Beginning this morning (Wednesday), the 1st day of Elul and until erev Rosh Hashana, we begin to sound the shofar at the conclusion of Shacharit. (There are some Ashkenazim who sound the shofar also at maariv and some who begin form the first day of Rosh Chodesh. [Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim 581:1 and Mishna Berura 581 note 3.])
According to the Tur Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 581] the origin of this custom can be found in the writings of Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer. There, we learn that when Moshe was about to ascend Mt. Sinai on Rosh Chodesh Elul to receive the second set of tablets the shofar was sounded - signifying the Jews' abandonment of idolatry (which had doomed the first set of tablets).
The Tur Shulchan Aruch further explains that the custom to blow the shofar during the entire month of Elul is to inspire us to repent. This is based upon the verse in Amos [3:6] which establishes that the sound of the shofar has the capacity to inspire fear and awe.
Rabbi Michael Rosenzweig of Yeshiva University suggests that the reason the Tur offered two sources for sounding the shofar (the anniversary of Moshe's ascension and the verse in Amos) is because the shofar actually represents a dialectic of renewed mission (Rosh Hashana) and repentance (the verse in Amos).
The Aruch HaShulchan notes [ibid. 581:1] that while there were opinions that throughout Elul a full sequence of shofar sounds should be blown [Bach, Tur Shulchan Aruch, ibid.] the Ashkenazic custom is to merely sound a Tekiah-Shevarim-Truah-Tekia.
If one forgot to blow the shofar following shacharit, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ruled that the shofar could be sounded following mincha [Igrot Moshe, Orech Chaim 4:21(5)].
However, Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg notes, that the custom to blow shofar is only encumbent upon a minyan, and not the individual. Therefore, if an individual did not hear the shofar during Elul, there is no obligation to arrange for a "make-up" opportunity [Tzitz Eliezer 12:48].
And this winter.... K.I.N.S. will be honored to host
February 23-24, 2018
Scholar in Residence
Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth
DVAR TORAH
"If there shall be a poor person among you... do not harden your heart or close your hand to your impoverished brother. Rather, you should surely open your hand..." [Devarim 15:7-8]
Rabbi Yitzchak Karo (the uncle of Rabbi Yosef Karo and author of Toldot Yitzchak) learns several lessons from these verses about how to give charity.
First, why does the verse mention the heart? Doesn't the poor person need your hand, rather than your heart?
The answer, suggest Rabbi Karo is that sometimes a person may not be able to give tzedakah, and therefore, may be tempted to close the door or run away from the one who is asking for support. But, said Rabbi Karo, that’s not the Torah’s way. Rather, even if your wallet is empty, open you heart and speak comforting words to the person. This, too, is tzedakah. And if you are in a position to give - make sure to do it with a smile.
But even more, why did the Torah use the seemingly redundant language: "do not... close your hand... Rather, you should surely open your hand"? Rabbi Karo explained, that sometimes you may reach into your pocket and remove a larger amount than you intended. Even in such a case, the Torah emphasized through its double language, do not close your hand. If the poor person has seen the larger amount that was in your hand, do your best to give it to him.
CLASSES @ KINS
Please note: YU Torah MiTzion Kollel will be resuming shiurim and Night Seder on Monday 9/4
SHABBAT
8:30am - Parshat HaShavua with Rabbi Myers
5:00pm - Parshat HaShavua with Wisdom of Torah Institute
6:20pm - Family Learning Program
45 minutes before Mincha – Talmud Class (Mesechet Ketubot) with Rabbi Matanky
SUNDAY
6:30am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
9:00am– Sefer Yehoshua with Rabbi Matanky
9:00am - Contemporary Halacha with Rabbi Lerner
MONDAY
7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
2:00pm - Halacha and Chumash for Men with Rabbi Lerner
TUESDAY
7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
WEDNESDAY
7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
2:00pm - Halacha and Chumash for Men with R' Rosenbaum
THURSDAY
7:15am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
2:00pm - Halacha and Chumash for Men with R' Rosenbaum
FRIDAY
7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
MAZAL TOV
* to Howard and Ilana Karesh on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Jak. Mazal Tov to grandparents Dr. Steve and Cheryl Karesh and Mrs. Adele Feldman.
* to Ira and Rivkah Rabin on the birth of granddaughter Aviva Leora. The proud parents are Yosef and Daliah Rabin, Israel.
* to Rabbi Michael and Bonnie Myers in honor of the marriage of their daughter Kineret to Avraham Abrams.
REFUAH SHLAIMA
* to Miryam Harris who is recuperating at home.
* to Rabbi Jack Shaipro who is convalescing at home.
Published by Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park • 2800 West Northshore Avenue • Chicago, IL 60645
September 3, 2017 – 9:30a-12:00p
Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 – 9:30am
