Wednesday, November 28, 2018

AGUDAH DAF YOMI SIYUM MENACHOT AT AGUDAH COVENTION 5779(2018)


Click on 8:45am Sunday for the Siyum.

BAIS HAVAAD ON THE PARSHA VAYISHLACH 5779 The Right of Refusal: Medical Coercion in Halacha


Click here.

OU TORAH and NAALEH.COM Existential Exiting By Shira Smiles


Click here for video and source sheet.

RABBI WEIN ON VAYISHLACH 5779


Our father, Jacob, escapes from the mouth of the lion only to run into the arms of the bear. He leaves, in fact he flees, from the house of Lavan but is immediately confronted first with the angel of his brother Esau and later by Esau himself and an armed band of 400 men. Eventually Jacob escapes even from this trial by means of bribery, appeasement and the affectation of brotherly love exhibited by Esau.

RABBI WEIN ON The Palestinians’ Worst Enemy


A recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlighted a fact that is well-known but usually ignored by the media, and in fact, by governments throughout the world. A study by an NGO that is usually notoriously anti-Israel in its conclusions regarding human rights and has in the past called Israel an apartheid state, recently concluded that the Palestinian Authority (PA) on the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza have destroyed the Palestinian community and are the greatest abusers of human rights in the area.

VBM The Incident in Shekhem By Harav Yaakov Medan


I. Introduction It is in the Shekhem episode that we first encounter Yaakov's sons acting independently, and not merely as "the sons of." Yaakov's sons are not prophets, and God does not reveal Himself to them. They do not meet angels, and with the exception of Yosef,[1] they do not even merit lofty dreams or manifest miracles. In a certain sense, our first encounter with them in our parasha is our first look at ourselves, as the people of Israel, in the mirror. The Shekhem episode raises a grave question about the morality that guides Yaakov's sons when two of them attack the city while its inhabitants are still recovering from the pain of circumcision, after having made a covenant with them. The rest of Yaakov's sons ratify their actions retroactively, when they come to plunder the city following Shimon and Levi's slaying of all the males.

VBM The Power of Silence By Harav Yaakov Medan


The "Whole Bed" of Yaakov Chazal used a unique expression regarding Yaakov's children, saying that "Yaakov's bed was whole" (Shir ha-Shirim Rabba 4, s.v. kulakh yafa ra'ayati), meaning that all his children were worthy. Why did Yaakov merit this expression? In what way was he superior to the other patriarchs? The Gemara states: Rav Avira expounded, sometimes in the name of Rav and sometimes in the name of Rav Asi: What is meant by: "And the child [Yitzchak] grew and was weaned [vayigamel]" (Bereishit 21:8)? The Holy One, blessed be He, will make a great banquet for the righteous on the day He manifests [yigmol] His love to the seed of Yitzchak. After they have eaten and drunk, the cup of Grace will be offered to our father Avraham, that he should recite Grace, but he will answer them: I cannot say Grace, because Yishmael issued from me. Then Yitzchak will be asked: Take it and say Grace. But he will reply: I cannot say Grace, because Esav issued from me. Then Yaakov will be asked: Take it and say Grace. (Pesachim 119b) The Gemara describes the feast of the righteous that God will prepare in the future. Who will recite Grace at this meal? Abraham will not be able to recite the blessing, because Yishmael issued from him. Yitzchak as well will not be able to recite the blessing, because Esav was among his children. Only Yaakov, who did not give rise to any improper seed, will be able to recite the blessing. In the end, the Gemara concludes that even Yaakov will not be able to recite the blessing, but only David, for reasons that we will not expand upon now.

OU TORAH Vayishlach: From Yaakov to Yisrael – Part 2 By Rabbi Menachem Leibtag


There must be something important about names in Parshat Vayishlach, for we find that Yaakov’s name is changed to Yisrael; and it happens twice! In the following shiur, we attempt to understand why, by considering its connection to the theme of ‘bechira’ in Sefer Breishit.

