Chadashos 9.17.21

September 17, 2021 | ‫פרשת האזינו | י''א תשרי תשפ''ב‬

‫בס‘‘ד‬

SEPTEMBER 19-30 Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzensky, zt”l, Rav of Vilna and undisputed spiritual giant of his generation,
was not feeling well during the festival of Succos. When visited by Rabbi Yechiel Mechel
Succos Vacation Weinberg, zt”l, author of Seridei Esh, Rav Chaim Ozer explained that he had remained indoors
and refrained from entering his succah due to his health. He cited the Talmud that states that
•••••• mitztaer patur min hasuccah, one who experiences discomfort is exempt from dwelling in a
succah (Talmud Succah 25b). The exoneration of the mitztaer finds its source in Tosfos (Succah
OCTOBER 1 26a) which explains that the Biblical mandate of Basuccos teshvu, to dwell in the succah for
seven days implies that teshvu ken taduru, dwell (in the succah) as you normally live (in the
School Resumes house) and one does not typically live in discomfort or distress.
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Yet, when Rav Chaim Ozer invited his guest to enter his succah and make a beracha, he followed
•••••• his guest into the succah. The guest was taken aback. After all, Rav Chaim Ozer had made it
clear that his health prevented him from entering his succah. Recognizing the bewildered
OCTOBER 5 expression on the face of his guest, Rav Chaim Ozer explained that while one who experiences
discomfort is exempt from the mitzvah of succah, he is not absolved from fulfilling the mitzvah of
Meet the Teachers for KDG. hachnasas orchim, hospitality. Thus, his presence in the succah at that particular moment was
at 8:00 p.m. not merely appropriate but, in fact, necessary.

•••••• When Rabbi Yisrael Alter, the Beis Yisrael of Gur, heard this vignette, he suggested that perhaps
the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim invigorated and rejuvenated the health of the sage just as it did
OCTOBER 6 for Avraham Avinu when he recuperated from his circumcision after tending to his guests – the
malachim, angels.
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at 8:00 p.m. Regardless of the interpretation, what emerges from the above vignette is a lesson in gadlus,
greatness. A gadol lives his life by the Book. He is a paradigm of virtue; the Torah is his blueprint,
•••••• and the Shulchan Aruch is his guide for life.

OCTOBER 11 We can read the story and nonchalantly dismiss it by considering how distant we are from the
gadlus of a gadol hador, spiritual giant of a previous generation. Or we can reflect upon the
Meet the Teachers for Girls 1-6 purpose of our presence in this world. We are here to glorify Hashem’s name and carry out His
at 8:00 p.m. will. We must seek every avenue to connect with our sages and emulate those of past
generations for it is only through them that we achieve the ultimate goal of connecting with our
7:13 Creator, Avinu shebaShamayim, our Father in heaven.

We accepted the Torah as a unified nation. We pledged to commit to its principles, adhere to its
laws, and live by its values. Sometimes the mandate is relatively easy; sometimes the mission is
difficult.

Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzensky taught us by example that, whether easy or difficult, a Jew must
strive to follow the precepts of the Torah to both the letter and spirit of the Law. He also taught
that, under every circumstance, making others feel comfortable is a priority worthy of sacrifice.
Not merely on Succos but all year long.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and best wishes for an enjoyable yom tov!

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Photo of the Week

Our little artists are busy at work in their beautiful, brand new Early
Childhood classrooms.
We extend our very best wishes for a chag kasher v’sameach - a joyous
Succos!

Upsherin this Week

Mazal tov to Baruch Aryeh Zabludowski and his family on his upsherin last week
held in our first grade classroom. May he continue to be a source of great
nachas!

Mazel tov!

 Rabbi and Mrs. Eli Dessler on the birth of a grandson to Yechiel and Aliza Hanover
Mazel tov to Rebbetzin Miriam Dessler.

 Mr. and Mrs. Barry Goldman on the bar mitzvah of Dovid
Mazel tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Sruly Kazen.

 Rabbi and Mrs. Chananya Graber on the birth of a girl.
Mazel tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Avraham Matitia, Mrs. Edith Matitia and Mr. & Mrs. Jordan Schottenstein

 Mr. and Mrs. Milach Muskal on the birth of a son
Mazel tov to Mr. & Mrs. Gershon Ireland and Mr. & Mrs. Nachman Muskal.

 Mrs. Sarah Osterfeld on her engagement to Chaim Dubin (Passaic)
 Rabbi and Mrs. Chaim Zwick on the engagement of Hadassa to Rafi Aryeh (Toms River)

Inside the Academy | Page 2 | September 17, 2021