As parents, one of our most important roles is to guide our children in developing the character traits that will serve them throughout their lives. Among the most valuable lessons we can teach is the ability to take responsibility when they make mistakes. While it can be tempting to shield children from the discomfort of accountability, encouraging them to own their actions helps them grow into resilient, trustworthy, and self-aware adults.
What Are the Benefits of Taking Responsibility?
Responsibility Builds Trust: When a child admits to making a mistake, they are practicing honesty. This quality is a foundation of a strong relationship, whether with parents, teachers, or friends. Imagine a child who accidentally breaks a neighbor’s toy. If they come forward and admit it, they are demonstrating that they can be trusted, even when the truth is difficult. This builds credibility with others and strengthens bonds of trust. Children quickly learn that honesty earns respect, while hiding or blaming only weakens relationships.
Responsibility Teaches Problem Solving: Mistakes often require solutions. When children take responsibility, they are more willing to be part of the solution. For example, if a child forgets their homework at home, blaming the teacher or a sibling won’t help. But acknowledging the mistake allows them to problem solve: “I’ll write a note to explain, and tomorrow I’ll double-check my backpack.” Over time, this teaches children to focus less on excuses and more on actions that move them forward. Responsibility shifts their energy from avoidance to problem solving, which is a skill they’ll need throughout life.
Responsibility Fosters Emotional Maturity: Owning mistakes can be uncomfortable. It requires courage, humility, and self-control. When a child learns to face these emotions instead of running from them, they are developing emotional resilience. They learn that embarrassment, guilt, or disappointment won’t destroy them, and that they have the power to move past those feelings by making better choices. This process builds emotional maturity, teaching children that their actions matter and that growth often comes from discomfort.
Responsibility Builds Confidence: It may seem surprising, but taking responsibility actually builds self-confidence. When children admit mistakes and make amends, they experience the empowering feeling of taking control of their actions. Instead of feeling helpless or defined by their errors, they see themselves as capable of growth and improvement. A child who says, “I forgot my lines in the play, but I’ll practice more next time,” feels stronger than one who insists, “It wasn’t my fault.” Confidence grows not from perfection, but from the courage to take ownership and try again.
Responsibility Models Respect for Others: When children take responsibility, they also learn empathy. Admitting a mistake often involves acknowledging how their actions affected someone else. This builds awareness and respect for others’ feelings. For example, a child who apologizes for teasing a friend learns to consider the friend’s perspective. Responsibility teaches children that their choices don’t exist in isolation, rather that they also impact the people around them. This sense of accountability helps them grow into caring, considerate people.
Children who learn to take responsibility for their mistakes gain far more than the ability to say, “I’m sorry.” They build integrity, resilience, problem-solving skills, and emotional strength. They learn that mistakes are not something to fear but stepping stones on the path to becoming capable, compassionate adults. By guiding children to take ownership of their actions, parents give them a lifelong gift: the confidence and character to face challenges with honesty and courage.
How Can We as Parents Encourage Responsibility?
Model it yourself: Children learn more from what we do than what we say. Admit your own mistakes and show how you make them right.
Praise honesty, not perfection: When your child admits to spilling something or forgetting a chore, thank them for telling the truth before addressing the mistake itself.
Guide problem solving: Instead of rushing in to fix the situation, ask: “What do you think you can do to make it better?”
Keep mistakes safe: Avoid shaming or overreacting. When children feel safe, they are more likely to be honest and responsible.
Highlight growth: Remind your children that every mistake is a learning opportunity. Celebrate the progress they make after taking ownership.
The phone rang at the Mitzvah Man hotline. The voice on the other end was that of an elderly woman. Although she spoke softly, her voice had the tone of one with a quiet resilience.
“My name is Mrs. Levine,” the caller said, sounding rather tired. “I’m a 96-year-old Holocaust survivor. My old, worn-out easy chair finally collapsed. It was my only comfortable piece of furniture, which I’ve had for fifty years. It was nothing special, but I spent my days there. I have no family left and no friends nearby. Just that chair kept me comfortable. Is it possible for you to help me find a replacement please? Even a used one would be a tremendous help.”
The Mitzvah Man’s heart was touched by Mrs. Levine’s simple request. “We usually focus on basic necessities,” he responded. “And furniture is often not so easy to acquire., But I truly understand your need for comfort. I’m going to send a text to our network of volunteers right now to see if we can come up with something for you.”
