Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Pirchei of Forshay holds Tzitzis Workshop

Motzei Shabbos. For fathers and sons across the globe, that means one thing. Going to Shul and learning together. The program is known as Avos Ubanim International, was founded on the premise that children, with the encouragement of some “Shelo Lishmah”, would spend the time on a Motzei Shabbos learning Torah with their fathers.
The program has hundreds of locations, many of them here in Monsey.
Over the past few years, I have merited the tremendous Nachas of seeing my son eager to attend the program, anxious not to miss even one week! The Motsei Shabbos learning has become the highlit of my week.
The impact of a father on his children is incalculable. ChaZal tell us that even the one child of Yaakov Avinu who was named HaTzadik, Yosef, was almost Nichshol with the Eishes Poti Fera – But was saved when an image of his father appeared before his eyes.
In the times that we live in, where as much as we try to shield our children, they are pounded with messages from the outside world we would prefer to keep out. There is no question that spending time learning with one’s children is one way to “fortify” them against a world of temptation.
It is interesting to note, there is one more story recounted in the Gemoroh Mesechtas Menachos, of somebody who was going to Nichshol in a similar Aveira – but was saved through a Mitzvah. In this case, it was a Talmid of Rav Chiya who was tempted, but was saved when he saw his Tzitzis.
It was much to my delight, when Pirchei of Forshay, which runs the local Avos Ubanim chapter, had a Tzitzis workshop last Sunday. Children from all over the area came to Kehillas Beis Avrohom, and with the help of fathers, friends, and volunteers from Yeshiva Ohel Torah, learned how to make a Kosher pair of Tzitzis.
It was truly a sight to behold. Over a hundred children, bent over the Beged, with the sound of “L’Shem Mitzvas Tzitzis reverberating through the room in a constant murmur, as the knots and knotted and the strings were wound around the others.
Memories of that special evening still bring a tremendous feeling of gratitude to those who were behind the evening. Mr. Perry Dubinsky, who showed everybody how to make the Tzitzis Kosher, Mr. Malin who organized the event, and most of all, David Neuman, who is in charge of making sure that the learning program goes smoothly – every single Motzei Shabbos throughout the winter. May they all be Zoche to see much Nachas from their families.

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