HALACHA OF THE WEEK: The Time for Selichot According to our mystical tradition, different times of the night have different characteristics. The first part of the night is characterized by "din" (strict judgment) while the second part is an "eit ratzon" (a time when requests are more readily accepted). Therefore, according to kabbalah it is during the second half of the night that is an ideal time to seek G-d’s mercy - and recite selichot.
Several classical sources [see: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 581:1] suggest that the best time to recite selichot is actually towards the end of the second half of the night - the "ashmoret haboker", the few hours leading up to "a lot hashachar" - around 72 minutes before sunrise. At this time, G-d is most “accessible” as He is hovering over our world [Magen Avraham 581:1 based on Avoda Zara 3b]. In addition, according to other sources "chatzot" [astronomical midnight] is a special "eit ratzon" [see: Yechave Daat 1:46].
Therefore, common practice is to recite selichot either at "chatzot" or in the pre-dawn hours. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein [Igrot Moshe, Orech Chaim 2:105] notes that when people were “early to bed and to rise, the latter was more convenient and common, whereas nowadays it is often easier at chatzot. Only on the first night of Selichot is there a preference to say selichot at chatzot, when more of Shabbat’s impact remains [see Piskei Teshuvot 581:(15)]. Therefore, at KINS this year we will be saying selichot at 1:00 am.
But what about saying selichot early, before mid-night - as we do at our early selichot that begins at 11:00 pm?
According to the kaabalistic sources that equate this time with “din” it would be spiritually dangerous to recite selichot at that time [Magen Avraham 565:5; Birkei Yosef, Orech Chaim 581:1]. It is for this reason, that Rabbi Ovadia Yosef strongly objected to the early recitation of selichot - even when there was no alternative [Yechave Daat, ibid.], and it is the basis of the most common custom of waiting until late night.
However, Rabbi Yehoshua HaLevi Herschhorn of Montreal noted that many did not wait until later in the night and did recite selichot earlier – specifically when davening with a community. His reasoning was, that whenever a community joins together, it is an “eit ratzon” [Mimaynei Hayeshua 23]. Even Rabbi Feinstein, while supporting the general custom of late-night selichot, does not put a strong emphasis on kabbalistic sources in making halachic decisions. Therefore, he ruled [Igrot Moshe, ibid.] that even though much positive effect is missing at selichot in the early night, it is better to recite them then, lacking a feasible alternative, than to deprive the congregation of their inspiration in preparing for the yamim noraim. If one does so, he suggested reciting selichot at a change of "ashmorot", which is approximately 2 hours before "chatzot"[See also Mishmeret Shalom – Koidanov Siman 41].
Finally, there were even some authorities [Chesed Yehoshua 3:12, Machashavot b’Eitza - Parparot b’Chochma 74b] who suggested that early night in America may be permitted because it is after chatzot in Israel. However, Rabbi Yosef rules that most authorities relate "din" and "eit ratzon" to each place according to its astronomical situation [Yechave Daat ibid.].
A common "compromise" approach is to say the selichot in the morning (or even before Mincha- [ibid.]) While it is not especially an "eit ratzon", it is not a time of "din" either and the time of the year is itself an "eit ratzon".
DVAR TORAH This week's parsha introduces the mitzvah of shiluach ha’ken—the commandment to send away the mother bird before taking eggs or chicks from her nest. The Torah instructs that if one finds a mother bird sitting on her eggs, “you shall surely send away the mother, and the offspring you may take for yourself” (Devarim 22:7).
Rabbi Naftali Zvi Berlin, the illustrious Rosh HaYeshiva of Volozhin, posed a significant question: Why did the Torah give us this commandment?
His explanation is that while most birds instinctively fly away when a human approaches, the mother bird's compassion for her offspring overrides her natural instincts. She remains with her brood out of maternal devotion. To take both the mother and her eggs would be an exploitation of her compassion—a situation the Torah seeks to avoid.
The Avnei Nezer (Rabbi Avraham Bornstein, the Sochatchover Rebbe) adds another layer of insight: When the mother bird stays with her young, she is not merely acting out of instinct. In a small but meaningful way, she is emulating the divine attribute of compassion. Through this act, the mother bird achieves an elevated status, and as a result, she can no longer be viewed merely as a source of nourishment.
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MAZAL TOV * to Rickey Rothner on being honored with the JUF Annual Julius Rosenwald Memorial Award, presented each year to the individual who has achieved most the advancement of the purposes of the Jewish Federation and the welfare of the Jewish community. * to Rabbi Larry and Elizabeth Feder on the engagement of their granddaughter, Malka Feder, daughter of Rabbi Shimon and Nechama Feder (Boca Raton), to Yaakov Fine. * to Howard and Rosanne Benn on the engagement of their grandson, Moshe Chaim Lipman (Beitar Illit), to Esther Fayge Yosselevich (Neve Yaakov, Jerusalem).
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, September 15th, is sponsored by Dovie and Rifky Gelerninter L'ilui Nishmas Dovie's father, Dr. Edward Gelerinter - אהרן בן אשר נתן ז"ל on the occasion of his 11th yahrtzeit.
A Donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by: *Carol Silverman in honor of Rickey Rothner being honored with the JUF Julius Rosenwald Memorial Award.
*Irwin and Deedie Gold in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Irwin’s mother, Mrs. Rose Gold Krupnick z’l.
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM DAF YOMI – Mon.-Fri. after 6:25 Shacharit; Sunday - 6:45am PARSHA PERSPECTIVE – RECORDED Sunday-Friday MONDAY NIGHT SEDER - Mondays - 8:00-9:00pm DAYTIME DIALOGUES - is on summer hiatus
SEFER MELACHIM- Wednesdays - 1:00pm
SEMICHAS CHAVER PROGRAM - resumes after the chagim
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - Shabbat 5:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – Shabbat 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays 9:00am
BIRTHDAYS Itiel Goldman (9/15) Mr. David Shiner (9/15) Micha Cohen (9/17) Ayelet Appel (9/18) Yosef Bachrach (9/18) Mr. Howard Benditzson (9/18) Mrs. Rachel Silverman (9/18) Yonah Peikes (9/20)
ANNIVERSARIES Rabbi Shlomo and Gita Resnicoff (9/16) Rabbi Azi and Shari Feifel (9/18)
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
MONDAY NIGHT SEDER - Mondays - 8:00-9:00pm
SEFER MELACHIM 
SEMICHAS CHAVER PROGRAM 
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - Shabbat 5:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – Shabbat 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays 9:00am