rosh hodesh trip

On Sunday we went on a trip to celebrate the new month. We went to Ein Karem... WOW

We wanted to go out and break out of the norm a little bit and it proved to be absolutely right.

We hiked for ten minutes and reached a little spring. We walked past the spring for a couple more minutes and found a huge fig tree.

We sat under the tree and had some pita and hummus, some cold cuts as well.

We spoke a little and it was heartwarming. The students shared and the staff shared in how we feel about the last four months. Some of the guys said it was a miracle for them that the Beit Midrash opened. They felt great about having a place where they can fit in, where they don't have to explain themselves.

I shared with them how i have fears as well, everyday i have fears, what if they don't like us, the program, me... I told them how every morning i come and pray that the students will show up and i am never sure. I know how hard it is and I'm very sad that i have my limits as to how much i can help.

as you can see, i got my place on the tree and i must say i got extremely energized from this trip.

What is Shaf Yativ????

Shaf Yativ
I guess I must explain what Shaf Yativ is and what the name means.

Let's start with what it is...
Shaf Yativ is a new program I opened up with Udi Marili, which is aimed at mental rehabilitation through the tools of Torah and the Beit Midrash setting. You can read all about it on the website http://www.shafyativ.com/ . if you're already there, read the "note from the Rabbi" http://www.shafyativ.com/shafyativ/Note_from_the_Rabbi.html

Now about the name...
I was looking for a name to the program and thought Arameic is a good place to start. I consulted with a few rabbis and one of them opened the Gemara (Rosh Hashana 24)
He showed me Rashi's commentary about a place named Shaf Ve'Yativ (some say Shaf Yativ) in Babel :
A synagogue in ancient Babel, made of stones from the Temple "which was ruined and re-built and always had holy spirit present in it" as soon as I saw the meaning I said "that's the name."