Newsletter – Parashat Nasso


Announcements

Bar Mitzva Invitation

Next Shabbat

To all our friends in 

K. K. Shaare Tefila – Moor Lane

please consider this as a 

Personal Invitation

as it will give us great pleasure in sharing 

our Simcha with you

May we hear Semachot in Kelal Yisrael, 

Refua Shelema to everyone who needs it  

&

May Hashem grant us all our hearts desire

Naphtali & Esther Bitton

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SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לקיץ תשע"ח

Summer Timetable 5778 2018

מוצאי שבת

ערבית

)מוצ"ש(

סוף זמן קראת שמע

זמן שבת

פלג מנחה (לבוש)

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Shema to be read before

Candles to be
lit by

Earliest Candle lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat*

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

PM

 

 

10:30

10:25

8:59

9:03

7:36

7:20

25 / 26  May

נשא


*    For those not in synagogue, but wishing to bring in Shabbat with the community, candles should be lit about 30 minutes after the time listed for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat. (Unless the time listed in the ‘latest candle lighting’ column is earlier, when candles should be lit by that time, in all cases.)

Mincha 6:00 pm

Followed by Shiur

Children’s Tehilim straight after Musaf

Anyone wishing to donate a Kiddush 

Please email Moorlanenews

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Q & A on Parashat Nasso

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary unless otherwise stated

  1. What is the significance of the number 8,580 in this weeks Parsha?
    4:47-48 – It is the number of leviim between ages thirty and fifty.
  2. Besides transporting the Mishkan, what other service performed by the leviim is referred to in this Parsha?
    4:47 – Singing and playing cymbals and harps to accompany the sacrifices.
  3. On which day did Moshe teach the command to send those who are temeim (ritually impure) out of the camp?
    5:2 – The day the Mishkan was erected.
  4. Name the three camps in the desert.
    5:2 – The camp of the Shechina was in the center, surrounded by the camp of Levi which was surrounded by the camp of Yisrael.
  5. Who was sent out of each of the camps?
    5:2 – A metzora was sent out of all three camps. A zav was permitted in the camp of Yisrael but excluded from the two inner camps. A person who was tamei from contact with the dead had to leave only the camp of the Shechina.
  6. A person stole from another and swore that he was innocent. If he later confesses his guilt, what are his obligations?
    5:6-8 – He pays the principle plus a fifth to the victim, and brings a korban asham.
  7. Who determines which kohen receives the gifts that must be given to the kohanim?
    5:10 – The giver.
  8. What does the Torah promise a person who gives matnot kehuna?
    5:10 – Great wealth.
  9. Why are the verses about matnot kehuna followed by the verses about the sotah?
    5:12 – To teach that someone who withholds the gifts due the kohanimis deserving of eventually bringing his wife to the kohanim to be tried as a sotah.
  10. Why is the sotah given water from the holy basin?
    5:17 – The holy basin was made from the mirrors of the righteous women who left Egypt; the sotah strayed from the example set by these women.
  11. What does the kohen do to the hair of a sotah?
    5:18 – He uncovers it.
  12. When a sotah who is guilty of adultery drinks the water, she dies in a very specific fashion. What happens to the adulterer?
    5:22 – He dies a similar death.
  13. Before the name of G-d is erased, the sotah has the option either to admit guilt or to drink the water. Does she have a third option?
    5:27 – Yes, she can refuse both: She can refuse to admit guilt and also refuse to drink the water. (After the Name of G-d is erased, she loses this option.)
  14. What are chartzanim? What are zagim?
    6:4 – Chartzanim are seeds. Zagim are peels.
  15. What sin does a Nazir commit against himself?
    6:11 – He abstains from enjoying wine.
  16. Where was the cut hair of a Nazir placed?
    6:18 – It was placed on the fire under the pot in which the nazirsshelamim offering was cooked.
  17. A kohen should bless the people "with a full heart". What word in the Parsha conveys this idea of "a full heart"?
    6:23 – "Amor."
  18. What is the meaning of the blessing "May G-d bless you and guard you?"
    6:24 – "May G-d bless you" that your property may increase, "and guard you" from robbery.
  19. What is the meaning of the blessing "May G-d lift up His countenance upon you?"
    6:26 – "May He suppress His anger."
  20. The tribe of Yissachar was the second tribe to offer their gifts. Why did they merit this position?
    7:18 – The Tribe of Yissachar was well versed in Torah. Also, they proposed the idea that the nesiim should offer gifts.

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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

להתפלל על נס

שאלה: האם מותר להתפלל לה' שיעשה נס באופן שאינו על פי דרך הטבע?

תשובה: רצון ה' בעולם שברא, שיתנהל עולמו על פי דרך הטבע, וכפי שכבר כתבו רבותינו הראשונים (ומהם רבינו סעדיה גאון בספרו ורבינו הר"ן בדרשותיו). ורק לעתים רחוקות שינה ה' מן הטבע, כדי להראות את חיבתו לעם ישראל, ומטעמים אחרים. וכן בגמרא בתענית (כה.) מבואר שאין הקדוש ברוך הוא חפץ לשנות את המזל בנקל, אלא לעיתים רחוקות בלבד.
ובהלכה הקודמת הזכרנו מה ששנינו במסכת ברכות בתחילת פרק הרואה, שמי שהיתה אשתו מעוברת והתפלל (בזמן הריונה) שתלד אשתו בן, הרי זו תפלת שוא, מפני שהולד כבר הוא זכר או נקבה ואין להתפלל על מעשה ניסים. ובגמרא שם אמרו על לאה אמנו שנשתנה הולד שבמעיה מבן לבת, ואמרו על כך שהיה זה מעשה ניסים ואין מזכירין (בתפלה) מעשה ניסים. ולכאורה לפי כל זה אין לאדם להתפלל על מעשה ניסים.
ומרן רבינו עובדיה יוסף זצ"ל הקשה מכאן על דברי הרמ"א (בסימן קפז ובסימן תרפב) שכתב שמי ששכח להזכיר "על הנסים" בברכת המזון בחנוכה (שהדין הוא שאינו חוזר לברך) יאמר בסוף ברכת המזון, הרחמן הוא יעשה עמנו "נסים ונפלאות" כמו שעשה לאבותינו בימים ההם בזמן הזה בימי מתתיהו בן יוחנן וכו' (וכן מובא נוסח כעין זה כבר בדברי רבינו האי גאון ובמחזור ויטרי ועוד). וקשה על הדברים, שהרי אמרו בגמרא "אין מזכירין מעשה נסים".
והסביר מרן זצ"ל בשם הגאון "בכור שור" (על מסכת שבת דף כא:) שכתב, שמלחמת בית חשמונאי שניצחו את היוונים, אף על פי שבודאי היה זה בדרך נס, מכל מקום הנס היה על פי גדרי הטבע, שהרי יתכן הדבר שינצחו מעטים אמיצי לב את הרבים אף על פי טבע. ועל נס כזה מותר להתפלל שיעשה לנו השם יתברך נס כמותו. ועוד תירץ, שדוקא לאדם יחיד אין להתפלל על מעשה נסים, אבל עבור כלל ישראל מותר להתפלל להשם אף על נסים ממש.
ולפיכך אם נדון על פי מה שכתבנו כאן, התשובה לשאלתינו היא, שמותר להתפלל עבור נס הנעשה על פי גדרי הטבע אף על פי שרחוק הדבר על פי הטבע שיעשה כן. וכן מותר להתפלל אף על נס גמור עבור כלל ישראל, אבל עבור אדם יחיד אין להתפלל על נס גמור. ולכן מותר להתפלל לה' שישלח רפואה שלימה לחולה, אף על פי שלדברי הרופאים הסיכוי שאותו אדם יתרפא הוא אפסי, מכל מקום מאחר ועדיין יתכן שיקרה דבר כזה על פי הטבע, מותר להתפלל על כך. אפילו שמדובר בסיכוי רחוק מאד.
וכן כאשר באו צבאות ערב להלחם נגד עם ישראל, אף על פי שהסיכוי להנצל מידיהם היה אפסי, כי הם היו רבים ואנו מועטים, מכל מקום מותר היה להתפלל לישועת ישראל, משום שהדבר שייך לכלל ישראל ולא לאדם יחיד, וראויים הם ישראל שיעשה להם ה' יתברך באהבתו אותם נסים ונפלאות.

 

Praying for a Miracle

Question: May one request that Hashem perform a miracle for him in a supernatural way?

Answer: The will of Hashem is that this world run according to the laws of nature, as the great Rishonim (including Rabbeinu Sa’adia Gaon in his book and the Ran in his discourses) write. Similarly, the Gemara in Masechet Ta’anit (25a) states that Hashem does not wish to change the laws of nature even slightly except for certain select situations.

In the previous Halacha, we have discussed the statement of the Gemara in the beginning of the ninth chapter of Masechet Berachot that if one’s wife is pregnant and one prays (during her pregnancy) that one’s wife should give birth to a baby boy, this is considered a prayer in vain since the gender of the child has already been determined and it is improper to pray for miracles. The Gemara records the incident regarding our Matriarch, Leah, where the fetus in her womb was originally a boy and turned into a girl, and our Sages teach us that this was indeed a miraculous event and one should not mention miraculous events (in his one’s prayer). Based on this, it would seem that one should not pray for miraculous events to occur.

Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l uses this idea to question the words of the Rama (in Chapters 187 & 682) who rules that one who forgets to mention the “Al Ha’Nissim” text in Birkat Hamazon during Chanukah (for which one does not repeat Birkat Hamazon) should recite at the end of Birkat Hamazon, “May the Merciful One perform ‘miracles and wonders’ for us, just as he has performed for our forefathers during those days at this time. In the days of Matityah son of Yochanan etc.” (A similar text is quoted earlier by Rav Hai Gaon and in Machzor Vitri.) The difficulty with this is that the Gemara states that one should not request miraculous events in one’s prayer.

Maran zt”l answers this question based on the words of Hagaon Bechor Shor (Shabbat 21b) who writes that although the defeat of the Greeks by the Hashmonai family was certainly miraculous, nevertheless, this miracle can still be considered “natural,” for it is conceivable that a few individuals who are brave-hearted may defeat many, even naturally. Regarding such a miracle, one may request that Hashem perform such a miracle for us. Alternatively, only a person praying on his own behalf should not request a miracle; however, one may request for actual miraculous events to occur to the Jewish nation as a whole.

Thus, based on what we have discussed above, the answer to our question will be that it is permissible to pray for a miracle which is in the confines of the laws of nature, although it seems farfetched that such an event will occur naturally. Similarly, one may even pray for a complete miracle to occur to the Jewish nation collectively; however, one should not request a complete miracle for a single person. It is therefore permissible to pray to Hashem to heal an ill person although according to the doctors, the patient’s chances of survival are almost none, since such an event can conceivably occur within the confines of a “natural event.”

Similarly, when the Arab nations joined forces to fight against the Jewish nation, although the chances of victory against them was almost none because they completely outnumbered us, nevertheless, it was permissible to pray to Hashem for the salvation of Israel, for such a miracle would apply to the entire Jewish nation collectively and not merely to some individuals. Indeed, the Jewish nation is worthy of Hashem performing miracles and wonders for them out of His tremendous love for them.

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Shabbat Shalom

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Newsletter Shabbat Bamidbar – Shavuot

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Shabbat Shalom
&
Chag Sameach
to all memebers & readers

Important Times

מוצאי שבת

ערבית

)מוצ"ש(

סוף זמן קראת שמע

זמן שבת

פלג מנחה (לבוש)

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Shema to be read before

Candles to be
lit by

Earliest Candle lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat*

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

PM

 

 

**

**

9:04

8:52

7:28

7:10

18/19 May

במדבר

Shavuot

***

The accepted minhag in K.K. Shaare Tefila (Moor Lane), for many years now, has been to accept the second day of Yom Tov at the earlier time of Pelag Hamincha, earlier than the time of nightfall.

On most of the Yamim Tovim accepting the second day of Yom Tov earlier to the time of nightfall does not have such a big-time difference. However on Shavuot, which always falls in the summer months and where the daylight is longer, the time for nightfall is very late and many families would prefer to have their evening meal earlier in the evening. It is therefore important for us to understand and be aware of certain halachot so as to avoid possible desecration of the Yom Tov.

When we pray Arvit, recite Kiddush and enjoy our Yom Tov meal after Pelag Hamincha we are, so to speak, establishing that it is now the second day of Yom Tov, however this is all very well for Arvit, Kiddush and the Seudat Yom Tov, but with regards to cooking or heating it is still considered the first day and continues being the first day until we reach the time of Shekia – sunset.

Therefore when cooking or heating anything for the meal one must make sure to start eating it before sunset and is considered cooking or preparing on the first day for the same day because as soon as sunset arrives it is no longer considered the first day and one cannot cook or heat food from before sunset for use after sunset.

As with every Yom Tov, and Shavuot is no exception, it is better to avoid any type of Melacha between sunset and nightfall for use at nightfall, the reason being that during the course of sunset we don’t know when exactly the day changes from one day to the next and one could find themselves cooking on the first day for the second day which is forbidden.

Yom Tov Candles can be lit from Pelag Hamincha using an existing light and it is advisable to light candles before Kiddush is recited.

Summary:

While it is allowed from Pelag Hamincha 7:31 pm to light יום טוב candles, recite קידוש & eat the יום טוב meal, one should be careful NOT to do any מלאכה – ‘creative activity’, like on Shabbat, e.g. cooking, lighting candles between sunset – 9:10 pm & nightfall – 10:18 pm.

Typed & complied by N. Bitton for final Pessak Halacha ask your Rabbi.

