Purim is a time when what is normally hidden away gets revealed, and we put aside our external facades for a bit. What is the underlying lesson of this holiday, and why do we celebrate it every year?

Rabbi Yehuda Beyda

Jews don’t have holidays.

That is to say, we don’t simply commemorate historical events with vacations and parties. Jewish history is filled with events both tragic and wonderful, and with very few exceptions, they are hardly even remembered today. Though our calendar is replete with days that are anchored in events from ancient times, none of those are simply commemorative. On Pesah, for instance, we do not merely memorialize the Exodus from Egypt, rather we reaffirm our unique identity as Hashem’s Firstborn. On Shavuotwe rededicate ourselves to the study and upholding of the Torah. And so, it is with every one of our holy days.

An Unusual Holiday

This pattern seems to break when it comes to Purim. We read the Megillah, where we find a long story of hashgaha (Divine intervention) and nes nistar (hidden miracles). A terrible danger was averted in a miraculous fashion, and the nation was saved. We truly have a reason to celebrate. But why celebrate every year? There were other times when the entire nation was in existential danger. Though the very Heavens opened, and the angels’ song wiped away our enemies, we do not commemorate the destruction of Sanheriv’s armies, for example. What was unique about the miracle of Purim that deserved a permanent entry into the Jewish calendar?

Turnabout Is Fair Play

Perhaps the most unique aspect of the miracle of Purim was the large number of reversals that occurred. Being taken by force to live with a non-Jew was a personal tragedy for Esther the tzadeket that turned into a national salvation. Haman’s oversized ego caused him to build the oversized gallows. His ego was partly to blame for his getting strung up on those same gallows. The appointment of Mordechai the Torah Sage to adjudicate Persian disputes at the king’s gate turned into an opportunity for him to uncover Bigtan and Teresh’s assassination plot. And there were many other such instances of “v’nahafoch hu,” complete turnabouts, culminating in the greatest reversal of them all – Haman’s mobilization of the anti-Semitic army gave rise to its own annihilation. The story of the Megillah is woven throughout with the “v’nahafoch hu” theme.

Let us examine this a bit more. The Gemara (Megillah 12a) gives two reasons that we deserved Haman’s decree of annihilation. The first was in the days of Nebuchadnezzar. The king erected a gigantic statue of himself and declared that all his subjects must pay him homage by coming and bowing to his image. The vast majority of Jews in that time decided to obey the king’s decree rather than provoke his anger. They felt it was better to just try to blend in. By doing so, Hashem’s anger was provoked, instead.

The second event that brought down Heavenly judgment was recorded at the start of the Megillah. King Ahashverosh threw a lavish 180-day party, with all of Shushan invited. The Jews of the city, not wanting to be left out, came and enjoyed – against the express warnings of Mordechai. Hashem saw us feasting while the king (erroneously) celebrated the end to Jewish hopes and decreed that we be wiped out.

The common thread between these two events is that we chose to go along with the Gentiles, to blend in and be good citizens. We just wanted to get along with our new neighbors and show the government that we will not be any trouble. And that is exactly what nearly brought calamity.

The Purpose of Galut

Hashem tells us through the words of the prophet (Yehezkel 20: 32-33), “This that you imagine, that you will (now that the Bet Hamikdash was destroyed) become like one of the other nations, will not be. Rather I will rule over you with power and with fury.” After we were exiled from our land, many among us believed that it meant the end of the Jewish Nation as the unique ambassadors of Hashem in this world. We felt that it was time to fade into the background and become a nation like all the others. So, we bowed to the idol. We attended the party. We became just one more nation. Hashem, however, would not tolerate that.

The Midrash(Esther Rabbah 6:7) states, “Hashem said to the Jews: you wept that you were orphans with no father (Eicha 5:3), therefore the one whom I will choose to deliver you [Esther] will have no parents.” The choice of an orphan to be the one to bring deliverance was specifically meant as a rebuke to our statement that “we have no Father.” Even when cast out of our land, our Temple in ruins, we always have our Father in Heaven. The purpose of Galut was not to cast us away, but to teach us this lesson precisely.

Our identity as Hashem’s personal representatives is not tied to any place or time. We do not need to be in Hashem’s house in order to spread awareness of His existence. We can be at the opposite end of the world, deep in the Persian Empire, and still live lives of holiness. When we tried to blend in, Hashem sent us the decree of Haman, which singled out every Jew and targeted him for destruction. Hashem was ruling over us with power and fury, as promised.

