February 23-24, 2018 SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE RABBI EPHRAIM MIRVIS Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth
Sunday - Tuesday, March 4-6, 2018 Join Rabbi Matanky and other KINS members @ the AIPAC Conference in Washington DC - KINS has a limited number of discounted registrations for $399! Click here to reserve your place!!
HALACHA OF THE WEEK:Tu B'Shevat Customs Strictly speaking, the halachot related to Tu B'Shevat really only apply the laws of orlah and ma'aser, where the 15th day of the month of Shevat is a "cut-off" in determining the halachic age of a tree. Therefore, fruit picked on the 14th of Shevat cannot be used as tithes (ma'aser) for fruit picked on the 15th, and beginning of the fourth year of a tree, after which its fruit may be redeemed and used, is on the 15th of Shevat.
However, for those of us who are not farmers, there are still a number of customs to this day:
The Maharam of Rotenberg [Responsa #51, Prag ed.] writes in the name of Rabbenu Gershom that one is prohibited from fasting on Tu B'Shevat, based upon the fact that the mishna in Rosh Hashana lists the four New Years together. Just like one is prohibited from fasting on the 1st of Nissan, the 1st of Elul and the 1st of Tishrei, so too is one prohibited from fasting on the 15th of Shevat. This halacha is codified by the Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 572:3] and the Mishna Brurah writes [Orech Chaim 573 note 8] that the prohibition applies even to a bridegroom on his wedding day (where, normally, the custom is to fast).
Tachanun is omitted on Tu B'Shevat and many people refrain from reciting it at mincha on the 14th of Shevat. [Orech Chaim 131:6; Mishna Brurah ibid. note 32]. The same would apply to saying Av Harachamim and Tzidkatcha Tzedek on Shabbat. [see Orech Chaim 292:2; 284:7].
Many have a custom to eat various fruits, especially those from Eretz Yisrael. [Mishna Brurah Orech Chaim 131 note 31] and some have a custom to eat a new seasonal fruit on Tu B'Shevat in order to recite Shehechiyanu. [Sefer HaToda'a].
On Tu Bishvat we refrain from delivering a eulogy, except for a Talmid Chacham at his funeral. [see Pnei Baruch 3:10].
Finally, in some circles, it is customary to participate in a ceremony known as Seder Tu B'Shevat. The first description of this seder is found in Chemdat Yamim, an anonymous and controversial work published in 5491-5492 (1731-1732). During this seder, verses and sections from the Oral Law and the Zohar are recited, 20-30 different fruits are eaten, and participants drink four cups of wine.
DVAR TORAH In describing the miracle of the manna, G-d promises the Jewish people: "Behold I shall rain down for you, food from heaven, let each person pick each day's portion on its day, so that I can test them, whether they will follow My Torah or not." [Shemot 16:4].
All the commentaries were bothered by the obvious question, what kind of test is it to have everything you need given to you by G-d?
Rashi suggested that what G-d was referring to the test of fulfilling the commands associated with the manna (e.g. how much could be collected and when it was collected).
But the Maggid from Mezeritch once said that the answer is actually found in a flaw of human nature. For if one looks at people as they have troubles or sickness - then everyone is religious. They all come to shul. Their prayer is more intense, their performance of mitzvot increases, their tzedaka is more frequent. That's human nature for when one is in trouble.
But, when everything is good, when things are going wonderfully? To even remember G-d in times of good is a test in and of itself. This is what the story of the manna was all about!
MAZAL TOV * to Shmuel and Rivka Brandman on the birth of a great granddaughter. The proud parents are Rabbi Stephen and Tali Wohlglerenter
* to Shari and Azi Feifel on the birth of a granddaughter, born to their children Tzvi and Metukah Feifel.
REFUAH SHLAIMA: * to Mark Cohen who is convalescing at home.
SPONSORS The Father and Son Learning program this week is sponsored by Tikva and David Levitt in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Tikva’s father Moshe Weinberg (Moshe Dov ben Yaakov Yitzchak).
NEW CLASS WEDNESDAY 8PM @ KINS GeoPolitical Studies in TaNach:Understand the background stories behind events in Tanach, through Biblical, historical, and archaeological studies.
CLASSES @ KINS THURSDAY 7:15am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 2:00pm - Halacha and Chumash for Men with Rabbi Rosenbaum 8:45pm – From the Dayan’s Desk with Rabbi Reiss 8:00-9:45pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
FRIDAY 7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg NEW TIME – 7:00pm – Family Learning Program
SHABBAT 8:30am – Parshat Hashavua with Rabbi Myers 3:00pm – Parshat Hashavua with Wisdom of Torah Institute 45 min. before Mincha – Mesechet Ketubot with Rabbi Matanky
SUNDAY 6:30am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 9:00am– Sefer Shoftim with Rabbi Matanky will resume 2/4 9:00am – Contemporary Halacha with Rabbi Lerner 8:00-9:45pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
MONDAY 7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 2:00pm - Halacha and Chumash for Men with Rabbi Rosenbaum 8:00pm – Halacha Then & Now with Rabbi Yehuda Meyers 9:00pm – How to think like a Brisker with Rabbis Sprung & Kraft 8:00-9:45pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
TUESDAY 7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 2:00pm - Halacha and Chumash for Men with Rabbi Lerner 9:00pm – Depths of the Netziv with Rabbi Perkel 8:00-9:45pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
WEDNESDAY 7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 12:30pm - Navi Class for Women with Rabbi Rosenbaum 2:00pm - Halacha and Chumash for Men with Rabbi Lerner 8:00pm - GeoPolitical Studies in TaNach with Zevi David 9:00pm – Parsha Chabura with Rabbi Bar-Kochva 9:00pm – Hilchot Shabbat with Rabbi Stromer 8:00-9:45pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
THURSDAY 7:15am - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 2:00pm - Halacha and Chumash for Men with Rabbi Rosenbaum 8:45pm – From the Dayan’s Desk with Rabbi Reiss 8:00-9:45pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park 2800 W. North Shore Ave • Chicago, IL 60645 P 773.761.4000 • F 773.761.4959 • www.congkins.org
