Lighting an incandescent light on Shabbat is a violation of the Biblical prohibition of "havara" - lighting a fire [Beit Yitzchak Yore Deah 1:120, Achiezer 3:60, Melamed L’Hoil Orech Chaim 49, Tzitz Eliezer 3:17, Chelkat Yaakov 1:52]. In fact, Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef [Yechave Daat 5:24] cites a a list of authorities, including as Rav Chaim of Brisk and Rav Chaim Ozer Grudzinski, who specifically used incandescent lights for havdalah to stress that incandescent light constitute a flame. (LED, neon and fluorescent lights may be different because they do not give off heat [Chashmal L’Or Halacha 3:6], or the mere fact that they offer light may be enough [Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata 43:4, Yalkut Yosef 263:5].)
But can an incandescent light be used for Shabbat candles?
According to Rav Yehoshua Neuwirth [Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 43 note 22] if a person doesn't have regular candles to perform the mitzvah of lighting candles, one can fulfill the mitzvah by turning on the electric lights and making the bracha of lighting candles [Yechave Daat 5:24]. This is the common approach for a person is hospitalized and cannot light a flame, and Rabbi Gedalia D. Schwartz reports that this was the procedure that was preferred for students at RIETS when he was a student in the 1940's. (However, there are opinions that suggest that a bracha should not be recited [Shraga Hameir 5:11]).
While these are the majority opinions of contemporary poskim (Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Rabbi Aharon Kotler, Rabbi Yosef Henkin, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Rabbi Binyamin Silber, etc.) , Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank disagreed [Har Tzvi Orech Chaim 2:114:2], and ruled in the name of the Rogatchover Gaon (Rabbi Yosef Rosen) that even though one can say havdalah on electric lights, they cannot be used for Shabbos candles, because the text of the bracha indicates a lighting of candles and turning on a switch does not constitute a halachic lighting (rather, it is a “gramma”). Rav Simchah Bunim Cohen writes [Sefer Kavod V’Oneg Shabbat] that this was also the opinion of Rav Moshe Feinstein.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Shabbat, September 24, 2016
Congregation K.I.N.S.
Scholar in Residence Shabbat with
RABBI MENACHEM LIEBTAG
Yeshivat Har Etzion
The KINS mobile app is now available!
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DVAR TORAH
In this week's parasha, Moshe Rabbeinu refers to the miracle of manna, the heavenly food that Hashem provided for the Jews throughout their years in the desert, in the following manner: The One Who feeds you manna in the desert... in order to test you. (Devarim 8:16).
Why did he refer to this miracle as a test? Why not consider it a blessing?
According to Rashi, the "test of the manna" was the laws which governed the manna - the fact that one could not store it, or had to collect a double portion for Shabbat.
However, Seforno disagrees. He suggests that the test of the manna was to see how the Jews would respond if everything in life was delivered "on a silver platter." For while there is a test of faith when life is difficult, there is also a test of faith when things are too easy. (In fact, the Netziv made a similar observation on the words of the Priestly blessing - "May G-d bless you and keep you" - i.e. may He bless you and protect you from those blessings!)
The Maggid of Mezritch once said that when people face troubles, sickness or mortal danger, they naturally become religious. They go to shul, pray with fervor, and give tzedaka. But when things are going well, they seem to disappear. Which is precisely the test of the manna.
CLASSES @ KINS
Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel will resume 9/5
SUNDAY
6:30am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
9:00pm– Sefer Hoshea with Rabbi Matanky
9:00am – Halacha with Rabbi Lerner
MONDAY
7:15am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
2:00pm - Halacha & Chumash for Men with Rabbi Lerner
TUESDAY
7:15am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
2:00pm - Halacha & Chumash for Men with Rabbi Lerner
WEDNESDAY
7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
2:00pm - Halacha & Chumash for Men with R' Rosenbaum
THURSDAY
7:15am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
2:00pm - Halacha & Chumash for Men with R' Rosenbaum
8:30pm – Talmud Shiur with Rabbi Barry Robinson
FRIDAY
7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
SHABBAT
8:00am - Topics from Daf Yomi with Rabbi Robinson
8:30am - Parshat HaShavua with Rabbi Myers
5:00pm - Parshat HaShavua with TI
6:20pm - Family Learning Program
45 minutes before Mincha – Talmud Class (Mesechet Ketubot) with Rabbi Matanky
MAZAL TOV
* to Shlomo & Rachel Weil on the birth of a son.
* to Drs. Aaron & Bayla Benjamin on the birth of a son. The bris will be Thursday at KINS following the 6:25 minyan.
* to Aaron & Rikki Jacoby on the birth of a grandson in New York, born to their children, Yosef & Tova Jacoby.
* to Hillel and Leah Shapiro on the birth of a grandson. The proud parents are Elisheva and Ari Ellenberg (Detroit). Special Mazal Tov to great grandparents Gilbert and Eva Gertzfeld and Rabbi Meir and Elizabeth Shapiro.
REFUAH SHLAIMA
* to Mrs. Esther Karp who is recuperating at Alden North
CONDOLENCES
* to Alan and Leah Cohen on the passing of his mother, Aileen Cohen, a”h. The funeral took place on Monday in Los Angeles and Alan will be sitting shiva at his home, 2940 West Lunt, beginning Thursday through Sunday morning. Please do not make condolence calls from 12:00-1:00pm and 6:00-7:00pm.
Shacharit: Thursday and Friday at 7:15 am, and Sunday at 8:00 am. Mincha: Thursday at 7:25 pm and Friday at 4:00pm.
SPONSORSHIPS
August 27:
Early Minyan – Brian and Shani (Shapiro) Raven in honor of their daughter.
Main Minyan- a donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by Naomi Samber and family in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of their husband and father, Moshe Samber z”l.
September 3:
Main Minyan - David and Yael Shiner in honor of the upcoming Bar Mitzvah of their son Isaac
Published by Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park • 2800 West Northshore Avenue • Chicago, IL 60645
BNEI AKIVA HIGH SCHOOL MINYAN