He immediately sent a brief, urgent message detailing Mrs. Levine’s situation and her need for a comfortable chair. Moments later, a response pinged back from Susan, one of the Mitzvah Man Organization’s dedicated volunteers.
“Please, let me take this mitzvah,” Susan wrote. “I need to do this immediately. I need the zechut (merit).”
When the Mitzvah Man messaged her to ask about the urgency of her situation, she explained, “My daughter is in the hospital right now, in labor for over ten long hours. She suffered two tragic miscarriages before this pregnancy. I’m praying so hard for a healthy birth and a healthy child. I want to send this precious survivor an extra special gift as a zechut for my daughter and her baby. I don’t want to buy her a second hand chair. I want to order her a brand-new, specialized automatic recliner chair, one that helps her to stand up and sit down. This will give her the comfort and dignity she deserves. Please give me her details right away so I can place the order.”
The Mitzvah Man quickly texted back: “Her name is Mrs. Levine, and she lives at 1712 Avenue N.”
Susan called him back, her voice shaking with emotion and astonishment.
“Mrs. Levine? 1712 Avenue N?!” Susan exclaimed. “That’s impossible! That’s my childhood home! I sold that house thirty years ago, and I sold it to a Mrs. Levine who I remember was a Holocaust survivor. I can’t believe this connection!”
The knowledge of this remarkable coincidence only deepened Susan’s resolve, convincing her that this divine alignment was a sign. She went online instantly and placed the order for the expensive, specialized chair to be delivered the very next morning.
Susan called the Mitzvah Man back a short while later. Her voice was now filled with overwhelming, tearful joy. “As soon as I pressed ‘send’ on the delivery order, the doctor came out of the delivery room and told me, ‘Congratulations! Your daughter just gave birth to a healthy baby girl!’”
The next morning, Mrs. Levine received her beautiful new lift chair. The comfort and independence it provided brought light and relief back into her life. She told Susan, “I’m happier than I’ve been in years.”
The Mitzvah Man wants to remind everyone: We can never know which specific mitzvah will be the one that breaks a spiritual barrier, creates a divine connection, or tips the scale of a blessing we desperately need. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity or the biggest charity. Just go out there and do a mitzvah. Surely, Hashem is going to reward your efforts in the most profound and unexpected ways.
Under the lights at M&S Park, with the stands packed and anticipation thick in the air, a new chapter of league history was written. The 2025 M&S World Series had all the makings of a classic, powerhouse rosters, superstar performances, heartbreak, and redemption. And when the final out was recorded when Captain Uri Adler dove to his knees and fired across the diamond for the clinching play the celebration began.
Champions: Kaboom.
For Uri Adler, it was the storybook ending to his first season as captain a debut campaign that began with high hopes and ended in pure glory. For Abe Saka, it was the long-awaited validation of years of excellence and grit. For ten of the twelve players on this roster, it was a first-ever taste of M&S immortality. And for the league, it was a reminder of why M&S Softball remains the gold standard – passion, competition, and community under one banner.
The Journey to the Crown
Kaboom’s road to the championship wasn’t easy. The postseason bracket was a gauntlet, and every step tested their chemistry, resilience, and belief.
In the Semifinals, Kaboom squared off against Vandelay Industries, a veteran team loaded with bats and experience. But Kaboom had something special – a unified energy that couldn’t be shaken. On the mound, Abe Saka was masterful. Pitching with the poise of a seasoned ace and the fire of a man on a mission, he controlled the tempo, silenced the bats, and carried his squad into the World Series. His performance was so commanding it earned him Player of the Week honors and set the tone for what was to come.
That semifinal series featured one of the most memorable defensive plays in M&S postseason history. In Game One, Sol Fallas, playing short center field, ranged deep up the middle and laid out for a full-extension catch that saved the game and, perhaps, the season. It was the kind of play that would replay in fans’ minds for years. From that moment, the message was clear: Kaboom was on a mission.
A Showdown for the Ages
Waiting in the Finals was the juggernaut King Salomon: Part Deux, led by legendary captain Michael “Sabon” Salomon, a team chasing dynasty status and hungry for another ring. The matchup was everything fans hoped for: two powerhouse teams, two brilliant captains, and lineups filled with stars.
Over the course of three unforgettable games, both teams traded blows. King Salomon struck early and often, with JoJo “Box Office” Levy continuing his meteoric rise as one of the league’s elite hitters. Levy, who crushed another ball over the fence in Game Two, put himself in a new category of player this postseason as a young star whose ceiling keeps climbing, and whose name now belongs among the league’s best.
