DVAR TORAH In this week's paraasha, Yaakov blesses Yosef's children with the words, "Through you shall Israel bless, saying, 'May G-d make you like Ephraim and Menashe'" (Bereshit 48:20).
This blessing has been realized throughout the generations, as many parents continue to bless their children with these words every Friday night. However, why were Ephraim and Menashe singled out for this blessing instead of figures like Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Moshe, or Aharon?
The late Rosh HaYeshiva of Ner Yisraael, HaRav Yaakov Weinberg, ztz"l offered an insightful explanation. He noted that every parent's dream is to witness their children realizing their full potential in life. Ephraim and Menashe, however, achieved something even more remarkable—they surpassed their potential. They became more than their father could have ever imagined, attaining a status equal to that of the twelve children of Yaakov - the shevatim - when the tribe of Yosef was divided into the tribes of Ephraim and Menashe.
According to Rav Weinberg, the true essence of the blessing "May G-d make you like Ephraim and Menashe" lies in the aspiration for children to exceed their potential beyond anyone's expectations.
Tuesdays @ 8:30 pm - KINS Women's Tehillim Group each week at a different home. To stay informed - CLICK HERE
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Standing for Kaddish The Rama [Orech Chaim 56:1] writes that one needs to stand for "dvarim she’bikdusha," including answering Kaddish. According to Elya Rabba [56:3], one should stand until at least after the words "da’amiran b’alma v’imru amen [Mishna Berurah 56:1]." Although Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach agreed that it wasn’t necessary to continue standing after that point, he felt that one should not deviate from the accepted custom to stand until the end of Kaddish [Halichot Shlomo, Tefilla chapter 6 note 48].
The Taz [Orech Chaim 53:1; 56:2], however, quotes a different custom. A person standing when the chazan begins to say Kaddish may not sit down, but a person who is sitting is not required to stand [Mishna Berurah 56:8]. The Magen Avraham [ibid. 56:4] disagrees, arguing that one should always stand - using as proof that Eglon, King of Moav, stood out of respect for Dvar Hashem [Shoftim 3:20]. Therefore, how much more so do we need to show our respect.
[See Halichot Shlomo, ibid., that Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach was careful to stand for the Kaddish that immediately preceded or followed the Amidah, and for the Kaddish recited just before leaving shul.]
According to Rav Ovadya Yosef [Yechaveh Da’at 3:4], Sephardic custom is to sit for Kaddish unless one was standing when the recitation of Kaddish began. In addition, the minhag is to stand for the Kaddish said Friday night before the beginning of Maariv. He notes that it is proper for a Sephardi davening in an Ashkenazi shul to stand for Kaddish according to the custom of the shul.
In general, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach maintained that when someone is davening in a shul where the minhag differs from his personal minhag, he should not act differently than the congregation if it will be noticeable [Halichot Shlomo, Tefilla 5:23].
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MAZAL TOV *to Israel and Esther Porush on the upcoming marriage of their granddaughter, Tari Porush, daughter of David and Rochie Porush, to Fry (Ephraim) Garfinkel, son of Hal and Rochel Garfinkel. *to Mrs. Bernice Novick on the birth of a great grandson, Eitan Naftali. The proud parents are Rivka and Moshe Rush (Israel). *to Oren and Noemy Skidelsky on the birth of a granddaughter. The proud parents are Noam and Avigayil Skidelsky. Special Mazal Tov to great grandparents Howard and Shoshana Benditzson. SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, Seuda Shlishit, or to donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
Kiddush at KINS North is sponsored by Ronna and Abe Adler for the yahrzeit of Abe's grandmother, Mrs. Clara Stern, כריינדל בת רי יצחק וולף
Early Minyan Kiddush is sponsored by Jim and Terri Rosenwasser in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Jim’s father, Jerrold Rosenwasser z’l.
Seudah Shlishit at KINS North is sponsored by Carol Silverman and Richard & Rachel Silverman and family in commemoration of the 3rd yahrtzeit of their husband, father and grandfather, Jerry Silverman, Yehuda Shmuel Ben Aryeh Leib z”l.
Parent Child Learning this week is sponsored by Richard and Rachel Silverman in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Richard’s father, Dr. Jerry Silverman z’l
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUUNCEMENT: Help one of our members conduct research for her PhD Does your 4-5-year-old child like to watch YouTube?
The Center on Media and Human Development at Northwestern University is looking for children and their parents to participate in a study about children’s YouTube use and experiences.
Your child will be interviewed and observed watching children’s YouTube videos while you complete a survey about your child’s media use and a brief interview. The study will take less than 1 hour at your home, and you will be given a $40 gift card as compensation for your time. Children’s parent or legal guardian must be present, and all participants must be English-speaking. To sign up, please visit this link (click here) and complete questionnaire:
For more information or if you have any questions, please email the lead student investigator, Kalia Vogelman-Natan, at kalia@u.northwestern.edu. (Principal Investigator: Ellen Wartella, IRB STU# 00217716)
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM DAF YOMI – Mon.-Fri. after 6:25 Shacharit; Sunday - 6:45am PARSHA PERSPECTIVE – RECORDED Sunday-Friday
BIRTHDAYS Mr. Ari Nussbaum (12/30) Noelle Ostro (12/31) David Yahav (12/31) Dr. Lenny Levitt (1/1) Mr. Nechemia Gershman (1/2) Mr. Steve Miretzky (1/2) Mrs. Aviva Matanky (1/3) Mrs. Sharon Chambers (1/4) Eden Medow (1/4) Mrs. Elaine Semer (1/4)
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