|
Following The Crowd
|
|
How often have we heard a parent say to a child: “I don't care what everyone else is doing; it’s not appropriate for you!” Following the crowd is not consistent with the
Torah way of life, and yet in this week’s parsha, Parshat Mishpatim, perek 23 pasuk 2, we find the mitzvah to ‘follow the majority’. How do we reconcile these two seemingly contradictory sets of values?
Perhaps one can suggest that the admonition not to follow the crowd reflects the value of being in control of ourselves and not just going with the flow. One who abandons his own mind, succumbs to social pressure and follows the desire to be popular, accepted, and part of a group is placing himself at great moral risk. Einstein once said that one who marches to the beat of the drums can also march in Hitler's army, which makes the point that if one mindlessly gets caught up in a frenzy of a mass movement, one is susceptible to forfeiting his neshamah - his moral essence - just for the sake of being part of the crowd.
In stark contrast, the mitzvah to follow the majority is based upon a well thought out, rational approach to life. When posed with a question in halacha, we are instructed to seek out the opinions of great scholars, and if a doubt exists and we don't know what to do, we follow the opinion of what most scholars have to say. If one is faced with a difficult medical situation and seeks counsel from many different physicians of similar caliber and expertise in the given field, one would logically follow the majority opinion in case of doubt.
This distinction is one of the fundamental approaches of the Torah way of life. We are instructed to follow a course in life which is well thought out and conforms to reality. A Torah Jew is a thinking Jew. We are enjoined from abdicating our God-given rational abilities and embracing the passions of a ‘whipped-up crowd’. It is our distinct ability to tenaciously think for ourselves, stave off the pressures of popular trends, and embrace Torah practices and values that is the secret of our continued ability to live as an Am Kadosh throughout the years.
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman
|
| | |
|
The Under Dog Rises to the Top Amid Record Snowfall: Rambam Basketball Team Crowned Champions |
|
|
The Rambam Ravens emerged victorious as the Champions of the 8th Annual Wilner Memorial Basketball Tournament this past weekend at Yeshivat Rambam, Baltimore. In their opening game versus host Yeshivat Rambam, the Ravens took control early and went on to defeat the host Red Storm by a score of 52-40. The Ravens were lead by Kevin Rhine with 18 points, and Yosef Rosenthal and Alex Olenick with 10 points each. In the second round, the Ravens went up against Stern Hebrew High School from Philly. The game was close during the first half but with the help of a strong third quarter, the Ravens pulled away and coasted to a 69-52 victory. The Ravens had a balanced scoring attack with Kevin Rhine (17), Yosef Rosenthal (16), Eliyahu Rosenthal (14), and Gabi Gutterson(12).
The third game of the tournament pitted the Ravens against the nationally ranked Yavneh Academy from Dallas. In a strong defensive battle, Yavneh gave the Ravens their first (and what turned out to be its only) loss of the tournament by a score of 35-34. Rambam was led by Gabi Gutterson with 10 points and Yosef Rosenthal with 7 points. By virtue of the result of this game, these two teams would meet in the Championship Game 14 hours later. During the Championship game, the Ravens raced out to a quick 11-2 lead. Yavneh slowly crept back into the game and at halftime, cut the Ravens lead to one point. The second half featured nail biting defensive basketball by both teams as the lead swung back and forth, but no more than 2 points either way. At the end of a seesaw 4th quarter, the Ravens had the ball with 4 seconds left, down by one point. Just before the final buzzer sounded, Yosef Rosenthaltapped in the winning basket and the upstart Rambam Ravens emerged as Champions by a final score of 40-39. The team rushed onto the court in a frenzy and mobbed each other other with congratulatory hugs and high fives. The tournament MVP was Yosef Rosenthal from Rambam Mesivta.
Adding to the excitement of the tournament was the threat of a major blizzard which turned out to be true as a direct hit was made to the Baltimore community with a record 28 inches of snowfall. This necessitated all the participating teams, coaches and chaperones to spend Shabbos and Motzei Shabbos housed in the JCC of Baltimore, the site of the tournament. Innovative sleeping solutions abounded as the community provided various cots, air mattresses and sleeping bags for use by all the teams and accompanying personnel as well as providing Shabbos meals.
