The story is told of an opponent to the Chassidic way who once saw the holy Apter Rav, the Oheiv Yisrael, arrive extremely late for morning prayers. Frustrated that a religious leader would be so lax in his observance, the man stalked over and demanded that the Apter explain why it was appropriate for him to slack off in his scrupulousness and set a negative example.

“Allow me to tell you a story”, said the holy Apter, a smile spreading across his face. “This morning, I awoke long before dawn to study Torah before the morning services. Like a good Jew, as soon as I opened my eyes, I said “Modeh Ani”. But as I said the words “Modeh Ani”, “I am grateful”, I began to wonder: “Who am I?” When I said the words “Lefanecha”, “To You”, I began to wonder: “Who are You?” For hours, I couldn’t move from that spot until I felt I had sufficiently resolved these questions which penetrate to the very depths of our religion. This is why I came late to shul.”

This powerful song, “Modeh Ani” (production by Mendy Portnoy), takes the listener on a musical journey through the foundational definitions of what it means to be a Jew. “I am a Jew, a servant, a son.” “Hashem is my God, my King, and – most importantly – my loving Father in heaven.” It isn’t hard to imagine that Hashem says “Modeh Ani” as well – thanking each and every Jewish soul for doing its part in the gargantuan effort to reveal His Presence in the world and transform the darkness of physicality into a “dirah b’tachtonim”, a dwelling place for the Shechinah.

We hope you enjoy and please remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this song with family and friends!

Listen on: SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/yaakov-klein/m…

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2iBl3N…

Credits:

Produced and arranged by Mendy Portnoy
Mixed by Mendy Portnoy & Ben Wallick
Lyric Video by: Yaakov Klein
Strings:Yoed Nir
Guitars: Noam Hargol
Drums: Idan Friedman

R’ Yaakov Klein is an author, musician, and educator devoted to sharing the inner light of Torah through his books, music, video content, and lectures. R’ Yaakov is the author of “Sparks from Berditchov” and “Sunlight of Redemption” (Feldheim). His essays and poems have been featured in print in a variety of Jewish publications including Aish Uk’s Perspectives, The Jewish Home, and Mishpacha Magazine as well as online at Chabad.org, Breslov.org, and Times of Israel. R’ Yaakov writes a weekly Torah publication, “Thank You Hashem for Shabbos Kodesh!” which is widely distributed both in print and online. His popular classes in a wide range of Chassidic and classical Jewish thought, which are housed on Soundcloud.com as well as by YUTorah.org, have been played tens of thousands of times by Jews across the globe who appreciate the depth, beauty, optimism, and relevance of the material as well as R’ Yaakov’s honest and engaging style.

R’ Yaakov’s highly anticipated third book, “The Story of Our Lives”, an in-depth elucidation of Rebbe Nachman’s famous tale, The Lost Princess, will be in stores over the next few months. It will be accompanied by “The Lost Princess Principles”, a comprehensive guide for group study featuring questions for personal reflection, exploration of original Hebrew sources, guided exercises, and focused discussion points. The texts will form the basis for “The Lost Princess Initiative”, an organization devoted to spreading the life-changing messages of this story through premium social media content, events, and other projects designed to enable Jews to encounter the vibrant soul of Judaism. (Sponsorships are still available! Please contact yskstudios@gmail.com for more info!)

R’ Yaakov lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Shira, and their son, Shmuel Shmelke.

Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yaakov.klein…

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/yaakov-klein

Whatsapp: 1. Dor Dorshav [General content]: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IQ0ZGeFkMbE… 2. Dose of Depth [Weekly parsha message]: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FHKAzL9QqWv… 3. TYH for Shabbos! [Weekly Torah publication]: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IYuIvOxRQA6…

Blog: [Times Of Israel]: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/autho…

YouTube: 1. [Music and inspirational video content]: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzZi…

2. [The Inner Dimension: Weekly Chassidus Class on the Parsha]: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwzy…

YUTorah: https://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/teach…

Books: Sparks from Berditchov: https://www.amazon.com/Sparks-Berditc…

Sunlight of Redemption: https://www.amazon.com/Sunlight-Redem…

Passengers on the Paris Metro who prevented an antisemitic assault on a young Jewish man on Saturday night have been warmly praised by a leading community defense group.

In a statement on Monday, the National Bureau of Vigilance Against Antisemitism (BNVCA) highlighted the role played by passengers who interceded when four men attempted to chase the Jewish man.

