DVAR TORAH The Midrash Yalkut Shimoni compares the obligation of remembering Amalek, the special maftir of this Shabbat, to a king who had a vicious guard dog protecting his orchard. Once, the king's courtier entered the orchard, and the dog pounced on him, tearing his clothes and biting him. After he escaped, the king said to himself, “If I ask my courtier why he entered the orchard, he will be embarrassed. Instead, I’ll remind him of what the dog did so that he will recall his error.” So too, concludes the midrash, that we are commanded to remember the attack of Amalek in the desert in order to remember what led up to that tragedy.
HaRav Meir Chodosh zt”l, the late mashgiach of Chevron Yeshiva, explained that the lesson the midrash wants us to remember is that the Jews had begun to doubt G-d. (Which is the allusion found in the name of the place where the attack took place "Refidim," which stands for “Rafu Yideihem Min HaTorah” – because they had become weak in the study of Torah.) Therefore, the mitzvah to remember Amalek is really so that we remember the cause of Amalek’s attack - laxity in Talmud Torah.
Added HaRav Moshe Wolfson, the mashgiach of Torah VaDaas, that this too is the reason why our Rabbis established that we fulfill this mitzvah via the public act of reading Torah - which in effect is to repair the sin of that generation.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: TAANIT ESTHER This coming Monday is Taanit Esther. The fast begins at 5:06 a.m.
The very first reference to Taanit Esther is not found in the Talmud but in the works of Rav Achai Gaon (8th century). In his Sheiltot [VaYakhel 67:18], he explains that when the Talmud refers to the 13th of Adar as a day of gathering – "Yom Kehillah," it means it was a fast day. Even when the Rambam described Taanit Esther, he referred to it as a fast day observed "bazmanim ailu" – in our times [Hilchot Taanit 5:5].
Many believe that Taanit Esther was established to commemorate the three days that Esther fasted before entering Achashverosh's chamber (which took place in Nisan - a month when fasting was prohibited). However, Rabbeinu Tam explained that it was to commemorate the fast that took place on the 13th of Adar, the fact that the Jews observed the day they fought Haman and his people [Rosh Megillah 1:1].
Because its origins are much later, Taanit Esther is not as stringent as the four other daytime fasts mentioned in Zechariah 8:19. Therefore, expecting or nursing mothers don't fast on this day, and even a person with a headache ['ko'eiv eynayim] may break the fast.
Rav Soloveitchik [Nefesh Harav page 196] explained that because Taanit Esther is a fast of happiness and not mourning beside the fast itself, the other prohibitions associated with Tisha B'Av, and according to some the other four fasts, do not apply to Taanit Esther [see also Halichot Shlomo 18:6]. Therefore all agree that bathing is permitted during this fast [Shulchan Aruch 550:2].
While the fast should end after the megillah reading, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein permitted a person with difficulty fasting to eat a small amount of food 41 minutes after sunset – but even before the megillah reading.
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MAZAL TOV * to Barry and Phyllis Smith on the birth of a great granddaughter. * to David and Miri Rosenwasser on the birth of a grandson, Shalev Yaakov. The proud parents are Efrat and Levi Nicknam * to Howard and Shoshana Benditzson the engagement of their grandson, Jordan Benditzson to Rachel Goldman of Highland Park, NJ. * to Sam and Tirza Kahan on the bar mitzvah of their grandson
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Rachel Silverman who is recuperating at home. * to Esther Meyers who is recuperating at home
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, Seuda Shlishit, or to donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
The week of learning, March 4-March 10 is sponsored by Sam and Mimi Seleski in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Sam’s father, Pesach Seleski z”l - פסח בן חנא ז'ל
The Parent/Child Learning this week is sponsored by: Sam and Mimi Seleski in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Sam’s father, Pesach Seleski z”l - פסח בן חנא ז'ל and by Dovid and Chammie Freedman; Simcha and Ellen Freedman; and Motti and Yaffi Loterstein.
Rabbi Matanky’s Sunday morning Navi shiur, March 5th, is sponsored by Dr. Jordan and Leah Hupert in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Jordan’s father, Yeruchem Hupert z’l.
A Donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by: * Lee and Robert Matanky in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Lee’s father, Charles F. Frankel z’l. * Azi and Shari Feifel welcoming their family who is joining with them from Skokie and Eliana and Jason who are visiting from Israel.
BIRTHDAYS Mr. Mark Lebowitz (3/6) Dr. Julian Ungar (3/6) Mrs. Lisa Goldberg (3/8) Mr. Josh Bernstein (3/10) Mrs. Nancy Gloger (3/10) Mrs. Miriam Seleski (3/10)
ANNIVERSARIES Oren and Noemy Skidelsky (3/6)
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
PARENT-CHILD LEARNING - 1 hour after havdala
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays, 9:00pm 