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YESHIVOT IN ISRAEL

Rabbi Morrie Wruble

Seeds of Return

he opening Mishnah of Jews of that time – the celebration of
Masechet Rosh Hashanah Tu BiShvat gave them hope. While
The YNA One Year Program is a continuation Tenumerates four different their situation in exile looked bleak and
of the enterprise founded in 1967 by HaRav times of the year referred to as “Rosh hopeless, G-d was preparing the seeds
Aryeh Bina zt”l. His son, HaRav Aharon Hashanah,” the New Year. Each one
Bina, Rosh HaYeshiva, continues to run this represents a cut-off point when one for their eventual return and rebirth.
program located at the Kotel Plaza in the Today we are living an existence
heart of the Old City of Jerusalem. year ends and the next year begins.
The first of Elul is the cut-off point that our ancestors could only have
with regards to ma’aser beheima – the dreamed of – the Land of Israel,
Our program strikes the delicate balance tithing of animals. The first of Tishrei barren and desolate for so many
between a challenging academic curriculum is the New Year with regards to tithing years, has reawakened. Not only are
and the ultimate Israel experience. The grain and vegetables. The 15th of Shvat our supermarket shelves filled with
curriculum uses both a content-based and is the New Year with regards to fruits homegrown fruits and vegetables, but
skills-based approach. We are a college- of the tree. we export top-quality fruit all over the
promoting, parent-friendly environment world. During the summer I manage
catering to the needs of the individual. The While all of these dates have halachic the kitchen in a camp in Pennsylvania.
program is academically tracked with the ramifications, none are celebrated as a
ability to move and change levels based on holiday. The Talmud makes no mention Even in this remote village we receive
personal progress. of the Tu BiShvat celebration. It is only produce stamped “Product of Israel.”
Not only has the produce returned, but
during the period of the Rishonim that the people of Israel have also returned.
Our staff is a diverse and excellent group of we find some sort of special status
Rebbeim. Some senior Rebbeim have been granted to this day. Shulchan Aruch As we gather for this year’s Tu BiShvat
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with the program for over 25 years. Each rules that one may not fast on this day, Seder, let us reflect on the historical
Rebbe is hand-picked to become part of a and that we don’t recite Tachanun. significance of what has happened.
group of educators promoting Torat Yisrael, After 2,000 years of exile – when many
Eretz Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael. Netiv Why is only the Rosh Hashanah for of our persecutors and even members
Aryeh’s philosophies are aligned with that the fruits of the trees singled out for of our own people were convinced
of the Religious Zionist movement and are celebration? Furthermore, why did that there was no future for the
consistent with the thoughts espoused by this day only take on a holiday aspect
the Rav, HaRav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, zt”l. during the period of the Rishonim? Jewish people – we have miraculously
returned to our homeland and are
The Gemara explains why Tu BiShvat rebuilding the Jewish State beyond
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is viewed as the New Year for Trees our wildest expectations. May we see
even though it takes place in the the conclusion of this story occurring
middle of winter, when the trees have speedily in our days.
shed their leaves and the orchards
are totally bare. It is at this time that
Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh the fruits begin to take form after the 1 Orach Chaim 572:3, 131:6.
+972-2-626-6333 majority of the year’s rains have already
admissions@yna.edu fallen. Rashi explains that the rains 2 Rosh Hashanah 14a.
www.yna.edu of the first half of the winter generate
growth for the upcoming year. These Rabbi Morrie Wruble is an educator with
rains cause the sap to rise inside the over 40 years of experience in many
tree producing the new fruits. This yeshivot and midrashot. He is presently a
idea had a profound message for the Rebbe in Netiv Aryeh