Open Invitation

Coordinated by Rachel Bachrach

A succah is a place for everyone. “Kol haezrach b’Yisrael,” the Torah tells us – on Sukkos, every citizen of Klal Yisrael should sit in a succah. “Kol Yisrael re’uyin leisheiv b’succah achas” – all of Yisrael are worthy of sitting in one succah, the gemara clarifies. This, we understand, is the very paradigm of the succah: a place where all are welcome.

In honor of this Yom Tov of sukkah achas, Mishpacha writers share their memories as guests from years past and pay tribute to a host’s lasting impact

Weekly Reminder

Rabbi Moshe Dov Heber

Every time I wash for Melaveh Malkah, I think of Rabbi Boruch Neuberger

 I was a 12th grade bochur in Ner Yisroel when Rabbi Boruch Neuberger, then the sgan menahel assisting his father Rav Sheftel ztz”l in running the yeshivah, came over and asked if we could speak.

“My son Bentzy will be in sixth grade next year, and I would like you to learn Mishnayos with him,” he said.

I excitedly agreed, because I knew bochurim enjoyed these relationships with the families that live on Yeshiva Lane on campus. They meant meals, food, and connections — pretty much all a bochur needs outside the beis medrash.

The learning went well the first few months, and that Chanukah, Rabbi Neuberger gifted me with the brand-new Shev Shmatsa version that had notes.