SHEMOT5784 Hadran Rabbi Andrew Shaw Chief Executive, Mizrachi UK
This is my first Hamizrachi after a two-week break. I, along with my family, spent most of that in Israel. After 10 days in the incredible country that is Medinat Yisrael, it was very hard to come back to the UK. We spent time volunteering, as well as spending time with family, some of whom who are serving in Gaza and the North. The unity and sense of mission is inspiring to behold. The country is ready to strengthen themselves in the long battle against the forces of evil, and the message was loud and clear from everyone I spoke to - we will prevail, Am Yisrael Chai. For me the highlights of the trip were not just stories of soldiers and the nation but stories of the soul. First, we spent every day attending morning Seder at my son’s Yeshiva. We all learnt with a Chavruta and then went to shiur. My chavruta experience was certainly unique for me, for all my years in Yeshiva I never had a female chavruta, but my wife was excellent to learn with! To be back in Yeshiva was just wonderful, especially to see my son getting so much out of Yeshiva. It was also so fulfilling to apply myself to a difficult Tosfot or a challenging Rashi. It took me back to those wonderful years when I had the honour and privilege to learn full time both before University and then for Semicha – there is nothing like it! Second, for the last 18 months I have been learning Daf Yomi through Mercaz Daf Yomi, set up by the indefatigable Rav Eli Stefansky. Every night, I watch the shiur, which is seen by thousands across the world and learn the Daf. The shiur is given every weekday morning at 7:15am in the MDY centre in Ramat Beit Shemesh. This is just one mile from my brother’s house where we were for Shabbat, so I suggested to my son that we get the live experience on Sunday morning! So, we got up early on Sunday at 6:45am and made our way to the shiur followed by Shacharit. We were a few minutes late, but he still welcomed us warmly to the shiur (A video of the shiur is embedded below)! One of the beauties of Daf Yomi, is the amount you cover. Since I rejoined in July 2022, I have been a part of six siyumim , (the completion of the masechet – tractate