YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD Shabbat Mevorchim

2240 ALBANY AVENUE Parshat Emor

WEST HARTFORD, CT 06117
860-233-3084 May 7th, 2011
3 Iyar 5771
Web Site: www.youngisraelwh.org Kiddush this Shabbat
Is Sponsored by
YOUNG ISRAEL OF WEST HARTFORD

Rabbi’s Corner
I would like to say “Yasher Koach” to our member
Evelyn & Stan Rutstein
Irina Margulis and the entire committee of the Yom in honor of the Yahrzeits
HaShoah Commemoration for doing a wonderful job in of their parents:
planning and executing the event this past Sunday evening. Aryeh Leib ben Eliezer Yoseph,
As many of you noted, there were some changes to the Frayda bas Sholom HaKohen,
program that made it a bit different than in previous years. Yisrael ben Chaim &
Change is never easy and the committee made the neces-
sary changes with grace and respect. One of those
Chana bas Shlomo Hakohen
changes was having the survivors who lit candles inter-
YOM HAZIKARON MEMORIAL CEREMONY
viewed by local high school students about their stories of
FOR ISRAEL’S FALLEN
survival. “Yasher Koach” to our member Zachary Silver and
the others for taking part in this important endeavor. This Sunday, May 8th at 7:30 PM
will be a lasting memory for them for all their lives. At the Mandell JCC’s Herbert Gilman Theater
This week we move to two more modern Jewish FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
commemorations: Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'Atzmaut. As A YOM HAZIKARON COMMEMORATION
we get excited to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut we must also A MULTI SYNAGOGUE MAARIV
pay homage and give reverence to the soldiers and citizens Tefila Chagigit
who lost their lives fighting to make Medinat Israel a reality Monday, May 9th ~ At Agudas Achim
and keep Medinat Israel a thriving, beautiful, and safe place. Mincha at 6:45 PM ~ Program at 7:00 p.m.
I would encourage you to join the communal commemora- Performances by Jewish Day School students
tion of Yom Hazikaron at the JCC Sunday evening at 7:30 PM. Dancing, singing and so much more!
Also, for the first time, several shuls and schools have
come together to plan a wonderful program for the night of YOM HA’ATZMAUT BBQ
Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Monday evening) which will feature the At the home of Rabbi Brahm & Elana Weinberg
appropriate commemoration of Yom Hazikaron, the transi- Tuesday May 10th
tion to Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and will end with a tefilla hagigit (a 5:00 t0 7:00 PM
celebratory special maariv service for the holiday). Please 85 Iroquois Road (If rain at YIWH)
make every effort to attend Monday at 7:00 PM at Agudas Cost $8.00 per person
Achim (Mincha at 6:45pm). Payment at the door.
Finally, Elana and I would like to invite everyone to
come join us again this year for the YIWH Yom Ha’Atzmaut MANY THANKS
BBQ which we will host at our house this coming Tuesday. The Synagogue would like to express its apprecia-
EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT RSVP’d you may still join and if you tion to Tsion Cohen for repairing the synagogue
can tell us in advance that would be great. This year we will driveway. In turn Tsion dedicates this effort in
have food, music, and a special “Bouncy House” for kids to honor of Dr. Steve and Debbie Luger for all that
play in! We look forward to having you! they have done.
Some people have asked about the timing of Yom
Ha’Atzmaut this year and why the official day of observance ‫מזל טוב‬
th
is on Tuesday whereas the date of 5 of Iyar is actually Mon- ‫טוב‬ ‫מזל‬ to Rena Miller on her engagement to
day. The following article summarizes the issues very well Michael Blechner of Oceanside, NY. ‫ מזל טוב‬to
and I think should be interesting for all of us to read. My po- joyful parents, Laura & Stu, to Tova, Aviva &
sition is to follow the rulings of the chief rabbinate. Adam Adler and the entire Miller and Blechner
Shabbat Shalom! families.
Editor: Judie Patel Rabbi Brahm Weinberg 860-233-3084 or
E-mail: bulletin @youngisraelwh.org rabbi@youngisraelwh.org
Editors Emeritus: Sam Leichtberg & Moish Trencher
Judith Hessing, Coordinator 860-233-6042 or
judith.hessing@gmail.com
Affiliate of the National Council of Young Israel Synagogues, Member of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Sponsor
of West Hartford NCSY, National Conference of Synagogue Youth, Kashrut Commission of Greater Hartford,
Mikveh Bess Israel of Greater Hartford, Eruv of West Hartford
 Page 2
SAVE THE DATES ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
UPCOMING YIWH & COMMUNITY EVENTS Acknowledgment donations should be sent to
WOMEN’S ROSH CHODESH TEHILLIM GROUP Debbie Luger at 37 Miamis Road
Will be held on Sunday evening, June 5th
at 7:30 PM
At the home of Judie Patel, 100 Lawler Road

