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November 15th, 2019
17th of Cheshvan, 5780
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Parshat Vayera
Candle Lighting at 5:14
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Be That One!
How can I be successful in school? This is a loaded question! If you search Google for tips to measure success in high school you, will find a lot of suggestions. As we head towards the end of the first trimester, there may be another place to look.
In this week's parsha, Avraham desperately tries saving the city of Sodom and its four surrounding cities by bargaining with Hashem. He begins by asking Hashem to spare the city from destruction if he can find 50 tzadikim in the cities (10 per city). Hashem agrees. After the number 50 doesn't work, Avraham suggests to Hashem that maybe there are 45 tzadikim between the 5 cities (9 per city and 1 including Hashem--see Rashi, Bereishit 18:28). Hashem again agrees. If He finds 45 tzadikim then He will not destroy the cities. The Torah uses the word, "אשחית" - "destroy," the implication being that He will not destroy the cities, but He will cause something else to happen to them. However, when Avraham requests from Hashem to spare the people if he finds merely 40 or 30 tzadikim, Hashem agrees and says that if He finds 40 or 30, he will not do anything at all to the cities! There the Torah uses the word, "אעשה " - "do". Why does the Torah use the word "אשחית "with the number 45, but with 40 and 30 the Torah uses "אעשה?"
The Meshech Chochma explains that if 45 tzadikim are found in the 5 cities, then each city is only missing one more person to save the entire city. One person could have saved them all, and Hashem is holding the entire city accountable for not stepping up and being that one person. Therefore, Hashem will give some consequence to the city, albeit not destruction of the entire city. In contrast, if only 30 or 40 tzadikim are found, Hashem will not do anything because each city is not even close to finding a minyan of 10 tzadikim within its borders. In that case, Hashem can't get angry at any one individual for not stepping up and saving the day because there's not only one individual to blame.
The mishna in Pirkei Avot (2:5) explains: " ובמקום שאין אנשים, השתדל להיות איש" - "In a place where there are no people, strive to be that one person." We all have the ability to make a difference. How do we measure our success? How do we define accomplishments in the area of
ruchniyut
and
gashmiyut
? Take initiative. Be that one who goes above and beyond. Be that one who volunteers. Be that one who stays for the extra learning, who asks that extra question so they understand, be that one that davens a little longer, be that one that gives the extra smile. Even when sometimes it means going out of your comfort zone, be that one.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Avi Hochman
"Rav"
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Upcoming Events
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Open House
Nov. 25th
Last day of the trimester
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Good & Welfare
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Arielle (Odiz '16) and Simcha Bonnardel on the birth of their son, Liam David
Engagements
Matthew Wolkowicz ('12) to Sophia Zeitz from Scarsdale, NY.
Condolences
KYHS alumni Oren ('07), Malka ('07) and Arie('11)
on the passing of their father Samuel Hizkiya.
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Storm Stars Shine Bright at Glouberman Tournament
Basketball Teams Travel To Hollywood, CA
(The Second-Best Hollywood)
Graphic by Josh Berten ('20) and Leanne Mizrahi Mann ('23)
Article by Molly Seghi ('22)
The boys' and girls' Storm varsity basketball team had the amazing opportunity of representing our school at the
Steve Glouberman Memorial Tournament held at Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles, California this past week. They arrived in L.A. on Wednesday morning, getting straight into games and activities after settling in. Some of the activities included an escape room, Century City Mall, and Pizza 180.
The boys watched all the girls games, and the girls watched all the boys game to show fellow Storm players support. The boys finished with an 0-3 record, while the girls finished with an 1-2 record.
On Shabbat, all the teams from across the country gathered together for lunch, an
oneg, and a debate on controversial topics. It was a great opportunity to meet kids from all different yeshiva high schools across America. Our champions arrived home Sunday morning. We're so proud of them! Go Storm!
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Helping Those In Need
Led By Sophomores, School Unites To Chap Some Chesed
Graphic by Penina Kahane ('22) and Aerin Tripp
('22)
Article by Zohara Lam ('23)
This year, the 10th grade girls are participating in a clothing drive. Mrs. Zisquit׳s class just finished learning about tzedakah and felt this was the best way to apply what they learned to real life. They wanted to do more than simply donating a few dollars- they wanted to take action!
Students brought in old clothes from home, which were all donated to The Closet, an organization that takes used clothes in great condition and sells them at a cheap price. This way, whoever buys from The Closet doesn't feel embarrassed because they are actually buying the clothes, just at an extremely low price. What an amazing act of chesed! Yashar koach to Mrs. Zisquit and her sophomore class.
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Rebbe's Song Of The Week:
"Thank You Hashem"
Click Below To Explore The Playlist Sweeping The KYHS Nation
Graphic by Ariella Mayer ('23) and Rebecca Adler ('23)
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Storm Speaks:
The Lunch Squad
Hear From The KYHS Lunch Legends
Graphic By Sivan Mussaffi ('20)
Interview by Alex Lurie ('21) with Terry
Q: How long have you been at KYHS?
I've worked here for 18 great years.
Q: What's your favorite lunch that we serve?
Umm...beef and broccoli for sure.
Q: How long do you spend everyday setting up for lunch?
Oh a long time. Probably an hour every day. Not so bad though.
Q: And what do you do with the extras?
I give it to kids who don't have lunch.
Q: What do you think about the students?
They are very good. I love the students here!
Q: What do you do during your free time?
I have no free time *laughs*
Q: What's your dream vacation? Why?
Going to India because that's where my ancestors are.
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Inside Shtick:
The Hedgehog Minyan
Hedgehogs In School!? Al Dimont Explains The Newest School Phenomenon
Graphic By Highlites Staff
Article by Al Dimont ('20)
Once upon a time there was a man named Jon. This man decided to become a Rabbi in order to inspire the next generation of Jewish Talmud-Chachums. In order to fulfill his wishes, this man got a job as a principal at Katz Yeshiva High School and became the Great Rav Kroll. Now the Great Rav Kroll eventually left to New York and was replaced by our new fearless leader, the Brilliant Rav Levitt. In his legacy, however, he left a very special minyan: The Hedgehog Minyan.
Lead by Rabbi Nachbar and Eitan Gelman, the hedgehog minyan has become a staple in the culture at KYHS. At the end of each davening, a student is given the magical hedgehog plaque. He who holds the plaque has the critical job of coming up with a hedgehog fact for the next day. Now you can't use just any old hedgehog fact. Facts that have been used already are deemed invalid. The student must spend hours scouring the internet for something novel about the beautiful hog. Once they find it, they have the responsibility of sharing it with the class. The next day, at the culmination of davening, the student shares his knowledge and the plaque is passed on to the next person.
When asked about the role the hedgehog plays in Judaism, Eitan Gelman became excited.
"I think the hedgehog plays a key role in Judaism as it is a very humble yet confident being. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov guides us on our way to spiritual growth while the humble hedgehog guides us to secular success," he said. What I learned from this is that we must strive to be like the hedgehog in our Judaism. Be peaceful like it's nature and humble like it's size.
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The Yeshiva Highlites Staff
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