Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Chesed Opportunity

Francine Kozlin's aunt's unveiling is this Sunday, September 4, 2005 at Montefiore Cemetery in Farmingdale at 12:00. It will be a short service and they need a few men to make a minyan. Please contact Mark at 793-8891 or Francine at 268-1802 if you can help out.

Monday, August 29, 2005

Goes Great with The Daf - Mishna Yomi Starts With Shabbos on Tuesday

A great companion to learning Daf Yomi is learning Mishnayos. And tomorrow the Mishna Yomi schedules begins Seder Moed with Masechta Shabbos. Rabbi Welcher highly recommends learning Mishna Yomi and this Tuesday is a great time to start.

Click here of a 6-9 minute mp3 of the daily Mishna.

R' Yechezkel Rosenberg on the Importance of Saying Amen When You are Being Yotzei

Here is the mp3 by R' Yechezkel Rosenberg on on the Importance of Saying Amen When You are Being Yotzei.

Friday, August 26, 2005

SHIUR FOR WOMEN - PARHAS RE'EH

Next Shabbos (Parchas Re'eh) The Congregation Ahavas Yisroel Women's League is having a shiur for women only given by Mrs. Cindy Levin at 5:30 P.M. Shabbos afternoon at the home of Eddie and Sarah Sherman at 144-22 72nd Road.

SHALOSH SEUDOS PROGRAM RESUMES SHABBOS PARSHAS RE'EH

Shalosh Seudos and "Ask The Rav" resumes on Shabbos Parshas Re’eh, September 3.
To sponsor please contact Geoffery Landau.

R' Yakov Haber - This Week on Torah Web

Our Shul is truly blessed with quite a number of excellent teachers of Torah. This week our very own R' Yakov Haber wrote the weekly parsha article on Torah Web titled Threefold Purpose of Blessings. Here it is for your Erev Shabbos reading pleasure:

Threefold Purpose of Blessings

“V’achalta v’savata u’veirachta es Hashem Elokecha ‘al ha’aretz hatovah ‘asher nasan lach” - “and you shall eat and be satisfied and bless Hashem, your G-d, for the good land which he has given you” (Eikev 8:10). This passage serves as the Biblical source for the commandment to bless Hashem after a meal. (Bread must be consumed to be obligated min haTorah due to the proximity of the passage “a land in which you will eat bread unsparingly” (verse 9) to this passage (see B’rachot 44a). Some rishonim maintain that even the B’racha Mei’ein Shalosh recited after other foods made from grain and after fruit of the Seven Species is also Biblical in nature (see Mishna B’rura to O.C. 209:10).) Although the overwhelming majority of blessings, such as those before eating food and before performing mitzvot, are Rabbinic in origin, Birchas HaMazon is Min HaTorah. Ramban (Hashmatos l’Mitzvos ‘Asei 15) and other rishonim maintain that the blessing before Torah study is also of Biblical origin and is derived from the verse “ki sheim Hashem ekra, havu go’del lailokeinu” -- “when I call out the name of Hashem, give praise to our G-d” (Ha’azinu 32:3).

However, on a Torah level, a blessing need be recited only after eating food but, by contrast, it is recited before engaging in Torah study. Chazal (our Rabbis) instituted additional blessings before eating bread (and other foods) as well as a blessing after reading the Torah in public. Meshech Chachma suggests a fascinating rationale for the difference in placement between Birchas HaMazon and Birchot HaTorah on a Torah level. All blessings thank the Source of All for His kindness. Birchat HaMazon focuses on physical bounty whereas Birchot HaTorah focus on the spiritual endowment of Torah. With respect to this aspect of praise of G-d, both of these blessings should have been recited in the same location. However, each of these blessings also reinforces another idea, each uniquely relevant to the sphere of life it addresses. This particular theme helps explain the blessing’s Biblical placement.

