Wednesday, July 14, 2021 DAYTIME DIALOGUES with AMBASSADOR MICHAEL OREN
HALACHA OF THE WEEK:Shabbat Erev Tisha B'Av Meals on Shabbat: The gemara [Taanit 29a] writes that when erev Tisha B’Av falls on Sunday, there are no limits to the meals that can be eaten on Shabbat. As a result, all three Shabbat meals can include meat and be “fit for a king.” [Orach Chayim 552:10]. Furthermore, because there is a prohibition to display signs of mourning on Shabbat, we do not serve a seudah mafseket – the special final meal with an egg, etc. Nevertheless, the Mishna Berura does suggest that the mood of seudah shlishit should be more somber, if it does not bring on clearly noticeable changes [Mishna Berura 552:23]. Of course, seudah shlishit must end before sunset – this year at 8:23 pm.
Havdala on Saturday and Sunday Nights: At maariv on Saturday night (9:25 pm) we recite havdala as part of the shemonah esrei. However, the traditional havdala with wine is delayed until Sunday night after the fast [Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 556:1]. The bracha on the fire is specific to Motzaei Shabbat and is does not have to be part of havdala. Therefore, the minhag is to recite this bracha right before the reading of Eicha (Mishna Berura 556:1).
On Sunday night, after the fast Havdalah is recited with just wine andan adult can drink the wine [Rema, Orach Chayim 551:10]. The bracha on besamim is not recited on Saturday or Sunday nights because the besamim is only for havdalah on Saturday night – as it serves to “revive the soul” – but it is also a pleasurable experience, and therefore inappropriate to use on Tisha B’Av.
Removing Shoes and Changing Clothes: Before the end of Shabbat, one is not allowed to do anything that is a noticeable act of mourning. While finishing to eat before sunset or refraining from washing is not that noticeable, nowadays, taking off shoes is clearly an act of mourning. At K.I.N.S. we will daven an early mincha (6:00 pm) after which everyone can return home for seudah shlishit. After Shabbat (9:13 pm) everyone should recite the phrase of havdala - “baruch hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol” and then change clothes, put on non-leather shoes and return to shul for maariv and Eicha [Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchata 62:40; Yechave Daat 5:38]. Of course, there is a different custom that one does not end Shabbat at home, but in shul, taking off shoes after barchu of maariv. (The issue with this approach is that we don’t have a chance to change out of our “shabbat finery” before the beginning of Tisha B’Av.) For those who follow this latter approach, they should bring non-leather footwear and Eicha/ Kinot books to shul before Shabbat to avoid the problem of hachana (preparation for after Shabbat).
DVAR TORAH The Midrash comments that the word “devarim” (“words”) with which our parsha begins – “These are the words/devarim which Moshe spoke to all of Israel” – may be an allusion to a “devora” – bee. Explains the Midrash, that just as a bee dies after it stings, similarly, Moshe died just after he concluded “stinging” Bnei Yisrael.
Wrote Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ginsburg, in his Yalkut Yehuda that the Midrash also meant to explain that Moshe was pained when he criticized the people. The fact that he, like a bee, died after “stinging” the people is symbolic of the fact that throughout the process he felt pained by having to reprimand the people whom he loved and cared for.
Which, he explained, conveys the message that words of criticism must be spoken with the utmost sensitivity and compassion. Too often, when we need to criticize, we relish - to some extent – the opportunity to point out somebody else’s faults and present ourselves as superior. We enjoy the role of moral guardian, which allows us to congratulate ourselves for being better than somebody else. The Midrash teaches that when we need to “sting” a child, a student, or any other person, it must hurt. We must recognize the shame and unease our words cause the other person, and, to whatever extent possible, try to feel the emotional pain that we are inflicting.
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MAZAL TOV * to Avrumi and Rena Katzenstein on the birth of their son Chaim Yechiel. Mazal Tov to the grandparents Ronny and Faith Shabat. Special Mazal Tov to the great-grandmothers, Mrs. Sylvia Shabat and Mrs. Rosalyn Taragin. * to Rabbi Ari and Esther Maryles on the engagement of their daughter Baila to Mordechai Klein, son of Rabbi and Mrs. Sholey Klein. Mazal tov to grandparents, Jack Maryles, Fegi Mauer, and Marshall & Gila Mauer. REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel – Etai Yaakov ben Tzipporah, who is recovering in rehab.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush or to donate to the Kiddush Fund please click here. Early Minyan Kiddush is sponsored by Terri and Jim Rosenwasser in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Terri’s mother Sara bat Peretz (Susie Raul)
A Kiddush Fund Donation was made with prayers for the early release Edouard David Benaym, Rudy Rochman, and Andrew (Noam) Leibman - the Israeli crew who were arrested in Nigeria while making a documentary on the Jews in Africa.
CLASSES @ KINS To be a sponsorCLICK HERE This week’s Virtual Learning is sponsored by: Seymour and Sharon Gertz in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Sharon’s father Paul Rosenberg z’l.
A donation to the Virtual Learning fund was made by: Rosanne and Howard Benn in commemoration of the yahrtzeits of Rosanne’s grandmother, Bessie Blumberg Blum z”l and Rosanne’s uncle Ike Blumberg z’l.
