Chayei Sara- Thank you again Meir!

Before his demise, Avraham divides up his possessions among his children. To Yitzchak, who was going to carry on his traditions and his teachings of Hashem: VAYITEN AVRAHAM ES KOL ASHER LO LEYITZCHAK, “ Avraham gave all that he had to Yitzchak. (Bereishis 25,5) To his other children, whom he had from all the other wives, he gave: MATANOS, “…gifts…”. (Bereishis 25,6) Since this was an inheritance why use the terminology “gifts”? To Yitzchak he gave “all he had” and to the others he gave “gifts”.

Avraham was a wealthy man. The Torah testifies this. He made his wealth from two different sources. His major wealth cme from his own work, his own labor, what we would call his regular income. He also got great gifts and wealth from Pharaoh when he sent him away after the incident with Sarah.

The Kli Yaker explains that to Yitzchak he gave what he earned on his own initiative, from his own toil. To the others he gave the “gifts” he had received. The gifts he gave to those who would not carry on his traditions. The gifts he got he gave back to the source from which it came, the non-Jewish source.

Have a great shabbos!

Meir R. Y. Graff

We are all running, but where are we running to?

After a few weeks of monologuing the divrei Torah I decided to try something interactive.

We spoke about Sara Imeinu and how Rashi says that her years were all equally good. Upon further inspection however, we find that her life wasnt exactly easy. She couldn't have children and watched her maidservant give birth before her. She was kidnapped twice and finally lived to see her only son get shechted (almost). What did it mean that all her years were equally good? The Rav explains that while she had the exuberance and energy as a child throughout her life she similarly maintained a level of maturity about life's decisions with the accuracy and farsightedness of an elderly person. (main idea seen on YUTorah.org, Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb)

We are always running around here trying to fulfill our various and multitudinous obligations. Sometimes we forget about our goals and end up just running but when we get there we realize that this is not at all the place we wanted to be at when we were in yeshiva and idealistic.

To combat this challenge we did an activity that I had seen on an MTA freshman retreat. Its a simple game that really makes you think. i handed out pens and index cards and told everybody to imagine that they were 35 years old. Then I asked the following questions:

1. Are you married?

2. How many kids do you have?

3. Jow involved in the Jewish Community are you?

4. How much time does Torah occupy in your day?

Next we imagined that we were 50 years old and answered these questions:

1. Are you happy?

2. What is your place in your family/community?

3. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

4. What do you most regret?

5. If you could do it all over again what would you change?

Obviously, Hashem doesn't give up on anybody and the Gemara in Brachos says that one should Daven to Hashem for Rachmanos even when the sword is on one's throat or until the last shovelful of dirt on one's coffin. Nevertheless there are phases in life where change is very difficult if not impossible. We did this exercise to step back and take an inventory of where we are headed in life. At this point we can still change the direction we are headed in.

Changing paths is very difficult but sometimes very necessary. הצלחה רבה in recognizing the אמת and taking the necessary steps to improve.

Chinuch? Yeah, why not...

I spent yesterday afternoon in Brooklyn and had the privilege of davening @ a certain minyan factory in Brooklyn.

It was there that I witnessed the following:

Fervently shuckling next to me was a red-headed chassid with long, twisted, fiery peyos. His son, 3 maybe 4 years old, was sitting next to him and took advantage of the silence and fell asleep during the Amidah. I finished davening and mused about how cute this little chassid was and how different my formative years had been.

The action started with kedusha as the father grabbed the kid by his armpits and yanked him to his feet atop the chair! The father shook him awake relentlessly demanded from his young son that he answer the Holy Kedusha. After the Kedusha he let go of his limp son and the boy sank back into his slumber.

I had this huge grin on my face. I thought at that point I had figured out how Chassidishe boys rebel. I had always wondered how, if one was raised amidst Torah and Yiras Shamayim and Chassidishe Niggunim, one could go off the D. Obviously, the yetzer hara affects everyone but it needs no help of Chassidishe fathers helping it along.

Is this child going to have the proper respect in shul? He will hate shul if anything! Not to sound to psychological (full disclosure: I am a psych major) but all this child associated with this experience is the negative feelings generated by his violent arousal!

But then things took a turn for the better. We were at Bareich Alenu when the tatte of this child pulled open a black bag and pulled out a band-aid. He then proceeded to locate the tiniest of boo-boos on his son's hand and gently put it in place. Clearly this father loves his child. The little boy probably forgot about the tiny scrape that had afflicted him earlier, yet this man lovingly placed a band-aid on his hand anyway.