Eating, or more generally, partaking of material goods yielded through much hard work and energy, can lead to an attitude of haughty self-achievement, without properly recognizing that it is Hashem who has provided the physical wherewithal, the physical goods and infrastructure and the mental acumen (see Targum Onkelos to verse 18) for the production of such bounty. This danger exists primarily after partaking of the material goods, after being satisfied by them. Hence, the Torah directs us: be certain to recognize G-d as the Source of the bounty by praising Him as the “zan es hakol” and the bestower of the Land of Israel from which the food was produced. (See also Eretz Yisrael, by Rav Mayer Twersky.) The context of this commandment verifies this approach. Immediately preceding the commandment, the Torah indicates that the miracle of the forty-year daily delivery of man in the desert served to highlight to the Jewish People the fact that “Man does not live by bread alone, but through the word of G-d, does Man live” (ibid. 3) which (among other meanings) can be read as: it is not your efforts alone that bring about the bread, but, just as the manna from the sky was clearly Divinely granted, so too bread from the ground is also Divinely granted through the mask of the natural order created by G-d.[1] After the commandment to bless G-d after eating, the Torah warns us: “and lest you grow haughty and you forget G-d ... who has fed you man in the desert ... and you will say: ‘my strength and the might of my hand produced this bounty.’ And you shall remember Hashem, your G-d, for it is He who gives you strength to produce bounty” (ibid. 14-1).

Concerning Torah study, the opposite is true. Once having studied it, plumbed its depths, partaken of its mysteries and delights, the Torah is clearly recognizable as a Divine work, which, due to Divine beneficence, was given to Bnei Yisrael to partake of. However, before studying it, the student must be made aware of its Divine origin: that the Torah is not a wisdom like all other wisdoms, intellectually stimulating, fascinating but not directly Divine in origin. The danger exists of the Torah being utilized as a tool for personal intellectual achievement. Therefore, the learner of Torah must first recognize the Torah’s source. A passage in tractate N’darim (81a) attributes the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash to the omission of the blessing on the Torah. Some commentaries (see Ran and Bach (on Tur O.C. 47)) suggest that the omission of a blessing was symptomatic of treating the Torah like any other wisdom whose study does not require a blessing. R. Chayim Volozhin in his Nefesh HaChayim (4:6-7) writes that it is advisable before and during Torah study to stop learning temporarily to contemplate that one is actually studying the Divine Word and connecting to Hashem “for He and His Will (as expressed in the Torah) are One.” Some recite various tefilos before Torah study (in addition to the one mentioned in the Mishna (B’rachot 28b)) requesting that the Torah study lead to increased fear of Heaven (see standard edition of Yachin U’Boaz Mishnayot). All of these practices highlight this same theme.

From morning to evening, halacha demands of its adherents to constantly praise G-d through blessings: on waking up, on walking, on seeing, on eating, on drinking, on bodily functions, on learning, on mitzvot. Indeed, Chazal legislated the recital of a minimum of 100 blessings a day (see Shulchan Aruch 46:3). The triple themes of praise to G-d for providing for our spiritual and physical needs, recognition that it is He alone Who allows us to succeed, and appreciation of the ultimate sanctity of the greatest of His gifts to us - His wisdom as contained in the Torah which He has allowed us to enjoy - should guide us throughout our engagement in both the spiritual and physical aspects of existence.

[1] This particular point is an addition to Meshech Chachma’s words.

Copyright © 2005 by The TorahWeb Foundation. All rights reserved.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

UPCOMING LECTURE

The Jewish Board of Family Services will be sponsoring a lecture entitled, “Controlling the Net before it controls Us – A Torah True Way to Use Technology” The panel will include Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD, Rabbi Hersschel Welcher, Philip Rosenthal (Computer Forensic Investigator), and Yosi Greenfield (Yeshiva Net), and Barry Holzer, MD. The Lecture will take place on Monday September 12, 8:30 PM at the Lander College for Men, 75-31 15oth Street

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

RETURN OF THE PICNIC

On Sunday September 4th beteen 1-5 there will be another great Shul picnic. an enjoyable event is being planned. Details will be forthcoming.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Income Rental Opportunity

A friend of mine is seeking part-time office space (about 12 hours a week) for speech pathology private practice in Kew Gardens Hills. He will be practicing Sundays and two afternoon/evenings per week. It will be low volume activity and his clients are private and full paying.

