FAMILY ALBUM
VOLUME 3
NUMBER 24
MAY 8, 2009 14 IYAR 5769
CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:39
The illegitimate son of Shlomit bat Divri was defeated in a legal dispute with his fellow Jew. His response
was to curse Hashem using His holy name, the Shem Hamiforash. Subsequently, he was punished with death
by stoning.
Rashi traces the genealogy and source of this grievous son. He tells us that Shlomit was overly talkative,
greeting and inquiring about the welfare of all, men and women alike. The lack of tzniut eventually led to her
illicit relationship with an Egyptian (the taskmaster who Moshe killed) and the birth of a son from this union,
who cursed Hashem and brought disgrace to his family and his tribe.
How serious was Shlomits sin? The Midrash did not say she was dressed improperly or acted in a brazen,
shameless manner. She was a friendly and outgoing personality. How did it cause such a terrible outcome
and such a terrible disgrace to her family and tribe?
The most serious and grievous crimes are often rooted in relatively minor infractions, sometimes committed
years, even generations, earlier that cause a chain reaction that ends in tragedy. Of course, the Torah requires
us to be friendly and congenial. But, there is a fine line between that separates a friendly, modest woman
from an uninhibited, obtrusive gossip who greets anyone she meets. When Shlomit crossed that invisible
boundary, she unwittingly planted the seeds of disaster in her own lineage. The Hello, how are you today?
that she spouted to other men in the street was a catalyst, both physically and spiritually, for her unfortunate
relationship with an Egyptian taskmasterthe only breach of modesty among the entire Jewish people during
their long exile and bondage. That seed of impropriety bore bitter fruit in her illegitimate son whose tainted
lineage caused him to curse the holy name of Hashem.
We are often tempted to believe that only major so-called black and white deeds and misdeeds have an effect
on our families and ourselves. We tend to overlook small, relatively minor infractions. However, Chazal
teach us that they can have a decisive impact in shaping our lives and the lives of our children. Little compromises in Halachah can sow the seeds of catastrophe. Conversely, the relatively easy and seemingly insignificant improvement in serving Hashem can provide great benefits, sending us and our families into new worlds
of greatness.
From the Desk of Mr. Aaron Habshush, YDH Physical Education Instructor
Our Pre-Schoolers love gym, where learning new skills in sports is so much fun. The period begins
with the children participating in races and exercising to songs. Circle games follow. They include steal the salami and pass the ball around. Other times, we play soccer. The class is
divided into four teams with four captains, and we play to win. Some serious fun for all.
The students of our Elementary Division start their routine similarly, with running laps and relay
races. After warming up, they do exercises that build and strengthen their muscles. Our games include basketball, soccer and two kinds of dodge ball. Were really excited about our Lag BOmer
Maccabiah program coming up next week. All classes will be divided into two teams, red & blue, and
will be competing in a variety of games. Itll be a blast. Our annual basketball game, between our
students and their rebbeim and teachers, will be held this year on Lag BOmer, Tuesday, May 12.
Looking forward to all these events and to teaching your children to be good sports all the time.
As we all know, the cost of replacing older equipment is extremely painful and often difficult. In the Yeshiva, this
is even more true. In an attempt to alleviate this problem in the Yeshiva, a new "Technology Fund" has been established. The "Technology Fund" will be used only for the purchase and replacement of needed equipment. We
are asking parents, grandparents and friends who have the ability, to make a tax deductible donation to our Technology Fund. The Yeshiva, your children and grandchildren, and even your accountant, will thank you.
REMEMBER TO BUY CHESED, SHOPRITE, WALDBAUMS & PATHMARK $ FOR ALL YOUR FOOD SHOPPING
NEEDS. MACYS, OLD NAVY, GAP, TOYS R US, HOME DEPOT, BARNES & NOBLE, ETC., ARE GREAT GIFT CERTIFICATES TO GIVE AS PRESENTS. PARENTS MUST BUY $2,500 OF GIFT CERTIFICATES IN ORDER TO FULFILL
THEIR OBLIGATION. IF YOU DO NOT BUY GIFT CERTIFICATES, THE $250 CHESED FEE BILLED ON YOUR STATEMENT WILL NOT BE CREDITED TO YOU NEXT YEAR. FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR FORMS, CONTACT SIMA SABO AT
THE YESHIVA, EXT. 26.
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL CLOTHES
ARE NAVY WITH
WHITE WRITING
HIGH
SCHOOL
CLOTHES
ARE GRAY
WITH
MAROON
WRITING
SHORT
SLEEVE T
$10
$10
$12
$12
Youth: S
Adult: S
$15
$18
Youth: S
Adult: S
$20
$22
Youth: S
Adult: S
$24
$26
SWEATPANTS Youth: S
Adult: S
$18
$22
LONG
SLEEVE T
SWEATSHIRT
PULLOVER
HOOD
ZIPPER
HOOD
Please circle the size and write the quantity in the space provided
Complete the form below & return it to school with your child
SPECIAL OFFER
WITH PURCHASE OF ANY T-SHIRT, SWEATSHIRT & SWEATPANT
COMBINATION, TAKE $3 OFF TOTAL ORDER
Students name:___________________________________________ Class___________________________
Phone #:__________________________________ Total Amount Enclosed: $_______________________
Please make checks payable to: YESHIVA DERECH HATORAH
For more information or questions about ordering please contact
Avital Leitner 917-434-3407 or Sherry Moskovitz 718-930-9980
SHORT
SLEEVE T
$10
$10
$12
$12
Youth: S
Adult: S
$15
$18
Youth: S
Adult: S
$20
$22
Youth: S
Adult: S
$24
$26
SWEATPANTS Youth: S
Adult: S
$18
$22
LONG
SLEEVE T
SWEATSHIRT
PULLOVER
HOOD
ZIPPER
HOOD
Please circle the size and write the quantity in the space provided
Complete the form below & return it to school with your child
SPECIAL OFFER
WITH PURCHASE OF ANY T-SHIRT, SWEATSHIRT & SWEATPANT
COMBINATION, TAKE $3 OFF TOTAL ORDER
Students name:___________________________________________ Class___________________________
Phone #:__________________________________ Total Amount Enclosed: $_______________________