HHNE COOKBOOK
On sale now at HHNE Office for $20.00
SAVE THE DATE
Or from Karen Benjamin 860-232-1471
YAHRZEIT LECTURE
Proceeds benefit the new kitchen
Sunday, June 12th at 7:30 PM
Nechama Liss-Levinson, PhD
Dvar Continued from Page 3 Talking to Children About Death
….three years ago, Chicago’s Rav Gedalia Dov Schwartz,
the Av Beit Din of America, ruled that Yom Ha’atzmaut should be YIWH CRUISE DINNER
observed on the 5th of Iyar. Although other American rabbis fol- September 11th at 6:30 PM
lowed the Chief Rabbinate’s ruling, he felt that the reasons be-
hind the postponement did not apply in chu”l.
Yet, when Rav Yonah Metzger, the Chief Rabbi of Israel,
requested that Rav Schwartz change his ruling, he did so gra-
ciously. The Jews of Chicago therefore followed the ruling of the
Chief Rabbinate in 5764 (2004).

[1] BT Succah 42b, Rosh Hashana 29b, Megillah 4b

[2] The 14th of Adar never falls on Shabbat.
[3] 688:6. See also the Mishnah Brura, who notes that some dis-
agree and have the seudah on Shabbat and also deliver mish-
lochei manot on Shabbat. However, most authorities concurred
with the Shulchan Aruch, and that is the accepted practice.
[4] See Rav Shmuel Katz’s article about the Chief Rabbinate’s
decrees where he claimed that even Rav Goren initially felt that
Hallel should be recited on the day designated for the celebra-
tions and only later changed his mind.
MANY THANKS
THANK YOU to David Goldfarb, Zvi Goldfischer, Tom
Freund, Steve Stein and Stan Rutstein for all their work
arranging the davening, the aliyot and the rolling of
the Sifrei Torah over Pesach. Yasher Koach on a
job well done!