But Kaboom, true to their name, always answered. Each rally from King Salomon was met with equal fire. Big hits, timely defense, and the unshakeable calm of Captain Uri Adler kept the team focused. By Game Three, the tension was unbearable – until Kaboom broke it open with a relentless offensive surge. The score may have widened late, but make no mistake: this was a battle of inches, decided by heart.
When it ended with Adler’s diving play and the eruption of cheers under the lights the team mobbed the field. Gloves hit the dirt, and years of frustration turned into joy.
Kaboom had done it. They were champions.
The MVP: Abe Saka
At the center of it all was Abe Saka, the bulldog on the mound who refused to bend. His command, endurance, and unrelenting focus made him the heartbeat of Kaboom’s title run. Every inning he threw carried weight; every pitch was a declaration.
Saka’s performance across the playoffs – and especially in the World Series – cemented his place in M&S lore. For years he had flirted with greatness. This time, he conquered it. Fittingly, he was named World Series MVP, a title that felt like destiny fulfilled.
The Captain: Uri Adler
Adler’s leadership was the glue that bound Kaboom together. Known across the league for his professionalism and calm demeanor, he captained his team the same way he played: composed, steady, and relentlessly respectful. He never let his team get too high or too low. He managed personalities, lineups, and moments with quiet confidence – the mark of a true leader.
In his first season wearing the “C,” Adler delivered the ultimate prize. Few captains in league history have ever steered a team to the mountaintop so quickly. His championship pedigree is now sealed in M&S history.
Respect to the Runners-Up
No championship is complete without acknowledging the greatness of the opponent and King Salomon: Part Deux was every bit the worthy adversary. Led by Michael “Sabon” Salomon, the team was a powerhouse from Opening Day. With players like Mo Shamah, TI, and JoJo Levy, to name a few, King Salomon pushed Kaboom to the brink.
Levy’s growth this season was particularly noteworthy – another ball over the fence, another step into stardom. Though they fell short, King Salomon’s mix of veterans and young stars this team was oh-so-close to winning it all.
Legacy of a Champion
What made Kaboom’s title run special wasn’t just their talent, it was their chemistry. They laughed, battled, and believed together. They responded to every setback with focus, every challenge with faith.
For ten first-time champions, the M&S Cup now symbolizes more than just a trophy. It represents late-night Glatt Bite runs, shared trust, and a team that refused to let go of the rope. And for veterans like Finkel and Chrem, it’s another golden moment to add to their legacy.
As the lights dimmed at M&S Park and the crowd lingered to soak in the celebration, one thing was clear: this was more than a championship. It was a statement.
Kaboom arrived. They battled. They believed. And they conquered.
From first pitch to final out, the 2025 M&S World Series will be remembered as one of the greatest in league history and Kaboom’s name will forever be etched on the M&S Cup.
Congratulations to Captain Uri Adler, World Series MVP Abe Saka, and the entire Kaboom roster your names are now written in M&S history!
The Champions: Player by Player
Abe Saka (P, World Series MVP) – The bulldog on the mound. Unwavering, unrelenting, and unstoppable. Saka willed Kaboom to victory with his mix of grit, poise, and power. The title that had eluded him for years is finally his and he earned every ounce of it.
A.Y. Slanger (C) – The starting pitcher’s dream. Slanger’s defensive instincts and lightning-fast releases kept runners honest all season. Behind the plate, he set the tone, controlled the rhythm, and gave Saka the trust every ace needs.
Barry Finkel (1B) – One of only two returning champions on the roster, Finkel once again proved he’s a winning player. His glove was reliable, his bat clutch, and his leadership invaluable. Another ring for a true veteran presence.
Neil “Real Feel” Shweky (2B) – The name says it all. Shweky’s smooth hands and field awareness made him a defensive standout at second base. Add in his timely hitting and you get one of the league’s most underrated stars.
Mordy Chrem (SS) – The defensive wizard. Chrem captured championships in back-to-back seasons, this time anchoring Kaboom’s infield with elite range and veteran composure. His bat packs pop, but his glove is poetry.
Uri Adler (3B, Captain) – The captain who brought it all together. Adler’s steady hand and even-keeled demeanor defined Kaboom’s culture. His leadership off the field was as vital as his steady play at third base.
Sol Fallas (SCF) – The bopper in the lineup with a highlight-reel glove. His legendary catch in the semifinals will go down as one of the greatest defensive plays in M&S postseason history. A true two-way force.
