In last week's Parsha, the Torah tells us that Eisav responded to Yaakov's request to purchase his birthright with the words, "V'anochi holaych l'mus, I am going to die." The Ibn Ezra explains that due to that fact that Eisav was a hunter and hunting was very dangerous, Eisav felt he would likely not outlive his father.

This is puzzling. We know Yitzchok Avinu was wealthy. Eisav was a young man of 15 years. Why did he feel the need to put his life on the line to hunt when clearly he didn't need it for sustenance?

The answer may be due to the fact that Eisav was not engaged in spiritual pursuits; his life was empty and unfulfilled. He enjoyed hunting and knew that it might cost him his life, but felt he had very little for which to live. Due to his lack of self worth, he felt losing his life was an "acceptable risk" in order to engage in activities that he desired.  Yaakov, who involved himself in Torah and mitzvos, was fulfilled and content, and would never consider risking his life for "cheap thrills."

We see from here that an individual who is focused solely on this world not only forgoes the next; he doesn't even appreciate the value of his own life, subjecting himself to discontent, depression and risky behaviors. However, a person who seeks out a life of Torah not only is rewarded with a portion in the next world; he attains fulfillment, happiness and inner peace in this world as well.

High School Moves into
 Renovated Bais Medrash!

The excitement in the newly renovated Rebbetzin Esther Grunblatt YTC High School Bais Medrash / Auditorium was palpable as our student body filed in for our first Tefilah there this past Sunday.  The talmidim marveled at the room's redesign and all-new furniture. At the heart of the room is the newly dedicated, magnificent Aron HaKodesh, generously donated by the Nash Family in memory of their father, Chaim ben Yisroel, A"H.

Rabbi Chaim Glazer, one of our 9th grade rabbeim, reminded those at the first Tefilah that we find in this week's  Parsha, Yaakov Avinu referring to Har HaMoriah as the "Sha'ar HaShomayim." He pointed out that every Shul and Bais Medrash is a "Mikdash Mi'at," and our tefillos have the power to turn this room into a "Sha'ar HaShomayim" as well.

Let us hope that Hashem fulfills all of our Tefillos, along with the rest of K'lal Yisroel!

The relationship between a Rebbe and his talmidim should reach far beyond the classroom door. It is for this reason that Shabbatonim and trips  are an integral part of our Limudei Kodesh program. In the past few weeks, many of our shiurim have had the opportunity to spend Shabbos with their Rabbeim.

Rabbi Dovid May and his 11th grade shiur recently spent a Shabbos in Palm Beach Gardens. The young men were able to daven, sing, eat, and spend time with each other and the Palm Beach Gardens community, while taking in the local sights.

Rabbi Hillel Duvovitz spearheaded a Shabbaton for his 9th grade shiur, which included a Motzei Shabbos excursion to LaserQuest. As part of the 10th Grade Shabbaton, Rabbi Yehuda Bergida and Rabbi Yaakov Dreyfuss took their talmidim to a private beach for football and a barbeque.

The time our talmidim spend together with their chaveirim and their Rabbiem is sure to deepen their commitment and devotion to each other and aid in the development of true b'nei Torah of the highest caliber.         

Mazel Tov to Rabbi Shaya Dovid Kaganoff's 11th grade Gemorah Bekiyus shiur completed "HaIsha Basra," the 16th perek of Yevamos this week.

The second quarter is underway with the sounds of Shakespeare in the Language Arts classroom, model cars racing down the hallways chased by physics students and math students buying and selling stocks as they participate in the Stock Market Game of the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University.

Mr. O'Toole, our Media Specialist,  and Mr. Friedman, our technology coordinator, are busy getting the renovated Media Center and Computer Lab ready to "open for business" as soon as we pass our final inspections. We have certainly missed having a functioning Media Center for the past few months, and both students and faculty will benefit from the many resources and services that will soon become available. The science teachers are also anxious to conduct demonstrations and labs in our new science lab and classroom. We are all excited and await with anticipation as these resources become available as a tool to enhance classroom learning.