HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Chanukah Part 2: Should Torah Study be Interrupted for the Lighting of Candles? According to Mishna Berura [Orech Chaim 678 note 10] once the time to light Chanukah candles has arrived, all other activities, whether eating, working, or even learning Torah should stop and the candles should be lit. In fact, one of the only reasons to postpone the lighting of candles is to wait for the family to gather and light them together [ibid.].
But should schools and yeshivot end the day early to allow for the lighting of candles?
In the early 1960’s, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein asked his father-in-law, the late Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik whether the Kollel students at Yeshiva University should take a break, interrupt their Torah studies and return home to light Chanukah candles; or if they should remain in the Beit Midrash until the conclusion of their study period.
Rabbi Soloveitchik responded that the students should continue their studies until the conclusion of the usual study time, even though the ideal time to light Chanukah candles would pass. As a basis for this, he cited Meiri to Shabbat 21b who noted a similar practice in his time. [cited by Rabbi Hershel Shachter, Peninei Harav, Hilchot Chanukah]. On another occasion, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein also ruled in the same fashion [Ohalei Yeshurun p.8]. His reason was that communal Torah study takes precedence over lighting Chanukah candles at its optimal time.
One explanation of this approach was offered by Rabbi Lichtenstein in the book "Kovod Harav." There Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein cites both Aruch Hashulchan [Shulchan Aruch, Even Haezer 1:13] and Rav Elchanan Wasserman [Kovetz Hearot, Yevamot addendum 1] who rule that while Talmud Torah does not excuse one from performing a Mitzva, but it does permit one to delay performing the Mitzva.
A final note: Of course, not all poskim agree with this approach, and there are Yeshivot and schools that end the learning day early. In fact, even at Rabbi Lichtenstein's own Yeshiva in Israel (Har Etzion) the boys are given a break to light candles!
DVAR TORAH At the beginning of this week's parasha, Yaakov sends messengers to Esav with the following message: "I have lived with Lavan (im Lavan garti), and tarried until now" [Genesis 32:5].
Because of this unusual message, Rashi explains that Yaakov was actually sending a "coded" message to his brother, based upon the numerical value of "I have lived (Hebrew -'garti')" which equals 613. "I lived with the wicked Lavan," said Yaakov, "but I observed the 613 Commandments - without learning from his evil ways."
Rabbi Yitzchak Ruderman once asked: If Yaakov had already sent the message "I observed the 613 Commandments," why did he have to add "and I have not learned from the evil ways of Lavan?"
The answer, explained the Rosh haYeshiva of Ner Yisrael, was that one can observe the 613 commandments and nevertheless, learn from the ways of a Lavan. As the Ramban explained, a person can observe all of the mitzvot, and still be morally corrupt.
Therefore, Yaakov told Lavan: "Not only do I have the merit of observing the 'letter' of all 613 commandments, but I also have never learned from Lavan - observing the spirit of those laws as well."
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MAZAL TOV * to Rabbi Tzvi Yaakov and Rifka Miretzky on the birth of a son. Mazal Tov to grandparents Steve and Malka Miretzky. The Shalom Zachar will be at their home 2726 Jarlath 7:30-9:30 pm and the Bris will Tuesday morning at KINS Main following the 7:15 AM Minyan.
* to Jordan and Maya Bass on the birth of a son. The Shalom Zachar will be at their home 2926 West Birchwood, beginning at 7:30 pm. The Bris will be Tuesday at Beis Chaim Dovid, Lincolnwood. To help with means,click here.
* to Raanana and Reuven Stein on the bat mitzvah of their daughter, Dana. Mazal tov to grandparents, Essie & Mike Stein and Margaret and Rabbi Leonard MAtanky. Special mazal tov to great-grandmothers, Naomi Jacobson, Trude Matanky and Bernice Novick.
* to Adele Feldman on the engagement of her granddaughter, Kayla Katz, daughter of Aviva and Dov Katz, to Sam Whitefield (Israel).
* to Alan and Jodi Gershman on the Auf Ruf and upcoming marriage of their son, Yonatan, to Meira Edelstein, daughter of Motti and Stacey Edelstein (Cincinnati). Mazal Tov to grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Kirshner.
* to Sharon and Larry Chambers on the birth of a great grandson. The proud parents are Yaakov Meir and Aidy Pickholtz (Lakewood). REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Etai Rimel – Etai Yaakov ben Tzipporah, who is recovering in rehab.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
Early Minyan Kiddush is sponsored by Eli & Mandy Bacharach, Dr . Dov & Sharon Shapiro and Israel & Eliana Shapiro in commemoration of the yahrtzeits of their fathers.
Main Minyan Kiddush is sponsored by Alan and Jodi Gershman in honor of the Auf Ruf and upcoming marriage of their son, Yonatan.
A donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by: * Sandy Aranoff in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her mother, Rosalyn Aranoff z’l. * Shari and Azi Feifel in commemorate of the 50th yahrtzeit of Shari’s father, Harold Allswang z’l.
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM Please note: Rabbi Myers' Parsha Class will not meet Shabbat morning 11/27
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT December 7 - HTC’s 99th Anniversary Gala honoring Dr. Stephen and Cheryl Karesh with the Etz Chaim Award, Rabbi Zvi and Rachel Zimmerman with the Marbitz Torah Leadership Award, and Hal and Rochel Garfinkel with the Distinguished Parents Award. To RSVP and place an ad, visit www.htc.edu/gala.
ANNIVERSAIES Avi and Daphna Zisook (11/22) Leo and Sylvia Feigenbaum (11/23)
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
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM, Wednesday 8:15p
TALMUD CLASS – Shabbat, 45 minutes before mincha