OU TORAH Vayishlach: From Yaakov to Yisrael – Part 1 By Rabbi Menachem Leibtag


Was Eisav really planning to wipe out Yaakov’s family with his four hundred men? Or was his intention all along simply to welcome his brother back ‘home’? When reading Parshat Vayishlach, it is difficult to reach a clear conclusion. Similarly, when Yaakov crossed the Yabok River (with his wives and children), was he planning a secret escape from this confrontation? Or, was Yaakov’s intention all along to confront his brother – face to face? And finally, was God’s purpose in sending a ‘mal’ach’ to struggle with Yaakov – simply to bless him at this critical time, or was it an attempt to thwart Yaakov’s planned ‘escape’? When one reads Parshat Vayishlach, it is difficult to find precise answers to these (and many other) questions. In Part One of this week’s shiur, we’ll suggest some answers to these questions, while offering a reason why the Torah’s account of these events is intentionally so vague. Based on that analysis, Part Two will discuss the deeper meaning of Yaakov’s name change to Yisrael.

OU TORAH Vayishlach: Yaakov’s Return to Bet-El By Rabbi Menachem Leibtag


Upon his arrival in Eretz Canaan, why doesn’t Yaakov go straight home to his parents in Hebron? After all, he has been away from his parents for over twenty years! Secondly, why doesn’t Yaakov return immediately to Bet-el to fulfill his “neder” [vow]? Hadn’t he promised God that ‘should he return home safely’ he would establish a ‘Bet Elokim’ in Bet-el (see 28:21-22)? However, instead of doing what we would have expected, it appears from Parshat Vayishlach that Yaakov prefers to settle down in Shechem. Then, only AFTER the incident with Dena, and only after God reminds him that he must do so, he finally returns to Beit-el. [See 33:18-35:1. So what’s going on in Parshat Vayishlach?

OU TORAH Vayishlach / Chanukah By Rav Moshe Twersky, HY"D


that Yaakov was not just hopeful that, in the event Eisav would smite the first encampment, the second encampment would survive, but he was confident of that fact because Yaakov planned, “I will fight against him”. What was the guarantee, though? Yaakov put a days’-travel space between the two encampments. Why? Back in parshas Toldos, Rivkah told Yaakov to flee, and added, “Why should I lose both of you on the same day?” In other words, Rashi explains there, if Eisav will try to kill Yaakov, Yaakov would kill him first, and then Eisav’s sons would kill Yaakov. The underlying message, though, of her words is that she knew b’ruach ha’kodesh that Yaakov and Eisav would die on the same day. Therefore, reasoned Yaakov, if I will fight against Eisav and he will manage to kill me, that means he too will die on that day, and he therefore will not have an opportunity to wipe out the other encampment which is a day’s distance away. In fact, Chazal tell us that Eisav lived longer than Yaakov. Yaakov was only brought to Mearas HaMachpeilah months after he died. When Eisav challenged his entry, Chushim ben Dan drew his sword and chopped off Eisav’s head. So, really, Rivkah’s nevuah was not going on the day of their respective deaths, but was in reference to the same day of burial. (From Rebbetzin Twersky)

OU TORAH Vayishlach 5779 By Rabbi Shalom Rosner


Click here.

YU TORAH Toronto Torah: Vayishlach 5779


Toronto Torah for Vayishlach 5779 includes articles on the parshah, the Right of Kings, Yehoshua's war with Yavin, Rabbi Shimon Greenfeld and more.

OU Lessons from the El Al Flight Diverted to Athens: Shabbat is Shabbat By Rabbi Jesse Horn


This past Friday afternoon, El Al Flight 002, en route to Tel Aviv following a late New York departure on Thursday night, was flying somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, when the pilot informed us that, in fact, our flight would not make it safely to Tel Aviv before the arrival of Shabbat and instead, we would be spending the day of rest in Athens, Greece.

