Newsletter

Harav C. Z. Levitan Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Ari Levitan Rabbi Rabbi Dovid Rube Yehuda Russak

Volume IV Pesach 2011

Recent News
MAZEL TOV
The Rosh Yeshiva & Rebitzin upon the bar mitzvah of their grandson Leibi Levitan, son of Rabbi Abba & Mrs. Levitan. Yossi Ritterman upon his engagement. Dov Yosef (Doyo) Pass upon his engagement. Mr. & Mrs. Zalmy Treitel upon the birth of a son.

Keep us connected
Please keep us connected with your simchas etc. so that we can include them in future newsletters. In the unfortunate event of a levaya or shiva please notify us so we can inform the oilam.

Yomim Tovim normally stir Jews memories; memories of past Yomim Tovim in their own experience as well as memories of chagim uzmanim lsoson that live only in their imagination. The Neshomos of Klal Yisroel are enveloped in well-worn longing to be allowed once more to celebrate fully our Shalosh Regolim as we solicit Benai baischo kvatchilo. The Yom Tov of Pesach however, seems the most powerful when it comes to our personal nostalgia. The nights of the seder are especially potent in raising sentimental retrospection. As we sit at the table surrounded by sights, smells and sounds we are subconsciously transported to another time, another place, and another world. All the Halochos and Minhagim are designed to leave a lasting imprint on young peoples minds and hearts have done their job well. The exalted hours of the seder night manage to fuse the past and the present into one seamless entity that is magically at once somber and hopeful, dark and illuminating. These moments of special chemistry then become the fabric of the participants future memories. This very unseeming mixture seems to be the mitzvas hayom of the seder itself. The wording of Rambam (Chometz Umatzah 7:6) in describing the responsibility, is to demonstrate or conduct oneself as if he was taken out of Mitzrayim now, at this moment. This is why we behave in ways that demonstrate the bitter slavery and the joyous redemption. Both the melancholy past and the jubilant present are treated at the seder. This contradictory behavior is the point the questions of Ma Nishtanah raise (see Abarbanel). Most children who have unremarkable pasts, have trouble understanding the need to clutter the present with what has been long gone and forgotten. The parent must explain that Klal Yisroel cannot escape its past nor does it want to. The true understanding of geulah is linked to understanding our pasts. Ramban teaches this sophisticated lesson to us in his introduction to Sefer Shemos. The Ramban defines geulah from golus not as a geographical occurrence but a spiritual one. Even after the Exodus from Egyptian slavery, the cloud of avdus lingered over us, until we returned to our place and we returned to maalas avosom. We can outlive the dark night of golus and enter the bright morning of geulah only by clinging to and least brushing our hands across the exalted divinity of our Avos. Given the Rambans definition of golus as living in the absence of shechina and geulah as living in the presence of shechina it is fascinating that the geulah from Mitzrayim began and ended in a similar phrase. The Medrish Rabba (Shmos 3:1) tells us that Hashem responded: I am not your father but I am your fathers G-d, Elokei Avicho. With these words, Moshe is sent to begin the geulah. One cannot help but hear the echo of those words in the shiroh of Moshe Rabbeinu after the splitting of the Yam Suf when he says Elokei avi vaomimenu. Rashi explains: Moshe understood that he was not the origin of the Kedushah, it was endowed to him, inbred from his avos. The bookends of geulah, from start to finish, is this understanding- whatever shechina we sense and are moved by, is because we are our parents children. Any cup of wine we raise to our lips in celebration of any geulah/shechina experience is filled with the wine from our fathers vineyard. This affords us another vantage point of a Mishnah in Tomid (3:2) which describes the preparation for the daily offering of the morning Korbon Tomid.( The identical Mishnah appears in Yoma (3:1) about the Yom Kippur Avodah.) The Kohen in charge asked if daylight was visible. He then asked if the entire Eastern skyline was visible. He finally asked if daylight had reached Chevron. When it was daylight in Chevron, then the daily avodah could begin. The Rav explains, based on Yirushalmi, this was meant to invoke the zechus of the avos buried in Chevron. The omek of this is clear-we recognize on a daily basis that we could not begin any avodas Hashem if not for our avos, who imbued in us this aptitude and capacity for kedushah. This is equally true for any pedestrian weekday, as it is on the holiest of all days, Yom Kippur. On the Yom HaKadosh, one might have thought otherwise, given the transformation that any Yid with a scent of Yiras Shomayim undergoes in such close proximity to HaKodosh Boruch Hu- bheyoso korov. Vulgar man, usually in relentless pursuit of pleasure seeking, assumes an angelic posture on Yom HaKodesh. The kol dodi dofek messages from his neshomo, grant him the strength-just this once-to wisely ignore all the sensuous demands of the never still guf. Today he thinks, I am finally a mentsch; I see clearly; I understand my task; I have conquered. It is towards this unique vanity on the most unique of days, that the appointed kohen delivers his message. Even today, even when we might attribute this gevurah to ourselves- no avodah can begin until daybreak in Chevron. Therefore, we in our attempts to inject some of the maalos avosom of old in our lives, sit at the seder attentively, hoping something will rub off on us, today. Teffilos to the Borei Olam are for the wisdom to recognize the roots of our ruchnius and to make them real and relevant today and thus, pave the way for the geulah of tomorrow. The great day, when we will bask in the same sunlight as the yishainai Chevron, the Avos and their bonim, together. Our job is to absorb, for today and for tomorrow, that special feeling in order to pass it on to the next generation-it will happen sooner than you think, believe me. START PREPARING! With my best wishes for a chag kosher vsomeach for you and your families. With cheeboh yesairoh, lzu [Excerpted from an article printed in Yated Neeman many years ago]

