Under the Sun - Parshat Vayetzei

8 Kislev, 5783

December 2, 2022

Parshat Vayetzei

As many of you may know, it is not uncommon for young Israelis to greet each other with the colloquial expression: ?אחי, מה המצב (what's up, bro?) when approaching a complete stranger. This mode of speech usually conveys closeness and familiarity between strangers. Interestingly, the first appearance of this phrase is in our parasha (Parashat Vayetzei):

"הֲכִי אָחִי אַתָה" (just because you are a kinsman, lit. a brother).

The use of the word "brother" to refer to someone who is not one's biological brother appears two additional times towards the end of our parasha. Following a hostile back-and-forth between Lavan and Yaakov, stones were fetched to make a pact between both sides. In this context it is written: "and Yaakov said to his kinsmen (lit. brothers): gather stones…" (Bereshit 31:46). From all we know, Yaakov had only one brother (Esav) who was away at the time. So why does the Torah indicate that he was addressing his brothers?

Confronting this question, Rashi explains: "his kinsmen - really his sons, who were like kinsmen to him since they were standing by him in trouble and in battle." However, a few verses later (Bereshit 31:54), Yaakov calls his kinsmen to eat bread, but in this case Rashi explains "his kinsmen - those of his friends who were with Lavan." We see then that to Rashi the words "to his kinsmen" mean both his sons and the individuals who were with Lavan. Why is Rashi not being consistent in his interpretation of the word לְאֶחָיו (to his brothers)?

Upcoming Events:

December 2-3 - Middle School Shabbaton

December 4 - Sunday Morning Tefillah in the Kohelet Yeshiva Middle School Beit Midrash at 9:00 am

December 9-10 - KYHS 12th Grade Shabbaton

December 11 - PTSO Hanukkah Event

December 11 - Kohelet Day at the Wells Fargo Center (see below for information on how to purchase tickets)

December 14 - Picture Retake Day

December 14 at 7:30 pm - Middle School Parents Program with Communities Confronting Substance Use & Addiction (CCSA) on Zoom using THIS link or use Zoom ID: 843 8865 0285

December 19-22 - Chanukah, Dismissal at 4:00 pm, No Aftercare or Clubs

December 23-January 2 - Winter Break, No School

See what else is coming up at Kohelet Yeshiva here.

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Arguably, Rashi's conflicting interpretations have to do with the different situations. In the first situation, gathering stones to make a mound requires some work and effort. As is often the case, it can be challenging to gather help when hard work is involved and a person must rely on close relatives and friends. But when it comes to a festive meal, Yaakov could easily gather people. After all, who would not want to attend a promising meal?

The moral lesson here is clear. While it is nice to call any stranger, "my brother," to be considered a true non-biological brother requires being there for your friend, in good and bad times alike. Let us hope that we will learn how to work on and improve our friendship and relationship with others so when we call a friend “my brother,” we will really mean it.

Shabbat Shalom,

Dr. Yechiel Schur

Coming Up:

Don't miss your chance to attend Kohelet vs. Barrack on December 11th!

This year our high school boys and girls teams take the action to the Wells Fargo Center.

After the Kohelet Kings game, the Sixers will play at 6:00 PM!

Make sure you get your tickets: $40 cash or check by December 6th.

YOU MUST SIGN UP IN ORDER TO ATTEND!!!

Please use this link to attend one of the biggest games of the season.

RSVPs close on Tuesday night, December 6th.

Details:

Game Date: December 11th

Doors Open at 11:00 AM

Girls Game at 11:15 AM

Boys Game at 12:15 PM

Free Parking in Lot E (11th Street side)

We look forward to seeing you!

GO KINGS!

High School Happenings

Mitzvah Momentum!

We are excited about a school-wide (K-8), year-long initiative that we introduced to the students called Mitzvah Momentum!

Students in grades K-8 will be focusing on a particular mitzvah during each part of the year. In November and December, we are focusing on Chesed, January-February we will be focusing on Bikur Cholim, March-April will be Tzedakah, and May-June will be Hakarat HaTov.

There are various components to this program depending on the age of your child, outlined in the Mitzvah Momentum At Home Chart that appears above.

As part of this program, we are asking each Kohelet family to discuss a Chessed that you would like to get involved in as a family during December. Please click here to download the Mitzvah Momentum At Home Chart and then fill in your family's Chessed and attach a picture of your family performing the Chessed (if you'd like).

News from Kohelet Yeshiva

Our KYHS boys' basketball team kicked off its 2022-23 season with a big 58-37 win over Community School. Go Kings!

Our 4/5 students took part in a STEM challenge to build a catapult to launch a small eraser (both for distance and accuracy). Students worked together to design, test, evaluate and design their creations.

KYLS students enjoyed special musical programming featuring KYLS & KYMS parent (and Secretary of the Kohelet Yeshiva Board of Directors) Lori Salkin.

Mazal tov to Shai Hecker (KY '17) and Rachel Canter on their recent engagement!

Mazal tov to Shai's parents, Joel Hecker and Frani Pollack (member of the Kohelet Yeshiva Board of Directors), and siblings, Razi Hecker (KY '16) and Hanina Hecker (KY '26), on this beautiful simcha!

Updates from the Kohelet Beit Midrash

Parnas HaYom

Sponsor a day or a week of learning at Kohelet Yeshiva. Contact Nachi Troodler at ntroodler@koheletyeshiva.org for details or click here to sign up.

Thank You to Our Recent Parnas HaYom Sponsors!

Novmber 30th

Joy and Brian Goldstein

To commemorate the yahrtzeit of Sara Wygoda, z"l, beloved by all who knew her.

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November 28th - December 2nd

The Seligsohn & Finkle Families

In commemoration of the seventh yahrzeit (8 Kislev)

of their beloved wife, mother, savta, sister and aunt

Sharon Seligsohn

Simcha Elka bat Yosef Chaim v'Aharona Malka a”h

שמחה עלקא בת יוסף חיים ואהרונה מלכה

As a founder and builder of our school, Sharon was a particularly special and critically important member of our community.

May our learning in her memory allow her neshamah to have an Aliyah, and may her legacy of chesed and dedication to others continue to impact her family, our students and the entire community.

May her memory be for a blessing.

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November 22nd

Grandma Rebekah and Saba Avi Rasooly

Happy Birthday to Leora Malka Goldman, KYLS 4th Grade!

Kohelet Yeshiva | www.koheletyeshiva.org | 223 North Highland Ave, Merion Station, PA 19066