Message Received

Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz explains in Manot Halevi (Esther 8:17) that the rejoicing of the Jews when hearing word of their deliverance was tied to their mourning that occurred earlier in the story. Earlier (4:3) it states that “there was great mourning for the Jews,” and at the end it says “happiness and rejoicing for the Jews.” The evil decree was targeted at Jews. As such, we could have “renounced our citizenship” completely and given up our Jewish identity. It might have saved us from annihilation. Instead, we mourned as Jews. We took to heart the message that Hashem sent us and doubled down on our Jewish identity. Then we merited the salvation, and were privileged to rejoice again in our Jewishness.

By highlighting our Jewishness rather than hiding it, we achieved complete teshuva for the previous errors of trying to blend in. We got the message that our job is far from over, and we rededicated ourselves to keeping the Torah even without the Temple. That was how we merited the miracle of v’nahafoch hu – the roles reversed and the persecuted were able to rule over their oppressors (Esther 9:1).

The Lasting Impact

Now we see the unique lasting power of Purim. We are not merely celebrating a miraculous deliverance. Purim does not just commemorate a national victory. Purim was a turning point in our history – just like the events marked by all the other holidays. During the Purim story was when we fully realized the unique mission of the Jewish Nation. Even dispersed among the nations, we do not lose our national identity or our national mission. It is our job to hold our heads high and to proudly show our Jewishness. We do not pay homage to the frivolities of the other nations, and we do not join in their empty celebrations. We follow a different Leader, and it is our job to light the way for others.

May we all be zoche to carry out our mission with clarity and with pride, and to live a life as true emissaries of Hashem. In that merit, we will be able to return to our Land and to our home.

Rabbi David Sutton & Dr. David Katzenstein, LCSW-R

Rav Wolbe, renowned author of the mussar classic Alei Shur, was multi-faceted. He did not just pursue the standard job of mashgiach, but did many interesting things in his life. During the Six Day War, he felt the Israeli soldiers were in need of hizuk. So, he went to the frontlines to help strengthen them.

On one occasion, as his plane entered enemy territory, he asked why the plane was flying so low. The pilots assured him, “Don’t worry, we are flying very low in order to remain under the radar, so the enemies cannot detect us.”

Similarly, when fighting the yetzer hara, we must fly under its radar. This is why the baalei mussar say to take on small things. Otherwise, the yetzer hara will detect our plans and cause them to backfire.

Previously, we have spoken about going against your own will, as Rav Yerucham Levovitz (the famous mashgiach at the Mir Yeshiva in Belarus at the turn of the 20th century) did when he was young. This does not mean to refrain from eating the entire day. Rather, if we’ve had one scoop of ice cream, we don’t have that second scoop. That’s going against our will in an area that’s within our reach, in a sphere that doesn’t hurt so much.

We must build up slowly. When beginning an exercise routine, we don’t begin by suddenly doing 60 reps (repetitions, i.e., complete strength training exercises). Instead, we do five or 10 reps, and when it starts hurting, we rest. If the regimen is too hard to begin with, we’re going to quit, practically before we get started.

How do we foster better outcomes and follow-through on our resolutions? We have already discussed why resolutions often atrophy or are relegated to the dustbin of our brains. Now let’s talk about our actionable response, so that we can significantly increase the likelihood of meeting our goals. This can be accomplished by taking the following measures:

Set realistic and specific goals: Resolutions are more likely to be successful if they are well-defined, achievable, and align with your overall values and priorities.

Break down larger goals into smaller steps: By breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps, it is easier to stay motivated and make progress toward achieving our resolutions.

Create an action plan: Outline the steps that you need to take to achieve your resolution, along with specific deadlines and milestones to help keep you on track.

Enlist support: Having friends, family, or a support group who are aware of our resolution can provide accountability and help us to stay focused.

Be flexible: Be open to modifying your resolution if it’s not working, or if you encounter unexpected challenges. It’s important to be adaptable, and to find ways to stay motivated and determined.

Celebrate successes: Celebrate small victories along the way to help keep inspired and to maintain a positive attitude. Recent research shows that this is one of the primary ways to sustain motivation.

