eBulletin blog

Chukkat 5777

eBulletin 17:36

DAVENING TIMES

Thursday 6/29

Shacharit: 6:25 and 7:15 a.m.

Mincha/Maariv: 8:15 p.m.

Late Maariv: 9:45 p.m.

Friday 6/30

Shacharit: 6:25 and 7:15 a.m.

Candle Lighting: 8:10 p.m.

Mincha.Maariv: 6:40/8:15 p.m.

Shabbat 7/1

Shacharit: 7:30 and 9:00) a.m.

Mincha: 2:00/6:00/8:05 p.m.

Sunday 7/2

Shacharit: 7:55 and 8:30 a.m.

Mincha/Maariv: 8:15 p.m.

Late Maariv: 9:45 p.m.

Monday 7/3

Shacharit: 6:25 and 7:15 a.m.

Mincha/Maariv: 8:15 p.m.

Late Maariv: 9:45 p.m.

Tuesday 7/4

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Shacharit: 7:55 and 8:30 a.m.

Mincha/Maariv: 8:15 p.m.

Late Maariv: 9:45 p.m.

Wednesday 7/5

Shacharit: 6:25 and 7:15 a.m.

Mincha/Maariv: 8:15 p.m.

Late Maariv: 9:45 p.m.

Thursday 7/6

Shacharit: 6:25 and 7:15 a.m.

Mincha/Maariv: 8:15 p.m.

Late Maariv: 9:45 p.m.

Friday 7/7

Shacharit: 6:25 and 7:15 a.m.

Candle Lighting: 8:09 p.m.

Mincha.Maariv: 6:40/8:15 p.m.

Click here to view this year's 

KINS Dinner Videos

DVAR TORAH

Between the story of last week’s parasha and the story in this week’s parasha, thirty-eight years have suddenly elapsed. This fact becomes apparent with the death of Miriam, and the disappearance of the well that had accompanied the Jews throughout their years in the desert.

In response, G-d miraculously offers them water from the rock, and the Jews once again sing a song of praise, beginning with the familiar phrase “Az yashir”. However, this time, unlike the first song that was sung at the Red Sea is missing any mention of Moshe Rabbeinu.

According to many, this absence is because Moshe had sinned, hitting the rock, to draw forth the water.

However, Rabbi Dov Weinberger suggests that the reason may not have been a result of Moshe’s sin, but as a "silent" testimony to the success and effectiveness of Moshe as a leader.

For the greatest accomplishment that any leader can claim is to prepare his flock to function on their own. Forty years before, this was an impossibility, and therefore “Az yashir Moshe u’vnei Yisrael” - Moshe had to lead the people in song. But no longer - because in this parasha, the people are now able to sing on their own

בין המצרים

The THREE WEEKS begin July 11th.

For a basic review of the halachot governing this period of time, click here

UPCOMING EVENTS

K.I.N.S. SUMMERTIME SERIES

@ SEUDAH SHLISHIT

July 15th – Rabbi Michael Myers

July 29th – Mrs. Miriam Lerner

August 12th – Rabbi Dr. Zev Eleff

August 26th – Rabbi Yakov Horowitz

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HALACHA of the WEEK: Playing Ball on Shabbat

The West Rogers Park Eruv is over twenty-five years old, and in those years, has contributed not only to “oneg Shabbat” of many - allowing families with young children to venture out of doors on Shabbat - but also has contributed to the stability of our community.

Nevertheless, it is also important to remember that our eruv was established to enhance the Shabbat, and not G-d forbid diminish it. Therefore, when it was established the rabbis of the community wrote the following guideline regarding ball playing on Shabbat:

“The Talmud Yerushalmi relates that the city of Tur Shimon was destroyed because of ball playing on Shabbos. Poskim strictly prohibit ball playing by adults (people past the age of Bar or Bas Mitzvah). This includes tennis, golf, baseball, basketball, football and other similar sports... For very young children, however, the halacha is more lenient. In one's own backyard, away from public view, a young child is permitted to throw a ball in a simple fashion. Under no conditions may children play ball in the street or in a park. This would certainly diminish the Kedushas Shabbos in our community.”

Of course, from a purely halachic perspective, a statement such as this may seem somewhat strict. After all, while the Shulchan Aruch [Orach Chaim 308:45] forbids playing ball on Shabbat or Yom Tov, the Rema, and later the Shulchan Aruch HaRav [308:83] and the Aruch HaShulchan [308:70 and 518:8] are all lenient.

Yet, the Magen Avraham [518 note 4] and the Taz [518 note 2] rule that this leniency only applies to children under the age of bar mitzvah, and the Mishna Berura concurs [518 note 9]. Furthermore, the Mishna Berura notes [308 note 158], that even when ball playing is permitted, one cannot play with a ball on outdoor surfaces (grass or dirt), and Shmirat Shabbat K’hilchata [16:1,6] extends this to include asphalt or concrete surfaces (such as a basketball or tennis courts) [16:6].

So, is ball-playing permitted or forbidden?

The answer is - it’s complicated. But under certain circumstances, it is permitted. Therefore, one should not condemn others who play ball on Shabbat. And yet, there is no question that ball playing is not in the “spirit of Shabbat”.  As Shmirat Shabbat K’hilchata writes in his introduction to the laws of games on Shabbat - “that Shabbat is a ‘beloved day’, given to us as an ‘oneg’ - a source of spiritual joy reminiscent of the World to Come, and the reward for someone who celebrates Shabbat in such a way is a boundless portion in Olam HaBah.”

CLASSES @ KINS

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