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Shacharit 

First Minyan

Korbanot 4:00 am

Hodu 4:15 am

Hanetz 5:02 am

***

***

Children’s Tehilim straight after Musaf

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Anyone wishing to donate a Kiddush Please email Moorlanenews

***

Q & A on Parashat Bamidbar 

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

  1. Why were the Jewish People counted so frequently?
    1:1 – They are very dear to G-d.
  2. What documents did the people bring when they were counted?
    1:18 – They brought birth records proving their tribal lineage.
  3. What determined the color of the tribal flags?
    2:2 – Each tribes flag was the color of that tribes stone in the breastplate of the kohen gadol.
  4. What is the difference between an "ot" and a "degel"?
    2:2 – An "ot" is a flag, i.e., a colored cloth that hangs from a flagpole. A degel is a flagpole.
  5. How do we see that the Jews in the time of Moshe observed "techum Shabbat" – the prohibition against traveling more than 2,000 amot on Shabbat?
    2:2 – G-d commanded them to camp no more than 2,000 amot from the Ohel Moed. Had they camped farther, it would have been forbidden for them to go to the Ohel Moed on Shabbat.
  6. What was the signal for the camp to travel?
    2:9 – The cloud over the Ohel Moed departed and the kohanim sounded the trumpets.
  7. What was the sum total of the counting of the 12 tribes?
    2:32 – 603,550.
  8. Why are Aharon's sons called "sons of Aharon and Moshe"?
    3:1 – Since Moshe taught them Torah, its as if he gave birth to them.
  9. Who was Nadav's oldest son?
    3:4 – Nadav had no children.
  10. Which two people from the Book of Esther does Rashi mention in this week's Parsha?
    3:7 – Bigtan and Teresh.
  11. Why did the levi'im receive ma'aser rishon?
    3:8 – Since the leviim served in the Mishkan in place of everyone else, they received tithes as "payment."
  12. Which groups of people were counted from the age of one month?
    3:15, 40 – The leviim, and the firstborn of Bnei Yisrae l.
  13. Name the first descendant of Levi in history to be counted as an infant.
    3:15 – Levis daughter Yocheved was born while the Jewish People were entering Egypt. She is counted as one of the 70 people who entered Egypt.
  14. Who assisted Moshe in counting the levi'im?
    3:16 G-d.
  15. Why did so many people from the tribe of Reuven support Korach in his campaign against Moshe?
    3:29 – The tribe of Reuven was encamped near Korach, and were therefore influenced for the worse. This teaches that one should avoid living near the wicked.
  16. Why did so many people from the tribes of Yehuda, Yissachar and Zevulun become great Torah scholars?
    3:38 – The tribes of Yehuda, Yissachar and Zevulun were encamped near Moshe, and were therefore influenced for the good. This teaches that one should seek to live near the righteous
  17. In verse 3:39 the Torah states that the total number of levi'im was 22,000. The actual number was 22,300. Why does the Torah seem to ignore 300 levi'im?
    3:39 – Each levi served to redeem a first-born of the Jewish People. Since 300 leviim were themselves firstborn, they themselves needed to be redeemed, and could therefore not redeem others.
  18. The firstborn males of the Jewish People were redeemed for five shekalim. Why five shekalim?
    3:46 – To atone for the sale of Yosef, Rachels firstborn, who was sold by his brothers for five shekalim (20 pieces of silver.)
  19. During what age-span is a man considered at his full strength?
    4:2 – Between the ages of 30 and 50.
  20. As the camp was readying itself for travel, who was in charge of covering the vessels of the Mishkan in preparation for transport?
    4:5 – The kohanim.

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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

 מנהגי חג השבועות

חלוקת שעות החג

בגמרא במסכת ביצה (דף טו:) אמר רבי יהושע, מצות יום טוב, חציו לה' וחציו לכם, כלומר שיש לחלק את הזמן ביום טוב, מחציתו לאכילה ושתיה וכדומה מעניני שמחת החג, ומחציתו ללימוד התורה ותפילה, וכן פסק הרמב"ם (בפ"ו מהלכות יום טוב(.

שטיחת ענפים בבית הכנסת ובבית
כתב הרמ"א (בהגה סימן תצד סעיף ג.) נוהגים לשטוח עשבים בשבועות, בבית הכנסת ובבתים זכר לשמחת מתן תורה. ורבים מרבותינו האחרונים הביאו סימוכין למנהג זה, שיש בו גם זכר למה שאמרו בגמרא (שבת פח:) כל דיבור שיצא מפי הקדוש ברוך הוא, נתמלא העולם כולו ריח בשמים, כמו שנאמר "שפתותיו שושנים נוטפות מור עובר". וכן נוהגים להעמיד ענפי אילנות בבית הכנסת ובבתים, לרמוז למה שאמרו רבותינו במסכת ראש השנה (טז.) בעצרת (היינו חג השבועות) נידונים על פירות האילן.

אולם, בספר חיי אדם, הביא שהגאון רבי אליהו מוילנא ביטל מנהג זה, משום שעכשיו נוהגים הגויים להעמיד ענפי אילנות בימי חגיהם, ואם כן יש בזה איסור משום ובחוקותיהם לא תלכו. אולם מרן הרב עובדיה יוסף שליט"א כתב, שהגאון מוילנא ביטל מנהג זה, משום שהוא נמשך בזה לשיטתו שיש איסור משום ובחוקותיהם לא תלכו, בכל מנהגי הגויים, אבל לשיטת המהר"י קולון ועוד פוסקים רבים, אין איסור זה נוהג אלא בחוק שנוהגים הגויים בדרך חוק, דהיינו דבר שהוא בלי טעם, (שאז יש לחוש בו משום דרכי האמורי ושיש בו שמץ עבודת כוכבים), או דבר שנהגו בו הגויים לשם פריצות וכדומה, אבל במנהג שיש בו טעם אחר, כגון לבוש שלובשים אותו רופאים גויים, כדי שיהיה ניכר שהם רופאים וכדומה, אין איסור לנהוג בו, ולכן יש להניח למנהג זה שיתקיים, שמנהג ישראל תורה, ובפרט שמנהג זה הוא קדום מאד ונזכר גם בדברי חז"ל. (וכבר הזכרנו חילוק נוסף בעניין חוקות הגויים בהלכה שעסקה בשאלת החיוב ללכת עם כיפה על הראש).

מאכלי חלב
כתב עוד הרמ"א, שנוהגים בכמה מקומות לאכול מאכלי חלב ביום חג השבועות, והוסיפו האחרונים שיש נוהגים לאכול גם דבש וחלב, לרמוז על מתן תורתינו שנמשלה לדבש וחלב, ויש נותנים טעם למנהג מאכלי חלב בחג השבועות, מפני שבעשרת הדברות נתגלו לאבותינו כל חלקי התורה ומצוותיה, וכמו שכתב רב סעדיה גאון שבעשרת הדברות כלולות כל מצוות התורה, וכשירדו ישראל מההר אל בתיהם אחר מתן תורה, לא מצאו מה לאכול תיכף, זולת מאכלי חלב, כי לבשר היו צריכים הכנה רבה, לשחוט בסכין בדרך בלי פגם כאשר ציוה ה', ולנקר החלב וגיד הנשה, ולמלוח הבשר ולהדיחו, ועוד ועוד עניינים רבים הקשורים לכשרות המאכלים. ולכן היו זקוקים למאכלי חלב, ואנו עושים זכר לזה. ונאמרו אודות מנהג זה עוד טעמים אחרים.

ומכיוון שעל פי ההלכה אסור לאכול מאכלי חלב אחרי מאכלי בשר עד שיעברו שש שעות (כפי שביארנו בהלכות בשר וחלב), לכן מנהגינו לאכול מאכלי חלב, ואחרי קינוח והדחה כמשפט (דהיינו אכילת מעט פת וכדומה, ושתיית משקה, כפי שביארנו גם כן בהלכות בשר בחלב,) אוכלים מאכלי בשר. ומצוה לאכול ביום טוב בשר בהמה, לקיים בזה מצות שמחת החג, וכמו שאמרו במסכת חגיגה (ח:), אין שמחה אלא בבשר בהמה, וכן ישתה יין לשמחת החג, אבל יזהרו להימנע משחוק וקלות ראש, לפי שאין השחוק והקלות ראש שמחה אלא הוללות, ולא נצטווינו אלא על שמחה שיש בה עבודת היוצר. אלא ישמחו ביום טוב בדברים המותרים כגון לשורר בפה שירות ותשבחות להשם יתברך, וכן יש להשתדל לעסוק בתורה ביום החג, וכתב מרן הרב שליט"א, שנכון ללמוד בספר המצוות של הרמב"ם, ונכון גם כן לקרות בספר תהילים, כי פטירת אדונינו דוד המלך הייתה ביום חג השבועות.

מי שאינו יכול לקיים את שמחת החג בבשר, מטעמי בריאות או כשרות, יקיים מצות שמחתו בבשר עוף. וכל מה שאמרנו שאין שמחה אלא בבשר ויין, היינו לאנשים, אבל הנשים יש לשמחן בבגדים יפים או תכשיטים נאים וכדומה. ויש לשמח את הילדים בקליות ואגוזים וממתקים וכדומה.

שמחת עניים
נאמר בתורה (דברים טז) ושמחת בחגך אתה ובנך ובתך והלוי והגר והיתום והאלמנה אשר בקרבך. לפיכך חייב אדם לשמח עמו ברגל את העניים והאביונים והאלמנות והיתומים, והיא חובה קדושה

Customs of the Shavuot Holiday

Division of the Holiday Hours

The Gemara in Masechet Beitzah (15b) tells us: “Rabbi Yehoshua says: The Mitzvah of the holiday is half for Hashem and half for you.” This means that one should apportion his time on Yom Tov half for eating, drinking, and other Yom Tov festivities and half for Torah learning and prayer. The Rambam (Chapter 6 of Hilchot Yom Tov) rules likewise.

Adorning the Synagogue and One’s Home with Plants
The Rama writes (in his notation on Chapter 494, Section 3) that it is customary to scatter plants throughout the synagogue and one’s home on the holiday of Shavuot in commemoration of the joy of the giving of the Torah. Many Acharonim bring another source for this custom based on the Gemara in Masechet Shabbat (88b) which states that after every commandment uttered by Hashem, the entire world was filled with a fragrant smell, as the verse states, “His lips are like roses dripping with passing myrrh.” It is likewise customary to lay tree branches in the synagogue and in one’s home in order to hint to the Gemara in Masechet Rosh Hashanah (16a) that on Shavuot we are judged regarding the fruits of the tree.

However, the Sefer Chayei Adam writes that Rabbeinu Eliyahu of Vilna discontinued this custom, for nowadays, the non-Jews place tree branches in their homes during their holiday. This therefore constitutes the prohibition to follow the practices of the non-Jews. Nevertheless, Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef Shlit”a writes that the Gaon of Vilna writes that this constitutes the prohibition to follow the practices of the non-Jews in accordance with his own opinion that this prohibition applies to all non-Jewish practices. However, according to Rabbeinu Yosef Cologne and many other Poskim who rule likewise, this prohibition only applies to those practices which are observed which have no reason behind them (for only then are we concerned about “Emorite ways” and the possibility of idolatrous rituals) or to those customs which are observed for immoral purposes and the like. Nonetheless, if it is a custom which is observed for a specific reason, such as if a garment is worn by non-Jewish doctors in order for them to be recognizable as doctors, a Jewish doctor may follow this custom and wear the garment as well. Therefore, this custom may indeed be observed, for the custom of the Jewish people is law, especially when the custom in question is very ancient and quoted by our Sages.

Eating Dairy Foods
The Rama (ibid.) continues and writes that several places have the custom to eat dairy foods on the day of Shavuot. Some Acharonim add that it is customary to eat milk and honey together as well hinting to the acceptance of our holy Torah which is compared to milk and honey. Some explain that the reason for eating dairy foods on Shavuot is because when our forefathers were given the Ten Commandments, the rest of the Torah and its commandments were revealed to them as well (as Rav Sa’adia Gaon writes that all of the Mitzvot are included in the Ten Commandments). When the Jewish people returned to their homes after receiving the Torah, they did not find anything ready to eat besides for dairy items, for eating meat now involved much preparation including slaughtering the animal with a knife free of imperfections, removing the forbidden fats and sinews, salting the meat and washing it off as well as many other laws pertaining to the kosher dietary laws. They therefore made due with dairy foods; we eat dairy items in commemoration of this. Many other reasons are given for this custom.

Since Halacha prohibits eating dairy foods for six hours after eating meat, we therefore customarily eat the dairy foods first and only after washing one’s mouth out in accordance with Halacha by eating some bread and drinking some beverages do we eat meat. One should eat meat on Yom Tov in order to fulfill the Mitzvah of joy of Yom Tov, as the Gemara in Masechet Chagiga (8b) states that one experiences true joy only by eating meat. One should likewise drink wine in honor of the joy of Yom Tov. One should nevertheless abstain from frivolity and unruliness, for we have only been commanded to experience a joy through which one can serve Hashem. One should rejoice by performing permissible actions, such as singing the praises of Hashem and his holy Torah. One must likewise try his utmost to learn Torah during the day of Shavuot as well. Maran Harav Shlit”a writes that one should also learn from the Rambam’s Sefer Ha’Mitzvot. It is also proper to recite Tehillim on this day, for the holiday of Shavuot marks the anniversary of the passing of King David.

If one is unable to fulfill the Mitzvah of rejoicing on Yom Tov with beef due to health or kashrut concerns, he should fulfill his obligation with chicken instead. Regarding what we have said that true joy only comes through consuming meat and wine, this only applies to men; women, however, should be gladdened with nice clothing, jewelry, and the like. Children should be gladdened with nuts, sweets, and the like.

Gladdening the Needy The Torah (Devarim 16) states: “And you shall be glad during your holiday; you, your son, your daughter, the Levite, the convert, the orphan, and the widow in your midst.” One must therefore gladden the hearts of the poor, widows, and orphans during the holiday as well and this is a truly important obligation



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Invitation Correction Moshe Chaim Levy

Correction

Invitation
Rabbi & Mrs. Namir Cohen
invite the Kahal to the 
Chupa
of their daughter 

Rivka Beracha
to 
Moshe Chaim 
Levy*

on 
Rosh Chodesh Sivan
Tuesday 15th May 2018
at
Machzike Hadat
17 Northumberland Street

Kabbalat Panim 3:15 pm
Chupa 3:45 pm
followed by reception

Moorlanenews 
would like to take this opportunity
to wish 
Rabbi Namir & his wife 
a heartfelt 
Mazal Tov 
on the wedding

Mazal Tov to Families
Cohen, Levy, Ehrentreu & Berdugo
  
moorlanenews@gmail.com


Shabbat Shalom


moorlanenews@gmail.com


Please feel free to ask us any questions or requests you may need through this e-mail. We will get back to you, bli neder, asap.