OU TORAH A Lion or a Bear? By Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb


A friend recently commented to me that nowadays, we are not only “multi-tasked,” but we also have “multi-problems.” When simultaneously beset by a number of problems, he continued, it becomes necessary to prioritize those problems and to decide which one is the worst. Then, we can tackle that problem first before we move on to the others.

OU TORAH Physical Fear, Moral Distress By Britain's Former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks


Covenant & Conversation: Family Edition is a new and exciting initiative from The Office of Rabbi Sacks for 5779. Written as an accompaniment to Rabbi Sacks’ weekly Covenant & Conversation essay, the Family Editionis aimed at connecting older children and teenagers with his ideas and thoughts on the parsha. Each element of the Family Edition is progressively more advanced; The Core Idea is appropriate for all ages and the final element, From The Thought of Rabbi Sacks, is the most advanced section. Each section includes Questions to Ponder, aimed at encouraging discussion between family members in a way most appropriate to them. We have also included a section called Around the Shabbat Table with a few further questions on the parsha to think about. The final section is an Educational Companion which includes suggested talking points in response to the questions found throughout the Family Edition.Twenty-two years have passed since Jacob fled his brother, penniless and alone; twenty-two years have passed since Esau swore his revenge for what he saw as the theft of his blessing. Now the brothers are about to meet again. It is a fraught encounter. Once, Esau had sworn to kill Jacob. Will he do so now – or has time healed the wound? Jacob sends messengers to let his brother know he is coming. They return, saying that Esau is coming to meet Jacob with a force of four hundred men – a contingent so large it suggests to Jacob that Esau is intent on violence.

RAV KOOK ON VaYishlach Part 3: Ancient Agronomists


Inhabitants of the Land The Torah reading of VaYishlach concludes with a record of Esau’s descendants and chieftains. Since Esau married into the Canaanite family of Seir, and settled in his hill country in the south, the Torah lists the sons of Seir, “the inhabitants of the land” (Gen. 36:20). What does this phrase, “the inhabitants of the land,” mean? As the Talmud humorously asks: Did everyone else live in the sky, and only Seir’s clan lived in the land? The simple explanation is that Seir and his family were the original residents of that region, before Esau arrived. The Talmud, however, chose a different interpretation. According to Rabbi Yochanan, these Canaanites were true inhabitants of the land, as they were unparalleled experts in farming the land. They had an amazing sense of which crops were best suited for which fields. “They would say: Plant olive trees in this area, plant grapevines in this one, and plant fig trees in this one. They were called ‘Chorites’ because they could smell (merichim) out the land [to assess its suitability for different crops], and ‘Chivites’ since they would taste the land like a snake (chivya).” (Shabbat 85a) Why does the Torah mention the agricultural expertise of the Canaanites? In general, why did God place these idolatrous and immoral nations in the Land of Israel? Would it not have been simpler if the Jewish people could have gained possession of Eretz Yisrael without needing to conquer it from the Canaanite nations?

RAV KOOK ON VaYishlach Part 2: The Prohibition of Gid Ha-Nasheh


Jacob was limping, but he had survived the nighttime struggle at Penuel. Nervously awaiting a confrontation with his estranged brother Esau, Jacob was attacked by a mysterious opponent. With the approach of dawn, the stranger dislocated Jacob’s thigh. “Therefore the Israelites do not eat the displaced nerve (gid ha-nasheh) on the hip joint to this very day, because he touched Jacob’s thigh on the displaced nerve.” (Gen. 32:33) What is the significance of this prohibition? Do we refrain from eating the sciatic nerve only to commemorate a mysterious wrestling match that took place thousands of years ago?