Message from the Rosh Hayeshiva

10 Golar Drive Monsey, NY 10952 P: (800) 636-6776 F: (845) 406-9191 mzeyeshiva@yahoo.com

news from around yeshiva

pURIM

Baruch Hashem this year, the yeshiva and our alumni celebrated Purim together. The first night of Purim, the mesiba was held at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Schreiber. The Schreiber home is legendary for its chesed and has an open door policy for all functions that promote Torah & chesed. A special thank you to them and to Mr. & Mrs. Dovi Schreiber along with the Monsey alumni committee and their wives for coordinating the beautiful event. The food, drinks and the live D.J combined for an enjoyable and meaningful night. The Purim seuda was hosted by dear friends of the yeshiva, Mr. & Mrs. Kalman Green. Their generosity and willingness to host our Purim seuda and all the various other functions inspire us all. Once again the food, drinks and live D.J created a joyous and lively atmosphere

that was enjoyed by all. A special thank you to the junior Rebitzin Levitan for orchestrating a well organized and festive event. As the sounds of yalili reverberated through the hall, the dancing intensified and we were joined by many members of the Olympia community and the greater Monsey community. The dancing lasted for hours with some breaks in the action for some slow inspirational songs such as the Yeshiva theme song; Lor-d I cant wait. A special thank you to our very own D.J Emes, Mattis Steinberg. You made our Purim an all time great! Honorable mention must be given to the sponsors of the food and drinks (who must be broke by now) whose wish to remain anonymous have been honored.

After Purim, with the intention of rejuvenating the remaining few weeks of the zman, we began to focus on the yom tov of Pesach. The daily halocho shiur began learning hilchos Pesach, and we even switched masechtas for first and second seder to Pesachim. All the shiurim were combined and the entire yeshiva was privileged to hear daily shiurim from the Rosh and all the rabbeim on alternating days. On rosh chodesh Nissan, the last day of the zman we ended with a special breakfast. The Rosh was present and addressed the oilam with warm words of chizuk. He noted how proud he was of the zman and specifically called out two of the boys who have embarked on a mission to finish a masechta. He complimented them for their

undertaking and diligence which has landed them in the Bais Medrash late at night. R Ari initiated a bain hazmanim program to continue learning maseches Pesachim, and to go through the haggodo. All boys that came to shachris and learning were treated to breakfast in Bagels De Lox. A special thank you to R Shlomo Rokowsky & R Pinny Lipshutz for sponsoring the breakfasts. Two of the boys who committed to learning an hour every day of bain hazmanim including Shabbos & Yom Tov were treated to tickets to the final knicks home game of the year. A special thank you to Mutty Friedman & Shummy Reichman for sponsoring the tickets.