Please send us any announcement you would like to make through our e-mail before Wednesday morning, if possible, unless there is a Yom Tob. Exceptions will be made for late entries

Be advised that we will only announce your simcha when you give us permission to do so

If you no longer wish to receive further emails from moorlanenews please reply with the word "unsubscribe".

Thank you, Hatzlacha & all the best

Invitation

Invitation
Rabbi & Mrs. Namir Cohen
invite the Kahal to the 
Chupa
of their daughter 

Rivka Beracha
to 
Moshe Chaim 
Ehrentreu

on 
Rosh Chodesh Sivan
Tuesday 15th May 2018
at
Machzike Hadat
17 Northumberland Street

Kabbalat Panim 3:15 pm
Chupa 3:45 pm
followed by reception

Moorlanenews 
would like to take this opportunity
to wish 
Rabbi Namir & his wife 
a heartfelt 
Mazal Tov 
on the wedding

Mazal Tov to Families
Cohen, Ehrentreu & Berdugo
  
moorlanenews@gmail.com


Newsletter – Parashat Behar Bechukotai

Announcements

Rosh Chodesh Sivan

is on 

Tuesday 15 May

This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarechim

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on 0791 957 8106 by 13th May

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SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לקיץ תשע"ח

Summer Timetable 5778 2018

מוצאי שבת

ערבית

)מוצ"ש(

סוף זמן קראת שמע

זמן שבת

פלג מנחה (לבוש)

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Shema to be read before

Candles to be
lit by

Earliest Candle lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat*

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

PM

 

 

10:01

9:55

9:09

8:41

7:19

7:10

11/12 May

בהר־בחקותי (ש''מ)

 

*    For those not in synagogue, but wishing to bring in Shabbat with the community, candles should be lit about 30 minutes after the time listed for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat. (Unless the time listed in the ‘latest candle lighting’ column is earlier, when candles should be lit by that time, in all cases.)

Pirke Avot 5:50 pm

Mincha 6:00 pm

Followed by Shiur

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Q & A on Parashat Behar – Bechukotai 

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated.

Behar

  1. Why does the Torah specify that the laws of shemita were taught on Har Sinai?
    25:1 – To teach us that just as shemita was taught in detail on Har Sinai, so too, all the mitzvot were taught in detail on Har Sinai.
  2. If one possesses shemita food after it is no longer available in the field, what must he do with it?
    25:7 – Remove it from his property and declare it ownerless.
  3. The Torah commands, "You shall sanctify the fiftieth year." How is this done?
    25:10 – At the beginning of the year the Beit Din declares, "This year is kadosh (sanctified)."
  4. Which two "returns" are announced by the shofar during yovel?
    25:10 – The return of the land to its original owner, and the "return" (freedom) of the slave from slavery.
  5. From where does the yovel year get its name?
    25:10 – From the sounding of the shofar. A ram's horn is called a yovel.
  6. What prohibitions are derived from the verse "v'lo tonu ish et amito — a person shall not afflict his fellow"?
    25:17 – One may not intentionally hurt people's feelings, nor give bad advice while secretly intending to reap benefit.
  7. What is the punishment for neglecting the laws of shemita?
    25:18 – Exile.
  8. If shemita is observed properly, how long is the crop of the sixth year guaranteed to last?
    25:21,22 – From Nissan of the sixth year until Sukkot of the ninth year.
  9. After selling an ancestral field, when can one redeem it?
    25:24 – After two years following the sale, until yovel. At the beginning of yovel it returns to the family automatically.
  10. Under what circumstance may one sell ancestral land?
    25:25 – Only if one becomes impoverished.
  11. If a home in a walled city is sold, when can it be redeemed?
    25:29 – Only within the first year after the sale. Afterwards, even in yovel, it does not return.
  12. What does the word "days" mean in this week's Parsha?
    25:29 – The days of an entire year.
  13. What is considered a walled city?
    25:29 – A city that has been surrounded by a wall since the time of Yehoshua.
  14. Why does the Torah say in 26:46 "Torot" (plural) and not "Torah" (singular)?
    25:35 – A non-Jew who lives in Eretz Yisrael and accepts upon himself not to worship idols.
  15. To what is one who leaves Eretz Yisrael compared?
    25:38 – To one who worships idols.
  16. If a person says "The leg of this animal shall be an olah offering" the animal is sold and sacrificed as an olah offering. What is the status of the money received for the animal?
    25:38 – The prohibition against taking interest is accompanied by the phrase, "I am Hashem your G-d who took you out of Egypt." Rashi explains that just as Hashem discerned in Egypt between those who were firstborn and those who were not, so too will Hashem discern and punish those who lend with interest, pretending they are acting on behalf of others.
  17. List three prohibitions which demonstrate the dignity with which one must treat a Jewish indentured servant.
    25:39-43 –
    1.Do not make him perform humiliating tasks
    2.Do not sell him publicly
    3.Do not make him perform unnecessary jobs
  18. Who supports the family of the Jewish indentured servant during his years of servitude?
    25:41 – His master.
  19. If a Jew is sold as a servant to a non-Jew, does he go free after six years?
    25:54 – No. If he is not redeemed with money, he must wait until the yovel to go free.
  20. Where is it permitted to prostrate oneself on a stone floor?
    26:1 – In the Mikdash.

Bechukotai

  1. To what do the words "bechukotai telechu" (walk in My statutes) refer?
    26:3 – Laboring in Torah learning.
  2. When is rain "in its season?"
    26:4 – At times when people are not outside (e.g., Shabbat nights).
  3. What is the blessing of "v'achaltem lachmechem l'sova" (and you shall eat your bread to satisfaction)?
    26:5 – You will only require a little bread to be completely satisfied.
  4. What is meant by the verse "and a sword will not pass through your land"?
    26:6 – No foreign army will travel through your land on their way to a different country.
  5. Mathematically, if five Jewish soldiers can defeat 100 enemy soldiers, how many enemy soldiers should 100 Jewish soldiers be able to defeat?
    26:4 – Two thousand.
  6. How much is "revava"?
    26:4 – Ten thousand.
  7. Which "progression" of seven transgressions are taught in Chapter 26, and why in that particular order?
    26:14,15 – Not studying Torah, not observing mitzvot, rejecting those who observe mitzvot, hating Sages, preventing others from observing mitzvot, denying that G-d gave the mitzvot, denying the existence of G-d. They are listed in this order because each transgression leads to the next.
  8. What is one benefit which the Jewish People derive from the Land of Israel's state of ruin?
    26:32 – No enemy nation will be able to settle in the Land of Israel.
  9. What was the duration of the Babylonian exile and why that particular number?
    26:35 – 70 years. Because the Jewish People violated 70 shemita and yovelyears.
  10. How many years did the Jewish People sin in Israel up till the time the northern tribes were exiled?
    26:35 – 390 years.
  11. In verse 26:42, the name Yaakov is written with an extra "vav." From whom did Yaakov receive this extra letter and why?
    26:42 – In five places in the Torah, Yaakov's name is written with an extra "vav" and in five places the name Eliyahu is missing a "vav." Yaakov "took" these vavs as a pledge that Eliyahu will one day come and announce the redemption of Yaakov's children.
  12. What positive element is implied by the words "and I will bring them into the land of their enemies?"
    26:41 – G-d Himself, so to speak, will bring them into their enemies' land. This means that even when the Jews are in exile, G-d will supply them with leaders who inspire them to keep the Torah. This guards the Jews from assimilating into the host culture.
  13. In verse 26:42, why is the word "remember" not used in connection with the name of Yitzchak?
    26:42 – Because the image of Yitzchak's ashes (who was prepared to be brought as an offering) upon the altar is always before G-d.
  14. Why does the Torah say in 26:46 "Torot" (plural) and not "Torah" (singular)?
    26:46 – To teach that both the Written Torah and the Oral Torah were given to Moshe on Har Sinai.
  15. What happens when a poor person dedicates the value of a man to the Beit Hamikdash and doesn't have sufficient funds to fulfill his vow?
    27:8 – The person whose value was donated goes before the kohen, who sets the obligation according to the poor person's ability to pay.
  16. If a person says "The leg of this animal shall be an olah offering" the animal is sold and sacrificed as an olah offering. What is the status of the money received for the animal?
    27:9 – The money is "chullin," meaning it does not have "holy" status, except for the value of the animal's leg which does have "holy" status.
  17. If a person dedicates his ancestral field to the Beit Hamikdash and fails to redeem it before yovel what happens to the field?
    27:16 – It becomes the property of the kohanim who are on rotation at the beginning of yovel.
  18. Where must "ma'aser sheini" be eaten?
    27:30 – In Jerusalem.
  19. When a person redeems "ma'aser sheini" what happens to the food? What happens to the redemption money?
    27:31 – The food becomes permissible to him outside of Jerusalem. The redemption money must be brought to Jerusalem and used to purchase food to be eaten there.
  20. How does a person tithe his animals?
    27:32 – He passes them through a door individually and every tenth animal he marks with a rod smeared with red dye.

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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

חג השבועות

נאמר בפרשת מתן תורה, "ויסעו מרפידים ויבאו מדבר סיני, ויחנו במדבר, ויחן שם ישראל נגד ההר". (שמות יט).

רבינו חיים בן עטר, ה"אור החיים" הקדוש הקשה, שהרי בפסוקים שקודם לכן כבר נאמר "לצאת בני ישראל מארץ מצרים, ביום הזה באו מדבר סיני", ואם כן לכאורה, מדוע כפלה התורה וכתבה שוב "ויחנו במדבר", הרי ברור הדבר שאם הגיעו למדבר גם חנו שם, ואם כן מה באה ללמדינו התורה בדבר זה?

ומסביר האור החיים הקדוש, כי פסוק זה בא ללמדינו שלשה עיקרים בקבלת התורה, שמבלעדי שלשת הדברים הללו אי אפשר היה לקבל את התורה, ועל ידם נתרצה הקדוש ברוך הוא לתת לבני ישראל את התורה.

הראשון, "ויסעו מרפידים", שקודם קבלת התורה, היו עם ישראל ברפיון ידים ועצלות גדולה, כדרכם של עבדים משוחררים, ואף על פי כן הם הכינו עצמם והתגברו על מדותיהם הטבעיות, לקבל את התורה בזריזות ובחשק, וקבלו על עצמם שלא להתעצל בלימוד התורה. כי כך טבע הדבר בלימוד התורה, שדברי תורה צריכים חיזוק כל העת, ולכן התורה טורחת בכל פעם שהיא מזכירה ענין לימוד התורה, לתת תוספת חיזוק, כמו שנאמר "לא ימוש ספר התורה הזה מפיך, והגית בו יומם ולילה, הלא צויתיך חזק ואמץ", וכן על זה הדרך. ולפיכך הוצרכה התורה לציין "ויסעו מרפידים", שהיו נרפים מאד, ברפיון ידיים, ואף על פי כן זרזו עצמם לקבלת התורה בחשק ושמחה,  ו"יסעו" מאותו הרפיון שהיה להם קודם לכן. שזהו עיקר גדול ותנאי לזכות לכתרה של תורה.

העיקר השני, "ויבאו מדבר סיני ויחנו במדבר", שהכוונה בזה שהגיעו עם ישראל למדרגה רוחנית שהיא בבחינת מדבר, שהכל דשין ודורכין עליו, והוא מקום הפקר לכל, כמו כן ישראל הגיעו למצב של ענווה ושיפלות רוח, כי מבלעדי זה אי אפשר לזכות לתורה, כי אין התורה שורה על גסי הרוח, ועל כן משה רבינו זכה שהוא יקבל את התורה, לפי שהוא היה סמל ואות למופת של ענוה גדולה שלא היה עוד כמותה. גם לא ניתנה התורה אלא על ההר הנמוך שבהרים, הר סיני, כי אין השכינה שורה על גסי הרוח וגבהי הלב, ורק בזכות הענוה זכו ישראל לכתר תורה.

והעיקר השלישי, "ויחן שם ישראל כנגד ההר", אשר כמו שפירשנו כבר, לשון "ויחן" הוא לשון יחיד, מפני שעם ישראל באותו הזמן היתה בינהם אחדות גדולה, כאיש אחד בלב אחד, וגם זה הוא תנאי גדול לזכות לתורה, כי אין קבלת התורה רק ליחידים שבישראל, אלא דוקא לכל כלל ישראל יחד, ועל כן התורה צריכה תמיד להיות נלמדת בציבור, ואמרו רבותינו "חרב אל הבדים", חרב אל אותם שלומדים בד בבד, כלומר לבדם, כי אין אדם זוכה לישרות בתורה, אלא כשהיא נלמדת עם עוד אדם, שיעיר את תשומת לב חבירו כשהוא טועה בלימוד. (ואחר שידע כבר את עיקרי לימוד התורה בדרך נכונה, יוכל ללמוד לבדו מתוך ספרי האחרונים, אשר גם על ידי העיון בהם יוכל לעמוד על טעותו), ואשרי העם שהם באים בליל שבועות ללמוד תורה בציבור, במקום שהשכינה שורה בו, אשר על כגון זה נאמר "ויחן שם ישראל כנגד ההר", כי כאיש אחד, זכו לקבל את התורה, וכמו כן אנו, נזכה לאורה של תורה, משאת חיינו, בזכות ענוה ושפלות רוח, לקבל מהגדולים מאיתנו את האמת, ולהודות תמיד על האמת, ולהשתדל כמה שאפשר להיות באחדות גדולה, שמתוך כך תשרה עלינו השכינה הקדושה, ונזכה לכתרה של תורה.

The Holiday of Shavuot

Regarding the giving of the Torah, the Torah states (Shemot 19): “And they travelled from Refidim and they arrived at the Sinai Desert and they camped in the desert; and Israel camped there opposite the mountain.”


Rabbeinu Chaim ben Atar, the saintly “Or Ha’Chaim,” asks that in the previous verses the Torah states, “On the third month of the Jewish nation leaving Egypt, on this day they had come to the Sinai desert.” If so, why does the Torah repeat the fact that they “camped in the desert”? Is it not clear that if they arrived at the desert that they camped there as well? What does the Torah mean to teach us by writing this?


