The TOCHACHA is presented twice in the Torah - once in Parshat B'chukotai and once in this week's sedra - KI TAVO. In each case, we generally consider the Tochacha to begin with words like these: "And if you will not harken to G-d's Voice... then... (all kinds of bad things will happen...)"

From this point, throughout 54 depressing (to say the least) p'sukim, the Torah Reader lowers his voice as an expression of communal embarrassment, while he reads - and we hear - in very graphic form, the terrible consequences of our being unfaithful to G-d and the Torah.

Reproach in this harsh form addresses that part of us that fears G- d, fears sin, and fears punishment. Those fears are the main motivation for one's undertaking of the path to Repentance.

But there is a flip side to the focus on the negative. Fourteen p'sukim earlier, we read: "And if you will listen to the Voice of G-d, your G-d, to preserve and do all of the mitzvot..., then you will have the upper hand vis-a-vis the nations of the world and all the blessings will come to you... because you listened to G-d."

You are blessed in the city; you are blessed in the field; etc.

This too is TOCHACHA, reproach of a kind, directed at the Jew whose motivation for T'shuva is not just fear of punishment, but Love of G-d. T'shuva mei'Ahava, as it is called, comes with the feeling of wanting to do what G-d wants, and being disappointed in oneself when one strays from the path. Not (only) fear of punishment. But genuine regret for having let G-d down (so to speak), for not showing your love of Him in all that you do.

A Tochacha filled with horrors of Divine punishment is one thing. But a discription of G-d's promises to His people serves to reproach the one filled with Ahavat HaShem.

MASHAL, to what is it comparable? To a child who misbehaved. The parent can say, because of what you did you will be punished. You will be sent to your room. You will be spanked. Etc. This is one way. Or, the parent can tell the child of the wonderful trip to the amusement park he will miss out on. And the picnic. And most importantly, he will miss out on the precious, close relationship with his parents. Some children are motivated to mend their ways by fear of the spank. Others are motivated by the (hopefully temporary) loss of good things.

So too it is with us, the people of Israel. What motivates us to repent our sins. What puts us on the path to T'shuva. For some (and for a part in all of us) it is fear of sin and fear of punishment. But for some it is the higher form of motivation - Ahavat HaShem - love of G-d, that speaks so much more eloquently that the dreaded Tochacha.

One more point. This "positive form of reproach" does not begin with chapter 28. Right at the beginning of the sedra we find the mitzva of Bikurim. It is a perfect example of the ideal state of the Jew - mitzva-observant, in Eretz Yisrael, with a Beit HaMikdash, with bountiful yield of the land, peace, tranquility, security... and joy in who and what he is. What greater reproach can we have to shame us and challenge us in a loving way to return to G-d and be privileged to all of G-d's promises.

ARAMI OVEID AVI... one interpretation is that Lavan "destroyed" my father (Yaakov). Did he? The answer is that he tried. His lack of success is thanks to G-d. His attempt is construed as actual. (Based on Rashi)

Will the Mashiach come in his appointed time, or sooner?

That depends upon us. If we enhance the overall conditions of Jewish Life, increase Torah observance, improve relations between Jew and his fellow - then we might be privileged to an "early" arrival of the Mashiach and the Geula. If we do not lay the proper groundwork for his coming, then he will come in his (pre-ordained) time.

[There is a notion that things will be much smoother if we hasten the coming of Mashiach. If we are not ready at his appointed time, then rough times (wars, tragedies, etc.) will be unavoidable.]

This is a major part of our Elul challenge. Let's put it this way — the first level of our Elul-time task is personal, individual. This adds another level, that of the community, of Klal Yisrael. This is reminiscent of the Rambam in Hilchot T'shuva where he "suggests" that we each consider ourselves, and our community, and the entire world to be precariously balanced between merits and demerits. One tiny mitzva on our part cannot only tip our personal scale to the good side, but that of the whole world as well. One person can make a difference. Each of us has the power to hasten the Mashiach. So, let's do it.

