This year, along with Moreh Alan continuing to write the weekly D’var Torah, he will be inviting faculty and staff to contribute as well. This will provide a wonderful opportunity for our community to hear from and get to know more of our team. We hope you enjoy this new addition to our communications and the diverse perspectives it will bring.
About Moreh Eric:
Introducing Eric Cohen, the new Junior Division Director! With six years of teaching experience at Heschel and previous administrative experience at Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School, Eric is thrilled to return to the Heschel community as both an administrator and a Heschel parent. He looks forward to a year full of growth and achievements alongside our dedicated students, families, and staff.
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In this week’s Parasha, we are reminded of the powerful words: “כי קרוב אליך הדבר מאד בפיך ובלבבך”—”For the matter is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart.” This verse emphasizes the importance of not only knowing but also deeply believing, and how belief is strengthened when we speak it. It’s not enough to simply hold knowledge in our hearts; to truly internalize it, we must express it through our words. This principle reflects why, here at Heschel, we emphasize reading Torah, Nevi’im, and Tefilah with Kawana—intention. By speaking the words aloud, and especially with the precision of Te’amei HaMiqra, we ensure that the meaning reaches both our minds and hearts. As Maimonides teaches, the way to love Hashem is through knowing God, and knowing God comes through Avodah, the worship from the heart. Yet, true Tefilah, which is Avoda Sh’Balev, only becomes real when it is spoken aloud. As we approach the days of Selihot, let us remember that our inner feelings must be channeled into action and words. Teshuva, Tefilah, and Tzedaka—these actions, when expressed outwardly, bring us closer to Hashem. Let us keep the mitzvot close to our hearts and on our lips, always. לְשָׁנָה טוֹבָה תִכָּתֵבוּ וְתֵּחָתֵמוּ.
