Rebbe\u2019s Mussar Stories<\/strong><\/p>\n Rabbi Moshe Yaakov Edelman is a storyteller who uses the power of his voice, with his talent for imparting the Torah\u2019s timeless wisdom through meaningful moshals (parables), to teach children all about growing themselves as people and as Jews. But just to make sure that what he is trying to teach people doesn\u2019t get lost in the pages of history, Rabbi Edelman uses modern technology and the wonderful new ways of reaching out to people on a large scale to get his message across. He does it by way of his website, mussarstories.com, which puts out original and classical mussar stories for kids with powerful sounds and imagery to go along with them. He does this through impactful stories and his own narration, his lilting voice drawing the kids in, background sound effects and musical accompaniment making it real and heart rending, and his direct commentary and explanations as he goes along, ensuring that none of the powerful messages inherent in the stories are lost.<\/p>\n Rabbi Edelman has a talent which precedes Rebbe\u2019s Mussar Stories; a talent for being able to tell original stories in such a way that the audience can connect to the message he is trying to convey, which he has always practiced at his Shabbos table and on the school children that he teaches \u2013 \u201ceven direct rebuke, but in interesting and loving ways\u201d. The listeners find themselves at the edge of their seats waiting for more, waiting for the punch line, waiting for the message \u2013 even if that includes some constructive criticism. Rabbi Edelman derives stories from his creative thinking, while others he gets from the Midrash or Torah, or Jewish lore. But the stories are always told in a new, exciting, and innovative way, often humorously, always educationally, and in such a way that the message can be brought across gently. Rebbe\u2019s Mussar Stories are powerful. When you hear them you identify with the characters in the scenario and it impacts your life and the experiences that you are going through both in conscious and deeply subconscious ways.<\/p>\n \u201cMy mission is to spread mussar with innovation and appeal.\u201d The rabbi might be doling out mussar, or ideas on moral conduct, a principle which grew into a cultural movement that saw its heyday in the 19th<\/sup> Century, largely founded by Rabbi\u00a0Yisrael Lipkin Salanter in Lithuania, but he does it in a popular way. \u201cPeople don\u2019t want to feel criticised; they want to run away whenever they hear comments about their conduct, whether it is constructive or not.\u201d Rabbi Edelman was even advised against naming his website Rebbe\u2019s Mussar Stories for this reason. \u201cBut I chose to go with it because I want people to know that yes, mussar can be criticism, and yes, it is important to hear, but it doesn\u2019t have to be about negative judgments on people. Rather, it must be seen as positive ways in which we can grow, which can also be fun, interesting, and appealing. Mussar is such an important part of our lives; it contributes to our growth as people and, of course, as Jews.\u201d He believes that the importance of mussar is for a person to become more G-d fearing and for him to perfect his character traits.<\/p>\n Ironically, Rabbi Edelman was always a technophobe. \u201cI didn\u2019t know much about technology, but my partner, Ryan Richard \u2013 Managing Director of Raw Media, is cutting-edge and he had approached me numerous times after hearing my stories at the Shabbos table or at shul to publish them. And he knew just how to do it.\u201d It was Ryan\u2019s gentle insistence and motivation which propelled Rabbi Edelman to take the plunge, and of course his technical savvy brought Rebbe\u2019s Mussar Stories to life. \u201cI believe that if Yirat Shomayim (fear of Hashem) is\u00a0correctly\u00a0instilled at a young age it will strengthen our children and give them the tools they need to overcome the difficulties we face in this generation. With Rabbi Edelman’s unique ability, I saw how we would be able to inspire\u00a0Jewish families across the world by building a healthy, educational, and exciting alternative to negative media available to Jewish homes worldwide,\u201d says Ryan.<\/p>\n So far, Rabbi Edelman has written eight stories and there are another five in production. He is inspired and motivated to put out many more, realising that the capacity to teach in new and broader ways is far more expansive than he could ever have imagined. \u201cThat is the beauty of the stories. They inspire people in a way that challenges them to help themselves and to grow, without putting them down and making them feel less holy in any way. People want to grow. They don\u2019t always like to because it is hard, but deep down everybody wants to better themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n The added bonus of Rebbe\u2019s Mussar Stories is the learning that takes place over and above the broader message of the piece. It is not just mussar that the children are gaining. The rabbi takes the children on a journey into the world that he creates and there they learn and do so much, with an entertaining and sometimes mesmerising soundtrack provided by partner Matthew Klawansky, composer and producer, as well as some well-known tunes from renowned Jewish artist Yaakov Shwekey (with his permission).