DVAR TORAH "You should surely pursue justice ("tzedek tzedek tirdof") so that you should live and inherit the land that Hashem your G-d gives you." Â Rashi comments, quoting the Talmud Sanhedrin, "The act of appointing proper judges is worthy of sustaining Israel and settling them on their land." Â Why does this particular mitzvah of setting up the judicial system have such far-reaching implications? Â According to the Chatam Sofer, the answer becomes apparent when we appreciate how powerful the appointment of judges is. Imagine a community convening for the task. All those gathered know the import of their choices - the judges they elect will enact laws limiting the community's behavior. Furthermore, when one person wrongs another, the judges enforce the penalties and punishments that the Torah dictates. It is even possible, those citizens realize, that they might one day sin and be found guilty by the court, receiving a monetary punishment, lashes, or even the death penalty - decided by judges, they appointed themselves. The bottom line is that they appoint judges who might punish them someday. Â Therefore, appointing proper judges, whose authority they unconditionally accept, is a tremendous statement of a community accepting the yoke of G-d's Torah. A society that can do this explained the Chatam Sofer, merits the reward of living on and inheriting the land of Israel.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Reciting l'David During During Elul and the High Holidays Beginning this Thursday night, the first day of Elul, we began to recite the 27th chapter of Psalms, "l'David Hashem Ori," twice daily, and will continue to do so until Shemini Atzeret [Mishna Berura 581:2; Mateh Ephraim 581:6].  As the Mishna Berura notes, there are different customs as when l’David is recited when musaf is also recited. Some recite l’David after Shacharit, and some recite it after Musaf. At KINS we follow the former custom, and therefore, on Rosh Chodesh Elul we recite both the Shir shel Yom and l’David together after shacharit. (However, blowing the shofar always takes place at the end of davening – on Rosh Chodesh after the final kaddish following aleinu, and on other days betweenthe Shir shel Yom and l’David   Interestingly, the Chid"a recommended reciting l'David at all three of the daily prayers throughout the year - [Piskei Teshuvot 581 note 72], while the Vilna Gaon did not recite l'David even during the month of Elul!   The origin of the custom to say l'David is based upon a midrash [Vayikra Rabbah 21], which teaches that this chapter of Psalms refers explicitly to the High Holiday season. For example, the word "Ori" refers to Rosh Hashana, "Yishi" to Yom Kippur, and "Ki Yitzpeneni B'sukko" to Sukkot. This Psalm also contains thirteen references to God's name, which correspond to the "Thirteen Attributes," which are recited as part of the Selichot in Elul and Tishrei [Minhag Yisrael Torah, Orech Chaim 581:5].   Although there are several customs and themes that characterize the month of Elul, it might be that the repeated recitation of "l'David" encapsulates them all. For example, the Malbim notes that "l'David" emphasizes every Jewish soul's natural desire to further its relationship with God, a concept referred to as deveikut. Elul is the ideal time to work on one's relationship with God, as Elul is the month in which "the king is in the field" for all to approach him [Rosh Hashana 18b]. It is also noted that the last line of "l'David" contains the word "lulay," which consists of the same letters as the word "Elul" and further alludes to the connection between this chapter of Tehillim and the month of Elul [Ziv Haminhagim].  A small number of Chassidic communities do not recite “l'David" in Elul, citing the fact that it is not mentioned in the works of the Ariza”l or even in Shulchan Aruch. Nevertheless, the custom of reciting "l'David" twice daily in Elul is virtually universal today. Â
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 MAZAL TOV * to Jack and Annette Saltzman on the birth of a great grandson. Th proud parent s are Atara and Binyomin Nudell. REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Esther Meyers who is in rehab at The Pearl in Elk Grove Village.
CONDOLENCES * to Seymour & Sharon Gertz, Morris & the late Carolyn Gertz, Bill & Sharon Gertz, and Sue Gertz and family, on the loss of their brother, husband, father and grandfather, David Gertz, z"l
Shiva is being observed at the Gertz home, 6849 North Francisco, Chicago, through Friday afternoon. Shacharit will be at 7:00am, Mincha/Maariv on Thursday at 7:35pm, and Mincha on Friday will be at 2:00pm.
The family requests that condolence call are not made between 12:00-1:30 pm, 5:30-6:30pm or after 9:00pm.
​​​SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, Seuda Shlishit, or to donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.Â
Seudah Shlishit at KINS Main is sponsored by Dr.  Yehuda and Yosefa Krohn in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Yehuda’s mother, Chaya Yehudis bas Pinchas z’l. Dr. Krohn will be making a Siyum on Seder Nezikin.
Donations to the Kiddush Fund were made by ​​​​​​​* Dr. Avy Dachman in honor of all the daf yomi participants wo are making a siyum on mesechet Gittin. * Naomi Samber in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her husband, Moshe Samber z’l. * Ruchy Yudkowsky with thanks for Chasdei Hashem. * Elly and Mandy Bachrach in honor of their boys heading to yeshiva.
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
ANNIVEERSARIES Rabbi David and Frances Rosenberg (8/19) William and Maureen Russman (8/19) Ariel and Tamar Campbell (8/21) Jordan and Maya Bass (8/24) Rabbi Charles and Lois Lefton (8/24) Dr. Yudel and Louise Mayefsky (8/25)
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