DVAR TORAH "Speak to the Children of Israel saying, Take a goat for a sin-offering" [9:3].
Why was the sin-offering that Aaron sacrificed on the eighth day different from the one offered by the rest of the nation? Why was Aaron told to offer a calf while the Jews brought a goat?
Perhaps the answer begins with another question - why is a bull's horn not allowed to be used for a shofar? Chazal said because "a prosecutor cannot be transformed into a defender," since the sin of the Golden Calf involved a young cow, a horn taken from this species should not be used for atonement for the people, which is the very same reason why the High Priest does not wear anything made of gold when he enters the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur.
Based on these answers, we can understand why Aaron offered a calf - because he did not worship the Golden Calf. On the other hand, the people who participated in the sin had to bring a goat.
But if that's the case, why wasn't Aaron allowed to enter the Holy of Holies wearing clothing that contained gold?
Explained the Or HaChaim that even though Aaron did not worship the calf, he did sin when he didn't protest and instead tried to forestall its construction by asking for donations of gold. This gold ultimately created the Golden Calf, and Aaron did not wear golden vestments when seeking the people's forgiveness - because, for him, the gold was his "prosecutor that could not be transformed into a defender."
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: YOM HASHOAH V’HAGEVURAH This week we are observing Yom HaShoah v'haGevura, the annual commemoration of the kedoshim who were murdered during the Holocaust. First established in 1951 by the Israeli Government, the date of this event was chosen to be close to the date of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising which occured on Pesach, and not to overlap with the celebrations of Yom HaAtzmaut, mwhich occur a week later.
Nevertheless, because this commemoration occurs in the month of Nisan when tachanun and memorial prayers are not recited this choice of a date has been subject to halachic debate. For a discussion of the history, controversy and observance of Yom HaShoah by Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter,please click hereand for Rabbi Ari Enkin's discussion of some of the contemporary observances, including a moment of silence, please click here.
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REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Hillel Lipson who will be undergoing surgery tomorrow (Friday). * to Rachel Silverman who is recuperating at home.
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FROM THE DAYAN'S DESK - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays DAYTIME DIALOGUES: Wednesdays noon 30 MINUTES OF PARSHA - Wed. 8:00pm/Shabbat 8:30am
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Wednesdays @ 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 5:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays, 9:00pm - resumes 4/23
BIRTHDAYS Ariella Aberman (4/14) Mrs. Sharon Pick (4/14) Mr. Barry Smith (4/14) Mrs. Louise Mayefsky (4/15) Avraham Neikrug (4/16) Judah Cohen (4/17) Meital Matanky (4/17) Yehuda Reiss (4/19) Mr. Barry Semer (4/19) Mr. Kenny Landsman (4/21) Jonah Saltzberg (4/21)
ANNIVERSARIES Rabbi Yechiel and Davina Bresler (4/19)
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
MONDAY NIGHT SEDER - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays
FROM THE DAYAN'S DESK - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Wednesdays @ 8:15pm 
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 5:00pm 
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays, 9:00pm 