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M A Weekly - Bulletin Nov 16th 2024 - VAYERA - 15 Cheshvan 5785

11/15/2024 11:44:38 AM

Nov15

M.A. WEEKLY

                      

 

CLIQUEZ ICI Pour voir ce communiqué en Français (Traduction automatique par Google)

 

 

SCHEDULE

SHABBAT TIMES

Friday Night, @Maghen Abraham

 

Mincha 4pm followed by Shir Hashirim -Kabbalat Shabbat - Arvit

 

Shabbat Candle lighting  4:05 pm

 

Saturday - @Maghen Abraham  

 

Shahrit 9am

 

Perasha -  VAYERA

Haftara - Melachim II (II Kings) Chapter 4:1-37

 

Kiddush Sponsored by

Maghen Abraham

 

Mincha 3:50PM followed by Arvit & Havdalah

 

Havdalah: 5:10pm

 

UPCOMING THIS WEEK

CELEBRATIONS

MABROOK!!!

Tally Pisarevsky
On her Hebrew Birthday! 

 

MABROOK!!!

Nino Saad
On his Birthday!

 

MABROOK!!!

Marc Hadid
On his Birthday! (English and Hebrew)

 

MABROOK!!!

Nathalie Dahan-Hadid
On her Birthday!  (English and Hebrew)

 

HAZKAROT

HAZKARAH

Victoria Belaciano Hadid Bat Faride z'L
Mother of Marc Hadid
Grandmother of Charly, Benjamin,
Vicky Hadid

 

HAZKARAH

SHLOMO IFRAH BEN TAMAR z'L
Father of Tamar Israel


 

 

NOTICES

___________________________________________________
THE COMMUNITY OFFERS IT'S CONDOLENCES TO THE ARAZI FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF 
MARCO ARAZI Z'L
___________________________________________________
refua shelema to AHOUVA BAT MAZAL
___________________________________________________

REFUA SHELEMA TO Shlomo Ben Linda

NEWSLETTER

Bonjour / Hello [nickname_else_first_name],

Table of contents

 

1) Perashat Hashavoua - Rabbi Eli Mansour

2) Halakhat Hashavoua (Halakhot related to day to day life) By Hazzan David Azerad  -

The Importance of the Shabbat Day Meal - Peninei Halacha

3) Holy Jokes!

4) For KIDS

 

 

 This Week's Parasha Insight with Rabbi Eli Mansour

Parashat Vayera- Life’s Tests and “Ayin Toba”

The Mishna in Pirkeh Abot (5:3) tells that Abraham Abinu was tested ten times, and succeeded in each and every one. The most famous of Abraham’s tests, of course, was the test of Akedat Yishak, when he was told to sacrifice his beloved son, Yishak, and he prepared to slaughter Yishak until, at the last moment, G-d told him to desist.

Rav Haim of Volozhin (Lithuania, 1749-1821) noted a subtle contrast between this Mishna, and the immediately preceding Mishna, which states, "There were ten generations from Noah until Abraham." There, in mentioning the ten generations from Noah to Abraham, the Mishna refers to our patriarch simply as "Abraham," whereas in mentioning Abraham’s ten trials, the Mishna calls him, "Abraham Abinu" – "our patriarch Abraham." Why?

Rav Haim of Volozhin explained that when it comes to the area of "Nisyonot" – the tests and trials of life, Abraham is truly "Abinu" – our father. He bequeathed to each and every one of us his remarkable strength and determination, the ability to withstand and overcome any difficulty and any hardship. By passing his ten tests, Abraham instilled within his descendants for all time the fortitude to withstand life’s tests, to triumph over adversity and come out of even the darkest situations stronger, more determined and more joyful than we were before.

The secret to this strength can be found in a later Mishna in Pirkeh Abot (5:19), which lists several attributes of Abraham Abinu, the first of which is "Ayin Toba" – "a good eye." This means that Abraham looked upon everything as good, firmly believing that everything that transpires is the will of G-d, who always does what is best. A person who lives with this pristine level of faith can overcome any test, any trial, and any form of hardship, because he trusts that as difficult and as painful as the situation seems, it truly is good.

