Ufros Aleinu Sukkat Shlomecha - Rosh Yeshiva 83

ופרש עלינו סכת שלומך
Ufros Aleinu Sukkat Shlomecha
Spread over us Your shelter of peace

Introduction
Dear Friends,
It is with tremendous simcha that we come together to celebrate the ‘Second Barmitzvah’ of our dear Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Avraham Tanzer shlit”a! Thank you for joining us for this special occasion!
Since the Rosh Yeshiva’s arrival in Johannesburg in 1963, the Rosh Yeshiva has been the pillar of our community and has driven
the the development of our campus and South African Jewry as a whole. Rabbi Tanzer, the longest serving communal Rabbi in South Africa and recipient of countless local and international accolades, has built our community on the pillars of Torah, Avodah and Gemilut Chassadim. For 55 years, the Rosh Yeshiva has been the prism through which we have learnt Hashem’s Holy Word - making it relevant for our generation (Torah); the Rosh Yeshiva has served our community and led us in Tefillah - aspiring together in pursuit of the realisation of our greatest dreams (Avodah); and the Rosh Yeshiva has cared for every human being that has come his way in the particular way that they have needed to be nurtured by his unique support and love (Gemilut Chassadim).
The Rosh Yeshiva’s signature human insight and touch has earned him the status as one of the great Torah leaders of our generation and for this he is known far and wide. It is our privilege, as the Yeshiva College Campus, to continue to learn from the Rosh Yeshi- va’s teachings, from his humanity and now to celebrate this wonderful milestone - the Rosh Yeshiva’s 83rd Birthday! Mazeltov Rosh Yeshiva - ad me’ah v’esrim!
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Every evening, in Ma’ariv, we beseech Hashem to protect us and watch over us. This request peaks with the beautiful expression,
”ופְּרוש עָלֵינוּ סֻכַּת שלומֶך“
“Spread over us the ‘shelter’ of Your peace”
We ask that Hashem envelopes us in His ‘Sukkah of Peace’. The Rosh Yeshiva was born on Sukkot and for decades has made it his mission to guide and nurture our community through his kindness - spreading his ‘Sukkah of Peace’ throughout our campus and community. In Masechet Sukkah 27b we learn that the Sukkah has no maximum width because the vision for Sukkot is that we all
ultimately join together with all of Am Yisrael in one united Sukkah,
”וחכמים אומרים אע”פ שאמרו אין אדם יוצא ידי חובתו ביום טוב הראשון בלולבו של חבירו אבל יוצא ידי חובתו בסוכתו של חבירו דכתיב )ויקרא כג, מב( כל האזרח בישראל ישבו בסוכת מלמד שכל ישראל ראוים לישב בסוכה אחת“
“And the Rabbis say:...he fulfills his obligation with the sukka of another, as it is written: “All the homeborn in
Israel shall reside in sukko(/a)t” (Leviticus 23:42). This teaches that all of the Jewish
people are fit to reside in one sukkah.”
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May we all be blessed to benefit from the Rosh Yeshiva’s leadership for many years to come and, as a campus, may we move forward
and merit this vision of unity, achdut and peace. It is a great pleasure to unite with our campus organisations in celebration of this great simcha for our Rosh Yeshiva and for our community.
Wishing the Rosh Yeshiva Happy Birthday and everyone a Chag Sameach and a beautiful year ahead.
Rabbi Leron Bernstein
Managing Director, Yeshiva College Org), Rabbi Friedman (YC Shul) and Rabbi Kagan (Bnei Akiva)
On behalf of Rabbi Glicksberg (Mizrachi Shul & Kollel), Rabbi Kaplan (Mizrachi


Torah Insights On Sukkot From Rabbis Of The Campus
Juxtaposition of Yom Kippur and Sukkot
We have just come out of an inspiring and intense Yamim Noraim period. A period in our year specially dedicated to introspection, thought and investigation into our inner selves and increased connection to Hashem. A time where we look back at our year, the things we did wrong, the things we did right, and formulate a vision and a way forward for our next year.
As we emerge from this auspicious time, we find ourselves, a mere few days later, sitting in temporary dwellings, celebrating the chag of Sukkot .
I would like to investigate the following questions:
1. Why is Sukkot placed immediately after the intense High Holy Day experience?
2. Generally chagim are celebrated at a time that parallels to the time period in the Torah when the festival originally took
place. (i.e Pesach takes place when the exodus took place and Shavuot takes place when we received the Torah) Why is Sukkot (the chag that celebrates Hashem’s protection of the Jewish nation with His Cloud of Glory, which should in theo- ry take place around Pesach time) celebrated straight after Yom Kippur.
We see in many sources that there is clearly a deep connection between Yom Kippur and Sukkot and this is the reason that they are so close together in our calendar. At a first glance it may seem that they are polar opposites. On Yom Kippur we completely separate and disconnect ourselves from the physical world by not eating, drinking etc... and on Sukkot we are totally immersed in the phys- ical world, we shake the Arba Minim, eat, drink, invite guests over and have parties. In fact, chazal teach us that the Simchat Beit Hashoeva celebrations in the times of the Beit Hamikdash were so grand and festive that “a person hasn’t experienced true simcha and happiness if they haven’t experienced a Simchat Beit Hashoeva in the Beit Hamikdash”. However, when we look into the deeper understanding of the connection we learn that the juxtaposition of the two festivals is exactly the reason that Sukkot takes place straight after Yom Kippur.
Hashem is giving us a beautiful opportunity to take the spiritual high which we have developed over the Yamim Noraim experience and straight away infuse it into our physical world. By transferring the inspiration into a physical mitzvah, of building the sukkah and giving purpose and meaning to “raw materials”, we bridge the gap between the spiritual and physical worlds. Hashem put us in the world to make it holy and to use all its contents in a meaningful way and this is exactly what we do on Sukkot.
I feel that it is so fitting the Rosh Yeshiva’s birthday is on Sukkot as the Rosh Yeshiva is a person who through his lifetime of ser- vice to our community has managed to be a living example of bridging the spiritual and physical worlds. The amount of spiritual guidance and Torah that the Rosh Yeshiva has infused South African Jewry and ultimately world Jewry with is inspiring and he has uplifted our physical campus and community and infused it with holiness.
May we all merit to follow in the Rosh Yeshiva’s ways of infusing the physical world with spirituality! Wishing the Rosh Yeshiva a very happy birthday and a big Mazeltov on this milestone!
Ad meah v’esrim.
Chazak v’ematz
Rabbi Daniel Kaplan
Menahel Yeshiva College BHS
and Rabbi of Mizrachi South Africa


