The Parsha of Vayikra enumerates the many types of korbanot (sacrifices) that would have been brought into the Mishkan or Beit HaMikdash. One type of Korban, the Korban Olah V'Yored (Adjustable Value Korban) reveals a fascinating facet of Jewish life. In order to properly give this type of Korban according to Jewish Law, one must value their offering according to their personal wealth. If a rich person gives an offering that is the same value as the offering of a much poorer person, then the rich Jew has not fulfilled his obligation. Each Jew must give an offering that is commensurate with his personal income.

The Chafetz Chaim (Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933) explains that in the modern age, when we have no Beit HaMikdash and therefore no korbanot, this same principle applies to the mitzvah of tzedaka (charity). Every Jew should evaluate how much they are personally able to donate to a worthy cause, regardless of the size of donation that their fellow Jew may give. When we truly give according to our abilities, we should rest easy knowing that Hashem is happy with our contribution and that we have done the mitzvah appropriately. 

A rebbe of mine, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg, explained that this can also be the case with our talents and passions. Each individual is given unique abilities in their lifetime, and all abilities should be used to their fullest and best. I shouldn't despair that I have absolutely no artistic ability with which to make beautiful, inspiring Jewish art - because I don't have that talent to give, just like the poor Jew doesn't have the finances to give an extravagant korban. What I should do is evaluate my talents, and use them to best serve Hashem and my Jewish community - just like I need to evaluate my personal ability to give to a charity. This lesson from korbanot is so comforting to me, because it highlights the individualized value Hashem has for each of us, and that the Torah can be fulfilled by any and all Jews.

Shabbat Shalom

Lunch: Pizza Bagels

Sports:   Varsity Boys Baseball, 5 pm at Walnut Ridge

Activities: Twirlers, 4-5 pm

Lunch: Chicken Nuggets - Volunteer: M. Lessnick

Sports:

Activities: Pizza Dinner, 6:30-7:15 pm

Upper School Play, The Hundred Dresses, 7:30 pm

Lunch: Grilled Cheese - Volunteer: I. Khozin

Sports: Varsity Boys Baseball Practice, 4:15-6 pm

Activities: Lower School Tennis, 4:15 pm

Garden Club, 4:00-5:00 pm

Pizza Dinner, 6:30-7:15 pm

Upper School Play, The Hundred Dresses, 7:30 pm, shul

Lunch: Hot Dogs - Volunteer: L. Marakush/S. Epstein

Sports: Varsity Boys Baseball vs. Madison Christian, 5 pm at Berliner Park

Activities:

Lunch: Tuna

Sports:

Activities:

March 18: Passover and Hebrew Story Time, 2 pm, Bexley Public Library

March 28: Model Seders

March 29-April 8: Passover Vacation - NO SCHOOL

April 9-30: Ohio State Testing - Grades 3-8

April 10: 7th Grade Magazine Sale Kick-Off (for 2018 8th Grade Washington Trip)

Lower School Student Council's annual food drive will be: March 19th- 23rd. This year they will be donating collected items to Huckleberry House - a central Ohio organization dedicated to helping youth and families.

Please remind your students of the appropriate items that they can donate. The items do not have to be Kosher. We will accept non-perishable foods along with non-food items. Collection bins are in classrooms. For more details about types of items, click here.

HELP CTA EARN KROGER REWARDS: https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow to make sure that your rewards card is linked to Columbus Torah Academy. We earn 3% of every sale in donations to support our students. Now is the time to confirm you are enrolled with Passover purchases. More information here.

Robotics Club: Registration for Robotics Club for students in grades 3-5 is now open. There are only 12 spaces in the club and it is first come first serve for registration. Club begins on April 11 through May 23 after school from 4:00-5:15 pm. Instructors are Daniel Newman and Roman Ilin with Mrs. Mast as faculty adviser. Click here for full flyer or here to register.

Gratitude Grams: PTO is now selling Gratitude Grams for teachers and staff. A sheet of gratitude grams are $1 for 4. You can show your appreciation for your favorite teacher or staff person. They can be purchased by emailing to [email protected] or using the same email to send payment to Paypal. Orders will be delivered to your child to take home. All completed Gratitude Grams will be returned to the front desk for distribution by the Lower School Student Council. Mark the date of Wednesday, March 21 when Gratitude Grams will be sold in the lobby by a PTO parent at arrival between 8:00 -8:25 am. Any Questions to Beth Binsky at [email protected] 

Athletic News:  CTA Athletics Calendar and Information

Fundraiser Links:  http://www.torahacademy.org/school-wide-fundraisers/

Consider sponsoring a Day of Learning in memory or honor of a loved one or to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, b'nai mitzvah or other life cycle event. A Day of Learning is a $180 donation and dedications are listed in both the CTA Weekly Communicator and the monthly CTA Dateline.

CTA's Day of Learning for Wednesday, March 14, the 27th of Adar, is sponsored by Rabbi Michael Emerson and Dr. Adina Bitton in memory of Adina's grandfather, Rabbi David Bitton, HaRav David Ben Shalom on his yarzheit. May his memory be for a blessing.

CTA's Day of Learning for Friday, March 16, the 29th of Adar, is sponsored in memory of Moishe Herszage, z"l (Moshe Yehuda ben Pinchas) on the 25th anniversary of his yarzheit by Shari and Dotan Herszage and family. May his memory be for a blessing.

 To choose your Day of Learning, contact Shari at [email protected]. 

CTA accepts donations to our Annual Fund or Scholarship Fund throughout the year. We also accept Tribute Donations in memory of or in honor of loved ones. Donations can be made through the school office at 614-864-0299 or online by clicking  here.

Donations are listed in our monthly CTA Dateline. Check here to see our most recent issue.