Because you did not serve G-d with joy. The Kotzker Rebbe interpretted with a twist. Because you were happy when not serving HaShem.

Hasidic Wisdom by Simcha Raz (Elkins/Elkins)

There are moments in the life of the worst reprobate of being closer to the Blessed One than a perfect tzadik. When? During moments of T'shuva. - Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk

Dear Torah Tidbits Reader,

Every weekday now the sound of the shofar is heard and our sighs and supplications soar heavenwards on the mighty blasts. We exclaim: "Shema Hashem koli ekrah - vechaneni ve'aneni" - 'Hear O G-d when I call out with my voice; be gracious to me and answer me!"

'Answer me!' But what was the question? Is it possible that there was no question? Or is the answer simply more important than the question?

Of the pilgrim in our parshah who brings the first fruit offering to the Cohen, it is said: "Ve'anita ve'amartah lifnei Hashem Elokechah…" - 'And you shall answer and say before HaShem your G-d…' Again, to what question or query does the pilgrim answer? Maybe here "Ve'anita" means to raise one's voice, as Rashi suggests, or to submit oneself humbly, as the Ba'al Tiferet Shlomo infers…

More likely is that for each of us there is a different quest and response, as we stand in awe at the threshold of the Holy Temple or at the dawn of a new Day of Judgment. Or perhaps David Hamelech succinctly expressed all our desires when he declared, "Achat sha'alti me'et Hashem…" - 'The one thing I ask … is to dwell in the habitation of Hashem all the days of my life."

Could there be a more profound petition than that seeking an answer?

Sincerely yours, Menachem Persoff, director, Israel Center

If you happened to be driving along the "back" road of Gush Etzion last Monday night, you might have heard the sounds of singing and the smells of cooking coming from Masuot Yitzchak. NCSY was hosting Neve Chana, Ohr Torah Stone's High School for Girls - 200 of them! - for an evening of discussions and workshops on teshuva in Elul, among the hills of the Gush. The girls discovered the power of keeping just one mitzvah, and listened attentively to the story of a chozeret b'teshuva from a Shomer Hatzair kibbutz. The evening concluded with great barbeque and uplifting song. A nice way to bring in Rosh Hashana!

NCSY would like to invite all its members - old and new - from all over the country to a yom tiyul and gala simchat beit hashoeva on Monday , chol hamoed Succot (October 16th). Following the tiyul part of the program (details to be announced), we will meet in the new Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union World Center on Keren HaYesod Street in Jerusalem. Watch for more details for this very exciting event!

NCSY b'Yisrael - Rabbi Michael Fredman, director

FYI, the SJA-OU World Center will be the new home of [1] the OU Israel Center, [2] NCSY B'YISRAEL (that's us!), and [3] OU Kashrut in Israel. It is located at 22 Keren HaYesod, corner Mendele Mocheir Sfarim, across the street from the Dan Panorama Hotel (formerly the Moriah). We look forward to seeing you there.

The Torah Tidbits Quick Guide to programs of the OU in Israel for youth.

[1] Nitzotz works with one year students from abroad and provides them with interesting and challenging volunteer opportunities, chesed programs. These activities help others in need, teach the students to care about others, and supplements the student's learning in order to broaden their Israel experience.

[2] NESTO deals with teens who live in Israel and have an English-speaking background. It's sort of a small Youth Movement for these Native English-Speaking Teen Olim.

[3] NCSY b'Yisrael is a network of chapters (called Batim) around the country, primarily made up of local youth. Activities vary with location, but NCSY b'Yisrael attempts to develop commitment to Torah, Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael.

Nitzotz is back in swing - mixing and matching our one year students with chessed opportunities during their stay in Israel. Although we would like them all to stay, we hope that at least they will leave behind something after they return home - or the help they can give a handicapped child or the friendship they share with an elderly senior.

