The Power of Yarchei Kallah
As I write this, it is the sixth day of Chanukah and NCSY National Yarchei Kallah is five days away. Chanukah, as you are probably aware, is contrasted with Purim as to the nature of the threat. Purim was a physical threat; Haman wanted to destroy all the Jews by the sword. Therefore, Purim is celebrated physically, with gifts and feasting. Chanukah, on the other hand, was a spiritual threat. The Syrian-Greeks wanted to assimilate all the Jews. They wanted to kill us with culture. Our response to that threat is therefore likewise spiritual; Chanukah is celebrated with Psalms of praise and light.
It is appropriate that NCSY National Yarchei Kallah always falls around - and often on - Chanukah. That’s what NCSY does. We fight the threat of assimilation. Yarchei Kallah addresses this threat more so than any other program in that almost 200 public school students from across the US and Canada choose to use a week of their winter vacation to learn Torah. They are exposed to great Rabbis and teachers and they learn in small groups with NCSY advisors. Yarchei Kallah is truly a transformative experience.
We have to fight fire with fire. When attacked physically, one needs a shield or self-defense lessons. When attacked spiritually, one needs spiritual armor. Do nothing and assimilation is what happens. Passivity is defeat. NCSY gives young people the spiritual weapons they need to fight the battle. Whether they pick them up and fight is up to them. Happily, many choose to fight.
Happy Chanukah from the entire NCSY family.
Happy Chanukah-
ShalomPosted by Dennis Cast on 12/22 at 12:07 AM
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