COMMUNITY ACTION: Help Save the Homeland Security Grants In 2005, OU Advocacy worked with Congress to create the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) by which the Dept. of Homeland Security provides security funding for houses of worship and schools. Now, we need your help to keep it going. In the coming weeks, Congress will decide the program’s funding level for 2024. We are deeply concerned about recent developments, as the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for DHS proposes to slash funding for the NSGP. These potential cuts would drastically reduce the program's ability to protect our communities in the face of surging antisemitism. We need you to take action today by sending this letter to your U.S. Senator. The letter calls on them to oppose the proposed cut to NSGP and to fund it with a $360 million appropriation.
DVAR TORAH In Parashat Ekev, Moshe recounts the events surrounding Ma'amad Har Sinai. Twice, he speaks of his prolonged stay atop Mount Sinai: "I sat on the mountain forty days and forty nights" (9:9); "And I stood on the mountain like the earlier days, forty days and forty nights" (10:20).
The Gemara (Megilla 21a) notes the apparent contradiction between these two verses - was Moshe standing or was he sitting - and offers several possible answers, concluding with Rava's response that Moshe stood for the easier topics of study and sat for the more difficult ones.
Which sounds like a simple solution, and yet, Rav Hershel Schachter, in his Nefesh HaRav (p. 314), reports that Rav Soloveitchik taught in the name of Rav Chayim of Volozhin that this answer is not simple at all! Because, as the Gemara there also teaches, standing during learning shows respect for the sanctity of the material. In fact, all Torah learning used to be done while standing until the generations became weaker and had to sit while learning Torah. Therefore, Moshe stood while learning Torah on Mount Sinai. Standing, no matter how great a person is, can interfere with a person's concentration after a while. Therefore, Moshe decided to sit when encountering a complicated subject matter. He would not allow the respect manifested by standing to get in the way of his comprehension.
Rav Chayim derives an essential rule from this idea: Torah learning precedes "kavod haTorah" - respect for the Torah. Generally speaking, of course, these two principles coexist. A Torah student cannot possibly engage in learning if he does not afford the honor Torah. At times, however, these two ideals conflict. Moshe teaches us that when this occurs, one should prefer the actual learning and comprehension over the highest standards of respect for the Torah.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: After Shabbat Ends - When is Melacha Permitted? Logically, one might assume that just as Shabbat begins when sunset occurs - whether one lights candles, makes kiddush, or not - so too at nightfall (“tzait hakochavim”) of Saturday night, Shabbat should end and melacha be permitted [Mishna Berura 293:3 and 299:38]. And yet, that’s not the case - because to do melacha one must first recite havdala [Mishna Berura 299:32].
But why is havdala a pre-requisite to permitting melacha after the time for Shabbat has ended?
According to most authorities the reason for this stems from rabbinic law, and is due to one of two reasons: 1. So that we do something special to mark the end of Shabbat - “escort the King” as He leaves our homes [ibid. 299:34 and Tzitz Eliezer vol. 11, no. 34); or 2. So that we do not forget to fulfill the mitzva of havdala [Aruch HaShulchan Orech Chaim 299:21].
However, there is an opinion [Eshel Avraham-Butshetsh Mahadura Tinyana 299:10] that rules that it is biblically forbidden to perform melacha prior to havdala. The reason for this is due to the special mitzvah of “tosefet Shabbat” [lit. adding time to Shabbat], which only begins with nightfall and only concludes with the recitation of havdala.
Therefore, the rule is that before doing melacha on Saturday night, one of the following forms of havdala must be recited: a. the havdala contained in the maariv shemoneh esrei; or b. the words "Baruch ha’mavdil bein kodesh l’chol"; or c. Havdala over a cup of wine.
(Note: It is prohibited to eat or drink after sunset and until one fulfills the havdala obligation - for men this includes both havdala forms of a and c; while for women just form c. [Orech Chaim 299:1; Mishna Berura 299:35l and 106:4; Shaar Ha’tziyun 299:46])
Nevertheless, after nightfall and before havdala one may discuss business matters, make plans for the coming week, or anything else which might otherwise fall under the category of not being proper “Shabbat talk”. One may also ask a non-Jew (or a Jew who has already recited havdala) to perform a task involving melacha. [See Orech Chaim 263:17 and 299:10, and Shulchan Aruch HaRav 299:15.]