Whenever we face a difficult challenge, let us remember that we are Abraham’s children, who inherited from him the extraordinary ability to withstand any test and withstand any hardship – and that he has taught us that the way this is done is through Emuna, through unwavering belief in Hashem’s goodness, that, as taught to us by Rabbi Akiba, "Everything Hashem does is for the best."

 

 

 

Halachot this week are selected and Translated by Hazzan David Azerad

The Importance of the Shabbat Day Meal - Peninei Halacha

The daytime meal is more important than the Friday night meal, so the best foods should be saved for this second meal. Regarding kiddush, however, Friday night is more important, because we are meant to sanctify the day as close as possible to its onset. It is about honoring Shabbat that the daytime precedes the nighttime (Pesaĥim 105b; SA 271:3).

 

Some maintain that one who honors the Friday night meal more than the daytime meal should fear punishment because he has disrespected the day’s meal (Rashi, Gittin 38b). Therefore, some make a point of not eating fish on Friday night, to avoid a situation in which the meal by night might seem more important than the meal by day (Yam Shel Shlomo, ad loc.).

 

Others maintain that if it turns out that the Friday night meal is better because hot, fresh food can be served then, it does not reflect any disrespect. Therefore, one may prepare foods for Friday night that need to be served hot – such as fish, soup, or other foods that would go bad if they sat overnight – even if this means that the Friday night meal will be better than the daytime meal. However, when dealing with foods that can be served either by night or by day, such as wine and fruits, one should give precedence to the day’s meal. For many people, this is not a problem, because even though on Friday night they have hot, fresh food, they still prefer the foods that are generally served by day, such as cholent and kugel, whose unique flavor results from leaving them on the warming tray for a long time (AHS 271:9).

 

In practice, one who prefers the foods served during the day is certainly honoring the daytime meal. But one who does not prefer them must make a point of serving foods he especially loves by day, to show that it is the more important meal. He need not cut back on the Friday night meal to do so.

 

Some say that one should ideally eat a meal with bread immediately after making kiddush, and not have foods that are mezonot or other foods then, because the primary mitzva of enjoying Shabbat is fulfilled through eating a meal. If one eats various foods beforehand, he might have no appetite for the Shabbat meal. Nevertheless, there is no prohibition involved, because enjoying Shabbat following kiddush is also considered honoring the day. What is important is to not spoil one’s appetite for the second Shabbat meal, which will be celebrated with bread (Darkhei Moshe 249:4; BHL ad loc. 2 s.v. “mutar;” AHS ad loc. 12-13).

 

Some eat a light, dairy meal for the second Shabbat meal so that they will be alert, energetic, and able to learn Torah all day. They then have the main meat meal near evening at se’uda shlishit (See MT 30:10). It would seem that they too fulfill the mitzva, because the key is for the important meal to be eaten on Shabbat day.

 

Bevirkat Shabbat Shalom Umevorach

David Azerad 

 

 3) HOLY JoKeS!!

 

Selection of funny snippets, loosely related to this weeks parashah or current events, to brighten your day 


 

 

 

 

4) FOR KIDS

Click on the image to open the youtube video

 

 

 

LIFECYCLE EVENTS

Celebrate a lifecycle event with us by sponsoring a Kiddouch

 

CONGREGATION MAGHEN ABRAHAM

 

Contact Us

Maghen Abraham
POB 111, Succ Snowdon, Montreal,

H3X 3T3

 

Synagogue:
4894 St-Kévin 
Montréal, Québec, Canada 
macommunaute@maghenabraham.com

 

M A Weekly - Bulletin Nov 9th 2024 - LECH LECHA - 8 Cheshvan 5785

11/08/2024 11:36:54 AM

Nov8

M.A. WEEKLY

                      

 