Morris “Mo” Levy (LF) – One of the breakout stars of 2025. Levy’s bat came alive this season, complementing his already-stellar defense in left field. A rising star who proved he can shine brightest on the biggest stage.
Nadav “Nutty” Auerbach (CF) Electric. Auerbach is one of the best center fielders and hitters in the league. His range, instincts, and consistency at the plate make him a cornerstone player and Kaboom’s all-around superstar.
Shimmy Cohen (RF) – The veteran finally gets his crown. After years of near misses, Cohen captured his first championship alongside longtime teammate Saka in a career-defining moment. His bat, his glove, and his leadership all came through when it mattered most.
Isaac “Icy Hot” Cohen (IF) – Reliable and clutch. Isaac delivered steady production and a veteran presence. Every contender needs a player who’s always ready that was Icy Hot.
David Minzer (IF) – The power bat Kaboom needed. Minzer stepped up in key spots throughout the postseason, delivering muscle in the lineup and big-moment energy when it mattered most.
5 slices of challah or bread (cut into ¾-inch to 1-inch-thick slices)
1 cup strawberries, halved
1 tablespoon unsalted margarine
2 tablespoons strawberry jam
Syrup
Let’s Get Started!
In a shallow bowl, use the whisk to combine the eggs, nondairy milk, cinnamon, honey, and salt.
Melt the margarine in a skillet over medium heat.
Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture until both sides are coated.
Place the bread into the hot skillet. Cook for 3 minutes on each side, until golden and cooked through.
Use the fork or tongs to take the French toast out of the skillet. Put it on a plate. Use the pizza cutter to cut it into bite-size pieces.
Make small “sandwiches” with the French toast pieces and the jam, and thread them onto skewers, alternating with strawberry halves.
Serve with syrup.
Serves 4! Strawberries are NOT only red. There are yellow, blue, white, black, and purple strawberries too!
BREAKFASTON A STICK!
Chef Shiri Says…
Ounce for ounce, strawberries are slightly higher in vitamin C – and have fewer calories – than oranges!
What’s In A Name?
In France, French toast is called pain perdu, which means “lost bread.” Why lost bread? Originally, people made French toast from stale bread in order to use bread that would otherwise have been lost – thrown away.
Across the community, families are confronting an escalating challenge: the cost of tuition. For many, these expenses have grown into one of the heaviest financial burdens they carry, forcing difficult decisions and putting strain on households. The issue is no longer isolated – it is widespread, affecting parents from all walks of life.
Enter UCEF (United Children Education Foundation), a grassroots effort that has quickly gained momentum by approaching the tuition crisis in a new way. Rather than leaving parents to shoulder the burden alone, UCEF taps into the collective power of the community. The idea is simple yet powerful: when everyone contributes where they can, the impact multiplies.
UCEF has already begun to prove this model works. Its vendor partnerships generate ongoing royalties for tuition. Its insurance collaborations save families money while directing funds back toward education. And with additional creative programs in the works, UCEF is constantly finding fresh ways to reduce costs and increase support.
Of course, everyone complains about tuition – but the question is, are we ready to do something about it? UCEF offers countless ways to make a difference: through your business, your insurance, your shopping, and through new ideas that are just getting started. No one is asked to go out of their comfort zone. What’s needed is for everyone to get involved in ways within their reach. UCEF doesn’t claim it can erase tuition overnight – but the more people who step up, the faster real change will come.
As Executive Director Sammy Esses puts it: “Our community is amazing, we always step up when someone is in need. Right now, most of the community needs help. Everyone in this community can play a roll, all we ask is that you take a couple of minutes to learn more about what UCEF does and reach out to me – call or text 917-647-9276, or email Sammy@ucef.com. Let’s have a conversation to see how you can be part of the solution.”
Magen David Yeshivah Students Honor the Legacy of Their Heritage
Last month, the students of Magen David Yeshivah paid a meaningful and moving tribute to its foundational roots by gathering for the annual Selichot Gedolah program. This year’s event was held within the historic Magen David Synagogue on 67th Street, the very location where the community’s inspiring story first began.
The program commenced with Rabbi Eli Mansour offering impactful words that underscored the profound spiritual significance of the day, emphasizing the importance of repentance and reflection as the Yamim Noraim (High Holy Days) approach. Following the Rabbi’s address, the congregation was led in the powerful liturgical songs of Selichot by Hazzan Mordechai Salem. The atmosphere allowed both students and long-time members to deeply connect with the traditions of their forefathers. It was a beautiful expression of kavod (respect) for the past, inspiring the present generation to maintain the chain of mesorah (tradition) with strength and devotion.
