25 Feb MTC Highlights: Parsha Tetzaveh/Purim
Dvar Torah by Shira Melamed - Director
Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei
In this week’s Parsha we learn about the halachot of the Menorah in the Mishkan. From all the elements in the Mishkan, it is the Menorah that has continued to be used as a symbol of Judaism.
I believe that in addition to the concept of light that the Menorah emulates, it is the value of achdut that has kept the Menorah as an invaluable symbol in our lives. The Menorah branches off into seven separate wicks, reminding us constantly that we are uneven, unbalanced and insignificant if we are not different. It is our differences, our traits that make us unique that in essence, unites us.
In Masechet Brachot we learn
אמר רבי אלעזר אמר רבי חנינא תלמידי חכמים מרבים שלום בעולם שנאמר (ישעיהו נד, יג) וכל בניך למודי ה’ ורב שלום בניך אל תקרי בניך אלא בוניך
Hashem’s children bring peace to this world through their machlokot, their disagreements. While trying to understand the others’ position, where they are coming from and who they are, while the other might disagree with me, this ability to understand that there is another perspective is what essentially makes the world go round.
When our outlook on life is narrow, we become narrow people who will not find room for others in life.
Our students have seen this lesson over and over again since the day they landed. They are all different, they come from different families, different upbringings, and they are living under one roof.
They have learnt that if they don’t take the value of achdut that the menorah teaches us, they will lose so much, and learn so little.
We had color war presentations this past Tuesday night. We split up the students into blue and red teams and they competed over two days. Their energy was fantastic, their spirit was contagious, but I couldn’t help but notice that they were helping each other. They had no interest in competing, it felt unnatural for them to be divided. Their achdut that they’ve learnt was imbeddeded so deeply inside them, that even for color war, they couldn’t put it aside. When it came time for presentations, the staff couldn’t believe what they were watching. They had combined teams and presented their song and dance representing their new team color, purple.
Our students are constantly blowing us away. Their growth is inspiring and their desire to better themselves is simply beautiful, but to see them grasp this concept of the Menorah, to watch them internalize the symbol that has guided the Jewish People for thousands of years was the perfect way for all of us to go into Parshat Tezaveh.
May we continue to internalize this value, may we be people who have room for others’ perspectives, because essentially, while it is what brings peace to the world, it is also what will bring peace to each of us.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim!
Student Reflection
Dahlia Barrocas - Spanish River HS, FL - Coral Springs, FL
Through this amazing struggle that we call life I’ve learned that the people you surround yourself with truly make the largest impact on your perspective in life. From 2am conversations on Shabbat with girls or simply fun laughs while trying to plan things for our groups, being around the amazing people here at MTC is making it more and more worth it as the time ticks buy.
With color war and Purim all together the simcha that we are all being able to partake in here is truly a beautiful reminder that even in the hardest of times Hashem will make sure to bring the light in when it’s most needed.
Color war was an amazing experience! Unlike most color wars that happen, our amazing captains Aimee and Roz decided instead of letting the games tear us apart, to work together and that itself reminded me why I chose MTC. The ups and downs always end up being worth it in the end because there is next to nothing that the girls and amazing staff here wouldn’t do for you.
I want to give you all reading this a bracha that the simcha that we experience on Purim should continue and stretch until Mashiach comes.
!חג שמח
