By now most of us are familiar and take pride in the fact that the Dati-Leumi/Religious Zionist community forms the backbone of Tzahal, the Israel Defense Forces. While this segment of Israeli society represents approximately 10 percent of Israel’s population, it contributes nearly half of the officers of the Israeli armed forces. While in Israel’s early years it was the Kibbutzim that contributed disproportionately to the leadership of Tzahal, it is well known that today this coveted and respected position now belongs to our community, the Religious Zionist community. The backbone of the community that is the backbone of Israel, is the network of Yeshivot Bnei Akiva, whose representatives spoke in many Teaneck Batei Kenesset this past Shabbat.

It is hardly a surprise that the Religious Zionist community has surpassed the secular kibbutzim in their commitment and contributions to Medinat Yisrael. Only those Jews who have a profound intellectual and spiritual connection to Hashem, Torah, Eretz Yisrael and Yerushalayim are able to make the commitment to Medinat Yisrael, the State of Israel. The shallow secular ideals of Jewish nationalism and nation building have not stood the test of time. Torah Judaism and Torah Jews, on the other hand, have the spiritual wellsprings and stamina to proudly proclaim “Am LaNetzach Lo Mefacheid MiDerech Arukah,” an eternal nation does not fear a long road (a popular song in the Dati Leumi community).

Our community was deeply honored to host many leaders of the Bnei Akiva movement this past Shabbat. Yeshivot and Ulpanot of Bnei Akiva (YBA) is the leading religious Zionist educational movement in Israel. It was was founded in 1939 by Rav Moshe Zvi Neriya, zt”l, when he opened Israel’s first yeshiva high school with 13 students. He was sent there by the renowned Rav Kook.

Rav Avraham Yitzhak HaCohen Kook, zt”l, the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of what was then Palestine, is widely considered to be one of the leading founders of Religious Zionism. Rav Kook sent his disciple, Rav Neriah, to found the first YBA school in Kfar Haroeh, a village named with the Hebrew acronym (הָרֹאֶ”ה) for Rav Kook’s name. Rav Neriah went on to help establish the Bnei Akiva youth movement, serve in the Knesset, and receive the Israel Prize for his service to the Jewish state. Since that first YBA school was founded in 1939, more than 100,000 students have graduated from its schools.

That first school led to the development of similar schools for both boys and girls, as well as the establishment of hesder programs, mechina (spiritual preparation for service in Tzahal) programs and a college.

Today, YBA has grown into a national movement encompassing 74 schools from the Golan to Eilat, serving more than 25,000 students of all backgrounds. This includes children from low-income homes, new immigrants and the learning disabled.

We at Congregation Shaarei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck were privileged to host Rav Naftali Kandler, a major leader of the Yeshivot Bnei Akiva. Rav Kandler’s natural connection to Shaarei Orah was his 10 years of service as the rabbi of a Moroccan Kehillah in Kiryat Malachi, of which my cousins Sarah and Yigal Sofer are members.

Rav Kandler delivered a compelling shiur on the essence of Giyur, the conversion process. Rav Kandler, as part of his responsibilities at YBA, coordinates the largest network of conversion preparatory classes in Medinat Yisrael, and thus conversion is a subject of expertise and is particularly close to his heart. Rav Kandler developed the approach of Rabi Yehudah HaLevi (unlike the Rambam) who argues that Judaism is inherent to Jews. The question then emerges regarding how a non-Jew can transform into a Jew. Among Rav Kandler’s answers was a surprising passage in the Gemara (Shavuot 39a) that states that the souls of future converts were present at the divine revelation at Sinai. This explains the phenomenon of many converts who have described the feeling of having been Jewish their entire lives.

At a sumptuous and festive Seudah Shelishit, Rav Kandler discussed why Hazal choose Leket, Shichecha and Pei’ah as the sample mitzvot that are presented to prospective Geirim. These mitzvot require us to leave a portion of our harvest for the poor to glean. Rav Kandler cited a fascinating Alshich HaKadosh who explains that Leket Shichecha and Pei’ah constitute quintessential examples of Jewish Hessed (kindness). The poor are not handed food but are given the opportunity to work and harvest their own food. In this manner they are given the satisfaction of feeling that they have worked for their food. Moreover, the landowner does not enjoy the right of deciding which needy individual will be the beneficiary of his largess. This represents paradigmatic Hessed—caring not only for the material needs of those in financial need but also maintaining their dignity in the process. Prospective converts are therefore taught at the beginning of their journey the Mitzvot of Leket Shichecha and Pei’ah that exhibit Jewish kindness and responsibility at its best.

Yeshivot Bnei Akiva also exhibit Jewish kindness and responsibility at its best. It assumes the responsibility to strengthen Medinat Yisrael at its core, the Neshamot of its youth. Insuring proper preparation of conversion within the system of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate is but one way that Yeshivot Bnei Akiva continue their great tradition of extraordinary service to Am Yisrael, Torat Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael. It was a great honor to host Rav Kandler at Shaarei Orah and we look forward to future Shabbatonim with Yeshivot Bnei Akiva, a shining light of our great people.

By Rabbi Haim (Howard) Jachter, Rabbi, Congregation Shaarei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck