Page 31 - HaMizrachi #6 TuBishvat 5779

Midrashot in Israel • Midreshet HaRova

Rabbi David Milston

The Wonder

of Winter

Midreshet HaRova u BiShvat is rich in symbolism. us note that winter robbed us of our
Being located in Jerusalem’s Old City, the For example, Rav Shimshon fruit and colorful leaves. The storms
Midrasha offers an unparalleled atmosphere for a T Raphael Hirsch says that Tu and cold broke branch after branch,
challenging Judaic Studies curriculum integrated BiShvat celebrates the beginning of twig after twig, leaving the trees
with a complete Israel experience. spring while still in the first half of the enshrouded in ice and snow.
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Overseas Program winter! But if we look carefully enough,
We offer an intensive, high-level program in a This message is so significant. It we will be able to ignite our hopes
strongly Zionist environment. The international teaches us that the gentle awakening and dreams by celebrating our
character of the student body and the open of spring begins its hidden work in the silent rebirth in defiance of nature’s
intellectual environment, combined with the middle of the bleak embrace of winter; onslaught. The old leaves and fruits
wide variety of faculty, is particularly attractive silently, softly and hidden from view. are surely gone but the blossoms of
to the creative student interested in exploring a The fresh new sap flows through the the future are within our grasp.
range of ideas and approaches. trees in readiness for the coming of
Experience Israel spring. Under the torn, cold bark, …The twigs and branches broken by
Students are encouraged to experience Israel to fresh life is pulsating. The winter is no the storms were already dry, brittle
the fullest. Overseas students often share rooms graveyard. It is the source of life. and lifeless but their inner core
with Israeli students, and participate in activities remained alive and fresh. They will
with Israelis. Programs focusing on current As Rav Hirsch so poetically describes always weather the storm, just as
events and the political situation in Israel are a it, “…Men and nations are bent by our people will survive the terrors
regular part of the program, as well as an annual sorrow, pain and grief. They had of historical night. Our strength is
Masa to Poland. harbored beautiful dreams of their found not in the transient part of the
future, proudly wearing the crown trees, the rustling crown or adornment
Leadership and Community of their efforts, intoxicated with the of branches, twigs and leaves. Our
The full Midrasha program includes volunteer unlimited power of their might and eternal foundation is a place that
work in the broader community, special tiyulim, deeds. A violent force robbed them weather and storms cannot reach.”
shabbatot and seminars, and other projects of their fruits and the storms of life
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encouraging students to experience and smashed their flourishing hope and Says the Admor of Chortkov, “Israel
understand contemporary Israeli society. joy, destroying the glitter of their is that tree. During this long winter
society, breaking the halo of their of exile, the tree is often exposed.
The Educational Leadership program encourages power and might and leaving them Its leaves have fallen and storms of
motivated students to combine their personal poor and defenseless. tragedy and war have almost uprooted
educational exploration with the necessary skills us. Yet from this very darkness –
to lead others. Not a single blossom is within sight. perhaps because of this darkness – the
No greenery heralds the coming of a blossoming of Israel will surely come.
Midreshet HaRova strives to treat all students new future. But we misunderstand! The redemption will indeed arrive.”
as individuals in an environment in which each We fail to look within ourselves, to
woman can maximize her potential. We aim to realize the Source from which all help We know that spring will follow
teach not what to think but how to think. winter. Because of winter. Our faith
emanates and where hope, strength
and life blossom. teaches us we just can’t have one
without the other.
And so on this day we must leave our
homes shaken by winter storms and
tempests. We should behold the trees 1 See Collected Writings, Volume 2 – Shvat 2
on their birthday with the objective of and Shvat 5.
Midreshet HaRova self-inspiration. 2 Rav David Moshe Friedman, 1828-1903.
50 Chabad Street, Old City, Jerusalem Let us remember those days of beauty
+972-2-626-5970 office@harova.org when we were decorated with fruits, Rabbi David Milston is the Rosh
www.harova.org leaves, branches and twigs, and let Midrasha at Midreshet HaRova