Flatbush Shomrim and NYPD Nab Car Theft Suspect
In a powerful testament to community vigilance and seamless cooperation with law enforcement, volunteers from Flatbush Shomrim (FSSP) recently played a critical role in the recovery of a stolen vehicle, in an operation that ultimately led to the discovery of a larger criminal network operating across the boroughs.
The incident began when Shomrim volunteers were alerted to the theft of an Acura. Utilizing advanced tracking systems available to the organization, volunteers successfully located the stolen vehicle in a specific location within the Bronx. Following established protocol, the Shomrim team immediately notified the New York City Police Department (NYPD) of the confirmed location.
NYPD officers quickly responded to the area, where they successfully took a suspect into custody. The subsequent investigation and search prompted by this initial recovery uncovered a much more extensive operation. Law enforcement confirmed that the search led not only to the apprehension of the individual but also to the recovery of multiple stolen vehicles, an inventory of various stolen license plates, and an assortment of sophisticated electronic devices used to facilitate vehicle thefts.
This operation highlights the invaluable commitment of Flatbush Shomrim’s dedicated volunteers, who work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to ensure the security and stability of the community.
When good people experience pain in life, they may feel like Hashem is betraying them, chas v’shalom. They have been trying to be the best they can be; they have gotten closer to Hashem, yet it doesn’t seem that He is getting closer to them. But that is incorrect. They only feel that way because they don’t understand Hashem properly.
Rabbi Yosef Mugrabi gave a mashal of an elderly farmer who had been retired for years. In his yard there was a large, deep pit in his yard that had previously been used as a well. One day, his donkey, who was also getting on in years, slipped and fell into the pit. The animal cried and screamed for help, but the old man was not able to pull the donkey out. He then took a shovel and began throwing earth into the pit.
I have spent so many years serving my owner in good faith, the donkey thought, and now he’s just going to bug me alive because he can’t get me out of here? Every shovelful of earth that hit the donkey’s back felt like fire. The pain was intolerable. But the dirt kept coming and the donkey understood that if it didn’t do something about it, it would be buried alive.
It looked to the right and it looked to the left and saw earth piling up. Suddenly, the donkey realized there was a way to use the earth to its benefit. The donkey climbed onto a pile. As each shovelful of earth hit its back, the donkey shook it off to the side, thereby elevating the pile, and climbed higher. It shook off the next batch of earth, again, and climbed higher.
Eventually, the donkey raised itself up to the top of the pit and was reunited once again with its owner, who had been hoping that the donkey would use the earth that way.
In life there are challenges, and sometimes they are very painful. There is no lack of situations that cause people to feel betrayed:
– A father raised four sons and gave them everything. Eventually, they married and moved away. In his old age, the father needed help going to the doctor one day for surgery, but none of his children helped. None of them were willing to give up time from their workday to bring their father to the doctor. The father needed just one child to help him. He had sacrificed the best years of his life for his sons, and now, when he needs assistance, they give him no sympathy. How much pain would that cause a father?
– A man hires an employee and teaches him about his business. He tells him company secrets; he elevates him to a prominent position. One day, the employee tells the boss he’s leaving. He proceeds to open up the exact same business on the same block, three doors away, and takes all the clients with him. How much pain would that cause an employer?
– A couple has a child go off the derech, abandoning Torah and mitzvot, talking disrespectfully. How much pain do the parents have?
– A father and mother have four older daughters, still single, still home. One is 32, one is 35, one is 37, and one is 39. All the parents are asking for is to see at least one wedding. Just let one daughter break the ice and get married! How much pain does that family have?
These are big challenges, and the natural reaction in these circumstances is to feel betrayed. We don’t understand the benefits these challenges are providing us. But we have a choice to make. We can sit and wallow in our misery, or we can use the challenges to elevate ourselves. We can shake them off and grow from them. We can trust that Hashem is giving them to us for our own benefit, as hard as that is to imagine. And if we do that, we’ll look back and say, “My most difficult struggles are what made me into the person I am today.”
There are paintings that are not merely art, but soul. Works in which every brushstroke echoes a verse, and every layer of color carries a prayer. Such is the painting of the artist Yossi Bitton, depicting the Tomb of Rachel Imein, a work that reaches that sacred point where art ceases to be creation and becomes a language of the Jewish heart.
