DVAR TORAH
At the end of last week's parsha, we read of Avram's departure from Ur Kasdim for the land of Canaan. At first, it was Avram, his father (Terach), his wife (Sarai), and his nephew (Lot). When Terach died, Avram and Sarai continued their journey, and Lot followed. Similarly, when Avran was forced to leave Egypt because of a terrible famine, Lot once again followed and even supported him in his risky plan to pretend that Sarah was only his sister. [The Midrash states that Lot's loyalty to Avram during this time earned him the merit to be rescued from Sodom.]
But then, somewhere along the line, something happened. Lot chose to leave Avram and headed to the evil environs of Sodom. He went "off the derech," as the verse records, "And G-d spoke to Avram after Lot parted company from him" [Beresihit 13:14], explained the midrash, that G-d did not want to speak with Avram as long as the wicked Lot was with him.
What happened to Lot, who had started as a righteous "brother" of Avraham, only to become so wicked?
Rabbi Shimon Schwab, ztz"l, suggested that even though we do not have an explicit answer to this question, a later verse hints at an answer. During the great war of the four and five kings, the Torah wrote: "And they took Lot and his possessions, the nephew of Avram" [Beresihit 14:12].
Why did the Torah phrase this verse in such an unusual way - why is the fact that Lot is Avram's nephew separated by the words "and his possessions"?
Explained Rabbi Schwab, that what separated Lot from Avram and caused his departure from the ways of his uncle were "his possessions." As a result, the once righteous Lot became a citizen of one of the most fruitful areas of Canaan, Sodom - a place where he could accumulate wealth but also where he turned to the ways of evil.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Coming Late and Catching Up to Davening If someone who comes late to shul and cannot catch up to the minyan before they say Shemona Esrei, one should say Elokei Neshama, Birachot Hatorah, Baruch She'amar, Ashrei, Haleluyah Halelu et Hashem Min HaShamayim (Ps. 148) , Haleluyah Hallelu El Bekodsho (Ps. 150), Yishtabach, and then the Birchot Keriat Shema (with the Shema) and finally Shemona Esrei with the minyan. After davening that person can say the Birchot Hashachar and the tehillim which follow Ashrei that were skipped [Orech Chaim 52:1].
If there is even less time than that, one should skip Haleluyah Halelu et Hashem Min HaShamayim, and if needed skip Haleluyah El Bekodsho. [Orech Chaim ibid.]. If there is even less time, skip all Pesukei DeZimrah, but after Shmoneh Esrei say Pesukei DeZimrah without the blessings of Baruch SheAmar and Yishtabach.
On the other hand, if one has more time, one should add the tehillim after Ashrei [Magen Avraham 52:1]. If one has even more time one should add the first four pesukim of Vayvarech David and if more time, the Az Yashir [Chaye Adam 19:4].
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MAZAL TOV
* to David and Rochie Porush on the birth of a granddaughter. The proud parents are Gavi and Nechama Porush. Mazal Tov to great-grandparents, Dr. Yudi and Phyllis Garden and Israel and Esther Porush. Special Mazal Tov to great-great grandmother Mrs. Ibi Weiss.
* to Shelly and Fred Waltzer on the upcoming marriage of their daughter Abigail to Jason Elkins.
REFUAH SHLAIMA
* to Mrs. Emily Morris who is recuperating at the Citadel, Wilmette.
CONDOLENCES
* to Rabbi Yochanan Nathan, Shimon Nathan, Rivka Nathan, Yosef Nathan, Shneur Nathan, and Elisheva Polstein, Naomi Davis and Nosson Robeson on the passing of their wife, mother and sister, Mrs. Fraida Nathan, a"h.
Shiva will be observed through Friday afternoon at the Nathan home, 2704 W. Chase Avenue, Chicago. Shacharit will be at 7:30 am, Mincha at 5:35 pm and Maariv at 6:15 pm.
The family requests that there be no visitors between 12:00-4:00 pm and after 9:00 pm.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
Kiddush at KINS Main is sponsored by Rabbi Leonard Matanky and Rabbi Yechiel Bresler in honor of receiving Chatan Torah and Chatan Bereshit.
BIRTHDAYS
Mrs. Yisraela Dachman (11/5)
Mrs. Rivky Gelerinter (11/5)
Moshe Levitt (11/5)
Isaac Dress (11/6)
Mr. Chaim Reich (11/6)
Ahuva Loterstein (11/8)
Mrs. Malka Miretzky (11/8)
Avi Wilens (11/9)
Rabbi Israel Porush (11/10)
Mrs. Orah Katz (11/11)
ANNIVERSARIES
Danny and Alida Harris (11/9)
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 - Wed. 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR – 4:00pm 
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
