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May 19, 2017
23 Iyar 5777
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Shabbat
Behar-Bechukotai
Candle Lighting 7:55 pm
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Friday Dismissal at 3:00 pm
This Shabbat, May 19-20
Shabbat Scholar Dr. Eddie Reichman
This Sunday, May 21
Kohelet Cafe Night
5:00 pm Ladies & Girls
6:45 pm Entire community
Monday - Wednesday, May 22 - 24
Senior School Trip
Monday, May 29
Memorial Day - No School
Tuesday, May 30
Early dismissal at 1:30 -
Erev Shavuot
Wednesday, May 31 & Thursday, June 1
Shavuot - No School
Sunday, June 4
Israel Day Parade
Wednesday, June 7
Graduation
Friday, June 8
Last Day of Classes
Monday - Thursday, June 12 - 15
Finals
Tuesday & Wednesday, June 13 - 14
Race to 250k - Giving Day Gala
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 שבת
פרשת בהר - בחקתי
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MRS. JESSIE ROTHSTEIN
Special Event Coordinator
Tanach
This week's double parsha Behar-Bechukotai is jam packed with timeless ethical lessons and instructions. We are given a how-to guide for developing a just society and we are warned about the relationship between our behavior and our status in the Land of Israel.
One theme of the parsha - the
Shmita/Yovel cycle - is particularly timely, as we near the end of the counting of the
Omer. Both mitzvot require the calculation of seven sevens: the
Omer
counting seven groups of seven days, and the
Yovel counting seven groups of seven years. Both culminate, on the 50th day or the 50th year, with a recognition that everything belongs to
Hashem. Lastly, both are intimately connected to the cultivation of the Land of Israel.
How does the mitzvah of
Shmita and Yovel - Sabbatical and Jubilee years tie in with the ethical undercurrent of the parsha, and why does it follow the same structure as the counting of the
Omer - counting of 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot?
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks provides a fascinating insight about this parsha that can help us answer these questions:
"One of the most profound contributions Torah made to the civilization of the West is this: that the destiny of nations lies not in the externalities of wealth or power, fate or circumstance, but in moral responsibility: the responsibility for creating and sustaining a society that honors the image of God within each of its citizens, rich and poor, powerful or powerless alike. "(Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Behar-Bechukotai 5776)
Concerning the
Shmita/Yovel we are instructed in this week's parsha as follows:
You may sow your field for six years, and for six years you may prune your vineyard, and gather in its produce, But in the seventh year, the land shall have a complete rest a Sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field, nor shall you prune your vineyard. You shall not reap the aftergrowth of your harvest, and you shall not pick the grapes you had set aside [for yourself], [for] it shall be a year of rest for the land... . And you shall count for yourself seven sabbatical years, seven years seven times. And the days of these seven sabbatical years shall amount to forty nine years for you... . And you shall sanctify the fiftieth year, and proclaim freedom [for slaves] throughout the land for all who live on it. It shall be a Jubilee for you, and you shall return, each man to his property, and you shall return, each man to his family. (Vayikra 25:3-10)
The concept of moral responsibility explained above by Rabbi Sacks applies here in two ways. First, we are obligated to free slaves and to return property to its original owner. Second, we are obligated to give the land the opportunity to rest. At first this does not seem to be a moral issue; however, if we take a deeper look, we find that the concept of resting in the Torah is a moral one.
According to Rav Eliezer Melamed, author of
Pninei Halacha, it is not simply that
HaShem rested on Shabbat - after all, it is not as if creating the world required any effort - but that
HaShem introduced the concept of rest on Shabbat. Without rest, explains Rav Melamed, one would continue to strive and never feel any sense of completion. In other words, without rest the work we accomplish during the week lacks a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Only when we stop to evaluate and reflect can we truly appreciate the value in each and every creation. Thus we are able to create a moral society that appreciates the godliness in each person.
When we count the
Omer, week-by-week, we engage in a process of reflection and refinement, contemplating how we can treat our fellow human beings better. It is only at the conclusion of the counting, on Shavuot, when we can look back and appreciate the progress that we have made, and the value of our relationships.
This Shabbat, may we all take time to reflect on and appreciate our accomplishments, our relationships, and the
Tzelem Elokim - God's image in each and every person.
Shabbat Shalom
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RACE TO
250K &
GIVING DAY GALA
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THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS....
Help Kohelet Yeshiva reach our goal
of raising $250,000 in 24 hours
on June 13 - 14!
Celebrate with us at the
FINISH LINE
at our GIVING DAY GALA!
Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
6825-31 Norwitch Dr., Philadelphia, PA 19153
MORE DETAILS BELOW!
SIGN UP for a VOLUNTEER "CARPOOL" TIME SLOT during
our Race to 250K Campaign
(with a minimum donation of $180 to the Campaign)
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STERN COLLEGE GIRLS VISIT KYHS
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Women from the Stern College Undergraduate Education Program
visited on Tuesday to learn about the various programs and initiatives that have been undertaken in the high school. They observed classes, met with the administration, and then had the opportunity to spend time
with our high school Limudei Kodesh faculty before heading over to the Yeshiva Lab School.
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KOHELET ART ROOM
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It has been a busy year in the
Kohelet Art Room.
All mediums are tried and enjoyed with impressive results.
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KOHELET CAFE
THIS SUNDAY!!
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More than half of Kohelet students will perform
Don't miss this opportunity to hear and bid farewell to our extremely talented and musical
SENIOR CLASS OF
2017
Great music from Queen to Adele to Broadway with t
ributes to the late and great musicians
Leonard Cohen and Prince
This Sunday, May 21
Ladies & Girls at 5:00 pm
General Community at 6:45 PM
Kohelet Students & Prospective Kohelet Students - free
General Admission: $10
Maximum per family $40
Enjoy a great selection of food & drink!!
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ANNUAL NYC ISRAEL DAY PARADE
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Kohelet Yeshiva is once again proud to be participating in the The Israel Day Parade in New York City on Sunday, June 4th.
Kohelet Yeshiva will provide busing for anyone who wishes to participate at a reduced cost of $25 per person and a maximum of $100 per family. Scholarships for Kohelet students are available.
Our bus will be leaving Kohelet at
11:45 am (later than originally predicted). Although it is likely we will have open spots until
the parade date, please sign up as soon as you can to ensure you will get a shirt and a spot
on
the bus
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KOHELET SCHOOL SPIRIT!!
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DON'T MISS THIS SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY....
Kohelet Yeshiva School Spirit Merchandise
Parent's Association Fundraiser!
Kippot $12
Headbands $12.50
Hats $15
To purchase Hats or Headbands
please visit our online store:
Link for purchasing Kippot coming soon!
All items will be available to pick up at the
End of Year BBQ on June 11
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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
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POURING CONCRETE ON
TO THE NEW FOUNDATION |
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SHABBAT SCHOLAR SERIES
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Join us this Shabbat Scholar
Shabbat, May 19 - 20 with
Rabbi Dr. Eddie Reichman
See below for full schedule
Childcare will be available 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
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פרנם היום - PARNAS HAYOM
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or e-mail
Mrs. Tammie Neuman
Tel: 610-667-2020 ext. 3050
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Click on the KYLS logo below to view
Kohelet Yeshiva Lab School's weekly E-letter
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223 North Highland Ave., Merion Station, PA 19066 koheletyeshiva.org 610-667-2020
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