The contents of the letter took things to a whole new level

Photo: Tuvy Lemberg

AS the school year at Far Rockaway’s Yeshiva Darchei Torah came to a close, the rosh yeshivah, Rav Yaakov Bender shlita, received a letter from Reuven’s parents. Reuven is a member of a very special program run by Yeshiva Darchei Torah. The program is geared toward special-needs children and operates on Sundays and legal holidays, allowing these precious neshamos a chance to learn in a yeshivah environment. The program in and of itself is an example of Yiddishkeit at its best, but the contents of the letter took things to a whole new level.

Shalom aleichem,

I just wanted to share the most wonderful phone call I received this week from the one and only Rabbi Morgenstern [the menahel].

As the Rosh Yeshivah knows, our son Reuven has been coming to Darchei on Sundays for the past four years. It’s been amazing for him, especially socially, and each year we’re speechless about how sensitive and caring the boys in the class are.

The fifth grade in Darchei had a grand bechinah this week that they worked very hard for, and they earned Chinese auction tickets based on their hard work. The boys in the class took many of their own tickets and wrote Reuven’s name on them and told their rebbi, Rabbi Rosenberg, and their principal, Rabbi Morgenstern, “Let’s see him win!” Sure enough, he won a big prize, and when Reuven’s name was announced, the whole class started cheering.

My older son was called down from seventh grade to claim the prize, and when he thanked the class, the fifth-grade boys told him that they pooled an incredible number of tickets together and entered Reuven’s name in a prize they knew he’d appreciate.

The sensitivity of young talmidim to be moser nefesh for another boy and to display such thoughtfulness is astounding, and speaks to the atmosphere cultivated by the Rosh Yeshivah, the hanhalah, the principals, and the incredible rebbeim like Rabbi Rosenberg (whose dedication is beyond description).

With endless gratitude,

Reuven’s parents

As we enter the month of Tammuz, we remember the sinas chinam that brought about this millennia-long galus in the first place. And if sinas chinam got us here, we’re taught, ahavas Yisrael will get us out.

Fifth-graders of Darchei Torah, know this: You may have given up a prize, but not for long. Soon, so soon, Mashiach will come with the Beis Hamikdash descending in a blazing fire. The crowds will clamor for a better view, but it will be you, and all those like you, who will be ushered to the front lines.

And no prize is grander than that.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 918)