Most remarkable of all was the davening! There was 100% timely attendance at all minyanim by all the boys. It was quite a surreal experience looking out the windows over Shabbos and seeing the snow pile up higher and higher. It was a very meaningful bonding experience for the team itself as well as with the other participating teams. Several even mentioned that the real Shabbaton atmosphere was due to our Rambam boys. Way to GO RAVENS!!! |
|
| | |
|
Pre Purim Shiur
|
|
Last Wednesday (Feb. 3rd) Rambam Mesivta hosted a special Pre-Purim shiur delivered by Rav Menachem Liebtag entitled; “Wiping out Amalek: Vendetta or Virtue". This Dvar Torah was attended by Rabbeim, students and many of their parents. Rav Liebtag spoke about our obligation to wipe out Amalek and about how Amalek is not necessarily characterized by a nation defined geographically, rather it may be one that displays hateful behavior and an immoral way of life. The attendees learned how it is a tendency of Amalek to take advantage of the weak and defenseless. This enlightening shiur was enjoyed by all.
Dov Herzberg
|
| | |
|
JV Hockey game against HAFTR |
|
 |
Photos Courtesy of Nat Solomon
On Monday night, the Rambam and HAFTR J.V hockey teams faced off in a do-or-die game for both teams. The winner of the game would make the playoffs, as for the loser, their season would end. Team Rambam played their best with: goals made by Josh Honig, Jeremy Bock and two goals made by Micky Levinson; incredible defensive plays made by Didi Levy and Dani Edelman; and the incredible saves made by Goalie Josh Friedman. The Rambam JV team defeated HAFTR in a nail biting overtime, 4-3 victory! Rambam will now face TABC in the first round of the playoffs on February 17th.
Daniel Sobin
| | |
|
Rambam Senior Named National Merit Finalist
|
|
Rambam Mesivta Maimonides High School senior Jonathan Drory has been named a Finalist in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. Jonathan's advance from his 2009 Semi-finalist status to 2010 Finalist status was accompanied by a commendation from the National Merit Scholarship program: for "demonstrating through distinguished performance, high potential for future academic accomplishment." His achievement is based on his outstanding performance on the 2008 PSAT he took as an eleventh grader.
The College Board, which sponsors the PSAT, shares the results of that test with the National Merit Scholarship Program.
His National Merit achievement is reflected in the rigorous academic program he has taken at Rambam Mesivta. He has enrolled in an amazing 7 Advanced Placement classes, performing comprehensive college-level work while in high school. He has also taken 15 Honors-level courses.
Jonathan is one of four Rambam Mesivta seniors who have been accepted to the prestigious full-tuition Yeshiva University Honors Program on an early acceptance basis. He is involved in the Math and Stock Market Teams; is editor of HaMasmid, Rambam’s weekly Torah publication; and is a captain of the school’s Debate Team.
As one of 15,000 Finalists, Jonathan is eligible for one of the 8,200 Merit Scholarships that will be announced in March 2010. |
| | |
|
Mock Trial |
|
 |
This past Tuesday, the Rambam Mock Trial Team made its way to the Nassau County Supreme Court for their first meet. Joined by all of the major competing schools in the Nassau District, Rambam competed in the role of the prosecuting counsel, and they faced Saint Mary's as the defense. The trial got off to a great start, led by captains/attorneys David Drory and Gabi Guterson, and was very well played on both sides throughout. The breathtaking final verdict eventually went to Rambam despite a strong showing from Saint Mary's. Tune in for our next mock trial match against DRS!
Josh Kurman
| | |
|
Shiur by Rabbi Ilson
|
|
Last Wednesday, talmidim in Rabbi Ziskind's double-Bais Medrash shiur were treated to an exceptional shiur by Rav Chaim Ilson from Yeshivat Derech Hatalmud (Israel), on daf hey of Kiddushin. Rav Ilson taught a number of fundamental insights on the daf and the masechet in general. The shiur gave the talmidim a good taste of what a higher level of learning is like, and what to expect from their year in Israel. The experience was greatly appreciated by all the talmidim in attendance and the Hanhala.
Azariah HaCohen
|
| | |
|
Ravens Schedule Change
|
Due to the inclement weather the JV and Varsity Basketball games scheduled for tonight at HANC have been canceled. The JV game will be rescheduled.
The Varsity game will take place tomorrow (Friday) morning, at 11 am. The team is fighting for a playoff spot and the more support they get the better they play - it really helps. Please make every effort to come to the game and cheer on the Ravens.
The game is at HANC, 215 Oak Street, Uniondale.
Hope to see you there.
GO RAVENS!! |
| | |
|