10 Golar Drive Monsey, NY 10952 P: (800) 636-6776 F: (845) 406-9191 mzeyeshiva@yahoo.com

ALUMNI NEWS
Before pesach, our alumni in Brooklyn requested a shiur on inyonei pesach. R Ari discussed that the matzoh represented both the slavery and the geulah and how the Ribono Shel Olam orchestrated that the very same bread, which on one day reminded them of slavery, can be capable of representing freedom as well. He concluded, that the geula of pesach is not limited to the geula of Mitzrayim and it is the zman that can be conducive to every individuals geula as well.

WHO KNOWS ONE? - R Ari Levitan

Thoughts On the Haggodoh

its now loftier participants with their Emuna enhanced perspectives is to see Hashems hand even in things as mundane as numbers. One is Hashem, two are Luchos etc. The world must appear in a different light to freshly inspired Ballei Emuna. May we, Balei Emuna, be zocheh to see the world in the light of Hashem.

Who knows one? As the Seder is winding down, and we continuously struggle to fend off the fatigue that has been creeping up on us all night, the final, yet still a most integral part of the Haggadah begins. With the conclusion of the Seder we would naturally expect a lofty and uplifting climax, some sort of grand finale that could enable us to preserve and internalize the spirituality of the night. Instead we encounter some seemingly strange lyrics, a countdown of numbers related to various icons in our religion. They inherently beg for some sort of explanation. Though they were undoubtedly composed and based upon the sacred foundations of the hidden Torah and have been taught by the ancient, accepted Mekubalim to their Talmidim, the simple Jew may perceive these words as seemingly meaningless poetry or childish parables and songs. What could have been the Baal Hahaggadas intention in inserting these songs at the conclusion of this glorious night? The Yom Tov of Pesach commemorates Yetzias Mitzrayim and the birth of our nation, beginning with the birth pangs of the ruthless labor we were subjected to by the villainous Mitzriyim, and climaxing with the glorious redemption that distinguished our Masters mightiness throughout the universe and crowned us as the chosen Nation. Countless numbers of Mitzvos have been instituted to serve as reminders of Yetzias Mitzrayim in an effort to retain and convey the awesome miracles that occurred, thus giving testimony to the existence and strength of our Father in heaven. So much so that the Mitzvoh that is considered to be the most fundamental and integral to our Nation is directly linked to Yetzias Mitzrayim. The first Dibroh of the Aseres Hadibros, voiced by Hakodosh Baruch Hu Alone was the Mitzvoh of Emuna. And in the midst of the commandment dedicated to ingrain in our hearts and minds that all that occurs in the world is meticulously coordinated by The One Above, we are reminded of Yetzias Mitzrayim, clearly showing that our essence which is Emunah, begins and ends with Yetzias Mitzrayim. The Seder night has been intentionally patterned with obligations and customs to reminisce and relive our most monumental redemption. We attempt to portray and convey to our families the harsh and ruthless predicament that our forefathers suffered. From the Matzo and the bitter Marror, to the saltwater and the charoises we desperately seek to comprehend even minimally, the extreme brutalities they constantly confronted. Grasping this aspect of the Seder is vital, for ones appreciation of freedom is limited entirely to ones perception of slavery. The Rambam altering the Mishnas wording slightly writes; in every generation one is obligated to portray oneself as if he had just been redeemed from Mitzrayim. The experience of the Seder night is not ancient history but it is something that has happened to us, tonight. We may now have shed some light on the intriguing poem Who knows one at our Seders finale. Following our extensive efforts to utilize the evenings opportunities of attaining new heights in our belief, and deriving a keen spiritual perspective by way of virtually experiencing the great miracles of Yetzias Mitzrayim, we are expected to perceive the world in a more spiritual light. We naturally assume, without contemplation an overseas trip will be by means of an airplane. People of spiritual heights upon hearing the number one can naturally contemplate nothing but Hashem. The lasting message of the Seder to