He is willing to pay in the $400-$500 range. His name is Uri Schneider and you can call him at 718-687-8803 or Email him at urischneider-at-gmail.com.

Monday, August 22, 2005

Hanoch Teller - Scholar in Residence - September 16-17

Hanoch Teller will be our Scholar in Residence on Shabbos Ki Seitzei - September 16th and 17th.

Those interested in co-sponsoring the program can contact Mark Frankel or Leon Stern.

Thursday, August 18, 2005

R' Moshe Schwerd MP3 - Tisha B'AV Mourning and Consolation

If you missed (or want to here again) R' Moshe Schwerd's shiur on "Tisha B'AV Mourning and Consolation" you can download it here.

It's an excellent preparation for the upcoming Shabbos Nachamu.

Friday, August 12, 2005

Pictures From The Kotel Prayer Rally

Rashi Rosenzweig was nice of enough to forward to me these wonderful pictures of Acheinu Bnei Yisroel at the massive Kotel Prayer Rally. (Rashi used to live in KGH and now lives in Eretz Yisroel)

http://rotter.net/forum/scoops1/5354.shtml

I am sure you will be as inspired by these pictures as I was.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Chulent Cooker Recall Alert

Recall Issued For 2.6M Rival Slow Cookers

For More Information Call 800-299-1284

Jul 29, 2005 7:21 am US/Eastern
WASHINGTON (AP) A recall has been issued for 2.6 million Rival Slow Cookers, manufactured by The Holmes Group, because the handles on their bases can break, posing a burn risk if hot contents spill out.

There have been 126 reports of the handles breaking, including 33 reports of burns.

This recall is an expansion of one issued last August for 1.8 million cookers with the same defect.

Recalled cookers are those manufactured from January 1999 to September 2004, including those with model numbers 3040, 3735, 5025, 5070 and 5445 that have date codes stamped on the power plug from 0199 to 3504.

The $15 to $40 cookers were sold nationwide from January 1999 through May 2005 at stores including Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target.

Consumers should stop using the cookers and contact the Milford, Mass.-based Holmes Group at 800-299-1284 or online at http://www.rivalrecall.com for information on receiving a replacement base.

Thanks to Avrumi Kahn for the info.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

TEHILLIM FOR ERETZ YISROEL

On Thursday night at 8:30, the Y.I. of Kew Gardens Hills will host an (apolitical) gathering to say tehillim on behalf of the situation in Gush Katif. There will be divrei hisorirus as well. Rav welcher has endorsed this event. The program is scheduled to conclude by 9:00.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Honda Odyssey 2000 Mini Van For Sale

If you know anyone who is interested in purchaseing a Honda Odyssey 2000 Mini Van, please contact Yechezkel Rosenberg at 718-263-1021.

Monday, August 08, 2005

OU Video Added to Tisha B'Av Schedule Addition

We will be adding the following program to our Tisha B'Av Schedule

OU Video
Mourning for What Was, Hurting for What Is; Believing in What Will Be
Rabbi Hershel Schacter, Rabbi Jacob J Schacter, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb


The Video will be shown at 7:20, so if you wish to view it, you should daven at the first minyan.

Here is the revised schedule:

Motza’ei Shabbos

7:50 PM Fast Begins

8:46 PM Nightfall

9:05 PM Maariv and Eichah

Sunday

8:30 AM Shacharis and Kinos

1:40 PM Mincha

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Child Appropriate Holocaust Related Videos for Boys

2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Child Appropriate Holocaust Related Videos for Girls
At the Home of Shari and Steven Weiss - 75-17 141st Place

2:15 PM Rabbi Welcher - Tisha B’Av Shiur

4:00 PM Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation ($15 Admission, $10 Students)
"Rebuilding the Beis Hamikdash: Word By Word"
Rabbi Mattisyahu Salomon, Rabbi Yissocher Frand
(Note: This will be a sell out – so come early!)

