DVAR TORAH Parshat Nitzavim begins with the words: "You are standing [“nitzvaim”] today, all of you, before Hashem, your G-d... [Devarim 29:9].
Rashi in his second explanation to these words, comments that since the Jews were about to witness a transfer of power, from Moshe to Yehoshua, therefore He gathered them in assembly [“matzeiva”] to warn them - just as Yehoshua, and later Shmuel, would do when they transferred power to the next leader.
What does it mean to gather the people into a “matzeiva”?
HaRav Moshe Feinstein explained that in each of these cases the outgoing leaders of the Jewish people gathered the Jews into a “matzeiva” as a warning, that then, and only then, should they be standing still. But at all other times, they must be a people that moves - that lives and breathes and never stands still. For, either we grow or we regress. Spiritually, there is no such thing as standing still.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Apple Dipped in Honey There is an age-old Rosh HaShana custom that first among the many special foods we eat is an apple dipped in honey [Tur Orech Chaim 583].
Why an apple?
The simplest explanation is that it is a sweet fruit and when combined with the honey is the perfect food to symbolize a "sweet New Year." Yet, the symbolism goes well beyond this, because as Rashi comments on the verse in Breishit 27:27 the scent of an apple orchard is the very scent of Gan Eden. Therefore, eating an apple on Rosh Hashana is symbolic not only of sweetness, but of an idyllic life.
In fact, Rabbi Efraim Margoliot, in his Elef l'Mateh notes that the apple ["tapuach" in Hebrew] is so important, that if an apple was unavailable, people would substitute a potato instead, relying on the fact that this vegetable is also called a "tapuach adama."
Because an apple is not a regular part of a meal, but normally eaten as a desert, one cannot rely on the "hamotzi" and recite the bracha of "borei pri ha'etz" be before eating the apple (The Maharil suggests eating the apple before the "hamotzi"). In addition, there is a special "yehi ratzon that is recited.
However, when to recite the "yehi ratzon," whether before the bracha, after the bracha and before eating, or after eating is subject to a debate. 1. The Magen Avraham [583:2] quotes the Magalei Tzedek that one should say it between the bracha and eating, because it is considered a prerequisite for eating the apple and honey and therefore is not a "hefsek" [lit. interruption]. 2. The Magen Avraham, however, argues that it’s not truly a prerequisite and therefore it is better to recite the "yehi ratzon" after taking a bite of the apple. This is also the position of the Mishna Berura [583:4] 3. Rav Hershel Schachter, shlit"a rules that the "yehi ratzon" should be said before the bracha and serve as a prayer. Rav Moshe Shternbuch agrees with this position [Teshuvot VeHanhagot 2:266].
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MAZAL TOV * to Allan and Rosanne Arnet on the birth of granddaughter, Tehila Chana Miryam. The proud parents are Eliana and Josh Benchaya. * to Rabbi Kenny and Shelley Zisook on the recent Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Aron, son of Rabbi Josh and Talia Zisook. * to Ari and Neeli Engelhart on the marriage of their son, Charlie to Nava Zacks (Israel). Mazal Tov to grandparents Shoshana Axler, Larry Marlene Engelhart and Barry Axler. * to Ayelet and Eli Kleinman on the birth of a daughter. Mazal Tov to grandparents, Alan and Jodi Gershman.
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Avery Cohen, Avraham Gavriel ben Elana Tzipora, the son of Elana and Sam Cohen, and grandson of Henry and Lisa Goldberg
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, Seuda Shlishit, or to donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
Kiddush at KINS Main is sponsored by Rabbi Noach and Alexis Goldstein with unending Hakarat Hatov to Hashem for their daughter, Toba Emunah.
This week’s Shabbat Afternoon Parent/Child Learning is sponsored by Ari and Sarah Nussbaum in honor of their children Lily, RJ, Zeke and Solly. This week we will meet at 5:00 pm at KINS North.
Donations to the Kiddush Fund was made by: * Dr. Harvey and Diane Abramowitz in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Harvey’s grandmother, Freida Abramowitz z’l. * Jim and Meira Mainzer in honor of Eddie and Shelley Stopek’s special anniversary. * Eddie and Shelley Stopek in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. * Robert W. and Lee Matanky in honor of Eddie and Shelley Stopek’s 50th anniversary. * Alan and Jodi Gershman in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Alan’s mother, Mrs. Doris Gershman z’l.
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM DAF YOMI – Mon.-Fri. after 6:25 Shacharit; Sunday - 6:45am PARSHA PERSPECTIVE – RECORDED Sunday-Friday
MONDAY NIGHT SEDER - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays DAYTIME DIALOGUES: Wednesdays noon 30 MINUTES OF PARSHA - Wed. 8:00p/Shabbat 8:30a
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Will resume after the chagim
ANNIVERSARIES Edward and Shelley Stopek (9/9)
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 - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - 
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 5:00pm 
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays @ 9:00 am