The saintly Or Ha’Chaim explains that the Torah is trying to convey to us three key principles regarding receiving the Torah without which accepting the Torah would have been impossible and because of which Hashem decided to give us the Torah.


The first is “Travelling from Refidim” (in Hebrew, “Refidim” is similar to the word “Rifyon” meaning laxity) before the giving of the Torah, for the Jewish nation experienced great carelessness and lethargy as all freed slaves do and even so, they prepared themselves and overcame their natural character-traits in order to be able to accept the Torah in a zealous and energetic manner by accepting upon themselves not to become lazy in their Torah learning. This is indeed the natural course of Torah learning that the Torah needs strengthening and recommitment at all times. It is for this reason that any time the Torah mentions learning Torah, the Torah adds a boost of encouragement as the verse states, “This Sefer Torah shall not budge from your lips and you shall delve in it day and night etc. have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous?” The Torah therefore needed to point out that they “travelled from Refidim,” for they had truly been slacking off, but even so they had energized themselves to accept the Torah with desire and joy and they had thus “travelled away” from the laxity they possessed beforehand, for this is a great principle and important condition for meriting receiving the Torah’s crown.


The second principle is “And they arrived at the Sinai desert and they camped in the desert.” This means that the Jewish nation reached the lofty level wherein they made themselves like a desert which is ownerless and everyone walks through and tramples on. Similarly, the Jewish nation reached a high level of humility and submissiveness, for without doing so, one cannot merit accepting the Torah as the Torah does not identify itself with the arrogant. It is also for this reason that Moshe Rabbeinu was the one chosen to receive the Torah, for he served as an outstanding symbol of extreme humility, the likes of which the world had never seen. Additionally, the Torah was given only on the lowest of mountains, Mount Sinai, for Hashem’s presence does not rest on the arrogant and the haughty; only because of their humility did the Jewish nation merit receiving the crown of Torah.


The third principle is “And Israel camped there opposite the mountain.” The Torah uses the singular form of the word “camped” in order to teach us that the Jewish nation was completely unified at that time, like one man with one heart. This also serves as an important condition in order to receive the Torah, for the Torah was not given to individuals among the Jewish nation; rather, it was given to the entire nation as one. It is for this reason that the Torah must be read in public. Indeed the verse states, “May a sword be to the loners” referring to those who learn Torah alone, for one cannot merit having a correct understanding of the Torah unless he learns with someone else who will be able to bring the errors he has made in his learning to his attention. (Once one masters the principles for how to properly learn Torah, one may then learn from the works of the Acharonim alone, for by delving in them one will likewise be able to realize if he has erred.) Praiseworthy is the nation whose people come together to learn Torah on the night of Shavuot in a place where the holy presence of Hashem rests. Regarding this does the verse state, “And Israel camped there opposite the mountain,” for they merited receiving the Torah as one. May we likewise merit gleaning from the eternal light of the Torah by virtue of our true humility through accepting the true interpretation of the Torah from those greater than us and admitting that their interpretation is indeed true. Let us try our very best to always be completely unified, for this will cause Hashem to rest His holy presence on us and we will thereby merit receiving the crown of the Torah.

 

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Shabbat Shalom


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Newsletter Parashat Emor

Announcements

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SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לקיץ תשע"ח

Summer Timetable 5778 2018

    

מוצאי שבת

ערבית

)מוצ"ש(

סוף זמן קראת שמע

זמן שבת

פלג מנחה (לבוש)

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Shema to be read before

Candles to be
lit by

Earliest Candle lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat*

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

PM

 

 

9:46

9:40

9:16

8:29

7:09

6:45

4/5 May

אמור

 

*    For those not in synagogue, but wishing to bring in Shabbat with the community, candles should be lit about 30 minutes after the time listed for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat. (Unless the time listed in the ‘latest candle lighting’ column is earlier, when candles should be lit by that time, in all cases.)

Pirke Avot 5:50 pm

Mincha 6:00 pm

Followed by Shiur 

Rabbi Y Y Katz

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Q & A on Parashat Emor

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

  1. Which male descendants of Aharon are exempt from the prohibition against contacting a dead body?
    21:1 – Challalim – those disqualified from the priesthood because they are descended from a relationship forbidden to a kohen.
  2. Does a kohen have an option regarding becoming ritually defiled when his unmarried sister passes away?
    21:3 – No, he is required to do so.
  3. How does one honor a kohen?
    21:8 – He is first in all matters of holiness. For example, a kohen reads from the Torah first, and is usually the one to lead the blessings before and after meals.
  4. How does the Torah restrict the Kohen Gadol with regard to mourning?
    21:10-12 – He may not allow his hair to grow long, nor attend to his close relatives if they die, nor accompany a funeral procession.
  5. The Torah states in verse 22:3 that one who "approaches holy objects" while in a state of tumah (impurity) is penalized with excision. What does the Torah mean by "approaches"?
    22:3 – Eats.
  6. What is the smallest piece of a corpse that is able to transmit tumah?
    22:5 – A piece the size of an olive.
  7. Who in the household of a kohen may eat terumah?
    22:11 – He, his wife, his sons, his unmarried daughters and his non-Jewish slaves.
  8. If the daughter of a kohen marries a "zar" she may no longer eat terumah.What is a zar?
    22:12 – A non-kohen.
  9. What is the difference between a neder and a nedavah?
    22:18 – A neder is an obligation upon a person; a nedavah is an obligation placed upon an object.
  10. May a person slaughter an animal and its father on the same day?
    22:28 – Yes. The Torah only prohibits slaughtering an animal and its mother on the same day.
  11. How does the Torah define "profaning" the Name of G-d?
    22:32 – Willfully transgressing the commandments.
  12. Apart from Shabbos, how many days are there during the year about which the Torah says that work is forbidden?
    23:7-36 – Seven.
  13. How big is an omer?
    23:10 – One tenth of an eipha.
  14. On what day do we begin to "count the omer"?
    23:15 – On the 16th of Nissan.
  15. Why do we begin counting the omer at night?
    23:15 – The Torah requires counting seven complete weeks. If we begin counting in the daytime, the seven weeks would not be complete, because according to the Torah a day starts at nightfall.
  16. How does the omer differ from other minchah offerings?
    23:16 – It was made from barley.
  17. The blowing of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah is called a "zichron teruah" (sound of remembrance). For what is it a reminder?
    23:24 – The akeidas (binding of) Yitzchak.
  18. What is unusual about the wood of the esrog tree?
    23:40 – It has the same taste as the fruit.
  19. Who was the father of the blasphemer?
    24:10 – The Egyptian killed by Moshe (Shemos 2:12).
  20. What is the penalty for intentionally wounding one's parent?
    24:21 – Death.
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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

ל"ג לעומר

יום ל"ג לעומר, הוא יום שמחה וחדוה, לכבוד התנא רבי שמעון בר יוחאי, ויש לענין זה סימוכין בדברי הפוסקים, ולכן נוהגים להרבות בשמחה ביום זה, ואין אומרים בו תחנון. בשנה זו (תשע"ג), חל ל"ג לעומר ביום ראשון הקרוב, ממוצאי שבת.
(
והרבנות הראשית תיקנה, שיעלו למירון ויעשו המדורות כנהוג, רק למחרת, מפני חילול שבת).

ומקובל בפי כל כי יום ל"ג לעומר הוא יום פטירתו של רבי שמעון בר יוחאי, אולם הגאון שואל ומשיב תמה על כך, שאם יום זה הוא יום פטירת רבי שמעון, לא היה לנו לשמוח כלל ביום זה, כי מה שמחה יש בפטירת הצדיקים? אולם בשו"ת שם אריה כתב שהטעם שעושים שמחה ביום זה, הוא מפני שנודע מה שאמרו בגמרא במסכת שבת (לג:) שגזרה מלכות הרשעה גזר דין מות על רבי שמעון בר יוחאי, ונעשה לו נס שנחבא במערה וניצל מחרב רעה של מלכות הרשעים, ועל כן יש לנו לעשות שמחה ביום בו יצא מן העולם כדרך כל הארץ, להודות לה' על הנס שנעשה לו.

ולעצם הדבר מה שאמרנו שביום ל"ג לעומר נפטר רבי שמעון בר יוחאי, כתב רבינו מרן החיד"א, כי באמת אין הדבר נכון שרבי שמעון נפטר בל"ג לעומר, וטעות היא ביד מי שאומר כן, והוכיח כן ממה שהמהר"ש ויטאל האריך הרבה מאד בענין סוד ימי העומר ויום ל"ג לעומר, ולא בא בפיו שיום זה הוא יום פטירתו של רבי שמעון בר יוחאי. ועל כן כתב שאפשר כי עיקר השמחה ביום זה היא על כך שבאותו היום התחיל רבי עקיבא ללמד את חמשת תלמידיו שהחיו את העולם בהפיצם תורה בכל מקום, וממעיין זה אנו יונקים עד עצם היום הזה. וכן הגאון פרי חדש כתב, כי עיקר השמחה ביום ל"ג לעומר היא על אותם התלמדים של רבי עקיבא שנשארו חיים והם הפיצו תורה לכל העולם, ומכיון שמיום זה נשארו אלו התלמידים לפליטה, לכן עושים שמחה גדולה.

יש שנהגו לעלות לקברו של רבי שמעון ביום ל"ג לעומר, ולהרבות שם כמה שניתן בתפילות ותחנונים וקריאת פרקי תהלים. וכבר אמרו רבותינו, (בבבא בתרא דף עח ע"ב), בואו חשבון, בואו ונחשב חשבונו של עולם, הפסד מצוה כנגד שכרה, ושכר עבירה כנגד הפסדה. כלומר, על כל אדם לחשוב ולהתבונן לפני שהוא עושה מעשה, עד כמה מעשיו נכונים לפני ה'. ועל כן כל אדם לפני שיחליט לעלות ביום ל"ג לעומר לקברי הצדיקים, יחשוב ויתבונן היטב, אם כדאי הדבר מכל הבחינות, שלא יצא שכרו בהפסדו.

ובספר שדי חמד כתב, שביום ל"ג לעומר נתגלו סתרי תורה על ידי רבי שמעון בר יוחאי, וביום זה נסמך רבי שמעון, ועל כן עושים שמחה ביום זה. והביא שכן כתבו גאוני טבריא בדורו.

כתב המהרח"ו (רבינו חיים ויטאל, תלמיד רבינו האר"י), ראיתי למורי האר"י ז"ל שהלך לקבר רבי שמעון בר יוחאי ורבי אלעזר בנו ביום ל"ג בעומר, וישב שם הוא וכל אנשי ביתו שלושה ימים, וזה היה בפעם הראשונה שבא ממצרים (כי רבינו האר"י התייתם מאביו בעודו ילד רך, והלך עם אמו לגור אצל דודו בארץ מצרים) אבל איני יודע אם היה אז בקי ויודע בחכמה הנפלאה שהשיג אחר כך, והרב רבי יונתן סאגיש העיד לי, שקודם שהלכתי ללמוד אצל מורי ז"ל, הוליך רבינו האר"י את בנו הקטן לשם עם כל אנשי ביתו, ושם גילחו את ראשו כמנהג הידוע, ועשה שם יום משתה ושמחה, וסיים רבינו המהרח"ו, וכתבתי כל זה להורות כי יש שורש במנהג הנזכר.

והגאון רבי יונה נבון (רבו של מרן החיד"א, שכמעט ולא הניח פסקן כמותו, והיה מגדולי רבני ירושלים, והיה חסיד ומקובל, ונפטר בעון הדור בן ארבעים ושבע שנים בשנת תק"י, 1760) כתב שנתפשט המנהג בעיר הקודש ירושלים, להרבות בשמחה בתספורת הראשונה של ילד קטן, בשביל חיבוב המצוה של הנחת פאות הראש, דהיינו שלא גוזזים לגמרי השערות שבצידי הראש, ובכך מקיימים מצות "לא תקיפו פאת ראשכם".

Lag Ba’Omer (The 33rd Day of the Omer)

The 33rd day of the Omer is a day of festivity and rejoicing in honor of the saintly Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. There are indeed sources for this among the Poskim. We are therefore customarily more joyous than usual on this day and we do not recite Tachanun (supplication prayers). This year, 5773, Lag Ba’Omer falls out this coming Sunday, beginning from Motza’ei Shabbat. (The Chief Rabbinate of Israel has enacted that the annual pilgrimage and bonfires at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai should be held only on the day after so as to prevent any Shabbat desecration, G-d-forbid.) 

Most people commonly refer to Lag Ba’Omer as being the day that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai passed on. However, Hagaon Sho’el U’Meshiv expressed wonder about this, for if so, we should not be joyful at all as one does not rejoice about the demise of the righteous! Nevertheless, the Responsa Shem Aryeh writes that the reason why we rejoice on this day is because of what the Gemara in Masechet Shabbat (33b) writes that the evil kingdom had decreed death upon Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and a miracle occurred and hid in a cave and was saved from certain death by the hands of the wicked Romans. We must therefore celebrate joyously on the day he departed from this world in a natural way in order to give thanks for the miracle that happened to him. 

Regarding the actual idea that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai passed away on Lag Ba’Omer, Maran Ha’Chida writes that it is incorrect that Rabbi Shimon passed away on this day and whoever says so is mistaken. He proves this from the teachings of Hagaon Rabbeinu Shmuel Vital who writes lengthily about the deep secrets of the Omer period and especially Lag Ba’Omer and he does not mention once that this day is the anniversary of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s passing. He therefore writes that the reason for the joy and celebration on this day is possibly because Rabbi Akiva began teaching his five pupils who rejuvenated the world by disseminating their Torah all over the world and this spring indeed gave us life until this very day. Similarly, Hagaon Peri Chadash writes that the primary reason for rejoicing on this day is because of the students of Rabbi Akiva who stayed alive and spread Torah to the entire world. Since from this day on these students stayed among the living, we therefore hold festivities on this day. 

Some customarily visit the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on the day of Lag Ba’Omer and to pray and read as much Tehillim as they can there. However, every individual must think deeply before performing any action to see if it will indeed be worthy before Hashem. Thus, before one decides to visit the graves of the righteous on Lag Ba’Omer, one must evaluate whether this is indeed worthwhile in all aspects. 