<\/p>\n Rabbi Edelman has also been going around schools giving over mussar stories to the students to rave review. And his audiences love him. \u201cIt has gotten to the point where parents cannot switch off the car because the children, and indeed even the parents themselves, want to finish the story.\u201d Mission accomplished.<\/p>\n For more information, visit: www.mussarstories.com<\/a><\/p>\n The 613 Mitzvot of Chidon Sefer Hamitzvos<\/strong><\/p>\n Thirteen-year-old Tanni Cohen was one of seven lucky Torah Academy students out of 18 qualifiers who got the opportunity to journey to America to compete in the international Chidon Sefer Hamitzvos competition, which sees kids delving into the deepest meaning behind every one of the 613 mitzvos in the Torah. \u201cI feel so proud to have been a part of the whole thing and for achieving what I did, and knowing that the amount of studying I put in is visible in the results that I achieved,\u201d says Tanni. The competition, organised by Tzivos Hashem International for 10-14-year-olds from around the world, was started six years ago. A Shabbaton in New York that pulled out all the stops was the reward for any child who had scored high enough on three difficult tests on the 613 Mitzvos. As the Shabbaton was brought to a close, the children were challenged: \u201cCome back next year, but with another friend too.\u201d And so it grew to four times its size the next year, and now the competition sees over 15 000 kids worldwide taking part and over 2 500 participants at the Shabbaton from around the world.<\/p>\n The competition takes the Rambam\u2019s Sefer Hamitzvos and splits it up into sections for each age group. By competing every year that one is eligible to, all 613 Mitzvos will have been covered, which is a mammoth task for even the most dedicated Torah learner. But Tanni couldn\u2019t resist the challenge when her friends asked her if she would participate in the competition two years ago. This year, Tanni made it to the finals which is even greater motivation for next year. \u201cLearning all that information inside out is extremely hard, and then having to achieve on the tests is challenging. But being able to represent my team and my grade on stage, along with four new friends that I met in America, and making it to the finals, made all the frustration worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n The idea of travelling to America to compete was a major motivating factor. Picturing herself being one of the 1 000 girls worldwide wearing the purple jersey reserved for participants with pride was a goal that kept Tanni going. Being involved in such healthy competition \u2013 against, but also together with one\u2019s friends \u2013 and learning such valuable knowledge is a great reason for anyone to do it, says Tanni, and she is determined to convince others to experience the adrenalin and joy as well. \u201cIt is the most insane experience \u2013 even though it is hard, it is so worth it. There are no regrets.\u201d<\/p>\n It is not just another competition though. \u201cIt is a movement \u2013 fuelled by an incredible international four-day Shabbaton experience and the most glamorous championship and award ceremony most will ever experience,\u201d says Tzivos Hashem.\u00a0Days before the Chidon Shabbaton starts, girls from all over the world begin filling up Crown Heights, says Tanni, and welcome signs in the streets set the scene. \u201cThe Chidon colour this year was purple and the streets and shops were packed with girls in purple jerseys; the vibe was palpable, there was a buzz in the air.\u201d Tanni took the time to enjoy and soak up the unity that came out of the Shabbaton, where she met and made friends with people from all around the world, every one of whom studied and worked supremely hard to get to where they are.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is the perfect space to grow, and nothing beats the feeling of self-fulfilment at the end of a tough study round, knowing that you just conquered your challenge.\u201d The biggest trials Tanni experienced were sticking to her learning schedule, studying every day, finding the strength not to give up, and feeling satisfied with the knowledge gained at the end of each day. Tanni admits that she may have neglected her school studies a bit, but the most important thing she did was to set a balanced school and Chidon schedule. And she still managed to maintain her sense of humour too \u2013 \u201cleaving my phone alone for once as part of the schedule even gave me time to speak to my siblings. And I discovered that they are really nice.\u201d Probably not one of the 613 mitzvos, but just another way so much good can come out of healthy, Torah competition \u2013 especially when you excel at it, as Tanni did.<\/p>\n