R Yehuda Russak

The mishna in pesachim states: chayiv odom liros es atzmo kieelo hu yotzo mimitzrayim a person is obligated to view himself as if he himself actually left Mitzrayim. This obligation seems to be nearly impossible. How can we expect someone who never experienced the brutal enslavement to act and pretend as if he was a slave? And how can we obligate people who never lived through the cruel slavery to imagine themselves as if they were redeemed and granted freedom? Perhaps we can explain this responsibility with a story. Rav Yakov Kaminetsky Ztl was once traveling on an airplane together with his grandson. There was a non-observant Jewish man that was seated next to him and enjoying a casual conversation with the venerable gadol hador. The man confessed to Rav Yakov that he was an atheist, a non-believer in G-d. Rav Yakov with his gadlus and patient demeanor tried to explain and prove to the man that this world could not have been created without a creator. Throughout their trip, Rav Yakovs grandson was constantly coming over to check on him and demonstrated tremendous kovod and respect while doing so. Sadly, the man asked R Yakov, why dont I merit the same respect from my grandson? R Yakov used this opportunity to prove his point to his fellow traveler. According to your belief that our world and mankind both merely evolved, our ancestors were monkeys. Your grandson views you and all elders as one generation closer to an era void of mankind. The progression of the generations is viewed as an upgrade as they become farther removed from the apes. However, we as believers of Hashem and His Torah have a contrary perspective. We believe that Hashem Himself handcrafted man and every generation that passes becomes more distant and removed from that special creation. We believe that the earlier generations merited witnessing the awesome miracles of Yetzias Mitzrayim and standing by Har Sinai to hear the voice of Hashem himself because they were closer to this greatness. We gaze at the previous generations with awe and reverence as they are one step closer to holiness. Perhaps this is the meaning behind the obligation of chayiv odom liros es atzmo kieelo hu yotzo mimitzrayim. This unique mitzvah is specifically placed upon a father to relate to his children. Because the father, who is one step closer to the generation that left mitzrayim, should be able to comprehend and feel Yetzias Mitzrayim better than his children. He is obligated to engage in certain activities to instigate his children to question his actions and then relate to them the entire story with feeling and emotion. May we all fulfill this great mitzvah on the night of Pesach and transmit our precious mesorah to our children. Maschil Bgnus realizing that we were lowly slaves, Umisayaim Bshvach understanding that Hashem elevated us to become the Am Hanivchar. Best wishes to all alumni for a chag kosher vsomeach.

10 Golar Drive Monsey, NY 10952 P: (800) 636-6776 F: (845) 406-9191 mzeyeshiva@yahoo.com

HILCHOS PESACH
As we prepare for the Yom Tov of Pesach, we have selected some important halochos that pertain to us all, even those of us that are not spending Yom Tov at home. We hope that they will be helpful and enable us to have a meaningful Yom Tov.

Bedikas Chometz

Anyone who leaves his home within thirty days of Pesach is obligated to make a bedikas chometz. A berocho is only said on the evening of erev pesach. There is a common misunderstanding. Many people assume that the purpose of bedikas chometz is to search for crumbs of chometz that may be lying around the house. Not only is this a false assumption, it can also lead to an unwarranted leniency. While it is true that there is an inyan to remove all chometz including crumbs, it is only a chumra and not mikar hadin. When it leads one to sell his entire home without performing a bedika due to the overwhelming feeling that bedikas chometz is impossible, it is a chumra which results in a kula. It is better to perform a bedika for just big pieces of chometz (i.e the size of a cheerio) which is halachicly accepted rather than selling the entire home and shirking the mitzvah entirely. Even when selling or leaving your home, you should leave out one room to do a bedikah in. One is obligated to perform a bedika (without a berocho) in his office and car too. These bedikos may be preformed prior to yom tov and do not need to be done on the night of bedikas chometz.

