What is the basis of the analysis between the oil and a good name?

The Mishnah in Masechet Avot (Chapter 4, Mishnah 13) says:

אמר רבי שמעון שלשה כתרים הם: כתר תורה, כתר כהונה וכתר מלכות. וכתר שם טוב עולה על גביהם

Rabbi Shimon said the three crowns are: the crown of the Torah, the crown of the Kehuna (the priesthood) and the crown of the kingdom. And the crown of a good name rises on their backs.

A good oil symbolizes all those external qualities that adorn a person and add to his status. This can be physical things, such as wealth and kingdoms, but it can certainly also be Torah and Kehuna. Although these crowns are added to a person, these are adjectives and are not part of the person’s identity, and there is no guarantee that they will remain in the person’s hands. A person can lose his wealth, honor and sometimes, God forbid, his Torah as well.

A good name, on the other hand, is a noun. It describes a person’s inner self, his characteristics and virtues, and is an inseparable part of his personality. It is more like a cloth that merges with the person’s self and thus surpasses the crown that is placed on the head.

A good name gives us the possibility of a rare glimpse into the inner qualities that are embedded in a person and which are eternal in him.

In the months that have passed since Simchat Torah and the beginning of the war in Israel, we have been painfully informed of the fall of many civilians and soldiers whose special qualities were the basis of their sacrifice for the sake of the people and the country. Among these heroes is also my beloved nephew, Capt. Shauli Greenglick.

Anyone who has seen Shauli’s photos, whether it is when he lovingly hugs his mother Ruthi on a short visit home, or when he is with his friends on a mission, or when he helps an elderly Gazan woman to make her way in a wheelchair, could see a little of Shauli’s inner self, from the good name through which he radiated grace and kindness everywhere.

This good name will continue to light the path of many, and I hope that we find comfort in that.

Shabbat Shalom,



Morah Talia Gringlik

Parents, you should have received in the mail Kohelet parking placards to keep in your cars when you come to campus - drop off and pick up or for an event. If you have not yet received a placard or need an extra one, please email Miriam Morley. For security purposes, it is important that you display the placard in your car when you drive onto our campus.

KYHS Color War 2024 was awesome! Team Shemoneh Esrei (Teal) and Team Shema (Berry) competed in a range of fun activities that showcased our students' hard work, amazing talent and creativity, and incredible ruach. Just before the winner was announced, both teams joined together and sang Acheinu, which was a beautiful and moving experience. Congratulations to Team Shema for earning the win and congratulations to both teams for an unbelievable performance!

Our 4/5 students did their first soil lab and had the opportunity to study different samples under a microscope.