneirot”, we see that they actually mean, “When you go up to the candles they will light for seven days”. In other words, there is no need to actually light the candles; rather,

Simchat Torah

Posted in Chagim on 02. Dec, 2010

By RYO  … Read more
This past Shabbat we celebrated Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret. On this holiday we do not sit or eat in the Sukka, instead we part with the sukka and feel sad for leaving it. However, when we come home from shul and sit at the table inside our homes that sadness lifts and we are happy to be sitting at our tables inside