Graphic by Ariella Mayer ('23) |
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In this week’s Parsha, Parshat Chayei Sarah, Rashi picks up on a subtle linguistic change in the text. In Perek 24, asuk 7, Avraham, in talking about Hashem at the point when He took Avraham out of his father’s home, describes God as: “Hashem, God of heaven”. But only four pesukim prior, when Avraham describes Hashem at the point when he sends Eliezer to find a wife for Yitzchak, he calls God: “Hashem, God of heaven and God of earth”.
Why was there this change in the description of Hashem? Why is it that before Avraham follows Hashem’s command to go to Israel, Hashem is only the God of heaven, but is now described as God of heaven and earth?
Rashi of course picks up on this apparent anomaly. He suggests that prior to Avraham, Hashem was only the God of heaven, since people did not know or recognize Hashem or speak about Him. Once Avraham arrives on the scene and spreads the concept of God, then Hashem is in fact the God of heaven and earth.
Rav Moshe Feinstein is bothered by this explanation. He wonders why it is that Avraham is special in this regard. He was not the only one who learned about Hashem. Tradition tells us that Shem and Ever had a yeshiva and had been teaching about Hashem for centuries!
He answers that Avraham did something that had not been done previously. While Shem and Ever had a yeshiva, they did not reach out to the world to spread the idea of monotheism, rather they learned in their yeshiva and only those who knew about them and already desired to learn would join. Most of the world, however, still did not know anything about Hashem.
Avraham, on the other hand, spread the word of Hashem wherever he traveled. He reached out to others, proclaimed God in every community he visited, and mentioned Hashem in every interaction he had. By doing this he was truly able to spread an acknowledgement and awareness of Hashem that, for the first time, made Him the God of heaven and earth.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Horowitz
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Positive Politics
Eli Plotkin ('22) Discusses New
Upcoming Civil Political App
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Graphic by Naomi Reichenberg ('22) and Olivia Kahane ('23)
Eli Plotkin, a KYHS junior, is in the process of developing an app called YapPolitics. We wanted to learn a little more about his app and the developing process, so we asked him a few questions.
Can you tell me a little bit about what your app does?
Basically, our app is a social media platform for students to learn and debate about political issues and become advocates for the causes they believe in.
What was it like developing the app? Were there any difficulties with the software? How long did it take?
I am working on it with Aidan Stephen, my partner from Los Angeles. We are actually in the midst of development now, but we plan on launching early second semester, after winter break.
What inspired you to create your own app?
In my previous high school, YULA, they held an entrepreneurship competition and I decided to enter. We ended up getting second place, and we realized that building a business is actually a possibility for us. So, with our free time in quarantine, we decided to make it into a reality.
Why “YapPolitics”?
We chose this name because yapping is another word for talking and chatting, and we want students to be excited to talk about politics.
Do you have any words of advice for someone else who wants to make an app, or anything to say to those that you hope will download your app?
For anyone who wants to make an app or anything they are passionate about, I would tell them to spend the time they are using to do unproductive things and use it to follow their passions.
Article by Alex Lurie ('22)
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Welcome Home!
Administration Gets Creative to Show
Off KYHS in the Era of COVID
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Graphic by Rivka Reich ('24) |
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This past Sunday, KYHS held its first virtual Open House for potential incoming freshmen. The morning started with a video from our administrators and faculty members, who introduced the different departments at KYHS. Afterward, students and parents were able to hear various teachers give classroom presentations. This was a really great experience for prospective students because they were able to learn from some of their future teachers!
Students also heard from KOSL faculty members who showed them what KYHS has to offer outside of the classroom. “I’m really excited to make new friends, and I love all the different things KYHS has to offer to their students,” said prospective student Jacob Zucker.
The Open House concluded with an exciting game (that also included prizes!) led by student council. The event gave prospective students the opportunity to learn about academics and student life at KYHS and left them ecstatic for next year. It was a great success!
Article by Talia Shapiro ('21)
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Zoom Vs. School
Which One is Better? You Decide.
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Graphic by Orly Dimont ('23) and Rebecca Adler ('23) |
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This past week, KYHS students completed a survey about ten minute breaks between classes on Zoom vs. live school. Maia Purow (‘21), who prefers breaks at school, and Shlomo Ganz (‘23), who favors Zoom, shared their experiences.
Do you like the 10 min break in school or on Zoom better? Why?
Shlomo: I like the ten minute break at Zoom better because at home I have time to get something done. At school, however, when you have to account for the time classes take to finish up and walk to your next class, the breaks feel shorter than ten minutes.
Maia: I like the ten minute break in school more because I get to hang out with my friends rather than be alone at home waiting for the next class to start.
What do you do during your 10 minute breaks on Zoom?
Shlomo: When on Zoom during the ten minute break, I either get some work done, get something to eat, or sometimes even do a quick workout.
Maia: When I’m on Zoom I usually watch TV during the ten minute break or take a power nap.
When you’re at school, what do you do in the 10 min break?
Shlomo: When at school during the ten minute break, I pretty much just switch classrooms, eat, and talk to friends.
Maia: When I’m at school, I hang out with my friends during the ten minute break.
Would you want more or less time in between classes?
Shlomo: I would want the same amount of time when I’m at home. On days I learn in person, I would rather a little bit less time for breaks so we can end school earlier.
Maia: I like the ten minutes between classes; it’s the perfect amount of time.
Do you think the break is more productive or distracting?
Shlomo: It depends on the day and my mood, but I know that in general it's a good idea to take breaks when learning. According to Dr. Baldelomar, your brain can soak in information for a maximum of two hours before it needs a break. So I think the break helps.
Maia: I think it’s productive because it allows me to take advantage of the social aspect in school that we were sort of deprived of during our six-month quarantine.
Article By Gavi Melnitsky ('23)
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Saphira's Solutions
Saphira Helps You Stay Connected
in More Ways Than You Can Count
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Dear Saphira’ Solutions,
Since quarantine, most extracurriculars have been canceled. Now that they are starting back up again, I want to get involved and participate. However, I don’t remember how to balance my school work with my extracurriculars. Do you have any tips for me?
Thanks,
After-School Activity Rookie
Dear After-School Activity Rookie,
It can be supremely overwhelming choosing extracurriculars in any year. This year it is particularly stressful because of the Coronavirus and the obstacles it presents. However, don’t let the difficulties dissuade you from participating! There is a sweet-spot of balancing school and activities; you just have to find it. For those who have virtual activities such as drama or yearbook, make sure to stay on task before the meetings and get some homework out of the way. For athletes who commute, do your homework on the ride back from practice. The most important tip I could give you when it comes to balancing school work and after-school activities is staying organized. Got a test Wednesday but practice on Tuesday night? Make sure to study extra Monday night. If you put in the effort, you can balance both your academics and activities. The Coronavirus has already hindered so many aspects of school life; don’t let it discourage you from engaging in fun activities!
Best of luck!
Saphira
Article By Saphira Samuels ('21)
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