Thoughts on the Succah

Our sages tell us that during the holiday of Succos we are to 'make our house into a temporary dwelling - and make our succah into a permanent dwelling'. I believe that Chazal are imparting to us both halachic and hashkafic imperatives.

From the purely halachic standpoint we are required to conduct all of our main activities (eating and sleeping) in the succah - with exemptions being granted based upon various conditions and circumstances (consult your local Orthodox Rabbi).

There is also an important hashkafic prospective that applies to all - even those who may be exempt from the actual practice of sitting in the succah. The concept of 'making our house temporary and our succah permanent' can be understood to require us to reevaluate how we view our home and consequently our succah. During the course of the year there is no doubt that we all tend to view our home as a 'source of security and comfort'. It protects us from the natural elements and those on the street that might seek to harm us. When we enter our home and lock the door we feel safe. However, this safety is 'man-made' and consequently illusory. The requirement of 'making our succah permanent' teaches us to recognize that our true security and protection comes from Hashem who protects us despite the fact that we are dwelling outside with no roof, flimsy walls and no alarm system! It is a message that we can and should take with us all year round.

Chag sameach to the entire Rambam family.

Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman
Rosh HaMesivta

 
Spirit Day

Wednesday was Spirit Day at Rambam Mesivta! The entire student body was decked out in school colors as we celebrated all of our teams and clubs.

After a morning of serious Torah study, the boys and rebbeim all met at Traditions for an "All You Can Eat" buffet of poppers, wings, fries and dogs. After inspiring words from Rabbis Friedman, Eliach and Hochbaum, the pep rally really got going as our Ruach Coordinator Jeremy Litton riled up the crowd.

After lunch we all headed out to North Woodmere Park for an afternoon of sports and camaraderie. Tennis, basketball, football and softball were the events of the day. The action was fast-paced and the competition was friendly but fierce.

All in all it was a great day of fun and spirit, and reminded all of us why Rambam is such a great place to go to school.

GO RAVENS!

 
Rally

Once again, Rambam Mesivta stood in the forefront of community activism this past Thursday, when our 10th graders joined several other schools and organizations in a protest against the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The rally began with two former Israeli soldiers who had come to speak at Rambam earlier this semester taking the stage with tape on their mouths. They were holding signs conveying that the Iranian government persecutes and even murders minorities, women and children.

The rally featured many prominent dignitaries who all spoke in support of our cause, including the Governor of New York, David Patterson. These presenters taught us a great deal more about the horrible things that the Iranian president is doing and still plans to do.

Overall, the experience was productive and educational, and the Sophomores were very grateful to have had the opportunity to attend this rally.

Sam Grill and Josh Kurman

 
DB”M Trip to the Heights

Last Thursday, the Double Bais Medrash class was privileged to visit Rav Zachariah Gelley at his home in Washington Heights. Rav Gelley leads the Breuer community, a prestigious German-Jewish community based in the Heights.

Rabbi Ziskind, our esteemed Double Beis Medrash Rebbe, took the class to meet and learn with the prominent Rav. The boys heard a shiur that was both intellectually stimulating and spiritually uplifting relating to the Days of Awe, the Yomim Noraim.

Rav Gelley is an eminent Torah scholar who is a true “modern – day Gadol”, and it was an honor to be able to spend time with him. Our visit concluded with Rav Gelley wishing each Talmud individually a Shana Tova and a G’mar Chasima Tova.

David Drory

 
Blood Drive

Students, teachers, and parents saved lives this past Thursday when Rambam held its first Blood Drive of the year. As always, it was a great success, with an awesome total of 34 pints of blood collected! Once again, we brought in the ALYX machines, which take in twice as much blood as a normal donation but remove only the red blood cells before returning the blood to the donor. This technology enabled Rambam students to help out even more during the current blood shortage.

A special thanks to Aaron Kattan, our new Junior Class Blood Drive Coordinator; and of course to all of our donors, especially the first timers from the eleventh grade class. We are on course for another award winning year, and we’re looking forward to seeing you at the next blood drive!

Abe Korman
Blood drive coordinator

 
TLN

Last Wednesday night, Yeshiva University hosted its first TLN (Torah Learning Network) program of the year. Students from many different high schools in New York and New Jersey got together for a night of learning, good food, and chevra as the program enabled them to visit with friends they haven’t seen in a while. The night started off with a delicious dinner delivered from Carlos and Gabby’s. After everyone finished eating, talmidim were split up into groups for chaburah learning with different madrichim to prepare for shiurim. The kids had a choice of going to a halacha shiur or a machshava shiur. The shiurim were given by rabbis from various schools and each shiur had a lot to offer to the guys who were there. When these unbelievable shiurim were over, all the madrichim and the high school students gathered for Ma’ariv. After Ma’ariv there was a surprise giveaway of TLN cinch bags. The kids had a great and lumdish time and are looking forward to the TLN Shabbaton in Woodmere on December 4th and 5th.

Gabe DuBow

 
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