Whether waking his son was the best method of Chinuch I couldnt say because I am not an authority. Will this child hate shul and davening? I don't think so. The love that the father has for his son oozes out of his persona. This little boy will not remember the shaking or the angry words to pay attention but WILL remember all the little things that illustrate the unconditional love that the father has for his son.

I think this is a nice mashal for our relationship with 'ה. The Gemara in Brachos tells us that כל מה דרחמנא עבד לטב עבד. Everything Hashem does is good. Not that it is an easy עבודה.

Chabura # 4!!

Tonight will IYH herald the fourth Chabura of OJ talmidim studying in Yeshiva University.

There WILL be food. I apologize to anyone who ate the milchigs chips last week, do not be deterred by my mistake I am no longer in charge of food so as to obviate any further mishaps.

Tell any OJ guys you see....

Famous Yahrzeits for Tuesday

Yahrzeits licensed to OJINYU.blogspot.com by Manny Saltiel & anshe.org.

Tuesday, 18 Cheshvan

Rav Yisrael Dov Ber Odesser, leader of Breslaver Chassidim (1888-1994). He is
best known for revealing and teaching the Na Nach Nachma mantra. born in Tiverya
to a family which for generations were Karliner Chassidim. Later a follower of
Breslav, his revelation of the Na Nach Nachma mantra was rejected by mainstream
Breslovers for many decades. In 1980, however, a group of baalei teshuva
discovered him in an old-age home in Yerushalayimm and were attracted to his
teachings.

Rav Yishayah Bardaky (1862). Rav Bardaky was born in Pinsk and taught Torah
there, but he decided to settle in Eretz Yisrael after his first wife died. When
the ship carrying Rav Bardaky, his son, Shmuel Akiva, and his daughter, neared
the port of Akko, it was wrecked, and all the passengers were thrown into the
sea. Rav Bardaky, however, was a powerful swimmer, and, with his two children on
his back, he swam ashore. Upon reaching Yerushalayim, Rav Bardaky was appointed
head of the Ashkenazic community. He also was appointed vice-consul of the
Austrian Empire.
Rav Yaakov Friedman of Bohush-Husyatin (1956)

Rav Raphael Baruch Toledano of Morocco, author of Sephardic Kitzur Shulchan
Aruch (1970)

Rav Nachum Pertzovitz (Partzovitz), Rosh Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim (1986). At
the age of 9, he attended Ramailles Yeshiva in Vilna, and became close to its
rosh yeshiva, Rav Shlomo Heiman.

Rav Nechemiah Kibel (1952-2005). Born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Holocaust
survivors, R’ Kibel entered the newly founded Yeshiva of the South, under Rav
Meir Belsky, who was one of the first talmidim of Rav Yitzchak Hutner. He served
as a magid shiur at the yeshiva in Memphis, then founded and taught at RITSS
(Regional Institute for Torah and Secular Studies), Cincinnati’s Bais Yaakov in
1989. A few later, he played a major role in the founding of Cincinnati’s
Community Kollel.

Amazing

Parshas Vayera- Courtesy of Meir Graff

When the angels informed Avraham that Sarah will give birth, she was listening and heard this prediction. The Torah says she laughed to herself and doubted it could be because, as she put it, VA’ADONI ZAKEN, “…and my husband is old.” (Bereishis 18,12) We are then told that Hashem says to Avraham, why did Sarah laugh saying: VA’ANI ZAKANTI, “…and I am old.” (Bereishis 12,13) This is not what she had said. She said that Avraham was old.

Our Rabbis point out how serious Lashon Hara is. Here the Torah went to the extent of telling a white lie in order not to cause tension in Avraham’s household.

People are often careless about how they talk. They may have a bit of gossip and before thinking how it may affect someone when this item is recounted to us, they blurt it out. One should think twice before telling tales about others. The Torah even went to the extent to tell a white lie rather than cause strife in Avraham’s home.

Have a Great Shabbos!

Meir R. Y. Graff

Looking for Sponsors!

If anyone has friends or relatives or even acquaintances that they feel would consider sponsoring the chabura please aske them to email me @ DoronGreenspan@gmail.com.

All we need is a little money for food and drinks. If however there exists one among us generous enough to sponsor more than just food and drinks let him email me for details as I have big big plans for more activities.

All the best and have a great Shabbos!

Doron

Chabura #3 Recap

Hey guys,

A quick recap...

There are many lessons to be learned out there, we just have to keep our eyes open and learn to find insight in everyday occurrence like Avraham and Rabbi Akiva.

Furthermore, remember to fight that fight! If its easy then your not succeeding. To stay afloat and grow and develop yourself is a challenge שאין כמוהו but it is worth it!

