Ezra Rex

　

　

　

　

　

BAR-MITZVA SPEECH

　

　

　

　

Dear mother, rabbi Kanterowitz,dear friends. On this great day of my life when I become barmitzvah I would like to quote a talmudical passage from Tractate Menachot, page 43 B :" Rabbi Elazar ben Jacob says: Whosoever has teffilin on his head, teffilin on his arm, fingers in his garment, and mezuzah on his door- with all these three is strong presumption that he will not sin, for it is written (Ecclesiastes IV,12) : "And a threefold cord is not broken."And it is written again ( Psalms XXXIV,8): "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them."

In the weekly Torah portion of Noach which was read in shull only a few minutes ago, we read the following: " You should make a Tzohar for the Ark. "Rashi quotes the Mihash: "Some say this Tzohar was window, and some say it was a rare and beautiful stone that lit up the entire inside of the Ark".

It seems to me that both of these meanings are connected in order to accomplish something in this world, we must have something that will heighten and light up inside of us. Everyone must have an inner spiritual dynamo that will constantly carry him forward and upward. If we must have compulsions, then let it be "an inner Torah compulsion" that will drive us and make us want to fulfill and do the mitzvoth of G-d.

But, this is not enough. We must not be satisfied with own personal Torah growth. We must also be a window which will let us look out upon the outside world. To be satisfied with one's self and disregard helping raise the moral and spiritual level of others, is to negate Torah attitude.

We need both. We need the inner drive that will help us conquer the obstracles of the outside. We also need enough spirit inside of us to inspire the world outside. We must watch over others too. We must guide them along the proper pathways of life.

All in all, I would like to declare: although I belong to the modern world, my commitment to Judaism will never cease. I intend to be a full member of the Jewish community and to walk in the path of our forefathers.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to my dear mother, to rabbi Kanterowitz, to Mr. Steven Boroda and to all of you who came here today to share my simcha with me . Thank you all.