RAV KOOK ON VaYishlach PART 1: Reliance on Miracles


Miracles were no novelty for Rabbi Zeira. The Talmud in Baba Metzia 85a relates that the third-century scholar fasted for a hundred days in order to protect himself from the fires of hell. But Rabbi Zeira was not content with theoretical preparations. Once a month he would test himself by sitting down in a burning furnace, to see if he would feel the heat. He didn’t. (Once his clothes were singed, but that story is for another time.) Yet, on very windy days, Rabbi Zeira was careful not to walk among the palm-trees, lest a strong wind should knock a tree over. His caution in orchards seems bizarre. Why should a man who can sit unharmed in a burning furnace be concerned about the possibility of a falling tree? The Talmud (Shabbat 32a) counsels the following attitude towards miracles: “One should never put himself in a dangerous situation and say, ‘A miracle will save me.’ Perhaps the miracle will not come. And even if a miracle occurs, one’s merits are reduced.” The Sages learned that one should not rely on miracles from Jacob. When Jacob returned home after twenty years in Laban’s house, he greatly feared meeting his brother Esau. He prayed to God, “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faith that You have shown me” (Gen. 32:11). The Sages explained Jacob’s prayer in this way: “I am unworthy due to all the kindness and faith that You have shown me.” Your miracles and intervention have detracted from my merits. We need to examine this concept. What is so wrong with relying on miracles? Does it not show greater faith? And why should miracles come at the expense of one’s spiritual accomplishments?

Aneinu Please Daven Surgery Today


The cousin of a former Chicagoan is having surgery today. Please daven for Feigel bas Fradel.

Fwd: [Aneinu] Baruch Dayan HaEmes - Rav Avrohom Chaim Levin zt”l,

Update The levaya of Rav Avrohom Chaim Levine, zt"l, has been changed to 4:00 PM




Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note8.

-------- Original message --------
From: myysbyy via chicago-aneinu <chicago-aneinu@googlegroups.com>
Date: 11/28/18 9:14 AM (GMT-06:00)
To: myysbyy@aol.com
Subject: [chicago-aneinu] Baruch Dayan HaEmes - Rav Avrohom Chaim Levin zt"l,

Torah Torah Chagri Sak

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Avrohom Chaim Levin zt"l, rosh yeshiva of Telshe Yeshiva of Chicago. He was 86 years old.

Rav Levin, a member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of Agudas Yisroel of America and yoshev rosh of the Vaad Roshei Hayeshivos of Torah Umesorah, was niftar this morning.

Rav Levin was a son of Rav Leizer Levin, longtime rov of Detroit. Rebbetzin Levin is a daughter of Rav Efraim Mordechai Ginsburg, rosh yeshiva at Mirrer Yeshiva of Brooklyn, and a granddaughter of Rav Chatzkel Levenstein, famed mashgiach of Mir and Ponovezh.

Rav Levin was renowned for his Torah scholarship and his daas Torah that guided his own yeshiva in Chicago, as well as the many from across the American Olam Hatorah who sought his advice.

Rav Levin was a lifelong Telsher, having learned at Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland under the roshei yeshiva, Rav Elya Meir Bloch and Rav Chaim Mordechai Katz. In 1960, Rav Levin was tapped by Rav Katz, along with with Rav Chaim Schmelczer, to establish Telshe Chicago as a branch of the Telshe Yeshiva. Under Rav Levin's stewardship, it grew into one of the most renowned mekomos haTorah on the continent. Rav Levin's brother-in-law, Rav Chaim Dov Keller, joined the yeshiva leadership a year later.

Rav Levin was one of four children of Rav and Rebbetzin Leizer Levin. He was predeceased by his three sisters, who were the wives of Rav Chaim Dov Keller, rosh yeshiva of Telshe Yeshiva in Chicago; Rav Berel Wein, noted rov, author and historian; and Rav Yacov Lipschutz, rov of Kehal Bnei Yosef of Monsey.

Rav Levin is survived by his devoted rebbetzin and a family of bnei and bnos Torahfollowing in his ways.

The levayah will be held at 6 p.m. at Telshe Yeshiva, located at 3535 W. Foster Avenue in Chicago, IL. The aron will then be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah there.

