Shana Tov u'Metuka

With Rosh Hashana falling in the middle of the week, the activities for the entire week focused on the chag.

After a very relaxing Shabbat, Rav Prebor opened the week’s festivities with a shiur on the sounds of the shofar and its influence on making us think about Yom HaDain.

We also had a shiur from Rav Mann on the laws of Prozbul, the document that transfers all of our financial matters to the Beit Din, which allows debts to be collected after the Shmitta year has ended.

While there were no formal shiurim on Erev Chag, many of the boys participated in an optional trip to the mikveh and the challah bakery.

I was told once, that if one wants to be really inspired by the davening on the Yomim Noraim, one should go to a Yeshiva. This was certainly true at our special Yeshiva this year. The davening was stirring and we all – talmidim, staff rabanim and their families - had a wonderful experience. The davening was led mostly by a mix of the Rabbanim, staff, and our guest Chazzan Elliot Prince.

There were many Shiurim throughout the chag, with Divrei Torah at the meals given by two of our Talmidim. Rav Fish gave the yeshiva a sicha on the meaning of the symbolism that we find in much of the Rosh HaShana liturgy. Rav Cohen provided us with a compelling discussion comparing Rosh HaShana to the secular conception of New Years. Rav Norman Meskin, through a fascinating Gemara in Avoda Zara, inspired the taldmidim to think about how they relate to the process of Tshuva.

Tzom Gedalia featured a special “Spiritual Check-up” from Rav Knapel. A fast day is a wonderful time for introspection (particularly, one in Tishrei) and Rav Knapel asked the guys to gauge themselves in many areas of their lives to see where they were when they arrived a month ago, where they are now, and where they want to be in the future.

Thursday night featured the only mandatory Mishmar of the year in honor of the completion of Tzom Gedalia. The Beit Midrash was full till 12:30 with the sounds of learning and then the boys were filled with a delicious meal to round off the week.

Nearly half of the Yeshiva has decided to spend their upcoming out Shabbat in the Yeshiva with Naomi and me. We will be having davening and meals in the Yeshiva with optional shiurim.

G'mar Chatima Tova and Shabbat Shalom!

Nate Fein
Av Bayit