Erev Pesach Seder

One should try to take a haircut, shave, cut nails and polish shoes before chatzos. If one inadvertently forgot, bdieved he may do so after chatzos as well. However, the haircut must be done by a non-Jew after chatzos. Four Koisos The minimum shiur of the necessary rivious vary. Chazon Ish-5.08 oz. Mishna Breura- 3.8oz. R Chaim Noeh-2.91oz. Lchatchiloh one should drink the entire cup and Bdieved it is sufficient to drink most of the cup no matter what size the cup is. Matzoh- The shiur of kzayis is difficult to define nowadays, (there is a machlokes if the olives of today have gotten smaller) and especially when dealing with hand matzos which vary in size. The shulchon aruch (ohch 475, 1) states that one should eat two kzaysim of matzoh at motzih matzoh. However, being that the reasoning for two kzaysim is unclear (see biur halocho) one can be lenient for women, children and anyone else who finds it difficult to consume two kzaysim. ( Rav Moshe Feinstein Ztl was of the opinion that only a person who has a perusa, the middle broken matzoh, is obligated to eat two kzaysim). The accepted and suggested practice is to eat two kzaysim of the smaller shiur which is approximately 2/3 of a standard hand matzoh by both motzih matzoh and afikomen.

We recently launched our Machzikei HaTorah Credit Card Campaign which was initiated and spearheaded by our dedicated alumnus (Steven) Ari Mandel & Ushi Schwartz. We were all pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response it received. The enthusiasm of the participants serves as testimony to the mutual warm feelings and memories still shared. We would like to publicly thank all the participants whose commitment to remain connected to yeshiva has inspired us all. Mr. & Mrs. Hudi Abramson Mr. & Mrs. Yakov Adams Mr. Ezra Beren Mr. Chaim Corlin Mr. & Mrs. Dovid Feiner Mr. Mordechai Gable Mr. & Mrs. Yakov Goldman Mr. & Mrs. Baruch Gottesman Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Heineman Mr. & Mrs. Sendy Kiss Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Kreisel Mr. & Mrs. Ari Mandel Mr. & Mrs. Nachman Nadoff Mr. & Mrs. Shummy Reichman Mr. & Mrs. Yanki Rosenberg Mr. & Mrs. Dovy Schreiber Mr. Ushi Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. Dovid Singer Mr. & Mrs. Avi Wiederman Thank you! A special thank you must be given to the anonymous donor who matched and will continue to match all monthly contributions.

Machzikei HaTorah Credit Card Campaign

10 Golar Drive Monsey, NY 10952 P: (800) 636-6776 F: (845) 406-9191 mzeyeshiva@yahoo.com

You can access many of the weekly Parsha Shmuezen of the Rosh online at www.torahanytime.com and search Rabbi Levitan. Keep your connection to the Yeshiva, the Rosh and the Parsha and enjoy his weekly pearls of Torah, Chizuk and Levitans golden rules. One of our esteemed alumni has created a website to share Torah with the world. www.vertluch.com is a site that was created to allow readers the opportunity to gain some insight and Divrei Torah on the weekly Parsha and other Torah topics. Whether speaking at a family Simcha, a friends Aufruf or at the Shabbos table Vertluch.com is sure to have a nice vort which will enhance the atmosphere and will ALWAYS have a meaningful and valuable lesson to learn from it. If you would like to subscribe to their weekly Dvar Torah Email List simply send an email to: subscribe@vertluch.com

M.Z.E ON THE WEB

business connections

We are promoting businesses and services of our alumni. Please make an effort to patronize these businesses and lets try to keep it in network. If you are interested in advertising your business in future editions, please email us your info. We have been approached by Mr. Tzvi Weismandel of Merchant One credit card processing, with the following offer. Any customer that signs up for their service, the Yeshiva will be considered the salesman and receive the commission. If you or anyone you know is in the position of commissioning Merchant One for your credit card processing needs, please contact Mr. Weismandel at 188-537-5686. Thank you.
Director of Marketing

Personal Protection Specialist

JV Armour

1- 888- Nightwatch
Jthug@jvarmour.com

Ari Mandel

3512 Quentin Road Brooklyn, NY 11234 am@qualityny.com

Tel: (718)338-8500 Ext. 692 Fax: (718)906-0910 Cell: (917)292-3124

10 Golar Drive Monsey, NY 10952 P: (800) 636-6776 F: (845) 406-9191 mzeyeshiva@yahoo.com

GRAFISHDESIGN 718.633.1016