Yehi zichro boruch.

http://matzav.com/torah-torah-chigri-sak-rav-avrohom-chaim-levin-ztl/

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "chicago-aneinu" group.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To respond or post new messages to this group, please insure that your email is sent to Myysbyy@aol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
chicago-aneinu+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/chicago-aneinu?hl=en
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "chicago-aneinu" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to chicago-aneinu+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Aneinu Please Daven Surgery Thursday


Please daven for Shoshana bas Bracha who is having surgery Thursday morning.

Aneinu Please Daven Critical


Please continue to say Tehillim for a former Chicagoan, brother of an Aneinu member, Chaim Yecheskel Yaakov ben Chaya who remains in critical condition. 

Friday, November 23, 2018

Fwd: As Shown Tonight at the Agudah Convention: Chavrei HaSiyum


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Agudath Israel of America <news@agudathisrael.org>
Date: Thu, Nov 22, 2018, 9:12 PM
Subject: As Shown Tonight at the Agudah Convention: Chavrei HaSiyum
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>


As Shown Tonight at the Agudah Convention: Chavrei HaSiyum
Agudath Israel of America | 42 Broadway 14th floor, New York, NY 10004
Unsubscribe agentemes4@gmail.com
Update Profile | About our service provider
Sent by news@agudathisrael.org

19TH KISLEV AT FREE 5779(2018) An Evening of Inspiration


Click here to RSVP.

Gems from the Nesivos Shalom: Chanuka IS AT KESHER STAM


Click here for 10% off.

ARTSCROLL AND FELDHEIM 20% OFF CHANUKA SALE AT KESHER STAM


Feldheim.com

ARTSCROLL CYBER MONDAY and CHANUKA SALE 5779(2018)


Artscroll.com

BAIS HAVAAD ON THE PARSHA VAYETZE 5779 The Game of Risk: How Much Can We Take?


Click here.

OU TORAH YU TORAH and NAALEH.COM Resourceful Resource By Shira Smiles


Adapted by Channie Koplowitz Stein Parshat Vayetze begins with Yaakov Avinu leaving Be’er Sheva and going to Charan, the town where his mother Rivka comes from and where her family still resides. The Medrash fills in that Yaakov went to Charan hoping to find a wife, just as his grandfather Avraham Avinu had sent his servant Eliezer to Charan to find Yitzchak, Yaakov’s father, a wife. Bereishit Rabba then attributes to Yaakov Avinu the verses of Tehillim 121, “I lift my eyes to hehorim/the mountains from whence shall come my help. Ezri/my help comes from Hashem, Creator of heaven and earth.” In pure Medrashic style, the Medrash then explains these verses more homiletically, and our Sages continue to expound on them.

VBM Did Yaakov Deal Justly With Lavan? By Harav Yaakov Medan


I. The Agreement about the Division of the Sheep Yaakov wanted to avoid a violent struggle with Lavan, and chose instead to use the weapon of cunning (we expanded on this issue in a previous sicha: Lavan’s Deceit’s). Let us examine the agreement about the division of the sheep that followed the last six years of Yaakov's working for Lavan: And he said: Appoint me your wages, and I will give it. And he said unto him: You know how I have served you, and how your cattle have fared with me. For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased abundantly; and the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned. And now when shall I provide for my own house also? And he said: What shall I give you? And Yaakov said: You shall not give me anything; if you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it. I will pass through all your flock to-day, removing from thence every speckled and spotted one, and every dark one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and of such shall be my hire. So shall my righteousness witness against me hereafter, when you shall come to look over my hire that is before you: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and dark among the sheep, that if found with me shall be counted stolen. And Lavan said: Behold, would it might be according to your word. And he removed that day the he-goats that were streaked and spotted, and all the she-goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the dark ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. And he set three days' journey between himself and Yaakov. And Yaakov fed the rest of Lavan's flocks. And Yaakov took him rods of fresh poplar, and of the almond and of the plane-tree; and peeled white streaks in them, making the white appear which was in the rods. And he set the rods which he had peeled over against the flocks in the gutters in the watering-troughs where the flocks came to drink; and they conceived when they came to drink. And the flocks conceived at the sight of the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted.[1] And Yaakov separated the lambs – he also set the faces of the flocks toward the streaked and all the dark in the flock of Lavan – and put his own droves apart, and put them not unto Lavan's flock. And it came to pass, whenever the stronger of the flock did conceive, that Yaakov laid the rods before the eyes of the flock in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods; but when the flock were feeble, he put them not in; so the feebler were Lavan's, and the stronger Yaakov's. And the man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, and maid-servants and men-servants, and camels and asses. (Bereishit 30:28-43)

