Under the Sun - Parshat Beshalach

12 Shevat, 5783

February 3, 2023

Parshat Beshalach

Football is arguably the most popular "religion" in Philadelphia. There are all kinds of rituals and communities that revolve around the "religion," and one of the most important tenets of the religion is that on any given Sunday, any team can beat another team. It is with this faith that every team approaches each game week after week despite the odds.

When the Jewish people left Egypt, they experienced all kinds of miracles, including witnessing the plagues, and culminating with the splitting of the sea. An often quoted Midrash suggests that what the maidservant saw during the splitting of the sea was greater than what Yechezkel the prophet saw in one of the most important visions in the Jewish canon. Yet, it is interesting to note that in the beginning of the parsha, prior to splitting the sea, Hashem caused the Jewish people to avoid traveling in the direction of the Plishtim, lest the Jews fear war and want to return to Egypt. How can it be that the people who experienced the plagues and countless miracles would experience war and then want to return to slavery? How could they not have faith that Hashem would take care of them?

Upcoming Events:

February 3-4 - Middle School Shabbaton

February 5 - Sunday Morning Tefillah in the Kohelet Yeshiva Beit Midrash at 9:00 AM

February 5 - 2/3 Chagigat Chumash

February 5-7 - Yeshiva University National Model United Nations (YUNMUN)

February 20 - Presidents' Day, No School

February 27 - HS STEM Day

February 28 - LS/MS Parent Teacher Conferences on ZOOM, No School for K-8

See what else is coming up at Kohelet Yeshiva here.

Visit Our Website

Support Kohelet Here

Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, known for his sharp insights, suggested that the aforementioned Midrash is critical in understanding this question. While it is true that the maidservant experienced miracles, she remained a maidservant and never elevated her status or aspired for anything greater. She saw an impressive display of miracles, and went back to her daily life. The prophet Yechezkel worked on himself his entire life in order to become one of the greatest prophets of all time. The key to growth is not only in experiencing miracles and the Divine; it is found in the nitty gritty details and daily work. It is easier to be dedicated when we feel inspired, but our greatness and our faith develop when we push ourselves to our limits, consistently giving our best efforts. May we all find inspiration to take on the battles of our own lives with faith, and not return to the Egypts of our lives.

Shabbat Shalom, and Go Eagles!

Rabbi Dani Bauer

Kohelet Yeshiva 23rd Annual Gala

Alumni Corner

Kohelet Yeshiva High School and Stern Hebrew High School Alumni...

This is your last chance to fill out the Kohelet Yeshiva/Stern Hebrew High School Alumni Association Google form and be eligible to win AirPods Pro. The drawing will be held soon...who will be the lucky winner?

Click here to fill out the form.

Coming Up:

High School Happenings

Mitzvah Momentum!

We are excited about a school-wide (K-8), year-long initiative that we introduced to the students called Mitzvah Momentum!

Students in grades K-8 will be focusing on a particular mitzvah during each part of the year. In February we are focusing on Bikur Cholim, March-April will be Tzedakah, and May-June will be Hakarat HaTov.

There are various components to this program depending on the age of your child, outlined in the Mitzvah Momentum At Home Chart that appears above.

As part of this program, we are asking each Kohelet family to discuss a Chessed that you would like to get involved in as a family during December. Please click here to download the Mitzvah Momentum At Home Chart and then fill in your family's Chessed and attach a picture of your family performing the Chessed (if you'd like).

News from Kohelet Yeshiva

Last week's 4/5 Fridayton ended with an awesome Motzei Shabbat activity at school!

Before last week's big Motzei Shabbat Kohelet-Barrack boys basketball game kicked off, Rabbi Horn led a beautiful Havdallah at center court. Congratulations to the Kohelet Kings on earning the win!

Our Middle School students had a wonderful time preparing for the MS Shabbaton, which takes place this Shabbat!

Updates from the Kohelet Beit Midrash

Parnas HaYom

Sponsor a day or a week of learning at Kohelet Yeshiva. Contact Nachi Troodler at ntroodler@koheletyeshiva.org for details or click here to sign up.

Kohelet Yeshiva | www.koheletyeshiva.org | 223 North Highland Ave, Merion Station, PA 19066