I reach out to you today as Chodesh Elul approaches to ask you to participate in the Derech Etz Chaim annual raffle/fundraiser. This is a unique opportunity to utilize your Tzedaka and Maaser both to support the Derech Etz Chaim Kollel AND to have the opportunity to win the $5,000 grand prize.

We are all familiar with the Chazal regarding the partnership of Zevulun and Yissachar, and the understanding that you can have a portion in every hour, every word learned by someone you financially support to allow him to do that learning.

דברים לג:יח

וְלִזְבוּלֻ֣ן אָמַ֔ר שְׂמַ֥ח זְבוּלֻ֖ן בְּצֵאתֶ֑ךָ וְיִשָּׂשכָ֖ר בְּאֹהָלֶֽיךָ׃

שמח זבולן בצאתך ויששכר באהליך. זְבוּלֻן וְיִשָּׂשכָר עָשׂוּ שֻׁתָּפוּת, זְבוּלֻן לְחוֹף יַמִּים יִשְׁכֹּן וְיוֹצֵא לִפְרַקְמַטְיָא בִּסְפִינוֹת וּמִשְׂתַּכֵּר וְנוֹתֵן לְתוֹךְ פִּיו שֶׁל יִשָּׂשכָר, וְהֵם יוֹשְׁבִים וְעוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה, לְפִיכָךְ הִקְדִּים זְבוּלֻן לְיִשָּׂשכָר שֶׁתּוֹרָתוֹ שֶׁל יִשָּׂשכָר עַל יְדֵי זְבוּלֻן הָיְתָה (בראשית רבה צ"ט):

REJOICE, ZEBULUN. IN THY GOING OUT, AND, ISSACHAR, IN THY TENTS — Zebulun and Issachar entered into a partnership: Zebulun dwelt at the harbour of ships and went out in ships to trade; he made profit and used to provide food for Issachar who sat at home and occupied themselves with the Torah. Consequently he mentioned Zebulun before Issachar (although the latter was the elder) because Issachar’s knowledge of Torah was due to Zebulun (Genesis Rabbah 99:

This has applied to you during your past support and is the opportunity being afforded you again at present. But wait – there is more!

The Derech Etz Chaim Kollel annual raffle/fundraiser not only gives you that opportunity. The Kollel this coming year is going through some important changes in order to accommodate the changes in Yeshiva. And you will see soon that the Schar (reward) that you will get for this support, is beyond helping the Avreichim, young scholars, learning diligently, it also strengthens the Beis Medrash as a whole. That support, that Yissachar/Zevulun, is doubled and tripled.

A regular Kollel you are supporting just to support the learning – and that is tremendous Schar (reward) in itself. Here, our Derech Etz Chaim Kollel is meant to strengthen the Beis Medrash for the younger Talmidim coming in next year. The more you invest in the Kollel the more you are investing not only in the Avreichim’s learning, but in all of the Talmidim – directly towards enhancing their learning as well, and the more Schar you get from your investment in terms of what is accomplished in learning in total in the Derech Etz Chaim Beis Medrash. It is another opportunity to invest in your Yeshiva!

One of the challenges when you start “fresh” as we are doing this coming Elul, is that there are not any “older guys” to set the tone and raise the level of the Beis Medrash. The Kollel will play that role. They are learning the same material as the Yeshiva, together with the Yeshiva, in order to enhance the Pilpul Chaverim (back and forth arguments/involvement) of the Yeshiva as a whole.

This tremendous opportunity is provided to you as we head into Elul / Tishrei, a time when you are increasing your Tzedakah (charitable giving) in preparation for the Yamim Noraim, and the Yemei HaDin.

The drawing will take place Erev Yom Kippur as Chazal tell us:

כל מזונותיו של אדם קצובים לו מראש השנה ועד יום הכפורים

“All of a person’s income are set aside between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur”

Please become a partner in our Limmud Torah, a partner with our Kollel, a partner in Derech Etz Chaim, and a partner in all the amazing outcomes and Talmidim’s growth that come from your support. Several months ago many of you provided the support that has allowed Derech Etz Chaim to move forward into the future. Those were significant donations, and they made all the difference in our success thus far.

Now, as the Yeshiva year begins Rosh Chodesh Elul, moving forward, we need your help. The raffle is an annual opportunity to support Derech Etz Chaim, and in this case a special project of the Yeshiva, the Kollel, while giving yourself the possible benefit of winning $5000. Tickets are $180 for one, $360 for 3, $540 for 5. (If you want to purchase a larger amount and get a discount let me know and we can arrange something.)

When you enter the raffle, you sponsor our Kollel and Avreichim and the amazing influence they provide in the Beis Medrash to our Talmidim. You not only gain a part in their learning but in all what their learning influences: the Talmidim’s learning and growth and the overall environment of Derech Etz Chaim.

The Kollel opened two years ago and has become the pillar of the Beis Medrash. It keeps the Beis Medrash noisy with the Avreichim learning the Yeshiva Mesechta alongside the Talmidim.

Now, you can be a part of providing that inspiration. You can support a group of Masmidim and very high end Avreichim, who role model serious learning at Derech Etz Chaim. You can show younger Talmidim how to learn with and where to grow within the Yeshiva.

But as you can imagine, a Kollel comes with new expenses. B”H, a number of alumni have come through and helped sponsor thus far. This is your chance to become a partner in the learning and the growth of the Yeshiva.

Please enter the raffle and support the DEC Kollel. To the Avreichim and younger Talmidim, your gift makes a serious difference.

2024 DEC Elul Campaign

By Derech Etz Chaim

2024 DEC Elul Campaign

Get your reward today!

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