WITH OUR CHILDREN... (from last year)

"With our youth and elderly..." Par'o was willing to allow the older generation to go and "celebrate", to exercise their religious prerogative, as long as the children remained behind. This is the formula for the demise of any religion or society. Without the children to follow in the footsteps of their parents, there can be no continuity. It was not only at this point that Par'o targeted the children. We certainly cannot forget his demand of the midwives to kill the baby boys, followed by his command to throw all male newborns into the river. Par'o knew the value and the role of children; so have many of Israel's enemies throughout the generations. But so did Moshe and Jewish leaders of all times. To emphasize this point, the main focus of the mitzvot of Pesach is the transmission of the lessons from one generation to the next.

Think about it. There is a custom, for example, to distribute nuts to the children before the Seder, so they will anticipate the Seder with excitement. The Seder itself begins with our arousing the curiosity of the children, to prompt them to ask questions. The MA NISHTANA is a special focal point of the Seder experience. There is the description of the Four Children in the preliminary "drashot" in the Hagada. The hiding of the Afikoman is meant to keep the interest of the children. The Mitzva of Hagada is specifically to tell the story of the Exodus and to explain the meaning of the mitzvot TO YOUR CHILD. And the songs at the end of the Seder- the counting song, ECHAD MI YODEI'A and Chad Gadya seem to be geared (so say some of the Hagada commentaries) to maintain the child's interest all the way through the Seder.

The emphasis that Judaism places on the children and their education is by no means restricted to the Seder table. The Mitzva of Learning Torah, we are taught, is equal to all other mitzvot combined. The command in the Torah to learn Torah is NOT, "You shall learn Torah", but rather, "And you shall teach your children..."

Teaching children is not only a matter of book-learning. Our obligations in the area of education of our children are not discharged when we sent them to yeshiva to learn. Children (of any age) will learn from their parents by example. The son that sits next to his father in shul, the daughter next to her mother, can learn lessons for a lifetime of davening. The Shabbat and Chagim experiences in the home, the acts of Tzedaka and kindness, etc. etc. that children see in their parents are a vital part of their education and the future of the Jewish People.

A Land flowing with Milk & Honey (from last year)

This phrase appears 14 times in Tanach (additionally in variations). The Chafetz Chaim says that Torah and Eretz Yisrael are to the Jewish People as the Soul & Body are to the individual. A body without a soul is just an empty shell. But the soul needs the body (in this world) in order to be able to achieve its lofty goals. The Torah is the Soul of the Jewish People. Without it, we die. But the soul requires its body, and that is the Land of Israel. (T)Here is where the Torah can live to its fullest.

The Chafetz Chaim's comment is based on the fact that in Tanach, honey & milk represents Torah. Therefore, "A land flowing with milk & honey" can be understood as a land filled with Torah. The hand-in- hand aspect of Torah and Eretz Yisrael is emphasized repeatedly in the Torah.

A Famous Misconception

In the olden times, people did not know as much as we do today about the cycles of the heavenly bodies and they needed eye-witnesses to testify to the first visibility of the Moon in order to know when Rosh Chodesh should be. Today, with advanced knowledge of astronomy and mathematics, with computers and all that, we don't need witnesses. And, IY"H when we will again have a Sanhedrin, we will not need to "go back" to eye-witness testimony; we are far too advanced for that.

Wrong. Not true. Major misconception.

In the olden times, the heavenly cycles were well studied and known. The position of the Moon was known. Rambam says that it is a Mitzva for Sanhedrin to make the necessary calculation in order to be able to tell if witnesses actually saw what they claim to have seen. This means that witnesses came to Yerushalayim to testify to what the Sanhedrin already knew. If the Court determined that the Moon would not be visible, then they did not even receive witnesses. Witnesses can come to testify on that night, each swearing (wanting to swear) that he saw the Moon. It won't move the Sanhedrin to do more than double-check its calculations.

So what am I saying? The Sanhedrin knew when to expect witnesses, so why did they need them. Unlike other kinds of testimony, where witnesses testify to a truth that is unknown to the judges, here we have the opposite. The witness thinks he saw the first visibility of the Moon. He really cannot always be sure. The Moon at this time of the month is showing a very small chip of light - too small to be called a crescent yet - very low on the horizon, where visibility is poorest, shortly after sunset when the western sky is not really dark yet, for a short period of time before the Moon sets. Clouds, ground haze, pollution, fog, trees, buildings, and other obstructions will block out the new Moon. Yet all this time, the Sanhedrin (and anyone else with a basic knowledge of astronomy will know exactly where the Moon is. Rambam mentions the astrologers of his time as experts from whom one might learn appropriate methods of calculation. Today, there are computer programs that serve just as well.

So what's the story? Why do we want witnesses when (a) we know what they are going to say before they do, and (b) they are less reliable than our calculations. And surely we are not going back to sanctification of the months by such a primitive method.

