The Columbus Torah Academy grieves at the loss of Bethany Sage Moreno, our beloved teacher, who passed away Sunday as a result of injuries she suffered in an automobile accident on Saturday morning. To say that she will be missed would be an enormous understatement.  Sage was adored by her students and was loved and respected by colleagues and parents alike.  On the day before her accident, Sage facilitated a group discussion at our faculty in service day. She was chosen to do so because her colleagues always turned to her for mentoring and guidance whether for organizing projects or for creating fun review sessions.  In the discussion, four areas of professional practice were stressed: planning and preparation, classroom environment, instruction, and professional responsibilities.  Sage was an exemplar in each of these areas.  Her lessons challenged and engaged her students.  On a daily basis, her classes were exciting and riveting, compelling and relevant.  She was a creative teacher totally in tune with the academic, social and emotional needs of her students. And, she provided for these needs daily.  Every year, her students exulted in our annual Shakespeare production, creating life-long memories for budding thespians as well as shy youngsters who were reluctant to speak, even in class.  She will be forever remembered by all who knew her. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and loved ones and we fully share in their grief.

As a school community, we once again have been visited by extreme loss. How to respond is on everyone's mind.  Again and again, I have been asked to check our Mezuzot. The fact is that even before this tragedy, entire sections of the building had their Mezuzot checked.  We inquired of rabbinic authorities as to which doors needed Mezuzot and we are in the process of completing the task for the entire campus. But to focus exclusively on whether our Mezuzot are kosher, as a prophylactic measure to stave off any future trouble, would be reducing the Mezuzah to a mere talisman, a rabbit's foot.  To be sure, the mitzvah of Mezuzah needs to be performed according to specific halachick parameters, but to leave it at that level makes our performance of the mitzvah a mere shadow of what it should be.  For instance, we are about to begin preparations for the holiday of Pesach (Passover) during which time we may not be in possession of Chometz (bread or leavened products).  If all we get out of the Pesach experience is a clean house, then we have reduced the holiday to an exercise in spring cleaning. The messages of Chometz and Matzah are profound and our holiday observance of Pesach is a shell of what it should be if we do not take the lessons of the holiday and its observances to heart. Similarly, if more thought is given to the decorative nature of the mezuzah cover than to what is written therein, then the mezuzah becomes just another object d'art that graces our homes.

"Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying: Speak to the Children of Israel and they shall take to Me a portion, from every man whose heart will motivate him, you shall take My portion." (Chapter 25: 1-2)

Hashem then lists the various objects and precious stones that were needed as donations for the Mishkan. The list began with gold, silver, various wools, animal skins, oil, spices and concluded with the precious shoham stones and filling stones, which were to be used for the apron and breastplate worn by the Kohen Gadol.

The Ohr HaChayim, a Biblical commentator, notes that the shoham and filling stones were the most expensive stones needed, and therefore should have been listed first. The Ohr HaChayim suggests that despite their great value, it is possible that these were least valued by Hashem.

The Ohr HaChayim explains that these stones were donated by the princes of each tribe. When Moshe announced that donations were needed, Bnei Yisroel graciously donated and demonstrated excitement in doing so. The princes reasoned that they would wait until all the donations were received and would then fill in any missing items. Due to the fervor of the nation, there were no remaining items to donate except for these stones. The midrash criticizes the princes for their lack of excitement and for the missed opportunity.

Life consistently presents us with opportunities to give of ourselves. At times, we may feel like a person "whose heart will motivate him," while other times, we may feel less inspired and enthusiastic about the cause. The lesson of the shoham stones teaches us that it is not the monetary value of what we give to others, but our motivation, concern, and enthusiasm when doing so.  Even though the princes gave the most expensive gift, the Torah does not reflect that they gave to the best of their ability.

We do not need to aspire to give the greatest or grandest gifts, because the most meaningful gifts are often when we give to the best of our ability. We are presented with limitless opportunities to reach out to others with an act of kindness, encouraging smile, compliment, or comforting words. Our actions, kindness, and words will be long remembered by those whose live we touch. 

Sunday, February 22:  2nd Grade Chag HaChumash, 9:30am

Monday, February 23:  Pizza Bagels

Tuesday, February 24: Tacos-Volunteer: D. Hellman

CBI Meeting, 1st Choice PT, 7pm

Wednesday, February 25:  Lasagna-Volunteer: L. Polster

Thursday, February 26: BBQ Chicken-Volunteer: B. Martin

Friday, February 27: Fish Sticks-Volunteer: K. Abelman

1st Grade Iditarod, 9am