DVAR TORAH Chazal tell us that when Yaakov was reunited with Yosef after twenty-two years of separation, he began to say the Shema, which is, in the literature of Chazal, the first of two instances when the Shema was said in out-of-the-ordinary circumstances.
What is the second instance? It occurred during the last moments of Rabbi Akiva’s life, as he was being tortured by the Romans.
To understand the symbolism of these two unique instances, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, ztz"l explained that one must first understand that the brachot surrounding the Shema reflect the nature of the Shema itself. Therefore, during Maariv, the brachot surrounding the Shema discuss religious darkness and times of exile - demonstrating the need for commitment to G-d in difficult times. While, the Shema of Shacharit are accompanied by brachot which remind us of lessons of renewal and optimism - the need to say Shema in times of happiness and joy.
Taught the Rav, that these two recitations of the Shema correspond to the two stories of Shema found in the words of Chazal - Rabbi Akiva’s Shema, at a moment of intense suffering, and Yaakov’s Shema, during a moment of overwhelming joy.
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HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Can a Chazan Repeat Words in the Davening? The Mishna [Berachot 33b] writes that "one who says modim modim is silenced" because it appears as if one is addressing two deities. However, the Beit Yosef [Orech Chaim 61] rules that the problem of looking like addressing two deities does not apply to most passages of Shema and Shemone Esrei.
Nevertheless, many poskim write that it is inappropriate to repeat words. [Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, ztz" l illustrated this via a story of a person approaching the president of the United States and greeting him in the following manner: "Hello, President, President, Hello, President, President, President, President, Hello"!] The Maharam Schick [Orech Chaim 31] further objects to repeating words, because it may be a "hefsek" (an unnecessary interruption) during a part of davening where such interruptions are prohibited.
While objecting to repeating words, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein [Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim 22] wrote that it is not a "hefsek" as long as one keeps the order of words intact. However, he does rule that if one repeats words out of order and the phrase's meaning changes, it is a "hefsek," which requires one to restart the prayer. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef [Yabia Omer 6 Orech Chaim 7:4-5], after reviewing all the opinions, concludes that it is a bad practice to repeat words and one who has the power to stop it without embarrassing the chazan should do so. [See also Responsa Sheilat Shlomo 1:24 and 7:32.] This is the approach of K.I.N.S. where we ask chazzanim/baalei tefilla not to repeat words.
The Aruch Hashulchan [Orech Chaim 338:8] does find justification for the common practice that does seem to contradict halacha. He suggests that perhaps the problem of repeating words applies only in the places the Talmud mentions explicitly (e.g., Modim and Shema). In addition, the 17th-century sage, Rabbi Yehuda (Leon) Modena, in his responsa, Ziknei Yehuda [131], does permit repeating words if the chazan does so, only to enhance the kavanah of the davening.
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SPECIAL THANKS TO… Avi & Chani Aaron, Josh & Elana Lipman, Georgia & Mathew Miller and Rabbi Moshe & Ilana Spirn for all their hard work on creating last week’s amazing Young Families Friday Night Dinner. Over thirty young couples attended with their children and everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you!
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Parent Child Learning this week is sponsored by Dr. Phil and Roselle Zaret and Fred and Orlit Goldman in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of their father, grandfather & great-grandfather, Seymour Socol z’l.
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM DAF YOMI – Mon.-Fri. after 6:25 Shacharit; Sunday - 6:45am PARSHA PERSPECTIVE – RECORDED Sunday-Friday
BIRTHDAYS Leah Jacobs (12/23) Shuli Stopek (12/23) Menachem Landsman (12/24) Solly Nussbaum (12/24) Mrs. Gitta Domsky (12/25) Adir Matanky (12/26) Mr. Robert W. Matanky (12/26) Ms. Carole Groover (12/27) Yona Kleinman (12/28) Mr. Richard Silverman (12/28)
ANNIVERSARIES Jack and Annette Saltzman (12/23) Sam and Tirza Kahan (12/24) Lev and Orah Katz (12/24) Rabbi Kenny & Shelley Zisook (12/24) Dr. Eli and Miriam Jacobs (12/25) Dr. David and Rachel Spindel (12/25) Efrem and Neena Holley (12/26) Robert and Susan Kaplan (12/26) Rabbi Israel & Esther Porush (12/26) Rabbi Ari and Rebecca Zucker (12/27)
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