THANKS TO all those who read the Torah and led the
BUY SCRIP! BUY SCRIP! davening over Pesach!
BIG Y SCRIP & SHOP RITE SCRIP AVAILABLE NOW!
Don’t forget Crown & Stop & Shop too! WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Let's support our Shul by buying scrip! Welcome to our new members:
Every dollar counts! Michael Weinstein, and
Contact: Judith Hessing (860-233-6042) Rebecca Newman
at 18 Grenhart Street
URGENT ERUV ALERT- PLEASE BE ADVISED:
AMAZON.COM Due to complications the ERUV has been
When ordering online, try to buy from Amazon RE-ROUTED for a few weeks.
through the YIWH website. It is another painless The Eruv DOES NOT INCLUDE (i.e. - do not carry in the
way for the Shul to make money! following areas):
-The North Sidewalk of Mohawk from Norwood
SODA BOTTLE COLLECTION to Mohegan
Eliza Katz is collecting bottles, cans, and glass to -Both sides of Mohegan from Mohawk to
raise money for the Rabbi’s Fund. Please bring Emanuel Synagogue
empties to her address: 24 Miamis Road; -Lyman Rd East of Mohegan and all of
860-680-9847 Seminole Circle
 Postponing Yom Ha’Atzmaut in Israel and Abroad - By Asher Sabag (www.torahmitzion.org) Page 3
th
The 5 of Iyar can only fall out on one of the following days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Shabbat. Therefore, in most
years, Yom Ha’atzmaut is postponed to another date.
Initially, the Chief Rabbinate ruled that when the 5th of Iyar falls on either Friday or Shabbat, Yom Ha’atzmaut should be advanced to
the preceding Thursday. Subsequently, the rabbis realized that whenever Yom Ha’atzmaut fell on a Monday, the preparations for Yom
Hazikaron - which would then begin on Motzai Shabbat - would inevitably result in a considerable amount of chilul Shabbat (Shabbat
desecration). Therefore, the Chief Rabbinate decided that both Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut would be pushed off by one day.
In other words, Yom Hazikaron would then occur on Monday, 5 Iyar, and Yom Ha’atzmaut would take place on Tuesday, 6 Iyar.
Thus, when Yom Ha’atzmaut falls on three out of its four possible days, it is either advanced or postponed. The question is,
then, what is the halachic status of the 5th of Iyar itself in these cases? Specifically, when is Hallel recited? Furthermore, does one say
Tachanun?
With respect to the postponement or advancement itself, we have a precedent where Chazal even delayed mitzvot d’Orayta
- by ordering a “shev vi’al ta’aseh” (literally, sit and do not perform the mitzvah) - in cases where they feared a potential chilul Shab-
bat d’Rabbanan! As the Gemara[1] asks: “Why [is it forbidden to bring a lulav into the Beit HaMikdash on Shabbat]? There is only [a
prohibition] of handling [the lulav]. Should not [the mitzvah of lulav] override this Shabbat [restriction]? Rabba said: ‘It is a decree lest
one take [the lulav] in his hand and go to an expert to learn and carry it four amot in the public domain.’ And this is the reason for
[not blowing] the shofar [when Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbat] and the reason for [not reading] the Megillah [when Purim falls on
Shabbat].”
Thus, when it comes to the sanctity of Shabbat - even with respect to Rabbinic prohibitions - there is a precedent of applying
a “shev vi’al ta’aseh” and delaying the performance of even a mitzvah d’Orayta. However, the Gemara’s case is not perfectly identical
to our situation. Chazal did not postpone the observance of the day itself; rather, they merely delayed one specific, relevant mitzvah.
But there is another case which more closely resembles our situation - namely, when Shushan Purim[2] falls on Shabbat (a
“Purim Meshulash”, or “threefold Purim”). The Shulchan Aruch[3] ruled: “When the 15th falls on Shabbat, the Megillah is not read on
Shabbat. Instead, its reading is advanced to Erev Shabbat. And coins are collected for Matanot Lievyonim, and they are distributed on
that same day. And on Shabbat, two Torah scrolls are taken out [to be read], and from the second one, we read: “And Amalek came”.
And Al HaNissim is recited, but the seudat Purim does not take place until Sunday.”
Yet, here too, the essence of the day itself is not postponed. Instead, only those mitzvot which are likely to lead to chilul
Shabbat are advanced or delayed. However, mitzvot which have no negative impact on Shabbat - Al HaNissim and the Torah reading
for Purim - are not postponed. In order to answer our questions, we must first clarify whether or not Yom Ha’atzmaut’s essence is
dependent on the Chief Rabbinate’s decree. If so, they should likewise have the authority to change the date for Shabbat’s sake.
Yet, since independence and the removal of the yoke of servitude to the nations of the world are the reasons that the Chief
Rabbinate established this day as a chag, perhaps they are also the factors that endowed this day with its intrinsic essence. If this lat-
ter option is the case, then the dinim which can be observed on the 5th of Iyar - such as skipping Tachanun, reciting Hallel, and the
blessings of SheAsah Nissim (for those who maintain this custom) and SheHechiyanu -should not be postponed; only the festivities
and the celebrations, which may lead to chilul Shabbat, should be pushed off to another day….
We must also consider the social implications of reciting Hallel on the 5th of Iyar when the rest of the country is in mourning,
as befitting Yom Hazikaron. In fact, such an act is likely to cause great pain both to the bereaved families and to the entire Am Yisrael,
who are profoundly and gratefully appreciative of the sacrifice made by the fallen soldiers. Reciting Hallel in such a context is hardly
commensurate with darchei shalom (literally, the ways of peace).
Indeed, Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook zt”l stressed that advancing Yom Ha’atzmaut from Friday or Shabbat to the preceding Thursday is in
and of itself a remarkable Kiddush Hashem. The date change indicates that the Jewish State is thereby refraining from chilul Shabbat,
which is a public and prominent Kiddush Hashem.
When discussing the topic of an “early” or “postponed” Yom Ha’atzmaut, modern poskim were forced to grapple with all of
these considerations. For instance, in 5741 (1981), Rav Goren[4] (Torat HaShabbat ViHaMoed) concluded that when Yom Ha’atzmaut
falls on Friday or Shabbat, Hallel should be recited on Shabbat, because it does not involve chilul Shabbat. This ruling resembles the
above-cited example of Shushan Purim that falls on Shabbat.
Although Rav Goren did not specifically address the case of Yom Ha’atzmaut falling on Monday (since that decree was en-
acted after his time), we can perhaps assume that he would have been cognizant of darchei shalom and would have thus ruled differ-
ently in that case.
In any event, other authorities did not make Rav Goren’s distinction and postponed all the day’s mitzvot to the decreed day.
Nonetheless, some rabbis insisted that Tachanun not be recited on the 5th of Iyar (when it falls on Monday or Friday), and in 5764
(2004), the Chief Rabbinical Council agreed with the latter group. …
Hence, according to the Chief Rabbinate’s ruling - and this is in fact the custom in most locations throughout Israel - all the
day’s mitzvot (Hallel, piyutim, and a special prayer service) should be observed on Tuesday, 6 Iyar. Meanwhile, on 5 Iyar - Yom Hazi-
karon, Remembrance Day for Israel’s Fallen - one should not recite Tachanun during the Tefillah.
All of the above applies to observing Yom Ha’atzmaut in Israel. But perhaps one must behave differently when in chu”l (i.e.
outside of Israel)? At first glance, it would seem that the impetus for Yom Ha’atzmaut’s postponement does not apply abroad, be-
cause there are no national celebrations that could potentially result in chilul Shabbat. If so, maybe in chu”l, one should always ob-
serve Yom Ha’atzmaut on the 5th of Iyar. On the other hand, since the chag’s essence was derived from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel,
perhaps Jews worldwide are obligated to follow the Rabbinate’s ruling?
Dvar Continued on page 2

