This upcoming Shabbat has a special name - Shabbos Hagadol. The great shabbos, the grand Shabbos, the Shabbos of growth. Why is it called such? Some of the achronim explain that this is short hand for the shabbat of the Nes Hagadol - the great miracle. When our ancestors confiscated the Egyptian diety, sheep by the thousands, slaughtered and ate it and survived. Yet this does not account for the commemoration being on Shabbos. Why should this greatness be attributed to Shabbos rather than the 10th day of the month of Nisan?

In the Kiddush of Friday night we notice that Shabbat commemorates not one, but two things. Two things for which our Shabbat observance is a “zecher” - a remembrance.

The first, of course is zecher l'maaseh b'reishis - a commemoration of creation. First and foremost, Shabbat pays homage to the fact that the world has a Creator. He who designed, fashioned and built the world out of nothingness. On Shabbat we recognize The great scientist, the great architect, the Master of Creation. This understanding is so vital to Judaism, that the Gemara in Chulin rules that a flagrant, public violation of shabbat is tantamount to denying the entirety of Yiddishkeit. This is Shabbos Bereishis.

But Shabbos is also a zecher l'yetziat mitzraim. This is an entirely different commemoration. Not of science, or architecture, but of history. And not just history, but our history. This is the Shabbos that binds the Jewish people together as a nation, with a national heritage, vision, mission and purpose. And it is this Shabbaos that was introduced on Shabbos Hagadol.

The Sfas Emes explains: Prior to that fateful Shabbos in Egypt, the day was only a zecher l'maaseh bereishis. But then God chose a people, and Shabbos became greater - נתגדלה השבת - Shabbat itself expanded.

How do we observe The Shabbos of History? Here the directive is not simply abstention from work, but utilizing the opportunity to capitalize on growing and developing the our relationships with God, our families, and ourselves. This Shabbos is one of reflection, introspection, and taking stock of who we are and where we're going. Here, the day off from work is not to scale back, but to enhance the things that matter most. To realize and recognize that we have a unique purpose, that our lives are meaningful and that we and everything we do, matters. 

Wishing us all a Shabbos of purpose, meaning and perspective. Hashem should give us strength to overcome these new and strange challenges, and give refuah to our people and our world.

Shabbat Shalom, 
Rabbi Rael Blumenthal

V'higadita L'vincha
Over Zoom
Students Participate in Haggadah Round Table, Learn Meaningful Ideas about Pesach, Interact with Peers
Graphic by Leora Cohn ('20)

This past Wednesday night, many of KYHS’s esteemed Judaic Studies teachers led a Pesach Seder-themed round table. Each teacher was given a specific part of the Haggadah and delivered a three-minute Dvar Torah on it. Personally, I never realized how much can be learned in the span of 180 seconds! Each teacher added their own depth and beauty to the steps of the Seder. All the participating students, parents, and alumni left with many new perspectives about Pesach, which wouldn't be found in a conventional class. Many students also took notes so they could pass on these words of wisdom at their own Seder tables. A huge yasher koach to Rabbi Hochman, who not only spoke beautifully but also planned and orchestrated the entire event that added so much meaning to the Haggadah.

Article by Adina Eisenmann ('22)
3 for 30 Workout Challenge
Thanks to Athletic Director Kris Ruffo, Newest Internet Challenge Grips KYHS
Graphic by Highlites Chevra

With most of us just sitting around all day, it’s easy to neglect our physical health. However, it is vital to exercise at home or at least go outside every day. To help motivate us, Coach Ruffo launched the 3 for 30 Movement Challenge to encourage KYHS students and faculty to get up and move. The challenge is to exercise 3 days a week for 30 minutes, and you can bike, swim, dance, or do any other physical activity you enjoy. Then, you submit a photo or video of you moving to Coach Ruffo, who will select two students and one staff member every week to win a Nike Prize Pack! Not only does this challenge motivate people to get up and move, but it also allows our bodies to recharge and stimulate our immune systems. This challenge is a great way to stay healthy during this difficult time.

Article by Talia Shapiro ('21)
Need a New Book to Fill the Time? Read Below!
Share the Literary Love and Check Out These Great Titles Compiled By Senior Al Dimont
Graphic by Liora Mayer ('20)

12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
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A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Ove, a principled curmudgeon, has his world upended when a young couple and their chatty daughters move in and run over his mailbox.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
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Educated by Tara Westover
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The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
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The Institute by Stephen King
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In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
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Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
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Life of Pi by Yann Martel
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Michael Bennett (Series), James Patterson
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On Division by Goldie Goldbloom
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One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Marquez
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One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
Young-adult mystery fiction following the point-of-views of four suspects in a murder case.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
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Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
A science-fiction, anti-war novel following Billy Pilgrim’s experience as a prisoner-of-war during the Dresden bombing and his life after as a time-traveler.

Son of Hamas by Mosab Yousef
The oldest child of a Hamas founder and popular leader, Yousef tells his story of turning from terror and violence to peace and love.

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
Song of Solomon follows the “adventurous” life of American-American Michigan man, Macon “Milkman” Dead III, from birth through adulthood.

Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson
Erickson’s breakout book on how to understand those who cannot be understood using the four personalities of human behavior.

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
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The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf
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Descriptions by Al Dimont ('20)
This Week in Pictures
Highlites Staff