We have revamped, in cooperation with the good folks of Yeshiva University, a new Survival Guide available to all students for making their way around Israel. Welcome, good luck, and a shana m'od tova!

At our Welcome Back B.B.Q. Blowout this past Tuesday, those kids who paid their membership dues were given their 5761 membership cards. In addition to receiving reduced fees to most NESTO events, the kids will also receive a 10% discount on purchases they make at the stores listed below.

The Israel Center and the members of NESTO would like to publicly thank the following stores and eateries, along with their managers, for participating in our membership card discount program: Big Apple Pizza, The Book Cellar, Candy World, Dunkin Donuts, Falafel Maoz, Goa Gift Shop, Holy Bagel, Kentucky Fried Chicken, N.Y. Bagel Bar, Nathan's, Pizza Hut, Sbarro, Sefer V'Sefel, The Sweet Stop, Take 1 film, World of Magazines.

Also, our thanks to Ben & Jerry's on Rechov Hillel for sending discount coupons for our NESTO kids to enjoy.

We hope that all NESTOites and their families will give special consideration to frequenting the above shops when making purchases. Membership is still 55NIS until Rosh Hashana. Be sure to read next week's column to hear the scoop on this past week's BBQ and the special shiur that will have taken place on Tuesday Sep. 19th, 7:30pm at the Israel Center. Rabbi Donny Schreiber will be leading a frank discussion on what is all the hype that surrounds the Yamim Nora'im.

NESTO, the Israel Center's youth program for Anglo-Israelis 10 Straus St. • P.O.B. 37015 • J'lem tel. 500-3333 ext. 203 • fax: 538-5186 Rabbi Avi Silverman, Director email: aviditz@--netvision.net.il

FRUMSPEAK, the First Dictionary of Yeshivish (Weisner/Aronson)

Sample - beginning of Hamlet's Soliloquy:

You can kleir azoi: to be, or, chalila, fahkert. Whether it's eppis more chashuv to be soivel yisurim that shrekliche mazel foders, or if it's an eitzah to be moiche keneged a velt of tzoris And al yedei zeh be meakev them...

The book is a mix of serious and lighthearted, as evident from the following entries:

na-ni-ach conj. Allowing or accepting: ASSUMING, SUPPOSE THAT. "Naniach you're right in lomdus. I'd still be afraid to paskin like that." [cf. hanacha]

bai-lus n. Sovereignty or ownership: DOMINION. "My boss constantly creates new rules just to show his bailus."

As 5760 draws to a close, so too do the Israel Center's doors at 10 Straus. But with the arrival of 5761, you can find a new, invigorated Israel Center at the

Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union World Center, 22 Keren Hayesod Street, Jerusalem

We eagerly stand ready to serve you with our shiurim, lectures, workshops, concerts, counseling, outreach, Nitzotz volunteer program for overseas students, Center for Jewish Values Education, Beit Midrash program, New shul with special Shabbat and weekday services and programs, Multi-media library, reference library, lending library, Drop-in center and cafe, Public Affairs Institute, Torah Tidbits.

We thank those of you who have already "signed on" as volunteers, and are still looking for more of you to volunteer with our library, reception and help desks, cafe, introducing special guest speakers, Torah Tidbits preparation and distribution, helping Olim with their Hebrew, children with Bar Mitzva preparation... and more.

We have many dedication possibilities at the new Center in several different categories and ranges of contributions...

Dedications in the $5,000-15,000 range include furnishings and accessories for the Beit Knesset and Beit Midrash, computer stations for the library, youth center, etc., mezuzot... In the $25,000-50,000 range are offices, library collections... In the $100,000-250,000 range

are floors of the building - education center, youth center, administration... library, audio-visual center, Beit Midrash, garden area...

More modest donations of siddurim, chumashim, s'farim, library books, tapes, etc. are also welcome.

