1. Reflections on Being Invited and Community Connections
I’m glad to be here, even though I wasn’t originally expected. When Rabbi Lieber asks you for something, it’s not easy to say no. I’ve known the worship here for many years, as well as the whole family—they’ve always been very good to us. Being here brings me back to earlier times, and I appreciate the opportunity to reconnect with this community.
This is a yeshiva—Torah academy—gathering, and as we approach Elul, it’s a fitting time for reflection. Elul is when we take stock of the past year and consider how we can improve. But before anything else, I want to emphasize how fortunate you are as yeshiva bochurim—students in a Torah environment.
2. The Privilege of Learning in a Strong Jewish Environment
Do you live locally or out of town? Many of you are from around the tri-state area, which means you’re surrounded by vibrant Jewish life. Here, Yiddishkeit—Jewish living—is present everywhere. Just walking down Ocean Parkway, someone stopped me and offered me a ride simply because they recognized me as a rabbi. That’s the kind of community you’re part of—one where Torah values are in the air.
If you’re out of town, it’s not always so obvious or easy to maintain that connection. Out-of-town students have to work harder to stay strong in their Judaism. For example, when my own children grew older or reached bar mitzvah, I had to send them away to yeshivas outside our hometown so they could grow in Torah and Yiddishkeit. It’s not always easy for parents, but it’s necessary for their spiritual growth.
The first thing is to appreciate that you’re here in such an environment—learning and growing in a place filled with Torah and Jewish life.
3. Personal History with Ocean Parkway Yeshiva
Let me share some history that connects me personally with this yeshiva. As I mentioned to Rabbi Huber, back in Tovshin Mamey Zayin—that’s 40 years ago—I was sent as a shliach—an emissary—to Ocean Parkway. In those days, older students from 770 would be sent out after finishing regular yeshiva studies to various communities, including here.
I studied for two years in Israel before coming back as a shliach. When I arrived at Ocean Parkway, Rabbi Abba Muniz was the principal at the time. There was once a class short on teachers, and he asked if I could help out. That’s how I began teaching here—my first real experience beyond a summer stint at a bungalow colony.
Soon after, Rabbi Bukin—who later became Rosh Yeshiva elsewhere—fell ill with a heart condition. They asked me if I would fill in as his teacher for three months. Imagine: I was only 20 years old teaching boys who were just six years younger than me! That experience launched my teaching career right here at Ocean Parkway Yeshiva.
4. The Lasting Impact of Teaching and Relationships
The connections made here last far beyond your time as students or teachers. Recently, when visiting Australia to give a talk at a yeshiva there, one of the rabbis reminded me that he had been my student back when I taught for Rabbi Bukin! Today he serves as a mashpia—a spiritual mentor—in that community.
I am truly grateful for this yeshiva because it gave me my start in teaching and allowed me to build relationships that have lasted decades and reached across continents.
5. The Deeper Purpose of Yeshiva Learning
The main point is that being in yeshiva isn’t just about acquiring knowledge or learning texts by heart. We see this especially through experiences on shlichus—outreach missions—where what matters most is absorbing the inspiration and feeling that yeshiva gives you: living like a Jew and doing what Hashem wants from us.
Your learning should be internalized so it shapes who you are and guides your actions beyond these walls. It’s not enough just to study ideas—you must let them become part of you so they can help you face whatever comes next.
6. Facing Challenges: Encouragement from Torah and Chassidus
Everyone has struggles—adults have their challenges just like young people do. A challenge isn’t something that should scare us off; rather, it means there’s an obstacle we need to overcome.
The Torah says: Ki seitzei lamilchamah al oyvecha—when you go out to war against your enemy—which also refers to our inner struggles with the yetzer hara (evil inclination). The Rebbe teaches that when you go out into battle, Hashem promises success: “You are guaranteed victory.” We often underestimate our own strengths (kochos). But those strengths are there within us—we just need to access them by stepping up when challenges arise.
7. Elul: A Time for Renewal and Growth
This time of year—the month of Elul—is called Melech basadeh—the King is in the field—when Hashem is especially close before Rosh Hashanah. Now is the perfect time for everyone to make good decisions and resolutions for the new year ahead—not because last year was bad necessarily, but because we can always strive for better.
The message from Hashem is clear: “Try! Open up even just a little bit—and I will help you much more.” Even small efforts are met with great assistance from Above.
8. Blessings for Success and Closing Words
I see before me young men who will grow into fine Jews—bnei Torah. My blessing is that you should be successful (matzliach) wherever you turn: bringing nachas (pride) to your yeshiva, your families, your teachers—and most importantly—to yourselves through your hard work and perseverance.
The challenges may seem daunting at times—it may feel like going out into battle—but overcoming them brings true satisfaction and motivation for continued growth.
May Hashem bless all of you with success in learning Torah and developing true yiras Shamayim—awe of Heaven.
Though these words were unprepared, I hope we’ll meet again soon—perhaps at another farbrengen or gathering.
In the meantime: put your minds and energy into learning and serving Hashem wholeheartedly—and may you be blessed with hatzlacha (success) wherever life takes you.
Shabbat Shalom!