The Means Has Meaning
Sukkot is called Zman Simchateinu – the time of our happiness. There are a number of ways in which simcha is expressed and experienced during this special festival. One of them is agricultural. As the hot Israeli summer draws to a close, the farmers gather up the year’s produce. They look over their achievements – the literal fruit of their endeavours – with a sense of pride and gratitude. After beginning the year with trepidation tempered by hope, they rejoice as they see those hopes vindicated. What is more uplifting than achievement? It would seem Sukkot is the chag of happy endings.
Nevertheless, Sukkot’s unique mitzvot are focused on the process rather than the end result.
One of the central mitzvot of Sukkot is the taking of the arba minim – the four species. The citron, a once-a-year fruit known as an etrog, is grasped together with branches from the palm (lulav), myrtle (hadass) and willow (aravah). The Torah describes the etrog as “a fruit of beautiful trees”. The sages of the Talmud understand the beauty of this tree as expressed through its similarity in taste to its fruit. Unlike other trees, the etrog tree tastes like the etrog itself! Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook (1865 - 1935), the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of what was then Palestine, explains that the tree represents the process, while the fruit symbolizes the end point or goal. The trunk transports the nutrients extracted from the ground and the air to produce fruit which enables the re- productive process and provides food to eat. The etrog was chosen as the fruit of Sukkot because it signifies how the journey should be as “delicious” as reaching the destination.
In life we generally look at the process as just a means to an end. We trudge on over the obstacles and through the monotony of the voyage to arrive at the end point. We study to obtain a degree; we work to produce the goods and get paid. This attitude can result in both unhappiness and frustration: unhappiness because only the end will bring joy and fulfillment; frustration because the result is often beyond our control.
Sukkot is the time of simcha because it instructs us to find happiness always. Even though one cannot ignore the exuberance of achievement and the relief of conclusion, one should not wait till then to enjoy and rejoice. We need to find spots along the way where we can stop and reflect on what we have gained and appreciate what we are doing independent of obtaining the ultimate goal. We need to taste the fruit in the tree!
We know that the sukkah commemorates the “Clouds of Glory” which surrounded and protected us along the way to the Promised Land after the Exodus from Egypt. On this festival, we don’t focus on our birth as a nation as we do on Pesach, or on the specific day we received the Torah as we do on Shavuot. We remember how we lived day in and day out for forty years as we traversed the desert.
Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Neria (1913 – 1995) a talmid (student) of Rabbi Kook, took his teacher’s idea further. Commenting on the joy- ous procession performed during Sukkot known as the Simchat Beit Ha’sho’eva – where water was drawn from the pool of Shiloach and then transported to the Holy Temple to be offered as a libation on the alter – Rav Neria points out that the carnival happened in the streets well before the water achieved its final purpose. On this, the Mishnah, exclaims: “he who has not seen the rejoicing at the Place of the Water-Drawing has never seen rejoicing in his life.” Yet again we see how we must celebrate the means as well as the end.
The Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Tanzer, is a person who has had the tenacity, creativity and courage to persist along a very long and on-go- ing journey. Along the way, together with Marcia, Rav Tanzer has seen many achievements which on their own deserve a deep sense of simcha and accomplishment. But they have not stopped; they have not reached the end!
Thank you for taking us along for the ride, as students who have become teachers. Mazal Tov Rabbi and Mrs Tanzer on this mile- stone second Barmitzvah and may you continue tasting the fruits of your labour.
With appreciation
Rabbi Shmuli Kagan
Rabbi of Bnei Akiva South Africa and Mashgiach of the Beit Mordechai Campus University Kollel