YIWH Schedule of Services
It is easy to sponsor a Kiddush
May 6th - 13th, 2011
Shabbat Parshat Emor
Or Seudah Shlishit!

Friday, May 6th Shul handles set up & Clean up!

Shacharit 6:45 a.m. Contact Judie Patel at 236-4178
Mincha/Maariv 7:00 p.m. or judiep@gmail.com to
Candle Lighting 7:35 p.m. check the availability of the date
Shabbat, May 7th you need & call Fran Wittenberg
Rabbi Sheinkopf’s Mishna Brurah Class 8:15 a.m. 860-232-2320 to make the
Shacharit 9:00 a.m. arrangements for the type of
Sof Zman Kriat Shma 9:14 a.m. Kiddush you want to sponsor.
Shabbat Morning Youth Groups 10:00 a.m. Checks need to be received
Rabbi’s Shabbat Afternoon Class 6:35 p.m. the Sunday prior to your
Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit & Maariv 7:20 p.m. Kiddush date.
Shabbat Ends 8:36 p.m. Send to David Cohen at
Sunday, May 8th - Thursday, May 12th 19 Mansfield Avenue.
Earliest Tallit & Tefillin 4:42 a.m. There are three types
Shacharit... Sunday 8:15 a.m. of Kiddushim:
Shacharit…Monday , Wednesday & Thursday 6:45 a.m. Standard for $150,
Shacharit…Tuesday - Yom Ha’Atzmaut 6:30 a.m. Semi-Deluxe for $250
Mincha/Maariv (S, Tu,W,Th) 7:40 p.m. & Deluxe for $350
Mincha/Maariv (M) at Agudas Achim prior to Program 6:45 p.m. With supplements available.
Friday, May 13th
For Seudah Shlishit contact
Shacharit 6:45 a.m.
Stan Rutstein at 232-3369
Mincha/Maariv 7:00 p.m.
Candle Lighting 7:43 p.m. KIDDUSH SCHEDULE
5/7 Rutstein
5/14 Trencher
Check out the weekly Schedule on the YIWH Website http://go.youngisraelwh.org/timesTimes from: www.ou.org/holidays/calendar
For Eruv Information: twitter.com/WHartfordEruv or go.youngisraelwh.org/eruv (Hotline - 860-232-6417)

Ner La’Maor
Lights
Evelyn & David Hessing
In Memory of their Grandmothers
Sarah Schwimmer
‫שרה רבקה בת חנוך היינך ודבורה‬
And
Chava Bat Bahiya
‫חוה בת בהיה‬
Yayin l’ Kiddush Ve'Havdalah
Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah
Judy Leichtberg & Batsheva
Goldfischer in memory of their
father and grandfather,
Israel Weiss
‫ישראל בן דוד‬
and their mother & grandmother
Frida Weiss
‫טויבא פרידה בת עזרא‬
If you are interested in subscribing to the yiwhevents listserve, send an e-mail to webmaster@youngisraelwh.org and he will add
your name. If you are a member of the group, you can send an e-mail to the entire group by addressing your e-mail to
Pat La’Orchim
Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit
Betty & Irving Wizenfeld Seudah Shlishit Supplement
Betty Wizenfeld in memory of her 12:14 ‫קהלת‬
Parents Tobias & Esther Spira ‫“סוף דבר הכל נשמע‬
‫טוביה בן צבי אלימלך‬ ‫את האלקים ירא‬
‫אסתר בת דוד הכהן‬ ‫ואת מצותיו שמור‬
Irv Wizenfeld in memory of his father ”‫כי זה כל האדם‬
Sam Wizenfeld Anonymous
‫שמואל מאיר בן יצחק הכהן‬
5770 Candy Man:
Bernard Kesler
in memory of his father
Sender ben Avraham Zelig
‫סנדר בן אברהם זליג‬
Want to join the Listserve?
yiwhevents@yahoogroups.com .

