As is the custom in Israel, the president this year visited a first grade today, the first day of the new public school year, opting to visit a yeshiva affiliated with Chabad.
President Shimon Peres visited a first grade affiliated with Chabad located in the Ir Ganim area of the capital. Mr. Peres was accompanied by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
The president took part in a talis ceremony, standing under a talis chupah and giving a bracha to the young students, reciting ‘HaMalach HaGoel’.
He called on all students in Israel to adhere to the Ten Commandments, adding each and every first grader has the potential to become a good person as well as a learned person. “Those who do not learn simply will not move ahead. It is simple. One must study and learn since our world is full of Torah and knowledge” stated Mr. Peres.
“You are smarter and wiser than you realize. Be good people and succeed” he added.
Officials in the President’s Residence explained that a Chabad school was selected due to the large percentage of new immigrants in the Chabad system, including non-Shomer Shabbos children. The president it was explained feels Chabad is an outstanding example of integration, accepting children from different walks of life under one roof – a model for all.
Chabad officials were on hand to greet the president and to blow shofar, explaining to all it is Elul and this is what is done.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
As he approaches the end of his misspent days, Peres wants a chance at a place a little further from the boiler so he’s using Chabad to make it look like he’s doing some sort of tshuva. However, some of us Lubavitchers remember what the Rebbe said about shlemus haaretz and how he got his people in E”Y involved in politics against his usual practice just to keep Peres from getting into power.
It won’t wash, Shimele. You can fool the photo-op crowd, but you can’t fool those of us who keep to the Rebbe’s ways even after he left us. Most of all, you cannot fool the true Judge.
All the photo ops, from Ukraine to Yerushalayim won’t help you one bit when you stand to be judged. You’ll land 11 months in the hot spa and then you can join Rabin and shine the shoes of all of the kedoishim who were killed because of Oslo for eternity.
Isn’t one entitled to do teshuva?
When he speaks in his usual element, he shows where he really stands.