Newslink for Shabbat Parshat Matot-Masei (July 14 - July 16)
07/13/2023 05:01:31 PM
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Announcements & Upcoming Events
Kiddush is sponsored in honor of Kenny Ridley and his Family for everything they do for our shul each week!
Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by Duke McCarthy.
Inspiration for the Three Weeks: Exploring the Texts of the Churban - Second class, Wednesday evening, July 19th from 7:15-8pm. Class will be on Zoom, Meeting ID: 882 1104 9415 - Click Here to Join the Zoom.
Semichas Chaver Program with Rabbi Davies: Wednesday evenings after Maariv. Next class will be on July 19th. For more information or to sign up please contact rabbi@soicherryhill.org.
Summer Women's Shiur Series: This Saturday, July 15th at 4:30pm. The topic is Lessons from Pirkei Avot given by Jenni Fischman and hosted by Baila Silverman, 61 Knollwood Drive. Email Chani Wiesman chaniwiesman@gmail.com or Yehudeet Gore yehudeet@gmail.com for more information.
Women's Halachah Shiur: Studying the Laws of Kashrut, meets the third Thursday of the Month. Next session is Thursday, July 20th at 8:45pm. Thank you to Ron and Sarah Zanger for sponsoring the materials for this series in memory of Ron's mother, Miriam bat Avraham.
Vintage Game Night: Sunday, June 30th at 7:30pm at SOI. Come join the fun and let the games begin! Click here to register. "Vintage" is an SOI group for people over the age of 55.
THE NINE DAYS The period commencing with Rosh Chodesh Av, which begins Tuesday evening, July 18th, through the 9th of Av, Thursday, July 27th, is called the ‘Nine Days.’ During this time, a stricter level of mourning is observed than that of the Three Week period of Bein HaMetzarim, in accordance with the Talmudic dictum: "When the month of Av begins, we reduce our joy." (BT Taanit 26)
ASPECTS OF MOURNING DURING THE NINE DAYS 1. It is customary to refrain from eating meat (including poultry) or wine. These foods are symbolic of the Temple service, and eating them is generally considered an expression of celebration and joy. On Shabbat, meat and wine are permitted. This applies also to any other seudat mitzvah -- for example, at a Brit Milah, Simchat Bat, or at the completion of a tractate of Talmud. 2. It is customary to limit bathing to the purpose of daily hygiene. Therefore, one should continue to bathe but in a manner that is somewhat less enjoyable. Those taking swim lessons or who swim for medical reasons may continue to do so. 3. It is customary to wait on purchasing any items that bring great joy. However, one may buy things if they will be difficult to find after the 9th of Av, or even if they will be more expensive later, but if possible should wait to use/wear them until after this period. Purchases necessary for one's livelihood are also permitted. 4. It is customary to postpone beginning home improvements, or the planting of trees and flowers, until after the 9th of Av, as it would seem inconsistent to focus upon our home decor as we mourn the destruction of God’s house. 5. If one has the option, it is preferable to refrain from wearing newly laundered exterior garments (except on Shabbat). If the "freshness" has been taken out of a garment prior to the Nine Days (by having worn it for even a few moments), it may be worn. Some suggest before the Nine Days to start to put on for a few moments any exterior garments you wish to wear in the coming days. EXCEPTION: The clothing of small children, which gets soiled frequently, may be laundered & worn during the Nine Days.
The aspects of mourning of the three weeks remain in effect during the nine days as well. THE THREE WEEKS The 17th of Tammuz, commemorating the fall of Jerusalem prior to the destruction of the Temple, marks the beginning of a 3-week national period of mourning culminating with the 9th of Av. Our rabbis referred to the time period between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av as ‘Bein Hametzarim,’ between the straits, based on the verse: "All her oppressors have overtaken her within the straits" (Lamentations 1:3). On Shabbat during the Three Weeks, the Haftarot focus upon the Temple's destruction and the exile of the Jewish people.
ASPECTS OF MOURNING DURING THE THREE WEEKS 1. It is customary to refrain from getting married. (However, one may get engaged.) 2. It is customary to avoid public celebrations -- especially those which involve singing, dancing and musical accompaniment. 3. It is customary to abstain from listening to live music. However, if you make your living as a musician or teacher, or if you are a student practicing, but not performing this does not apply. Recorded music is a debate among contemporary opinions. 4. It is customary to refrain from actions that would require the recital of the blessing Shehechiyanu, i.e. on new food or clothes, except on Shabbat. 5. It is customary to hold off on getting haircuts or shaving. A person who usually shaves daily and would suffer business or financial loss by not shaving, may continue do so.
I am very excited for the opportunity to share words of Torah with you. Each week, in this spot, I look to share an idea I've found that speaks to me and that I think will resonate with you as well. This week, I share with you an excerpt from an article by Rabbi Eli Scheller entitled "The Grass is Greener on the Other Side". It speaks to the way in which we should view our circumstances toward continued growth.
[...] This week's portion summarizes the entire route followed by the Jews from when they left Egypt until they were ready to enter Eretz Yisrael. The parsha begins, "Moshe wrote their going forth according to their journeys." At the end of that same verse this idea is repeated, but the words are reversed: "And these were their journeys according to their going forth." Why is the order switched?
