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Chanuka Message from Rabbi Liff

Shalom U'Vracha from Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh.

Just wanted to share with you a little bit of the atmosphere during the Yom Tov of Chanukah in the Yeshiva. For many Talmidim the ruach and simcha of Chanukah is an important part of the entire eight days of Yom Tov.

Almost every day there are guest speakers both from the Chassidic and

Yeshivish world who speak about inyanei Chanukah to the Talmidim starting Today, Rabbi Moshe Zachs, one of the prominent poskim in Yerushalayim who's Chassidic attire and beautiful divrei Torah always puts a smile on everybody's face.

Every night after candle lighting the Talmidim brake out in song and dance and as they prepare themselves for the nightly Messibot Chanukah at their Rabbeim's homes. Rabbis, and especially Rebbetzins, open their homes and kitchens to the Talmidim. For many Talmidim, this is an opportunity to bond with their Rebbe in a true spiritual manner, as Divrei Torah and songs of praise are the nightly fare along with delicious home made cooking and the famous Israeli Sufganiot (jelly doughnuts).

Tuesday night, the third night of Chuanukah, the Yeshiva will have it's Gala Chanukah Messiba, in Ulam Zvill hall. Together with all the Rabbeim, their families and some parents who were here for the Chanukah break, we have a festive, catered, Seudat Mitzvah. The program included Divrei Torah given both by Shanah Aleph and Shanah Bet Students and much spirited dancing. The musical talent show of our own Talmidim was one of the highlights of the evening. Groups of Talmidim played a varied array of music with the highlight being the Kumzits with our own Uri Saftlas singing one of the Ner Yaakov favorite songs, Eisa Einai.

All in all we look forward to a beautiful evening of giving thanks to the Almighty for all the goodness that he bestows upon us.

The yeshiva will be giving a Chanukah break-vacation, From Thursday until Monday morning. At our pre Chanukah meeting with the entire yeshiva we discussed that this is an opportunity for the Talmidim to travel and experience Israel and also learn how to vacation as a Ben Torah should. Talmidim were informed that they are not allowed to travel out of the country, including the Sinai dessert. Some of the Talmidim are opting to go to Eilat where the weather is warm, while others are planning to go to Tzfat in the north and possibly the Chermon where it is supposed to be snowing. The choice of where to spend the break time is given to the Talmidim as long as it is within the guidelines which we spoke about in the orientation. We hope that the vacation will give the Talmidim strength that when they do return on Sunday they will be ready to grow even further.

As we are getting to the halfway point of the year, we are seeing many changes amongst the Talmidim and a maturation which we hope will show it's benefits as the Talmidim become more fully involved with their daily schedule.

On a simcha note, Rabbi and Mrs. Avrham Svei were zoche to a newbornson. Stezku L'gadloah L'torah u'lecupah u'lmasim tovim. We also share in the many alumani simchas including Hillel Novak and Binyamin Kurshner recent Chasunas. And M"h Adam Glickman's and Golan Slivermans upcoming Chasunas Beshaa Tova.And the recent engagment of our Talmid Aaron Gordon. May they all be Zoceh to build batim Nemanim Byisroel.

May we only share in simchas.

During these turbulent times that the world is undergoing we recognize more clearly that the only constant commodity that is true and ever lasting is our Emuna in Hakdosh Bruch Hu, and in the holy Torah that he has entrusted to us his holy people.

We hope and pray that we should merit seeing the continued bracha and nissim that Hakadosh Baruch Hu has in store for us.

Wishing you all a Freilecha Chanukah

Rabbi Yehoshua Liff

Rosh Yeshiva