בלי נדר, I plan on posting the list of chizzuk items that Rabbi Gordon proposed as soon as I get a chance.

I really want to express my thanks to everyone that showed up. It means a lot that there is a chevra of guys that is willing to devote a large chunk of their time to extra learning and singing and a little chizzuk. I hope you are all enjoying, I definitely benefit from all of your company.

If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to comment below.

I am going to Detroit for Shabbos as a Central East region advisor for NCSY. I intend on adding to the blog over the weekend and I am confident that I will have some great chizzuk to share after this shabbos.

If anyone has posts or pictures or video clips that they want to share please email me--DoronGreenspan@gmail.com

Have a great great Shabbos.

"Viking for Life"

I just walked past a Wahington Heights local wearing one of those "tribute" t-shirts. The shirt said something like, "Dedicated to (a kids name), A Viking for Life." This really got me thinking. Are the other kids on the team also Vikings for Life? I understand the need for identification and the camaraderie that is developed on the field, but I wonder if the player to whom the t-shirt was dedicated wants to be remembered as a Viking for Life.

How do I want to be known? What legacy will I leave? If they dedicated a t-shirt to me what would they put on the back? Jew for Life? Friend for Life? Blogger for Life?

The way I will decide to live my life is the way that I will be remembered. There is a Mishna in Pirkei Avos that says the best "Crown" is a good reputation.

I have often found myself rushing through MY day, super focused on MY schedule and bugging out for MY exams and MY papers. There are so many days that I forget that I am part of a bigger scheme. I forget that everything is determined by 'ה. If I can maintain cognizance that everything outside of my free will is out of my control then I can focus on using my free will to develop my spiritual legacy.

I want a t-shirt that says, "Doron Greenspan Fulfilled His Potential in Life"

May we all be זוכה to a כתר שם טוב and reaching our potential...

A touching מעשה

My brother called me this morning before seder and told me a מעשה that really impressed me. He is currently learning in Yesod Ohr Sameach in Eretz Yisrael. He was having a really bad day and was wearing the emotions on his face. One of the perceptive Rebbeim approached him and asked how he could help. My brother responded that there wasn's much that could be done and he would rather not talk about it.

Here is impressive point number 1.

Instead of just wishing my brother well and moving on, the Rebbe asked my brother if he could daven for him.

Wow. That's really impressive. How many times a day do I pass someone by and say, "Hey! How are you?" and then just walk away? Do I really care? If I did would I just walk away?

When this Rebbe asked about my brother it wasn't just protocol. It was a real meaningful inquiry into my brother's welfare.

Impressive point number 2.

After davening my brother tried to find the Rebbe to thank him for davening on his behalf. As my brother appraoched the shuckling Rebbe he noticed that he was still davening. Upon further inspection he noticed tears streaming down the Rebbe's face. Wow.

Caring for someone else enough to daven for them is one thing but caring enough to cry on his behalf is a whole different story...

J-Witt

There was a request for a shoutout. Anyone else? Comment below

New Time...Same Channel...Chabura #3 10.20.2010

I apologize if anyone is too frum for the TV metaphor.

Seriously though, this coming Wednesday night will IYH be Chaburah number 3.

However, the chabura has a new time...10:30.

This is to accommodate anyone that has intramurals and/or other things to do late at night. I am trying to remove any and every excuse that one might attempt to use to exempt themselves from the Chabura.

I am currently looking for sponsors for Wednesday night. Its really quite inexpensive and will not even be felt on your Caf Card! Please comment below if you are interested.

Also, look for our blog in the alumni email put out by Rabbi Shechter each week.

BYOJF- Bring Your OJ Friends.

PHOTO OP- There will be pictures taken at the Chabura and this will indubitably lead to fame and fortune because the blog gets a TON of hits...that being the case dress how you would like to be perceived.

Passing on a very important message from our dear Reishit friends...

The following message has been copied from Jakey Berman Shlit"a's blog

http://lakekollel.blogspot.com/:

Chevrah-

One of our dear friend's mother has been recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, in order for us to help the situation we are going to be having night seder in room 307 in Glueck every night this week with regular chavrusahs, perhaps we can add some extra התמדה. Starting at 8 and followed by a 10 pm maariv, and then some תהילים.

Thank you so much

please have in mind-

פייגא בת ברכה רחל לאה

Famous Yahrzeits this week

Yahrzeits licensed to OJINYU.blogspot.com by Manny Saltiel & anshe.org.