The Essence of Our Sukkot
There is a story told about Rabbi Mordechai of Neshchiz,he saved his pennies all year around in order to have enough money to buy an esrog (citron) for the mitzvah of the four species on Succos. On the way to buy the esrog, he encountered a man who was weeping bitterly and his inquiry revealed that this man had made his meager living as a porter, hauling things by horse and wagon. That day his horse had perished, and he was now without a means of livelihood. Rabbi Mordechai promptly gave the man the entire of sum of money he had saved throughout the year; in or- der that he might buy another horse. The man rushed off overjoyed,
and Rabbi Mordechai turned his eyes to heaven saying, “Dear G-d, all other Jews will fulfill the mitzvah of the four species with an esrog, but I will do so with a horse.” ’
The Torah is full of chesed, every mitzvah ,whatever it might be has an underlying hint of chesed. Where do we find chesed in the Mitzvah of Sukkah? What is a Sukkah? I think many of us could offer a technical definition or an instruction manual for construct- ing a Sukkah but what is a Sukkah? Today you don’t even have to build your Sukkah yourself, I have seen adverts for Sukkah build- ers who come and do it for you! To understand something well, one is advised to visit the first time it is referenced in the Torah. Where “Sukkah” is first mentioned in Torah? Let’s go back to Sefer Berashit. After Yaakov surviving a threatening confrontation with his arch enemy Esav, the Torah records the following - “And on that day Esav returned on his way to Seir and Yaakov traveled to Sukkot and built for himself a house,and for his cattle he made Sukkot therefore the name of the place is called Sukkot.” (Berashit 33:16-17)
The verse is a little odd. Yaakov built himself a house, which sounds normal enough, but because he made Sukkot for his cattle the place he traveled to was to become known as “Sukkot”. Is that the reason to name a place? The Ohr HaChaim answers, “Perhaps because he did something new by showing his compassion for the cattle...that he did something that no one had done previously, that he prepared a Sukkah – a shelter for animals. It was that novelty that caused that the place should be called so.”
This may help us to gain an insight into the essence of our Sukkot, the ones we dwell in for seven days or so. After a near head on collision between two super-powers,Yaakov and Esav, the Torah depicts Esav going back home and to his old predictable ways.
Yaakov, however, did something beyond the norm, outside his home. He didn’t walk away from his encounter with death the same as he entered. Neither did he become bitter from the experience. Rather we see he became better. The symbol or the symptom of that improvement was his innovation in creating an expanded arena for compassion in the universe. That is the Sukkah!
After the life and death surgery of the “Days of Awe”, a Sukkah, like a clean parchment or canvas, becomes a place where, everyone can express some renewed sense of gratitude or idealism in an individual way. The inner world of each Sukkah, like each person, is decorated differently. Each person decorates there sukkot in different ways:
Some hang native fruits and vegetables and some display the seven fruits that the Land of Israel is praised with. There are Sukkost- that are covered with pictures of sagely faces from the ages and there are those are dizzy and busy with children’s art projects. Many Sukkot have some reminder of Jerusalem on an eastern wall and few have dangling Mitzvah artifacts such as Shofars, Menorahs, and Kiddush Cups etc. Uplifting verses from the tanach are frequently found inscribed on the walls of many a Kosher Sukkah. The Ushpizin, the seven shepherds of the Jewish People are often invited guests given the most honorable of mention in this real Hall of Fame. Some are simply decorated with the faces of happy children and parents eating and singing together with guests and friends. The four species is not an uncommon theme maybe because it is the Mitzvah of the day or perhaps because it represents that fresh start.
What’s the idea, why is it that we make such a commotion about decorating the Sukkah?
A Sukkah is a place not just for artistic expression but rather a space that holds a newly harvested crop of inspiration and idealism that will be nourished from for a whole year. A Sukkah is a serious and fun world with limitless possibilities and so are we when we exit the ordinary and begin thinking inside the box.
Rabbi Tanzer, it is not a coincidence that your birthday coincides with a festival that imbues chesed, your entire demeanor is how the help others, making sure how you can be a support for those who need it. Your endless care and concern for each individual is truly remarkable, and through this incredible middah you have impacted so many people. I am honored and privileged to learn from you daily, and look forward to your continued guidance and mentorship. Wishing you and your family abundant mazel and Simcha.
Rabbi Alon Friedman
Associate Rabbi of the Yeshiva College Hebrew Congregation


Torah Insights On Sukkot From Yeshiva College Learners
The Time Of Our Joy?
Sukkot is famously known as Zman Simchatainu – ‘the time of our joy’. Coming out of the Aseret Yemei Teshuva – days of repen- tance and atonement – we now celebrate the festival of rejoicing and praise. An allusion to this is found in the passuk in Tehillim: “And to the upright of heart, there is joy.” We can interpret this to mean that after the heart is made upright through teshuva on Yom Kippur, it merits joy during Sukkot.
It is interesting to note that the Torah mentions joy regarding Sukkot more than any other festival. There is no explicit mention of simcha regarding Pesach, and only one regarding Shavuot. Yet the Torah describes Sukkot three times with the word simcha. The main source is in Vayikra 23 – where the passuk states: “and you shall rejoice before Hashem, your G-d, for seven days.”
We know that there is a mitzvah to rejoice on all festivals, so what is it about the chag that makes it so emblematic of the quality of joy?
The Nesivos Shalom answers this question through a parable:
There was once a King who was suffering from a depressing illness, for which there seemed to be no cure. His physicians decided that the only way to cure him was to harness the healing powers of joy. They attempted to find an individual who was truly joyous, free of all stress and worry. They hoped that if the King would wear the cloak of this individual then the serenity would be trans- ferred to the King himself and restore his soul.
After much searching, the physicians finally found a man who they deemed was truly happy and at peace. However, there was a problem: This man didn’t own a single cloak. He explained his situation to the king’s men, saying: “You see, if I owned a cloak then my troubles would begin. It is only because I own nothing that I have nothing to worry about, as the mishna in Pirkei Avot says – “One who accumulates his possessions, accumulates worry.”
This mashal underscores the reality that when one involves himself so deeply in materialism and physicality, it only causes him stress and worry. But on Sukkot – when we remove ourselves from the comfort and security of our homes to dwell in the shelter of Hashem – we are able to attain true simcha.
It is thus no coincidence that Sukkot has more mitzvot than any other chag. In Judaism, the ideal of joy is not achieved through the pursuit of material wealth, but through connecting with Torah and Mitzvot.
May we all merit to attain true simcha through connecting to Hashem.
Aaron Greenstein
Grade 11 - Student leader
Yeshiva College Boys High School


