by Meir Barg ('16) and CJ Glicksman ('16)

This past Monday night, MTA novice debaters went to Ezra Academy in Forest Hills, Queens, to debate with over ten other schools. The resolution was that the New York City soda ban passed by the NYC Board of Health, scheduled to take effect on March 12, 2013, should be overturned. The night kicked off with dinner, and then it was quickly time to debate. MTA did amazing in the first round, going 4-0, UNDEFEATED! In the second round, MTA went 2-2, with an affirmative win and a negative win. Maariv followed, led by our very own Elan Dayonov ('15).

Suspense ensued as all the teams packed into the lunchroom, awaiting the results. The results were finally posted outside, with MTA's spectacular 6-2 record shining bright (yellow highlighter). The night was not over, however, as the award ceremony was about to take place. Congratulations to Menachmen Gans ('15), and Yehuda Karol ('15) on winning the honorable third place team award. There was a lot of nail-biting as the winner of the trophy for the overall best school score was being announced. After much anticipation it was finally announced that... MTA won!!!

Congratulations to Meir Barg ('16), Yehuda Karol ('15), Elan Dayonov ('15), Menachem Gans ('15), CJ Glicksman ('16), Tsahi Halyo ('16), Chezkie Lauer ('16), Daniel Mirsky ('16), Shimmy Socol ('16), and Jacob Spector ('15) for their outstanding victory. Thanks to President Dovid Schwartz ('13), Vice Presidents Yitzi Lindenbaum ('14) and Asher Finkelstein ('15), whose coaching steered the novice debaters to victory. Most of all, thank you to Mrs. Levitt, whose dedication, coaching, and support make MTA debate inspirational, enjoyable and educational whether we win or lose.

This past Thursday, just before Mincha, the Beis Midrash quieted down from the boisterous everyday learning. Rabbi Taubes got up and spoke for a few minutes about the awesome opportunity that our generation has to be able to go and visit Eretz Yisrael. Many of our grandparents only dreamed of this notion, so we must be thankful everyday for this gift and not take it for granted.

After Rabbi Taubes spoke, Meir Finkelstein ('13) delivered an exhilarating speech based on Shir Hashirim. The Megillah tells the story of a girl trying to find her beloved, but never seems to meet him. One night, the girl is getting ready to go to bed, already in her pajamas, when her beloved knocks on the door. He keeps on knocking and knocking but the girl doesn't get out of bed. She reasons that he will come back later or that she will find him the next day. Eventually, the knocking stops. Once this happens, the girl realizes what a mistake she has made, not taking the opportunity to answer the door. She gets out of bed runs out of the house, but cannot find him. She calls out and searches in the streets but to no avail.

The Rav cited this story in 1956, on the 8th Yom Ha'atzmaut, and explained it as a mashal between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael. There are times in history where Hashem knocks on our doors and we can see this very plainly. He shows us miracles that clearly reveal Himself and this happened during the years of the beginning of the state of Israel. He said that there are six knocks. The first knock was political in nature, in that Hashem gave us our own state on November 29, 1947 as per the United Nations vote. It was a huge miracle that the vote passed in our favor, which is what we commemorated on Thursday. One of the other knocks relates to Jewish pride. When our enemies rise up against us, we now have a voice to defend ourselves and show that our blood isn't hefker. This knock was heard yet again during the past few weeks when our brethren in Israel were under attack. When these opportunities come around we must make the most of them and "answer the door." We should try to make the most of all of these opportunities, by learning and davening; we do not want to waste such valuable opportunities.