MHA-FYOS Dean's Blog

The Jewish people are called b’nei Yisrael – the children of Israel. The name Yisrael has its roots in our parasha . Upon leaving the company of Lavan, Yaakov embarks on his return to Cana’an. Yaakov, preparing for a potential confrontation, sends angels to Esav who dwelt in Edom – far south of where Yaakov was at Ma’avar Yabok in the north. The angels return to Yaakov to tell him that Esav is already on the road – headed to meet with him. Yaakov, anticipating a fight, becomes fearful. On the evening prior to his fateful meeting with Esav, Yaakov encounters a man – understood by our Rabbis to be the guardian angel of Esav. The angel struggles with Yaakov and they end in a draw. Yaakov’s thigh is damaged. The angel declares, “What is your name?” Yaakov responds, “Yaakov!” The angel continues, “Your name will no longer be Yaakov, but Yisrael (Israel), because you have struggled with the Lord and with men – and you have been able (to overcome).” It is through this incident that J...

This past Tuesday, we initiated the Memphis Jewish Community Beis Midrash program held at the Cooper Yeshiva High School. The hour-long program (8:30 to 9:30) for men – which concluded with Ma’ariv at 9:30 – was attended by community rabbis, members and students. Four people deserve particular acknowledgement for their contribution – Rabbi Joel Finkelstein, Rabbi Yedidya Shifrowich, David Katz and David Schlesinger – each of whom led a chabura (learning group). Our next program will be held on Tuesday, May 10 at 8:30 pm. The message below was inspired by the learning David Katz, Yoni Freiden and I did at last Tuesday’s program. In this week’s parasha , Achare Mot, the Torah says, “And any man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, that takes in hunting any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he will pour out the blood of it, and cover it with dust.” These pesukim present the mitzvah of kisui hadam - covering the blood of chayyot /wild animals (such as dee...

The MHA/FYOS was abuzz this week in preparation for Rosh HaShana! The Boys and Girls High Schools each held a day of learning dedicated to Rosh HaShana topics. Elementary students learned special tefilot, songs and lessons. The bulletin boards and classrooms were decorated. The Early Childhood students made Rosh HaShana cards for the older members of our community. The Kollel MiTzion had its inaugural program. Each element of the school did its part to prepare for Rosh HaShana. On Thursday night, I had the honor of speaking at the Kollel MiTzion night of learning.  I presented the following idea which relates to this theme of each person doing his or her part. This week’s parsha,   Nitzavim , describes Moshe’s inducting b'nei Yisrael into a covenant with Hashem.  Moshe Rabbenu begins, “You, all, are standing ( nitzavim ) here today before the Lord your God.  Your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, even all the men of Israel, your little on...