The incident took place late on Saturday night at the Jean Jaurès station in northeastern Paris. The 25-year-old man, who wore a kippah that identified him as a Jew, was approached by four men said to be aged between 30 and 40, one of whom asked the victim for a cigarette. When the young man replied that he did not have any cigarettes, the attacker pinned him against the wall of the station, telling him, “You Jews have enough money, you can buy me some.”

At this point, other passengers intervened, blocking the four men and enabling the young Jewish man to safely depart the scene.

“The victim was spared thanks to passengers who blocked the entry of these individuals into the subway train, and delivered him from the hands of the attacker who had pressed him against the wall,” the BNVCA said in its statement.

“Again the old cliché of the Jew and money poisons certain mentalities,” the statement continued.

The Algemeiner   (c) 2019 .         

{Matzav.com}

After months of efforts to shut down a Facebook page operating in Ocean County deemed as anti-Semitic, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Gurbir Grewal today announced that Rise Up Ocean County has been shut down permanently, Shore News Network reports.

“We just learned that Facebook has decided to take down the public page on the company’s social network called ‘Rise Up Ocean County,'” Governor Murphy said. “Facebook’s action comes ten months after the Director of our Division on Civil Rights, Rachel Wainer Apter, first sent a letter to Facebook expressing concerns about racist and anti-Semitic statements on the page. Since then, we’ve consistently and repeatedly made clear our view that the page appeared to violate Facebook’s terms of service, and we appreciate that Facebook has now decided that this kind of hateful rhetoric has no place on its platform. There remains much that should be done to stop the spread of hate on the Internet. The Murphy Administration will continue to call out hate whenever and wherever we see it, we will persist in demanding meaningful reforms to address the proliferation of hate online, and we will continue working to make New Jersey a safe and inclusive place for all of our residents.”

Today, the Rise Up Ocean County page went silent at around 9:30 am.

{Matzav.com Newscenter}

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Today, the anti-Semitic group Rise Up Ocean County had their social media page on Facebook removed. For months now, community leaders and elected officials have been sounding the alarm on Rise Up Ocean County, urging Facebook to remove the site for violating Facebook’s own terms of service and because social media companies are responsible to ensure that hate does not fester on their platforms. Rise Up Ocean County has been operating under the pretense of opposing overdevelopment, but in reality, the group was dedicated to disparaging Orthodox Jews, often using ugly tropes that have plagued society for too long. We are thankful that Facebook has finally recognized their true motives and, at the urging of Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Grubir Grewal, removed their site.

We are most grateful to Governor Murphy, Attorney General Grewal, and the director of the state’s Civil Rights Division, Rachel Wainer Apter, for displaying the courage and leadership necessary to call on Facebook to remove the site. Unfortunately, online hate speech is a growing problem that needs to be taken on full force. We applaud Governor Murphy and Attorney General Grewal for consistently placing fighting hate at the top of their agenda. Today their efforts bore fruit.

In these trying times, when we have witnessed violence against Orthodox Jews – sometimes the result of vulnerable minds being poisoned by online hate speech – we are comforted by Governor Murphy and Attorney General Grewal’s friendship and support. The Governor has displayed his friendship in word and backed it up with action when he signed legislation doubling funds for the New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). We call on all our elected officials to follow the Governor’s lead in publicly decrying anti-Semitism and doing everything possible to fight it on both the local and national levels.

As the Governor noted, inasmuch as we are grateful for Facebook’s actions today, the much-needed conversation about removing hate speech online is just getting started. The New Jersey Office of Agudath Israel participated in a press conference in conjunction with the Simon Wiesenthal Center just two weeks ago to highlight growing concerns we face today about anti-Semitism, with much of it being spread online. We must be proactive in stopping hate speech while it remains just that – speech, before it morphs into violence on our streets.

We are encouraged by today’s events and remain vigilant in continuing to foster the message that hate has no place in New Jersey.

{Matzav.com}

Reb Hillel Mozes, a longtime gabbai at the legendary Shomer Shabbos Shul in Boro Park, is retiring, Kol Haolam reports.

The shul is currently looking for a replacement.

The longtime lead gabbai at Shomer Shabbos is the famed Reb Moish Metzger, who continues to serve the shul with outstanding dedication.

{Matzav.com Newscenter}

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A suspected car-ramming attack in central Yerushalayim this morning has 14 soldiers wounded, one of them seriously and another suffering moderate wounds, Ynet reports.

The injured were evacuated to city hospitals for treatment. The suspected car is still at large.

The attack occurred around 2 a.m. in a popular entertainment area.

The group were Golani soldiers who were on a visit to the Kosel.

