Three Weeks - Thursday July 17th to Sunday Aug 3rd
9 Days of Av - Saturday July 26th to August 3rd
Tisha'a b'Av - Saturday Aug 2nd (evening) to Aug 3 (afternoon)
UPCOMING THIS WEEK
CELEBRATIONS
MABROOK!!!
Michael Sidel & Adeline Sidel
On their wedding Anniversary
2) Halakhat Hashavoua (Halakhot related to day to day life) By Hazzan David Azerad -Playing Music and Singing at a Se’udat Mitzva
3) Holy Jokes!
4) For KIDS
This Week's Parasha Insight with Rabbi Eli Mansour
Parashat Matot-Maseh: Following the Example of Aharon Ha’kohen
The Torah in Parashat Maseh briefly mentions the death of Aharon Ha’kohen, noting that he passed away on Rosh Hodesh Ab – a day which always falls around the time of the Shabbat when we read Parashat Maseh.
The Mishna in Masechet Abot instructs us to "be among the students of Aharon Ha’kohen, who loved peace, pursued peace, loved people, and drew them close to Torah." Aharon distinguished himself specifically in the area of peaceful relations among people. It is therefore appropriate that we read about his passing during this period of year, when we mourn the destruction of the Bet Ha’mikdash, which was the result of Sin’at Hinam (hatred among Jews). Aharon represents the diametric opposite of Sin’at Hinam, as he pursued peaceful relations with all people, and his example is one which we must follow in order to correct the mistake that caused the Jewish Nation’s exile.
However, the Mishna speaks not only of Aharon’s devotion to peace, but also of his efforts to bring his fellow Jews closer to Torah observance: "loved people, and drew them close to Torah." The Mishna uses here the word "Beriyot" ("people"), which refers to people on the lowest spiritual levels. The word "Beriya" literally means "creature" – something that was created. A "Beriya" is thus a person whose only achievement is the fact that he was created, who has not accomplished anything more than simply existing. Aharon truly loved even the Beriyot. He was genuinely devoted to all his fellow Jews, and rather than reject or ignore the "Beriyot," he loved them and worked with them in an effort to inspire them to grow.
This quality, too, is something we must try to emulate as we seek to become worthy of the end of the exile and the rebuilding of the Bet Ha’mikdash. The name of this month – "Ab" – is spelled "Alef," "Bet." The word "Alef" means "to teach," and the letter "Bet" represents the word "Bina" –wisdom. After a person learns and acquires knowledge, he bears the responsibility of sharing his knowledge with other people. This must be one of our goals during this period of mourning – to commit ourselves to spreading Hashem’s word and positively influencing our fellow Jews. This is the time to redouble efforts to pursue peace, to love all Jews regardless of their religious background, regardless of whether they are more, less, or just as observant as we are, and make every effort possible to inspire and uplift other Jews so they will draw closer to Torah.
Halachot this week are selected and Translated by Hazzan David Azerad
Playing Music and Singing at a Se’udat Mitzva
One may sing happy songs at a se’udat mitzva, like the meal at a brit mila, pidyon ha-ben, or sheva berakhot. One may also celebrate a bar mitzva or bat mitzva during this period, but only on the actual day that the child comes of age.
The poskim disagree about a locale where people always have musicians at a se’udat mitzva: May one have them during the Three Weeks as well? Some say that one may do so, since the music is for the sake of a mitzva. Others, however, forbid this. One who wants to be lenient has an opinion to rely on, as long as this is the general practice throughout the year.
Therefore, in a locale where people always hire musicians for bar mitzva celebrations, one may do so during the Three Weeks. However, if some people hire two musicians and others hire three, it is proper to hire only two during the Three Weeks. The same is true of all mitzva celebrations: We follow the general practice of the rest of the year.
Once the month of Av arrives, one should not hire musicians for any celebration. Similarly, one should not play recordings of happy songs, and one may only sing along with songs that relate to the mitzva celebration. One may even dance a little in a circle, as many people customarily do at a brit mila celebration.
Members of communities whose custom is to allow holding weddings until the end of Tamuz may hire a regular band for their weddings, because there is no celebration with a bride and groom without musical instruments. Even those whose custom is to refrain from getting married during these days may attend and dance at these weddings, as the joy they experience stems from a mitzva.
Kaf Ha-ĥayim 551:40 cites a dispute among the Aĥaronim as to whether one may play music at a mitzva celebration. Hilkhot Ĥagim 25:6 rules stringently. Torat Ha-mo’adim 5:4 cites several Aĥaronim who rule leniently on this issue. See also Piskei Teshuvot 551:13, where it states that one should not be lenient after the first of Av.
Bevirkat 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
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