HALACHA OF THE WEEK: LIGHTING SHABBAT CANDLES: Whose obligation is it? While, it has become the custom that women light the Shabbat candles [Shulchan Aruch HaRav 263 - Kuntres Acharon paragraph 2], the actual obligation for lighting these candles rests equally on all members of the family [Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim 263:2]. Therefore, many husbands have the custom to participate in the mitzva by "preparing" the Shabbat candles by lighting them and then quickly extinguishing them, before their wives lit candles [Mishna Berura 263 note 12, 264 note 28].
If a person is not eating at home on Friday night, but will return home to sleep, it is preferable to fulfill one's primary obligation and light candles in one's own home. But when doing so - some benefit from the light of the candles must be derived before the candles burn out - which means either that you should remain for a short while at home after lighting candles or be sure to return home while the candles are still burning. If lighting in one's own home is not an option, a person may light in his/her host's home even with a beracha since the additional candles that will be lit have contributed secondary light to the host's household [Orech Chaim 263:8, Radiance of Shabbat pp. 11-12 in the name of Rav Moshe Feinstein]. However, Sefardim disagree on this latter point and Rabbi Ovadia Yosef ruled that in such a case a bracha should not be recited [Chazon Ovadia-Shabbat, Part 1, page 19].
Finally, a wife or a husband may light on behalf of the other even if the spouse is not home for Shabbat. This is only true when lighting candles in their own home [Orech Chaim 263:6]. For the purpose of shalom bayit, the absent spouse should still ensure that there is a light left on where he or she is staying [Mishna Berurah 263:31]. However, since it is customary for women to light Shabbat candles, a woman is allowed NOT fulfill the mitzva through anyone else and may light candles with a bracha wherever she is staying [Shulchan Arukh HaRav 263:15 and Tehilla LeDavid 263:7].
DVAR TORAH Near the end of this week’s parasha Moshe says: “The L‑rd did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you are the fewest of all peoples.” [Devarim 7:7]
But didn’t G-d promise Avraham that the Jews would be as numerous as the stars in the sky? And didn’t we read at the beginning of Shemot that the Jews became “fertile and prolific, and their population increased. They became so numerous that the land was filled with them?”
Why, all of sudden is being a small people so meritorious?
According to Targum Yonatan the answer is that Moshe wasn’t talking about the size of the Jewish people, but their character. Therefore, he translates the phrase “the fewest of peoples” as “the most lowly and humble of peoples.” Rashi offers a similar answer, quoting Avraham who said that “I am but dust and ashes.”
On the other hand, Rashbam and Chizkuni suggest that this verse is not meant to describe the Jewish people in any respect except for their soon to be wars against the seven nations of Canaan; that despite their small size G‑d would lead them to victory.
And yet, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l, suggests that perhaps the reason G-d chose us, and allowed history to keep us small in number is to teach the world that you do not need to be numerous to be great. “Nations are judged not by their size, but by their contribution to the human heritage.”
The Jews were promised to be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand in the sea, and yet, despite the fact that this promise is yet to be fulfilled, G-d has still allowed us to shine even brighter than any other people in the earth.
Tuesdays @ 8:30 pm - KINS Women's Tehillim Group each week at a different home. To stay informed - CLICK HERE
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MAZAL TOV *to Jules and Aliza Levenson on the birth of their daughter, Ruth Miriam (Ruthie). To help with meals - click here
SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, Seuda Shlishit, or to donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund -please click here. Sponsorships this week: Seudah Shlishit at KINS North is sponsored by the Karesh and Amster families in memory of Avi Karesh אברהם גרשון בן שמואל מרדכי וציפה ז'ל - on his 8th yahrtzeit on 13 Av.
The Week of Learning, August 17 – August 23, Av 13 – Av 19, is sponsored by Seymour and Sharon Gertz in commemoration of the yahrtzeits of their fathers, Paul Rosenberg z’l and Leibel Gertz z’l.
The Day of Learning, Wednesday August 21st, 17 Av, is sponsored by Ari and Esther Maryles, Joel and Rachel Maryles and Sandy and Levi Schultz & families in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of their father and grandfather, Jack Maryles - Yaakov Koppel be HaRav Shimon z’l.
A Donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by: * Naomi Samber in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of her mother-in-law, Sylvia Samber 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
PARSHAT HASHAVUA - Tuesdays - 12:30pm DAYTIME DIALOGUES - is on summer hiatus
SEFER MELACHIM- Wednesdays - 1:00pm
SEMICHAS CHAVER PROGRAM - will not meet this week
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - Shabbat 5:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – Shabbat 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - will not meet this Sunday
BIRTHDAYS Mr. Michael Aberman (8/17) Dr. Dean Bell (8/17) Avi Zisook (8/18) Mrs. Shari Feifel (8/20) Mr. Seymour Gertz (8/20) Isaac Shiner (8/20) Carly Sorscher (8/20) Boaz Stopek (8/20) Bina Wilens (8/20) Rabbi Charles Lefton (8/21) Mrs. Shoshie Neikrug (8/21) Netanel Goldstein (8/22) Toby Goldstein (8/22)
ANNIVERSARIES Rabbi Reuven & Meira Gottesman (8/17) Chaim and Judy Reich (8/17) Dr. Leonard and Yafa Levitt (8/18) Henry and Marlene Wasserstrom (8/18) Rabbi David & Frances Rosenberg (8/19) William and Marueen Russman (8/19) Marc and Miriam Sommer (8/20) Ariel and Tamar Campbell (8/21)
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
PARSHAT HASHAVUA - 
SEFER MELACHIM 
SEMICHAS CHAVER PROGRAM 
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - Shabbat 5:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – Shabbat 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - 