One of the most beautiful rhythms of Jewish life is the cycle of our sacred holidays. Each one brings with it not just rituals but an opportunity to come together with family, to create new memories, and to recall those who shaped us. It’s no coincidence that toward the end of our holidays, we say Yizkor, remembering those we’ve lost. Our loved ones may no longer be physically present, but their legacies continue to illuminate our lives.
As we prepare for the Seder night, the ultimate educational moment in Jewish life, we are reminded that the goal is not only to recount the story of our exodus but to pass it down in a way that resonates for each member of the family, from toddlers to grandparents. I once had a friend who joined the Seder of one of Israel’s greatest Torah scholars. He came prepared to share deep insights, only to find the rabbi spending the entire night speaking softly to his grandchildren, bringing the story of our redemption to life on their level.
This, I believe, captures the true essence of Jewish education. Like an iceberg, the depth must be vast, but what we share must be clear, simple, and full of heart. Torah must be deeply studied but beautifully and simply conveyed.
There’s an ancient tradition of visiting one’s teachers during the holidays. In that spirit, and in honor of our merger with the incredible Partners in Torah, I had the privilege of visiting Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky and his son, Rav Sholom, Roshei Yeshiva (Deans) of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, together with PIT’s visionary founder, Rabbi Eli Gewirtz.
When I was considering joining Aish nearly a decade ago, I turned to Rav Shmuel for guidance. He played a key role in shaping Aish’s next chapter and was insistent that Rav Yitzchak Berkovits become our next Rosh Yeshiva. Five years later, I returned to him with the news that this had come to fruition. His joy was palpable.
This time, I came with more good news: Aish and Partners in Torah had united. Two powerhouses of Jewish education joining forces. Rav Shmuel was deeply moved and offered us his heartfelt blessing. Our conversation with Rav Sholom was equally inspiring, his pulse on the global Jewish community is remarkable, and his insights were invaluable.
In a world filled with noise and distraction, we must return to clarity. The Torah, as the Zohar (one of the foundational works of Jewish mysticism) teaches, is the blueprint of the world. Every decision, whether it be personal, communal, or national, must be filtered through its lens and in consultation with Torah giants. We are proud to be led by Rav Yitzchak Berkovits, one of this generation’s great Torah minds, and to be connected to giants like Rav Shmuel and Rav Sholom.
As we approach this sacred season, I encourage you to deepen your connection to Jewish wisdom. Visit aish.com/passover/ to explore our robust library of Passover insights. And please, take a moment to vote for Aish in the WZC elections at aish.com/vote. As Moses declared to Pharaoh, “Let my people go,” today, we declare, “Let my people know.”
