Message from the Executive Director

Eddie Shostak

Parshat Ki Tavo seems to be centred around simcha. In HaShem's admonition for disobedience, He warns that the Jewish people will serve their enemies, "Tachat asher lo avadeta et Hashem b'simcha merov kol", because (tachat) you did not serve the Lord your God with happiness and a glad heart when you had plenty of everything."

The Gemara, makes it clear, however, that the Temple was destroyed because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred between Jews and not the lack of service through simcha mentioned in the parsha.

Rabbi Joshua Shmidman, zt"l, held that there is no contradiction. What is sinat chinam? How can somebody hate for no reason? What actually happens is that the person really hates himself, but can't hurt himself, so he takes it out on others. His lack of simcha results in the hatred of others.

The Torah tells us to especially make sure that we serve God with joy and happiness when we have a lot. Thank God, the Montreal Jewish community has a lot and we must make sure to appreciate every ounce of it.

I am overjoyed to begin this new year as Executive Director of Kollel Torah MiTzion in Montreal and I am excited to work together to strengthen our community with increased commitment to Torah, the Jewish People and the Land of Israel. Led by a talented and dynamic staff of exemplary Jewish role models Kollel Torah MiTzion fosters the positive personal growth and simcha that is essential to our people.

The Jewish people had a very difficult summer. May we counter the difficulties with an outpouring of joy and love for one another and through this may the coming year bring us the ultimate redemption.

Eddie Shostak
Executive Director, KTM