Sunday, April 29, 2018 – 9:30am DRIVING WEST ROGERS PARK - Chicago's Once and Future Jewish Neighborhood Join us for a 25-minute film chronicling the "Golden Age" of the 1950s and '60s, a growing Orthodox community, and efforts to preserve the neighborhood for future generations. A panel featuring Dr. Howard Rieger, president, Jewish Community Council of WRP, and Dr. Steven Nasatir, president, JUF/JFMC will follow screening. The event is FREE, but reservations are requested. Contact jccwrp@gowrp.org
May 21, 2018 - Siyum on Shavuot Every year, members of K.I.N.S. celebrate Shavuot by helping us make a siyum on both nevi'im and mishnayot. To sign up to learn mishnayot, click here . To sign up for chapters of nevi'im, call the synagogue.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Listening to Music During Sefirat HaOmer The Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 493:1] records the tradition that Rabbi Akiva’s students died during the period of sefira, and therefore, we have adopted certain customs of mourning. Yet, nowhere does it mention a prohibition of listening to music. Instead, the first mention of a prohibition of listening to music during sefira is found in the comments of the Magen Avraham (1635-1682) who wrote that if an engagement party is held during sefira, music and dancing is prohibited [ibid. note 1].
Nevertheless, by the late 18th century, the Aruch HaShulchan noted that this prohibition of music during sefira applied to all settings [Orech Chaim 493:2] and HaRav Moshe Feinstein, z"l concurred and wrote that music should not be listened to during sefira [Iggrot Moshe Orech Chaim 2:137].
Yet, when it comes to recorded music there remains a difference of opinion. Most authorities rule that there is no difference between live and recorded music - BOTH are forbidden during sefira [Az Nidberu 8:58; Iggrot Moshe Orech Chaim 1:167; Tzitz Eliezer 15:33]. (In fact, some even forbid listening to acapella music suggesting that the equipment used to play this music has the status of a musical instrument [Shevet Halevi 2:57 and 8:127].) On the other hand, HaRav Mordechai Willig disagrees and rules that since early authorities did not forbid music during sefira, recorded music should be permitted [see also Sheilat Shlomo - HaRav Aviner 1:214].
A further leniency regarding music may apply to classical music. This is because, as noted above, the earliest issues with music during sefira were always associated with dancing. Therefore, classical music, which is not used for dancing, may be permitted. This is reported to have been the position of HaRav Yosef D. Soloveitchik, z”l and Harav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, z”l [Divrei Chachamim 35:420], and is also the position of contemporary authorities such as HaRav Nachum Rabinovitch [Siach Nachum Orech Chaim 35], HaRav Shlomo Dichovsky [Techumin 21] and HaRav Eliyahu Schlezinger [Eleh Hem Moadai 3:63].
However, it should be noted that any leniency regarding listening to music is only in cases where the content of that music is appropriate and according to some, even religiously inspiring. To listen to music whose lyrics contain obscenities or encourage behaviors contrary to Torah law is forbidden.
DVAR TORAH There is a fascinating paradox regarding the laws of tzara'at, (the metaphysical malady commonly translated as "leprosy"), which affected those who committed the sin of "lashon hara" [gossip].
On one hand, only a kohen could determine if a person who displayed the symptoms of tzara'at was impure and had to be sent out of the encampment "where he sits in solitude" (Vayikra 13:46). On the other hand, as the Talmud teaches, if the afflicted person "destroyed the evidence" and removed the discolored skin he/she could no longer be considered impure.
Why send the person from the encampment? Since tzara'at wasn't a physical disease, but a Divine punishment - it wasn't contagious! And if a person could remove the discoloration, or adulterate its appearance - why not have the person locked in a cell under constant guard until the tzara'at disappears on its own?
Reb Yaakov Kamenetzky, explained that the reason a person with tzara'at had to "sit in solitude" was a special gift from the Torah. Because the sin he committed of "lashon hara" is impossible to commit all alone. Therefore, the Torah instructed the kohen to send him away, NOT to avoid others, but to confront him, to consider his deeds, in the absence of all peer pressure and influence. And there, all alone, he had but two options, to continue to fool himself, to remove the discoloration and appear pure. Or, to be honest with himself, see his actions for what they truly were, repent and grow.
MAZAL TOV * to Randy and Robyn Cohen on the Bar Mitzvah this morning of their son Judah. Mazal Tov to grandparents Linda and David Cohen and Arlene and David Lapp. Kiddush is sponsored by Randy and Robyn in honor of the Simcha.
* to Mordechai Smith on the recent Bar Mitzvah of his son Yossi. Mazal Tov to grandparents Barry and Phyllis Smith.
* to Rabbi Kenny and Shelley Zisook on their son Yoni receiving a Fulbright Scholarship.
* to Benjamin and Shoshie Neikrug on the birth of a son. Mazal Tov to grandparents Rabbi and Mrs. Leonard Matanky. Special mazal tov to great grandparents Mrs. Trude Matanky and Dr. Oscar and Bernice Novick. The Shalom Zachar will be at the Matanky home, 2932 West Greenleaf, beginning at 8:30pm. The brit will be Monday morning at K.I.N.S. following the 6:25a minyan. To help with meals, click here
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Yosef Shapiro who is hospitalized at Children's Hospital of Milwaukee. To help with meals for the Shapiro family, please click here
CONDOLENCES * to Renee Cohen, Yossi and Simcha Cohen and Chani and Ben Unell, on the passing of their husband and father Mark L. Cohen, z"l. The funeral will take place, today, April 19, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Chicago Jewish Funerals, Skokie. Interment will be at Shalom Memorial Park, 1700 West Rand Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004 Shiva will be observed at the Cohen Residence, through Wednesday morning, at 2909 West Sherwin Avenue. Shacharit 6:45 pm, Mincha/Maariv - 7:30 pm. The family requests no visitors between 12 noon -2:00pm, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm and after 9:00 pm
SPONSORS Early Minyan Kiddush is sponsored by Eva and Gil Gertzfeld in commemoration of the yahrtzeits of Eva’s mother, Ilana Grunfeld z”l and Gil’s grandmother Leah Gertzfeld z”l
Donations to the Kiddush Fund * Jerry, Lev, Benjamin, Adam, Aaron, and Abigail Katz wishing Happy Birthday to Brenda Katz. * Michael Dukes in honor of Keren’s upcoming birthday.
CLASSES @ KINS
FRIDAY 7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg
SHABBAT 8:30am – Parshat Hashavua with Rabbi Myers 5:00pm – 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 9:00am – Contemporary Halacha with Rabbi Lerner - will not meet 8:00-10:00pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
MONDAY 7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 2:00pm - Halacha and Chumash for Men with Rabbi Lerner 8:00pm – Halacha Then & Now with Rabbi Yehuda Meyers 9:00pm – How to think like a Brisker with Rabbis Sprung & Kraft 8:00-10:00pm – 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 8:00-10:00pm – Night Seder with YU Torah MiTzion Kollel
WEDNESDAY 7:05am – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 2:00pm - Halacha and Chumash for Men with Rabbi Rosenbaum 9:00pm – Parsha Chabura with Rabbi Bar-Kochva 9:00pm – Hilchot Shabbat with Rabbi Stromer 8:00-10:00pm – 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 9:00pm – From the Dayan’s Desk with Rabbi Reiss 8:00-10:00pm – 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
