DVAR TORAH At the beginning of this week's parasha, Yaakov sends messengers to Esav with the following message: "I have lived with Lavan (im Lavan garti) and tarried until now" [Genesis 32:5].
Because of this unusual message, Rashi explains that Yaakov was sending a "coded" message to his brother, based upon the numerical value of "I have lived (Hebrew -'garti')" which equals 613. "I lived with the wicked Lavan," said Yaakov, "but I observed the 613 Commandments - without learning from his evil ways."
Rabbi Yitzchak Ruderman, ztz”l, once asked: If Yaakov had already sent the message "I observed the 613 Commandments," why did he have to add "and I have not learned from the evil ways of Lavan?"
The answer, explained Rav Ruderman, was that one could observe the 613 commandments and nevertheless, learn from the ways of a Lavan. As Ramban explained, a person can observe all the mitzvot, and still be morally corrupt.
Therefore, what Yaakov was really telling Esav was: "Not only do I have the merit of observing the 'letter' of all 613 commandments, but I also have never learned from Lavan - observing the spirit of those laws as well."
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Chanukah Part 1: When is the Ideal Time to Light Candles? The Talmud [Shabbat 21b] writes that the proper time for lighting the Chanukah light is “from the setting of the sun.”
But what is "the setting of the sun?"
According to Rambam [Hilchot Chanukah 4:5] "the setting of the sun" is the beginning of sunset (i.e. "Shkiah"), while both Tur Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 672] and Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 672:1] rule that this refers to the END of the process of the sun setting (i.e. Tzeit Hakochavim).
While this dispute has not been definitively resolved, Aruch Hashulchan [ibid. 672:4] writes that the generally accepted practice is to light Chanukah candles at the later time, but he does note that some do follow Rambam's position and still light from sunset. In fact, to avoid all doubts, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, used to light very long candles at the beginning of sunset so that the candles should last at least a half an hour after the end of sunset (Tzeit Hakochavim).
However, most other authorities rule that we do not have to be concerned with the earlier time of lighting, and only consider the later time of "tzait hakochavim".
Therefore, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef [Yalkut Yosef 5:208] ruled that in Israel the proper time to light is fifteen minutes after sunset. According to Rabbi Shimon Eider, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein [Halachot of Chanukah p. 20], would light chanukah candles in New York, thirteen to eighteen minutes after sunset. [Interestingly, Rabbi Aaron Felder [Moadei Yeshurun p. 7], disagreed and wrote that Reb Moshe ruled that the preferable time to light is ten minutes after sunset.] Rabbi Aharon Kotler [Halachot, ibid.] when living in the New York area lit twenty-five to thirty minutes after sunset and Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetsky [Emet L'Yaakov p. 251] ruled that Chanukah lights in the New York area ideally should be kindled approximately twenty minutes after sunset.
All of these New York times would be similar in Chicago, and therefore, Chanukah candles should be lit approximately 10-20 minutes after sunset and remain burning for at least 30 minutes.
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MAZAL TOV * to Rabbi Yehuda and Chani Isenberg on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Adira. Mazal Tov to grandparents Rabbi Leonard and Margaret Matanky and Rabbi Jerold and Jocelyn Isenberg. Special Mazal Tov to great-grandmothers, Mrs. Trude Matanky and Mrs. Bernice Novick.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Yakira Amster (Yakira Ariel bat Rivka Rachel) who is recuperating at home.
* to Rachel Silverman who is recuperating at home.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
Early Minyan Kiddush is sponsored by Dr. Dov and Sharon Shapiro & Yisroel and Elana Shapiro in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of their father, Rabbi Jack Shapiro z’l and by Elly and Mandy Bachrach in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Elly’s father, David Bachrach z’l.
For the week of December 12th, the week of learning is sponsored in commemoration of the first yahrzeit of Dr. Jerrold Katz by his children and grandchildren: Orah, Lev, Benjamin, Adam, Aaron and Abigail Katz
The Parent/Child Learning this week is sponsored by Yitzi and Aviva Matanky.
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 – 3:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
PARENT-CHILD LEARNING - 1 hour after havdala
SEFER NECHEMIA - Sundays 9:00am
BIRTHDAYS Ari Levenson (12/10) Dr. Michael Meer (12/10) Elkayum Levenson (12/11) Dr. Eli Jacobs (1212) Meira Kahn (12/12) Rachel Stein (12/12) Mrs. Miriam Jacobs (12/13) Mrs. Chani Isenberg (12/15) Lior Matanky (12/15)
ANNIVERSARIES Paul and Batia Bromberg (12/13)
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