The Sefer Sedeh Chemed writes that on the day of Lag Ba’Omer, the secrets of the Torah were revealed by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. This was also the day that Rabbi Shimon received Semicha (ordination). It is for this reason that we rejoice on this day. He writes that the Torah scholars in Teveria in his generation wrote likewise. 

Rabbeinu Chaim Vital (principle pupil of the holy Ariz”l) writes: “I have seen my master, the Ari z”l, visit the graves of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his son Rabbi Elazar on the day of Lag Ba’Omer. He and his entire family stayed there for three days. This was during the first time that he arrived from Egypt (the Ari z”l lost his father at a young age and he and his mother went to live with his uncle in Egypt). However, I do not know if at that point he was an expert in the tremendous wisdom he gleaned afterwards. Rabbi Yonatan Sagis has told me that before I had gone to learn by my master, Rabbeinu Ha’Ari z”l took his young son there along with his entire family and it was there that he shaved his son’s head in accordance with the known custom. He made there a day of joy and feasting. I have written all of this in order to show that there is a source for the aforementioned custom.” 


Hagaon Harav Yonah Navonzt”l (rabbi of Maran Ha’Chida) writes that the custom in the holy city of Jerusalem has become to hold joyous festivities when a child receives his first haircut because of the Mitzvah of not cutting the hair on the side of the head (side locks) completely and by doing so, the Mitzvah of “Do not round off the corners of your head” is fulfilled.

ל"ג ול"ד לעומר

מה אירע ביום ל"ג לעומר?

יום חמישי הקרוב הבא עלינו לטובה, (כלומר, מיום רביעי בערב), הוא יום ל"ג לעומר, שעושים בו שמחה יתירה, ולא אומרים בו תחנון (וידוי ונפילת אפיים), משום שהוא יום שנתגלו בו סתרי תורה, ובו ניצול רבי שמעון בר יוחאי מעונש מיתה, ובו התחיל רבי עקיבא ללמד את חמשת תלמידיו שהפיצו את התורה בכל העולם, וכמו שהארכנו כבר בביאור הדברים, מדברי הפוסקים, רבינו האר"י ומרן החיד"א.

מנהגי אבלות בל"ג לעומר
כל מנהגי האבלות שנוהגים בהם בימי העומר (מחמת פטירתם של תלמידי רבי עקיבא), וכגון מה שנהגו שלא לשאת אשה, ושלא להסתפר ולהתגלח וכיוצא בזה, נחלקו הפוסקים אם יש להזהר בדברים אלה עד יום ליל ל"ג לעומר, או שיש להזהר בכל אלו עד ליום ל"ד לעומר (כלומר, ביום ל"ד לעומר בבוקר).

ומנהג האשכנזים, שהם נושאים נשים החל מליל ל"ג לעומר, מפני שהם סוברים שתלמידי רבי עקיבא פסקו למות ביום ל"ג לעומר, וכך פסק הרמ"א (סימן תצ"ג), שכך כתבו כמה ראשונים (ומהם בעל ספר המנהיג), שקבלה בידם שביום ל"ג פסקו מלמות, ואף בליל ל"ג לעומר יש מהאשכנזים שנוהגים להקל לשאת אשה.

אבל מנהג הספרדים ובני עדות המזרח, שאין נושאין נשים, ולא מסתפרים, עד ליום ל"ד לעומר בבוקר, כלומר, בשנה זו (תשע"ב), ביום ששי הבא עלינו לטובה בבוקר.

והטעם שאנו נזהרים בזה עד ליום ל"ד לעומר, מבואר על פי מה שכתב בספר המנהיג (דף עב עמוד ב, חיברו רבי אברהם ברבי נתן הירחי הראב"ן, שחי בלוניל ונפטר בשנת תתקע"ה 1215) בשם רבינו זרחיה הלוי (הרז"ה בעל המאור) שמצא כתוב בספר קדמון הבא מספרד, שכל תלמידי רבי עקיבא מתו "מפסח ועד פרוס עצרת", ומאי פרוס, (כלומר, מה הכוונה "בפרוס"?), פורסא, פלגא (דהיינו "פרוס" פירושו חצי מהתקופה שקודמת לשבועות) כדתנן, (כמו ששנינו), שואלין בהלכות הפסח קודם הפסח שלושים יום, ופלגא דידהו, (וחצי משלושים יום), דהיינו ט"ו יום קודם עצרת (קודם חג השבועות). וכן כתבו עוד מרבותינו הראשונים, וביארו שאם נסיר חמשה עשר מארבעים ותשעה יום שבין פסח לעצרת נשארו שלושים וארבעה ימים, ומכל מקום ביום ל"ד לעומר בבוקר, כבר מותר לשאת אשה משום שמקצת היום ככולו לענין אבילות, וכיון שכבר עבר קצת מיום ל"ד אין צריך יותר לנהוג אבילות

The 33rd and 34th Days of the Omer

What Happened on the 33rd Day of the Omer?

This coming Thursday (meaning beginning from Wednesday night), G-d willing, will be the 33rd day of the Omer (commonly known as Lag BaOmer), which is celebrated amid great joy and when Tachanun (confessional prayer found after the Amida prayer) is omitted for it marks the day when the secrets of the Torah were revealed, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was saved from his death sentence, and Rabbi Akiva started teaching his five students that would eventually spread the Torah to the rest of the world. This is based on the words of the Poskim, the Ari HaKadosh, and Maran HaChida. 

Mourning Customs on the 33rd Day of the Omer

Regarding all of the customs of mourning that have been customarily observed during the Omer period (due to the passing of the students of Rabbi Akiva), for instance, abstaining from getting married, taking haircuts, and shaving, there is a dispute among the Poskim whether these customs must be observed until the 33rd day of the Omer or until the 34th day of the Omer (i.e. the morning of the 34th). 

The custom of the Ashkenazim is to permit weddings beginning from the night of the 33rd of the Omer, for they are of the opinion that Rabbi Akiva’s disciples finished dying on the 33rd of the Omer. This is indeed the ruling of the Rama (Chapter 493) in the name of several Rishonim (including the author of the Sefer HaManhig) who have accepted by way of oral tradition that the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying on the 33rd day of the Omer. Some Ashkenazim have the custom to permit weddings even from the night of the 33rd of the Omer. Nevertheless, the Sephardic custom is to abstain from getting married or taking haircuts until the morning of the 34th day of the Omer, which falls out this year, 5772, on this coming Friday morning, G-d willing. 

The reason why we customarily abstain from these things until the 34th of the Omer is based on the words of the Sefer HaManhig (page 72b, authored by Rabbeinu Avraham bar Natan HaYarchi, the Ra’avan, who lived in Lonil and passed away in the year 4975 [1215]) in the name of Rabbeinu Zerachya HaLevi (the Razah, Ba’al HaMaor) who found in an early manuscript found in Spain, that all of Rabbi Akiva’s students passed away from Pesach until “Half of Shavuot,” and this refers to half of the period prior to Shavuot, which is thirty days, as the Mishnah tells us, “One must begin to inquire about the laws of Pesach thirty days before the holiday”; thus, half of thirty is fifteen days before the holiday of Shavuot. Several other Rishonim write accordingly. Thus, if we subtract fifteen from the forty-nine days between Pesach and Shavuot, the difference is thirty-four. Nevertheless, beginning from the morning of the 34th day of the Omer, it is already permissible to hold weddings, for regarding mourning, the rule is, “A portion of the day is considered like the entire day,” and since some of the 34th day has already passed, one need not continue to observe the mourning customs

****

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Please send us any announcement you would like to make through our e-mail before Wednesday morning, if possible, unless there is a Yom Tob. Exceptions will be made for late entries

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SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לקיץ תשע"ח

Summer
Timetable 5778
2018

מוצאי שבת

ערבית

)מוצ"ש(

סוף זמן קראת
שמע

זמן שבת

פלג מנחה
(לבוש)

מנחה וקבלת
שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Shema to be read before

Candles to be
lit by

Earliest Candle lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat*

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

PM

 

 

9:31

9:25

9:23

8:16

7:00

6:45

27/28 Apr

אחרי־קדושים

 

*    For those not in synagogue, but wishing to bring in
Shabbat with the community, candles should be lit about 30 minutes after the
time listed for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat. (Unless the time listed in the
‘latest
candle lighting’ column is earlier,
when candles should be lit by that time, in all
cases.
)

Pirke Avot 5:50
pm

Mincha 6:00 pm

Followed by
Shiur

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Q
& A on Parashat 

Achare 

  1. Why does the Torah emphasize that Parshas Acharei Mos was taught after the death of Aaron's sons?
  2. What is the punishment for a Kohen Gadol who inappropriately enters the Kodesh Kodashim?
  3. How long did the first Beis Hamikdash exist?
  4. What did the Kohen Gadol wear when he entered the Kodesh Kodashim?
  5. How many times did the Kohen Gadol change his clothing and immerse in the mikveh on Yom Kippur?
  6. How many times did he wash his hands and feet from the Kiyor (copper laver)?
  7. The Kohen Gadol offered a bull Chatas to atone for himself and his household. Who paid for it?
  8. One of the goats that was chosen by lot went to Azazel. What is Azazel?
  9. Who is included in the "household" of the Kohen Gadol?
  10. For what sin does the goat Chatas atone?
  11. After the Yom Kippur service, what is done with the four linen garments worn by the Kohen Gadol?
  12. Where were the fats of the Chatas burned?
  13. Who is solely responsible for attaining atonement for the Jewish People on Yom Kippur?
  14. From one point in history, installation of the Kohen Gadol through anointing was no longer used but was conducted by donning the special garments of that office. From when and why?
  15. What is the penalty of kares?
  16. Which categories of animals must have their blood covered when they are slaughtered?
  17. When a person eats a kosher bird that was improperly slaughtered (a neveilah), at what point does he contract tumah?
  18. The Torah commands the Jewish People not to follow the "chukim" of the Canaanites. What are the forbidden "chukim"?
  19. What is the difference between "mishpat" and "chok"?
  20. May a man marry his wife's sister?

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

  1. 16:1 – To strengthen the warning not to enter the Kodesh Kodashim except on Yom Kippur.
  2. 16:2 – Death.
  3. 16:3 – 410 years.
  4. 16:4 – Only the four linen garments worn by an ordinary Kohen.
  5. 16:4 – Five times.
  6. 16:4 – Ten times.
  7. 16:6 – The Kohen Gadol.
  8. 16:8 – A jagged cliff.
  9. 16:11 – All the Kohanim.
  10. 16:16 – For unknowingly entering the Beis Hamikdash in the state of tumah.
  11. 16:23 – They must be put into geniza and not be used again.
  12. 16:25 – On the outer Mizbe'ach.
  13. 16:32 – The Kohen Gadol.
  14. 16:32 – Anointing ceased during the kingship of Yoshiahu. At that time, the oil of anointing was hidden away.
  15. 17:9 – One's offspring die and one's own life is shortened.
  16. 17:13 – Non domesticated kosher animals and all species of kosher birds.
  17. 17:15 – When the food enters the esophagus.
  18. 18:3 – Their social customs.
  19. 18:4 – A "mishpat" conforms to the human sense of justice. A "chok" is a law whose reason is not given to us and can only be understood as a decree from Hashem.
  20. 18:18 – Yes, but not during the lifetime of his wife.


MKedpshim

  1. Why was Parshat Kedoshim said in front of all the Jewish People?
  2. Why does the Torah mention the duty to honor one's father before it mentions the duty to honor one's mother?
  3. Why is the command to fear one's parents followed by the command to keep Shabbat?
  4. Why does Shabbat observance supersede honoring parents?
  5. What is "leket?"
  6. In Shemot 20:13, the Torah commands "Do not steal." What does the Torah add when it commands in Vayikra 19:11 "Do not steal?"
  7. "Do not do wrong to your neighbor" (19:13). To what "wrong" is the Torah referring?
  8. By when must you pay someone who worked for you during the day?
  9. How does Rashi explain the prohibition "Don't put a stumbling block before a sightless person?"
  10. In a monetary case involving a poor person and a rich person, a judge is likely to wrongly favor the poor person. What rationale does Rashi give for this?
  11. When rebuking someone, what sin must one be careful to avoid?
  12. It's forbidden to bear a grudge. What example does Rashi give of this?
  13. The Torah forbids tattooing. How is a tattoo made?
  14. How does one fulfill the mitzvah of "hadarta p'nei zaken?"
  15. What punishment will never come to the entire Jewish People?
  16. What penalty does the Torah state for cursing one's parents?
  17. When the Torah states a death penalty but doesn't define it precisely, to which penalty is it referring?
  18. What will result if the Jewish People ignore the laws of forbidden relationships?
  19. Which of the forbidden relationships listed in this week's Parsha were practiced by the Canaanites?
  20. Is it proper for a Jew to say "I would enjoy eating ham?"

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

  1. 19:2 – Because the fundamental teachings of the Torah are contained in this Parsha.
  2. 19:3 – Since it is more natural to honor one's mother, the Torah stresses the obligation to honor one's father.
  3. 19:3 – To teach that one must not violate Torah law even at the command of one's parents.
  4. 19:3 – Because the parents are also commanded by Hashem to observe Shabbat. Parents deserve great honor, but not at the "expense" of Hashem's honor.
  5. 19:9 – "Leket" is one or two stalks of grain accidentally dropped while harvesting. They are left for the poor.
  6. 19:11 – The Torah in Vayikra prohibits monetary theft. In Shemot it prohibits kidnapping.
  7. 19:13 – Withholding wages from a worker.
  8. 19:13 – Before the following dawn.
  9. 19:13 – Don't give improper advice to a person who is unaware in a matter. For example, don't advise someone to sell his field, when in reality you yourself wish to buy it.
  10. 19:15 – The judge might think: "This rich person is obligated to give charity to this poor person regardless of the outcome of this court case. Therefore, I'll rule in favor of the poor person. That way, he'll receive the financial support he needs without feeling shame.
  11. 19:17 – Causing public embarrassment.
  12. 19:18 – Person A asks person B: "Can I borrow your shovel?" Person B says: "No." The next day, B says to A: "Can I borrow your scythe?" A replies: "Sure, I'm not stingy like you are."
  13. 19:28 – Ink is injected into the skin with a needle.
  14. 19:32 – By not sitting in the seat of elderly people, and by not contradicting their statements.
  15. 20:3 – "Karet" — being spiritually "cut off."
  16. 20:9 – Death by stoning.
  17. 20:10 – Chenek (strangulation).
  18. 20:22 – The land of Israel will "spit them out."
  19. 20:23 – All of them.
  20. 20:26 – Yes.