The beginning of the verse expresses how Hashem regarded their travels. Whenever God wanted them to go forth He wanted them to progress to the next step in his plan, to journey toward their destiny. Every stop was custom-made, tailored to help them towards their goal. Each place came with challenges developing the nation's character. However, the second verse looks at the traveling from the nation's point of view. The people saw things differently. It is human nature for one to think that he would be much happier and more productive if only he were somewhere else. They would journey simply to go forth, hoping it would be better in their next destination, hoping it would have more to offer, but not because they were thinking of reaching their purpose. (Based on R' Samson Rafael Hirsch)
It is common to think, "If only I was in a different [situation], if only I [were] someplace else, if only, if only, if only ... I would be so much more productive." But the truth is that the exact situation that you are in has been designed especially for you, to help you achieve your full potential. According to the Chofetz Chaim this principle is reflected in God's words to Moshe: "The place on which you stand is holy ground." (Shemot 3:5) Despite all its difficulties, the situation that you are in - right here and right now, is holy, and this is the time and place where you are able to grow. You don't need to go anywhere else. [...]
We appreciate your help in returning siddurim and chumashim to the shelves following davening. If you find a book that needs to be repaired, please put them in the boxes at the back of the sanctuary. Thank you to Sylvia Levine for repairing the shul's siddurim.
Mazal tov to Richard & Sara Bernstein on the birth of a granddaughter last week.
Mazal tov to Steven & Karine Koloski on the birth of a grandson.
Thank you to Oze, Neta, Aviv & Gal Henig, Suzie & Lyla Lubin, Rachel Shuster, Debbie Friedner & Tamar Wiener for helping with kiddush last week.
Thank you to Malka Moskowitz, Yaakov & Aaron Zeffren, Matti Rosenberg, Eric Klein, Yochai Yares, and Ezra & Orly Newfeld for helping with last week's seudah shlishit.
Thank you to Red Squadron for providing security by watching the cameras on Shabbos. They are Yaakov Zeffren (Red Leader), David Mendelovitz, Meir Miskin, Aaron Rubenstein, Nate Wiener and Blake Daugherty. Also thanks go to Debbie Pester, Debbie Fineberg, Chani Wiesman Berliant, Bob from JFeds and Sam Tilonsky.
Volunteers Security is always looking to expand our list of volunteers. All it takes is 30 minutes on Shabbos when it is your Team's turn. Each team has their turn every 5 weeks. We have positions open at 9:00am on Teams 3 and 4. Come join your friends and help protect our shul. Contact Sam Tilonsky (drsamod@gmail.com) to volunteer or for more information.
We regret to inform you of the passing of Gabriel Addi, Gavriel ben Shalom, beloved father of Karine (Steven) Koloski. The burial will take place in Israel on Friday, July 14th at approximately 1:30pm IT in Eretz HaChaim Cemetery You can view the Livestream/Recording here.
Shiva will take place at the Addi home: 242 Breeders Cup Drive, 4th floor Cherry Hill, NJ Call 201-757-4891 or 201-757-4867 to be let in.
Visiting Hours: Thursday until 9:30pm Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm Sunday-Tuesday from 9:00am - 9:30pm Minyan Times: Mincha/Maariv: Thursday, Sunday-Tuesday 8:05pm Shacharit: Friday, Sunday-Wednesday 8:00am
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים May the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion & Jerusalem
Gavriel Yehuda ben Chaya Sarah David Partnow - David Avram ben Tilla Razel Aaron Moshe ben Ruth Gaela bas Pinina Chayim Gedalya haLevi ben Henya Tobie Cohen - Tova Lieba bas Esther Chaya Alan Friedman - Avraham Pinchas ben Hudda Kayla Chaya bat Bayla Simcha Avraham ben Datya Leba Inga bat Bella Shaindel bas Gruna Leah Moshe Krumbein - Moshe ben Yehudit Sarah Shmuel ben Ita Ettle Esther bat Yehudit Nechamah Yitzhak Dovid ben Gruna Leah Reizel bas Yentel Peretz Yirmiyahu ben Elka Moshe Simcha ben Sarah
Please help us keep this list up to date. If you have names to add or would like to have a name removed from this list, please email memberhotline@soicherryhill.org.
Click below for a link to the prayers for good health and healing that you can recite for our ailing members
https://www.kosherwine.com/?rfsn=5940204.12e2a2 SOI members and affiliates can click the link to go to the JCommerce websites and purchase their products. You can support SOI through the commission we earn.
Shoprite Scrip Now Available SOI Office Monday-Friday 10-2 Yaeli Sokolic at ycsgraphix@gmail.com Flo Shulman at florence.shulman@gmail.com
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Reminder: If your mailing information has been changed, please update it on our website by logging on at soicherryhill.org If you know someone who is not receiving our weekly email, please let the office know Office hours next week are Monday - Friday 10am-2pm Rabbi Davies office hours are 11:00am - 5:00pm Monday & Wednesday - Friday
Congregation Sons of Israel 720 Cooper Landing Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