The one person who suffered serious injuries was evacuated to the Shaare Zedek Hospital. In addition, one person was moderately injured and was evacuated to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. 12 people were lightly injured and were evacuated to the Shaare Zedek, Hadassah Ein Kerem and Hadassah Mt. Scopus Hospitals.

{Matzav.com Israel}

LISTEN:

For more info email the4minuteshiur@gmail.com.

AMUD ALEF:

AMUD BAIS:

TOSAFOS IN SUMMARY:

HALACHOS OF THE DAF:

TO ACCESS ALL PRIOR SHIURIM, CLICK HERE.

To listen to the shiurim on Kol Halashon, call 718.906.6400 and then press 1, then 2, then 1, then 27, and then press 1 for the daf, 2 for shakla vetarya, 3 for Tosafos, or 4 for halachos of the daf.

{Matzav.com}

[COMMUNICATED]

1000’s Have already submitted their names for tefillah for free for the special tefillah on Tu B’Shvat.

The ARIZAL writes that Tu B’Shvat is a day of segulah to merit finding a shidduch.

Remember you can join the tefillah in Amuka on Tu B’Shvat for free.

This is an email we at Yad L’Achim received from Rivky F. from Brooklyn, NY.

“I wanted to let you know that 5 of the 9 girls I submitted for tefillah a few months ago, got engaged! Thank you”

JOIN THE TEFILLAH ON THE DAY OF SEGULAH OF TU B’SHVAT – FOR FREE

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Shas in 24 hours and the zchus for a Shidduch?! That’s right – Chicago Chesed Fund’s 3rd annual Shas for Shidduchim campaign is fast approaching and time’s running out to be a part of it!

This Tu B’Shvat – beginning this Sunday evening, February 9, through Monday, February 10 – hundreds will gather in Chicago and complete Shas in Zchus of Klal Yisroel’s singles. 

It’s no secret that Tu B’Shvat is a day of tremendous value and significance, but did you know that Tu B’Shvat is also a predetermined time for zivugim? The Ben Ish Chai states the following: הוא יום של אהבה וזמן המסוגל למציאת זיווג .

Help bring everyone closer to their perfect match! Sponsor a daf for $100, and you can submit the names of 5 singles who are looking for their bashert. 

But hurry—the learning begins THIS SUNDAY EVENING, February 9th! Take advantage of this auspicious day and get your sponsorships in before Tu B’Shvat ends! 

Sponsor a daf at Shas4Shidduchim.org! 

All proceeds benefit Chicago Chesed Fund’s many services that help singles find their bashert. 

Rav Shimon Zeffren zt”l Dinner and Sefer Torah Campaign Continuing in Memory of the Beloved Montreal Rosh Yeshiva

On Friday night, the 7th of Teves, Rav Shimon Zeffren’s holy neshamah was taken by the One Above, plunging talmidim and admirers into mourning. The heart that pulsated with ahavas haTorah, ahavas Hashem and ahavas talmidim ceased to beat.

It was hard to fathom. How could it be? What was there to say?

It was just a number of months ago that Yeshiva Gedola of Montreal, a bastion of Torah in

Québec’s largest city, launched its Beacon Through Time campaign to mark 50 years of dedication to the yeshiva by the rosh yeshiva, Rav Shimon Zeffren. The campaign was designed to honor Rav Zeffren for his remarkable dedication to the yeshiva and his talmidim, reconnecting alumni of various tekufos with their alma mater. As part of the effort, a Sefer Torah campaign was inaugurated.

The campaign took off with tremendous energy and enthusiasm. And how could it not? Who was a more beloved figure in Montreal than Rav Zeffren?

The campaign began, making stops in Montreal itself, and in Toronto, Lakewood and Brooklyn. The latter event was held on December 19 with the participation of Rav Zeffren. Talmidim spanning a period of 40 years attended and reconnected. Young fathers stood side by side with grandfathers, all sharing one common bond, the bond forged with the rosh yeshiva and his rebbetzin.

Why, of course, the rebbetzin.

Rebbetzin Zeffren has been an integral part of the Yeshiva Gedolah of Montreal experience. A steady presence at the yeshiva, Rebbetzin Zeffren always accompanied and supported her husband, while worrying about the talmidim, saving their wedding invitations and reveling in their hatzlacha and nachas.

It was no wonder that Rebbetzin Zeffren accompanied the rosh yeshiva to all the cities featuring campaign events.

Rav and Rebbetzin Zeffren had been scheduled to visit the Five Towns during February, and a date for the dinner and hachnosas Sefer Torah, to be held the same day in tribute to the rosh yeshiva, had been set.

And then tragedy struck. .

