Shabbat Chukat-Balak 5786 e-Bulletin
OrMenorah Congregation
Kehilat
Or Menorah
www.ormenorah.com
Rabbi Doug Zelden – Rav
Dov Steinberg - Shul
President
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
7006 N. California
Ave. Chicago, IL 60645
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Shabbat Parshat Chukat-Balak 5786
Friday Erev Shabbat
Candle lighting 8:10pm
Friday – Mincha/Kabalat
Shabbat: 8:20pm
…..
Birkat Hatorah, Kriat
Shma, & Brachot 9:00am
Shabbat Morning: 9:15am
Zman Kriat Shma:(Say Shma by) 9:05am
Kiddush is being
sponsored by Chaim & Rachel Grossfeld and Ruthie Grossfeld in memory of their mother Sylvia Grossfeld a”h,
in honor of Chaim & Rachel’s anniversary, in
honor of his birthday, and in honor of the anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah this
week.
………………………………
Shabbat Afternoon:
Pirke Avot Shiur 15
Minutes before Shabbat Mincha
Shabbat Afternoon Mincha: 8:00pm
Followed by Divre Torah
and Shiur
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SHABBAT
SHALOM!
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Saturday
Night:
Motz’ei
Shabbat Maariv: 9:04pm followed by Havdallah
after 9:21pm
(Maariv
begins no earlier than 33 minutes after sunset)
…………………………………..……………………
(If you
are able to sponsor a future Shabbat please contact the Rabbi.
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SIMCHA NEWS
Mazel Tov this week to:
Rachel & Chaim
Grossfeld on their anniversary.
Sara & Jordan Fox on their anniversary
Amy & Gene Levin on their anniversary.
Kymberly & Todd Israel on their anniversary.
Jill & Brian Curry on their anniversary.
Melissa & Yedidia Shabat on their anniversary.
Lorye & Barry Weiss on their anniversary.
Gigi Ashkenazi & Chai Katz and families on their engagement.
Leeby Kompel & Yechiel Lerner and families on their engagement.
Yael Vilenski & Yoel Cin and families on their marriage.
Estee Goldstein & Dov Solomon and families on their marriage.
Chani Meer & Moshe Hodffman and families on their marriage.
Avigail & Shlomo Wiznitzer and families on the birth of a son.
Shana (Porush) & Tzvi Hyman on the birth of a son.
Devorah (Spielman) & Mordechai Glazer on the birth of a daughter.
Elisa & Melech Lapson and families
on the birth of a daughter.
Ahuva & Simcha Schur and families on the birth of a daughter.
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Happy
Birthday to:
Chaim Grossfeld
Benji Berele
Simon Kurantz
Susan Aberman
Aryeh Weil
Elana Shuman
Eleanor Kirshner
Shira Makowsky
Victoria Mullen
Avromi Elliot Schwartz
Dena Lefton
Rosanne Arnet
Caryn Morginstin
Eliyahu Ungar-Sargon
Barbara Tivers
Wendy Finn
Steve Rissman
Alan Rosenbaum
Tracy Schultz
Donna Atkins
Phil Isaacson
Ira Sutker
Stacey Silver
Bill Coleman
Lynn Harris
Wendy Singer
Yom Huledet Samayach!
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CONDOLENCE NEWS:
BARUCH DAYAN EMET!
Condolences to the
families of:
-Morton Rich z“l
-Iosif Katz z“l
-Sylvia Grossfeld a“h
-Doris Chez a“h
Hamakom Yenachem Etchem B'Toch
Sh'ar Avele Tzion Virushalayim!
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Torah Thoughts from Rabbi Doug…
Parshat Chukat-Balak
The first of our Parshiot speaks of the Parah Aduma – the
Red Hefer and its power to purify a person ritually. Jumping to the second of
our Parshiot, Parshat Balak, we see that our Rabbis have a few statements
directing our attention to connections between Avraham and Bilaam. The most
famous might be a mishna in Ethics of Our Fathers - Pirkei Avot Chapter 5 which
tells us: "Those who have a good eye, a humble spirit, and a meek soul (ayin
tova, ruach nemucha, nefesh shefalah) are among the disciples of our
forefather Abraham. Those who have an evil eye, an arrogant spirit and a greedy
soul (ayin ra'ah, ruach gevoha, nefesh rechava) are among the
disciples of the wicked Balaam" Why do the Rabbis contrast Balaam and
Abraham? What could these two men possibly have in common that one would seek
to find the differences between them? In this week's parsha, we see
another difference our Rabbis highlight when they say that although both woke
up early and saddled their own donkey (although they had many servants who did
those tasks for them), Abraham did it out of extreme love and Balaam was driven
by hate. Also, they say that Hashem's (G-d) response to Balaam was basically:
"Oh big deal! Abraham woke up early and showed that trait of zrizut
(alacrity) long before you" Something is clear to the Rabbis about this
connection/contrast between Abraham and Balaam. What do they see? Notice there
are actually a lot of language parallels between these two characters. Both
"go" (lech) and "see" G-d's angel. And the most striking
parallel might be that Abraham is promised that "those who bless him will
be blessed and those who curse him will be cursed" while Balaam is
described by Balak as someone who has the power to bless and curse and those
whom he blesses will be blessed and those whom he curses will be cursed. Sounds
similar, right? What is the deeper connection here? What might the Torah be
trying to tell us? At the very beginning of our nation Abraham was
chosen, and promised that his children and grandchildren will grow and continue
to multiply into a nation which will always be guarded and blessed by G-d. And
now, Bnei Yisrael reach Arvot Moav - the last stop along their journey towards
Eretz Yisrael. Although, we have many Torah portions to read before Moses’
death at the end of Deuteronomy, in this week's parsha, we reach the last stop
along that journey. And right before we enter Eretz Yisrael someone comes along
and tries to curse us and bring us down. Hashem does not let that happen and
never will! As we stood there at Arvot Moav facing the curses of Balaam, we
were reassured that G-d's promises to Abraham were still in effect, four generations
later! And today, we are still seeing that same protection and blessing. May
we, The Jewish People, continue to merit that protection as we continue to
emulate Abraham with his humility, chesed (kindness), and faithful service of
G-d.
