HALACHA OF THE WEEK:Tu B'Shevat Customs Strictly speaking, the halachot related to Tu B'Shevat really only apply the laws of orlah and ma'aser, where the 15th day of the month of Shevat is a "cut-off" in determining the halachic age of a tree. Therefore, fruit picked on the 14th of Shevat cannot be used as tithes (ma'aser) for fruit picked on the 15th, and beginning of the fourth year of a tree, after which its fruit may be redeemed and used, is on the 15th of Shevat.
However, for those of us who are not farmers, there are still a number of customs to this day:
The Maharam of Rotenberg [Responsa #51, Prag ed.] writes in the name of Rabbenu Gershom that one is prohibited from fasting on Tu B'Shevat, based upon the fact that the mishna in Rosh Hashana lists the four New Years together. Just like one is prohibited from fasting on the 1st of Nissan, the 1st of Elul and the 1st of Tishrei, so too is one prohibited from fasting on the 15th of Shevat. This halacha is codified by the Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 572:3] and the Mishna Brurah writes [Orech Chaim 573 note 8] that the prohibition applies even to a bridegroom on his wedding day (where, normally, the custom is to fast).
Tachanun is omitted on Tu B'Shevat and many people refrain from reciting it at mincha on the 14th of Shevat. [Orech Chaim 131:6; Mishna Brurah ibid. note 32]. The same would apply to saying Av Harachamim and Tzidkatcha Tzedek on Shabbat. [see Orech Chaim 292:2; 284:7].
Many have a custom to eat various fruits, especially those from Eretz Yisrael. [Mishna Brurah Orech Chaim 131 note 31] and some have a custom to eat a new seasonal fruit on Tu B'Shevat in order to recite Shehechiyanu. [Sefer HaToda'a].
On Tu Bishvat we refrain from delivering a eulogy, except for a Talmid Chacham at his funeral. [see Pnei Baruch 3:10].
Finally, in some circles, it is customary to participate in a ceremony known as Seder Tu B'Shevat. The first description of this seder is found in Chemdat Yamim, an anonymous and controversial work published in 5491-5492 (1731-1732). During this seder, verses and sections from the Oral Law and the Zohar are recited, 20-30 different fruits are eaten, and participants drink four cups of wine.
DVAR TORAH This week’s parsha contains the Shirat HaYam – the song that was song following the Jews’ successful crossing of the Red Sea and is known as Shabbat Shirah and is the only Shabbat that has a unique name based on the parsha. For example, the shabbatot of the four parshiyot: Shekalim, Zachor, Parah and HaChodesh and also Shabbat Shuva all receive their names from the maftir/haftarah and not from the parsha. Furthermore, the shabbat of parshat Yitro is not called Shabbat Aseret HaDibrot and the shabbat of parshat Noach is not Shabbat HaMabul.
So why does the shabbat of parshat Beshalach get this distinction? But even more, the Shirat HaYam is not the only major topic of the parsha, which includes the stories of the manna and the bitter waters of Marah after which we received the mitzvot of Shabbat, the Judicial system and kibud Av v’Em. Why is this Shabbat not referred to as Shabbat HaMan or Shabbat Shabbat?
The answer is that the Shirat HaYam is unique. Because throughout the Torah we read of what G-d said to the Jewish people. However, the Shirat HaYam, is what the Jewish people said to G-d, and what they said became part of the Torah. This is because when they sang this song, they attained the highest levels of prophecy, as it says, “a maidservant saw at the sea more than what (the great prophets) Yeshayahu and Yechezkel saw” (Mechilta d’Rebbi Yishmael, Beshalach, Mesichta d’Shirah #3). Therefore, we call this shabbat, Shabbat Shirah, to remind ourselves of the great spiritual potential of Klal Yisrael [Sefer HaToda’ah, Shevat, s.v., Shabbat Shirah].
Receive a daily 3 Minute Halacha directly to your whatsapp. Click here to enroll
MAZAL TOV * to Zevi and Shulamis Asheknazy on the engagement of their son Shlomo to Kyra Englander from Yeushlayim.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel who is recovering in rehab * to Shifra Yehudis Orlian who is recuperating at home * to Chaim Zev ben Rivkah Tamar Zucker * to Benjamin Harris -- Yerachmiel Binyamin ben Miriaim
Rabbi Michael Myers’ Parsha Shiur Wednesday January 27th was sponsored by: Larry and Sheryl Merzel in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Sheryl’s father Davi Rockoff z’l.
A Donation to the Virtual Learning Fund was made by: * Dr Jerrold and Brenda Katz in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Brenda’s mother Ruth Moss z”l. * Dr. Jerrold and Brenda Katz in honor of their son Lev’s birthday. * Rabbi Levi and Yifat Mostofsky in honor of daughter Yehudit’s birthday.
BIRTHDAYS Mr. Lev Katz (2/1) Hadas Rosenberg (2/1) Akiva Cohen (2/2) Mrs. Anita London (2/2) Ms. Beverly Siegel (2/3)
BIRTHDAYS Mr. Michael Dukes (2/4) Rockie Frankenthal (2/4) Asher Noson Shalom Gelerinter (2/4) Yehudit Mostofsky (2/4)
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT COVID TRACING Community Counter (communitycounter.org) is a comprehensive Covid-19 resource for our community. CC has an extensive list of testing resources and can assist if you have tested positive and would like support with meals, counseling, plasma trials or finding solid medical and public health guidance. You can help keep our community safer by completing a short survey (anonymously, if you prefer) for contact tracing. Endorsed by local Rabbanim, doctors and several public health depts. Together, we can save lives!
Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park 2800 W. North Shore Ave • Chicago, IL 60645 P 773.761.4000 • F 773.761.4959 • www.congkins.org
DAF YOMI – Mon.-Friday @ 7:30am; Sunday - TBA
3 MINUTE HALACHA – RECORDED Sunday-Friday
DAYTIME DIALOGUES
30 MINUTES OF PARSHA, Wednesdays 8:00pm
FATHER & SON LEARNING, Motzaei Shabbat
SEFER MELACHIM – Sunday 9:00am