The Far Reaching effects of Mifal Torah Vodaas
By Sarah Massry
At a recent training seminar for the rebiem of Mifal Torah Vodaas, Rabbi Hager, the menhal,
began his address with the following question: “If a computer contains a hard drive with ten
thousand seforim, do you have to stand up for it? What if the computer falls to the floor; do you
have to pick it up and kiss it?”
Rabbi Hager explained further, “Rabosie, yiddishkeit is not about teaching information. It is an
entirely different thing! Yiddishkeit is not about doing, it is about being.”
“In many of the mizrachi yeshivas, there are classes about yiddishkeit for one hour a day,”
explains Rabbi Hager. “However, none of those children remain frum because they learn
information once a day- nothing goes to into their hearts. At Mifal Torah Vodaas, we teach
Torah in a completely different manner. The children come to the Mifal classes because of the
incentives and the incentives increase with each day that they come. So the talmidim come each
day for the prizes, raffles and pizza. However, once the children are present at the classes, the
Rebbiem must then open their heart. They accomplish this through reading stories about
sefardic gedolim, singing songs, and demonstrating the beauty of yiddishkeit. This then filters
into the homes.”
Binyamin grew up in a secular Israeli home. Although his grandparents had been devout
religious Jews, he knew little about Yiddishkeit and felt disconnected to his roots.
With the passing of time, Binyamin decided that he wanted to live a more meaningful life. So
when he learned about a series of Torah classes in his neighborhood, he decided to attend.
Slowly but surely, changes in his home began to occur. Saturday was no longer an ordinary day
like Monday and Tuesday; only kosher food made its way into the home; and Binyamin and his
sons began to pray each.
Yet, states Binyamin, he credits the real difference in his home - and his life - to the Mifal Torah
Vodaas classes that his sons, Yosef and Ahron, are part of. “Since they have begun participating
in the learning groups and extracurricular activities, the atmosphere in my home has changed,”
explains Binyamin. “The most important impact that Mifal Torah Vodaas has had on my sons is
the achrayus [responsibility] that they have gained in regard to their religion. My sons have
begun keeping many halachos such as washing negel vasser each morning. They also pray each
day.”
Binyamin is grateful that his sons have the opportunity to attend the dati (religious) classes and
mingle with upstanding members of his community. “Because if not for these classes,” Binyamin
states, “my sons would be hanging out on the street - and who knows what they would be up
to.”
Elimelech, another secular born Israeli, is grateful to the rabbeim and staff members of Mifal
Torah Vodaas. In fact, he credits his family’s positive strides in religion to the lessons and
teachings his sons have gained from the Mifal Torah Vodaas classes. Indeed, there time spent at
the classes has changed their entire family’s outlook to Yiddishkeit.
“Since my son began attending the classes” shares Elimelech, “he continues learning at home!
There are some nights that he stays up and learns until 11:30 pm! I am very proud of him. My
five year old son has also begun attending the classes; and he loves it too.”
Accepting the yolk of Torah and Mitzvos can be a daunting task - specifically when one begins
learning all of the halachos later on in life. Elimelech, however, has been guided by his sons who
share the halachos and lessons that they learned with their Mifal Torah Vodaas rabbeim.
“In terms of Halacha, my sons learn everything!” says Elimelech. “They know so much; and they
always share the halachos with me.”
There have been many instances when Elimelech’s sons have led the way and encouraged their
parents on their journey toward yiddishkeit. “When my sons learned about Sukos, they asked
me if we could build our own sukkah. We had never made a sukkah before, but I agreed; since
we don’t have a porch, we built one on the street.”
Additionally, adds Elimelech, when his family began keeping Shabbos, it was his sons who once
again took the initiative. “My sons learned how to make Kiddush at the Mifal Torah Vodaas
classes. My sons have learned all about Shabbos; and then they teach me what they have
learned. They even give me a brocha on Shabbos!”
His sons have enjoyed and done so well at the Mifal Torah Vodaas classes, that Elimelech is now
proud to state, “That my sons have begun attending a dati (religious) school!” The daunting
transition from public school to yeshiva was made possible by the patient and caring rabbeim at
Mifal Torah Vodaas.
“Once the child’s heart has been opened, you can then teach him Torah,” states Rabbi Hager.
Indeed, the positive energy and warmth toward yiddishkeit that is felt at the Mifal Torah Vodaas
classes are contagious. The parties for the chagim, siyums, trips, and contests present the
children with excitement that allows them to feel the sweetness of Torah. As Elimelech shares,
“I am so happy that my sons attend the Mifal Torah Vodaas classes. Since they have begun
attending the classes, they have brought so much simchah, Torah and halacha into our home.”