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 On Shabbos, Parshas Chayei Sarah, the world lost a person who, in my eyes, was one of the hidden lamed-vav (36) tzadikim of the world. Berish Teichman was a man who lived his whole life l’sheim shamayim. The first pasuk in Parshas Chayei Sarah states: “And the life of Sarah was one hundred years, twenty years, and seven years.” Rashi comments that all the years of Sarah’s life were equally good. But were they? Sarah Imeinu suffered tremendously in her lifetime. She was barren, she experienced famine, and was taken captive by Pharaoh and Avimelech. However, our mother Sarah always said that everything was “Gam zo l’tovah” – “This, too, is for the good.” She was aware that everything was from HaKadosh Baruch Hu, and therefore it must be good.

Why do we celebrate Tu BiSh’vat (New Year of the Trees) in the middle of the winter – a time when nothing is growing and the world around us descends into a deep, frost-bitten slumber?

Last Friday night, sitting at my Shabbos table with my family and guests, I had no idea that the following Friday night would be a very different, very frightening experience.

(Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.) Malkah Esther bas Sarah

Leah Nacha bas Esther Bryna

Emet Outreach recently held its fourth annual men’s trip to Arizona.  Twenty students spent a meaningful week in the sun along with Rabbi Mordechai Kraft, Rabbi Michael Fuzaylov, and Rabbi Yakov Musheyev.  Geared towards students who have completed Emet’s Fellowship program and are ready for more advanced learning, the trip was an opportunity for the young men to delve into Torah study while relaxing during winter break.