****

Halachot
from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

דין המסופק אם ספר ספירת העומר

ביארנו
כבר
, כי מי ששכח לספור יום אחד ספירת העומר,
אינו רשאי לברך שוב על ספירתו בימים הבאים. וטעם הדבר, לפי שנחלקו רבותינו
הראשונים, אם מצות ספירת העומר היא מצוה אחת ארוכה הנמשכת במשך ארבעים ותשעה ימי
העומר, או שמא ספירת העומר בכל יום ויום היא מצוה בפני עצמה. שאם נאמר שבכל יום
ויום הספירה היא מצוה בפני עצמה, הרי שאז, גם מי שלא ספר יום אחד, יוכל להמשיך
בספירתו
, שהרי בכל יום הספירה היא מצוה בפני עצמה,
ואין שייכות בין הספירה של ליל אמש לספירה של היום. וכשם שמי שלא הניח תפילין
(ח"ו) יום אחד, בודאי שעליו להניח תפילין ביום שלמחרתו, כי אין שייכות כלל
בין העדר הנחת התפילין יום אחד, להמשך קיום המצוה בימים הבאים. מה שאין כן אילו
נאמר שמצות ספירת העומר היא מצוה אחת ארוכה, שאז, מי ששכח לספור את העומר יום אחד,
לא יוכל להמשיך עוד בספירת העומר, שהרי מרגע שאיבד את הספירה יום אחד, הפסיד את
המצוה בשלמותה, ואינו סופר עוד. וזו היא שיטת בעל הלכות גדולות, הסובר שמי שלא ספר
ספירת העומר יום אחד, אינו ממשיך בספירתו בימים הבאים
.

ולענין הלכה,
מכיון שדעת רוב רבותינו הראשונים אינה כדעת בעל הלכות גדולות, לכן מי ששכח לספור
ספירת העומר יום אחד, חייב להמשיך ולספור את העומר בימים הבאים. אולם מכיון שאיסור
ברכה לבטלה הוא חמור מאד, שיש בו הזכרת שם שמים לשוא, לכן אנו נוקטים להלכה, שלענין
ברכת "על ספירת העומר", יש לחוש לדעת בעל הלכות גדולות, ומי ששכח לספור
את העומר יום אחד, אינו ממשיך לברך בכל יום על הספירה, אלא הוא סופר בלא ברכה,
וכפי הכלל הגדול שבידינו, "ספק ברכות להקל
".

ומעתה לנדון
שלנו, מאחר שנתבאר שאנו חוששים לענין הברכה לדעתו של בעל הלכות גדולות, לכאורה היה
נראה שאדם המסתפק אם ספר ספירת העומר (או שהוא מסופק אם ספר בצורה נכונה וכיוצא
בזה, וכגון אדם שהתפלל ביחידות, וכעת הוא מסופק אם ספר נכון), אף על פי שימשיך
לספור את העומר בכל יום, מכל מקום אינו רשאי לברך על הספירה, שהרי יש לנו לחוש
לדעת בעל הלכות גדולות, שמי ששכח יום אחד, אינו ממשיך לספור את העומר
.

אולם לענין
הלכה, אין הדין כן, כי רק באופן שאדם יודע בודאות ששכח לספור את העומר, אז יש לנו
לחוש לדעתו של בעל הלכות גדולות, ולכן אינו ממשיך לספור
"בברכה",
אך אם אין הדבר ודאי, רק ספק, אין לחוש באופן כזה לשיטת בעל הלכות גדולות, שהרי
בלאו הכי רוב הראשונים לא פסקו כמותו. ולכן העיקר להלכה, שמי שמסתפק אם ספר את
העומר בליל אמש, ממשיך לספור את העומר בברכה
.

ולסיכום: המסופק אם ספר בליל אמש ספירת העומר, ממשיך
לספור בימים הבאים בברכה. ורק אם ידוע לו בודאות שלא ספר לילה אחד, או שספר בצורה
שגוייה, שוב לא יברך על ספירתו

One who is in Doubt Whether or Not He Counted the Omer

We
have already explained
that one who has forgotten to count the Omer
one day during the counting period may no longer count with a blessing on the
subsequent days. The reason for this is because the Rishonim disagree as to
whether the Mitzvah of counting the Omer is one long Mitzvah that spans along
forty-nine days or every day of counting the Omer possesses its own Mitzvah. If
we were to say that every day of counting possesses its own separate Mitzvah,
even if one were to forget one full day of counting, he would still be able to
continue counting the following night, for every day of counting is its own
Mitzvah and there is no correlation between today's counting and yesterday's.
Similarly, if one were to, G-d forbid, not don Tefillin one day, he would
surely still be obligated to don then the next day, for there is no connection
between today's lack of donning Tefillin and continuing to fulfill this Mitzvah
on subsequent days. However, if we say that the Mitzvah of counting the Omer is
one long Mitzvah, if one forgets to count one day, he may no longer continue
counting, for the moment he misses the counting of that specific day, he has
lost the opportunity to fulfill the Mitzvah in its completion, and he no longer
counts. This is indeed the opinion of the Ba'al Halachot Gedolot who holds that
if one missed counting one day of the Omer, he no longer counts on subsequent
days. 


Halachically speaking, however, since most Rishonim disagree with the position
of the Ba'al Halachot Gedolot, if one forgets to count one day of the Omer, he
does indeed continue to count on the subsequent nights. Nevertheless, since the
prohibition of reciting a blessing in vain is very severe as it entails
uttering Hashem's name in vain, we thus hold that regarding the blessing of
"Al Sefirat Ha'Omer," the opinion of the Ba'al Halachot Gedolot must
be taken into consideration and one who has forgotten to count one day of the
Omer does not continue to recite the blessing upon counting on subsequent
nights; rather, he continues to count without reciting a blessing beforehand,
as per the rule of, "When in doubt, do not bless". 

Regarding our scenario, since we have just established that regarding the
blessing we are concerned about the opinion of the Ba'al Halachot Gedolot, it
would seem that if one is in doubt whether he counted the Omer or not (or if he
is in doubt if he counted correctly, for instance, if one prayed alone, not
with a Minyan, and is now uncertain if he counted the correct number), although
he would continue to count on subsequent nights, he would nevertheless not be
allowed to recite a blessing upon counting, for we must consider the opinion of
the Ba'al Halachot Gedolot who holds that when one forgets to count one day, he
does not continue to count the Omer. 

However, halachically speaking, this is not so, for only if one is certain that
he has forgotten to count one day do we say that he needs to be concerned about
the opinion of the Ba'al Halachot Gedolot, and should continue counting without
reciting a blessing. However, if one is uncertain whether he counted or not, he
need not be concerned about the opinion of the Ba'al Halachot Gedolot, for in
any case, most Rishonim disagree with his opinion. Therefore, the Halacha
follows that if one is uncertain whether he counted the Omer on the previous
night or not, he will indeed continue to count the Omer on subsequent nights
with a blessing. 

Summary: If one is uncertain whether or not he counted the Omer on the
previous night, he does continue counting on subsequent nights with a blessing.
Only if one is certain that he has forgotten to count one night, or that he has
counted incorrectly, will he no longer recite a blessing upon counting on
subsequent nights

*****

Shabbat Shalom


moorlanenews@gmail.com


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Newsletter – Parashat Tazria Metzora

Announcements

Mazal Tov

to

Mr & Mrs David Menashe

on the safe arrival of their new 

baby BOY

Sheyizke laberit bizmana

latorah lachupa ulemaasim tovim

Moorlanenews

would like to take this opportunity

to wish our very dear President

David Menashe 

& his wife Riki 

a very heartfelt 

Mazal Tov

on the arrival of their son.

We would also like to thank 

David Menashe

for all his hard work & selfless amount of time 

he gives up for all aspects of our

Bet Hakeneset

May Hashem repay him

with good health, beracha & mazal

for many years. 

 

Family Menashe

invite the Kahal to 

Shalom Zachar

this Friday evening

70 Bury New Road (opposite Shefa)

***

Mazal Tov

to

Asher Tzvi Weinberg

on reaching his Bar Mitzva

May Hashem shower on him

ALL His berachot that he should continue

to grow in

Torah, Mitzvot Umaasim tovim

Mazal Tov to families

Weinberg

&

Lewis 

on this special Simcha

***

As we are now entering the summer months,

there are many relevant Halachot which apply

to accepting Shabbat on Friday afternoon

whilst it is still daylight.

These Halachot are from Rabbi Eli Mansour

(1) How Early on Friday Afternoon May a Woman Light Shabbat Candles Without Accepting Shabbat? 

Halacha allows women to light the Shabbat candles without accepting the onset of Shabbat. For example, if a woman must drive somewhere before Shabbat and will not return home before Shabbat begins, she may light the Shabbat candles before she leaves and stipulate that she does not yet accept the onset of Shabbat. She then accepts Shabbat later, a few minutes before sundown. 

However, the Shulhan Aruch writes (263:4;) that when a woman lights the Shabbat candles early, rather than shortly before sundown, she must accept the onset of Shabbat. Halacha allows a woman to light Shabbat candles as early as Pelag Ha’minha – which occurs on the average 75 minutes before sundown, depending on the season – but she must accept Shabbat at that point, because otherwise it is not evident that she lights specifically for the honor of Shabbat. This Halacha gives rise to the question of how early before sundown a woman may light Shabbat candles without accepting Shabbat. Said differently, at which point on Friday afternoon does it become clear that the candles are lit specifically for the honor of Shabbat, such that a woman may light without accepting Shabbat?

Hacham Yishak Yosef (She’erit Yosef, vol. 3, p. 383;) rules that a woman may light candles without accepting Shabbat as early as a half-hour before sundown; according to other authorities, she may do so as early as forty minutes before sundown. Thus, for example, if sundown on a summer day occurs at 8:30 PM, a woman who lights candles before 7:50 PM on Friday must accept the onset of Shabbat. If she wishes to perform Melacha (activity forbidden on Shabbat) after lighting candles, then she must light candles no earlier than 7:50 PM.

Summary: A woman may light Shabbat candles on Friday afternoon as early as Pelag Ha’minha – approximately 75 minutes before sundown, depending on the season. She must accept Shabbat at the time of lighting unless she lights within thirty minutes – or, according to others, forty minutes – before sundown, in which case she may stipulate at the time of lighting that she does not yet accept the onset of Shabbat.

 

(2) Is a Wife Bound by Her Husband’s Early Acceptance of Shabbat?

Many congregations have the practice during the summer months of accepting Shabbat early, before sundown on Friday afternoon. The men go the synagogue, recite Minha, Kabbalat Shabbat and Arbit, and return home well before sundown. The question arises in this situation as to whether or not the wife is bound by the husband’s acceptance of Shabbat. If, for example, the husband estimates that he will recite Kabbalat Shabbat and thus accept the onset of Shabbat at 7:15pm, must he instruct his wife to complete all Shabbat preparations and light the Shabbat candles by 7:15? A famous Halachic principle known as “Ishto Ke’gufo” establishes that a husband and wife are considered a single unit. Seemingly, then, once a husband accepts Shabbat, the wife must likewise accept Shabbat at that point, and may therefore not perform any Melacha (activity forbidden on Shabbat) past the time when her husband accepts Shabbat. 

In truth, however, this is not the case. Hacham Ovadia Yosef explicitly rules that a husband and wife accept Shabbat separately, and are not bound by the other’s acceptance. Strictly speaking, then, it is possible for the husband to return home from the synagogue on Friday night during the summer months and find his wife still turning on and off lights, dealing with the oven, lighting candles, and so on. Since the wife is not bound by the husband’s acceptance of Shabbat, she may continue performing Melacha until the time for Shabbat candle lighting eighteen minutes before sunset. Needless to say, once the wife lights the Shabbat candles, she accepts the onset of Shabbat and may no longer perform Melacha.

The also applies in the reverse case. Meaning, if a wife accepts Shabbat early, before the other members of her family, her acceptance is not binding upon them, and they may still perform Melacha.

It should be noted that the restrictions of “Amira Le’akum” – asking a gentile to perform Melacha on Shabbat on one’s behalf – do not apply to asking Jews. For example, if somebody accepted Shabbat early, before sunset, and then realizes that he mistakenly left his bedroom light on, he may ask another Jew who has not yet accepted Shabbat to turn off the light. There is no prohibition against asking a fellow Jew to perform Melacha on one’s behalf if he has yet to accept Shabbat and the sun has not yet set. This applies after Shabbat, as well. For example, many people extend their Se’uda Shelishit meal until well after nightfall, by which time many other people have already recited Habdala and ended Shabbat. It would be permissible in such a situation to ask somebody who has ended Shabbat to perform Melacha on his behalf, such as to bring him something from his car. Even though the one making the request has not yet ended Shabbat, he may ask a fellow Jew to perform Melacha for him if that other Jew has already ended Shabbat.

Summary: Even though a man accepted Shabbat early, before sundown, his wife is not required to accept Shabbat at that point, and she may continue performing Melacha until the usual candle lighting time. A person who accepted Shabbat early may ask a fellow Jew who has not yet accepted Shabbat to perform Melacha for him. Similarly, a person who did not yet end Shabbat on Saturday night may ask a person who did end Shabbat to perform a Melacha for him.

 

(3) Shabbat – The Prohibition Against Eating and Drinking Before Kiddush on Friday Night

There is an obligation to recite Kiddush over a cup of wine on Friday night, and the Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 271:6) rules that once Shabbat begins, it is forbidden to eat or drink anything – including water – before reciting or hearing Kiddush. This means that if a person is in the synagogue after sundown on Friday night, he may not have a sucking candy, or even a drink of tea or water. Since Shabbat has begun, and thus the obligation of Kiddush has taken effect, he may not eat or drink anything before Kiddush. This applies even in the summer months, when many communities have the custom of accepting Shabbat well before sundown. Thus, for example, if a person returns home from the synagogue on Friday night before sunset, and he needs to wait for the other family members to complete their Shabbat preparations, he may not have a snack or drink. Since he already accepted Shabbat, he may not eat or drink anything before Kiddush. 

