Are Those School Bus Engines I Hear?

The streets of Crown Heights were notably calm this Sunday morning, with families still making their way back from Pesach getaways. Yet, amidst the quiet, the day began early for a select few. The familiar rumble of school buses could be heard making their morning rounds, picking up talmidim for one of the only local schools operating today: Tomchei Tmimim Ocean Parkway.

In a display of dedication, the yeshiva’s administration ensured that their regular rebbeim wouldn’t have to cut their Yom Tov trips short to return early. Instead, an “all-hands-on-deck” approach was taken to cover the day’s schedule. Substitutes stepped up to the plate: With the principal, the assistant principal, and remarkably, even the bus driver took over classrooms to ensure the learning would not be interrupted.

An Avir of excitement filled the lunchroom during breakfast. The principal addressed the boys, highlighting the significance of their attendance. He emphasized that by being there, they were representing the entire community in their Torah learning, and spoke about how precious it is to Hashem and the Rebbe that they attended yeshiva.

He connected this to today’s Hayom Yom, which discusses the meticulous work of a diamond cutter and the importance of tapping into one’s full potential. For the talmidim today, he explained, cutting that diamond and reaching their full potential meant dedicating themselves entirely to learning Torah.

This unique schedule allowed the rebbeim a special opportunity to teach topics not typically covered in the regular day-to-day curriculum. Rabbi Naftali Reinetz took the opportunity to delve into the halachos of Birchas Hanehenim, specifically focusing on the halachos of Bracha Me’ein Shalosh.

Meanwhile, Rabbi Pape led the boys in a deep dive into the famous sicha of “Tut Altz.”

As the unique day came to a close, the boys left yeshiva with a strong sense of pride, knowing they had made the right choice and kicked off their post-Pesach routine with a highly productive day of learning.