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Halacha
Corner
By, Rabbi Doug
Zelden
Thursday July 2, 2026 is the 17th of Tamuz
fast day “Shiva Assar B’Btamuz”
The fast begins at 3:26am and
ends at 9:13pm this year
in the Chicago area.
Laws of the 3 Weeks “Dri
Vuchin”
(Not including the laws of
the 9 days)
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Thursday is the fast day Shiva Asar B'Tamuz from morning until night.
It also begins the 3 weeks "Dri Vuchin" restrictions which end after
the 9 Days and Tisha B'Av.
Haircuts should be taken before this Shabbat or before the 3 weeks begin.
1. The
restrictions of the Three Weeks begin with Shiva Asar B’Tamuz -
the Fast of 17th of Tammuz and continue through the Fast of Tisha
B’Av.
Although this Fast begins on Thursday, July 2, 2026. at 3:26am,
the restrictions pertaining to mourning begin the previous evening at Shkia -
sunset
on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 8:30pm.
2. The custom of the
Ashkenazim is not to hold weddings during this entire period.
It is permitted to hold an engagement party even with a meal but without music
and dance. (During the Nine Days a formal group meal is prohibited.) The custom
to prohibit weddings extends to other forms of merriment that include live music
and/or dance as a main feature of the event, e.g. concert, music
recital. We therefore refrain from listening to all live music
during this period The custom is also to refrain from any form of dancing (even
without music) during the Three Weeks. Singing Zmirot on Shabbat, or songs
associated with a mitzvah, like a Brit Mila or Siyum are permitted.
3. The custom is not to get haircuts and some don’t shave or trim beards during this period. Those who would suffer financially due to an unshaven appearance are permitted to shave until the week of Tisha B’Av.
4. We refrain from
reciting the “Shehechiyanu” blessing during the 3 Weeks.
We don’t buy new clothes and wear them or buy a new fruit,
so to not have a Shehechiyanu Dilemma.
5. New projects and
renovations in the home which have not yet begun prior to the Three Weeks, and
are not for maintenance purposes or to prevent a loss,
should be postponed until after Tisha B’Av.
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Or Menorah - Weekday Schedule of Services
Weekday Minyanim with
Rabbi Doug
*Or Menorah is holding
Minyaim on Erev Shabbat, Shabbat, and Motz’ei Shabbat (also Yom Tov)
and special days since Covid, and all other davening will temporarily be
together
as scheduled below.
~ Sunday-Friday Shacharit: 8:30am together
at Poalei Zedek
~ S-TH Mincha/Maariv : 15
minutes before sunset together at Poalei Zedek
~Friday Mincha: 10 min.
after Candle Lighting at
Or Menorah
~ Motz'ei Shabbat
Maariv: 33 minutes after
Sunset
at Or Menorah
*(Poalei Zedek in 4
blocks South of Or Menorah at 2801 W. Albion Ave. in Chicago)
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See the only weekly
Jewish TV show in the midwest!
"Taped With... Rabbi Doug"
See www.tvrabbi.com to watch on-line 24/6
and for more info and schedules!
This week's show with Rabbi Doug:
Chicago Jewish Festival 5785 - Part 1 with David
Broza
On-Line Link to watch this episode on the web: http://www.tvrabbi.com/
Chicago - Channel 19 Mondays at
8:30pm and Tuesdays at 3:30pm.
(see http://www.tvrabbi.com
for more TV schedules and stations.)
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If you
have a birthday, a Yahrtzeit, a simcha,
a baby coming, or you are a chiuv....