What would the talmidim do without their beloved rosh yeshiva, who meant the world to them? Who would they look up to now? Who would serve as their role model, demonstrating the type of lives they should live and the kinds of families they should lead?

Montreal is named after Mt. Royal, the triple-peaked hill at its heart, but local residents knew that the true royalty of this Canadian city could be found at the front of Yeshiva Gedolah’s bais medrash, where Rav Zeffren sat for decades at his shtender, immersed in his Gemara and dispensing pearls of Torah wisdom and hashkafah to generations of talmidim.

And now he is no longer at our side.

Yet, despite the pain and the gaping void left by the rosh yeshiva’s petirah, the talmidim knew that if the rosh yeshiva were here, he would instruct them to carry on in their avodas hakodesh and hachzokas haTorah.

In his humility, he would tell the Yeshiva Gedolah of Montreal family that everything Hashem does is for the best, that their job is to keep moving forward in their Torah and avodah, and that his absence shouldn’t mitigate their efforts or drive one iota.

And so, with the support of Rav Zeffren’s family, the yeshiva family, still numb from grief and grappling with their loss, has carried on, rebranding the dinner campaign and hachnosas Sefer Torah that was to be held in tribute to Rav Zeffren to be held instead in memory of him.

On June 7, the first Sunday after Shavuos, the hachnosas Sefer Torah l’illui nishmas Rav Zeffren will take place in conjunction with the yeshiva’s dinner, which will be dedicated to the perpetuation of the rosh yeshiva’s legacy.

Those who have already participated have encouraged the yeshiva’s hanhalah to continue its efforts in arranging the dinner and Sefer Torah campaign. Those who have not yet stepped up are now doing so l’illui nishmas their beloved rosh yeshiva, who never stopped inspiring them, encouraging them, and being there for them.

Because that’s exactly the way the rosh yeshiva would have liked it.

The yeshiva is now headed in the same direction in which Rav Zeffren led it, continuing his legacy, utilizing his inspiration and example to guide it forward.

Rav Zeffren loved his talmidim profusely, and during his final months, he utilized the Sefer Torah campaign as a means of expressing that ahavah and care.

Now, that very Sefer Torah will be a conduit to perpetuate the legacy of the beloved rosh yeshiva.

As Rav Shlomo Avigdor Altusky, a yedid ne’eman of Rav Zeffren, in his hesped on the rosh yeshiva, remarked about the Sefer Torah campaign, “Avade (certainly) it needs to continue….l’zeicher nishmaso.”

Rav Zeffren fled from kavod and accolades. He sought no recognition of status and cringed from recognition. He simply wished to learn Torah, be marbitz Torah, be mechanech talmidim, and be fully devoted to avodas Hashem.

His whole life was devoted lehagdil Torah ulehaadirah.

And now, with Rav Zeffren no longer with us, talmidim and others inspired by what he stood for have the zechus and opportunity to take part in the current campaign in his memory to support his yeshiva.

We have been given a gift, an opportunity to keep Rav Zeffren’s flame burning bright and make him proud.

Because that’s the way the rosh yeshiva would have liked it.

To participate in this campaign please email us at sefertorah@yeshivagedola.org or call us at 514.691.4075

In light of the recent passing of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, adults and children alike wondered: Can we pray in Bryant’s memory? Should we memorialize Bryant or is this something we should stay away from?

Hear from Rabbi Chaim Mintz as he addresses this child’s question last week at Ask the Rabbi Live at Torah Spot in Staten Island.

WATCH:

Haaretz Hatovah

Real Life Stories and Experiences of Yidden Settling in Eretz Yisroel.

Our Aliyah story is a bit different than others. I guess I can say that we clearly saw Hashem leading us here, as it was not something that was on our radar screen at all. I grew up in Pittsburgh and after marriage moved to Lakewood where my husband learned in Kollel while I worked. As our family grew, so did our appreciation of family relationships, but it was all long-distance and infrequent visits; I did not have married siblings at the time, and my parents were out of the way in Pittsburgh. My husband’s family, however, had all made Aliyah, and by the time we had four children we made up our minds – we wanted to be near them. We considered the pros and cons, and decided that as long as I would be able to find a job, we could put it together. Happily, my boss told me I could continue my computer programming position with them while living in Eretz Yisroel. I didn’t worry further as I knew that many have such arrangements.