VBM Beit-El By Harav Yaakov Medan


A. BEIT-EL VS. JERUSALEM – ACCORDING TO RASHI The Midrash and Rashi appear to have deliberated at length over the place that Beit-El occupies (or should occupy) in our consciousness. A literal reading of the parasha would seem to justify the actions of Yeravam ben-Nevat, who abandoned Jerusalem and built a new religious center for the nation in Beit-El: "The king took counsel and he made two golden calves, and he said to them: 'It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.' He placed one in Beit-El and the other he placed at Dan… He offered upon the altar that he had made at Beit-El on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he had invented on his own, and he made a festival for Bnei Yisrael, and went up to the altar to offer incense." (Melakhim I 12:28-33) In our parasha, we are told explicitly that the House of God that is destined to be built, will be in Beit-El – for there God was revealed to Yaakov; that was the "gateway to heaven," and Yaakov would fulfill his oath by building the house there.

OU TORAH Vayetzei: Yaakov’s Dream, Am Yisrael’s Future By Rabbi Menachem Leibtag


Is it acceptable for one to doubt a divine promise? Certainly, if God makes a promise, we’d expect Him to keep it! Why then does Yaakov Avinu vow to worship God only IF (and when) God fulfills His promise to return him to the Promised Land? [See 28:20-22.] Furthermore, why should Yaakov make a “neder” (vow) at all? After all, neither Avraham nor Yitzchak ever made any sort of conditional vow after receiving their divine promises! Why is Yaakov’s behavior different? In this week’s shiur, as we study God’s “hitgalut” (revelation) to Yaakov at Bet-El, we attempt to explain why.

RABBI WEIN ON VAYEITZEI 5779


Our father Jacob was a very strong and physically powerful person. We read of his physical prowess in his previous encounter with the shepherds of Haran and later of his wrestling match with the angel of Esav, at the river of Yaabok. His sons, though young in years, are also very powerful and strong physically and filled with self-confidence, without fear of confronting dangerous enemies. We will see that his two sons, Shimon and Levi, destroy the city of Shechem in their rage and sense of justified revenge for the behavior against their sister Dena. And according to Jewish legend, as quoted by Ramban in his commentary, Jacob engaged in many battles against hostile tribes after entering the Land of Israel.

RABBI WEIN ON Elections


Both in the United States and Israel elections have become the main topic of conversation and interest. In the United States, it is the midterm congressional elections that have dominated the public conversation. Needless to say, the conversation has been vitriolic and bitter and the continuing lack of civility in American political life remains troubling to many,

VAYIGDALMOSHE.COM Vayeitzei By Rabbi Twerskey HY"D


The primary focus of parshas Vayeitzei is regarding Yaakov’s departure from Be’er Sheva and the founding of his family as well as the establishment of Bnei Yisrael. When night falls and Yaakov avinu is forced to sleep in the open, he took twelve stones and laid them under his head. In the morning, he awoke and found that they had become one. Chazal tell us that this was alluding to the twelve righteous children that he would bring into the world, and no corruption would develop from him. The famous question is asked: Why did Yaakov merit to have 12 righteous children, while both Avraham and Yitzchak had Yishmael and Eisav respectively?

OU TORAH Vayetze 5779 By Rabbi Shalom Rosner


Click here.

