Join us this Sunday, 9:00 am on zoom for RABBI MATANKY'S SHIUR: SEFER DANIEL
HALACHA OF THE WEEK:The Fast of the 20th of Sivan This Monday (May 31), some Jewish communities will observe the fast of the 20th of Sivan - a fast established in commemoration of tragedies that befell the Jewish people.
In 4931 (1171), there was a terrible blood libel in France that led to the execution by sword and fire of 31 Torah scholars who were first given the choice of forsaking their Judaism. This episode was but a part of the tragic events of the Crusades that had begun in 1096. Rabbeinu Tam declared the 20th of Sivan a day of fasting "greater than Tzom Gedalia; like Yom Kippur." Selichot and Kinot were composed for 20 Sivan to mark it.
Almost 500 years later, in 5408-5409 (1648-49 – years that correspond to the Hebrew dates of "Tach v'Tat" [Taf-Chet and Taf-Tet]), the 20th of Sivan became associated with the pogroms of the Ukrainian anti-Semite, the Cossack leader Bogdan Chmelnitzky. Those pogroms resulted in the deaths of many tens of thousands of Jews and the destruction of hundreds of beautiful Jewish communities. The Council of the Four Lands, a powerful rabbinic body in Eastern Europe, reiterated the decree of the 20 Sivan as a fast day for males from the age of 18 and females from 15. Even neighboring countries not part of the council's domain accepted upon themselves the fast of the 20th of Sivan and all of its stringencies. The Shach (Rabbi Shabtai Cohen, famous commentator on the Shulchan Aruch) added strength to the fast day by declaring it such, even though he was outside the boundaries of the "Four Lands."
In those communities which still observe this fast, a formal "kabbalat taanit" during the preceding mincha is not necessary [Mishna Berura 574:1]. According to some authorities, if it fell on a Monday or Thursday, the Torah portion for a fast day would be read instead [Orech Chaim, Beer Heitev 566:2; Mishna Berura 566:10].
DVAR TORAH At the end of the parasha, we read of Miriam's punishment for having spoken against her brother Moshe. As part of that punishment, Miriam was exiled from the encampment of the Jewish people for seven, during which time the Torah teaches:"...the nation did not travel until Miriam was brought back in." [Bamidbar 12:15].
According to the Talmud [Sotah 9b], the reason all the Jewish people had to wait for Miriam (despite her punishment, was as a reward for the time she waited along the Nile River to watch over her baby brother Moshe.
But why now? Why did her reward take eighty years to be finally be granted?
According to the Shemen HaTov, the reason is that only now could the Jewish people fully appreciate the importance of her act of chesed. Only now did G-d state to all - the Moshe was greater than all other prophets, greater than all other Jews [Bamidbar 12:7-8].
Sometimes we do a mitzvah, and we don't realize the implications of that deed. Sometimes it takes a week, a month, a year, or even more. Sometimes it might even take eighty years. But everything we do impacts those around us or on ourselves - recognizing that impact is one of the most important things we can do.
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MAZAL TOV * to Georgia and Matthew Miller on the birth of a daughter. To help with meals, click here. * to Dr. and Mrs. David Spindel on the upcoming marriage of their eldest granddaughter Yaffa Bracha Nusbacher to Yaacov Citron in Ramat Beit Shemesh * to Rabbi Yosef and Yafa Liberman on the engagement of their son Meir in Israel. * to Mimi Stein on the birth of a grandson. Proud parents are Izzy and Chaya Stein. Special mazal tov to great grandmother Mrs. Susie Robinson. * to Hillel and Leah Shapiro on the birth of two grandsons. Mazal tov to parents Nisan and Lani Moses, and to Shmuli and Yocheved Pollak. Special mazal tov to great grandparents, Rabbi Meir and Elizabeth Shapiro and Mrs. Eva Gertzfeld * to Mrs. Bernice Novick on the birth of a great-granddaughter, Naavah Tehilla Rush. Proud parents are Shlomo and Daniella Rush (Israel).
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel – Etai Yaakov ben Tzipporah, who is recovering in rehab. * to Gitelle Rapoport who is recuperating from surgery.
KIDDUSH SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush or to donate to the Kiddush Fund please click here. * The Shul in honor of the Reopening Committee (led by Rabbi Matanky) and the Medical Committee (led by Dov Shapiro), for their leadership and guidance over this past year. * The Miretzky Family, in memory of their daughter, sister and aunt, Aviva Esther, on the occasion of her 22nd Yahrtzeit.
Kiddush Fund Donation * The Silverman Family in memory of Rivkah Rabin z’l. The KINS Family was shocked to learn of the passing of Mrs. Rivkah Rabin, a”h. Because the funeral took place on Erev Shavuot and not everyone had a chance to share their memories and stories with the family, the Rabins have set up a special email account where you can express condolences and especially share stories. RivkahRabinMeomiries@gmail.com
CLASSES @ KINS To be a sponsorCLICK HERE A Donation to the Virtual Learning Fund was made by: * Leo and Sylvia Feigenbaum in memory of Rivkah Rabin z’l. * Reuben Feder in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of his father Louis Feder z’l.