CLIQUEZ ICI Pour voir ce communiqué en Français (Traduction automatique par Google)

 

 

SCHEDULE

SHABBAT TIMES

LFriday Night, @Maghen Abraham

 

Mincha 4:10pm followed by Shir Hashirim -Kabbalat Shabbat - Arvit

 

Shabbat Candle lighting  4:13 pm

 

Saturday - @Maghen Abraham  

 

Shahrit 9am

 

Perasha -  LECH LECHA

Haftara - Yeshayahu (Isaiah) Chapter 40:27 - 41:16

 

Kiddush Sponsored by

Maghen Abraham

 

Mincha 4PM followed by Arvit & Havdalah

 

Havdalah: 5:17pm

 

UPCOMING THIS WEEK

CELEBRATIONS

MABROOK!!!

Tally Pisarevsky
On her Birthday! 

 

MABROOK!!!

Marc-David Hadid
On his Birthday! (English and Hebrew)

 

MABROOK!!!

Carla Moralli
On her Birthday! 

 

HAZKAROT

HAZKARAH

 Rachel Hasson z'L
Mother of David Hasson

 

HAZKARAH

Shlomo rabih Ben David z'L
Husband of Nina Rabih
Father of David, Aldo and of Joyce Rabih

 

NOTICES

___________________________________________________
THE COMMUNITY OFFERS IT'S CONDOLENCES TO THE ARAZI FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF 
MARCO ARAZI Z'L
___________________________________________________
refua shelema to AHOUVA BAT MAZAL
___________________________________________________

REFUA SHELEMA TO Shlomo Ben Linda

NEWSLETTER

Bonjour / Hello [nickname_else_first_name],

Table of contents

 

1) Perashat Hashavoua - Rabbi Eli Mansour

2) Halakhat Hashavoua (Halakhot related to day to day life) By Hazzan David Azerad  -

Leĥem Mishneh (Two Loaves) and Cutting the Bread - Peninei Halacha

3) Holy Jokes!

4) For KIDS

 

 

 This Week's Parasha Insight with Rabbi Eli Mansour

Parashat Lech-Lecha: A Jew Never Despairs

We read in Parashat Lech-Lecha of Abraham Abinu’s miraculous military victory against four large empires. These empires had waged war against the city of Sedom and the surrounding cities, capturing all their citizens, including Abraham’s nephew, Lot. When Abraham heard about his nephew’s capture, he immediately mobilized his servants into an army of 318 men, and pursued the four kings. In miraculous fashion, Abraham defeated them and freed all the captives.

The Midrash, as several commentators cite, tells that Abraham did not, in fact, launch his attack with 318 soldiers. Rather, he was accompanied by just one person – his faithful servant, Eliezer. The name "Eliezer" has the numerical value of 318, and thus when the Torah speaks of Abraham mobilizing 318 men, it really means that he took Eliezer. The two of them fought alone and miraculously triumphed.

Rabbenu Bahya (1255-1340), one of the great Spanish commentators, adds more details to the Midrash’s account. He explains that Abraham initially did have 318 men, but they all left him before battle. Torah law requires that before the army sets out for battle, the Kohen must speak to the troops and announce certain exemptions, including for those who are frightened and may thus discourage their comrades. Abraham followed this procedure, and all 318 men promptly left, as they were frightened by the prospect of waging combat against four powerful armies. In the end, Abraham fought this war accompanied only by Eliezer.

Rav Tzadok Ha’kohen of Lublin (1823-1900) viewed this episode as establishing a vitally important precedent and infusing within the Jewish Nation one of its most remarkable qualities. Namely, we do not despair. The Jews arose from the gas chambers of the Holocaust to create a sovereign state and rebuild our nation. We have always believed and lived with a keen sense that "Yeshuat Hashem Ke’heref Ayin" – G-d can resolve even the most seemingly intractable crisis in an instant. This quality originates from the story of Abraham and Eliezer. After the 318 men left, Abraham found himself alone and, seemingly, helpless. How could he possibly wage a war against four powerful armies by himself? Yet, he didn’t despair. He took his trusted servant, and they prevailed.