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HAKARAT HATOV - THANK YOU! * to Sharon and Seymour Gertz for sponsoring and hosting our recent Empty Nesters' BBQ. * to Daniel Peikes and Reuven Gottesman and all the volunteers who worked so hard to make the KINS BBQ such a success. * to Elana Lipman and Chani Aaron for running the Pre-Tisha B’Av Challah bake.
MAZAL TOV * to Dr. Yehuda and Yosefa Krohn on the marriage of their son Binyomin to Ori Shulman (Oranit, Israel). * to Larry and Sheryl Merzel on the birth of a granddaughter. Proud parents are Tzuri and Deena Merzel. * to Robert and Sue Kaplan on the birth of a great-grandson. The proud parents are Yocheved and Zev Baker (Israel). * to Rabbi Israel and Esther Porush on the engagement of their granddaughter, Shoshana Porush to Tzvi Hyman (New York).
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Esther Meyers who is in rehab at The Pearl in Elk Grove Village. * to Aliza and Yoni Aberman’s son who is at Lurie Children’s Hospital - HaTinok ben Aliza Leah
CONDOLENCES * to Mrs. Meryl Jacobs, Dr. Eli and Miriam Jacobs, Josh and Tzippy Jacobs, Rabbi Avner and Chavi Jacobs, & Rabbi Benji and Jen Jacobs on the loss of their husband and father, Dr. Alex Jacobs z’l. Shiva is being observed in Denver through Tuesday morning, August 8th. Dr. Eli Jacobs can be reached at: 773-9991-4633. For more information contact the shul office.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, Seuda Shlishit, or to donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
The Day of Learning, Sunday August 6th, is sponsored by Steve and Linda Lavenda in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Steve’s father, Sidney Sack z’l.
The Day of Learning, Monday August 7th, is sponsored by Rabbi Ari & Esther Maryles, Joel & Rachel Maryles and Sandy & Rabbi Levi Schultz & families in commemoration of the 1st yahrtzeit of their father and grandfather, Jack Maryles - Yaakov Koppel ben HaRav Shimon z’l.
Kiddush at KINS North is sponsored in honor of the Rotenberg Miller family Hachnasat Sefer Torah Sunday, August 6th, לע'נ Tanielle a'h. And in celebration of Ruth’s parents, Clare and Hart Rotenberg, 74th wedding anniversary and her sister and brother in law’s upcoming 50th wedding anniversary. May we continue to share smachot.
Kiddush at KINS North is sponsored by Mark and Linda Freedman wishing Mazal tov and hatzlacha to their children, Margo and Yoni Kahnrose and family, on their making Aliyah this week.
Kiddush at KINS North is sponsored in honor of Carol Silverman’s 70th birthday by her children and grandchildren.
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM DAF YOMI – Mon.-Fri. after 6:25 Shacharit; Sunday - 6:45am PARSHA PERSPECTIVE – RECORDED Sunday-Friday
MONDAY NIGHT SEDER - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays DAYTIME DIALOGUES: Wednesdays noon 30 MINUTES OF PARSHA - Wed. 8:00p/Shabbat 8:30a
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Wednesdays @ 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 5:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays, 9:00pm - will resume 8/13
BIRTHDAYS Mrs. Sheryl Merzel (8/5) Mr. Neal Nathan (8/5) Mrs. Shoshana Sendlin (8/6) Daliah Goldman (8/8) Mrs. Carol Silverman (8/8) Rabbi Aaron Jacoby (8/9) Liam Bernstein (8/10) Yaakov Kahn (8/10) Mr. Robert Kaplan (8/10) Mrs. Emily Morris (10)
ANNIVEERSARIES Dean and Juli Bell (8/5) Jonathan and Ilana Dress (8/5) Dovid and Rivky Gelerinter (8/8) Irwin and Deedie Gold (8/8) Richard and Rachel Silverman (8/8) David and Rochie Porush (8/11)
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
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Wednesdays @ 8:15pm 
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 5:00pm 
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays, 9:00pm - 