Congregation K.I.N.S. Israel Solidarity Mission February 12-15, 2024
Join us in a Solidarity Mission to Israel, beginning Monday evening, February 12th, and ending Thursday evening, February 15th.
This three-day mission will include visits to communities in "otef Aza" ("the Gaza envelope"), military bases, families who lost loved ones, chesed opportunities, and more.
The cost of the mission will be $1100, which will include all land arrangements, buses, meals, and hotel - based on double occupancy (add $300 for single occupancy). Participants will be responsible to make their own airline reservations, but the trip is arranged so you can leave on Sunday and return on Friday morning for Shabbat. For a tentative itinerary,click here.
If you are interested in participating in this mission, please sign-up ASAP byclicking here. Space is limited and the trip is quickly filling up!
DVAR TORAH In two consecutive verses in this week's parsha, the Torah uses two nearly identical expressions to describe Moshe and Aharon. In the first [Shemot 6:26] we are told that "Aharon and Moshe were the ones commanded by G-d to take the Jews out of Egypt." While in the second verse, [Shemot 6:27] we are told that "Moshe and Aharon were the ones who spoke before Pharaoh."
Rashi noted that in these two verses, the order these two great leaders are mentioned are reversed - first Aharon and Moshe, and then Moshe and Aharon. Rashi notes that in the first verse, Aharon is listed before Moshe. Rashi explained that this teaches that they were equal in stature [“shkulin k’echad"], and therefore the order of names was inconsequential.
Rabbi Meir Shapiro ztz"l (1887-1933) the great Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin adds that the first verse calls attention to the leadership skills of the brothers ( - it states that Aharon and Moshe were told by G-d to free the Jewish from Egypt). When talking of leadership, one might expect that Moshe's name would be listed first. But the Torah places Aharon’s name first to teach us that they were equal even in leadership.
And then, the second verse which refers to speaking before Pharaoh, we might expect Aharon's name to appear first. But again, the Torah places Moshe's name first to teach us that even as communicators they were equal.
Because the two brothers, while each possessing different talents were, through their efforts "shkulin k'echad" - each other's equal.
Tuesdays @ 8:30 pm - KINS Women's Tehillim Group each week at a different home. To stay informed - CLICK HERE
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Women & Rosh Chodesh The Midrash Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer [siman 45] relates that the women refused to participate in constructing the Golden Calf. As a reward for their behavior, G-d granted them special participation in the commemoration of Rosh Chodesh.
Why was Rosh Chodesh chosen as a reward? The Tur [Orech Chaim 417] writes that the three major festivals correspond to the three Patriarchs: Pesach and Avraham (who greeted the three angelic visitors on the fifteenth of Nissan); Shavuot and Yitzchak (The shofar blown at Mt. Sinai came from the ram that was substituted for Yitzchak at the Akeida); Sukkot and Yaakov (who established the location known as Sukkot). The twelve Roshei Chodesh were originally designated for the twelve tribes. When the men sinned with the Golden Calf some of the special commemoration of these days was taken away from them and given to the women.
Rabbi Yitzchak ben Moshe of Vienna, in his work, Or Zarua [2:454] writes that like the moon that renews itself once a month on Rosh Chodesh, a married woman renews herself to her husband after going to the mikva. Therefore, Rosh Chodesh was designated as a woman’s holiday.
What special commemoration of Rosh Chodesh was assigned to women? The Shulchan Aruch [Orech Chaim 417:1] writes that although one is permitted to perform ‘melacha’ on Rosh Chodesh, the custom, of women who do not do melacha is a “minhag tov”. The Rama adds that customary practice determines which melachot are included in the minhag.
Is this custom to refrain from melacha mandatory? According to the Bach, [ibid.] the minhag is designed as a leniency for women. A woman who wishes to perform melacha may certainly do so. However, a husband cannot demand that his wife do melacha on Rosh Chodesh. Rabbenu Chananel posited that this minhag of not doing melacha was optional, although it appears to be recommended. Most authorities, however, are of the opinion that refraining from at least some melacha is mandatory [Biur Halacha 417].
Later authorities mention several exceptions to this minhag. According to the Aruch Hashulchan [ibid. note 10] women did not accept the custom in circumstances that would cause a loss of income. R. Yaakov Emden [see Biur Halacha 417] writes that the custom is to be lenient when the melacha is performed privately. Similarly, the custom is to be lenient regarding “light work”. When there are two days of Rosh Chodesh, some have a custom to be lenient on the first day. [Mishna Brurah 417:4]
Receive a daily 3 Minute Thought directly to your whatsapp. Click here to enroll
MAZAL TOV * to Dov and Pam Solomon on the upcoming marriage of their grandson, Natan Solomon, to Oriya Goodman (Israel). * to Rabbi Michael and Bonnie Myers on the engagement of their great granddaughter, Malike Zinnes, daughter or Rabbi Kalman and Tziyona Zinnes, to Yitzchok Meir Stefansky. * to Mrs. Esther Cardash on the birth of a great grandson. SPONSORS @ KINS To sponsor a Kiddush, Seuda Shlishit, or to donate to the Kiddush Fund or Learning Fund please click here.
The week of learning, January 7-January 13, is sponsored by Sam and Mimi Seleski, in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Sam’s grandfather, Shmaya Scheiner z’l שמעיה בן מרדכי
A Day of Learning, Thursday January 18, 2024, is sponsored by Judith Schultz, in memory of her beloved mother, Rochelle Schultz z’l on the occasion of her third yahrtzeit.
A Donation to the Kiddush Fund was made by Steve and Linda Lavenda in commemoration of the yahrtzeit of Linda’s father, William Lev Baker z’l.
Parent Child Learning is sponsored by Yonah and Ronit Sturmwind for the Refuah Shleima of their nephew, Avraham Gavriel Ben Elana Tzipora.
DAILY & WEEKLY SHIURIM DAF YOMI – Mon.-Fri. after 6:25 Shacharit; Sunday - 6:45am PARSHA PERSPECTIVE – RECORDED Sunday-Friday
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays 9:00am - will resume 1/14
BIRTHDAYS Joseph Bass (1/12) Mr. Avigdor Horowitz (1/15) Mrs. Ricki Jacoby (1/15) Mr. Allan Arnet (1/17) Mrs. Lani Kahn (1/18) Mrs. Rifi Bleichman (1/19) Mrs. Sylvia Feigenbaum (1/19)
ANNIVERSARIES Matia and Tracy Schultz (1/14) Jeremy and Rebecca Amster (1/16)
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
AMUD HASHAVUA - Mondays 1:00-2:00pm
MONDAY NIGHT SEDER - Mondays 8:00-9:00pm
PARSHAT HASHAVUA - Tuesdays 12:30-11:30pm 
SEFER MELACHIM - Wednesdays 1:00-2:00pm
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - 
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - Shabbat 3:00pm
TALMUD CLASS – 
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays 9:00am - will resume 1/14