Zman Simchateinu
We have successfully navigated through the Yamim Noraim – the Awesome Days of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. We’ve spent countless hours in shul, developing a deep connection with HaShem. We have worn new clothes and white clothes. We have prayed, feasted, and fasted. We have committed to change: whether physical or spiritual.
We have been tested with multiple issues within our community and the world at large. From the rise of anti-Semitism and anti-Zi- onism to kashrut debacles and the growing doubt of the stability of our country. Our deliberations and discussions about these divisions have made these High Holidays somewhat difficult and removed our focus from them.
And now we are commanded to “party.”
The Torah commands us to be joyous on Sukkot:
”and you shall only be happy... and you shall rejoice on your festival“ – ”וְשָׂמַחְתָּ בְּחַגֶּך...וְהָיִיתָ אַךְ שָׂמֵח“
The Vilna Gaon said that this mitzvah is the hardest Mitzvah to completely fulfil. To be happy for 8 consecutive days is nearly im- possible: your soccer team might lose, it might rain in your sukkah or someone might upset you, yet, the Torah commanded us to be internally happy.
How is this possible?
The Rambam at the end of Hilchot Lulav writes, “The happiness which man attains when doing a Mitzvah and with the love of HaShem who commanded us to do Mitzvot is a great service” Sukkot is full of Mitzvot which we must fulfil: sitting in a sukkah, Lulav and Etrog and of course, to be happy.
The commandment to be happy is not necessarily a separate Mitzvah to the other Mitzvot but rather a natural response to carrying out the commandments of Sukkot. Through our performance of the specific Mitzvot upon which we are commanded to do once a year, we can attain the great level of happiness which the Rambam speaks about.
The key is mindfulness. Be present in the time of year which we are in: don’t be distracted by external problems which will only bring you down, rather, focus on the Mitzvot of Sukkot and through this you will attain genuine happiness.
Chag SAMEACH to everyone.
Saul Joseph
Grade 11 - Head Boy
Yeshiva College Boys High School


Shemini Atzeret: A Day To Fear Or Celebrate?
If we take a look at our intricate calendar, we can see that there are two types of chagim. We have the Shalosh Regalim consisting of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot which all celebrate agricultural and historical events. Pesach being in the month of spring marking the beginning of the agricultural year while also reflecting on our past through the retelling of Yetziat Mitzraim- exodus of Egypt. Shavuot – the remembrance of the pinnacle point in our Jewish history, the receiving of the Torah. Finally, Sukkot, where we recall how Hashem protected us in the desert. These are festivals consisting of feasts and celebrations.
Then we have the High Holidays, the days of awe, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the most serious days in our calendar. Where we are judged for the coming year and reflect on our past actions.
From the outset, Shemini Atzeret does not fit with either category. Firstly, it is named as the eighth day of Sukkot, seemingly an ex- tension of its festivities. Secondly, if we look at the mussaf korbanot (additional sacrifices brought in the temple) that were brought on that day they are identical to that of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (one bull, one ram, seven sheep, and a goat for a sin offer- ing), showing that it may link to the seriousness of those days.
So, is Shemini Atzeret a day of joy or a day of awe?
Our answer can be found in in the festival of Sukkot. Sukkot is the continuation of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Although it Is also zman simchatenu, the time of our joy, it’s a time of calling out to Hashem to save us, by reciting Hoshanot. We read the book of Kohelet- Ecclesiastes- with its sad meaning of man’s futility, we also have Hoshana Rabba- according to kabbalists the last day for us to be sealed in Hashems books.
One only ever endures true joy once he has a sense of achievement. The days of awe show us that we can achieve the better versions of ourselves. They give as the opportunity to connect with Hashem and to improve the relationships we have with our friends, families and sometimes our enemies.
After encountering the path to better one’s self - only then does one feel a sense of true joy.
Shemini Atzeret is the day of awe and the day of joy. In Israel, where it is only one day we enumerate Yizkor and ask Hashem for a season full of rain, produce and blessing. These prayers signify the aspect of awe. Later we transform the Hoshannot of Sukkot to Hakafot, dancing with the Torah to exclaim our joy and love for Hashem.
In addition to this, the joy of Shemini Atzeret also comes from Hashem’s wanting to be with us. As Rashi explains that the chagim as being the times where the King spends time with his children. The day after Sukkot, the day that the children are supposed to leave, the king is saddened that he will not see them for another six months, so he asks them just to stay one more day. We see that not only are we connecting to Hashem, but Hashem is connecting to us. He wants us to be with Him. What greater joy is there than to spend time with a loving Father?
May we all be blessed to experience the true joy of Shemini Atzeret.
Aviel Abrams
Grade 11 - Deputy Head Boy Yeshiva College Boys High School


The Judgement Of Hoshana Rabbah
The Midrash tells us that Hashem told Abraham: “If atonement is not granted to your children on Rosh Hashanah, I will grant it on Yom Kippur; if they do not attain atonement on Yom Kippur, it will be given on Hoshana Rabbah”.
We can ask the following fundamental question based on the above Midrash:
If our atonement will be granted on Hoshana Rabbah, why then is there no mention of this concept in the Mishnah or Gemarah?
Surely it would be proper for the Chachamim of the Talmud to have informed us of the frightening significance of the day of Hoshana Rabbah?
Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky answers that if the significance of Hoshana Rabbah had been explicitly mentioned in the Mishnah or Ge- marah, the frightening nature of the day would have taken away from our “Simchat HaChag” on Sukkot.
This would not have been proper as the Torah states “vesamachta bechagecha”- “You shall rejoice on your festivals”.
However, if we understand the true essence of Hashanah Rabbah, there is no question as to why the significance of day is not stated in Mishnah or Gemarah.
The atonement generated on Hoshana Rabbah is activated in a different way to that of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Hashem grants us atonement based on our teshuva done in the present for the past. However, on Hoshana Rabbah, the atonement is given to us based on the practical effectiveness of our teshuva i.e. the implementation of our commitments made on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Hoshana Rabba is not the time to do teshuva, rather it is the day that Hashem looks to see whether we have stuck to our resolutions and proven our teshuva. Only the Mitzvot performed between Yom Kippur and Hoshana Rabbah can testify on our behalf.
Therefore, it is obvious as to why there is no mention of the significance of Hoshana Rabbah in the Talmud.
Simply because teshuva on Hoshana Rabbah is pointless. We cannot do teshuva. We can only hope that we have successfully imple- mented our teshuva- and that we have lived up to our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur commitments.
Chag Sameach!
Gidon Fox
Grade 11 - Student leader
Yeshiva College Boys High School


Shemini Atzeret: A Lesson On Inclusiveness As Well As Uniqueness - (adapted from a dvar torah by Chava Shapiro)
Shemini Atzeret, the day after the seventh day of Sukkot, is a mysterious Jewish holiday. In some respects, Shemini Atzeret is considered as part of Sukkot, but in other respects it is a distinct holiday unto itself. The enigmatic nature of the day is perhaps most overt in the way the Torah introduces it. After Sukkot, during which all nations, Jews and non-Jews, celebrated and brought sacrificial offerings to the Temple, G-d makes a special request of the Jewish people (Leviticus 23:36): “On the eighth day [from the start of Sukkot], it shall be an atzeret to you . . .”
Rashi elaborates that the term atzeret, literally “holding back,” is one of affection, as a father would say to his children who are departing him: “Your departure is difficult for me. Please stay with me for just one more day!” After all the other nations have gone home, G-d asks the Jewish people to “hold back” for one more day of celebration—“Shemini Atzeret.” The mystics however, con- sidered Shemini Atzeret to be the crowning moment of the holiday-filled month of Tishrei, culminating the progression of holidays preceding it (referred to as the consultation of a newly wed couple) : Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. On this most auspi- cious day of the Jewish calendar, they postured, one can experience the pinnacle of joy and closeness to G-d. Yet this bond not only ties us, the Jewish nation, to G-d, but to one another as well. We can better understand how this is so—how on Shemini Atzeret we experience Jewish unity in the most profound sense— by taking a closer look at the journey up to Shemini Atzeret, the progression of holidays leading up to the holiday, beginning with Rosh Hashanah:
Every year immediately before Rosh Hashanah, we read the parshah of Nitzavim, in which Moses speaks to the Jewish people a few days before they will enter the Land of Israel (Deuteronomy 29:9–10):
“You stand upright this day, all of you, before the L-rd your G-d: your heads, your tribes, your elders, your officers and all the men of Israel; your little ones, your wives, and your stranger that is in your camp, from the hewer of your wood to the drawer of your water...”
The Baal Shem Tov explains that the term hayom (“this day”) is a reference to Rosh Hashanah, the day on which every one of us stands together in judgment before G-d. Lest someone mistakenly think they were excluded from the phrase “all of you,” Moses continues to list the many classes and types amongst the Jewish people—from the heads of the tribes to the small children to the wood-choppers and water-drawers emphasize that before G-d, there exists no hierarchy; we are all equally important and equally irreplaceable in G-d’s world. This fact is especially salient on Rosh Hashanah, as we stand together as a nation to crown G-d as King of the universe. As the famed commentator Alshich explains:
“That the leader or the sage is superior to the wood-hewer or the water-carrier is only from our earthbound perspective, which sees a ‘hierarchy’ of roles. But when ‘you all stand before G-d,’ there is no higher and lower—what seems ‘low’ here is no less lofty and significant in G-d’s eyes.”
The theme of Jewish unity carries over to Yom Kippur, when we all stand together as one before G-d as our judgment is sealed, and as the highest level of our soul, the yechidah, is revealed, a level of our soul synonymous with unity between us and G-d that we share with every Jew. Once again, on Sukkot, we celebrate this unity as we join together joyously in Sukkahs, which include and embrace Jews of every kind, and perform the mitzvah of the Four Species (lulav and etrog). Thus, symbolizing the fact that despite differences in Torah knowledge and observance, we are all bound together by our souls’ Jewish identity and core connection to G-d.
Finally, we arrive at Shemini Atzeret. On this day, we experience a peak of the awareness of Jewish unity that began infiltrating
our consciousness on Rosh Hashana, intensified on Yom Kippur, and was expressed tangibly throughout Sukkot. It is meant to penetrate our hearts to the point that it becomes part of us, internalized and integrated fully into who we are, and expressed in all that we say and do. For at the height of our celebration of our special, intimate relationship with G-d, we also recognize that this relationship is what binds us as Jewish people, our common denominator. Thus, we also recognize the great value that every one of us brings to G-d’s vision for the world. We recognize that every one of us is precious and important in the eyes of G-d. We express this when dancing as one.
Unification begins with an awareness and an attitude that every person is inherently valuable and has something precious to con- tribute. On Shemini Atzeret, we say a special prayer for rain, which is symbolic of bringing potential into actual. This is an integral objective on Shemini Atzeret: to allow the central High Holiday theme of Jewish unity to be tangibly and practically expressed, planted firmly in our attitude and behaviour —which begins by ensuring that every Jew feels welcome and included in the celebra- tion of our most precious gift: our connection to G-d, to the Torah, and to the entire Jewish nation.
Devorah Hodes
Grade 11 - Student leader
Yeshiva College Girls High School


Enveloped By The Sukkah
Chazal teach us that a sukkah taller than 20 amos is invalid and one who sits inside it does not fulfill his obligation. The Torah com- mands us to sit in a sukkah, “So that your generation will know that I caused Bnei Yisroel to reside in Sukkos when I took them out of Mitzrayim”(Vayikra 23:43).
The Gemora infers from this that a person can only fulfill his obligation when he knows that he is residing in a sukkah. When a sukkah is higher than 20 amos, one’s eyes dp not notice the s’chach and he therefore does not know that he is sitting in a sukkah.
What does this mean? It is hard to believe that one would not be aware that he sitting in a sukkah simply because the s’chach is outside his field of vision.
What Chazal means is that even though one knows he is in a Sukkah, he is missing the added dimension of awareness afforded by his vision.
With this in mind, we can explain the following passuk: “And you shall know today and take to your heart that Hashem is the G-d in the Heavens above and on the earth” (Devarim 4:39)
The Torah used similar wording with regard to both the mitzvah of sukkah and the obligation to “know” Hashem, and Chazal re- vealed to us that “knowing” refers to a level of certainty achieved with the aid of one’s physical senses. If so, one’s level of knowledge needed to fulfill one’s obligation of sukkah. A person is therefore required to attain an awareness of Hashem that is tangible; the baalei mussar refer to this as emunah chushis.
The mitzvah of emunah requires even more than this, however. While it is incumbent even upon gentiles to know that there is a G-d - as the Torah tells us regarding the Egyptians (Shemos 14:4), “And mitzrayim will know that I am Hashem” - only Bnei Yisroel are expected to have emunah.
Emunah is the ability to address Hashem directly; “Blessed are You, Hashem.” It is the ability to believe that when one davens, Hashem literally stands opposite him and hears every single word he utters. It is the ability to recognize Hashem in all of a person’s bodily functions, in all of nature and in all of history. It is the ability to acknowledge that we are completely surrounded by Hashem at all times.
Sukkot affords us an opportunity to contemplate these ideas. The Vilna Gaon said that the mitzvah of sukkah is unique in that it totally envelops a person. The sukkah, which symbolises Hashem’s “clouds of glory,” reminds us not only of the Divine Providence Bnei Yisroel merited in the desert, but also of the Divine Providence each of us merits every single day.
Kayla Henen
Grade 11 - Head Girl
Yeshiva College Girls High School


SHOW YOUR LOVE, ADMIRATION AND GRATITUDE FOR OUR BELOVED ROSH YESHIVA ON THE OCCASION OF HIS MILESTONE 83RD BIRTHDAY!
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@yeshivacollege.co.za
Send us your personalised message as well as any personal story you have, reflecting on the impact that the Rosh Yeshiva has had on your life. These messages, with your permission, will be shared on our Facebook Page and could feature in a unique tribute book for our dear Rosh Yeshiva’s Second Barmitzvah celebration!
Help us commemorate an unparalleled legacy of giving, caring and serving our South African Jewish community.
Jewish Destiny
FOR 65 YEARS
בס"ד
SHAPING
YESHIVA
COLLEGE The Torah School of Excellence
COLLEGE
SOUTH AFRICA


A few precious messages of Mazeltov
for our beloved Rosh Yeshiva
For the full collection of messages please go to www.yeshivacollege.co.za/roshyeshiva83
Dear Rabbi Tanzer,
We love and admire you for all that you have done and continue to do for the Jewish Community. You are a:
• Pioneer of Jewish Education
• Gentle gentleman
• Humorous
• Easy to talk to
• True Torah scholar
We always look forward to your annual Durban visits.
Lois and I wish you only the best of health and happiness on your 83rd birthday. Warm wishes,
Brian Moshal
Mazaltov on this milestone birthday!
You and Marcia have been our teachers, mentors, and more recently our friends.With constant involvement and mutual respect spanning 3 decades.
Wishing you health and overflowing blessings for many years to come. Best wishes for continued success.
Ilan and Danna Kaplan and family
Dear Rabbi Tanzer and Marcia
Thank you so much for your beautiful message and good wishes.
It is heartwarming to know you and your family are well. Mazeltov on your upcoming Simcha Rabbi!
What an amazing celebration BH
We will be thinking of you especially on that day - we will BH be in Eretz Yisrael celebrating succot and pg my 50 th bday on that exact day !
It is with the greatest of pleasure and deepest gratitude that we continue to send an annual gift to YC. I will always feel the greatest hakarat hatov for you giving me and my family the privilege to be a part of the YC family and for all the Torah we gained and the guidance and inspiration you , your family and YC gifted us with.
I am so thrilled that we have managed to stay in communication all these years and am grateful we are able to send a small token of appreciation that will hopefully allow another neshama the opportunity to learn and grow as we did.
With much love and warmest wishes
Sharon, Warren, Yoni Dani and Michal


My parent Lilo & Sigi Weber were both survivors. Each of them had their own special stories of their survival, their arrival to Africa , meeting , marrying and raising a family in Gatooma (now Kadoma) in Southern Rhodesia now Zimbabwe.
My parents greatest concern was to allow their children to grow up in a jewish environment. This together with their concern that I had to learn my barmitzvah led to me being sent to Johannesburg to initially become a student of King David Primary.
During my initial year I befriended Gidon Wax who one Shabbat afternoon invited me to join him in a walk to Yeshiva College. After this Shabbat I spoke to my parents and mentioned that I would like to attend Yeshiva College for my high school.
My parents agreed and began the discussing the processes with Rosh Yeshiva Rav Tanzer. I was accepted to the school and became a member of the Yeshiva College Hostile (Hostel) boyz.
Rav Tanzer lived on campus in a flat adjoining the hostel.
I remember daily morning greetings by Rav Tanzer.
He would place his arms around ones shoulders and greet you.
He would then ask how you feeling while giving ones back a good rub down.
Fine thank you Rabbi was generally the reply.
Rabbi Tanzer having assessed ones back would then ask – have you got tzizit on - the answer was invariably “no Rabbi’
Rabbi Tanzer would then ask do you have tzizit –if the answer was No, one would receive an invitation to his office to receive a pair of tzizit.
Many years later I regularly used Rabbi Tanzers tzizit patent to ensure my sons were wearing tzizit.
I am proud to say that 3 of my 4 children were educated at yeshiva college.
Ingrid and I are BH proud that all our children are true bnei torah shomer Shabbat and mitzvoth and for this we give kavod and hakarat hatov to Rav Tanzer for allowing me and years later my children the zchut of joining a wonderful torah school in the mid 60’s.
To Rav Tanzer from the family we wish you a Yom Huledet Sameach biz 120 with gezunt , parnasa and nachas from your family as well as all your talmidim.
David Ingrid, Ariel Gina, Shlomo Elisheva, Rochie and Gidon, Yael and Shaun
Dearest Rabbi Tanzer
We wish you a hearty mazeltov on the wonderful milestone of your second Barmitzvah.
We feel privileged to have had you as our Rabbi, support and father- figure for almost 25 years. You have cared for and supported us at both the happy and sad junctures of our lives.
You have shared our nachas in our childrens’ achievements, always taking the time to call with good wishes. You are never too busy to stop for a chat, always interested in the well-being of our parents and other family members. For this we are truly grateful.
It is no wonder that the community you have built is known as the Yeshiva “Family”- you certainly are the loving and caring father of all who are blessed to be part of your legacy. May H-shem bless you with good health and strength to continue being a light in the lives of so many and may you derive much nachas from your own and the Yeshiva family.
With our fondest love
Roy, Beverley, Eli, Liron and Liat Feigenbaum


