3 minute read
Rabbi Sam Shor
BY RABBI SAM SHOR
Program Director, OU Israel Center
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There is a long-standing minhag Yisrael to begin to study mishnayot from Pirkei Avot each Shabbat afternoon throughout the spring and summer, beginning immediately following Pesach. Tradition has it, that our study of the particular chapter of the week is introduced each week by reciting and reviewing the well-known Mishna from Mashechet Sanhedrin:
Kol Yisrael Yesh Lahem Chelek L’olam haba - All of Israel has a portion in the World to Come.
Rabbi Avraham Schorr, shlita, in his sefer Halekach V’Halivuv, asks a very fundamental question regarding this introduction to our weekly study of Pirkei Avot. Why do we introduce our study of the mishnayot of Pirkei Avot, with this teaching from another masechet of mishnayot?
Rabbi Schorr answers, quoting the Sefat Emet, the Gerrer Rebbe zy’a, that the mishnayot of Pirkei Avot, are primarily about character refinement, striving for greater morality and spiritual clarity as individuals, in our relationships with one another, and our relationships with Hakadosh Baruch Hu. A person might think that the moral code and refinement which is included throughout the entire six chapters of
Pirkei Avot, might be too difficult to achieve or strive for, and therefore fail to see the relevance and inspiration encoded within each and every mishna in Pirkei Avot. Therefore,explains the Sefat Emet, we need to reflect on the message of our introductory mishna which we import from Mashechet Sanhedrin-Kol Yisrael Yesh LaHem Chelek L’Olam Haba. We are reminded by this teaching that every single Jew has a portion in the world to come. Each and every one of us has within us, capabilities that are beyond this world! Hashem bestows each of us with divine capabilities, with spiritual strength to move beyond the mundane, and achieve heightened spiritual and moral consciousness, to live a life of kedusha and profound meaning.
Yehi Ratzon, as we return to our annual study of Pirkei Avot, may we indeed merit to find within these sacred teachings the inspiration and wisdom to awaken those divine kochot within each of us.
In loving memory of Rebbetzin Josephine Reichel ע״ה on her 20 th Yahrtzeit אייר ז׳ From the Bronner and Reichel Families
Linking our Lives2gether for active single Olim, ages 60-75
Presents a new weekly get-together:
SUNDAYS AT 7:00PM
Each week, a different subject will be presented by our members and guests. Join us for a virtual night out.
For Zoom address and password contact Chana Spivack cspivack@ouisrael.org or 050-229-4951
22 KEREN HAYESOD, YERUSHALAYIM l 02-560-9110 l WWW.OUISRAEL.ORG
Tuesday, May 12, 4:00pm
OU Israel Presents: “Live” B’Omer
Family Kumsitz and Sing-Along for all ages with Yachad Israel’s Rabbi Rami Strosberg Lag B’Omer Day.
Bring your marshmallows and your ruach Join us via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/99867973292
OU Israel MUSICAL HALLEL FOR
YOM YERUSHALAYIM
FRIDAY, MAY 22, YOM YERUSHALAYIM ,9:00AM
Hallel will be followed by a brief inspirational message from
Rabbi Ezra Friedman,
Director of OU Israel’s Gustave and Carol
Jacobs Center for Kashrut Education.
Join us via Zoom https://zoom. us/j/94224906746
OUIsrael/
Please note, this will be a musical Hallel, and not the complete Shacharit tefila
Sunday, May 24, Sivan 1, 9:00AM - 12:45PM
SAVE THE DATE In loving memory of Mrs. Linda Pruwer-Brachfeld a”h מרת חיה סאשא בת ר‘ יוסף הלל Focusing on the Value of Torah Study
For detailed schedule of speakerswww.ouisrael.org/sivan2020 Join us at https://zoom.us/j/84682153217 VIRTUAL ROSH CHODESH SIVAN WOMEN’S LEARNING SEMINAR
Free of charge
Women Reaching Higher
22 KEREN HAYESOD ST., YERUSHALAYIM l REGISTER ONLINE AT: WWW.OUISRAEL.ORG/EVENTS/SIVAN-SEMINAR/
Man: The Pinnacle of Creation or Just Here by Chance? A special multi-media presentation by Dr. Ephraim Greenfield
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 8:00PM
u For 500 years, science has increasingly promoted the view that we are here by chance, by natural means and there are many others like us.
u Scientific findings of the last 20 years have increasingly proven the opposite. We are very very unique and indeed the universe was created for us.
u See and hear how this amazing reversal has come about.
