Parshas Haazinu

Zechor ymos olam, Remeber the days of old.  Parshas Haazinu tell us to look back and reflect.  For many Baalei teshuva there is much value in reflecting upon their personal journeys as they prepare to move forward into Yom Kippur and beyond.  Moshe Rabbeinu however was advising us to look at Jewish history which this parsha is an overview of.  Many baalei teshuva are new to the jewish scene and don't appreciate the scope of jewish history.  Many Jews in general assume that the way things are is the way they have always been.  This could not be farther from the truth. 
We are well aware of the tragedy of the 20th century holocaust at the hands of the enemies of Hashem the Nazis and the Communists may there names be erased. We are also most aware and concerned  with the fate of our friends and family who have or are disappearing to assimilation.  What I believe we don't appreciate enough is that we are simultaneously part of one of  the greatest Torah renaisances in history.

The rebirthn of Torah after the second world war and the establishment of an observant community despite the ravages of two centuries of enlightenment assimilationist pressures is nothing short of a miracle and everyone hearing these words is a direcrt benificiary of that miracle.  The story is large and has many twists and turn.  A huge cast of characters and followed different routes in different lacales.  This morning I would like to share with you one stream that i belive has a direct imact on the current state of this congregation.

It is the story of Rabbi Eli Meir Bloch and Rabbi Mordechai (Mottel ) Katz and thier establishment of the Telshe yeshiva.  I am not an alumni of that yeshiva and I don't believe anyone here is but I do think the yeshiva directly impacted our lives.