Stay committed: Making a resolution is just the first step. Sustained effort and discipline are required to achieve success. It’s vital to stay committed and to persevere, even when progress is slow.

Always Be on Guard

A talmid went to see Rav Elyah Lopian, the mashgiach in a yeshivah in Kfar Chassidim, a city in northern Israel before heading home to Yerushalayim for Shabbat.

There were two routes from Kfar Chassidim to Jerusalem. The shorter route involved a bus to the Haifa central bus station, and from there, a direct bus to Yerushalayim. The longer route avoided the central bus station, but added more stops and more time.

Rav Elyah asked the bachur, “Which route do you plan on taking?”

“Via the Haifa central bus station,” he replied.

Rav Lopian asked, “Aren’t you concerned that since Haifa is a beach town, there will be a lack of modesty at the bus station?”

“No, it doesn’t bother me,” the young man responded.

Rav Lopian grew very serious. “I’m 90 years old and blind in one eye, and it bothers me.”

He was aware that yes, he had a yetzer hara, even at 90 years old and with only one functioning eye.

He was constantly working on himself, never resting on his laurels.

TAKEAWAY

Instead of coercing yourself into making a commitment to improve, do it gently, positively, so as not to activate the koach meridah, the rebellious force inside of you.

For the same reason, strive for the minor things, rather than major commitments.

Remain under the radar.

QUESTION:

Dear Rabbi Ali,

I’ve been married for 19 years and my marriage has been anything but good. My spouse has caused much heartache and refuses to change. We’ve been arguing about this for so long and I don’t believe he will ever change. I have never spoken to anyone about this and I don’t know where to turn. Do you have any advice for me?

R’ Ali’s Response:

As I mention often, anyone who feels that their marriage is not in a great place should not rely on a response in a short email. Although I try to offer a new perspective for you and the readers, I  mainly offer food for thought, which is in no way, shape, or form a substitute for professional assistance.

I would like to address a few points that you mention that are relevant in many marriages and are not exclusive to those who are struggling.

First is something that I often see when counseling people. Couples wait far too long before they reach out for help. There are a number of reasons for this. The simple reason is that people are embarrassed to let others know that they are struggling. Although this is normal, there’s truly nothing to be embarrassed about. We call our rabbi for assistance with our children, business, or even struggles that we have personally, but with marriage we tend to hold back. People do not reach out for help also be because marriage is a private relationship and we’d rather not let people into our private lives. There are professionals who specialize in this area and keep everything totally confidential, so there is no need to refrain from getting help.

Another reason for waiting to seek help is that we feel maybe things will just work out, or “I’ll figure this one out.” This is also a huge mistake. If you are getting stuck with the same issues over and over again, most likely things will not “just work themselves out.” I’ve spoken to many people who were stuck with the same issue for five to fifty-five years. All they needed was a third party to point out where they were going wrong and to give a few simple tips to get things in order. Just as an example,a woman once called me up in distress and explained to me how overwhelmed she is and how her husband doesn’t help out at all. She drives five kids to school every day and picks them up. Of course, she has asked him to help out and he said he would but never did. I simply advised her to discuss with him the drop off and pickup and what works with her schedule and his. They made simple arrangements. I advised her to let her husband do his job, which most likely entailed letting him oversleep and drive the kids to school late for a day or two. After a week, she had things in order and he offered more help on top of what he was already doing. This is just an example of a couple in distress who needed a few tips to get things in order.

One more reason people refrain from seeking help is plain old stubbornness. Many people will realize that their relationship is not in such a good place, however more times than not, they believe that their spouse is causing all of the problems. They will say things such as, “I don’t need help, you do, go fix yourself.” Or, “Why am I going to couples counseling if I’m not the problem?” Although I do believe that one person can contribute to a bigger percentage of the problems, both spouses are contributing to some part of a relationship issue. This might be a hard pill to swallow but it’s true. Even if you feel as though your spouse is contributing to most of the problems in the relationship (which would need a third party to determine that) you are still part of this relationship and are responsible to do your best to make it work. You may not be at fault, but once you sign up for a marriage you are responsible to make it work. It’s reckless to sit back and wait for your spouse to change or get help. Be proactive, for yourself, your spouse, and your family.