We contacted Nefesh b’Nefesh and although they were very helpful, there was still plenty for us to do. We made a pilot trip, which also served as a job hunt because the day after we sent our lift, I was told that unfortunately, I would not be able to work long distance after all! I made many inquiries, and although I did not get a solid job offer, we were still ready to come and count on Hashem’s continued guidance. The next few weeks were a flurry of shopping, packing, and paperwork. We arrived at the airport with 18 suitcases, 6 carry-ons and 6 personal bags! BH our flight went well, and we really appreciated the NBN welcome committee at the airport! Equally impressive was the welcome we enjoyed from neighbors and family. Our apartment wasn’t ready, and amazingly a neighbor we only met when we arrived offered to store our luggage in their apartment. We spent the next couple of days with a sister-in-law, and then began getting furniture and appliances, with the guidance and advice of many.

Pesach was a beautiful Yom Tov spent with family, and shortly thereafter we were zocheh to my getting offered a great job! My employer heard about me through Nefesh b’Nefesh, and their office is a 20-30 minute drive from my home. It is a frum company doing legal transcription; although they employ many legal transcribers who work from home, there is a pleasant office atmosphere.

We’ve been living in Kiryat Sefer for nearly four years. When we came, our b’chor – almost six – began Mechina (precedes first grade); BH he did fine, although he benefited from some tutoring the following year. The younger ones needed even less adjusting; they love school and by now speak to me in Ivrit. I get by, my Ivrit is good enough for figuring out all the bureaucratic stuff and learning how to shop. One thing that makes my life easier is having a car – I need one to get to my job, as that route is not part of the regular bus service. My husband learns in a kollel, and he appreciates the variety in learning styles, and the many kollelim from which to choose. When we first came, he joined the kollel his brother-in-law was in and it was a good starting place. After a while , with the help of friends, he found a kollel more suited to his needs and BH he is shteiging well.

Socially, I love it. We can go to the park almost every day, and have a choice of several within a five-ten minute walk from our home. There are many nice and friendly neighbors, as well as an English speaking young Neshei – their meetings helped me meet other Americans so I have both Israeli and chutznik friends. They welcomed us and invited us to their homes for Shabbos, and after I had a baby they organized meals! Getting together with family for Bar Mitzvas, Yomim Tovim and chofesh is a delight. We very much enjoy the cousins growing up together. And icing on the cake… my brothers learning in yeshiva come to visit! However, I must admit that I see that for people who don’t have family here it is a big mesirus nefesh.

Another attraction: here in Eretz Yisroel they really care. Even birthing is a family/friendly experience. In hospitals in America, you are isolated in your room and you are offered meals, medicine, etc. Here you eat together in a dining room and although you must go to the nurses for what you need, there is more simcha and understanding – and of course fresh kosher food is great! Much of the staff is frum and I found them to be competent, understanding. If you come to an appointment late, they may yell but you will get what you need, versus in America, they are very polite but not very helpful.

To sum up, here I can take advantage of the ruchnius all around, living in a wonderfully inspiring frum community, with classes, and events for women. While it certainly took strength and support from the community and family, it has truly been a wonderful move for us.

-Shoshana Zimmerman – Kiryat Sefer

Written By Tova Younger

This article is part of Matzav.com’s Haaretz Hatovah series featuring Yidden living in, settling, and building up Eretz Yisroel. For more info please contact info@naavakodesh.org or visit naavakodesh.org/haaretz-hatovah

On Wednesday, United Hatzalah’s Ten Kavod project of visiting the elderly resulted in the life of a Beer Sheva resident being saved.

This was attested to by the doctor of the woman whose life was saved.

Volunteer EMT and Ten Kavod participant Netanel Samich from Be’er Sheva took a number of students from the Makif Gimmel School on a regular visit to the old-age community center in the Bet neighborhood in the city. During the visit, Netanel and the students provided basic medical checkups for the elderly at the community center. During one woman’s checkup, which included checking her pulse, blood pressure, and glucose levels, the student who was performing the check alerted Netanel to the abnormal readings that he was receiving from the woman. They told the woman that due to the danger she was in that she needed to see her doctor immediately. The woman followed the instructions of the volunteers and went to her physician. The doctor found that she required immediate drug treatment to alleviate the potentially life-threatening situation.

After her treatment, the woman called Netanel to thank him and said: “My doctor just told me that your checkup resulted in my life being saved. Thank you.”

United Hatzalah’s Ten Kavod project is a country-wide initiative in order to prevent elderly people in Israel, many of whom live by themselves, from feeling lonely, depressed, and even getting sick or passing away without anyone noticing.

Last year in Israel 133 elderly people died in their homes without anyone knowing about it for days. The program works together with local social services to identify and assist elderly people and pair them together with trained medical personnel to provide them with a social outlet and basic medical checkup in their own home free of charge.