COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT Help support the essential work of "Protect Our Heritage" - one of our community's most important political advocacy organizations. April 23-24, 2023. CLICK HERE to contribute or HERE and HERE for more information
DVAR TORAH There is a fascinating paradox regarding the laws of tzara'at, (the metaphysical malady commonly translated as "leprosy"), which affected those who committed the sin of "lashon hara" [gossip].
On one hand, only a kohen could determine if a person who displayed the symptoms of tzara'at was impure and had to be sent out of the encampment "where he sits in solitude" (Vayikra 13:46). On the other hand, as the Talmud teaches, if the afflicted person "destroyed the evidence" and removed the discolored skin he/she could no longer be considered impure.
Why send the person from the encampment? Since tzara'at wasn't a physical disease, but a Divine punishment - it wasn't contagious! And if a person could remove the discoloration, or adulterate its appearance - why not have the person locked in a cell under constant guard until the tzara'at disappears on its own?
HaRav Yaakov Kamenetzky, explained that the reason a person with tzara'at had to "sit in solitude" was a special gift from the Torah. Because the sin he committed of "lashon hara" is impossible to commit all alone. Therefore, the Torah instructed the kohen to send him away, NOT to avoid others, but to confront him, to consider his deeds, in the absence of all peer pressure and influence. And there, all alone, he had but two options, to continue to fool himself, to remove the discoloration and appear pure. Or to be honest with himself, see his actions for what they truly were, repent and grow.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: HAIRCUTS WHEN FRIDAY IS EREV ROSH CHODESH IYAR The Mishneh Berurah (493:5) rules that even those who have the custom not to cut hair or shave during the first half of Sefirat HaOmer are permitted to shave or take a haircut on Erev Shabbat (Friday) in honor of Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Iyar.
However, with Rosh Chodesh Iyar always two days long, Friday is also Rosh Chodesh (the 30th of Nisan), and some have the custom of following the ruling of R' Yehuda HaChasid who forbade getting a haircut on Fridays.
If so, does the ruling of the Mishna Berura apply this year when Friday is also Rosh Chodesh?
HaRav Moshe Feinstein [Igrot Moshe Orech Chaim 6:36] is lenient and allows haircuts and shaving this Friday. He suggested that the prohibition of R' Yehuda HaChasid applies only when it was possible to get a haircut for Shabbat on Thursday. However, because this is the period of Sefirat HaOmer and it is forbidden to get a haircut, it would be permitted to shave on Rosh Chodesh too. This was also the ruling of HaRav Yaakov Kaminetzky (Emet L'yaakov, Orech Chaim 260) agreed and ruled leniently.
The Kaf HaChaim [Orech Chaim 493:47] ruled that the prohibition of R' Yehuda Hachasid precludes getting a haircut and shaving even on Erev Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Iyar. However, he permits it on Thursday afternoon, ruling that this is also a time of preparing for Shabbat.
In addition, many poskim (e.g., Nodeh B’Yehuda Even Haezer 79, Chatam Sofer Yore Deah 138, and in contemporary times, HaRav Hershel Schachter) do not follow the customs of R' Yehuda HaChasid, ruling that his instructions were intended for his offspring only. Therefore, getting a haircut or shaving on Friday is allowed, and the ruling of the Mishna Berura is followed.
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MAZAL TOV * to Simcha and Ellen Freedman on the birth of a son. Mazal Tov to grandparents Drs. Mark and Linda Freedman. Special Mazal Tov to great grandmother, Julie Freedman. The Shalom Zachor will be at the Freedman home, 2835 W. Birchwood from 8:30-10:30 pm. The bris will be following davening Shabbat morning at KINS North. * to Dr. Harvey and Diane Abramowitz on the engagement of their son, Eli, to Devorah Rudack, daughter of Avi and Shoshana Rudack (Silver Springs, MD). * to David and Miri Rosenwasser on the birth of a grandson in Israel, born to their children Yedidya and Adina. * to Robert and Lee Matanky on the birth of a granddaughter. The proud parents are Ruthie and Tuly Skaist. Special Mazal Tov to great grandmothers Trude Matanky and Sharon Frankel.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Hillel Lipson who is recuperating from surgery. * to Rachel Silverman who is recuperating at home.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, Seuda Shlishit, or to donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
The Day of Learning April 24 / 4 Iyyar, is sponsored by Edward and Shelley Stopek in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Ed’s brother Arthur Stopek-Dov Ber ben Tzvi Hersh z’l.
Kiddush at KINS North is sponsored by Simcha and Ellen Freedman in honor of the bris of their son.
A Donation to the Kiddush fund was made by: * Eva Gertzfeld in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her mother, Ilona Grunfeld-Fraedel bas Zalman Leib z’l on 4 Iyyar. * Henry & Lisa Goldberg with Hakarat Hatov to Howard Karesh and the KINS Rabbinical Team for their amazing work on the Haggadah project. * Rachelle Gold in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her father, Jacob V. Gold on 3 Iyyar. * Edward and Shelley Stopek in honor of the Bat Mitzvah celebration of their granddaughter, Shuli Stopek.
FROM THE DAYAN'S DESK - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays DAYTIME DIALOGUES: Wednesdays noon 30 MINUTES OF PARSHA - Wed. 8:00pm/Shabbat 8:30am
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Wednesdays @ 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 5:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays, 9:00pm
BIRTHDAYS Mrs. Keren Dukes (4/22) Shimon Halpert (4/22) Aviva Goldman (4/23) Mr. Lawrence Yablong (4/23) Mrs. Mandy Bachrach (4/24) Sarah Lipson (4/24) Mrs. Vivienne Sklar (4/24) Mrs. Noemy Skidelsky (4/25) Mr. Jeremy Amster (4/26) Gavriel Weil (4/26) Yaakov David (4/27) Eliana Levitt (4/27)
ANNIVERSARIES Sam and Shuli Medow (4/23) Dr. Stephen and Cheryl Karesh (4/28)
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 