Dave Gordon

In his second term, Donald Trump reportedly signed more executive orders on his first day in office than any other president in U.S. history. It was the harbinger of things to come, as he rapidly followed through on his campaign promises of promoting law and order, fighting anti-Semitism, increasing government efficiency, ridding the country of woke policies, and more. His first few weeks of office included scores of new executive directives that many believe will steer the country to safety, security, and sovereignty.

In terms of security and related issues, Mexico and Canada border patrols have increased, and both countries have also pledged to shore up their own patrols. The president seeks detention and deportation of anyone in the U.S. illegally.

Trump has also made it harder for those who cross the border specifically to have a child in the U.S. Children born to these parents are pejoratively called “anchor babies,” implying that the child’s birth is intended to help the parents and other family members gain legal residency or avoid deportation.

A Trump order redefines birthright citizenship under the 14^th Amendment, which grants citizenship to all persons born on U.S. soil. Trump asserts that a child born in the U.S. is not a citizen if either parent does not have legal immigration status or is in the country legally but only temporarily.

Anti-Semitism 

Within ten days of taking office, Trump signed a pledge to deport non-citizen college students, and others who took part in pro-Hamas protests.

Trump’s Executive Order 13899, signed during his first term in 2019, was designed to prevent anti-Semitism by making it easier to use laws that prohibit institutional discrimination against people based on race, color, or national origin to punish discrimination against Jews. Expanding on this, Trump promised immediate action by the Justice Department to prosecute “terroristic threats, arson, vandalism, and violence against American Jews,” and marshal federal resources to combat what it called “the explosion of anti-Semitism on our campuses and streets” since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. It also calls for the cancelling of student visas of Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, and deportation on non-citizens who are pro-jihadist protesters.

The executive order mandates that within 60 days, heads of agencies and departments must submit to the White House their recommendations on all potential criminal and civil legal measures that could be employed to combat anti-Semitism. Additionally, it calls for a comprehensive review and analysis of legal cases involving alleged civil rights violations related to pro-Palestinian demonstrations at K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. This review could potentially result in actions to remove non-citizen students and staff members.

Trump noted in the memorandum that after the October 7 terror attacks “pro-Hamas aliens and left-wing radicals began a campaign of intimidation, vandalism, and violence on the campuses and streets of America. Celebrating Hamas’ mass rape, kidnapping, and murder, they physically blocked Jewish Americans from attending college classes, obstructed synagogues and assaulted worshippers, and vandalized American monuments and statues.”

Trump added that the Biden Administration “turned a blind eye to this coordinated assault on public order; it simply refused to protect the civil rights of Jewish Americans, especially students.” Trump also cited the December 2024 U.S. House of Representatives Staff Report on anti-Semitism, which said “the failure of our federal government departments and agencies is astounding.”

“I will issue clear orders to my Attorney General,” Trump continued, “to aggressively prosecute terroristic threats, arson, vandalism, and violence against American Jews.”

Support of Israel

Trump has shown strong and steadfast support for Israel.

Within 15 days of swearing in, Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. (President Biden did so after1,283 days.)

This meeting symbolically showed that the two nations were closer than ever, especially seeing that Netanyahu was the first foreign dignitary to visit after the inauguration.

In his first term, Trump made great strides to bolster ties with Israel. He opened the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem (recognizing it as Israel’s capital), he recognized the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, closed the PLO office in Washington, cut $500 million to the Palestinian Authority, reduced UNWRA funding (the UN Relief and Works Agency – supposedly dedicated to relief work, but actually has been a haven for supporting terror against Israel), spearheaded the Abraham Accords, and said that Israelis living in Judea and Samaria were not violating international law. In his second term, Trump continued his unwavering support of Israel.

Trump withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council (that was notoriously anti-Israel), completely defunded UNWRA, lifted sanctions on Israelis in Judea and Samaria, and supported a bill to officially call the area of the “West Bank,” Judea and Samaria. By early February Trump had already released weapons that were blocked by the Biden administration, citing the reason: “Because they bought them.”

In one of his last acts of office in 2021, Trump designated Yemen’s Houthis as a terrorist organization, which was quickly reversed by Biden, and then reinstated by Trump in his second term.

Energy and Oil

Trump has been a strong proponent of domestic oil and gas drilling, and within a short time he ordered agency heads to revoke, rescind, or revise regulations that restrict oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He also lifted bans on oil and gas exploration in parts of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.

