HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Shnayim Mikra The Talmud [Berachot 8a] teaches, "one should always finish the parshiot with the community [by studying] Shnayim Mikra V'echad Targum (the parsha twice and Targum Onkelos once)." While the precise reason for this rabbinic law is unclear, the Aruch Hashulchan suggests that it is to fulfill the obligation of Torah study - which includes both listening to Torah - “lishmoah” and “lilmode” - the study of Torah [Aruch Hashulchan Orech Chaim 285:2].
In addition to reading the text of the parsha twice and Targum Onkeles, many also study the commentary of Rashi (which can also be used in place of the Targum!) [ Biur Halacha 285:2; Aruch Hashulchan 285:12]
Ideally, this review of the parsha should be completed on erev Shabbat [Mishna Berurah 285:]. If not, it should be completed before Shabbat mincha [Shulchan Aruch Orech 285:4], and in extreme circumstances, by Tuesday night of the following week. (Some authorities even allow a person to make up an incomplete parsha until the next Simchas Torah [Shulchan Aruch, ibid.; Kaf Hachayim 285:26]).
When studying the parsha, the Chofetz Chaim recommended that person recite each verse twice and then read the Targum [Mishna Berurah 285:2], while the Vilna Gaon read a complete paragraph twice, and then the Targum [Shevet Halevi 7:32]. However, the Chazon Ish, would read a verse, then the Targum and then the verse again – saying that in this way he would understand the meaning of the verse more fully [Rivivot Efraim 5:215]. In addition, there are authorities who permitted the Shabbat Torah reading, if closely followed to be considered one of the two readings of the parsha [Aruch Hashulchan 285:3 and 13].
DVAR TORAH Simchat Torah is not just a celebration marking the completion of another cycle of Torah reading, but also a reaffirmation of our continuous connection to Torah. One might wonder, why don't we pause to enjoy the accomplishment before beginning again? Why do we immediately start reading from the beginning once we finish the last verse?
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, ztz"l, offered a profound insight during impromptu remarks he made at a siyum on April 1, 1973. In that talk, he expressed how deeply ingrained the love of Torah study is within the Jewish soul. He pointed out that every morning, Jews recite the bracha: “Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to engage (La’asok) in the words of Torah.” Rabbi Soloveitchik noted that while most mitzvot require a new blessing each time they are performed, the bracha for Torah study is said only once in the morning and applies for the entire day. Why is this so?
Tosafot (commentators on the Talmud) answer this question by referring to the verse in Joshua 1:8: "V'higita bo yomam v'layla" — "You shall meditate on it day and night." This pasuk emphasizes that Talmud Torah is a continuous mitzvah; there is no break in our connection to Torah throughout the day. Torah study is not an isolated act, but an ongoing process that permeates every moment of our lives.
Rabbi Soloveitchik further elaborated by distinguishing between two types of awareness: "acute" awareness and "latent" awareness. There are things we are keenly focused on in the moment—this is acute awareness. However, even when we turn our attention to other matters, certain things remain in the back of our minds, always present. This is latent awareness.
He illustrated this distinction with the example of a mother and her child. When a mother is playing with her child, she is fully engaged—this is acute awareness. Yet, even when she is busy with something else, the child is never truly absent from her thoughts. The mother’s connection to her child remains strong, even when not actively attending to the child. There is no such thing as "out of sight, out of mind" for a mother.
Rabbi Soloveitchik likened this to a Jew's connection to Torah. Whether we are actively learning or engaged in other activities, Torah remains ever-present in our consciousness. This is why when we make a siyum, we say, “Hadran Alach”—we will return to you. It reflects the truth that Torah is never abandoned; it is always waiting for us to return.
Similarly, on Simchat Torah, as soon as we complete the reading of the Torah, we immediately begin anew. It is not just a tradition but a reflection of the continuous nature of our relationship with Torah. Torah is always present, whether in our acute or latent awareness, and we cannot live without reaffirming that unbroken commitment.
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MAZAL TOV * to Esther and Israel Porush on the birth of a great-granddaughter. The proud parents are Shana and Tzvi Hyman (Israel). *to Sue and Rob Kaplan on the engagement of their granddaughter, Noa Curwin (Israel). *to Alexey and Yuliya Grinin on the birth of a son. *to Lee and Gail Gordon on the birth of a granddaughter to Jamie and Stephanie Tanzer (Denver).
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Kiddush on Shabbat Bereishit at KINS Main is sponsored by Mrs. Trude Matanky and the Matanky and Stopek families in commemoration of the yahrzeit of their husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Eugene Matanky, z”l.
THANK YOU *to the Kareshes, the Skidelskys, and the Lipmans for preparing all of the candy for Simchat Torah!
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM @KINS SHABBAT 4:00 p.m. - Women's Parsha Shiur @ KINS North - resumes Parshat Noach 4:45 p.m. – Talmud Class with Rabbi Matanky B’tzait Shabbat - Shabbat afternoon between Mincha and Maariv @ KINS Main with Rabbi Noach Goldstein @ KINS North with Tuvia Goldstein
SUNDAY 6:45 a.m. – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 9:00 a.m. – Sefer Yeshayahu with Rabbi Leonard Matanky 6:30 p.m. – SNL for High School Boys (YUTMK)
MONDAY 7:10 a.m. – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 1:00 p.m. – Amud HaShavua with Rabbi Noach Goldstein 8:00 p.m. – From the Dayan’s Desk with Rabbi Yona Reiss 8:00 p.m. – Night Seder - Open Beit Midrash 8:15 p.m. – Hilchot Shabbat Chabura with Rabbi Yehuda Meyers (YUTMK)
TUESDAY 7:00 a.m. – Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 8:00 p.m. – Iyun Chabura with Rabbi Yitzy Weiss (YUTMK) 8:00 p.m. – Night Seder - Open Beit Midrash
WEDNESDAY 7:00 a.m. - Daf Yomi with Yoel Goldberg 1:00 p.m. – Melachim with Rabbi Noach Goldstein (zoom) 8:00 p.m. - Semichas Chaver with Rabbi Aaron Leibtag - resumes after Sukkot
BIRTHDAYS Ahron Arnet (10/26) Shalva Miretzky (10/26) Mr. Michael Kirshner (10/27) Dr. Jordan Pollack (10/27) Eli Reich (10/27) Ahron Shapiro (10/27) Chana Engelson (10/28) Agam Gottesman (10/28) Elchanan Campbell (10/29) Mr. Marc Halpert (10/29) Hadassah Karp (10/29) Adam Katz (10/29) Mrs. Yaffi Loterstein (10/29) Mrs. Juli Bell (10/30) Ms. Gitelle Rapoport (10/30) Dr. Harvey Abramowitz (11/1) Daniel Leibtag (11/1) Mr. Matia Schultz (11/1)
ANNIVERSARIES Norman and Malkie Goldberg (11/2)
Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park Main: 2800 W. North Shore Ave & North: 3003 West Touhy • Chicago, IL 60645 P 773.761.4000 • F 773.761.4959 • www.congkins.org
