COVID-19 vaccines are readily available now and all New Yorkers age 16 and over are eligible to receive them. The vaccines offer the best protection against serious and life-threatening illness caused by contracting the virus. Join the millions of New Yorkers who have already been vaccinated and take advantage of this opportunity to stay safe and healthy.
Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein delivered the following message to all community members:
“Chevra Hatzalah is taking the initiative to raise awareness in the community about the importance of vaccinating against COVID-19 and I join them in this most vital effort. Members of Hatzalah have been heroically fighting at the frontlines of the pandemic for over a year now. All along, we trusted them and followed their advice, along with the guidance of the medical community. Now that the vaccine is available, let us all continue to heed their call.
“The Covid vaccines have been proven to be remarkably effective in reducing the chances of catching the virus. They have been successfully administered in over 160 countries on hundreds of millions of people worldwide with excellent results.”
“Let us all take the logical next step in defeating this terrible pandemic by getting vaccinated. We owe it to ourselves, to our families, and to our communities. Vaccine appointments are currently readily available. I encourage all of my constituents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Preserving Our History
Last month, Magen David Yeshiva HS alumnus Eddie Ashkenazi, Class ‘08 brought a 100-year-old sefer Torah (most likely from Halab) to Magen David High School for restoration. There was a rip in the stitching that binds the pages of the Torah. Rabbi Nathan Zaboulani’s class learned how to sew the parchment back together according to halacha. Mr. Ashkenazi taught them about the unique origins of the old, but well-maintained sefer Torah.
This sefer Torah dates to approximately 5679 (1918) and was found in Magen David of 67th
street. It was commissioned by Mr. & Mrs. Nissim Dayan in memory of their daughter Mazal. The Dayan’s were originally from Aleppo but lived in New York City and would pray in Sha’are Sedek of the Lower East Side.
Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Marches Toward World Siyum on Second Machzor
The Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program, Dirshu’s daily Mishnah Berurah learning program, is already well into Chelek Vav, the last chelek of the Mishnah Berurah. That means that the siyum on the second machzor of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha is getting closer.
As in all Dirshu major siyumim, the siyum upon completion of the seven-year program to learn the entire Mishnah Berurah promises to be a special event. It is sure to be replete with chizuk haTorah and the divrei Elokim chaim delivered by the gedolei hador!
The Divine Smile
Sometimes one feels that Hashem, as it were, is showing us somewhat of a Divine Smile. This year’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha schedule is one of those times.
As is well known to Daf HaYomi B’Halacha learners, the Mishnah Berurah schedule goes in order of the Mishnah Berurah. Beginning with the first siman in Chelek Aleph, a new daf is learned every day until more than seven years later when the last siman in Chelek Vav is learned and the entire Mishnah Berurah is completed.
Sometimes, this schedule lends itself to learning hilchot Pesach around Rosh Hashanah, which may seem a bit awkward. This year, however, as Daf HaYomi B’Halacha marches toward the massive siyumim that will be held in major Jewish centers around the world, learners will have the opportunity to learn the important halachot of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot within months and days of those yomim tovim.
“If there was ever a time to join the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program, now is the time,” said Dirshu hanhalla member, Rabbi Avigdor Bernstein.
To join, please contact Dirshu at 1-888-5Dirshu or email info@kolleldirshu.org.