DVAR TORAH At the beginning of this week's parsha, Moshe tells the Jews that G-d will redeem them from Egypt. But, "they did not listen to Moshe, because of shortness of breath and hard work" [Shemot 6:9]. They were so exhausted from their slavery that they did not have the ability to listen to what Moshe had to say.
This is a very different reaction to Moshe than we find in last week's parsha. There, the Torah reported -"And the people believed, and they heard that Hashem had remembered the Children of Israel and that He saw their affliction, and they bowed their heads, and they prostrated themselves." [Shemot 4:31].
What happened between the end of chapter 4 and the beginning of chapter 6?
The simple answer is between chapter 4 and this week's parsha, the cruelty of slavery increased - now they had to find their own straw while still meeting the same quotas of brick.
But the Ralbag offers an astonishing alternative. He interprets that the words "because of shortness of breath" [מקוצר רוח] not as referring to the people but to Moshe himself! Because when Pharaoh imposed even harsher conditions on the Jews, Moshe was demoralized, saying, "why have You done evil to this people? Why have You sent me? [Shemot 5:23].
At the beginning of this week's parsha, Moshe, the leader of the Jewish people, was broken. As a result, he couldn't be as convincing as before. That's why the people did not listen to him as they had before.
To bring people together, a leader needs not only to have a good plan but the conviction and confidence to promote that plan to his people. Only when the makkot began to impact Egypt, and Moshe saw the success of his efforts, was he able to bring the people together and lead them out of Egypt. HALACHA OF THE WEEK: May a father and son receive consecutive aliyot? The Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 141:6] notes that in order to avoid "ayin ha'ra" a father and son, or two brothers [who share a father] should not receive consecutive aliyot. The Mishna Berura [note 20] rules that this would even apply when the parties involved say are not concerned with an "ayin ha'ra". However the Aruch HaShulchan disagrees and rules that in such a case it is permitted [Aruch HaShulchan Orech Chaim 141:8].
Furthermore, maternal brothers (with different fathers), or even a grandfather and his son's son, should not be called for consecutive aliyot [Kaf Hachayim Orech Chaim 141:27] However, when there is a need, it is permitted for them to accept the aliyah [Shaarei Ephraim 1:33].
When the consecutive aliyot are from two different Torahs and separated by a kaddish (i.e. Shabbat Rosh Chodesh - the seventh aliyah and maftir) it is permitted for two brothers or a father and son to receive consecutive aliyot [Mishna Berurah ibid.]. However, when there is a need, even if there is only one of the two conditions (either a different Torah or a kaddish separating the aliyot) it can be permitted [Shaarei Ephraim 1:32; Hitorirut Teshuvah 1:67]. In such a case, it is best if the first one to receive the aliyah descends from the bima before the other arrives to take his aliyah [Hitorirut Teshuvah ibid.]
Other situations where these consecutive aliyot may be permitted, include those synagogues which have the custom not to call people to the Torah by name [Mishna Berura ibid. note 21] or where the latter aliyah was bought as an honor [Eretz Hatzvi 1:39].
These laws would also apply to two brothers, or a father and son receiving hagbaah and glilah [Shearim Metzuyanim B'halacha 23:10; Mishna Halachot 3:20].
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MAZAL TOV *to Barry and Elaine Semer on the engagement of their grandson, Eli Semer, to Freida Kuszer.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Rachel Silverman who is recuperating at home.
CONDOLENCES * to Mrs. Carol Silverman on the passing of her mother, Mrs. Judith Sachs, a"h. The funeral service will be Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 1:30 PM at I.J.Morris, 21 E Deer Park Rd, Dix Hills, New York 11746. The interment will be at the New Montefiore Cemetery, 1180 Wellwood Ave, West Babylon, New York 11704.
Carol will be sitting shiva in New York until Monday, and then, on Tuesday will return to Chicago where she will be sitting at her home, 7033 N Kedzie apartment 1401 from 10:00 am-12:00pm, 2:00pm-5:00pm, and 7:00pm-9:00pm (buzzer code #183). She can also be reached at 1-832-372-5325.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
Kiddush at KINS North is sponsored by David and Ada Rosenstein in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of David’s mother, Sally Rosenstein z’l.
The week of learning, January 21-January 27 in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Sam’s grandfather, Shmaya Scheiner z’l, שמעיה בן מרדכי.
The Day of Learning, Shabbat, January 21st, 28th of Tevet, is sponsored by Steve and Linda Lavenda in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Linda’s father, William Levy Baker z’l.
The Parent/Child Learning this week is sponsored by Henry and Lisa Goldberg.
ANNIVERSARIES Dr. Shlomo and Stefanie Engelson (1/23)
Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park Main: 2800 W. North Shore Ave & North: 3003 West Touhy • Chicago, IL 60645 P 773.761.4000 • F 773.761.4959 • www.congkins.org
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Wed. 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 3:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
PARENT-CHILD LEARNING - 1 hour after havdala
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sunday 9:00am