Leil Shishi: Ten Plagues
This week's Leil Shishi was a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of the deeper aspects of the Eser Makkos (Ten Plagues). Rabbi Shmuel Schwarz introduced the evening by challenging the boys to consider the significance of the well-known acronym דצ"ך עד"ש באח"ב and to reflect on the contemporary relevance of the Ten Plagues.

The programme, designed by Rabbi Cohen, was structured to maximize participation and active learning. The boys rotated through three interactive sessions, each providing a unique perspective on the Eser Makkos:
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• The Maharal’s Perspective: One group delved into the Maharal’s idea that each of the Ten Plagues parallels one of the Asarah Maamaros (Ten Statements) with which Hashem created the world. To reinforce this concept, the boys were given different coloured papers and tasked with matching each plague to its corresponding statement of creation.
• Midah Keneged Midah: Another group explored the concept of Midah Keneged Midah (measure for measure), examining how each plague served as a precise response to the actions of the Egyptians. Participants engaged in an interactive activity, pasting various labels onto corresponding sheets to highlight these connections.
• Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Three Stages: The third group studied Rav Hirsch’s approach, which categorizes the Ten Plagues into three distinct stages of affliction that Bnei Yisrael endured. The evening was a tremendous success, with enthusiastic participation from the boys.

Gali Wagon (8YB) shared his thoughts: "I thoroughly enjoyed tonight’s Leil Shishi. Rabbi Rickman’s session was really interactive, Rabbi Schwalbe’s was really deep and interesting, and Rabbi Simmond’s was a bit of both!"

We concluded the event with delicious pizza and chips, much to the delight of the boys. Many thanks to Rabbi A. Schwartz for arranging, ensuring a fantastic end to the evening. The night truly left the boys plague-d with curiosity and thirst for Torah! Hopefully, no one found the discussions too blood-boiling, and while Pharaoh may have bugged out, our boys certainly didn’t! It was a hail of a learning experience, and we look forward to many more froggin’ good times at future Leil Shishi sessions.

Last night, our school hosted a remarkable Leil Shishi event, celebrating the lives and teachings of prominent Sephardi Rabbanim. The evening began with an inspiring video address by Rabbi Joseph Dweck, Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community of the United Kingdom, who spoke passionately about the importance of learning from these towering figures and the profound influence they have had on Jewish life and thought.
After the address, participants divided into smaller groups to explore the lives and legacies of these Chachamim in greater depth. The sessions featured both guest speakers and our own students as presenters, weaving together fascinating stories, images, and teachings to bring each Rav to life.
Oz Lalouche of 11YB spoke about the Ben Ish Chai, sharing key moments from his life and some of his halachot on Netilat Yadayim. Bobby Wagon and Joey Elias, both from 13YB, presented a compelling account of Rav Ovadia Yosef’s extraordinary contributions and the transformative impact he had on the Sephardi world. Rabbi Simmonds offered an insightful session on Rav Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel, shedding light on his groundbreaking leadership and vision. Mord Maman reflected on the wisdom and legacy of Rav Hayim David Halevi, while Dr Yehuda Marshall delved into the life and teachings of Dayan Saadia Amor. R' Yochanan Pereira gave a heartfelt presentation on his Rebbi, Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, bringing a personal perspective to the evening.
The event concluded with an inspiring message from R' Rickman, who highlighted the words on our Parochet, "יחד שבטי ישראל" (United are the Tribes of Israel). He spoke about the importance of recognizing and celebrating the unique contributions of each segment of Klal Yisrael, reminding everyone of the power of unity and mutual respect.
We are deeply grateful to all the presenters, organizers, and participants who made this evening so meaningful. The lessons and inspiration drawn from these Sephardi Rabbanim will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our school community.

This week’s Leil Shishi at Yavneh Boys was a truly memorable evening, combining Torah learning, meaningful reflection, and inspiring creativity. Rabbi Cohen began the night with an impactful Dvar Torah, tying the theme of Achdus to the calendar and the parsha. He noted that Asarah B'Teves marks the anniversary of the brothers selling Yosef - a moment of division in our history. In contrast, this week’s Parsha highlights the final reconciliation and unity of the brothers. True Achdus comes not from uniformity but from appreciating the unique qualities of each individual, a message particularly relevant to our students.
Following this introduction, the boys explored the significance of each Shevet. Using their Chumashim, they researched the origins of the Shevatim's names and the Berachos given to them by both Yaakov Avinu and Moshe Rabbeinu. This was followed by delving into Midrashic descriptions of each Shevet’s stone and flag, revealing the distinct identity of each tribe.
The evening concluded with a hands-on creative project inspired by Marc Chagall’s famous stained-glass windows in the Hadassah Hospital, which depict the Shevatim. The boys designed their own beautiful "windows" representing the twelve tribes, bringing together the textual and visual elements they had studied.
The results were stunning. These colourful creations now adorn the windows of Yavneh, transforming our school with vibrant reminders of the unique contributions of each Shevet and the overarching importance of Achdus.