As the Kiddush obligation applies equally to men and women, both men and women are included in this prohibition against eating or drinking before Kiddush.

An important exception to this rule is noted by Hacham Bension Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998), in Or Le’sion (2:46), where he writes that this Halacha was instituted only for those who have reached the age of Misva obligation. Minors – boys before the age of thirteen, and girls before the age of twelve – may be fed if they wish to eat or drink before Kiddush. Although children approaching the age of Misva obligation should be trained to refrain from food and drink before Kiddush, as a general rule parents should not hesitate to give their children food or drinks before Kiddush on Friday night, as this Halacha was instituted only for those above the age of Misva obligation. This is also the ruling of several earlier Halachic authorities (Magen Abraham, Mishna Berura).

Summary: Once Shabbat has begun – even if one accepted Shabbat well before sundown, as many people do during the summer – one may not eat or drink anything, even water, before Kiddush. This applies to both men and women. Children below the age of Misva obligation may be given food or drinks before Kiddush, though children approaching the age of Misva obligation should be trained to wait until Kiddush.

 

(4) When Should One Recite Kiddush and Begin the Shabbat Meal When Accepting Shabbat Early?

Many communities have the practice of accepting Shabbat and reciting Arbit before sundown on Friday afternoon during the summer months. Rather than waiting until after dark to recite Arbit, as we normally do, these communities recite Arbit and begin Shabbat after Pelag Ha’minha (approximately one and a quarter hours before sundown). 

If one begins Shabbat before sundown, may he recite Kiddush and begin his Shabbat meal immediately, or must he wait until dark?

The Shulhan Aruch (267:2) rules explicitly that even when one begins Shabbat before sundown, he may nevertheless recite Kiddush and conduct his meal immediately, and need not wait until nightfall. However, the Mishna Berura (267:5) cites some authorities who require that one eat at least a Kezayit (approximately 1 oz.) of bread after nightfall. According to this view, the obligation to eat three meals on Shabbat requires that they be eaten on Shabbat itself, and not during the period on Friday afternoon that one added onto Shabbat. Hence, one should ensure to eat at least a Kezayit of bread – the minimum amount that constitutes a “meal” – after dark, in order to fulfill the obligation of the Shabbat meal. (Hacham Ovadia Yosef cites this stringent position, as well.)

Often, when a person accepts Shabbat early, he returns home and begins his meal within a half-hour of nightfall, in which case an interesting Halachic question arises regarding the obligation of Keri’at Shema. The Mitzva to recite the evening Shema begins at Tzet Ha’kochavim (nightfall), and Halacha forbids beginning a meal within a half-hour of Tzet Ha’kochavim out of concern that one might forget to recite Shema as a result. Thus, if a person returns from the synagogue on Friday night within a half-hour of nightfall, he should perhaps be required to wait until after nightfall, recite Shema, and only then begin his meal.

Maran (author of the Shulhan Aruch) addresses this question in his work Bet Yosef, where he rules that one may, in fact, begin his Shabbat meal within a half-hour of nightfall on Friday night. According to the Rosh (Rabbenu Asher Ben Yehiel, Germany-Spain, 1250-1327), one may fulfill the evening Shema obligation before sundown, so long as he recites the Shema after Pelag Ha’minha. Although Halacha does not follow this view, and requires that the evening Shema be recited specifically after nightfall, we may nevertheless rely on this view with respect to the prohibition against beginning a meal within a half-hour of nightfall. Once a person has recited Arbit and has thus fulfilled his Shema obligation according to the Rosh’s view, he may then begin his meal within a half-hour of Tzet Ha’kochavim. (Needless to say, when one recites Arbit before nightfall he must repeat the Shema after nightfall.)

Summary: When one accepts Shabbat and recites Arbit on Friday afternoon before sundown, as is customary during the summer months, he may recite Kiddush and begin the Shabbat meal immediately upon returning from the synagogue. He must repeat the Shema after nightfall, and, according to some authorities, he should eat at least a Kezayit (1 oz.) of bread after nightfall.

 

In our Bet Hakeneset

we have established that 

anyone wishing to accept Shabbat 

based on the timing we pray 

Kabalat Shabbat

should light candles about

30 minutes after the time listed for 

MINCHA & KABALAT SHABBAT (see below)

This week

Mincha & K.SH is at 6:45 pm

Candle lighting should be approx. 7:15 pm

***

THIS SHABBAT

we will be hosting a  

YOUTH MINYAN

where

ALL parts of SHACHARIT 

will be conduct & run by the YOUTH

of our Kehila.

*** 

SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לקיץ תשעח

Summer Timetable 5778  2018

מוצאי שבת

ערבית

)מוצ”ש(

סוף זמן קראת שמע

זמן שבת

פלג מנחה (לבוש)

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Shema to be read before

Candles to be
lit by

Earliest Candle lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat*

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

PM

 

 

9:16

9:10

9:32

8:03

6:50

6:45

20/21 Apr

תזריע־מצורע

 

 *    For those not in synagogue, but wishing to bring in Shabbat with the community, candles should be lit about 30 minutes after the time listed for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat. (Unless the time listed in the ‘latest candle lighting’ column is earlier, when candles should be lit by that time, in all cases.)

Pirke Avot 5:50 pm

Mincha 6:00 pm

Followed by Shiur

*****

Children’s Service From 10am Every Shabbat morning

Children’s Tehilim straight after Musaf

****

Anyone wishing to donate a Kiddush Please email Moorlanenews

****

Q & A on Parashat Tazria – Metzora

Tazria

All references are to the verses and Rashi’s commentary, unless otherwise stated.

  1. When does a woman who has given birth to a son go to the mikveh?
    12:2 – At the end of seven days.
  2. After a woman gives birth, she is required to offer two types of offerings. Which are they?
    12:6 – An olah and a 
  3. What animal does the woman offer as a chatat?
    12:6 – A tor (turtle dove) or a ben yona (young pigeon).
  4. Which of these offerings makes her tahor (ritual purity)?
    12:7 – The 
  5. Which of the sacrifices does the woman offer first, the olah or the chatat?
    12:8 – The chatat.
  6. Who determines whether a person is a metzora tamei (person with ritually impure tzara’at) or is tahor?
    13:2 – A 
  7. If the kohensees that the tzara’at has spread after one week, how does he rule?
    13:5 – The person is 
  8. What disqualifies a kohenfrom being able to give a ruling in a case of tzara’at?
    13:12 – Poor vision.
  9. Why is the appearance of tzara’aton the tip of one of the 24 “limbs” that project from the body usually unable to be examined?
    13:14 – The tzara’at as a whole must be seen at one time. Since these parts are angular, they cannot be seen at one time.
  10. On which days is a kohennot permitted to give a ruling on tzara’at?
    13:14 – During the festivals; and ruling on a groom during the seven days of feasting after the marriage.
  11. In areas of the body where collections of hair grow (e.g., the head or beard), what color hair is indicative of ritual impurity?
    13:29 – Golden.
  12. In areas of the body where collections of hair grow, what color hair is indicative of purity?
    13:37 – Any color other than golden.
  13. If the kohenintentionally or unintentionally pronounces a tamei person “tahor,” what is that person’s status?
    13:37 – He remains 
  14. What signs of mourning must a metzora display?
    13:45 – He must tear his garments, let his hair grow wild, and cover his lips with his garment.
  15. Why must a metzora call out, “Tamei!Tamei! “?
    13:45 – So people will know to keep away from him.
  16. Where must a metzora dwell?
    13:46 – Outside the camp in isolation.
  17. Why is a metzoracommanded to dwell in isolation?
    13:46 – Since tzara’at is a punishment for lashon hara (evil speech), which creates a rift between people, the Torah punishes measure for measure by placing a division between him and others.
  18. What sign denotes tzara’atin a garment?
    13:49 – A dark green or dark red discoloration.
  19. What must be done to a garment that has tzara’at?
    13:52 – It must be burned
  20. If after washing a garment the signs of tzara’atdisappear entirely, how is the garment purified?
    13:58 – Through immersion in a 

Metzora

All references are to the verses and Rashi’s commentary, unless otherwise stated.

  1. When may a metzora not be pronounced tahor?
    14:2 – At night.
  2. In the midbar, where did a metzora dwell while he was tamei?
    14:3 – Outside the three camps.
  3. Why does the metzora require birds in the purification process?
    14:4 – Tzara’atcomes as a punishment for lashon hara. Therefore, the Torah requires the metzora to offer birds, who chatter constantly, to atone for his sin of chattering.
  4. In the purification process of a metzora, what does the cedar wood symbolize?
    14:4 – The cedar is a lofty tree. It alludes to the fact that tzara’atcomes as a punishment for haughtiness.
  5. During the purification process, the metzora is required to shave his hair. Which hair must he shave?
    14:9 – Any visible collection of hair on the body.
  6. What is unique about the chatatand the asham offered by the metzora?
    14:10 – They require n’sachim (drink offerings).
  7. In the Beit Hamikdash, when the metzora was presented “before G-d” (14:11), where did he stand?
    14:11 – At the gate of Nikanor.
  8. Where was the ashamof the metzora slaughtered?
    14:13 – On the northern side of the mizbe’ach.
  9. How was having tzara’atin one’s house sometimes advantageous?
    14:34 – The Amorites concealed treasures in the walls of their houses. After the conquest of the Land, tzara’at would afflict these houses. The Jewish owner would tear down the house and find the treasures.
  10. When a house is suspected of having tzara’at, what is its status prior to the inspection by a kohen?
    14:36 – It is tahor.
  11. What happens to the vessels that are in a house found to have tzara’at?
    14:36 – They become tamei.
  12. Which type of vessels cannot be made tahorafter they become tamei?
    14:36 – Earthenware vessels.
  13. Where were stones afflicted with tzara’atdiscarded?
    14:40 – In places where tahor objects were not handled
  14. When a house is suspected of having tzara’at, a kohencommands that the affected stones be replaced and the house plastered. What is the law if the tzara’at:
    1. returns and spreads;
    2. does not return;
    3. returns, but does not spread?
    4. 14:44-45 – It is called “tzara’atmam’eret,” and the house must be demolished;
    5. 14:48 – The house is pronounced tahor;
    6. 14:44 – The house must be demolished.
  15. When a person enters a house that has tzara’at, when do his clothes become tamei?
    14:46 – When he remains in the house long enough to eat a small meal.
  16. What is the status of a man who is zav(sees a flow):
    1. two times or two consecutive days;
    2. three times or three consecutive days?

15:2 –

  1. He is tamei;
  2. he is tameiand is also required to bring a korban.
  1. zavsat or slept on the following:
    1. a bed;
    2. a plank;
    3. a chair;
    4. a rock.

15:4-5 – Only a type of object that one usually lies or sits upon becomes a transmitter of tumah when a zav sits or lies on it. A tahor person who subsequently touches the object becomes tamei and the clothes he is wearing are also tmei’im. Therefore:

  1. tamei;
  2. tahor;
  3. tamei;
  4. tahor.
  1. What does the Torah mean when it refers to a zavwho “has not washed his hands”?
    15:11 – One who has not immersed in a mikveh.
  2. When may a zavimmerse in a mikveh to purify himself?
    15:13 – After seven consecutive days without a flow.
  3. What is the status of someone who experiences a one-time flow?
    15:32 – He is tameiuntil evening.

****

During the week

Shiurim in our Bet Hakeneset

 

Shiurim /

Topic

Time

Rabbi

Venue

Language

For

Sunday ~ Thurday

Chavruta learninig

6:45 7:30 pm

Avrechim of the kolel more info:
Rabbi Stamler

Shul Hall

Any

Men

Monday

Yedia Kelaliot

8:00 pm

Rabbi E Benami

Shul Hall

Ivrit

Men

Tuesday

Seed 1-2-1 learning

7:45 pm

Contact Jonny Jacobs

Shul Hall

Any

Men

 

 

— 

Shabbat Shalom

 

moorlanenews@gmail.com

 

Newsletter – Parashat Shemini

SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לקיץ תשעח

Summer Timetable 5778 2018

מוצאי שבת

ערבית

)מוצ”ש(

סוף זמן קראת שמע

זמן שבת

פלג מנחה (לבוש)

מנחה וקבלת שבת

תאריך

שבת פרשת

Shabbat

Ends

Arbit

Shema to be read before

Candles to be
lit by

Earliest Candle lighting

Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat*

Date

Parasha

PM

PM

AM

PM

PM

PM

 

 

9:01

8:55

9:40

7:51

6:40

6:45

13/14 Apr

שׁמיני (ש”מ)

 

*    For those not in synagogue, but wishing to bring in Shabbat with the community, candles should be lit about 30 minutes after the time listed for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat. (Unless the time listed in the ‘latest candle lighting’ column is earlier, when candles should be lit by that time, in all cases.)

