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ABSOLUTE FAITH 7:05 PM April 13, 2018 כ‘‘ח ניסן תשע“ח פרשת שמיני · May 1- General Studies Faculty meeting - 3:50 Dismissal all Hamilton bldg classes, Williston bldg. dismissal at 4:00 pm gr. 6B-8B · May 18 - Erev Shavuos - Noon dismissal gr. 1B-8B, No school Preschool and gr. 1G-8G · May 20-21 - Shavuos –No school · May 22 - Classes begin at 10:00 am · We hope you had nachas from all the divrei Torah and beautifully designed haggados this Pesach. A special thank you to the Rebbeim and Moros for all the efforts preparing the students. · A lot of special learning happened over Pesach. More girls than ever participated in the learning sponsored by Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Klerman in memory of their parents. The topic was הלכות of השכמת הבוקר . Thank you Mrs. Sternfield for coordinating the project. . On the day the משכן was inaugurated, Aharon was commanded to bring an עגל (calf) as a קרבן חטאת and an איל (ram) as a קרבן עולה . Bnei Yisrael were instructed to bring a שעיר (goat) as a חטאת and an עגל with a כבש as an עולה . The תרגום יונתן בן עוזיאל explains the need for these specific קרבנות . The עגלים offered by אהרן הכהן and בני ישראל were brought as a כפרה for חטא העגל . The שעיר atoned for the sin of מכירת יוסף (the brothers dipped Yosef’s coat into the blood of a goat following the sale). The ram and the sheep were offered to evoke the merit of יצחק who was bound by his father during the עקידה . The offering of the goats and calves as part of the dedication of the משכן to atone for the respective עבירות of חטא העגל and מכירת יוסף is understandable. The משכן was the place in the מדבר where Hashem’s presence dwelled. The very existence of the משכן was a testimony that Hashem forgave כלל ישראל for the sin of the Golden Calf, and chose to once again rest His שכינה among them. The selling of יוסף highlighted the division among the brothers. The משכן was a place of אחדות , unity. Therefore, it is only appropriate to atone for an עבירה that represented disunity when dedicating the משכן . Why, however, do Bnei Yisrael offer a sheep and a ram to remember the עקידה of יצחק over a korban to remember the other אבות . The מפרשים explain based on the כוזרי and other מפרשים that כלל ישראל did not commit the עבירות of חטא העגל and מכירת יוסף just to serve עבודה זרה or to cause מחלוקת . They had a legitimate concern which prompted them to commit the sins. The Jews sinned with the Golden Calf because they truly thought משה רבינו was gone. They were looking for direction and constructed the עגל to be a medium through which to receive Hashem’s ברכה and guidance. Similarly, the brothers sold Yosef because of what they felt was a valid concern. It appeared to them that יוסף was tampering with the unity of the brothers by seemingly demonstrating that he was above them. While it is true that both כלל ישראל and the שבטים had pure motives for doing what they did, they neglected one critical component. The שבטים were the sons of יעקב אבינו , the בחיר האבות . For such a decision, concerning whether or not to sell their brother, they should have consulted with him! Similarly, if כלל ישראל planned to introduce such a radical medium into their עבודת ה׳ , they should have first proposed the idea to their leaders אהרן and חור . They should have not forced אהרן and חור to acquiesce to their demands without first listening to their opinion. For this reason, at the time of the חנוכת המשכן , when Hashem was preparing to rest His presence among the Jewish people, He commanded us to remember the merit of Yitzchak. Yitzchak Avinu acted out of perfect and complete faith. He did not question the authenticity or veracity of his father’s command, but submitted himself unquestioninably to be sacrificed. It is this message of אמונת חכמים that Hashem wished to instill within בני ישראל to safeguard them from similar mistakes. Having recently concluded the beautiful Yom Tov of Pesach, and hopefully having grown in our אמונה and בטחון , it is only appropriate that we read פרשת שמיני the Shabbos after פסח . It is a perfect time to reflect on our אמונת חכמים and how critical it is to turn to our leaders for guidance. גוט שבת! Rabbi Ochs