In just a few days, we will mark the 11th of Cheshvan, the day of Rachel Imeinu’s passin, a day when the entire Jewish people pause for a moment to look again toward the first mother of compassion, the one the navi called “Rachel weeping for her children.” Her image is woven into every prayer and every hope; she is not only a story from the past but a living presence in the soul of the nation.
“A voice is heard on high,” says the navi, “lamentation and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children, she refuses to be comforted for her children, for they are no more.” And the Divine response follows with words that have carried our people through millennia: “Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is reward for your labor, says the Lord, and your children shall return to their border.”
Few verses in Scripture capture so poignantly the meeting of human pain and eternal comfort. That dialogue, between tears and promise, is the beating heart of Bitton’s painting.
In his portrayal, there is no figure and no face. Rachel herself is unseen, yet powerfully present. The tomb stands at the center of the canvas, wrapped in a soft, golden-white glow, not the light of the sun, but the light of a soul. Around it, the sky shifts between gray clouds and a pale line of blue, mirroring the tension between sorrow and consolation, between exile and redemption. A long gaze at the painting reveals not only layers of pigment, but layers of feeling. It is not a depiction of a place, it is a visual rendering of an eternal covenant.
The artist describes his process in simple words: “I stood before an old photograph of Rachel’s Tomb,” he says, “and I thought, every stone here has absorbed prayer. There is no other place on earth where every tear becomes part of the landscape. When I painted, I didn’t feel I was adding color; I felt I was uncovering what was already there.”
Indeed, Bitton’s work is not about innovation, it is about revelation. Born and raised in Tzfat, the mystical city of light and spirit, he absorbed from his youth the deep connection between creativity and faith. In the narrow alleys of the artists’ quarter he learned that color can be a vessel for the Divine. “In Tzfat,” he recalls, “I learned that art is not an imitation of reality, it is a way to touch the truth beyond it. Every painting is a form of prayer.”
That influence permeates all his works, but especially this one. Bitton’s style combines delicate realism with a sense of haze, an intentional blurring that hints that what is visible is never the whole story. Here, too, the lines of the stones are clear, yet they dissolve in light; the tomb appears solid, yet one feels it might vanish into mist. It is a dialogue between the seen and the unseen, between what the eye perceives and what the heart knows.
In this painting, Bitton captures the essence of Rachel Imeinu herself, a rare fusion of unending sorrow and quiet hope. Rachel is not buried with the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in the Cave of Machpelah but “on the road to Efrat.” She is not at home, and yet by remaining on the road she became the spiritual home of all Israel. She stands there, in the open, waiting for her children. Between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, between exile and redemption, the mother still waits and still prays.
“I wanted to convey that feeling of being on the road,” Bitton explains. “Rachel’s Tomb is not an endpoint, it’s a crossroads. It’s the place where every Jew meets himself on the way back home.” And when one looks at the painting, there is indeed a sense of motion, as if time itself is breathing. The clouds seem to move, the light shifts, the shadows fade. Every moment something changes, as within the praying soul. The viewer feels himself standing there, on that very road where countless generations poured out their hearts, and he hears within his own chest the echo of that ancient cry, the cry of mercy.
The Midrash teaches that when the Jewish people were exiled from Jerusalem, they passed by Rachel’s tomb. She rose from her grave, wept, and pleaded before God to have mercy on them. And God answered: “For your sake, Rachel, I will bring them back.” Since that moment, her image has stood forever as the symbol of prayer without despair.
Bitton, with extraordinary sensitivity, gives that image a new voice, a voice of light. In his painting, even the tears shine. The glow emerging from the stone embodies the hope of redemption, the promise that “your children shall return to their border” is not only a comfort for the past, but a reality drawing near.
Today, Yossi Bitton is recognized as one of the leading names in contemporary Jewish art. His paintings adorn homes, shuls, and galleries around the world, yet they all share one signature: faith. Each work carries an inner radiance, a quiet sanctity that can be felt more than described. He does not paint for novelty’s sake, but to preserve eternity in the heart of man. In “Rachel’s Tomb,” Bitton reaches a point of spiritual and artistic maturity. The background, unlike a classic landscape, is almost abstract. The sky breathes; the boundaries blur. There is no line dividing earth and heaven, light and shadow, weeping and consolation. The entire work is unity.
Perhaps that is why so many are drawn to it. The painting speaks a universal emotional language, yet it remains deeply rooted. It is not simply a beautiful depiction of a holy site; it is a reminder. A reminder to a people still on its journey, a reminder of tears that have not vanished, a reminder of a mother who still waits.