Pirke Avot 5:50 pm

Mincha 6:00 pm

*****

Children’s Service From 10am Every Shabbat morning

Children’s Tehilim straight after Musaf

****

Anyone wishing to donate a Kiddush Please email Moorlanenews

****

Q & A on Parashat Shemini

  1. What date was “yom hashemini“?
    9:1 – First of Nissan.
  2. Which of Aharon’s korbanot atoned for the Golden Calf?
    9:2 – The calf offered as a korban chatat.
  3. What korbanot did Aharon offer for the Jewish People?
    9:3,4 – A he-goat as a chatat, a calf and a lamb for an olah, an ox and a ram for shelamim, and a mincha.
  4. What was unique about the chatat offered during the induction of the Mishkan?
    9:11 – It’s the only example of a chatat offered on the courtyard mizbe’ach that was burned.
  5. When did Aharon bless the people with the birkat kohanim?
    9:22 – When he finished offering the korbanot, before descending from the mizbe’ach.
  6. Why did Moshe go into the Ohel Mo’ed with Aharon?
    9:23 – For one of two reasons: Either to teach Aharon about the service of the incense, or to pray for the Shechina to dwell with Israel.
  7. Why did Nadav and Avihu die?
    10:2 – Rashi offers two reasons: Either because they gave a halachic ruling in Moshe’s presence, or because they entered the Mishkan after drinking intoxicating wine.
  8. Aharon quietly accepted his sons’ death. What reward did he receive for this?
    10:3 – A portion of the Torah was given solely through Aharon.
  9. What prohibitions apply to a person who is intoxicated?
    10:9-11 – He may not give a halachic ruling. Also, a kohen is forbidden to enter the Ohel Mo’ed, approach the mizbe’ach, or perform the avoda.
  10. Name the three chatat goat offerings that were sacrificed on the day of the inauguration of the Mishkan.
    10:16 – The goat offerings of the inauguration ceremony, of Rosh Chodesh, and of Nachshon ben Aminadav.
  11. Which he-goat chatat did Aharon burn completely and why?
    10:16 – The Rosh Chodesh chatat: Either because it became tamei, or because the kohanim were forbidden to eat from it while in the state of aninut (mourning).
  12. Why did Moshe direct his harsh words at Aharon’s sons?
    10:16 – Out of respect for Aharon, Moshe directed his anger at his sons and not directly at Aharon.
  13. Moshe was upset that Aharon and his sons diatat.d not eat the ch Why?
    10:17 – Because only when the kohanim eat the chatat are the sins of the owners atoned.
  14. Why did G-d choose Moshe, Aharon, Elazar, and Itamar as His messengers to tell the Jewish People the laws of kashrut?
    11:2 – Because they accepted the deaths of Nadav and Avihu in silence.
  15. What are the signs of a kosher land animal?
    11:3 – An animal whose hooves are completely split and who chews its cud.
  16. How many non-kosher animals display only one sign of kashrut? What are they?
    11:4,5,6,7 – Four: Camel, shafan, hare, and pig.
  17. If a fish sheds its fins and scales when out of the water, is it kosher?
    11:12 – Yes.
  18. Why is a stork called chasida in Hebrew?
    11:19 – Because it acts with chesed (kindness) toward other storks.
  19. The chagav is a kosher insect. Why don’t we eat it?
    11:21 – We have lost the tradition and are not able to identify the kosher chagav.
  20. What requirements must be met in order for water to maintain its status of purity?
    11:36 – It must be connected to the ground (i.e., a spring or a cistern).

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Halachot from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz’l

 

מצות ספירת העומר

מצות ספירת העומר
כתוב בתורה (ויקרא כא טו): וספרתם לכם ממחרת השבת מיום הביאכם את עומר התנופה שבע שבתות תמימות תהיינה. וקבלו חז”ל (במסכת מנחות דף סה:) שפירוש “ממחרת השבת” הוא מחרת יום טוב הראשון של פסח שהוא יום שבתון (ואליו הכוונה במילים ממחרת השבת”, ממחרת ליום ראשון של פסח שהוא יום שבתון, לכן מיד במוצאי יום טוב ראשון של פסח אחרי תפילת ערבית מתחילים לספור ספירת העומר). ומצות עשה מן התורה לספור ספירת העומר החל מליל ט”ז בניסן עד גמר שבעה שבועות שהם ארבעים ותשעה ימים.

ספירת העומר – מצוה מדרבנן או מן התורה?
ומכל מקום הואיל ונאמר (דברים טז ט): שבעה שבועות תספר לך “מהחל חרמש בקמה” תחל לספור שבעה שבועות, דהיינו משעת קצירת העומר, ובזמן הזה שבית המקדש חרב אין לנו קצירת העומר ולא קרבן העומר, לכן אין מצות ספירת העומר בזמן הזה אלא מדברי סופרים זכר למקדש. ולכן בנוסח “לשם יחוד” שנוהגים לומר קודם ספירת העומר נכון להשמיט ממנו מה שאומרים “כמו שכתוב בתורה וספרתם לכם וכו'” שהרי מצות ספירת העומר אינה מן התורה. (ואף שבאמת לדעת הרמב”ם והראבי”ה אין שייכות בין מצות ספירת העומר לקצירת העומר, ולדעתם מצות ספירת העומר מן התורה אף בזמן זה, מכל מקום אין אנו פוסקים כדבריהם, אלא כדעת מרן השלחן ערוך שקבלנו הוראותיו, שפסק שספירת העומר מדרבנן, שכן דעת רב האי גאון והתוספות והרא”ש והעיטור והרשב”א והר”ן ועוד(.

השוכח לספור יום אחד
מצות ספירת העומר, היא מצוה בכל יום ויום מימי הספירה, ולכן אנו מברכים עליה בכל יום ויום קודם הספירה.

אולם לדעת בעל הלכות גדולות, מי ששכח לספור ספירת העומר יום אחד, שוב אינו יכול להמשיך בספירת העומר, הואיל ואי אפשר לספור בדילוג (שכן הסופר אחד שנים ארבעה אינו סופר נכון, כמו כן השוכח יום אחד, שוב אין לו תקנה והמשך הספירה שלו אינו נחשב לספירה). ואנו נוקטים להלכה, שגם אם שכח יום אחד לספור ספירת העומר, ימשיך עוד בספירת שאר הימים, מכיון שכל יום הוא מצוה בפני עצמה שאינה תלויה בשאר הימים. רק הואיל וכלל גדול בידינו “ספק ברכות להקל“, לכן לענין הברכה אנו חוששים לסברת בעל הלכות גדולות.

נמצא אם כן, שמי ששכח יום אחד לספור ספירת העומר, ימשיך בשאר הימים לספור כדרכו, רק מכאן ולהבא אינו מברך על הספירה.

קטן שהגדיל בימי הספירה
כתב מרן רבינו עובדיה יוסף שליט”א (בשו”ת יביע אומר ח”ג או”ח סימן כז), אודות ילד, שמלאו לו שלוש עשרה שנה בתוך ימי הספירה. שמאחר והימים שספר לפני שנעשה בר מצוה, היו בעודו קטן, שלא היה עדיין מחוייב במצות מן התורה כמו גדול, לכן, הרי זה דומה למי שעד עתה לא ספר ספירת העומר, ואינו יכול להמשיך לספור בברכה בשאר הימים. והאריך בדין זה מאד, והביא ראיות לדבריו. וגדולי הדור הקודם התכווחו הרבה בדין זה. אולם להלכה יש להורות, שקטן שנעשה בר מצוה בתוך ימי הספירה, ימשיך לספור “בלא ברכה“.

זמן הספירה, ודין הנשים
זמן ספירת העומר בלילה, ומכל מקום אם שכח לספור בלילה יספור ביום שאחריו בלי ברכה, ואחר כך יוכל להמשיך לספור בכל לילה ולילה בברכה.

אשה הסופרת ספירת העומר, לא תברך על הספירה. ולמנהגינו, אין הנשים סופרות ספירת העומר. והטעם בזה מבואר על פי דברי המקובלים

The Mitzvah of Counting the Omer

The Torah states (Vayikra 21, 15): “And you shall count for yourselves, from the day following the Shabbat, from the day the waved Omer offering is brought, seven complete weeks shall they be.” Our Sages (Menachot 65b) have a tradition that the “day following the Shabbat” refers to the day following the first day of Pesach which is a holiday. (This is what is meant by the words, “the day following the Shabbat,” i.e. the day following the first day of Pesach which is a holiday, also known as “Shabbaton.” Therefore, on the night following the first day of Pesach following Arvit, we immediately begin counting the Omer.) It is a Torah commandment to count the Omer beginning from the sixteenth of Nissan until the end of seven weeks, which is a period of forty-nine days.

Counting the Omer-A Torah or Rabbinic Commandment
Nevertheless, since the Torah also states (Devarim 16, 9), “You shall count for yourselves seven weeks, from when the sickle begins to strike the standing stalks shall you begin to count these seven weeks,” which means from the time the Omer offering was harvested, and unfortunately nowadays when the Bet Hamikdash is destroyed, we have neither the harvesting of or bringing of the Omer offering. Thus, this Mitzvah of counting the Omer is only rabbinic in commemoration of the services performed in the Bet Hamikdash. Therefore, in the “Leshem Yichud” text customarily recited before counting the Omer, one should omit the phrase, “As the Torah states, ‘And you shall count for yourselves’” etc. for the Mitzvah of counting the Omer is no longer a Torah commandment. (Although according to the opinion of the Rambam and the Ra’avaya there is no correlation between the Mitzvah of counting the Omer and the harvesting the Omer and according to them the Mitzvah of counting the Omer is a Torah commandment even nowadays, nonetheless, we do not rule this way and the Halacha in this matter follows Maran HaShulchan Aruch, whose rulings we have accepted, who rules that counting the Omer is only a rabbinic commandment nowadays, for this is indeed the opinion of Rav Hai Gaon, Tosafot, Rosh, Itur, Rashba, Ran, and others).

One Who Forgets to Count One Day
The Mitzvah of counting the Omer is a Mitzvah during every single day of the counting period, and for this reason we recite a blessing on it before counting every single day.

However, according to the opinion of the Ba’al Halachot Gedolot, if one has forgotten to count the Omer on one day during the counting period he can no longer continue to count the Omer since it is not possible to count by skipping (for if one counts one, two, four, he has counted incorrectly; thus, if one missed counting one day he can no longer rectify this and what he counts from now on is not considered counting at all). Halachically speaking, we hold that even if one has forgotten to count one day of the Omer, he may in fact continue to count the rest of the days for every day is a separate Mitzvah regardless of the other days. Nevertheless, since we always follow the great rule of “when in doubt, do not bless,” regarding the blessing we are concerned about the opinion of the Ba’al Halachot Gedolot. Therefore, if one forgets to count one day of the Omer, he should continue to count the rest of the days as usual; however, from now on he should not recite the blessing before counting.

A Child who Turns Thirteen during the Omer
Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef Shlit”a discusses (in his Responsa Yabia Omer, Volume 3, Orach Chaim, Chapter 27) the Halacha regarding a child who turns thirteen years old during the Omer period. Since the days he has counted until this point were counted when he was still a child and not halachically obligated to perform the Mitzvot like an adult, his status is similar to one who has not counted the Omer until now and thus does not continue to count with a blessing on subsequent nights. He speaks lengthily and brings a great many sources to support his view. The luminaries of the previous generation debated this matter at length. Nevertheless, halachically speaking, a child who turns thirteen years old during the Omer should continue to count on the subsequent night without reciting a blessing.

The Time for the Counting and the Laws of Women and Counting the Omer
The appropriate time for counting the Omer is at night; however, if one forgets to count at night, he may count during the day without reciting a blessing before counting, in which case he may continue counting on all subsequent nights with reciting a blessing.

Women who count the Omer should not recite a blessing before counting. According to our custom though, women do not count the Omer at all. The reason for this is discussed by the Mekubalim

 

 

 

תספורת, גילוח הזקן, בימי הספירה

שלא להסתפר בימי הספירה
פשט המנהג שלא להסתפר בימי ספירת העומר, למנהג האשכנזים עד יום ל”ג לעומר, ולמנהג הספרדים עד יום ל”ד לעומר בבוקר. (וכפי שנתבאר לעניין נישואין בימי הספירה). ויש מהספרדים שמיקלים לענין תספורת כמנהג האשכנזים, שבל”ג לעומר כבר מסתפרים, והמיקלים בזה (אף מבני עדות המזרח), יש להם על מה שיסמוכו.

גילוח הזקן
החרדים לדבר ה’ נזהרים בענין תספורת בימי הספירה אף לענין גילוח הזקן, אלא שיש מיקלים בזה למי שמצטער הרבה כשאינו מגלח זקנו, משום שכתב הרדב”ז שבענין כזה שאינו בתורת חובה ממש מתקנת חכמים, אלא מנהג בלבד, כל שיש צער כזה יש להקל. אולם ראוי מאוד להחזיק במנהג זה שנהגו בו אבותינו משנים קדמוניות, שלא לגלח את הזקן בימי הספירה, (ובפרט יש להחמיר בזה עד ראש חודש אייר).

דין הנשים במנהג זה
נשים, אינן בכלל האיסור לענין תספורת בימי הספירה, שהרי אף לענין אבלות ממש על אחד מהקרובים שנפטר, (שלאיש אבל אסור להסתפר כל שלשים יום של אבלותו) פסק מרן השלחן ערוך שנשים אינן בכלל איסור זה ומותרות בתספורת תוך שלשים יום. ואם כן כל שכן לענין מנהג האבלות בימי ספירת העומר, שאשה אינה צריכה להזהר שלא להסתפר. והוא הדין גם כן לענין ימי בין המצרים מאחרי שבעה עשר בתמוז, שאיסור התספורת שייך באנשים בלבד, אבל נשים מותרות להסתפר.

 

Taking Haircuts and Shaving during the Omer Period

Abstaining from Taking Haircuts during the Omer
It has become customary among the Jewish nation to refrain from taking haircuts during the Omer counting period: According to the Ashkenazi custom, until the 33rd day of the Omer and according to the Sephardic custom, until the morning of the 34th day of the Omer (as we have already explained regarding getting married during the Omer). Some Sephardic individuals act leniently with regards to haircuts in accordance with the Ashkenazi custom, i.e. taking haircuts beginning from the 33rd day of the Omer. Those who act leniently in this regard (even Sephardic individuals) have on whom to rely.

Shaving
Those who are truly G-d-fearing customarily abstain from shaving their beard during the Omer period as well. However, there are those who rule leniently for individuals who are truly distressed as a result of not shaving their beard, for the Radbaz writes regarding such matters which are not actual obligations as a result of an edict of our Sages and is merely a custom, in a case of such distress, there is room for leniency. Nevertheless, it is indeed correct and proper to follow this custom which was observed by our ancestors for many generations with regards to refraining from shaving one’s beard during the Omer period (it is especially worthy to be stringent until Rosh Chodesh Iyar).

The Status of Women Regarding these Laws
Women are not included in the prohibition of taking haircuts during the days of the Omer, for even with regards to actual mourning for a relative who has passed away (for which a male mourner must abstain from taking a haircut for the entire thirty-day mourning period), Maran HaShulchan Aruch rules that women are not included in this prohibition and are permitted to take haircuts during the thirty-day mourning period. If so, this would certainly apply to the mourning customs observed during the Omer period in that a woman need not abstain from taking a haircut. The same would apply to the three week period between the Seventeenth of Tammuz and the Ninth of Av that the prohibition to take haircuts applies to men alone, however, women are permitted to take haircuts.

 

 

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