6:00 PM R’ Moshe Schwerd
Tisha B'Av: A Day of Mourning and Consolation

7:20 PM OU Video
Mourning for What Was, Hurting for What Is; Believing in What Will Be
Rabbi Hershel Schacter, Rabbi Jacob J Schacter, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb

7:20 PM Second Mincha

8:15 PM Maariv

8:37 PM Fast Ends

Sunday, August 07, 2005

R' Yechezkel Rosenberg on Protocol During a Meal MP3

Here is the mp3 by R' Yechezkel Rosenberg on Protocol During a Meal.

Torah Trivia Quiz Results

Trivia Quiz
Congratulations to Irwin Nathan who correctly answered that the last time Parshas Maasey was leined as a single Parsha was in 1984. Congratulations also to Yisroel Benedek who correctly answered that the two times before that were in 1981 and 1967 (and who also knew the next three times this happens).

Just to put that in perspective, here are some things that were not in existence, or not yet popular, in those years:

1984 – Cellphones, CDs, DVDs, laptops, the Internet, Instant Messaging, Starbucks, Microsoft Windows, faxes, Google, Congregation Ahavas Yisroel, Wasserman’s at 73rd Avenue, Blackberries, attached houses in Kew Gardens Hills above $85,000, scanners, MRIs, the Lexus car line, Rabbi Reisman’s Nach Shiur, SUVs, Poland Spring, ink dot printers, digital cameras, MP3 players
1981 – Video, Apple Macintosh, Baby Bells, artificial heart transplants
1967 – Cassette tapes, microwaves, Microsoft, digital watches, ATMs, learning in ‘The Mir’, the Concorde, Wasserman’s, Shimon’s Pizza, PCs, CNN, StarWars, attached houses in Kew Gardens Hills above $25,000, sliced bread (just kidding!)

The Torah Trivia Quiz was produced and directed by Ronnie Schlanger

Thursday, August 04, 2005

IN MEMORY OF R' SIMCHA BEKELNITZKY

Gitle Bekelnitzky has dedicated the learning of Daf Yomi on the 7th of Av. The learning will be Liului Nishmas R' Simcha Gedalya ben Shraga Feivush, on the day of his Yarzheit.
Sima & Moshe Weinstock have dedicated the learning on the 8th and 10th of Av in R' Simcha's memory.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

World-Wide 'Shema' Wednesday.

World-Wide 'Shema' Wednesday.

The prayer is intended to ask for Divine help to prevent violence toward the planned expulsion of Jewish residents from Gaza and northern Samaria and for Divine intervention to cancel the plan. The prayer is organized under the motto, United We Stand, Divided We Fall.

The prayer will be recited at 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem and at 2 p.m. in New York.

Children around the world also are being asked to pray together the following night, one day before the beginning of the new Hebrew month Av. Former Chief Rabbi of Israel Mordechai Eliyahu will lead the Thursday night prayer at the Western Wall.

An unidentified group of women initiated the call for the children's prayer, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Israel (12:30 p.m. in New York).

Chabad (Lubavitch) leaders said they are encouraging children to attend the prayer rally at the Western Wall, where more than 20,000 children are expected.

BE STRONG AND HAVE COURAGE!!!!

With the help of G-d, with Faith and with our combined efforts and determination

WE WILL WIN!

The Eternal Nation does not fear a long road

by courtesy of Arutz 7 News.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=86808

Link provided by Barry Simanowitz.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Tisha B'Av Schedule

Motza’ei Shabbos

7:50 PM Fast Begins

8:46 PM Nightfall

9:05 PM Maariv and Eichah

Sunday

8:30 AM Shacharis and Kinos

1:40 PM Mincha

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Child Appropriate Holocaust Related Videos for Boys

2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Child Appropriate Holocaust Related Videos for Girls
At the Home of Shari and Steven Weiss - 75-17 141st Place

2:15 PM Rabbi Welcher - Tisha B’Av Shiur

4:00 PM Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation ($15 Admission, $10 Students)
"Rebuilding the Beis Hamikdash: Word By Word"
Rabbi Mattisyahu Salomon, Rabbi Yissocher Frand
(Note: This will be a sell out – so come early!)

6:00 PM R’ Moshe Schwerd
Tisha B'Av: A Day of Mourning and Consolation

7:20 PM Second Mincha

8:15 PM Maariv

8:37 PM Fast Ends