HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Chol HaMoed in Halacha According to the Talmud, during Chol HaMoed, the general rule is that “melacha” [lit. work]. And while there remains a dispute as to whether or not this prohibition is Biblical or rabbinic [Talmud Chagiga 18a and Moed Katan 29a; Shulchan Aruch Orech Chayim 530:1], all authorities agree that work that is prohibited on the festivals is also prohibited on the intermediate days unless one of five following exemptions are present:
1. Work, if not done, will lead to a significant financial loss. (The precise definition of financial loss varies from society to society and person to person [Mishna Berura 544:6].)
2. Work done to produce food for the sake of either the intermediate days or the holidays (including lighting fires, harvesting plants or turning on lights).
3. Work where the action is of benefit to many people.
4. Work done by a non-professional for the sake of the holiday. Therefore, one may turn on a light during Chol HaMoed to read or turn on the radio to listen to recreational music for pleasure [Shulchan Aruch, Orech Chayim 545:1].
5. Work done by a poor person to earn money to buy food or other necessities. (It is preferable to do such work, rather than accept charity [Pri Megadim, Orech Chayim, Eshel Avraham 542]) It is preferable that such work be done in a private, rather than public.
Obviously, what is prohibited and what is permitted depends on motives, intent and ease of activity — and in this sense the concept of prohibited work on Chol HaMoed differs from the notion of prohibited work on Shabbat and Yom Tov. However, what is important to remember is that Chol HaMoed, is a Moed [lit. holiday] and as such deserves, as much as possible, some modifications to our regular weekday routine.
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DVAR TORAH
Recently I've been thinking a lot about צפון - the part of the seder when we eat the afikomen. Not about the great debate as to why we eat this final piece of matzah, but a much simpler issue. Why is this part of the seder called צפון- the "hidden item" and not just "afikomen?"
Rav Kook suggested the reason is that this final piece of matzah is eaten על השובע, after the meal. As a result, the afikomen does not fulfill a physical need for nourishment, but a spiritual one - a need that is often hidden from sight.
But, perhaps there is another reason this final act of the meal is called צפון.
Because calling it צפון reminds us that there will always be things hidden from view, things we will never understand. And yet, צפון reminds that we must believe in G-d and be prepared to sing His praises even when the taste of the unknown is still in our mouths.
Believing, despite all that is hidden, is the hallmark of a faithful Jew. But it is also the path to redemption. And so we fulfill the צפון, and then comes ברך – as we bless G-d for all we can see. Finally, we sing His praises in הלל and end where we began the seder - praying that our faith and our commitment will lead us to the ultimate redemption,לשנה הבאה בירושלים.
MAZAL TOV *to Rabbi Leonard and Margaret Matanky on the birth of a grandson. The proud parents are Elisheva and Sammy Gershon. Mazal tov to grandparents Dr. Raph and Martine Gershon, and to great-grandparents, Trude Matanky and Dr. Oscar and Bernice Novick. CONDOLENCES * to Dudi Berkowitz on the passing of his father.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * Hillel Shapiro * to Ephraim Rimel and Itai Rimel * to Shifra Yehudis Orlian * to Irv and Lynne Shapiro * to Joe Samuels who is recuperating at home.
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 Thank you to Bill and Maureen Russman for sponsoring a virtual shiur this week with their thanks for the shiurim they have heard and dedicated to a refuat hanefesh and refuat haguf for the whole world. TO SPONSOR A SHIUR - CLICK HERE
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Mr. and Mrs. Hillel Shapiro (4/8) Rabbi and Mrs. Yechiel Bresler (4/19)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mrs. Aviva Matanky (4/8) Mrs. Esther Cardash (4/10) Mrs. Esther Porush (4/12) Aron Isaacs (4/12) Ariella Matanky (4/13) Dr. David Spindel (4/13) Mr. Reuven Stein (4/13) Mr. Barry Smith (4/14)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to (cont'd) Joseph Silverstein (4/14) Michali Goldberg (4/14) Mrs. Sharon Pick (4/14) Chava Magence (4/14) Mr. Josh Ross (4/15) Mrs. Louise Mayefsky (4/15) Avraham Yechiel Neikrug (4/16) Meital Matanky (4/17) Judah Cohen (4/17) Mrs. Devorah Neiman (4/17) Yehuda Dov Reiss (4/19) Mr. Barry Semer (4/19)
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DAF YOMI – LIVE Mon.-Friday @ 7:30am; Sunday - TBA
3 MINUTE HALACHA – RECORDED Sunday- Friday
PARSHAT HASHAVUA with Ephraim Rimel-Fridays 9am
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