Trump is against relying on foreign oil, even from Canada. Trump asserts that Alaska’s vast wilderness areas hold immense potential for oil and gas development that could significantly benefit both the state and the nation as a whole. Trump believes there are compelling economic and energy dependence reasons to support expanded drilling in Alaska’s wildlife areas, despite strong criticism from environmental groups.

Although the U.S. has made significant strides in reducing its reliance on foreign oil, it still imports a considerable amount of petroleum products. By tapping into Alaska’s vast reserves, estimated at 7.7 to 11.8 billion barrels of oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge alone, the U.S. could further reduce its dependence on foreign sources.

The geopolitical implications of increased domestic oil production are significant. As Alaska’s Senator Lisa Murkowski noted, “Even after just a few years, we are already beginning to see the significant shifts brought on by our growing oil production.” Expanded drilling in Alaska could strengthen America’s position in global energy markets and provide leverage in international relations.

Proponents note that proposed drilling areas represent only a small percentage of Alaska’s total wilderness. For instance, the area under consideration for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is 1.5 million acres out of the refuge’s total 19.6 million acres.

In concrete terms, Trump signed an executive order revoking the Biden Administration’s ban on new offshore oil and gas development along most of the country’s coastlines, despite the outcry of environmentalists. Trump also revoked Biden’s action that prevented oil and gas drilling in 2.8 million acres in the Arctic Ocean. Moreover, Trump directed the Secretary of Energy to restart reviews of applications for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects, lifting a freeze imposed by the Biden administration.

Paris Climate Agreement

President Trump swiftly withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement (also called the Paris Accords or Paris Climate Accords), an international treaty on climate change, adopted by 196 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in December 2015, which took force in November 2016. The new order blocks transfer of U.S. funds previously obligated to the International Climate Finance Plan.

The Paris Agreement, while a landmark global effort to address climate change, has several significant flaws that some say hinder its effectiveness. One of the most significant weaknesses of the Paris Agreement is its reliance on voluntary compliance. Countries can set their own targets and policies without binding implementation. There are no penalties for countries that fail to meet their targets.

The Paris Agreement places a higher burden on more highly developed nations. Developed nations are expected to contribute more financial resources to help less developed nations and are expected to make larger emissions reductions. Some argue that the agreement’s goals rely heavily on speculative science, and an overreliance on computational models that may or may not reflect actual future outcomes. Others strongly disagree.

DOGE

Trump took swift action against what he felt was misspending, overspending, and waste, when he installed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the direction of Elon Musk. On February 11th, Musk announced that DOGE had uncovered “billions and billions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse.”

Some examples include: a $36,000 contract for DEI-related (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) workshops at the Department of Homeland Security, a $1 million contract supporting the “Gender X Initiative” at the Social Security Administration, a $1 million contract for a diversity communications campaign for agricultural professionals at the Department of Agriculture, a $375,000 contract for DEI and onboarding services at the U.S. Forest Service, a $30,000 contract for a Central America Gender Assessment Consultant at the U.S. Forest Service, a $230,000 contract for Brazil forest and gender consultant services at the Department of Agriculture, and a $4 million contract for DEI consultation services and training in the Jobs Corps program at the Department of Labor.

Reporters estimate that the elimination of 85 contracts related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) at more than a dozen federal agencies, will cut government spending by approximately $1 billion. In addition, 12 underutilized leases were cancelled, saving approximately $3 million and the termination of 22 leases, saves $44.6 million. Another $1 billion was saved by rescinding government over-hiring. And still another $45 million was saved by elimination of scholarships to students in Burma.

DOGE has targeted the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for cuts, with Musk claiming the agency is “incredibly politically partisan” and a “radical-left political psy op.”  Some 99 percent of the 12,000 jobs at USAID have now been cut, saving a reported $40 billion.

Some of the USAID money had been spent on farming equipment for the Taliban, $1.5 million to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities,| and $70,000 for a DEI musical in Ireland, $47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia, $32,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru, $2.5 million for electric vehicles in Vietnam, $6 million to fund tourism in Egypt, millions that were directed to the Wuhan lab in China (that allegedly leaked COVID-19), and hundreds of thousands of dollars that made its way to fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda-in Syria.

