My Days at Tzfas Seminary

By: Tiffany Tziporah Aragan

I am sitting on a mountaintop enthralled by beauty as I overlook the holy ancient city of Tzfat. The crisp mountain air is spiritually fortifying – every breath fills my neshama with light, love, knowledge, to be b’simcha.

Baruch Hashem seminary life here at Machon Alte is unbelievable. The Rabbis and teachers are phenomenal – I cannot get enough. Our days are filled with Torah and Chassidus, trickled with amazing classes like Rabbi Silberberg’s “Tefillah Rambam,” “Masters of the Oral Tradition” and “Moshiach and Geula,” Rebbetzin Silberberg’s “ShirHaShirim,” Rebbetzin Rosenfeld’s “Building a Jewish Home” together with Rabbi Turkoff and Rebbetzin Reizel’s inspirational classes throughout the week.

Aside from the amazing curriculum and programming which the Rosenfelds seemingly execute daily, the young women who comprise our program each add their own distinct individual spice to this chollent-like concoction we’re cooking here in Tzfat. It’s the most beautiful sight, a group of hand-picked baale’ teshuva of all ages from all over the world excitedly coming together to learn Torah and Chassidus, grow in their yiddishkite, and ultimately inspire one another to feed the fire of the burning flame – our Jewish neshama. In what better of a place than the spiritually enchanting city of Tzfat, where about 480 years ago the holy Kabbalists Rabbi Yitzchak Luria and Rabbi Moshe Kordovero resided, Rabbi Yoseph Caro authored the Shulchan Aruch, and Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz composed “Lecha Dodi.”

It is beyond fascinating to sit and learn eras of our history in a classroom setting and then travel (not very far!) to the sites where many events took place. We were fortunate to visit Rabbi Yoseph Caro’s house and dovin in the cave where he wrote the Shulchan Aruch and just a few weeks ago on the 5th of Av, we traveled to the Arizal’s kever for his yurtzeit – both experiences were intensely powerful. It’s no wonder why Tzfat is considered one of Judaism’s four holiest cities (along with Jerusalem, Chevron and Tiveria) and is known for its element of air which is reflective of the Judaic mysticism which flourished here not long ago. The energy here is indescribable. This is the environment I’ve been yearning for and I am so grateful to Hashem for this opportunity for learning and growth – as everyday here I find myself catapulting higher up the “spiritual ladder.”

Thank you to the Rosenfeld Family for this amazing opportunity and the love and vitality with which you enrich this learning environment. To the brilliant Rabbis and teachers at Machon Alte who don’t just teach, but show us how to live by Torah – notably, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Silberberg (Chicago) – the lessons you’ve taught us will sustain us throughout life. We are beyond grateful for your devotion to our growth and love with which you’ve related to each of us individually; you’ve prepared us for life, marriage and motherhood and we will never forget you!

A special thanks to my shluchim, Rabbi Levi and Nechama Shemtov (Washington D.C.), for their dedication to my Israel seminary experience and inspiration. To my university shluchim, Rabbi Yisroel and Leah Wilhelm (Boulder, Colorado), for their relentless kiruving and ultimately, the holiness they bring to the life of the college student – lovingly reminding them of the beauty of their yiddishkite and keeping them in touch with their Jewish neshama.

We are blessed to have had our lives touched by these amazing Chabad emissaries who have all put the Rebbe’s vision into action – they have inspired us and continue to inspire so many young Jewish souls who are the future great leaders of the Jewish community and the next generation.

As this memorable and life changing summer comes to a close, it is time to reflect on all we have learned and take these lessons home with us to apply them to our lives and the exciting journeys that lay ahead. With much gratitude, I am one of the lucky ones who will be staying on into the year here at Machon Alte and am eager to continue my ascent in learning and growth.