Thursday, April 30, 2020 - 7:00pm Zaide Steve and Bubbie Cheryl Karesh lead... STORYTIME WITH SABBA & SAVTA
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - 12:00pm DAYTIME DIALOGUES - a new series
Sunday, May 11, 2020 - 7:30pm COOK ALONG & DEMO with Naomi Nachman pre-register here
THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL DAVENING INSTRUCTIONS FRIDAY: Pesach Sheni, no tachanun. FRIDAY NIGHT: Kabbalat Shabbat as regular. Remember that following the Maariv amida and because we are davening without a minyan, after va’yichulu, skip to aleinu (i.e. no magen avot). SHABBAT DAY: We do not recite yikum purkan without a minyan. The fourth chapter of pirkei avot is studied. MONDAY: Erev Lag B’Omer, no tachanun at mincha. TUESDAY: Lag B’Omer - We do not say tachanun on Lag Ba'Omer.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Lag B’Omer According to tradition, on the 33rd day of the Omer - Lag B'Omer - the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying [Meiri, Yevamot 62b, Orach Chaim 493:2].
Some explain that Rabbi Akiva's students continued to die throughout the sefira period (hence the custom some have to extend the period of mourning after this day). But on Lag B'Omer, Rabbi Akiva began teaching new students – including Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai – who did not die in the plague. Through them, Torah spread among the Jewish people [Pri Chadash 493:2]. Others claim that on the thirty-third of the Omer R. Akiva gave semicha to his five new students – Rabbi Meir, Rabbi Yehudah, Rabbi Yosi, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and Rabbi Elazar ben Shamu'a. And these students continued to teach Torah [Kaf HaChaim 493:26]. Another third reason for rejoicing is that this date is the anniversary of the death (the "hillula") of the holy Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who was Rabbi Akiva's disciple, and in kabbalistic tradition a day observed with rejoicing.
Whatever the reason, it is customary to rejoice to some extent on Lag B'Omer with singing and dancing. Besides, we do not say tachanun on this day, nor the mincha before. A person is not allowed to fast on Lag B'Omer, however, the Magen Avraham rules that a groom would fast on Lag B'Omer (others disagree) [Magen Avraham Orach Chaim 573:1].
While there are different customs regarding weddings and haircuts, Ashkenazim generally permit them on Lag B'Omer, while most Sephardim wait until the following day.
Nonetheless, when Lag B'Omer falls out on Friday, everyone (except for those who follow the custom of the Ari, z" l) agree that haircuts are permitted [Orach Chaim 493:2, Kaf HaChaim 493:13].
DVAR TORAH This week's parsha of Emor dedicates an entire chapter, chapter 23, to the Yom Tovim, except for one verse immediately after the description of Shavuot (Vayikra 23:22). Writes the Torah: "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not completely remove the corners of your field as you reap and you shall not gather the gleanings of your harvest; for the poor and the proselyte shall you leave them; I am Hashem, your G-d."
These laws of leket, shikcha, and pe' ah seem totally out of place in this chapter, and many commentators are troubled by its appearance. Rashi quotes a midrash which compares the observance of these laws of providing to the poor to building the Beit HaMikdash and offering the holiday sacrifices on its altar.
But Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, in his classic commentary Meshech Chochma suggested a different possibility, based on the fact that these agricultural laws appear immediately after Shavuot. Wrote R' Meir Simcha, that this underscores the idea that the giving of the Torah, which occurred on Shavuot was not just about chukkim (religious laws that defy human understanding), but also mitzvot of normal human responses - such as caring for the poor and the stranger.
Because G-d understood that there are times when those things that we may consider moral and good will be challenged by society. Therefore, placing these laws in the middle of "religious laws" comes to teach us, that morality is directed by G-d and cannot be relational or changed - just as the holidays are eternal.
MAZAL TOV * to Gavi Weill on his bar mitzvah. Mazal to his parents Shlomo and Rachel Weill * to Dr. Michael Messing on the birth of a granddaughter in Israel, born to his children, Ephraim and Tali Messing.
* to Sonia Goldberg, and Henry & Lisa Goldberg on the birth a great-grandson and grandson, born to Ronit Yonah and Ronit Sturmwind.
* to Mrs. Rochelle Schultz on the birth of a great granddaughter. The proud parents are Rabbi and Mrs. Tzvi Nussbaum
* to Moshe and Doreen Mermelstein on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Shimmie Mermelstein.
* to Mrs. Esther Cardash on the Bar Mitzvah of her grandson Yehoshua Pinchas Cardash , son of Rabbi Berish and Shelley Cardash.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * Hillel and Leah Shapiro who are recuperating at home. * to Ephraim Rimel and Itai Rimel * to Bonnie Myers who is recuperating at the Abbington of Glenview. * to Shifra Yehudis Orlian who is recuperating at home. * to Irv and Lynne Shapiro who are recuperating at home.
CONDOLENCES *to Liebie and Dr. Jeffrey Zeller on the passing of Kiebie’s father, Moshe Heller. Shiva will be observed until Shababt. Condolence message can be sent to Liebie at liebie.zeller@gmail.com, or by calling her at 773-484-5975.
CLASSES @ KINS During the COVID-19 crisis, all of our shiurim will be online and can be accessed live at https://zoom.us/j/8618119980 or at https://www.congkins.org/video-shiurim.html Donations to our Virtual Learning Fund were made by: * Lev and Orah Katz in honor of daughter Abigail’s birthday * Reuven and Raanana Stein in honor of daughter Allie’s birthday * Dr. Stephen and Cheryl Karesh in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Cheryl’s mother, Rita Gordon Rice z”l. * An anonymous donor
DAF YOMI – LIVE Mon.-Friday @ 7:30am; Sunday - TBA
3 MINUTE HALACHA – RECORDED Sunday-Friday
DAYTIME DIALOGUES
STORYTIME with SABBA & SAVTA – Thursday - 7pm
PRE-SHABBAT DRASHA - Thursdays 9pm
SEFER MELACHIM – LIVE Sunday @ 9:00am