Rav Tzadok noted that the numerical value of the word "Yeush" ("despair") is 317. Eliezer – whose name has the numerical value of 318 – represents the need to transcend despair and believe that G-d can always help. This is the lesson of this story, and it is a lesson which we need to apply every day throughout our lives as we confront challenges and hardships. A Jew never despairs, because a Jew knows that G-d is all-powerful and can bring the solution in an instant. No matter how desperate one’s situation is, he must never lose hope, and remember that G-d is capable of helping.

 

 

 

Halachot this week are selected and Translated by Hazzan David Azerad

Leĥem Mishneh (Two Loaves) and Cutting the Bread - Peninei Halacha

There is a mitzva to use two loaves of bread on Shabbat, to commemorate the double portion of manna that fell on Fridays when the Jews were in the desert and that was referred to as leĥem mishneh (Shabbat 117b). There are many double aspects to Shabbat. Its mitzvot are two-fold – Zakhor and Shamor; its sacrifices are double – two perfect lambs; its punishment is double, and so is its reward. The bread we use is doubled to express that the day is doubly great (based on Yalkut Shimoni, Beshalaĥ §261).

 

The person breaking bread should hold both challot in his hands while reciting the berakha, but it is sufficient if he cuts only one. By holding both challahs during the berakha, he has already fulfilled the mitzva of leĥem mishneh (Rambam, Rashi, SA 274:1). However, others maintain that one should cut both challahs (Shlah, Vilna Gaon). Those who wish to follow this custom should make sure to use small challahs so that they can finish them during the meal. The widespread custom is to cut only one loaf.

 

There are many customs as to how to arrange the challahs for the berakha. Some put one loaf on top of the other and cut the bottom one (SA 274:1). Others cut the top challah (Arizal). Others cut the bottom challah at night and the top challah during the day (Rema ad loc.) Those who cut the bottom challah should draw it closer to themselves when reciting the berakha (MB 274:5). Some follow Arizal’s custom of having twelve small loaves on the table at every meal (Kaf Ha-ĥayim 263:2).

 

Ideally, the challahs should be completely whole. Accordingly, one should not remove the sticker often found on the loaves of bread (in Israel) until after the berakha, since doing so may peel away a bit of the crust, thus rendering the challah not quite whole. If there are no whole loaves available, one should use the ones that are closest to whole. If necessary, he may use frozen bread for leĥem mishneh (SSK 55:12). If there are no complete uncut challahs but there are two whole loaves of pre-sliced bread, be-di’avad one can make “ha-motzi” on them. This is because some maintain that since they are whole loaves, and their package serves to preserve them as one unit, they are considered whole (Meshiv Davar §21). If there are no loaves available but only slices, one should make the berakha over two slices (SSK 55:17).

 

At se’uda shlishit as well, one is obligated to use two loaves in order to give expression to the double nature of Shabbat (SA 291:4). If he does not have two loaves, he should make “ha-motzi” over one whole loaf. For when the manna fell, our ancestors in the desert were left with only one loaf for se’uda shlishit (Rema ad loc.).

 

Bevirkat Shabbat Shalom Umevorach

David Azerad

 

 3) HOLY JoKeS!!

 

Selection of funny snippets, loosely related to this weeks parashah or current events, to brighten your day 


 

 

 

4) FOR KIDS

Click on the image to open the youtube video

 

 

 

LIFECYCLE EVENTS

Celebrate a lifecycle event with us by sponsoring a Kiddouch

 

CONGREGATION MAGHEN ABRAHAM

 

Contact Us

Maghen Abraham
POB 111, Succ Snowdon, Montreal,

H3X 3T3

 

Synagogue:
4894 St-Kévin 
Montréal, Québec, Canada 
macommunaute@maghenabraham.com

 
Tue, December 3 2024 2 Kislev 5785