We have many wonderful ideas and plans to continue pursuing our goal of strengthening the bond of the Jew to his Heritage, his People, and his Land. With G-d's help... and yours.

First Israel Center program at 22 Keren HaYesod, SLICHOT NIGHT, Motza"Sh Nitzavim-Vayeilech (Sep.23), Shiur by Rabbi Dovid Refson, refreshments, Slichot with Cantor Gerald Epstein and explanations in English

Over the years at 10 Straus, we have continually disappointed people who needed special access to the Center, which we did not have. The new building at 22 Keren HaYesod will have access by ramp, an elevator that can accommodate a wheel chair, and a bathroom that can be used by the physically challenged individual. Please tell those who need to know.

Motza'ei Shabbat Nitzavim-Vayeilech, Sat. September 23rd

Join us for the first SLICHOT at the new Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union WORLD CENTER, 22 Keren Ha'yesod Street

9:00pm - Pre-Slichot Shiur by HaRav Dovid Refson, Dean, Neve Yerushalayim

10:00pm - Refreshments • Intro to Slichot

10:30pm - First SLICHOT by Cantor Gerald Epstein, Former chazan of the Baron Hirsch Shul, Memphis, Tenn. and with English explanations

Please note: We will also have a Slichot minyan at 12:30am (for those who want Slichot after Chatzot) - iff there is a sufficient number of people who want it. Please call Phil at 500-3333 ext. 207 if you are interested in a post-Chatzot Slichot.

Please note: Although the Slichot program is in the new building, we will be back at 10 Straus for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, Sep. 24-26

Also note that the Center will be closed (except for TT folding and distribution) on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before Rosh HaShana (September 27-29).

(Volunteers who help us fold and those who pick up batches of TTs for distribution should call us early that week for details.)

Back to Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday... daytime programs will be as usual, and each evening we will have two T'shuva-oriented shiurim, as follows:

Sunday, September 24th, 8:00 and 9:00pm, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Poupko, Rabbi Chaim Eisen

Monday, September 25th, 8:00 and 9:00pm, Dr. Daniel Stolper, Rabbi Ephraim Zisk

Tuesday, September 26th, 8:00 and 9:00pm, Rabbi Reuven Aberman, Rabbi Nachman Kahana

The day after Rosh HaShana, Monday, October 2nd will be TZOM GEDALIYA. From that day on, IY"H, the Israel Center will be located at the Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union World Center at 22 Keren Ha'yesod.

Just as we plan to end activity at 10 Straus with T'shuva shiurim, so too we plan to initiate activity at 22 Keren Ha'yesod with T'shuva shiurim during Aseret Y'mei T'shuva, including a special Tzom Gedaliya program - Shiur, Mincha, mini-shiur, Maariv, fast-break.

So let's review what we have so far. 10 Straus until Slichot night. Special Slichot program at the new building - 22 Keren Ha'yesod - then back to 10 Straus to finish the year 5760. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights of that last week of the year there will be IY"H two T'shuva shiurim per night.

Then we are closed for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (to complete the move). After Rosh HaShana, our address will be 22 Keren Ha'yesod - 10 Straus will be history.

Regular and special shiurim during our first week in the new building. Then...

Motza'ei Shabbat Shuva, October 7th, 8:30pm

OU Israel Center and Young Israel in Israel present... Motza'ei Shabbat Shuva Drasha by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin

Divine Sovereignty over Jerusalem, What Does it Mean? The Sanctity of Jerusalem, The Sanctity of Yom Kipur, and the Sanctity of G-d's Name - ONE ETERNAL SANCTITY

to take place at YESHURUN SYNAGOGUE

Then comes Yom Kipur followed by the pre-Sukkot frenzy. We'll have some shiurim and programs to help you through that period.

And then we come to Sukkot and the varied festive ways by which we will inaugurate the new Seymour J. Abrams Orthodox Union World Center