Gender Identification

There will be no more “they/them” or “zhir/zim” or thirty-six genders promoted by the federal government. Trump has required that the U.S. government recognize only two genders, male and female, on passports, visas, Global Entry cards, all other forms and documents, and in all programs and communications.

Trump also forbade federal money, including grants, from being used to promote gender ideology and he directed the attorney general and Homeland Security secretary to “ensure that males are not detained in women’s prisons or housed in women’s detention centers.”

President Trump signed an executive order on February 5, 2025 that aims to ban men from participating in women’s and girls’ sports. The executive order, titled, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” directs federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, to interpret Title IX as prohibiting transgender girls and women from competing in female sports categories. The order threatens to withdraw federal funding from schools and institutions that allow men to participate in women’s sports. (While executive orders are significant, they are not laws passed by Congress. They can be challenged in court and may be overturned by future administrations. Already, there are legal challenges being mounted against this order.)

President Trump’s first month in office during his second term has been marked by a flurry of executive orders and policy changes that have set a clear direction for his administration. These actions have touched on a wide range of issues, from immigration and energy policy to government efficiency and social issues.

Conclusion

Community members, while interested in all aspects of American life, are especially thankful to President Trump for his strong stand to support Israel and to abolish anti-Semitism, especially on college campuses. Trump famously declared that if the hostages held by Hamas were not all released by noon February 15^th, “all hell will break loose.” Hamas declared it was breaking its agreement, but backtracked, certainly due to Trump’s threat, and delivered three hostages on the 15^th.

Jack Gindi

“Know thyself.” It’s an ancient phrase – but what does it mean in our busy, modern world? Think of it as stepping into your epic story, where you are the hero on a lifelong quest to discover your best self.

A Mirror in Proverbs

The Tanakh underscores how spiritual growth begins with honest self-searching. Proverbs 27:19 reminds us: “As water reflects the face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” In other words, our actions and inner life mirror each other.

Why “Know Thyself” Feels Ambiguous

There’s no single checklist for self-discovery. It’s an ongoing process of experiences, honest feedback, and deliberate reflection. The Tanakh’s emphasis on examining the heart and mind resonates with our modern struggle to cut through social noise and focus on what truly matters.

The Freedom of Self-Discovery

Life can get loud: social media, friendships, and family expectations often drown out our inner voice. The quest to “Knowing Yourself” helps you decide the direction to go when others assert their agenda. By living according to your core values, you gain the freedom to explore life on your terms.

To Build Dreams Together, let’s start with these four pillars of L.I.F.E. = Body, Being, Balance, and Business.

Body (Longevity)

Your body is the vehicle carrying you through life’s twists and turns. Treat it well. That might mean getting enough rest, choosing nutritious meals, or staying active in ways you enjoy – like exercising, sports, or walks. Learn to listen to your body. Simple Code: I respect my body by exercising regularly and fueling it with healthy foods.

Being (Inner peace)

“Being” is about nurturing your inner world – your sense of purpose and awe at life. Maybe you pray, meditate, or center yourself in nature. Perhaps you keep a gratitude journal or reflect quietly on what you’re thankful for daily. These habits remind you there’s more to life than racing from one deadline to the next. Simple Code: I cultivate inner peace by setting aside daily moments for quiet reflection.

Balance (Family & Friends)

No quest is tackled alone. Your relationships – family, friends, and mentors – add depth to your journey but also require effort. Under stress, it’s easy to snap at people or overlook loved ones. Knowing yourself means recognizing how you affect others. If your code emphasizes kindness, patience, or respect, you’ll pause more often before reacting angrily. Simple Code: I treat others with respect and gratitude, even under pressure.

Business (Education & Economics)

Business is about mastering the fundamentals of education and economics at any age. Whether you’re helping with homework or completing it, saving for a house, or planning retirement, each choice builds financial wisdom and learning habits that last generations. Simple Code: My future will be stronger because I never stop learning skills to improve my life and money.

The Ongoing Quest

“Know thyself” isn’t a finish line; it’s an evolving expedition. Challenges will arise – health issues, relationship strains, and work setbacks. Your code acts like a compass, guiding you back to who you genuinely want to be. By paying attention to your Body, nurturing your Being, respecting your Balance in relationships, and honoring your Business responsibilities, you’ll stay grounded in what matters most.