PLEASE inform Rabbi Doug and one of the Gabbayim when you come into shul so
that the appropriate honors can be handed out and the appropriate announcements
made.
WRP Eruv Hotline
every Erev-Shabbat at
1-773-74-ERUV-2
or on-line by clicking below: http://chicagoeruv.tripod.com
Also:
A green sign on the window of Or
Menorah
indicates the Eruv is Up & Kosher to use.
~~~
(A RED SIGN
MEANS THE ERUV IS PUSUL
AND SHOULD NOT BE USED)
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Please make sure Rabbi
Doug has your email address,
and if you are not in the Achenu, please make your home address and phone
number available also.
PLEASE EMAIL US TO GET OUR EMAIL UPDATES.
Shul Email: orme...@ormenorah.com
Rabbi’s Email: rabb...@ormenorah.com
Dov Steinberg’s email: pres...@ormenorah.com
Website: http://www.ormenorah.com
(Shul phone: 773-299-8022)
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Please take care of your
5786 membership,
and any outstanding kiddush sponsoring,
yizkor pledges, or past due donations.
To donate with a credit
card, go to:
http://donate.ormenorah.com
Please be up to date! We
need your support!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Or Menorah
www.ormenorah.com
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Summary of Parshat Chukat – Balak By, Rabbi Doug Zelden
Numbers 19:1
Hertz Chumash – Page 652
1st Aliya: The laws of the Red Heifer, are detailed. In
Nissan of the 40th year, Miriam died.
The well dried up and the nation gathered against Moshe and
Aharon to complain about
their thirst. Pg. 652 Ch:19:1
2nd Aliya: The hitting of the rock occurred and Moshe and Aharon were ]forbidden to enter into Eretz Yisroel. Edom refused to allow the Jews to travel through their land. Pg. 656 Ch:20:7
3rd Aliya: Aharon died and Elazar succeeded his father as Kohain Gadol. They encountered the southern Canaanites (13 miles west of the Dead Sea) and bested them in battle. Following Aharon's death the protective clouds departed and the nation began to complain about the living conditions. G-d sent poisonous snakes to attack the nation and Moshe was instructed to create the copper snake on a stick to miraculously save those having been bitten. The nation traveled to Yeshimon northeast of the Dead Sea. Pg. 658 Ch:20:22
4th Aliya: In the conclusion of Chukas, the nation was
refused access to the lands of Sichon and Og and Moshe led them into victorious
battle against them. Parshas Balak begins with King Balak's offer to Billam the
Prophet to curse the Jewish people and G-d's refusal to allow him to accept.
The fourth Aliya always connects the double Parsha. Pg. 662 Ch:21:21
(from 664 go to 669)
5th Aliya: Balak sent a second negotiating team and Billam was given permission to go. Along the way the incident with the talking donkey occurred. Pg. 670 Ch:22:13
6th Aliya: Billam failed his first two attempts at cursing
the Bnai Yisroel and blessed them instead. Pg. 673 Ch:22:39
7th Aliya: Billam attempted his final curse but again
blessed the Jews. As he left in disgrace, Billam told the assembled coalition
of kings of their eventual destruction by the Jews.As a parting shot against the Jews, he advised Balak to
seduce the Jewish men with Midianite women ]which would bring G-d's wrath down upon the nation.
The
Parsha concludes with the incident of the immoral acts surrounding the Midianite women
and the worship of
Baal-Peor and Pinchas' zealous heroism. Pg. 677 Ch:23:27
Maftir Aliya: We repeat the last three verses of Parshas Balak. Pg. 681 Ch:25:7
.
Haftorah Chukat-Balak Michah 5:6 -
6:8 Hertz
Chumash – Page 682
This week's Haftorah is from Micha. Micha prophesized around the year 3200 during the reigns of Achaz and Chikiah. The prophecy in this selection relates to the period prior to the war of Gog and Magog and the coming of Mashiach. The nations of the world will have assembled against Israel, and the Jews will know that their salvation can only come from G-d. G-d's power will be revealed to everyone and a time of peace and tranquility will envelop humanity. Armies and defenses will no longer be necessary to protect the Jews and the nation's war machinery will be disassembled. Micha was then commanded to chastise his generation for violating G-d's will, despite all the goodness He had bestowed upon them. In the final verses of the Haftorah, the prophet tells the nation that true atonement can only be attained through change and action. The ceremonious aspects of devotion, such as sacrifice and prayer, will not accomplish forgiveness. Justice, loving kindness, modesty, humility, and active change are the services that G-d desires. The connection to our Parsha is the mention of Balak and Billam as examples of G-d's caring and protection for the Jewish people. The story of Parshas Balak involved G-d protecting us from our enemies even when we were unaware of their insidious conspiracies and intentions. Prior to the coming of Mashiach, the Jews will realize that their safety is dependent upon G-d and G-d alone, just as the Jews in the desert were totally dependent upon G-d's continuous protection and intervention.
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