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HALACHA OF THE WEEK:Lag B’Omer According to tradition, next Friday, the 33rd day of the Omer - Lag B'Omer – is the anniversary of when the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying [Meiri, Yevamot 62b, Orach Chaim 493:2].
Some explain that Rabbi Akiva's students continued to die throughout the sefira period (hence the custom some have to extend the period of mourning after this day). But on Lag B'Omer, Rabbi Akiva began teaching new students – including Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai – who did not die in the plague. Through them, Torah spread among the Jewish people [Pri Chadash 493:2]. Others claim that on the thirty-third of the Omer R. Akiva gave semicha to his five new students – Rabbi Meir, Rabbi Yehudah, Rabbi Yosi, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and Rabbi Elazar ben Shamu'a. And these students continued to teach Torah [Kaf HaChaim 493:26]. Another third reason for rejoicing is that this date is the anniversary of the death (the "hillula") of the holy Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who was Rabbi Akiva's disciple, and in kabbalistic tradition a day observed with rejoicing.
Whatever the reason, it is customary to rejoice to some extent on Lag B'Omer with singing and dancing. Besides, we do not say tachanun on this day, nor the mincha before. A person is not allowed to fast on Lag B'Omer, however, the Magen Avraham rules that a groom would fast on Lag B'Omer (others disagree) [Magen Avraham Orach Chaim 573:1].
While there are different customs regarding weddings and haircuts, Ashkenazim generally permit them on Lag B'Omer, while most Sephardim wait until the following day.
Nonetheless, when Lag B'Omer falls out on Friday, as it does this year, everyone (except for those who follow the custom of the Ari, z" l) agree that haircuts are permitted [Orach Chaim 493:2, Kaf HaChaim 493:13].
DVAR TORAH In this week's parsha, we learn of the mitzvah of "love your neighbor like yourself" (Vayikra 19:18). Rabbi Akiva describes this mitzvah as a "klal gadol" - a great principle in the Torah. This he most likely learned from Hillel's teachings, who approached by a prospective convert and asked to sum up the Torah 'on one foot' he answered with this mitzvah, adding that the rest of the Torah is an explanation of it (Shabbat 31a).
The Ben Ish Chai (Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, 1832–1909) adds that, given its centrality to the Torah, a very significant part of this mitzvah is overlooked by many people. He writes that while many people recognize how this mitzvah requires a person to help his fellow in terms of his physical well-being, they are less aware that it also obliges him to help his fellow's spiritual health. Indeed, he argues that helping his friend in the spiritual realm is a far greater fulfillment of the mitzvah than benefiting him in the physical realm.
As he explained: "When one helps his friend in a physical sense, he expresses his care for his friend's body; however, man's body merely consists of a combination of blood and flesh! The main aspect of a person is his soul, and the soul gets no benefit from kindness in the physical sense. However, if one rebukes his fellow and prevents him from transgressing G-d's mitzvot, then he bestows a great kindness on his friend's soul, and love for one's fellow's spiritual side is far more important than the love of his physical being."
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MAZAL TOV * to Maureen and William Russman on the engagement of their daughter Sarah to Ari Roffe, son of Tara and Brian Roffe.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel – Etai Yaakov ben Tzipporah, who is recovering in rehab * to Anne Maryles – Chana bat Baila
CONDOLENCES * to the family of Mrs. Rivkah Brandman, ע״ה. Shmuel Brandman, Tamar Abell, Yossi Brandman, Yael Atkin, R’ Moshe Brandman and Yehudit Goldberg are sitting shiva at the Brandman residence in Yerushalayim - Diskin 15, 10th Floor 10, Apt 39, through Monday morning. Shacharit will be at 7:30 am and Mincha/ Maariv at 7:00 pm. The family can be reached at the following numbers: Moshe Brandman 773-902-1616, Yael Atkin 011-972-54-2522427, Tamar Abell 312-818-2330, Yossi Brandman 773-339-7670, Yehudit Goldberg 773-818-2100.
Pamela Solomon and Sharon Schneider are sitting shiva in Chicago, but due to COVID restrictions will be limiting in-person contacts.
Pamela will be sitting shiva at her home, 6800 North California, Apt. 3N and limited in-person condolence calls may be made by people who are fully vaccinated and masked. Please call in advance to 201-835-5540 or 312-810-9498 for times or to express condolences by phone. Shiva hours 10am-12pm, 1:30pm-5:30pm and 7:00pm-9:00pm.
Sharon Schneider will be sitting shiva at her home. Condolence calls can be made by phone or facetime only. There will be no in-person shiva calls. Sharon's number is 773-617-9595.
HAKAMAT MATZEIVA The Hakamat Matzeiza for Dan Sharon z’l, brother of Timna Liberman, will be Sunday May 7, 2021, 1:00 PM at Westlawn Cemetery, 7801 W. Montrose.
CLASSES @ KINS To be a sponsorCLICK HERE A Donation to the Virtual Learning Fund was made by: * Vivienne Sklar in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her father David Kelman z”l. * Larry and Sheryl Merzel in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Larry’s brother * Shlomo Merzel z’l and in honor of the recent Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Akiva Gershon Merzel, son of Benji and Rafi Merzel (Toronto). * Lev and Orah Katz and family in honor of the birthday of their mother and grandmother Brenda Katz.
BIRTHDAY Mrs. Vivienne Sklar (4/24) Mrs. Noemy Skidelsky (4/25) Mr. Jeremy Amster (4/26) Mrs. Brenda Katz (4/26) Gavriel Weil (4/26) Yaakov David (4/27)
BIRTHDAY Eliana Levitt (4/27) Rabbi Reuben Harris (4/30) ANNIVERSARIES Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Karesh (4/28)
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
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