HALACHA OF THE WEEK:Chanukah Part IV: When is the Latest Time to Light Candles The Talmud [Shabbat 21b] writes that the latest time to light is “when the people have left the market.”
Rambam [Hilchot Chanukah 4:5] rules that “when the people have left the market” is approximately a half an hour after the ideal time to light. Tosafot [Shabbat 21b s.v. Dee Lo] write that nowadays, since we light inside the house, the lighting is focused on the members of the household. Thus, we may light even after people have left the market. Rama [Orech Chaim 672:2] rules in accordance with Tosafot but writes that we should nevertheless strive to light at the original ideal time. According to the Aruch Hashulchan [ibid.] the reason for this is that, in general, we strive to fulfill rabbinic commandments in the way that most resembles the manner that the mitzva was fulfilled when it was established.
Mishna Berura [Orech Chaim 672, note 11] cites Magen Avraham who rules that one may light with a bracha only if there are others who are awake and see the Chanukah lights. However, the Chamad Moshe [Shaar Hatziyun 672 note 17] rules that one may recite the bracha until dawn even if he is the only one awake in the home. The Chafetz Chaim (author of both the Mishna Berura and the Shaar Hatziyun) rules that since the dispute has not been resolved, one should refrain from reciting a bracha in such a situation. However, one should not rebuke one who follows the lenient position of Chamad Moshe. Indeed, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein [Iggrot Moshe, Orech Chaim 4:105:7] rules in accordance with the Chamad Moshe.
Nowadays, many people are unable to light with their families at the ideal time due to work and other obligations. Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetzky [Emet Leyaakov p. 251 and 254] believes that in principle the halacha requires the spouse who is home at the ideal time for lighting to light on behalf of the entire family and not wait for the latecomer. Nevertheless, Rabbi Kaminetzky rules that because of the great value of Shalom Bayit, it is proper for the family to postpone lighting until the latecomer arrives. Common practice appears to follow this ruling.
(Rav Yaakov cites the Gemara [Shabbat 23b] as precedent for this ruling. The Gemara states that if a poor individual can afford to purchase either Chanukah candles or Shabbat candles but not both, he should purchase Shabbat candles. The Gemara explains that since Shabbat candles promote Shalom Bayit they enjoy priority over Chanukah lights. Rav Yaakov reasons that since Shalom Bayit enjoys priority over Chanukah candles, one delay kindling Chanukah lights due to Shalom Bayit considerations.)
DVAR TORAH Chazal tell us that when Yaakov was reunited with Yosef after 22 years of separation, he began to say the Shema, which is, in the literature of Chazal, the first of two instances when the Shema was said in out-of-the-ordinary circumstances.
What is the second instance? It occurred during the last moments of Rabbi Akiva’s life, as he was being tortured by the Romans.
To understand the symbolism of these two unique instances, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, ztz"l explained that one must first understand that the brachot surrounding the Shema reflect the nature of the Shema itself. Therefore, during Maariv, the brachot surrounding the Shema discuss religious darkness and times of exile - demonstrating the need for commitment to Hashem in difficult times. While, the Shema of Shacharit are accompanied by brachot which remind us of lessons of renewal and optimism - the need to say Shema in times of happiness and joy.
Taught the Rav, that these two recitations of the Shema correspond to the two stories of Shema found in the words of Chazal - Rabbi Akiva’s Shema, at a moment of intense suffering, and Yaakov’s Shema, during a moment of overwhelming joy.
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MAZAL TOV * to Mrs. Eva Weiss on the birth of a great granddaughter born to Aharon Boruch and Rena Cherrick
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel who is recovering in rehab * to Shifra Yehudis Orlian who is recuperating at home * to Jack Maryles who are recuperating at home * to Anne Maryles who is recuperating in the hospital * to Chaim Zev ben Rivkah Tamar Zucker * to Sharon Pick and Jacob Pick who are recuperating at home. * to Dr. Jerry Silverman who is in the hospital * to Carol Silverman who is recuperating at home * to Dovie Gelerinter who is recuperating at home
CONDOLENCES * to Rabbi Azriel (Azi) & Shari Feifel and family on the passing of his father, Chazzan Chaim Feifel. Shiva is by phone call and zoom. 9:00 am -12:00 pm, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm, and 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm. Azi's cell phone at 773-209-1690. Zoom 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Meeting ID 969 664 1045, Password Shiva613 Donations can be made to https://www.lemaanachai.org/en/donation.php
*to Mrs. Bernice Novick, Margaret and Rabbi Leonard Matanky, Sharon and Chaim Rush, Bonnie and Sy Rosen, and Sam and Leah Novick and families on the passing of their husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Dr. Oscar A. Novick. Shiva is by phone call or zoom, and calls will be received between 10:00am-12:00noon, 2:00pm-5:00pm and 7:00pm-9:00pm. Zoom room - click here ID: 870-1077-5990 Password: 613 Mrs. Bernice Novick - 847-674-3807 Mrs. Margaret Matanky - 773-720-2515 Mrs. Bonnie Rosen - 847-962-5995 Mrs. Sharon Rush (Israel) - 011-972-54-670-0652 Mr. Sam Novick (Israel) - 011-972-57-568-4448
This week's shiurim are sponsored by David and Yael Shiner in honor of their anniversary. Donations to our Virtual Shiurim fund were made by: * Malkie and Norman Goldberg in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Malkie’s father Chazzan Kalman Chaitovsky on the 9th of Tevet. * Emily Morris in honor of the 50th birthday of her son Hillel Morris.
BIRTHDAYS Mr. Neil Harris (12/19) Nava Weil (12/20) Mrs. Neena Holley (12/21) Naftali Neikrug (12/21) Leah Jacobs (12/23) Shuli Stopek (12/23) Mrs. Anne Maryles (12/24) Menachem Landsman (12/24) Mrs. Gitta Domsky (12/25)
ANNIVERSARIES Mr. and Mrs. Seth Appel (12/16) Mr. & Mrs. Alan Gershman (12/16) Dr. and Mrs. Jordan Pollack (12/17) Mr. and Mrs. David Shiner (12/18) Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Peikes (12/20) Mr. and Mrs. Levi Kahn (12/21) Mr. and Mrs. Jack Saltzman (12/23) Mr. and Mrs. Sam Kahan (12/24) Mr. and Mrs. Lev Katz (12/24) Rabbi and Mrs. Kenny Zisook (12/24) Dr. and Mrs. Eli Jacobs (12/25) Dr. and Mrs. David Spindel (12/25)
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
MOVIE: “Driving West Rogers Park: Chicago’s Once and Future Jewish Neighborhood,” updated since its screening three years ago at Cong. KINS, is available for viewing online at www.jndcchicago.org . Treat yourself for Hannukah to the story of the rebound of West Rogers Park!
COVID TRACING To assist our community in tracing COVID outbreaks (chas v’shalom) there is a grassroots efforts that has been endorsed by a number of our community organizations. For more information, click here - https://www.communitycounter.org/
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