HALACHA OF THE WEEK: V'TAIN TAL U'MATAR This Motzaei Shabbat, December 4th we will begin to say v’tain tal u’matar in the shemona esrei. But why start then?
According to the Talmud [Taanit 4b], while the rainy season in Israel begins around the time of Sukkot, we don't begin to recite the prayer for rain ("v'tain tal u'matar") until two weeks later (Cheshvan 7). The reason for this delay is to allow those Jews who had travelled to Jerusalem for the holiday to return home before the onset of the rain.
However, those of us who live in the Diaspora wait even longer until we insert this prayer into our daily Shemona Esrei. This is based on the custom of Babylonia, a land of abundant water and therefore a place which did not need rain until the 60th day after the autumnal equinox [Taanit 10a]. In a landmark responsum of the Rabbeinu Asher, he ruled that all of the Diaspora, regardless of their individual needs for rain should follow the custom of Babylonia [Teshuvot HaRosh 4:10].
The only problem is today we know that the autumnal equinox is on September 23rd - and 60 days later is November 22nd. So why do our siddurim say that we begin to insert "v'tain tal u'matar" on December 4th or 5th?
The answer is found in a little bit of history.
In the year 46 B.C.E., Julius Caesar established a 12 month calendar with 365.25 days per year. Every four years, the "quarter days" were converted in to a single added day - a leap year.
However, the actual length of a solar year is only 365.24219 days - slightly less than the Julian Calendar. In the short run, this difference was negligible, but over time it eventually caused the seasons to gradually shift away from their proper time.
To correct this, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII instituted a new calendar which included two significant changes. The first was an adjustment of 10 days (in other words, when it was instituted October 4th of that year was followed by October 15th). As a result, "v'tain tal u'matar" also shifted from November 22nd to December 1st.
The second change was that the rule for leap years was slightly altered, with every century year NOT divisible by 400 losing its leap-year status. Thus, 1600 was a leap year, but 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not. This had the effect of changing the average length of a year to 365.2425 days, a difference that is much less noticeable over time (a margin of error of roughly 3 days in 10,000 years). As a result of this second change, the date for "v'tain tal u'matar" was shifted one day in each of those three years, bringing us to our current date of December 4th (Please note: after 2100, the date will become December 5th).
Finally, in the year BEFORE a Gregorian leap year, "v'tain tal u'matar" is added from December 5th. The reason for this is that since the Jewish year begins several months earlier (approximately in September), it already factors in the extra day from Rosh HaShana onwards.
DVAR TORAH Every night of Chanukah we recite the blessing "she'asa nissim" - "...who has done miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time of year". Of course, the miracle referred to in this bracha is the miracle of the oil which burned for eight days instead of just one.
However, Rabbi Avrohom Pam, ztz"l, the late Rosh HaYeshiva of Torah VaDaath, asked the following question: According to the Talmud, miracles occurred every day in the Temple. So why don't we recite the "she'asa nissim" every day of the year? What was so special about the miracle of Chanukah that only THAT miracle is commemorated with a special blessing?
The answer is based upon a comment of the Pnei Yehoshua to mesechet Shabbat, who grappled (as did many others) with the reason for this miracle. After all, there is a halachic principle that when the majority of the people are impure, the Temple Service may be carried out even in a state of impurity. Therefore, they could have lit the Menorah with impure oil.
So why did they NEED the miracle of Chanukah?
The Pnei Yehoshua answered that in reality, they didn't the miracle. Yet, G-d created the miracle to demonstrate "an added amount of endearment" (chibah yeteirah) for the Jewish people. Because G-d wanted to show the Jewish people that despite their sins (which led to the Greek overthrow of Israel) once they repented, the His relationship with the Jewish people was restored as it 'once was.'
Concluded Rav Pam, it is true that every day there were miracle in the Temple. But the miracle of Chanukah was unique, because it showed that G-d will always allow us to do Teshuva. And it for this reason that these days and this miracle deserve a special blessing!
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MAZAL TOV * to Dr. Stephen and Cheryl Karesh on being honored by the Hebrew Theological College at their 99th Annual Gala December 7th. * to Kevin and Adina Greenberg on the marriage of their son Yaakov to Alyssa Schniper (Israel). * to Daniel Stuhlman on his marriage to Carol Amsterdam * to Faye and Hillel Meyers and David and Marcy Segal on the birth of a granddaughter. The proud parents are Leora and Moshe Meyers (Israel). Special Mazal Tov to great grandmother Mrs. Eva Weiss * to Simmy and Talya Warso on the birth of a daughter. Mazal Tov to grandparents Jim and Terri Rosenwasser. Special Mazal Tov to great grandmother Mrs. Jackie Rosenwasser. 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.
Kiddush at KINS North is sponsored by Ruth Rotenberg, Glenn Miller and family in commemoration of the 4th yahrtzeit of Millie Miller z’l, on Shabbat Chanukah.
Kiddush at Early Minyan - thank you to Larry and Elizabeth Feder and Reuben Feder for the extras for this Shabbat’s Early Minyan Anniversary Kiddush.
A donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by: * Julie Freedman in memory of Melvin Freedman and David Abraham on the occasion of their yahrtzeits on the 29th of Kislev. * Dr. Harvey and Diane Abramowitz in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Harvey’s mother, Lee Abramowitz z’l.
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM Please note: Rabbi Myers' Parsha Class will not meet Shabbat morning 11/27
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT December 5-6 - #CHICAGOGROWSHERE The YU Torah Mitzion Kollel is holding its second ever Crowdfunding campaign this Sunday and Monday December 5-6 to ensure the endless Torah opportunities and growth they provide to your families, your schools, your shuls, and more continues to grow! Now it's your turn to help us grow! Please donate and show your support for all the Kollel! Visit cmatch.me/yu-kollel to donate, every dollar is matched!
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.
BIRTHDAYS Daniel Karesh (12/4) Baya London (12/5) Mr. William Russman (12/5) Yosef Vilenski (12/5) Yair Bell (12/6) Sarah Levinson (12/6)
BIRTHDAYS Adina Smith (12/6) Eliana Feifel (12/7) Mrs. Phyllis Smith (12/7) Mr. Jack Maryles (12/8) Yaakov Matanky (12/9) Dr. Michael Meer (12/10)
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SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM, Wednesday 8:15p
TALMUD CLASS – Shabbat, 45 minutes before mincha