MAZALTOV!!! Rabbi Tanzer on reaching this wonderful milestone of 83 years old (Your 2nd Barmitzvah) bin 120
My association with you Rabbi goes back to 1963 when you first arrived at Yeshiva College ,together with your family your wife Marcia, and 3 children, you must have been 28 years old then.
You initially became the associate Rosh Yeshiva as Rabbi Kossowsky was then Rosh Yeshiva and Rabbi David Sanders who was the Dean of the College had just left.
I was a student in Std 7( called Form 2 in those day), but in the latter part of that year I had decided because of my difficulty in coping with the secular subject to leave Yeshi- va College.
I remember it like it was yesterday that you called me into your offrice,trying to convince me to stay on ,your actual words to me were “We going to begin playing baseball here soon”
But I did not listen and went on to attend another government school, I kept my association with you on my various visits to Glenhazel Shul, and even remember you telling me how you had me my father at an airport in Europe (I think it was Schipol Airport in Holland)
In the Memoir book about you that your wife wrote in 2013”The Call of Africa is Heard in Brooklyn”she wrote and I quote “Your character and personality are the building blocks on which Yeshiva Collegethe Glenhazel community are built”
I am hoping to be in Johannesburg during Succoth ,and look forward to joining the “Davening and Celebratory Kiddush “with you at the Campus Shul on 2nd Day yomtov, on the 25th September.
MAZALTOV!!! once again and Yeshkoach on all your endeavors . Kind regards
David Shapiro - Constantia, Cape Town
Rabbi Tanzer has deservedly been blessed with many achievements and accomplishments over the years which has brought honour to both his family, the entire Yeshiva College Campus, the Jewish community of Johannesburg and South Africa.
He has been blessed with the wisdom of King Solomon in being able to understand human dynamics. Because of his being able to sum up a person up within a short time, he is able to give crisp, precise and sage advice in disputes. His ability to do so allows him to give advice which often times seems like sitting on the fence but when followed through it turns out to be golden advice.
Rabbi Tanzer is a role model when it comes to not speaking loshon horo. He has shown on numerous occasions that he has the ability to survive attempted knock out punches to save a third party from the truth.
Rabbi Tanzer’s Second Bar Mitzvah celebration is certainly a celebration for the entire Tanzer family, his wife Marcia, children Rabbi Boruch, Rabbi Dov, Nechama, Chaya, Goldie and Tziona, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and of course, primarily, Rabbi Tanzer himself.
May Rabbi Tanzer together with Marcia both be spared to biz hundert un tsvantsik yor.
Mazal Tov, Mazal Tov,
Lionel Stein


TRIBUTE TO RABBI A H TANZER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 83 RD BIRTHDAY FROM THE TURIEL FAMILY.
Rabbi Avraham Tanzer has played an enormous role in the lives of the Turiel family. He has certainly embraced, enabled and allowed us to achieve a true sense of JEWISH IDENTITY.
A totally “traditional” Jewish family, our communication started innocently enough on admitting our children Avi and Rozanne into the Yeshiva Nursery School and then on to the primary school.
What a blessing when I became Rabbi Tanzer’s personal secretary; close-up and personal contact with his wisdom, humour, compassion and generosity of spirit.
Avi had a visual eye issue, which necessitated his being seated at the front of an ideally small class. Hence yeshiva primary school seemed ideal. By Std 1V, my husband Maurice and I were feeling the pressure as none of the friends who came to play would eat in our non-kosher home. What a dilemma. “Let’s move them to Sandringham High, we said. Rabbi Tanzer intervened and encouraged us to stay. He helped turn our home into a kosher home, making it comfortable and relatively easy for us to do so.
Our children grew and thrived, having and making amazing friendships that have endured to this day. One of Rozanne’s best friends, Wendy Schoub (now Kahn) and Avi’s life- long friend, Joseph Beer, principal of yeshiva primary school, to name a few.
Rabbi Tanzer officiated at Avi’s barmitzvah.
How proud we were when for the first time in Yeshiva College’s history, 2 Sephardi children became head boy and girl: Laurence Perez and Rozanne Turiel. Later, our cup of joy overflowed as both our children married graduates of Yeshiva College – Avi to Judith Kaye and Rozanne to Darren Platzky. Once again we were blessed by Rabbi Tanzer officiating at both weddings. The Platzky family themselves had an incredibly close bond with the Tanzers. Darren to this day is especially close to Dovi Tanzer. Coming out of this incredible background of Yeshiva education and fulfilling our
and their Zionist dream, our children went on Aliyah over 20 years ago. Today we are blessed with 8 grandchildren, 3 of whom are currently in the Israeli army. All the children attended or will attend Yeshiva on completing their school education.
Darren’s best friend, the late Russell Unterslak, also a product of Yeshiva College, was instrumental in leading me to a professional position in the Houghton House Recovery Centre which he co-founded. My passion for working in the field of addiction was ignited through this connection and holds to this very day.
From these words, it is clear that we indeed are indebted to Rabbi Tanzer and owe him our deep love, admiration and gratitude for his role in our lives.
On this wonderful occasion of your 83 rd birthday and barmitzvah, we say, “le Chaim!”
To many more years blessed with health, happiness and peace amongst your loved ones.
Gaye Turiel and family
Dear Rosh Yeshiva, this beautiful picture symbolizes how we see you. Clinging to your beloved Torah surrounded by your adoring community. Thank you for all you have done for our families and community.
We wish you health, happiness and continued brocha.
Love from Laurence, Emma, Daniel, Alexa and David Rapp


