Rabbi teaches how to be a hero

Rabbi Raphie Schochet, Rabbi Mordechai Becher and Anschel Strauss. /PHOTO | DENISE RUBIN

On Feb. 18, the Kollel, and the Providence community, welcomed Rabbi Mordechai  Becher to the Dwares Jewish Community Center for an evening of discourse on “Heroes and Heroism in Jewish History.”

Rabbi Becher is a much-sought-after international speaker and Torah scholar from Australia, who currently resides in New Jersey. He leads educational tours all over the world and is currently lecturing at Yeshiva University, where he is pursuing a doctorate in Jewish history. 

Anschel Strauss, a longtime resident of Providence’s East Side, an archaeologist and amateur ornithologist, introduced Becher. Strauss has a tremendous passion for the study of Jewish texts, and has accomplished some amazing goals despite having very little formal Jewish education. Rabbi Raphie Schochet, the director of the Kollel for Rhode Island, started off the evening with an introduction of both guests.

Highlights of Becher’s lecture included the concept of the Torah being our “ portable homeland.” Wherever we live, as long as we study Torah, “we are home,” Becher said.

The rabbi covered four main principles in his address.  First,  that it is ultimately everyone’s job to “be a hero” (giboric – heroism). He defined “hero” as someone who overcomes his yetzer hara, or evil inclinations.  Second, to be wealthy is to be happy with one’s portion.  Third, a person who is honored is one who honors others for his own accomplishments. Fourth, to be wise means to learn from everyone when an opportunity presents itself.

A funny anecdote shared by the rabbi told of a child coming home from school and his father asking what he had learned. The boy replied, “We learned that Rashi lived during recess!” The father said, “What does that mean?” The little boy replied, “The teacher told us Rashi lived between 10:40 and 11:05!”

DENISE RUBIN lives in Narragansett, is a speech language pathologist, owner/teacher at Yoga Blossoms, studies Torah with Rabbi Schochet, and is a wannabe photojournalist.