Machshava
Purim and the Sin of Amalek
by Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l
Judaism has no problem with the people of Amalek, but rather with their culture and ideology...
Tanakh
The Upside-Down World of Megillat Esther
by Rav Yoel Bin-Nun
Megillat Esther does not mention God, reward and punishment, religious observance, or the Land of Israel. Why is it part of Tanakh?
Moreinu VeRabeinu Harav Aharon Lichtenstein
will receive the Israel Prize for Jewish Religious Literature
on Yom Ha'atzmaut!
Yeshivat Har Etzion is proud and honored that the Torah teachings produced by Rav Lichtenstein, now being acknowledged and valued by the State of Israel, originated in classes delivered in the yeshiva, and were subsequently published by the yeshiva. No one appreciates his unique contribution to the Torah world and to current Torah literature more than us.
In addition to the joy of Rav Aharon, his family, and his students, at the recognition of his achievements, we believe there is great importance to the fact that the State of Israel acknowledges Torah literature as a significant cultural and spiritual asset, and the yeshiva is delighted to have taken part in that accomplishment.
We warmly congratulate Rav Lichtenstein for this great honor, and wish him good health and many years of continued impact on the world of Torah and education.
With great joy, excitement, and appreciation,
Yeshivat Har Etzion
Join us for a One-day Conference
for Har Etzion and Migdal Oz Alumni in the Rabbinate and Chinuch
on Wednesday, April 2nd,
leading up to the Etzion Foundation's annual Dinner
that evening at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in NYC.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis '76 has accepted our invitation to speak at this year's conference on his first trip to America since being appointed the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. Additionally, we will be joined by several members of the faculties of both Har Etzion and Migdal Oz.
In response to feedback from participants, we are planning this year's conference to provide focused professional development opportunities in Chinuch and Communal Rabbinics, respectively.
For more information, click here.
Overseas Alumni Return to the Yeshiva
Shabbat Parshat Vayakhel - February 14-15
40 overseas alumni, who learned at the yeshiva between 1972 and 1983, returned with their families to spend Shabbat Parshat Vayakhel at the yeshiva! Many of the current Ramim, in fact alumni themselves, were present. The alumni report a good atmosphere, and a Shabbat full of content, but the crowning moment was certainly the impromptu meeting with Rosh Yeshiva Harav Aharon Lichtenstein, who B"H joined them for davening on Shabbat morning, followed by Kiddush. Ashreinu that we merited!
to the Lord
and to sing praise
to Thy Name...
Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Aharon Lichtenstein (Rav Aharon ben Bluma) returned to the beit midrash this morning, February 10th, having been released from the hospital last week, and with his condition much improved. We continue to look forward to his complete recovery.
To see a video of the event
To hear Rav Aharon
addressing the talmidim
The talmidim greeted the rosh yeshiva with song and dance and the reading of Tehillim perakim 103 and 30. Due to the private nature of Tehillim, that part of the morning was not filmed.
More on Rav Lichtenstein's condition.
WELCOME MTA 2014!
OUR TALMIDIM FROM S. AFRICA AND AUSTRALIA HAVE ARRIVED.
MAY THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL YEAR...
Hope you joined us!
Rav Mordechai Friedman
gave shiur at the home of
Raphi '93 and Yonit Schorr
125 Tappan Street, Brookline, MA
Monday January 27th, at 8pm.
The Halachic Snow Man
Rav Mordechai spent Shabbat at the University of Pennsylvania
Shabbat Parashat Terumah
January 31st and Feb 1st
ALL alumni were welcome to join.
For the complete Shabbaton schedule, click here.
The Yeshiva is absolutely delighted to have hosted MTA alumni
(bogrim from Australia, South Africa and New Zealand) on Shabbat Parshat Yitro.
Beruchim HaShavim - thank you so much for coming home!
WISHING A TZETCHEM LESHALOM TO OUR TALMIDIM
FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND AUSTRALIA
LEHITRA'OT MTA 2013
THANK YOU HARAV MOSHEH, ELI WEBER AND RABBI RHEIN.
