Dear Friend,

Our beloved Rabbi Kret is not only a wonderful human being, but also a wonderful example of a Talmid Chacham, a Torah scholar, who served as a Rosh Yeshiva at a young age in Europe and wrote his own commentary on various tractates of the Talmud, which were lost during the war.

Many of us will never forget Rabbi Kret's stirring drashos, which masterfully wove together the words of the classical commentators, midrashim, parables and of course inspiring stories, with contemporary events. Further elaboration of the parasha would take place on Shabbos afternoon between Mincha and Maariv. I would commit these thoughts to memory and subsequently write them down.

In honor of this beautiful occasion, what could be more meaningful than to experience, now and forever after, the insights of Rabbi Kret on the weekly sedra and holidays. For this represents yet another element that he gave us.

In order that all may share in the words of our Rabbi, I have translated from my Hebrew notes into English. It goes without saying that any errors in the reproduction of these teachings are due either to my lapse of memory or inability to properly understand Rabbi Kret's intent, and not to any shortcomings on his part.

I thank Rabbi Kret's grandson, Aryeh Mezei, for giving me the opportunity to carry out this labor of love.

And finally-thank you Rabbi Kret, for not only teaching us Torah, but for your example of how one can be a walking Sefer Torah, by fully embodying its teachings in his daily life.

Rabbi Hanan Balk

Cincinnati, Ohio