Unsophisticated method? Maybe. But that's not the point. G-d said that the Calendar is OURS. And this is how we are to do it. Because this is what G-d commanded AND because in this way, we are active partners with Him.

The Back Page of TT401

Usual charge for Israel Center classes and lectures is 5NIS for members, 10NIS for non-mem. Life members, free. Single fee for 2 or 3 consecutive classes.

Motza'ei Shabbat, January 15, 8:00pm - Special "brief" briefing from our man in Shepherdstown - What happened and is happening there and what we need to know about what's really going on - David Bedein, Jet-lagged media analyst - This will be a short presentation. See Monday morning 11:30 for more

Motza'ei Shabbat, January 15, 8:30pm (will begin IY"H at 8:45) - GEFEN AUTHOR'S EVENING - Spiritual Insights from a Jewish Sports Fan - Rabbi James Gordon, Author, Pray Ball! - Pray Ball will be available at a special price

Sundays at 9:30am (women only) - Mystical Insights into the Months of the Year - Golda Warhaftig

Sundays at 10:30am (women only) - MEGILAT ESTHER - Tonia Frohwein

Sundays at 11:30am (women only) - T'hilim Plus - An in-depth study for the mind, heart, and soul - plus The laws of Brachot

Sundays at 12:45pm - MAHARAL - A Depth of Thought - Leah Zitter

Daf Yomi in English - SUN thru THU • 3:00-4:00pm

Sunday, January 16th, 8:00pm - Root & Branch presents... From Assimilated Jew to Jewish-Christian to Torah-true Jew - Rabbi Yaakov Singer

Sundays at 8:30pm - Taharat HaMishpacha Review for married women - Rabbi Moshe Flumenbaum - Further details, call 538-3701 ext. 108

Sunday, January 16th, 8:30pm - TOFA'AH - Concert for women by women - 25NIS members & students; 30NIS others

Monday mornings, 9:15am - MISHLEI - Rabbi Eliezer Grunbaum

Mondays at 10:30am - The Shma - Rabbi Zev Leff

Monday, January 17th, 11:35am - Shepherdstown - What happened and is happening there and what we need to know about what's really going on here - David Bedein - Media Analyst, just back from Shepherdstown

Mondays 12:30pm (for women only) - Emunah & Bitachon Workshop with Aviva Nissim - based on the book Faith & Trust by Rabbi Shemuel Houminer

Daf Yomi in English - SUN thru THU • 3:00-4:00pm

Monday, January 17th, - Root & Branch - 7:30pm - Jewish Responses to Local and Global Environmental Crises - 8:30pm - Should You Be a Vegetarian? - Prof. Richard Schwartz

Monday, January 17, 8:00pm - You are cordially invited to a very special evening at the Israel Center - The program will include Dvar Torah by Rabbi Zev Leff, A performance of the Israel Police Orchestra, Very special refreshments, and gift mementos of the evening - And what besides the program makes this evening so special? It is FREE OF CHARGE to all adults. We suggest that you come early to get a good seat.

Mondays, 8:00pm - ANGER: THE INNER TEACHER - ongoing workshops with Rachel Trugman, M.A. - Pre-registration required • 08-9265247

Tuesday mornings, 9:15 - Torah Topics - Dr. Hayim Abramson

Tuesday mornings, 10:30 - Parshat HaShavua - Rabbi Mordechai Spiegelman

Tuesday mornings, 11:30am - Meaning in Mitzvot - Making Daily Practices Meaningful and Accessible - Rabbi Asher Meir

Daf Yomi in English - SUN thru THU • 3:00-4:00pm

Tuesdays at 7:30pm - Dr. Daniel Stolper with his unique presentation of the Psychology of the Weekly Torah Portion - B'shalach: Dealing with Transition and Change

Tuesdays at 8:30pm - Taharat HaMishpacha Review for married men - Rabbi Moshe Flumenbaum - Further details, call 538-3701 ext. 108

Tuesday, January 18th, 8:30pm - GALUT & GEULA - a special guest shiur by HaRav Abba Bronspigel, one of the Roshei Yeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan (RIETS), who has accepted the position of Rosh Yeshiva of the new Beit Midrash Le-Talmud, Kew Gardens Hills, which is affiliated with the newly established Lander College for Men in Queens, New York

Wednesdays, 9:30am - DAVENING (Prayer) - Know it better, make it more meaningful, and be more comfortable with it - Dr. Joel Luber

Wednesdays, 10:30 - Peace of Mind - Alan Romm, P.C.