YU TORAH Toronto Torah: Vayetze 5779


Toronto Torah for Parshat Vayetze 5779 includes articles on the parshah, the Jews' defense of Givon, Religious Legislation, Rabbi Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik and more.

YU TORAH Vayeitzei 5779 By Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik


Click here.

OU TORAH Vayetzei: Tears By Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb


Many years ago, when I was studying for my doctorate in psychology, we had a number of fairly strict requirements in addition to our courses in psychology. For example, we were expected to possess a reading knowledge of two foreign languages, and Hebrew was then not one of them. We were also required to study statistics and to take several courses in what was called “the biological bases of behavior.” These courses were designed to provide us would-be experts on the “mind” with some understanding of the workings of the “body.”

OU TORAH When the “I” is Silent By Britain's Former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks


Covenant & Conversation: Family Edition is a new and exciting initiative from The Office of Rabbi Sacks for 5779. Written as an accompaniment to Rabbi Sacks’ weekly Covenant & Conversation essay, the Family Editionis aimed at connecting older children and teenagers with his ideas and thoughts on the parsha. Each element of the Family Edition is progressively more advanced; The Core Idea is appropriate for all ages and the final element, From The Thought of Rabbi Sacks, is the most advanced section. Each section includes Questions to Ponder, aimed at encouraging discussion between family members in a way most appropriate to them. We have also included a section called Around the Shabbat Table with a few further questions on the parsha to think about. The final section is an Educational Companion which includes suggested talking points in response to the questions found throughout the Family Edition.This week’s parsha relates a powerful, primal vision of prayer: Jacob, alone and far from home, lies down for the night, with only stones for a pillow, and dreams of a ladder, with angels ascending and descending. This is the initial encounter with the “house of God” that would one day become the synagogue, the first dream of a “gate of heaven” that would allow access to a God that stands above, letting us know finally that “God is truly in this place.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

RAV KOOK ON VaYeitzei Part 2: Prayer Before Sleep


After leaving his family in Beersheba, Jacob reached Beth El at nightfall. Before lying down to sleep, Jacob prayed there. “He entreated at the place and stayed overnight, for it suddenly became night.” (Gen. 28:11) The Sages taught that it was in Beth El that Jacob established the third daily prayer — Ma’ariv, the evening service. While less obligatory than the morning and afternoon prayers, Ma’ariv has its own special benefits. The Talmudic sage Abba Benjamin testified that he took great pains every day of his life to recite the evening prayer before going to sleep (Berachot 5b). What is so special about this prayer?

RAV KOOK ON VaYeitzei Part1: The Prayers of the Avot


According to the Talmud (Berachot 26b), the Avot (forefathers) instituted the three daily prayers: Abraham — Shacharit, the morning prayer. Isaac — Minchah, the afternoon prayer. Jacob — Ma’ariv, the evening prayer. Is there an inner connection between these prayers and their founders? Rav Kook wrote that each of these three prayers has its own special nature. This nature is a function of both the character of that time of day, and the pervading spirit of the righteous tzaddik who would pray at that time.

Aneinu Please Say Tehillim


Please say Tehillim for the brother of an Aneinu member, Chaim Yechezkel Yaakov ben Chaya.

Aneinu Please Daven for New Mother


Please daven for a Chicagoan, Eden Keren bat Ruti, a young woman who recently gave birth to her first child and was shortly after hospitalized and diagnosed with cancer.  May Hashem grant her a refuah shilama bimhara. 

Aneinu Please Say Tehillim


Please say Tehillim for Chaim Yechezkel Yaakov ben Chaya.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Aneinu Please Daven for Little Girl


lease daven for a Chicagoan, Rivka bas Kreina, an 8 year old girl whose foot was run over by a car.

Monday, November 19, 2018

Aneinu Please Daven Tuesday Appt


Please say Tehillim for the refuah shlema of a Chicagoan, Miriam Leah bas Devorah, who is going to the oncologist tomorrow, Tuesday. Please daven that there be no tumor or malignancy and nothing seriously wrong.