Every year on the 11th of Cheshvan, thousands of Jews travel to Rachel’s Tomb. Many stand there for the first time, overcome by a sense that defies explanation, as if the place itself listens. No many words are needed. A person stands, says one or two, and weeps. That weeping, not of despair but of yearning, may be the purest prayer there is. One feels the same within Bitton’s painting, the solitude, the pain, and the quiet certainty that we are not alone. Bitton defines his work with characteristic humility: “I don’t paint to show what people see,” he says. “I paint to remind them of what they’ve forgotten. We sometimes forget how close Rachel still is to us, how alive her prayer remains within us.” And he is right. Rachel Imeinu is not a figure of the past; she lives with us, weeps with us, embraces us in every prayer. Throughout the generations, from great sages to simple souls, Jews have known that Rachel is the final gate of mercy. When words fail, they go to her. When strength fades, they stand before her. And she, says the Midrash, “is answered immediately.” She understands every broken heart, every pain, every longing.
In that sense, Bitton’s painting is more than an artistic tribute; it is a visual expression of pure faith, the belief that prayers are heard, that compassion endures, and that there is one mother who will not rest until she sees the redemption of her children.
His deliberate use of a warm, almost monochromatic palette is no coincidence. There are no sharp contrasts, no shouting colors. Everything is soft, balanced, quiet, whispering that even within sorrow there is beauty, even within tears there is light. Gaze long enough, and the light seems to change: at times gold, at times mist, at times twilight. Perhaps that is the painting’s way of telling us that sorrow itself transforms, that tears too have a journey.
Many see in this painting not merely a work of art, but a mirror for reflection. It invites stillness, not only to look, but to listen. Perhaps this is why Bitton regards his art not as a profession but as a mission.
“I feel,” he says, “that I was sent to remind people, through color, of what words sometimes cannot say.”
And this year, his painting seems to speak even more directly. The stone that for generations symbolized comfort now also feels like a call, a call from a mother to her nation: Do not forget to pray. Do not forget to weep. Do not forget to believe.
Rachel Imeinu, who once wept for her children as they went into exile, weeps today for her children who have not yet come home, for those still held captive, for those who have not yet been brought to burial, for a nation still praying for complete redemption.
Between the light and the shadow, between tears and hope, the prophet’s words return once more, not only as a promise, but as a mission: “Your children shall return to their border.”
Not only the exiles of Babylon, not only the wanderers of past generations, but all the children, the living and the fallen, the near and the far, those who have returned and those still missing. All of them will come home.
Yossi Bitton’s painting, born of silence and prayer, feels this year almost prophetic. It reminds us that Rachel did not give up then, and she will not give up now. She still stands, on the ancient road, watching over her scattered children, whispering her eternal prayer:
that they return.
That we all may soon behold the day when God’s promise is fulfilled in its fullness
“Refrain your voice from weeping… for there is reward for your labor, says the Lord, and your children shall return to their border.”
There is an 8-letter word that can have consecutive letters taken out and remain a complete word until only one letter is left?
Last Month’s Riddle: On the Right Track
A train 1-mile long is traveling at a speed of one mile per minute through a tunnel 1-mile long. How long will it take for the train to completely pass through the tunnel?
Solution: It will take 2 minutes. The front of the train takes 1 minute to exit the tunnel, but the back still needs another minute to completely pass through.
Solved by: Eli Nuseiri, Ralphie F., Joey Esses, Family Blum, Sharon K., Big Mike, Carol Dweck, Maurice Tawil, and The Shmulster.
JUNIOR RIDDLE: WHAT AM I?
Submitted by: Audrey H.
Almost everyone needs it, most certainly asks for it, but almost nobody takes it. What am I?
Last Month’s Junior Riddle: Twin Teaser
Two people born on the same day, from the same mother and father, but they are not twins. How is this possible?
Solution: They are part of a set of triplets (or more). They have other siblings born on the same day, which means they are not twins!
Solved by: The Blum Family, Mimi Chehebar, Gabriel Tawil, Rose Elbaz, Sharon K., The Shmulster, Ralphie F., Dave Cohen, and The Big Cheese.
A guy goes into a company for a job interview. The interviewer asks him, “What would you consider to be your biggest weakness?” The guy thinks for a minute and says, “I’m honest with everyone. I don’t know how to be anything other than completely honest, no matter what someone asks me.” The interviewer says, “I don’t really see how honesty could be considered a weakness. In fact, I think it’s a great strength!” The guy looks the interviewer right in the eye and says, “I don’t really care what you think.”
Jake D.
