DVAR TORAH The midrash [Shemot Rabbah 33:8] teaches that when the manna first appeared, precious jewels were scattered alongside. The great people ["gedolim sh'bahem"], continues the midrash, collected both the jewels and the manna; while the masses, only collected the manna.
But why didn't everyone collect the precious jewels?
Rabbi Michel Twerski of Milwaukee suggested that the answer lays in the fact that in the desert, all of a person's needs were met. Food fell from heaven, water flowed from a miraculous well, clothing did not wear out, and shelter was provided through the miracle of the clouds of glory.
When a person does not have any worries or needs; when there is nothing to buy or sell, what possible purpose can there be for jewels? And so, to the simple Jew, the jewels which appeared with the manna, were nothing more than stones mixed in with their food. But the great people understood, that even though jewels were meaningless at the moment, there would be a time when jewels could be used to build a Mishkan and adorn the vestments of the kohanim.
Concluded Rabbi Twerski that this midrash teaches us the difference between the masses and the leadership - it's all about perspective. A person who sees only the reality of the moment, cannot be a leader. But one who can imagine what is ahead and the needs that may emerge, such a person can lead others to greatness.
Tuesdays @ 8:30 pm - KINS Women's Tehillim Group each week at a different home. To stay informed - CLICK HERE
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Tu B'Shevat Customs Strictly speaking, the halachot related to Tu B'Shevat only relate to the laws of orlah (the prohibition of eating fruit in the first three years of planting a tree) and ma'aser (tithing). For those two halachot the 15th of Shevat is a "cut-off" date to determine the halachic age of a tree. Therefore, fruit picked on the 14th of Shevat cannot be used as tithes (ma'aser) for fruit picked on the 15th, and end of the three-year orlah prohibition, and beginning of the fourth year of a tree when the fruit can be redeemed and used is the 15th of Shevat.
However, for those of us who are not farmers, there are still several customs to this day:
The Maharam of Rotenberg [Responsa #51, Prag ed.] writes in the name of Rabbenu Gershom that it is prohibited to fast on Tu B'Shevat. This halacha is codified by the Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 572:3], and the Mishna Brurah writes [Orech Chaim 573 note 8] that the prohibition applies even to a bridegroom on his wedding day (when, typically, he would fast).
Tachanun is omitted on Tu B'Shevat, and many people refrain from reciting it at mincha on the 14th of Shevat. [Orech Chaim 131:6; Mishna Brurah ibid. note 32]. The same would apply to saying Av Harachamim and Tzidkatcha Tzedek on Shabbat. [Orech Chaim 292:2; 284:7].
Many have the custom of eating various fruits, especially those from Eretz Yisrael on Tu B'Shevat [Mishna Brurah Orech Chaim 131 note 31]. Some have a custom to eat a new seasonal fruit on Tu B'Shevat in order to recite Shehechiyanu. [Sefer HaToda'a].
On Tu Bishvat, we refrain from delivering a eulogy, except for a Talmid Chacham at his funeral. [see Pnei Baruch 3:10].
Finally, in some circles, it is customary to participate in a ceremony known as Seder Tu B'Shevat. (The first description of this seder is found in Chemdat Yamim, an anonymous and controversial work published in 1731.) During this seder, verses and sections from the Oral Law and the Zohar are recited, 20-30 different fruits are eaten, and participants drink four cups of wine.
Receive a daily 3 Minute Thought directly to your whatsapp. Click here to enroll
MAZAL TOV * to Micah Cohen, son of Randy and Robyn Cohen on making aliyah this week. * to Israel and Esther Porush on the upcoming marriage of their granddaughter, Tova Nathan, to Yoni Leserman. Mazal Tov to parents, Rabbi Deon and Yehudit Nathan. * to Moshe and Doreen Mermelstein on the birth of a grandson. * to Moshe and Doreen Mermelstein on the recent Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Akiva Stern. SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, Seuda Shlishit, or to donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
The Day of Learning, Thursday, February 1st, is sponsored by Yael and David Shiner in commemoration fo the 13th yahrtzeit of Yael’s father, Shimon Rahamim be Hana z’l.
Donations to the Kiddush Fund were made by: * Eva Gertzfeld in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her father, Solomon Grunfeld - Shalom ben Chaim z’l. * Larry and Sheryl Merzel in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Sheryl’s father, David Rockoff z’l.
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM DAF YOMI – Mon.-Fri. after 6:25 Shacharit; Sunday - 6:45am PARSHA PERSPECTIVE – RECORDED Sunday-Friday
AMUD HASHAVUA - Mondays 1:00-2:00pm
MONDAY NIGHT SEDER - Mondays 8:00-9:00pm
FROM THE DAYAN'S DESK - Mon. 8-9pm - will resume 2/5
SEMICHAS CHAVER PROGRAM - Wed 8-9pm - will resume 1/31
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - Shabbat 3:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 min. before Shabbat mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays 9:00am
BIRTHDAYS Gabriel Aberman (1/28) Mr. Max Friedman (1/28) Mrs. Rachel Lebowitz (1/28)
BIRTHDAYS Yitzi Peikes (1/30) Mrs. Michelle Levinson (1/31) Mr. Lev Katz (2/1)
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