DVAR TORAH In Parshat Naso, the Torah teaches the mitzvah of birkat kohanim. The text of the bracha, as formulated in this parsha, concludes with the blessing, "The Lord shall show you favor and grant you peace" [6:26].
The Gemara [Brachot 20b] records an intriguing "exchange" between G-d and the angels concerning this bracha. A pasuk in Devarim [10:17] describes one of the attributes of God as "asher lo yisa fanim" – He does not show favor. Yet, in the birkat kohanim– we ask that He should show favor ("Yisa Hashem panav elecha").
Said G-d to the angels, "Should I not show favor to Israel? I wrote for them in the Torah, 'You shall eat and be satiated, and you shall bless the Lord your G-d' (Devarim 8:10), yet they are exact with themselves that for a smaller measure such as a kezayit and a kebeitza they say birkat hamazon! Therefore, they deserve special favor because of the special stringency they accepted.
Rabbi Menachem B. Sacks, ztz"l, explained that the Gemara's unusual expression, "they are exact with themselves," means that their "exactness" is only about themselves and not others. That's why G-d applauds the Jewish people, not merely for feeling gratified and appreciative for small amounts of food but also for not imposing this standard upon others.
Because, explained Rabbi Sacks, when assisting those in need or hosting guests, the Jewish people give generously, in abundance, without expecting the beneficiaries to feel content with a minimal amount. Although "they are exact with themselves" and feel grateful and contented with whatever little they have, they follow a higher standard and strive to offer complete satisfaction to others.
Accordingly, Hashem is prepared to show the Jewish people favor and repay them in kind for their generosity. Although He – more than anybody – knows that a person can easily subsist with limited resources, He is nevertheless willing to give His nation far more than the minimum standard to reward them for meeting the highest expectations when giving while settling on lower standards when taking for themselves.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Birkat Kohanim in the Diaspora While Birkat Kohanim should be recited every day, in the Diaspora Ashkenazim only recite it on Yom Tov, and most Sefardim recite it more often (e.g., every Shabbat, or on days when the Torah is read, or even every day) [Mishna Berura 128:164, Kaf HaChaim Orech Chaim 128:16].
Why don't Ashkenazim recite Birkat Kohanim more often? There are several different answers, but the most well-known is that this bracha can only be recited when a kohen is truly happy - but how can a Jew living in the Diaspora ever be happy!? Therefore, only on Yom Tov when we must be happy is the birkat kohanim recited [Rema, Orech Chaim 128:44].
Some communities did not recite birkat kohanim on Yom Tov, which coincided with Shabbat. This is a faulty custom, and many halachic authorities decried this practice and urged communities to discontinue this custom [Taz Orech Chaim 168:37, Magen Avraham 168:70, Aruch HaShulchan 168:64].
Over the generations, there were attempts to reintroduce reciting birkat kohanim regularly (daily). All such efforts, however, have repeatedly failed, prompting the Aruch Hashulchan to declare that it is as if a Heavenly voice is behind the many failed attempts [Aruch HaShulchan 168:64]. (There is a famous episode regarding the attempt in Volozhin to reinstitute the birkat kohanim and the resultant fire that destroyed a large swath of the city - see Rabbi Nathan Kamentzky's "Making of a Gadol" for the full story.)
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MAZAL TOV * to Yoel and Yehudit Goldberg on the birth of a granddaughter. The proud parents are Yonah and Mimi Goldberg. Mazal Tov to great-grandparents, Norman and Malkie Goldberg. * to Hebrew Theological College on the occasion of its 100th anniversary celebration, this Sunday.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Norman Goldberg who is recuperating at home. * to Esther Meyers who is hospitalized at Alexian Brothers Hospital
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Kiddush at KINS Main Minyan is sponsored by the friends of HTC in honor of the HTC Centennial Shabbos.
Kiddush at KINS Main Minyan is sponsored in honor of the completion of Mesechet Ketubot by our Shabbat afternoon Talmud class. This Shabbat we will begin Mesechet Bava Kamma (45 minutes before mincha).
Kiddush at KINS North is sponsored by the Fasman Yeshiva High School class of 1971 in honor of the HTC Centennial Shabbos.
A Donation to the Kiddush fund was made by: *Avy and Yisraela Dachman in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Avy’s mother, Deborah Dachman, Ester Devorah bas Zalman Tzvi z’l.
FROM THE DAYAN'S DESK - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays DAYTIME DIALOGUES: Wednesdays noon 30 MINUTES OF PARSHA - will not meet this week
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Wednesdays @ 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 5:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays, 9:00pm
BIRTHDAYS Maya Bass (6/4) Mrs. Margaret Matanky (6/4) Mr. Ephraim Vilenski (6/6) Rabbi Yechiel Bresler (6/7) Eitan Frankenthal (6/7) Jennifer Sorscher (6/7) Mrs. Susan Feuer (6/8) Hannah Levinson (6/8)
ANNIVERSARIES Joseph and Inez Samuels (6/6) Rabbi Leonard & Margaret Matanky (6/8)
Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park Main: 2800 W. North Shore Ave & North: 3003 West Touhy • Chicago, IL 60645 P 773.761.4000 • F 773.761.4959 • www.congkins.org
MONDAY NIGHT SEDER - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays
FROM THE DAYAN'S DESK - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Wednesdays @ 8:15pm 
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 5:00pm 
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays, 9:00pm 