SUNDAY: The Rosh, Rav Yehuda Leib Bloch of Telz, and Rav Shimon Shkop of Grodno

MONDAY: The Tchebiner Rav

TUESDAY: The Chernobyl Rebbe, the Chessed L’Avraham of Slonim, and Rav Yehuda
Leib Chasman of the Chevron Yeshiva

THURSDAY: Rav Yehuda Hachassid

NEXT SHABBOS: The Chazon Ish

This is just a small snippet of yahrzeits that are part of a bigger email. Thank you to Jared Okun for informing me of the email list. If anyone is interested in receiving the unabridged email, comment below or email Mr. Manny Saltiel-- yahrzeits@anshe.org to be put on the list.

RJX Tish in Highland Park

Gut Voch everybody!

What an awesome Shabbos in HP. I had Izzy Korobkin over, who provided excellant company.

Friday night we had the privilege of attending an RJX event. RJX, Rutgers Jewish Experience, is a kiruv organization that focuses on bringing unaffiliated Jewish Rutgers students into the frum Highland Park community. I saw Meir Graff and Gabe among others providing a TON of ruach.

It was really inspirational to see the 50 or so Rutgers students there who made decided that they would rather spend a Shabbos with frum Jews than on the Rutgers campus. I consider myself lucky that I am on the YU campus and not beset by the spiritual tests that would befall me had I attended Rutgers.

Interestingly enough, the host for the tish is an OJ and YU alum and though I didnt speak to him at the time I dont doubt that he would be willing to come to a Chabura and speak and sing with us.

All in all a great Shabbos.....

Parshas Lech Lecha

Special thanks to Meir Graff for the inaugural Dvar Torah:

In the opening pasuk of the Parshah, Hashem says to Avram LECH LECHA. Translated literally this means: go for your own sake. Rashi comments on this pasuk LEHANA’ASCHA ULETOVASCHA, “for your own benefit, for your own good.”

Some derive from this the moral lesson that a person is obligated to do the best he can for himself. Many people fall short of accomplishing what they could according to their potential. There is a famous saying in Chassidic literature that it is not asked of Zusha (a plain ordinary Jew) why he is not like the Bal Shem Tov, but rather why is he not like Zusha. The implication is that he is not expected to do more than his ability allows him. He should, however, at least live up to what he could accomplish if he tried his best.

Many people are frustrated that they cannot compete with their peers. Many lose self confidence and create a low self esteem because they cannot achieve the goals they set for themselves. The truth though is that we cannot all be outstanding in all endeavors. We all have our own specific abilities. We do not have to do the impossible. We are merely expected to succeed according to our own abilities and to reach the maximum that we can with our own given gifts. We must strive to do the best we can within our own capacity.

Controversial Poll

After a pretty lame poll about whether or not we should sing a slow or fast song to start the chabura, I have decided to spice things up a little bit.

The next poll will be about night seder and how important it is to you.

This is a crucial discussion as acknowledging the way we choose to spend our time reveals to us what we think is important.

I look forward to seeing the responses and discussing the results at the next Chabura.

Have a great shabbos!

If anyone has a Dvar Torah that they would like to be posted please email me(dorongreenspan@gmail.com) or comment below.

I had a great time!

Shkoyach to all those that showed up!

I am really happy that there were guys there and food and drinks and niggunim and Divrei Torah. It was amazing.

I think the most important point that we spoke about tonight was the fact that we have this chabura to strengthen the fact that we should all be there for each other. No man is an island.

The astronaut mashal was spot on. We need to create our own atmosphere of Torah and Kedusha and take it with us just like an astronaut brings oxygen to space. Both Torah and oxygen are necessary for life and so we must make a special effort to ensure that we are immersed in Torah.

Post your Comments! I need feedback to know how to perfect these Chaburas...Let me know if you want slow songs or fast songs or you want to be in charge of something regarding the chabura...

Once again Shkoyach to all those that made it and mention it to any OJ guy you see!

Kol Tuv

Chabura #2 10.13.2010

This Wednesday night @ 11:30 will, IYH, be the 2nd official OJ Chabura.

We meet in the small room inside the Morg Basement Bais Medrash.

The Chabura is open to anyone that ever attended OJ and is interested in hearing some divrei Torah and seeing the guys.

We are currently looking for a sponsor but until then we are reaching out to members of the Chabura to dropping a few, really just a few, bucks on chips and drinks for Wednesday night.

Please let me know if your Caf card can handle it by either commenting below/texting/email so that I can coordinate the purchases.

There will be opportunities for guys to give chaburas and we are in the midst of compiling topics and materials so that if someone is interested in giving a chabura but doesn't know what to talk about we can help them out.

Looking forward...

Doron