After Moshe saw that the entire Mishkan was completed as Hashem had commanded, he blessed the people. The pasuk says, "Vayevarech osam Moshe," and Moshe blessed them. The Medrash comments that this is a source for the custom of giving people a compliment of "Yasher Kochacha" [well done] upon successful completion of a task. After the Jewish people did everything they were supposed to do, Moshe Rabbeinu gave them a "Thank you".

The Reishe Rav questions why they were deserving of any compliments. This was not a voluntary action on their part. They merely did that which Hashem commanded them to do. They really had no choice in the matter! The specifications of the construction of the Mishkan were dictated down to the last detail!

Perhaps this comes to teach us a fundamental principle in the concept of "Hakaras HaTov" [recognition of a debt of gratitude]. A person has an obligation to say thank you and 'Yasher Kochacha' when he receives something. The fact that the person who gave or did something had no choice in the matter and was merely doing his duty is irrelevant.

The Mishnah in Meseches Sheviis [4:2] says that the poor people, who are entitled to take the ownerless crops in the Seventh (Shmita) year, would nevertheless go to the owner of the field and say 'Thank you'. [They thanked the owner, even though the owner had no choice but to allow the poor to take the crop from his field during that year.]

The Rasha"sh comments that this Mishnah is the source of the widespread practice that when the Kohen descends from the platform after blessing the people with Birchas Kohanim, the members of the congregation thank him for the blessing.

The Rasha"sh points out that the Kohen also does not really have any choice. If he would not offer the blessing, he would be neglecting the fulfillment of a positive Biblical command. "Why should I have to thank him for just doing 'his thing'?" The Rasha"sh says that we learn to say thank you in this case from the Mishnah in Sheviis. The circumstances which caused the giver to provide me with something does not diminish my obligation to thank him by one iota. Saying 'Thank you' has nothing to do with what one gave. It has to do with what one received.

Shabbat Shalom

Mr Jeff Ganeles

Last Shabbos, the talmidim of Rabbi Ziskind's Double Bais Medrash Shiur gathered in Brooklyn for a class Shabbaton. Rabbi Ziskind and his family graciously opened their doors to provide the boys with a spiritually uplifting Shabbat. Divrei Torahwere shared and Rabbi Ziskind had arranged for various guest speakers to give divrei Torah to the talmidim. The food was amazing, and everyone had a tremendously enjoyable time.

The talmidim of DBM would like to thank Rabbi Ziskind and his family for making such an amazing Shabbos for them.

"What nachas, we are so proud of them," proclaimed Rabbi Zev Friedman, as he attended Yeshiva University's Chag HaSemicha, which featured eight alumni from Rambam Mesivta who received rabbinical ordination. Those who completed the four year program and received Semicha included Rabbis Akiva Block, Seth Herman, Asher Klein, Michael Nadata, Yoni Posnick, Simcha Rimler, Mitch Rocklin and Chaim Sendic . "Although quite a few of our graduates have gone on to learn for Semicha, this is the largest group we've had in our 18 year history. It is interesting that some of the musmachim continue to pursue post semicha endeavors such as medicine, dentistry or law and others jump right into the world of chinuch and Rabbinics," said Friedman.

Rabbi Yotav Eliach took note of the fact that Rambam was disproportionately represented in the ranks of Yeshiva University's Semicha class. “ It is amazing that a school our size, which graduates approximately 40 students a year, produces so many young men who are high achievers in so many different areas," he said.

For almost the past two decades Rambam has earned a reputation as being an outstanding program which produces graduates who have a deep sensitivity and caring for the needs of the Jewish community at large. Rambam talmidim are nurtured in an environment which promotes and inspires individual achievement and where everyone has a responsibility 'to go out and do.' Various community organizations involved with Israel advocacy, chesed, youth services and education are headed by Rambam graduates. Those who have chosen professions in the area of medicine, law, accounting, engineering or business are known for their 'active' involvement in their local shuls and yeshivos.

"It is with great pride and promise that we look to these young men," said Rabbi Friedman. "I have no doubt that they will all make a tremendous, positive impact on the communities they serve. I look forward to seeing a number of them coming back to join us at Rambam - after all, it is their home."

Rambam Mesivta’s nine-man delegation to the 2010 Yeshiva League Model Congress sponsored by HAFTR on March 10 captured four honors in the daylong program, and six students had their bills passed by their respective committees.

The top “Gavel Awards” were presented to juniors Azariah Hacohen and Nachum Lichtman for contributing the most to their committee discussions, and Honorable Mention Awards went to senior David Drory and junior Ethan Zanger for excellent participation and involvement in their committee assignments that focused on writing, debating, and considering student-generated legislative proposals.

Azariah, assigned to the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, submitted a bill to extend a proposed Maglev railroad system. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass. Nachum was a member of the Ways & Means Committee. His proposal to increase the federal excise tax to provide more funding for intelligence and anti-terrorism agencies, did pass.

David’s bill to create a domestic terrorism monitoring agency was passed by the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee. Despite his award, Ethan’s bill to provide monetary and military support for Sri Lanka following that government’s successful end to the Tamil Tigers insurrection did not pass in the Foreign Relations Committee.

The other delegates were seniors Aaron Akhavan, Jason Sloan, and Ezra Zanger, and juniors Asher Roberts and Zach Thall.

Aaron’s bill to improve communications between intelligence agencies, was passed by the Intelligence Committee. Jason wrote a bill to provide research grants for hydrogen filling stations. Presented to the Science & Technology Committee, it was the first Rambam bill to be passed at the 2010 Model Congress.

Ezra proposed to renew offshore oil drilling, but with environmental precautions. The bill was defeated by members of the Environment & Public Works Committee. Concerned about the constitutional guarantee to a fair trial, Asher’s bill would have required that criminal case prosecutors and defense attorneys be more evenly matched in terms of experience. It did not pass in the Judiciary Committee. Zach’s Ethics Committee bill to allow political candidates to borrow funds from their campaigns passed.

The students asserted that they learned a great deal from the experience as well enjoyed working with 300 fellow Model Congress legislators. They heard welcoming remarks from famed defense attorney Benjamin Branfman.

Rambam U.S. History teacher Ira J. Schildkraut supervised the students’ proposal writing.

This past week Rambam held their annual Tennis and Soccer Team tryouts. Last year both teams competed very well so it was assumed that the tryouts this year would present a real challenge to even the best competitors. Each tryout consisted of various drills and competitions to test everyone's skills. Both tryouts were very competitive but everyone had fun too. Congratulations to those who made it to the final draft on each team, and we wish only the best of luck to both teams on their upcoming seasons!

Shabbat Parshat Va’Yakhel/Pekudei - Rambam Annual In house Shabbaton

Sunday, March 14 - Tennis Tryouts - Second Round - 8:00 - 9:30 PM

Tuesday, March 16 - College Information Night - 7:30 PM

Tuesday, March 16 - College Bowl