Wednesday mornings, 11:30am - Choose Happiness - Shoshanna Lane counseling coach

Daf Yomi in English - SUN thru THU • 3:00-4:00pm

Wednesdays, 7:45-9:45pm - Jewish Philosophy: Rambam's Guide and Ramban on the Torah - Rabbi Chaim Eisen

Wednesday, January 19th, 8:00pm - "Pri" TU B'SHVAT SEDER - Conducted by Dr. Joseph Heimowitz - Explanations, teachings, readings - Wine & fruits will be served - Also introducing... Singer-composer Ben Reuven - 20NIS members (25NIS non-mem) - Adv. registration & payment required - Limited space • First come, first served

Wednesdays, 8:00-10:00pm - Aliya Counseling - Miriam Bass

Thursdays at 10:30am - TT folding in the Library - Shiur while you fold - Parsha or Calendar or both - Phil Chernofsky

Thursdays at 10:30am - SLIM FOR LIFE - Group weight-loss program for women - Your first class - no obligation - Libby, 651-8061 • Elisheva, 999-6479

Daf Yomi in English - SUN thru THU • 3:00-4:00pm

Thursday, January 20th, 8:30pm - Concert for Women - Neshama Carlebach is back - with a new show - 30NIS in advance • 40NIS at the door

Thursdays, 8:00pm - What the Chumash Actually Says - Alan Smith - Korbanot - The Offerings

Thursdays at 8:00pm - Stories from the Gemara - Reb Yosef Schreiber

Thursday nights, 10:08-ish to 11:00 - Not at the Israel Center - on the radio! - Torah Tidbits Audio - Arutz-7, 98.7FM, 711AM, www.a7.org

Fridays, 8:45 to 10:00am - In-Depth Pirkei Avot - Rabbi Chaim Eisen - Pirkei Avot like you never learned it before!

UPCOMING

Sunday, January 23rd, 8:00pm - Putting a Dream into Action - Special talk by Mrs. Esther Wachsman - Sponsored by Mothers of Sons in IDF Combat Units - Lectures are geared to the general public and not just moms of combat soldiers

Monday, January 24th, 8:00pm - Special Guest Shiur - Rabbi Yossi Adler

Tuesday, January 25th, 9:30-12:30 - Ask a Lawyer - A Morning of Free Legal Advice with Ravit Marans, Adv. - Call 991-0164 to arrange time for your free consult

Motza'ei Shabbat Yitro, Jan. 29, 8:00pm - Memorial Shiur on the 5th Yahrzeit of Etta Ehrman Kossowsky - Shiur by Gila Rosen

TIPUL emergency medical services and the Israel Center are offering Basic CPR - Basic CPR and treatment for choking and stopped breathing for patients of all ages. Recognizing an emergency and how and whom to call for help. Injury prevention, safety measures and reducing the risk of heart disease. - The course length is a total of 9 hours and will be spread out over 3 weeks in 3-hr sessions. - TUE Feb. 1, 8, 15 - 7:30-10:30pm - Cost: 150NIS/members; 180NIS/non-mem - PRE-REGISTRATION A MUST and there is a minimum registration requirement. - Call Miriam, 500-3333 ext. 204

TIPUL emergency medical services and the Israel Center are offering Basic First Aid - First aid for all types of injuries and medical emergencies including: choking, bleeding, burns, falls, vehicle accidents, chronic and acute medical conditions. Injury prevention and safety at home, work, outdoors, when traveling. - Course length: 9 hours (Three 3-hr sessions) - SUN Feb. 13, 20, 27 - 7:30-10:30pm - Cost: 150NIS/members; 180NIS/non-mem - PRE-REGISTRATION A MUST and there is a minimum registration requirement. - Call Miriam, 500-3333 ext. 204

Tree Planting & President's Tour - Tuesday, January 18 - 8:00am to 6:00pm (approx.)

J.N.F. Tree Planting at Sho'eiva, Sculptures Park at President's Forest, Kibbutz Nachshon Glass-blowing, Weizmann Institute, New Visitor's Center, Chaim Weizmann's house, New interactive outdoor science park, Solar Center and new exhibits, Hulda Forest, Guide: Betsy Mehlman - Leaving from the Israel Center - Bring your own lunch - 80NIS p.p. (100 for non-members) - Payment and reservations MUST be made through Shulamit, coordinator 58-119-58 - If there is no answer, wait for the recording and leave your name and phone number after the beep.

Monday, January 24th at 11:35am

YOUR PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS LEGACY IS WAITING FOR YOU

Did you know that Yad Vashem has a disc of over 66,000 names of policyholders of valid insurance policies unpaid since 1940?

Did you know that by January 31st, 2000 over 200,000 names of possible policyholders will be available to the public.

If you have the exact name (as various spellings of names were known pre-1940), date of birth and last address of any relative who died in the holocaust, or who survived the holocaust as an adult but has since died, you may be the beneficiary of a policy.

The largest payment to date is $141,000. The initiator of the Int'l Holocaust Insurance Process will be speaking and will be available to answer your questions.