Aneinu Please Daven Surgery Today


Please daven for Aneinu member, Rivka Rochel Leah bas Sara Rawna, who is having knee replacement surgery today at 4:00 pm.

Aneinu Please Daven Surgery Tuesday


Please daven for a Chicagoan, Dovid Yehuda HaLevi ben Pessa Riva who is having open heart surgery scheduled for tomorrow morning lasting approximately 5 hours.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Aneinu Please Daven NEW Mom


Please daven for a new mom who was readmitted to the hospital, Sora bas Chana Idel.

Friday, November 16, 2018

AGUDAH YOM HASHISHI


the Torah says, “Vayehi Erev Vayehi Boker Yom HaShishi - And it was evening and it was morning The Sixth Day.” Why the emphasis of The Sixth Day, an emphasis given to no other of the seven days of creation?   Rashi quotes the famous Chazal that explains that although Hashem seemingly finished creating the world, the creation wasn’t fully stable. Creation was conditional on a key component - Torah which would be given on THE sixth day, the sixth day of Sivan, more than 2000 years later. And, once the Torah was given, creation is dependent on its study. As long as Torah is studied every second of time, the world continues to exist as a result. ​ The Yom HaShishi series is dedicated to those who study the daf every day and their wives and families who support them. With self-sacrifice and dedication, no matter if it’s 10 below zero or 104 degrees, no matter if it's raining or snowing or if they’re traveling or busy, the Daf must get learned.  They learn with candles during hurricanes and little reading lamps of airplanes, busses, and trains. Some wake up at 4:00 AM and some stay up till 2:00 AM. It doesn’t matter how, when, or where, they learn The Daf.   This series will feature weekly videos starring leading Rabbanim and Magidei Shiur, leading up to in the upcoming 13th Global Siyum HaShas.   The learning of the Daf HaYomi has become one of the greatest catalysts to a worldwide commitment to Kvias Itim. The upcoming Siyum is of course primarily the celebration of all those who are completing Shas. But, it is so much more than that. Per the directive of the Novominsker Rebbe Shlit”a and the Gedolei Yisrael, we would like to expand the vision of the Siyum to be the celebration of the Torah world’s commitment to Torah - Ki Heim Chayeinu v’Orech Yameinu!   Whether through learning the Daf or Amud Yomi, Daf Hashavuah, or any daily limud of Gemara, Torah is our life, our strength, and our passion. This was the core of the great vision of Rav Meir Shapiro zt”l to promote unified daily commitment to Torah learning, and the mission we carry on today and keep the world going.   The Yom HaShishi Torah Video Series is part of a broad campaign spearheaded by The Agudah to precipitate a broader and stronger commitment to a daily commitment of learning Gemara. To sign up for the Yom HaShishi series and other exciting Siyum news and updates, subscribe below.Click here.

Muqata Aneinu Please Daven


3:31pm Current list of names for prayers Soldiers and civilians wounded in this week's Gaza war on Israel. דוד בן סילוויה David ben Sylvia דוד שמעון בן מברטה David Shimon ben Maberta לירון בת מברטה Liron bat Maberta ציונה בת רומיה Tziyona bat Romiya קלודין בת שולה Claudine bat Shula ניקולס בן מרינה Nicholas ben Marina שובל מיכאל בן מיכל Shoval Michael ben Michal Shuva bat Michal (seriously wounded 18 year old in Afula stabbing attack, June 11, 2018) May all have a refuah shelaima -- a full and speedy recovery among all the sick and wounded of Israel.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

CCTC Simcha Davis Legal Holiday Program Fwd: Glatt vs. Beis Yosef





Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note8.

-------- Original message --------
From: Chicago Center <office@thechicagocenter.org>
Date: 11/14/18 3:15 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: mates57564@aol.com
Subject: Glatt vs. Beis Yosef

Add shiur to your calendar
Apple   Google   Outlook   Outlook.com   Yahoo