Ultimately, your greatest adventure isn’t a place you go – it’s the person you become. In a world buzzing with distractions, this simple yet profound principle – “Know thyself”- ensures you

remain aligned with the values that make you you. With a clear code and self-reflection, you’ll find a deeper meaning and purpose with every step.

Building Your Code

Crafting a personal code is simpler than it sounds. Begin by reflecting on each area – Body, Being, Balance, Business and ask:

● How do I care for my health?

● What nurtures my spirit or sense of purpose?

● How can I strengthen my relationships?

● Which responsibilities must I fulfill? What can I learn today? Practice teaching what you learned.

Write down a few concise statements, such as:

● Body: I stay active and choose foods that boost my energy.

● Being: I spend a few minutes each morning in quiet thought or gratitude.

● Balance: I listen more than I speak and treat others empathetically.

● Business: I keep my promises and manage my tasks to be reliable. I spend ten minutes a day learning something new and sharing what I learned.

Review these statements regularly to check your progress. If something in your life changes – like switching schools or taking on new commitments – update your code so it stays relevant.

Jenna Ashkenazie

Not sure if you heard about the newest Boys High School in the community… YKT!

 Six years ago, Rabbi Eliezer Zeytouneh recognized that “Hashem graces everyone with qualities, and sometimes they don’t realize it.” He had a vision. “Every boy has a path to success!” Thus he used his 20 years of experience working with our community’s youth, tirelessly working to epitomize each student’s potential, to turn that vision into a reality.

Thus began the creation of Yeshivat Kinyan Torah High School, an all-boys high school in Brooklyn that offers much more than the standard regent curriculum.

Excellent Programs

Boys who enroll in this yeshiva are exposed to an excellent secular and Judaic studies curriculum. Special programs are in place to help students reach their full potential. These programs include real estate classes (with an opportunity to graduate as a fully-licensed real estate agent), finance classes, handiwork courses, food sector classes, even photography classes. They also offer opportunities to work in the realm of religion, such as Hazanut,Safrut, and Hashgacha. There are also Advanced Placement (AP) courses starting from the eleventh grade that students can take to earn college credits.

 “Our yeshiva is a perfect fit for any student. We will make a program for any student regardless of academic status,” Rabbi Zeytouneh explains. “The teachers and staff are there to help the students with whatever they need throughout their high school career.”

Something for Everyone

The yeshiva offers something for everyone. A hesed club is in place for all who are interested. The Yeshiva takes their students on spirited trips as well. Rabbi Loume Shalam brings his extensive camp experience to make sure the boys can unwind in a socially healthy manner! The students have gone Skirmishing, Snowtubing, to Florida, the Poconos, Go Karting, and more. Understanding the mindset of today’s teenager, Rabbi Zeytouneh hired a spirited staff of Rebbeim. This staff includes Rabbi Moshe Cohen, Rabbi Rephael Ashkenazi, Rabbi Shmully Semah, Rabbi Bension Marcus, Rabbi Rahamim Harary, Rabbi Yonatan Swid, and Dr. Simcha Cohen.

As the school continues to grow, the incredible staff is working towards making more connections within the community, in order to give the students more opportunities to explore different fields, and to create connections with people in those fields. There is even a leadership development project. Students have taken classes in public speaking, have been on the radio, and have been on the forefront of volunteerism at our community organizations!

Tours are available for all potential students and their parents. The yeshiva is confident that once they see the yeshiva, both parents and students will come away believing that this is the school that will help get students to where they aspire to go in life.    

Graduates Meet Success

Two classes have graduated so far. Some graduates have gone to study for a year in Israel or even two. Others have found success in fields such as property management, car leasing, retail, finance, and more. Many more graduates are currently enrolled in college, some having earned scholarships! Yeshivat Kinyan Torah is a school that will not only educate your sons, but will prepare them for life as well. It provides an excellent environment for students to grow and to prepare for success. Prior students still have excellent relationships with Rabbi Zeytouneh, proving that this is more than just a school, it is a pathway to success, where the faculty truly cares about their students.

YTK is now accepting registration for the 2025-26 school year. Spaces are limited and spots are filling up fast, so be sure to register before it is too late! For more information, please contact the school at 718-759-6635 or Office@yeshivatkinyantorah.org.You can also follow the school @yktpta on Instagram for more information.