HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Lag B'Omer: The "Hillula d'Reb Shimon Bar Yochai" One of the more interesting customs of Lag Ba'Omer is the "hillula d'Reb Shimon Bar Yochai" - the celebration of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. While many associate this "hillula" with great song and dance, originally, this practice involved learning or praying by his grave in Meron [Ateret Zekainim, Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim 493].
The Chatam Sofer opposed any observance of this event, noting that we should not "invent" new holidays which have no basis in tradition, unless they are in commemoration of a miracle [Chatam Sofer Yoreh Deah 233]. The Sho'el U'Meishiv [vol. 5, responsum 39] strengthens the question, noting that the yahrzeits of Torah scholars should be observed as days of mourning, introspection, and fasting, and not as days of partying. He further opposed the custom (as do many others) of burning clothing in bonfires near the grave, noting that it is a violation of "bal tashchit" (needless destruction of useful things) and that even the practice of burning clothing on the funeral pyres of kings was kept to a minimum and was only done with the clothing of the deceased [see: Chikrei Lev of Rav Hayyim Hazzan, Yoreh Deah vol. 2:11].
While opposing the practice in general, the Shem Aryeh [Orech Chaim 14] offered a defense of this custom. According to him, the basis for the practice may be the miraculous escape of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai from the Roman government. However, Rabbi Shlomo Zevin [Moadim B'halacha s.v. "Lag Ba'omer"] rejects this argument. DVAR TORAH At the end of this week's parsha, we read the story of the son of a Jewish woman who "went out," got into an argument, and committed blasphemy - cursing another person in the name of G-d.
The Yalkut Shimoni wonders, why does the Torah record that he "went out" - from where did he go? Answers R' Brachya "He went out from the previous section in the Torah."
In the previous section of the Torah, we read the mitzva of the "lechem hapanim" – the twelve loaves of bread placed from one Shabbat to the next on the Shulchan in the Tabernacle. Explains the midrash - that despite the miracle that the bread stayed warm and fresh for an entire week, this man was upset that this was not the way to honor G-d. "This is how you treat the King of Kings!?" he protested! Because of this, he was so upset that he went out and blasphemed the name of G-d.
But how could someone so zealous to guard the honor of G-d later blaspheme G-d's name?
The Yalkut Yehudah suggests that this is not so hard to understand. Because this man was an extremist, and such a person can quickly go from one extreme to the other. One day he can defend the `Honor or Heaven', and the next, he can blaspheme the name of G-d!
As the Rambam teaches, extremism in all forms is dangerous. Instead, we must seek to lead lives of the "derech ha'emtza'it" [Hilchot Deot 2:2] - the middle road of balance and understanding. .
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MAZAL TOV * to Fred and Shelley Waltzer on the engagement of their daughter Abigail to Jason Elkins, son of Ron Elkins and Diana Elkins. * to Oren and Judy Domsky and Uri & Karen Kluk on the birth of a granddaughter, to their children, Daniella & Noam Domsky. Mazal to grandparents, Marilyn Domsky and George and Rita Horovics. REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel – Etai Yaakov ben Tzipporah, who is recovering in rehab.*to Mrs. Marion Reiss who is recuperating at Hadassah Hospital (Ein Karem). * to Sheldon Galowich who is recuperating at home.
CONDOLENCES * to Henry & Lisa Goldberg, Jon & Gelah Goldberg, and Devorah & Alan Aranoff and families on the loss of their mother, grandmother and great grandmother Mrs. Sonia Goldberg z”l, Shiva is at the Goldberg residence, 2939 West Morse through Sunday morning. Shacharit weekdays is at 7 am and Mincha/Maariv is at 7:45 pm. and Mincha Friday is at 3:00 pm. Shacharit Sunday is at 8:00 am. Please no condolence between 12:00noon-2:00 pm, 5:00-7:00 pm & after 9:30 pm.
* to Ilana Roytman on the passing of her grandmother, Mrs. Sima Chaya Slipak. The funeral was held in Israel this past week.
* to Juli Bell on the passing of her brother, Brett Scott Harrison, a"h. The funeral will be tomorrow (Friday) at 12:00pm in Williamsport, PA, and livestreamed at https://www.jamesmaneval.com/. Juli will be returning to Chicago, Sunday to sit shiva at her home. More information will be available soon.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
KINS North Minyan Kiddush is sponsored by Rabbi Jerrold Isenberg in honor of Jocelyn Isenberg’s special birthday.
The Day of Learning, Sunday, May 15th, י'ד אייר, is sponsored by Rabbi Ari and Esther Maryles in commemoration of the 1st yahrtzeit of Ari’s mother, Anne Maryles z’l
DAYTIME DIALOGUES: Wednesdays at noon 30 MINUTES OF PARSHA, Shabbat at 8:30 am
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM,– Wednesdays at 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR – 5:00 pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER EZRA – Sundays 9:00am
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BIRTHDAYS Naftali Leibtag (5/18) Sruli Leibtag (5/18) Mrs. Rachel Weil (5/18) Ariel Frankenthal (5/19) Mr. Hillel Shapiro (5/19) Mr. Shlomo Starck (5/19) Mrs. Cynthia Levin (5/20) Mrs. Enid Myers (5/20)
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,– Wednesdays at 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR – 5:00 pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
