Heightened excitement and activity is being registered in the halls of Torah in anticipation of the upcoming conclusion of the first cycle of the study of the Laws of Shmittah and Yovel of the Rambam, to be commemorated in the Siyum which will be headed by HaRav Chaim Kanievsky. It is to be held this coming Wednesday, on erev Rosh Chodesh Shevat, the 29th of Teves.

The Moroccan government led by its king continues its joint legislative-halachic activity and support, and each year, as well as this past week, an honorary ceremony is held between the Moroccan Minster of Justice and top officials of the legislative system, and dayanim of the Moroccan Beit Din sitting in Casablanca. This year, however, the government decided to publicly reactivate its warm relations with the Jewish community in the country, and for the first time, inaugurated the Beit Din's rabbinical emblem for the Beit Din at the entrance of the royal Supreme Court building in Casablanca.

"It starts with shechitah, continues with milah, and then they start to close down Orthodox Jewish schools," so asserted Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinchas Goldschmidt in addressing a meeting of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, the senior rabbinic governing board of Agudath Israel of America.

Rabbi Goldschmidt was appealing to the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah for their, and Agudath Israel's, assistance in galvanizing support to fend off growing challenges to Jewish religious life in Europe. As current President of the Conference of European Rabbis, Rabbi Goldschmidt has been extremely active on all matters pertaining to the rights and well-being of the 1.5 million Jews - 90% of whom affiliate with Orthodoxy - living on the European continent.

Part II

HaRav Shamshon Rafael Hirsch was niftar on December 31, 1888, or 27 Teves, 5649. This year is thus 132nd anniversary of his passing. 27 years ago, we published this essay, marking the publication of Shemesh Marpeh a major study of HaRav Hirsch by HaRav Eliahu Meir Klugman. We are happy to republish it now on the Internet.

How fitting is the description of the Yerushalmi maggid HaRav Sholom Schwadron regarding the nature of politics! "Let me quote to you," he said, "from the Medrash in Parshas Noach which tells how Noach accepted only paired animals to the ark.

Rain and Kinneret Watch

by Dei'ah Vedibur Staff

Our weekly report of the rain and the level of the Kineret - Winter, 5781.

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