Community Magazine October 2003

TISHREI 5763 OCTOBER 2003 67 s ” xc When I was in eighth grade at Magen David Yeshiva, I was fortu- nate enough to be one of the boys selected to be taught by Hacham Baruch Ben-Haim. Each morning, from 8am to 12:30pm, we sat around his desk—he was our hero, our icon. We had an exceptional group—many went on to become Rabbis. One Sunday morning, the school committee came in with Hacham Yaakov Kassin zt”l, to show off the abilities of this group. We read with ta’amim [sounds used to pronounce the Torah]; we quoted passages by heart, backwards, for- wards, anything to impress Hacham Yaakov. When we were finished, Hacham Yaakov looked at Hacham Baruch and asked, “Kitah Daled? [Is this fourth grade?]” It is well known that as the generations move further and further away from Har Sinai, our levels in Torah decline. I wish Hacham Yaakov Kassin were alive today to witness what is taking place at Yeshivat Keter Torah. There, even the pre 1-A class is at a level that Hacham Yaakov was used to in Aleppo—where students had fluency in Torah from a young age. Hacham Baruch told me over the explanation of the following Gemarah from his teacher, Hacham Ezra Attia: “If your Rabbi is like an Angel, then learn from him. But if he’s not like an Angel, do not learn from him.” What does this mean? Can you find Angels in this world? How many are there? Where can we find these Angels to learn from? An Angel is an “Omed;” as great as they are, they are created on a level, and remain stationary on that level. Human beings are “Holchim;” we have the ability to grow higher and higher and become great. When a Rabbi becomes a teacher, he must be willing to give up of his personal growth in Torah in order to teach and raise students. He must be an “Omed,” like an Angel. Rabbi Mordechai Dabbah is like an Angel—he is sacrificing his own potential in pure angelic form. If this man would have opened up a Kollel, it would be befitting. Instead of becoming a “Holech,” he has become an “Omed” for the sake of these children and the future of the community. All the Rabbanim who teach in Keter Torah have an astonishing level of commitment and self-sacrifice for their students. There is no greater sacrifice than that which is done for the sake of the Jewish people. The communities in Lakewood and Deal are fortunate to be able to send their students to this Yeshiva. I am proud to be a Sepharadi. When these children grow, they will be able to teach our community our way of learning and the sweet taste of our customs. It is incumbent upon our community to support this school at the grass roots level to see that it succeeds. Without this Yeshiva, there is a risk that we might lose the precious commodity that we have of being Sepharadi. Rabbi Mordechai Dabbah is bringing the crown back to the Sephardim. This is only the tip of the iceberg! Wait until these boys start learning Mishnah and Gemarah. Rabbi Dabbah has “patent- ed” techniques to bring out the erudition in these boys. These chil- dren will become lions! They will be great scholars and teachers! Investing here is investing in the infrastructure of our community. What Rabbi Mordechai Dabbah has accomplished in the Yeshiva in such a short time is mind-boggling. There is no doubt that the future Gedolim of the Sephardic community are being nurtured within the walls of this Yeshiva. most beautiful future for your children.” Parents are naturally the hardest to please when it comes to obtaining the best for their children. For the exacting parents of Keter Torah students, the school has surpassed their hopes and expectations. Second to watching the students learn, reports from the parents are the best proof of the school’s accomplishments in both Torah and secular studies. “These children are a source of blessing for the whole Jewish community, and our community in particular,” said Mr. Jimmy Khezrie, “Hazal say the merit of children learning in holiness and purity sustains the whole world; this cannot be more applicable than to the students of Keter Torah.” “It says in the Gemarah that a person is obligated to teach his son. If he cannot, he must ask a Rabbi to teach his son for him. Rabbi Dabbah has taken upon himself the enormous obligation to teach our sons in the Sephardic tradition,” said Mr. Ronnie Safdieh, “Our heritage, which dates back thousands of years, is like the bald-headed eagle—which is threatened to be extinct. We must stand behind this Yeshivah for the future of our community. Open your eyes and see clearly... our future is in Keter Torah.” This year there will be 70 students in Yeshivat Keter Torah. The school has been able to purchase three acres of land to accommodate the growing student body. 70 souls entered Egypt and grew into the millions that became the Jewish nation. These 70 souls should have the merit to grow and teach thousands and thousands of Jewish souls and bring our community to unprecedented heights. An Address by Rabbi Eli Mansour