YIWH Schedule of Services
It is easy to sponsor a Kiddush
May 13th - 20th, 2011
Shabbat Parshat Behar
Or Seudah Shlishit!

Friday, May 13th Shul handles set up & Clean up!

Shacharit 6:45 a.m. Contact Judie Patel at 236-4178
Mincha/Maariv 7:00 p.m. or judiep@gmail.com to
Candle Lighting 7:43 p.m. check the availability of the date
Shabbat, May 14th you need & call Fran Wittenberg
Rabbi Sheinkopf’s Mishna Brurah Class 8:15 a.m. 860-232-2320 to make the
Shacharit 9:00 a.m. arrangements for the type of
Sof Zman Kriat Shma 9:10 a.m. Kiddush you want to sponsor.
Shabbat Morning Youth Groups 10:00 a.m. Checks need to be received
Rabbi’s Shabbat Afternoon Class 6:45 p.m. the Sunday prior to your
Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit & Maariv 7:30 p.m. Kiddush date.
Shabbat Ends 8:44 p.m. Send to David Cohen at
Sunday, May 15th - Thursday, May 19th 19 Mansfield Avenue.
Earliest Tallit & Tefillin 4:33 a.m. There are three types
Shacharit... Sunday followed by Rabbi Weinberg’s 8:15 a.m. of Kiddushim:
Gemara Shiur on Masechet Makot Standard for $150,
Shacharit…Monday & Tuesday 6:45 a.m. Semi-Deluxe for $250
Mincha/Maariv 7:45 p.m. & Deluxe for $350
Friday, May 20th With supplements available.
Shacharit 6:45 a.m.
For Seudah Shlishit contact
Mincha/Maariv 7:00 p.m.
Stan Rutstein at 232-3369
Candle Lighting 7:50 p.m.
KIDDUSH SCHEDULE
5/14 Trencher

Check out the weekly Schedule on the YIWH Website http://go.youngisraelwh.org/timesTimes from: www.ou.org/holidays/calendar
For Eruv Information: twitter.com/WHartfordEruv or go.youngisraelwh.org/eruv (Hotline - 860-232-6417)
Ner La’Maor
Lights
Evelyn & David Hessing
In Memory of their Grandmothers
Sarah Schwimmer
‫שרה רבקה בת חנוך היינך ודבורה‬
And
Chava Bat Bahiya
‫חוה בת בהיה‬
Yayin l’ Kiddush Ve'Havdalah
Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah
Judy Leichtberg & Batsheva
Goldfischer in memory of their
father and grandfather,
Israel Weiss
‫ישראל בן דוד‬
and their mother & grandmother
Frida Weiss
‫טויבא פרידה בת עזרא‬
Pat La’Orchim
Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit
Betty & Irving Wizenfeld Seudah Shlishit Supplement
Betty Wizenfeld in memory of her 12:14 ‫קהלת‬
Parents Tobias & Esther Spira ‫“סוף דבר הכל נשמע‬
‫טוביה בן צבי אלימלך‬ ‫את האלקים ירא‬
‫אסתר בת דוד הכהן‬ ‫ואת מצותיו שמור‬
Irv Wizenfeld in memory of his father ”‫כי זה כל האדם‬
Sam Wizenfeld Anonymous
‫שמואל מאיר בן יצחק הכהן‬
5770 Candy Man:
Bernard Kesler
in memory of his father
Sender ben Avraham Zelig
‫סנדר בן אברהם זליג‬

Want to join the Listserve?

If you are interested in subscribing to the yiwhevents listserve, send an e-mail to webmaster@youngisraelwh.org and he will add
your name. If you are a member of the group, you can send an e-mail to the entire group by addressing your e-mail to
yiwhevents@yahoogroups.com .