DVAR TORAH Among the many things contained in this morning's parsha is a simple statement that the Torah almost seems to gloss over - that it was Bilaam, the infamous and yet, extraordinary non-Jewish prophet who instigated and plotted to have the people of Moav seduce the people of Israel.
Why didn't the Torah mention this bit of information before? Why didn't it tell us in parshat Balak, when this whole disaster occurred, that it was Bilaam who sent the Moabite women to seduce the Jews?
Of course, no one can say for sure why the Torah waited until the end of this Chumash to offer this information. However, our Rabbis suggested that the crime was described first, the punishment second, and the name of the instigator last, to teach us that no matter who may have enabled the sin, instigated the crime or suggested the offense, the one who commits the sin bears the ultimate responsibility.
Living a proper Jewish life, is not easy. But, the first and most important rule we must all follow is to take responsibility for our deeds and never shift the blame for our misdeeds.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Shopping During the Nine Days During the period from Rosh Chodesh Av and through Tisha B'Av it is forbidden to make a major purchase or to buy clothing. The reasons for this prohibition are: • Such a purchase may require a person to recite a "shehechiyanu" - a bracha that we avoid reciting during the Three Weeks, and especially during the Nine Days [Orech Chaim 551:17; Aruch Hashulchan Orech Chaim 551:38]. • If the purchase is clothing, there are additional prohibitions related to buying new clothing, even if they are intended to be worn AFTER the Nine Days [Mishna Berura ibid. notes 45 and 49].
However, the following leniencies do apply: • An item which is forbidden to be bought during the Nine Days because of the "shehechiyanu" restriction may be bought during the Nine Days if it requires assembly (or in the case of clothing - alterations) and if the assembly will be done after the Nine Days. The same rule applies to a utensil that requires immersion/tevila in a mikvah. If the immersion will not take place until after the Nine Days, no shehecheyanu is said at the time of purchase [Mishna Berura Orech Chaim 223 note 17; Shaar HaTziyun, ibid. note 21]. • If delaying the purchase will cause one a substantial loss (i.e. a very special sale is in progress and will end before Tisha B'Av) [Zichron Shlomo, Hilchot Chol HaMoed pg. 94 in the name of R' Moshe Feinstein and R' Yaakov Kaminetzky; Nitei Gavriel Bein HaMeitzarim vol. 1 17:9] or if the item will not be available after Tisha B'Av, it is permitted to buy the item during the Nine Days [Mishna Berura Orech Chaim 551 note 11 and 13; Kaf HaChaim Orech Chaim 551 note 29]. • One who does not have appropriate shoes to wear on Tishah B'Av may buy them during the Nine Days [Iggrot Moshe Orech Chaim vol. 3, number 80]. If one will run out of clothing for small children, one may either wash the clothes or buy new clothes [Orech Chaim 551:14].
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MAZAL TOV * to Esther Cardash on the birth of a great grandson. Mazal Tov to parents Rabbi Avi and Faigie Schwartz * to Rabbi Azi and Shari Feifel on the birth of a granddaughter. The proud parents are Eliana and Jason Selesny (Israel).
REFUAH SHLAIMA * to Esther Meyers who is in rehab at The Pearl in Elk Grove Village.
CONDOLENCES * to Daniel and Alida Harris, on the loss of Daniel’s beloved father, Mr. Leon Harris. Shiva is being observed at the Goldblatt home, 44 HaGitit, Ma’ale Adumim (Israel) through Tuesday morning.
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 Earl Newman and their 3 daughters & families, celebrating his wife, Faye’s special birthday and in honor of their 50+ anniversary.
Seudah Shlishit at KINS North is sponsored by the family of Rabbi Hyman M. Naiman, z”l, in commemoration of his Yahrzeit on 26 Tammuz.
Seudah Shlishit at KINS North is sponsored by Avy and Yisraela Dachman in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Avy’s father, Albert Dachman – Eliyahu Chaim ben Shlomo z’l.
Seudah Shlishit at KINS Main is sponsored by Esther Cardash and Wolf Wilensky in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of their mother, Anna Wolensky – Eni bas Rav Dov Barrish 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 - Wednesdays @ 8:15pm
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 5:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays, 9:00pm
BIRTHDAYS Mr. Henry Goldberg (7/16) Mrs. Miriam Aberman (7/16) Libby Bleichman (7/17) Mrs. Linda Lavenda (7/17) Mrs. Rebecca Amster (7/18) Mr. Ariel Campbell (7/19) Judith Schultz (7/19) Mr. Israel Starck (7/19) Dr. Shlomo Engelson (7/21)
ANNIVEERSARIES Harold and Maureen Katz (7/14)
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 - Wednesdays @ 8:15pm 
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 5:00pm 
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays, 9:00pm