PLEASE NOTE: Due to the "Yeshiva Week" Break The Friday Night Oneg has been postponed The Shabbat Afternoon Women's Shiur will not meet The Sunday Navi Shiur (Yeshayahu) will not meet
DVAR TORAH In describing Moshe Rabbeinu's early years, the Torah writes: "The boy grew up ['vayigdal hayeled'], and she brought him to the daughter of Pharaoh...". In the very next verse states: "It happened in those days that Moshe grew up ['vayigdal Moshe'] and went out to his brethren and saw their burdens" [Shemot 2:10-11].
Why does the Torah describe Moshe as "growing up" twice? According to the Ramba"n, the answer is that the Torah describes two stages in Moshe's development. The first was his physical growth - the time between his birth and when the daughter of Pharaoh adopted him. In contrast, the second verse refers to his spiritual development - his readiness to assume the mantle of authentic Jewish leadership.
But what was it about the second verse that indicates Moshe's readiness for leadership? It's that he left the palace "to his brethren and saw their burdens" - or as Rashi describes it, "he gave his eyes and his heart [in order] to be troubled about them."
Because a true Jewish leader never turns away from trouble or suffering but instead seeks out those in need, feels their pain, and finds ways to help. As the late Chief Rabbi of England, Rabbi Joseph Hertz, notes on this verse, "He went out to his brethren. In later ages, it must, alas, be said of many a son of Israel who had become great that he went away from his brethren."
But not Moshe. He "grew up," became great, and sought his brethren. HALACHA OF THE WEEK: SHOVAVI”M This week begins the six weeks known as Shovavi"m (שובבי"ם) - an acronym for the six weekly Torah portions of Shemot, Vaera, Bo, B'shelach, Yitro and Mishpatim. According to the Ar"i z"l, this acronym alludes to the verse in Yirmiyahu 3:14, "Shuvu banim shovavim" - "return oh wayward children." As such, it reminds us that these weeks are an auspicious time to repent for sins ("wayward" ways), particularly for those related to intimacy.
Of course, beyond the acronym, these six weekly parshiyot deal with the Egyptian enslavement, the Exodus, and our redemption at Mt. Sinai is the story of our nation's rise from a state of impurity to the ultimate connection with G-d. That struggle can motivate us to do teshuva and rise above the behaviors that can enslave us to our temptation to sin.
As a result, many have the custom of reviewing the laws of taharat ha'mishpacha during these weeks. Some fast on Mondays and Thursdays (or at least the first Monday, Thursday, and Monday - beha"b) and give extra tzedakah to support the process of repentance and recite special selichot and tikkunim (Kabbalistic prayers or meditations) composed for the weeks of shovavi" m. Another custom during these weeks is that on Shabbat, some accept upon themselves a ta'anit dibbur - refraining from speaking except to recite the words of davening and for Torah learning.
Since the origin of shovavi"m is found in Kabbalah, these customs are most likely to be observed by Sefardim and Chassidim and less so among Ashkenazim.
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REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Rachel Silverman who is recuperating at home.
CONDOLENCES * to Tamar and David Abell, Yossi and Dalia Brandman, Yael and Yechiel Atkin, Yehudit and Yoel Goldberg, Rabbi Moshe and Dani Brandman and families on the loss of their father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Shmuel Brandman z’l.
Shiva is at the Brandman residence in Yerushalayim, Diskin 15 – 10th floor, Apt 39, through Monday morning. The family can be reached at the following numbers: Moshe Brandman 773-902-1616, Yael Atkin 011-972-54-252-2427, Tamar Abell 312-818-2330, Yehudit Goldberg 773-818-2100
Yossi Brandman has returned to Chicago and will be sitting at his home 6720 North Richmond, beginning Thursday morning and through Monday morning. Yehudit Goldberg will be returning on Sunday morning and will also be sitting at 6720 N. Richmond through Monday morning.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here. Kiddush at KINS Main is sponsored by Abe and Ronna Adler in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Abe’s grandmother, Mrs. Clara Stern, קריינדל בת רי יצחק וולף.
Kiddush at KINS North is sponsored by Scott and Anna Abramowitz in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Anna’s mother, Susan Weisberg.
Kiddush at the KINS Early Minyan is sponsored by Jim and Terri Rosenwasser in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Jim’s father, Jerrold Rosenwasser z”l.
The Parent/Child Learning this week is sponsored by Richard and Rachel Silverman.
DAYTIME DIALOGUES: Wednesdays at noon 30 MINUTES OF PARSHA - Wed. 8:00pm/Shabbat 8:30am
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Wed. 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR – will not meet
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
PARENT-CHILD LEARNING - 1 hour after havdala
SEFER YESHAYAHU - will not meet
BIRTHDAYS Joseph Bass (1/14) Mr. Avigdor Horowitz (1/15) Mrs. Ricki Jacoby (1/15) Mr. Allan Arnet (1/17) Mrs. Lani Kahn (1/18) Mrs. Rifi Bleichman (1/19) Mrs. Sylvia Feigenbaum (1/19) Mrs. Sarah Bernstein (1/20) Ayelet Reiss (1/20)
ANNIVERSARIES Matia and Tracy Schultz (1/14) Jeremy and Rebecca Amster (1/16)
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 – 
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
PARENT-CHILD LEARNING - 1 hour after havdala
SEFER YESHAYAHU - 