Thursday, April 30, 2020 - 7:00pm Zaide Steve and Bubbie Cheryl Karesh lead... STORYTIME WITH SABBA & SAVTA
KINS for KIDS TALENT SHOW Deadline 5/1/20 For more information, click here
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 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 third chapter of pirkei avot is studied. WEDNESDAY: The final time for the kiddush levana of Iyar is the entire night following Wednesday, May 6 (13 Iyar). THURSDAY: Erev Pesach Sheni, no tachanun at mincha. FRIDAY: Pesach Sheni, no tachanun.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: A DOUBT ABOUT COUNTING SEFIRAT HAOMER If a person is in doubt if s/he counted Sefirat HaOmer on the previous day, the Terumat Hadeshen [37] writes that s/he should continue to count with a blessing, and the Shulchan Aruch agrees [Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 489:8]. According to the Pri Chadash, the reason is that there is a double doubt ["s'fek s'feka"]: It is doubtful if he counted or not, and even if he did not count, there is a doubt whether to accept the ruling of the Tosafot, to continue with a blessing even after missing one day. This was also quoted by the Mishna Berura [ibid. note 38], and the Pri Megadim uses this to show that a blessing can be recited in the case of a double doubt [Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 143:5].
The halacha can be summarized as follows: (1) If one forgets to count at night, s/he can count during the following day without a blessing, and then continue the remaining nights with a blessing. (2) One who forgets at night and the following day should continue to count without reciting a blessing. (3) One who is not sure whether s/he counted (or might have made a mistake in the count) can continue to count with a blessing.
DVAR TORAH The period of sefirat haomer is subject to two distinct sets of Jewish law. The first relates to the sefira itself - the counting of the omer. While the second relates to the period of national mourning that is observed during these days - the limitations on music, weddings, haircuts, etc.
The reason we count is based on the mitzvah detailed in the Torah [Vayikra 23:15]. But the reason for mourning is not as clear and seems to have begun in the period of the Gaonim [Halakhot Pesukot Min Ha-Geonim 97] sand based on a tradition [Yevamot 62b] thsat it was during this time that 12,000 pairs of Rabbi Akiva’s students died because that they did not treat each other with respect.
But how could this happen to the students of Rabbi Akiva who so strongly advocated for the mitzvot between people? And why would his students have been punished so severely?
Rav Sherira Gaon [Iggeret 1:1] notes that the reason the students died was not because of a Divine plague, but because of a “shmad” (lit. religious persecution).
Based upon this, Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Neria suggested, that what the Talmud was alluding to, and what Rav Sherira Goan referred to were deaths which took place during the Bar Kochba revolt (132-135 CE). Rabbi Akiva and his students were supporters of this revolt and took part in the battles. As a result, they were pursued by the Romans - a “shmad” was declared against them.
In fact, Rav Neria this “shmad” could explain yet another story in the Talmud when Rabbi Akiva and his students were denied lodging and had to spend the night in the forest [Brachot 60b]. How could such a prominent Jewish leader be denied lodging? Because Rabbi Akiva was a “wanted man” and so were his students and they posed a risk to anyone who would host them!
But why does the Talmud blame their deaths on a lack of respect?
Said Rav Neria, because during that revolt, Bar Kochba’s followers engaged in “guerrilla warfare” - they may have been unified in goal - but not in actions, as they waged attacks on the Romans in small groups. And it may have been this lack of interaction, cooperation and even respect, which contributed to their defeat and deaths. According to Rav Neria, it was only due to the fear of the censors that the Talmud hid the real facts of their deaths and only in the time of the Gaonim did we begin to mourn their loss.
MAZAL TOV * to Shelly and Miriam Aberman on the engagement of their son Yoni to Aliza Pollock of Cleveland, OH. Mazal Tov to grandparents Art and Sandy Aberman and Dr. Fred and Laura Krause.
* to Esther Cardash on the birth of a great grandson. The proud parents are Mr. and Mrs. Yehuda Romanoff.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * Hillel Shapiro who is 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 Dr. Bayla and Dr. Aaron Benjamin and family on the loss of Bayla’s grandmother, Mrs. Evelyn Krupnick z”l.
* to Mrs. Rachel and Dr. David Spindel on the loss of Rachel’s mother Mrs. Ethel Buckman. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no in-person shiva calls and there will be no minyanim. Please express your condolences by calling 773-274-2472 or 773-301-1108
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: * Edward and Shelley Stopek in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Edward’s brother Arthur Stopek z”l. * Vivienne Sklar in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her father David Kelman z”l * Dr. Steve and Cheryl Karesh in honor of their 52nd wedding anniversary. * Dr. Steve and Cheryl Karesh in honor of their son Howard’s birthday.
DAYTIME DIALOGUES: Wednesday, 12 noon Sponsored by Naomi Samber, in honor of her children, grandchildren & great grandchildren and the unique Haggadah they made for her.
PARSHAT HASHAVUA with Ephraim Rimel - Fridays 9am
STORYTIME with SABBA & SAVTA – Thursday - 7pm
PRE-SHABBAT DRASHA - Thursdays 9pm Sponsored by Shelly and Miriam Aberman in honor of the engagement of their son Yoni to Aliza Pollack daughter of Dr. Meir and Deborah Pollack of Cleveland, OH.
SEFER MELACHIM – LIVE Sunday @ 9:00am Sponsored by Larry and Sheryl Merzel & family in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Larry’s brother Shlomo Merzel z”l.
BIRTHDAYS Mr. Howard Karesh (5/1) Mrs. Rosalind Isaacs (5/5) Mrs. Frances Rosenberg (5/5) Rabbi Mordechai Magence (5/6)
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