On Friday morning, the 3rd of Tevet (December 10th), Barkai Yeshivah welcomed Rishon LeSion, Rabbi Shelomo Amar, Chief Rabbi of Israel. It was an erev Shabbat that the students of Barkai will not soon forget.
The Chief Rabbi was greeted by the 2nd grade boys, led by their teacher, Ephraim Setton, singing Yahid el Dagul—a pizmon written to celebrate a great rav. The Chief Rabbi went on to visit every elementary classroom. The students stood respectfully as Rabbi Amar entered and gave them a beautiful berakha. He took great interest in what the students were learning and discussed the parashat hashavua with the 4th grade girls, questioned the 3rd grade boys on portions of Humash Shemot, and discussed the plagues and miracles that HaKadosh Barukh Hu brought to Egypt. He heard the 2nd graders read pesukim from Sefer Bereshit with proper pronunciation and te’amim. He also spoke to the 4th grade boys about the signs of a kosher animal and heard the entire class sing the pesukim in unison.
The children felt uplifted with the Rishon LeSion’s visit and saw that all their efforts and learning were commended and acknowledged by the Chief Rabbi of Israel.
After visiting the elementary school, the Chief Rabbi addressed the 5th through 8th grade boys and girls in the Bet Midrash. He encouraged them in their studies and discussed the value of their Torah. He told them of Yosef HaSadik, who, even as viceroy of Egypt, always saw himself as an Ivri, and because of this, merited that his coffin should travel along side the Holy Ark for 40 years in the desert. “Thus,” said the Rishon LeSion, “know how important your Torah study is, and that no matter what you do in your life, you must always remember that you are members of Kelal Yisrael and that the Torah you learn is your most valuable possession.” At the conclusion of his divre Torah, the Chief Rabbi asked the students to stand and say a tefila together with him for Eres Yisrael.
At the end of his visit, all the early childhood students joyfully sang two songs about Eres Yisrael and the Bet HaMikdash. He blessed the children and bid them all Shabbat Shalom.
To see the Chief Rabbi of Israel in his regal robe commend the children on their learning and bless them to grow strong and great in Torah, was truly invigorating. It is surely a visit that will last as an inspiration in the children’s hearts for many years to come. May the Chief Rabbi live long and healthy. Amen.