Looking for Work
A lion walks into a police station and asks the policeman at the front desk, “Do you have any job openings?” The policeman shakes his head sadly and says, “No, sorry. Why don’t you try the circus?” The lion gives him a funny look and says, “Why would the circus need a detective?”
Joey S.
Cool Recognition
The three Goldberg brothers, Norman, Hyman, and Maximillian invented and developed the first automobile air-conditioner.
On July 17th, 1946, the temperature in Detroit was 97 degrees Fahrenheit.
The three brothers walked into old man Henry Ford’s office and sweet-talked his secretary into telling him that three gentlemen were there with the most exciting innovation in the auto industry since the electric starter.
Henry was curious and invited them into his office. They refused and instead asked that he come out to the parking lot to their car.
They persuaded him to get into the car, which was about 130 degrees inside, turned on the air-conditioner and cooled the car off immediately.
The old man got very excited and invited them back to the office, where he offered them 3 million dollars for the patent.
The brothers refused saying they would settle for 2 million but they wanted the recognition by having a label, “The Goldberg Air-Conditioner” on the dashboard of each car that it was installed in.
They haggled back and forth for about two hours and finally agreed on 4 million dollars and that just their first names would be shown.
And so, even today, all Ford air-conditioners show on the controls the names: “Norm,” “Hi,” and “Max.”
Isaac S.
Stranded in the Desert
Three men are in the middle of a desert when their car breaks down. For their hike to town, they each decide to take one thing with them. One man takes a jug of water. The second man takes a sandwich. The last man takes one of the car doors. The first man says to the last man, “I’m bringing the water because if I get thirsty, I can take a drink. And it makes sense to bring a sandwich in case we get hungry, but why bring a car door?” The last man replies, “If I get hot, I can just roll down the window.”
Marty A.
No Politics, Please
Four Israelis are sitting in a restaurant in Tel Aviv. For a long time, nobody says a word. Finally, one man groans, “Oy.”
“Oy vey,” says the second man.
“Nu,” says the third.
At this the fourth man gets up from his chair and says, “Listen, if you guys don’t stop talking politics, I’m leaving.”
Esther K.
Play Ball
Many of the schools in the local neighborhood fielded a baseball team, forming the School Baseball League. Beth Israel challenged Beth Tikvah to a game in a week’s time and Principal Goldberg felt that he needed to do something to support his kids. So he gave a special contribution of one hundred dollars to the captain, with the direction that the money should be used to buy bats, balls, gloves, or anything else that might help to win the game.
On the day of the game, the principal was somewhat surprised to observe nothing new in the team’s paraphernalia. He called the captain to him.
“I don’t see any new bats, or balls, or gloves,” he said.
“We don’t have anything like that,” the captain admitted.
“But I gave you one hundred dollars to buy them,” the rabbi exclaimed.
“Well, you see Principal Goldberg,” came the explanation, “you told us to spend it for bats, or balls, or gloves, or anything that we thought might help to win the game, so we gave it to the umpire.”
Ikey F.
Bad Word
A young boy was sitting in the waiting room for a little bit after getting his tooth pulled. The receptionist asked him if he was okay. “Yes, but I didn’t like the bad word the dentist used while he was pulling my tooth.” “What did he say?” asked the receptionist, worried. The boy replied, “Oops.”
Raymond K.
Late for School
A child was late to school for the first time. The teacher asked him if anything was wrong. “No,” the child said, “I wanted to go fishing, but my dad told me I needed to go to school.” The teacher was impressed. “And did your father explain why it was important to go to school instead of going fishing?” The child nodded solemnly and said, “He said it was because there’s not enough bait for both of us.”
Sharon B.
That Special Something
A little old lady gets onto a crowded bus and stands in front of a seated young girl. Holding her hand to her chest, she says to the girl, “If you knew what I have, you would give me your seat.” The girl gets up and gives up her seat to the old lady. It is hot.
The girl then takes out a fan and starts fanning herself. The woman looks up and says, “If you knew what I have, you would give me that fan.” The girl gives her the fan, too.
Fifteen minutes later the woman gets up and says to the bus driver, “Stop, I want to get off here.” The bus driver tells her he has to drop her at the next corner, not in the middle of the block. With
her hand across her chest, she tells the driver, “If you knew what I have, you would let me off the bus right here.”
The bus driver pulls over and opens the door to let her out. As she’s walking out of the bus, he asks, “Madam, what is it you have?” The old woman looks at him and nonchalantly replies, “Chutzpah!”
