DVAR TORAH At the beginning of this week's parsha, we read "Vayishma Yitro" – "And Yitro heard." What did he hear? Rashi suggests two possibilities from last week's parsha: 1) He heard about the splitting of the sea, and 2) He heard about the war against Amalek.
It is easily understood how the miracle of the splitting sea could prompt Yitro to join Moshe – who wouldn't want to join a nation that G-d saved? But what was it about the war with Amalek that prompted Yitro to come? But even more, why did Rashi write about the war and not the victory against Amalek?
Perhaps the answer is that what drew Yitro to join the Jews was the fact that after all of the miracles that surrounded the Exodus, after the defeat of the Egyptians and the miracles of the sea, Yitro was amazed that Amalek would dare to attack G-d's people. Any other nation would know to stay far away from these "protected" people. Yet, Amalek waged war – which was clearly beyond the natural order of things.
For Yitro, as much as the miracle of the sea made him want to join the Jewish people, the inexplicable hatred of Amalek motivated him as well because he knew that there must be something extraordinary about a nation that caused others to dare to do the irrational – to wage war with G-d's people.
Anti-Semitism is a terrible scourge. No one wants it, and we need to be vigilant against it. But the fact that a small nation such as ours threatens others with our mere existence means that our existence is significant, meaningful, and even an unusual source of faith for some.
Tuesdays @ 8:30 pm - KINS Women's Tehillim Group each week at a different home. To stay informed - CLICK HERE
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: The Ba'al Tefillah - When to Hesitate and When to Volunteer According to the Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 53:16] when a person is approached to lead the davening, he shouldn't immediately agree. Rather, he should wait to be asked a second time (at which point he should begin to indicate his willingness) and then third time before finally agreeing to serve as a "ba'al tefillah"!
The reason for this unusual custom, is because the ideal "ba'al tefillah" is a humble individual, and therefore, should consider himself unworthy to represent the community before G-d. In fact, Rabbi Abraham David Wahrman [Eshel Avraham - Buczacz Orech Chaim 53] notes that custom should not be considered as a contrived display of humility, but rather, as an expression of one's sincere understanding of the responsibilities of a "baal tefillah."
Because of this, it is not unusual that when a gabbai is looking for a person to lead the davening, that it takes a few "tries". Because those who know of this custom will not immediately agree (unless if an important member of the community asks [Aruch HaShulchan 53:15]). Therefore, it is good practice for gabbaim not to "take 'no' for an answer. Rather, to ask second and even a third time!
However, there is an opinion that nowadays, a potential "ba'al tefillah" does not have to refuse. The reason for this is that nowadays a "ba'al tefillah" does not typically bear the burden of fulfilling other's responsibility to pray - rather everyone prays for him or herself. Therefore, serving as a "ba'al tefillah" is not the same type of honor it once was [Teshuvot v'Hanhagot 1:112].
In addition, everyone agrees that when no one else is prepared to serve as a "ba'al tefillah" it is a mitzvah to volunteer, even on Shabbat and holidays when leading the davening is still considered by many a sought-after honor [ibid.].
Receive a daily 3 Minute Thought directly to your whatsapp. Click here to enroll
MAZAL TOV *to Zave & Gita Domsky and Yaacov & Esther Mashiach on the birth of a granddaughter. The proud parents are Ari & Liza Mashiach. Special Mazal Tov to great grandparents, Marilyn Domsky and Moshe & Rhonda Mashiach. *to Michael & Tova Perl on the engagement of their daughter Ariella to Yair Chinn, son of Hirsch & Bryna Chinn. Mazal tov to grandparents Susan Feuer and Irv & Lynn Shapiro.
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, Seuda Shlishit, or to donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
Week of Learning, February 4 – February 10 is sponsored by Sam and Mimi Seleski, in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Sam’s grandmother, Gitza Scheiner z’l - גיצע בת גרשון חיים
A Donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by: * Glenn Miller and Ruth Rotenberg and family in honor of their son & brother, Kolya, taking a sabbatical in Israel. May he be matzliach. * Rabbi Azi and Shari Feifel in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Shari’s mother, Marilyn Allswang Eisenberg z’l
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM DAF YOMI – Mon.-Fri. after 6:25 Shacharit; Sunday - 6:45am PARSHA PERSPECTIVE – RECORDED Sunday-Friday
BIRTHDAYS Ms. Beverly Siegel (2/3) Mr. Michael Dukes (2/40 Rockie Frankenthal (2/4) Asher Gelerinter (2/4) Mr. Fred Goldman (2/4) Yehudit Mostofsky (2/4) Meira Greenberg (2/6) Mrs. Naomi Samber (2/7) Binyomin Bachrach (2/8) Mr. Sam Kahan (2/8) Zeke Nussbaum (2/8)
ANNIVERSARIES Alan and Leah Cohen (2/6)
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
AMUD HASHAVUA - Mondays 1:00-2:00pm 
MONDAY NIGHT SEDER - Mondays 8:00-9:00pm
PARSHAT HASHAVUA - Tues. 12:30-1:30pm 
SEFER MELACHIM - Wed. 1:00-2:00pm
SEMICHAS CHAVER PROGRAM - 
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - Shabbat 3:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays 9:00am