Bulletin Board MAZEL TOV! · Rabbi Dovid (5B) & Mrs. Miriam (‘96) Hain on the birth of their son and to grandparents, Rabbi Avrohom & Mrs. Esther Leah Levine, and to great-grandparents, Mr. Eli & Mrs. Edi Dovek DAY OF LEARNING · 10 Nissan - sponsored by Rabbi Aaron & Mrs. Rena Krochmal in memory of her mother, Shaina Sara Raizel bas Tzvi Hirsch, a’h , Mrs. Rose Carnam · 24 Nissan - sponsored by Torah Academy in memory of Rivka bas Avrohom a”h · 25 Nissan - sponsored by Mrs. Tania Leora Gad in memory of Rafoel ben Yaakov v’Sara z”l · 26 Nissan - sponsored by Rabbi Sholom & Mrs. Marion Fine l’ilui Nishmas Alter Avrohom ben Zev z”l, father of Mrs. Fine, on his yahrzeit · 27 Nissan - sponsored by Rabbi Ira & Mrs. Ellen Millman in memory of Perel Rasha bas Chaim Yitzchok a”h CONDOLENCES · Rabbi Dan Rodkin on the passing on his father, Isaac Yitzchak ben Shlomo z”l · Rabbi Dovid Winner on the passing of his father UPCOMING TA EVENTS · May 17 - Grade 2G Rus Play 10:00 am · June 6 - Kindergarten Siddur Play 10:00 am · June 12 - Eighth grade girls graduation · June 14 - Eighth grade boys graduation CHEMDAS YOSEF Although Chemdas Yosef Program 5778 has ended, the learning has continued as many chavrusas are still going. We are deeply grateful to the Halpern Family for sponsoring the program l'iluy nishmas Reb Yosef ben Nachum Yoel. His neshama should have an aliyah. The final totals were: 3rd grade: 86 Perakim, 4th grade: 220 Perakim, 5th grade: 590 Perakim, 6th grade: 495 Perakim 7th grade: 613 Perakim, 8th grade: 477 Perakim Grand Total for this year: 2481 Perakim Raffle Winners for Chodesh Adar/Nissan were: Asher Bressel, Moishe Leff, Yosef Polter, Noam Youshaei, Yosef Feldman, Yitzi Gould, Shaya Halpern, Yosef Aryeh Leff. The Dirshu Mishna Berura was won by Moishy Fontek. A big thank you to Rabbi Rodkin for all his help running the program this year and making it even more geshmak. Also, a big thank you to Yehuda Zyto for his help calculating the numbers for the monthly raffles. CONGRATULATIONS! · Mr. Brace & Mrs. Joanne (5G) Thompson on the birth of their son · Mr. Scott & Mrs. Michel (3B) Johnson on the engagement of their daughter Katja to Matthew Schmidt of Chicago, Illinois

WILLISTON SNAPSHOTS 1. Was he fuzzy? 4B learning about Gozez 2. Our Jewish Tea Ceremony with "There ain't no Bishul in a Kli Shlishi" 3. Mr. Wagner playing and singing some ancient tunes to the 7th graders 4. 8B learning about mixtures with Mr. Berman 5. Mr. Wagner’s Art contest display 6. 8B science class 3. 2. 1. 6. 5. 4.

HAMILTON SNAPSHOTS 1. 5G wrote acrostics and poems in honor of Mrs. Thompson’s new baby. 2. In learning about Vikings, 4G studies the Runic alphabet and makes Rune Stones 3. PreK prepare Rice Krispies treats during R week 4. PreK-1 dress up as rabbits during R week 5. PreK-2 baked rainbow cookies in honor of R week 6. K2 painting Vincent Van Gogh’s sunflowers 7. 4G celebrates finishing Because of Winn-Dixie with a "Because of Winn-Dixie" party! 8. K2 making a volcano for V week 3. 4. 2. 5. 1. 6. 7. 8. 2.