Wednesday, March 25, 2020 – 8pm Pre-Pesach Haggadah Workshop
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: TAANIT ESTHER For an overview of the Laws of Purim – click here The very first reference to Taanit Esther is not found in the Talmud, but in the works of Rav Achai Gaon (8th century). In his Sheiltot [VaYakhel 67:18], he explains that when the Talmud refers to the 13th of Adar as a day of gathering – "Yom Kehillah" it actually means that it was a fast day. Even when the Rambam described Taanit Esther, he referred to it as a fast day observed "bazmanim ailu" – in our times [Hilchot Taanit 5:5].
Many believe that Taanit Esther was established to commemorate the three days that Esther fasted before entering Achashverosh's chamber (which took place in Nisan - a month when fasting is prohibited). However, Rabbeinu Tam explained that it was to commemorate the fast that took place on the 13th of Adar, the fact that the Jews observed on the day they fought Haman and his people [Rosh Megillah 1:1].
Because its origins are much later, Taanit Esther is not as stringent as the four other daytime fasts mentioned in Zechariah 8:19. Therefore, expecting or nursing mothers don't fast on this day, and even a person with a headache ['ko'eiv eynayim] may break the fast.
Rav Soloveitchik [Nefesh Harav page 196] explained that because Taanit Esther is a fast of happiness and not mourning beside the fast itself, the other prohibitions associated with Tisha B'Av, and according to some the other four fasts, do not apply to Taanit Esther [see also Halichot Shlomo 18:6]. Therefore all agree that bathing is permitted in this fast [Shulchan Aruch 550:2].
While the fast should end after the megillah reading, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein permitted a person who is having difficulty fasting, to eat a small amount of food 41 minutes after sunset – but even before the megillah reading.
DVAR TORAH The Midrash Yalkut Shimoni compares the obligation of remembering Amalek, the special maftir of this Sahabbat, to a king who had a vicious guard dog protecting his orchard. Once, the king's courtier entered the orchard, and the dog pounced on him, tearing his clothes and biting him. After he escaped, the king said to himself, “If I ask my courtier why he entered the orchard, he will be embarrassed. Instead, I’ll remind him of what the dog did so that he will recall his error.” So too, concludes the midrash, that we are commanded to remember the attack of Amalek in the desert in order to remember what led up to that tragedy.
HaRav Meir Chodosh zt”l, the late mashgiach of Chevron Yeshiva, explained that the lesson the midrash wants us to remember is that the Jews had begun to doubt G-d. (Which is the allusion found in the name of the place where the attack took place "Refidim," which stands for “Rafu Yideihem Min HaTorah” – because they had become weak in the study of Torah.) Therefore, the mitzvah to remember Amalek is really so that we remember the cause of Amalek’s attack - laxity in Talmud Torah.
Added HaRav Moshe Wolfson, the mashgiach of Torah VaDaas, that this too is the reason why our Rabbis established that we fulfill this mitzvah via the public act of reading Torah - which in effect is to repair the sin of that generation!
Main Minyan Kiddush sponsored by Gitelle Rapoport & Gershom Szydlowski in commemoration of the 1st yahrtzeit of Gitelle’s mother Hilda Rapoport z”l.
Donations to the Kiddush Fund were made by: * Dr. Jerry and Carol Silverman in honor of the 100th birthday of Judith Sachs mother of Carol Silverman, grandmother of Richard (Rachel) and great grandmother of Talya, Avigayil, Dovi and Orly Silverman.
* Dovie and Rivky Gelerinter in honor of the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter Channie.
* Robert and Lee Matanky in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Lee’s father, Charles Frankel z”l.
MAZAL TOV * to Bill Coleman and Carole Groover n the engagement of their daughter, Dr. Elisheva Coleman to Jeff Fedotin.
* to Norman and Malkie Goldberg on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Tomer, son of Zev and Becky Goldberg.
* to Rabbi Israel and Esther Porush on the engagement of their granddaughter, Miri to Dani Feit (NY). Mazel tov to parents, David and Rochie Porush, to grandparents Dr. Yudi and Phyllis Garden, and to great grandmother Mrs. Ibi Weiss.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Ephraim Rimel and Itai Rimel * to Shifra Yehudis Orlian * to Joe Samuels who is recuperating at home.
Every Tuesday evening - K.I.N.S. is proud to host a kosher soup kitchen for the less fortunate. To volunteer,click here. NEEDED: “last-minute” volunteers - to be on the list to call when we need more workers, please email, president@congkins.org
CLASSES @ KINS
FRIDAY 7:05am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
SHABBAT 8:30am - Parshat HaShavua with Rabbi Myers NEW TIME 4:00pm - Parshat HaShavua with Wisdom of Torah Institute The speaker this week is Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Krohn 45 min. before mincha - Talmud Class with Rabbi Matanky 1 hour after havdala - Father and Son Learning
SUNDAY 6:30am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 9:00am – Sefer Melachim Alef with Rabbi Matanky - will resume 3/15 9:00am – Halacha with Rabbi Bresler 8:00pm – SNL for high school boys with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel 8:00pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
MONDAY 7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 7:45pm – College Students Learning (every other week) 8:00pm – “Through the Lens of a Modern Day Posek” with Rabbi Meyers 8:00pm - Daf Hashavua Chabura with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel 8:00pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
TUESDAY 7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 2:00pm – Chumash Shiur with Rabbi Bresler 8:00pm - Daf Hashavua Chabura with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel 8:00pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
WEDNESDAY 7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 12:45pm - Tanach B'Shana with Emma Katz 2:00pm – Chumash Shiur with Rabbi Bresler 7:00pm - Bat Mitzvah Program with NILI 8:00pm - Daf Hashavua Chabura with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel 8:00pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
THURSDAY 7:15am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 8:00pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
SECURITY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS
The shul security committee is looking for volunteers to help monitor security cameras in the office and/or to serve as door greeters for 30-minute periods during services. If you interested in helping, please contact the security committee at security@congkins.org.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Maot Chitim This year’s Maot Chitim packing day is March 22nd beginning at 9:00 a.m. and delivery day will be March 29th (Shacharit at 6:20 a.m.) at 7080 N McCormick Blvd., Lincolwood
Chicago Jewish Population Study Every ten years, a study is conducted in the Chicagoland area to measure the size of our Jewish community and determine its unique needs. This spring, NORC at the University of Chicago in partnership with Brandeis University are conducting the Metropolitan Chicago Jewish Population Study – a survey of our Jewish community in the Chicagoland area. The survey asks questions regarding characteristics, behaviors, attitudes, and needs of community members to inform future planning. The study is sponsored by the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago.
You may receive a letter, an email, and/or a phone call from NORC at the University of Chicago asking for your participation in this survey. Because this is a scientific survey, you may or may not receive a survey invitation. If you are invited, we encourage you to respond and participate.
Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park 2800 W. North Shore Ave • Chicago, IL 60645 P 773.761.4000 • F 773.761.4959 • www.congkins.org