REFLECTIONS ON RABBI TANZER’S SECOND BAR-MITZVAH
We first met a few days before Rosh Hashana 1963 when I came to book seats for the first Yomim Naraim services at the Yeshiva. At that time the school catered for fewer than 100 high school boys only, with very modest facilities. Also there was no Shul. The hostel dining room was used. Now there are over 1000 learners, both boys and girls, ranging from play school to high school with all the modern facilities.
Similarly the Shul had spectacular growth, becoming one of the leading Shuls in Johannesburg.
How was this growth possible?
In the main it was due in no small way to Rabbi Tanzer.
Rabbi Tanzer with his empathy, sensitivity, warmth and sense of humour, was able to attract many people who would not have given a Yeshiva education a thought.
Not only did he attract learners to the school, he also attracted many members to the Shul. I well remember when there was standing room only for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.
It was due to this that Glenhazel became the Jewish Centre of Johannesburg. Personally, being associated with him for all these years has been a privilege and pleasure.
In conclusion I wish Rabbi and Marcia Tanzer a K’Tiva V’Chatima Tova. May they both be inscribed for a future of good health and much happiness, and may they continue to have much Nachas from their children, grand-children and great grand- children.
Norman Mindel
Mazeltov our dear Rabbi Tanzer!
Through the years you have given many beautiful messages to thousands of barmitzvah boys and batmitzvah girls and we are thrilled now to be able to give a message to you.
Having learned from the master we know we should start with a funny story that ties in with the message but we couldn’t get the “knock knock” joke to work. We feel so privileged to have grown up in your community.
We appreciate all you and Marcia have taught, and continue to teach us, not only through your inspirational words of Torah but the exceptional examples you set for us in how you live your lives.
Thank you for caring for us like part of your own family and for always being by our sides both in good and sad times.
Thank you for taking the risk of leaving your home and going to a strange land to build, to care and to teach for if you hadn’t, the amazing environment we have today would most certainly not be.
May Hashem continue you to bless you with many more healthy, gezunt years.
Happy birthday. Gabriel, Merissa Moritz and family.


About Kippalive
For those of you who somehow managed to not hear about us :) let us tell you about kippalive.
Kippalive is Israel’s leading Acappella group, famous for its amazing energy, humor, thrilling perfor- mances and fresh musical style.
Founded in 2011 in Raanana, Kippalive has inspired and entertained audiences across the globe, including performances on the Israeli X factor, at the President’s residence, in London, Mexico, and throughout the United States. Some of the group’s members have strong South African roots, and some even attended Yeshiva College!
The group’s unique ability to blend its Israeli roots with classical Jewish music and modern pop songs has made it one of the top Jewish A Capella groups on YouTube and Facebook, where its videos have generated over 10 Million views.
To date, Kippalive has released numerous singles and a critically-acclaimed album which has gained worldwide recognition.


ISRAEL’S ACAPELLA
SENSATION
LIVE IN SHUL
IN HONOUR OF OUR ROSH YESHIVA’S
MILESTONE 83RD BIRTHDAY
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
YOMTOV DAVENING LIKE NEVER BEFORE LIVE PERFORMANCE AT CELEBRATORY KIDDUSH ALL WELCOME SHACHARIT STARTS AT 08:30
Jewish Destiny
FOR 65 YEARS
As seen on
SHAPING
YESHIVA
COLLEGE The Torah School of Excellence
COLLEGE
SOUTH AFRICA


As seen on
ISRAEL’S COOLEST ACAPELLA BAND
ISRAEL’S COOLEST ACAPELLA BAND
LIVE IN SHUL
LIVE IN SHUL IN HONOUR OF OUR ROSH YESHIVA’S MILESTONE 83RD BIRTHDAY
25 SEPTEMBER
25 SEPTEMBER
2 DAY SUCCOT
YOMTOV DAVENING LIKE NEVER BEFORE LIVE PERFORMANCE AT CELEBRATORY KIDDUSH ALL WELCOME SHACHARIT STARTS AT 08:30
2 DAY SUCCOT
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Jewish Destiny
FOR 65 YEARS
YESHIVA
COLLEGE The Torah School of Excellence
SHAPING
COLLEGE
SOUTH AFRICA


SOUTH AFRICA
Jewish Destiny
FOR 65 YEARS
YESHIVA
COLLEGE The Torah School of Excellence
SHAPING
COLLEGE
As seen on
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Simchat beit
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SUKKOT STREET PARTY CELEBRATION
SUKKOT STREET PARTY CELEBRATION
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
25 SEPTEMBER
25 SEPTEMBER
MOTZEI SECOND DAY CHAG
MAARIV / HAVDALLAH - 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
MAARIV / HAVDALLAH - 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
FAMILY ACAPELLA
FAMILY ACAPELLA
WORKSHOP - 6:45 PM
WORKSHOP - 6:45 PM
KIPPALIVE
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7:15 PM LIVE BONUS PERFORMANCE
FOOD STALLS, SUKKOT FAMILY FUN






Jewish Destiny
FOR 65 YEARS
Sponsored in honor of the Rosh Yeshiva’s lifetime of service to Yeshiva College and the South African Jewish Community.
Happy Birthday from the Krengels.
SHAPING