AND TO OUR WONDERFUL BOGRIM WHO JOINED,
Shabbat Parshat Shemot at Congregation Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, NJ
WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS AS MUCH AS WE DID!
Yemei Iyun Chanuka 2013
Dor LeDor Yabia Omer
Studying the Legacy of Rishon LeTzion Harav Ovadya Yosef zt"l
December 4th-5th (1-2 Tevet). Shiurim with Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Yaakov Medan, Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Baruch Gigi, Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein, Rishon LeTzion Harav HaRashi Harav Yitzchak Yosef, Rishon LeTzion Harav Shlomo Moshe Amar, Rav Binyamin Lau, Rav Shlomo Levi, Rav Daniel Gudis HaLevi, Dr. Moshe Halperin, Dr. Nissim Leon, Rav Yaakov Tzikotai, Rav Shmuel David, Rav Yoel Bin Nun and Rav Zeev Weitman. For details, click here.
To see pictures of the event To hear recordings
Winter Break in Yeshiva!
Every year we are pleased to welcome back a significant number of bogrim who choose to spend their winter break in Yeshiva. This year we very excitedly put together a program specifically catering
to visiting bogrim who are currently in college;
Rav Doniel Schreiber, Dean and Founder, CTL
Eli Weber, Director, Overseas Program
CONNECTING TO TANAKH:
INTELLECTUALLY AND SPIRITUALLY
Thousands attended the annual Herzog College's Tanakh Study Days held at the yeshiva this week. The conference lasted all week long and included dozens of lectures, which are given simultaneously in seven classrooms from morning to late afternoon by a wide variety of academics and rabbis.
Arutz Sheva interviewed Rosh HaYeshiva HaRav Mosheh Lichtenstein, to hear his thoughts on the Conference:
LOCAL GUSH ETZION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
CELEBRATES 40TH YEAR
AND RENAMES ITS UPPER BOYS DIVISION
IN MEMORY OF HARAV YEHUDA AMITAL ZT"L
For more on this story...
Our Talmid Daniel Shibley
reflects on his year in The Gush!
While Har Etzion is known for its devotion to the intellectually rigorous study of Torah, it does not receive enough recognition for the significance of side streaming with Yeshivat Darkaynu (English speaking special needs program).... These fabulous young men live among and learn with us, sharing meals, holidays, and goofy yeshiva moments, we are better for their presence and hopefully they are better for ours....read more here!
Proud to be part of the 20%...
An investigative report by Kipa News found that only 20% of religious zionist Yeshivot are handicapped accessible. This is our opportunity to thank our alumni and friends who made sure that Yeshivat Har Etzion would B'H be part of the 20%!
We are happy to announce on this - The International Disabled Persons Day - December 3rd - that we are a 100% handicapped accessible Yeshiva.
Here is a link to the report: https://www.kipa.co.il/family/49951.html
What opportunities are there for special-needs high school graduates who also want to have a year in Israel - and a fulfilling life after that?
The Vilna Gaon Exhibition at Yeshivat Har Etzion Library - Revelations of Eliyahu in Torah and Redemption This exhibit was made possible through the generous loan of many special items from the private collection of Mr. Yeshayahu Vinograd of Yerushalayim, to whom we are very grateful. The opening event, including both a tour of the exhibit by Head Librarian and Curator Aharon Bejell, as well as an Erev Iyun with three special lecturers, was well attended, with over 120 participants from the Gush Etzion area and beyond.
For the full story and links to recordings and video
What's Happening in Israel
Visits to Har Etzion by the most elite instructional institution in the IDF - The IDF Command and Staff College ("Pum") - seem to have become a tradition. Brigadier General Commander Noam Tivon explains why: "I consider Rav Medan a leader, an ideological leader, but also a leader who seeks ways to build bridges, and therefore it is so important to hear him."
CHANUKA - OUR OVERSEAS TALMIDIM
AT THE BLUMENTHAL CHILDREN'S HOME
HOT OFF THE PRESS!
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TORAH MIETZION:
New Readings in Tanach - Vayikra
Editors:
Rav Ezra Bick
Rav Yaakov Beasley
