From the Rosh HaYeshiva
From the Rosh HaYeshiva
HOW SHOULD A YESHIVA REACT TO A WAR AGAINST THE JEWISH PEOPLE ? At Yeshiva Darchei Torah we are responding on multiple fronts , simultaneously . Briefly :
First , with our greatest weapon : tefillah . Not one davening goes by — Shacharis , Mincha , Maariv , seven days a week — without a concluding perek of Tehillim in unison , pasuk by pasuk , and Acheinu Kol Beis Yisrael , beseeching Hashem for the safe return of the captives , an end to terror and bloodshed in our land , and the success of our soldiers in their fight against our enemies .
Second , with nesias ol ( lit ., ‘ carrying the burden ’). This is a middah that we seek to inculcate yearround , regardless of world events : to truly feel the pain of our brothers and sisters . Our talmidim , parents , staff , and alumni have taken this to heart , with personal ( mostly private ) resolutions to improve in an area of avodas Hashem or do without a particular comfort or delicacy until the hostages come home .
Third , by actively reaching out , penning handwritten letters to IDF soldiers — many of whom have already responded with enthusiasm and thankfulness . Our boys are now on their third round of correspondence .
Fourth , by writing letters of gratitude to President Biden for his initial statements and demonstrations of support — and urging him to continue .
Most importantly , we have responded by doubling down on our mission , the raison d ’ être of not only this yeshiva but of Am Yisrael itself : Limud HaTorah , with an increased seriousness and diligence across all divisions — from Kollel and Beis Medrash ( which began the winter z ’ man two days early ) to early childhood .
?" ohkaurh lhrgac ubhkdr uhv , usnug " ch , fs htn vru , c ohexug uhva wohkaurh hrga - vnjknc usngha ubhkdrk ord hn
What is the meaning of that which is written : “ Our feet were standing in your gates , Yerushalayim ” ( Tehillim 122:2 )? What caused our feet to withstand the enemies in war ? It is the gates of Yerushalayim , where they were engaged in Torah study . – Makkos 10a
Rabbi Yaakov Bender
BEDARCHEI HATORAH WINTER 5784 / 2024 3