YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HOSTS A REENACTMENT OF HAKHEL

ON OCTOBER 21ST, THE YOF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TOOK PART IN A DISTINCTIVE OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM A REENACTMENT OF THE MITZVAH OF HAKHEL, WHEN ALL OF BNEI ISRAEL GATHERED IN THE BEIT MIKDASH. THE EVENT OCCURRED ONCE EVERY SEVEN YEARS AFTER A SH’MITA YEAR, ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHOL HA’MOED SUKKOT.

YOF was proud to offer this mitzvah to our students and faculty right in front of the school on East 10th Street. “Hakhel is a unique mitzvah not just in reference to the infrequent nature of its performance, but because it is the only mitzvah that requires all of Am Yisrael, fathers, mothers and children, to come together to hear the shofar and words of Torah read out loud by the King of Israel,” explained YOF Elementary Head of School Rabbi Yahel Tsaidi.

All parents, faculty and students—from early childhood through middle school—were invited to take part in the festivities. Middle school leaders worked to recreate the Biblical scene of Hakhel by erecting a stage that had a symbol of the Beit Hamikdash. Rabbi Tsaidi, Middle School Principal Rabbi Dr. David Hertzberg, Middle School Principal and Director of Academic Development Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, Middle School Co-Principal Rabbi Ronn Yaish and Mashgiach Ruchani Rabbi Ikey Tawil led prayers and songs. Both Rabbi Yaish, who represented the King of Israel, and Rabbi Tawil, who represented the Kohen Gadol (High Priest), wore priestly vestments similar to those worn in Biblical times.

The children looked on in awe as the kohanim (specific students), king and Kohen Gadol took the stage to read from the Torah. Then they heard the blasts of the shofar, led by Middle School Judaic Studies Chairman Rabbi Abraham Benhamu. Leaders read the verses from the beginning of Devarim, the Ten Commandments, Sh’ma Yisrael, and passages about being obedient to Hashem no matter what the scenario. Noting the diversity of all YOF students, passages were read in three different styles of reading: Teymani, Sepharadi, and Ashkenazi.

Students made blessings on special snacks that were handed out to the crowd. Several rounds of spirited dancing and celebrating ensued once the Torah reading had been completed. Many of the youngest students swayed to the songs while holding lollipops, while lower and middle school students gathered in circles to dance along and sing aloud to the tunes of “Tov Le’hodot La’Hashem,” “Ya’ale Ve’Yabo,” “Tati My King” and “David Melekh Yisrael.”

A highlight of the event was the students getting to see the sefer Torah taken out in front of everyone. “Performing the mitzvah of Hakhel was a learning experience for the entire school. It was an event that the students will remember and reference for the rest of their lives,” shared Rabbi Tawil.

“Hakhel is described in the Torah as a very emotional reading of the text that would often elicit crying and happiness, deep reflection and commitment to observance moving forward. Seeing our student body, from toddlers through 8th graders, along with our faculty and parents, truly elicited more emotions than I anticipated. I was moved and inspired in a way that could only be achieved through the uplifting nature of achdut (harmony), the depth of togetherness, and placing Torah at the center of all of our lives,” added Rabbi Tsaidi.