Shabbat, August 28, 2021 between Mincha and Maariv BTZAIT SHABBAT KODESH
Wednesday, August 25, 2021 DAYTIME DIALOGUES with YOSSI KLEIN HALEVI
HALACHA OF THE WEEK:When Do We Begin to Recite Selichot? This coming Motzaei Shabbat we will begin to recite selichot. Why?
According to the Tur [Orach Chaim 581] there are three traditions regarding when one should begin reciting selichot. According to Rav Amram Gaon, selichot were recited only between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur; Rav Hai Gaon began selichot with Rosh Chodesh Elul (which remains the Sefardic custom); and Ashkenazim begin selichot on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah - provided that there are at least four days before Rosh Hashana.
While the first two time frames for reciting selichot seem very logical, why do Ashkenazim choose a time towards the end of Elul and yet before Rosh Hashana?
There are three explanations:
The first is that there was a custom to observe ten days of fasting before Yom Kippur for the purpose of repentance. As always, selichot are recited along with fasting. However, since during the days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur there are four days on which it is impossible to fast (the two days of Rosh Hashana, Sabbath, and erev Yom Kippur) four alternate days are set aside beforehand. Nowadays, even though most people no longer fast on these ten days, none the less it remains customary to get up early for selichot during these days. [Mishna Berura 581 note 6].
An second reason for this practice is that on Rosh Hashana a person must "sacrifice himself" before G-d, and since we find that sacrifices had to be prepared and checked for blemishes four days before being offered up, it was decided that selichot be recited four days before Rosh Hashana. Furthermore, in order that people not become confused, it was established that the first reading of selichot take place on Saturday night. [Mishna Berura, ibid.]
Finally, the Ran in his commentary to the Gemara in Rosh Hashanah [16a] cited the custom in Barcelona was to begin selichot on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, giving us 5 days of special prayers before Rosh Hashana. However, as noted before, to avoid confusion, many communities chose to begin selichot on a day of the week - Sunday that would typically fall around the 25th. This notes the Vilna Gaon [Orach Chaim 581] may also be the source of the Ashkenzi custom.
DVAR TORAH Our parasha opens with the mitzvah of bringing first fruits (bikkurim) to the Temple, a mitzvah that takes effect "when you enter the Land that G-d, your G-d, gives you as an inheritance, and you possess it, and dwell in it."
Explained Rashi: "This tells us that the Jewish people were not under the obligation to bring first fruits until they had conquered the land and divided it." However, the halachic midrash, the Sifra, makes a seemingly contradictory statement: "Do this mitzvah so that through it's merit you will enter the Land of Israel."
So which is it - do we need to perform this mitzvah before or after we enter the land?
HaRav Shalom Massas z"l the former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim wrote that there is no contradiction. Rashi is correct that the laws of bikkurim did not actually take effect until the Land of Israel was conquered. However, the attitude this mitzvah teaches - that everything we have is a gift from G-d - was a prerequisite to conquering the Land!
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MAZAL TOV * to Ira Silverstein and Debra Silverstein on the upcoming marriage of their daughter Alissa to Leor Kushner. Mazal tov to grandparents, Ethel Silverstein and Marvin and Eva Loskove. * to Hesh and Mimi (Stein) Granek on the engagement of their son Daniel Stein to Tehilla Portnoy (Baltimore). Mazal Tov to grandmother, Mrs. Susie Robinson. * to Dr. Shmuel and Chana Goldstein on the birth of a grandson. The prud parents are Tzvi and Jeanette Goldstein. * to Jeremy and Rebecca Amster on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Libbie. Mazal tov to grandparents, Dr. Stephen and Cheryl Karesh & Howard and Shoshana Benditzon.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel – Etai Yaakov ben Tzipporah, who is recovering in rehab. * to Robert Kaplan who is recuperating at home from surgery.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
SEFER DANIEL – Sundays 9:00am - will not meet this week
BIRTHDAYS Mrs. Shoshie Neikrug (8/21) Mrs. Eva Gertzfeld (8/28) Mr. Yitzi Matanky (8/28) Mrs. Elis Pollack (8/28) Shira David (8/29) Mrs. Leah Cohen (8/30) Mrs. Sara Stopek (8/31) Mrs. Meira Gottesman (9/1) Nili Heifetz (9/1) Mrs. Chana Bryer (9/2) Ms. Leah Gold (9/2) Mrs. Rochelle Miller (9/2) Noah Aberman (9/3) Mr. Yoni Aberman (9/3) Mrs. Ilana Dress (9/3) Aaron Katz (9/3)
ANNIVERSARIES Josh and Shoshi Ross (8/29) Rabbi Ilan and Leora Heifetz (8/31) Steve and Linda Lavenda (8/31) Robert W. and Lee Matanky (9/1) Alan and Devora Sorscher (9/1) Rabbi Larry and Elizabeth Feder (9/3)
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
