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Hello {{first_name}}​​​  {{last_name}},

Zmanim this week are as follows:

Mazeltov
Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Yaakov Weill on the birth of a baby boy! May they see much nachas from him!

Kiddush Sponsorship
Kiddush last shabbos was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Zev Weiss

Kiddush this week is being sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Serayah Raphaeli  in honor of the birth of their daughter, Batya Miriam

Have a wonderful Shabbos!
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Dvar Torah
In this week's Parsha, we encounter the story of the Miraglim. We have all heard about how the Miraglim had their own nigius that made them slip up and talk negatively about Eretz Yisroel. So too in our daily lives, we have our own nigius that constantly clouds our judgement. What can we learn from the Miraglim’s mistake to help ourselves with the struggle of nigius?

At the end of the Parsha we read the 3rd Parsha of Krias Shema. Within the Parsha we mention the concept of seeing twice. The first time it says 
ְולא תתורו אחרי לבבכם ואחרי עיניכם - Rashi comments on the word תתורו that the shoresh is לתור ,which is the same word used to send the Miraglim. Rashi is showing us that the same problem the Maraglim encountered in Eretz Yisroel would cause us to fall in our daily lives. The antidote to this failure is mentioned in the previous passuk. When discussing ציצת ,the passuk says וזכרתם אתו וראיתם .We know that ציצת used to have techeiles. The function of the techeiles was to remind us of the sea, which reminds us of the sky, which reminds us of the heavens, which reminds us of Hashem. Many meforshim comment that the reason for this drawn out process and that we don’t jump straight from the techeiles to Hashem is to remind us to look more carefully at everything we do and see, and to understand why this object was created and what is its function. The techeiles shows us that the sea was created to remind us of Hashem. The sky was created to remind us of Hashem. Famously, Rav Avigdor Miller used to walk around with a bag of apple seeds in his pocket as a constant reminder to look at the small things in the world and at everything in the world to learn why Hashem created it and what it’s function was. This was the antidote for the Miraglim. When they came to Eretz Yisroel, there were many levayos going on. The Maraglim took this as a sign that the land kills people instead of seeing the chesed of Hashem that He allowed them to go unnoticed. Every complaint that the Miraglim had could have been addressed by thinking a little deeper and seeing what the function of each one these “problems” had.

​​​​​​​So too in our own lives, in order to counteract our own nigius, we need to stop and think for a moment to see objectively what this object or decision represents for our friend or Hashem and do what is best. We all tend to think that if Hashem would just appear to us, it would clear up so many of our struggles. We imagine that our minds would be cleared of all our own personal wants and needs and we would serve Hashem 24/7. I once heard a story from Rabbi Zacharia Walerstein, who relayed this story from Rav Gamiel Rabanovitz. There was once a mekubal who had a dear friend who asked him to help him with his wayward son. The son was then Mechalel Shabbos and the father begged the Mekubal to help him. The Mekubal finally agreed and took this child on a spiritual journey in which he was able to see Gan Eden and Gehenom. The Shabbos after this journey, the father found the son smoking on Shabbos!!! The father could not believe it, but the son said “you Rabbis can make people see things; nothing I saw was real.” This child saw what we dream of seeing and yet he still shrugged off his experience. Our avodah is to see the small things in life and take a moment to understand what the point of this object or experience is and how it will help us grow closer to Hashem.

Good Shabbos!
Shlomo Moshe Fixler

Correction: Mincha today is at 7PM.

Erev Shabbos, May 7: 40th Day Omer (Iyyar 25)
7:00p Mincha
7:47p Candle Lighting
Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום אחד וארבעים יום שהם חמשה שבועות וששה ימים לעמר

Shabbos, May 8: Shabbos Mevarchim, 41st Day Omer,
Parshas Behar-Bechukosai (Iyyar 26)
8:30a Shacharis
8:56a Zman Krias Shema- MG'A
9:32a Zman Krias Shema- GR'A
Weekly Shabbos afternoon Shiur: "hilchos kibud av va’eim" 5:30pm
6:00p Mincha
8:07p Shkia
8:57p Maariv
9:07p 60 Minutes
9:19p 72 Minutes
Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום שנים וארבעים יום שהם ששה שבועות לעמר

Have a good shabbos!

Hello {{first_name}} ​​​ {{last_name}}​,
Zmanim this week are as follows:

Shul Lag Baomer event
Thank you all for a great Shul Lag B'omer kumzitz!
Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Aharon Kahn for co-sponsoring the event!

If you would like the opportunity of sponsoring future shul events please reach out to Shai Meyerowitz

Volunteers needed for Cholent Pickup
We are looking for for someone to pick up the cholent from the Knish Shop and bring it to shul on May 22nd and June 5th. Please sign up using this link  if you can help out! Details about picking it up etc are on the sheet. Thank you!

Reminder: Covid Survey
Thank you to those who have taken the time to fill out the Shul Covid Survey - if you missed the original email please see below for details and links.

At the behest of the Va'ad Harabanim, and as part of planning for COVID-19 and shul services, we are sending this Kehilas Bnei Yeshiva survey. Please have every adult (and teen over 16) in the household fill this out as soon as possible. 

While aggregate results maybe shared with community organizations, all personal information and individual responses will be held in strictest confidence and will only be viewed by shul leadership.

Please click  here  to fill out the survey.

This survey is distinct from the Baltimore City Health Department survey highlighted on Baltimore Jewish Life ( link ) which should be filled out as well.

Thank you!

Have a wonderful shabbos!
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Dvar Torah

Our Father In Heaven 
This week’s parshah discusses the lechem hapanim (show-breads), which were featured in the Mishkan and Bais HaMikdash. The Gemara relates that when the Jewish nation was oleh regel to the Bais HaMikdash 3 times each year, there was one sign of love in particular that the Kohanim were instructed to show to every Jew: the miraculous lechem hapanim which stayed fresh and warm all week long. After displaying the lechem hapanim, the Kohanim would exclaim “look how dear you are to Hashem!” (Chagiga, 26b) 

Now, there were many miracles that happened on a regular basis in the Bais HaMikdash. Why was this particular miracle chosen to signify Hashem’s love for us instead of the others? Furthermore, in what way does this miracle signify Hashem’s love for us in the first place? 

We can answer this by addressing another question, which is discussed in the Gemara: When the Jews received mun (manna) in the desert, Hashem only gave each Jew exactly one day’s provisions, each and every day. Why did Hashem do so? Instead of requiring each Jew to go out and bring home his portion of mun each day, why didn't Hashem provide a full month's or year’s supply of mun at a time? Wouldn’t that have been more convinient for everyone?
 
When my little brother went to camp, my father specifically gave him only a fraction of the spending money which the camp recommended providing. When asked why, my father explained as follows: “Of course I will give him the full amount of spending money that he needs. However, I won’t give it to him all in one lump sum. You see, my son enjoys camp so much and, as many kids do, he tends to forget to call his father who loves him so much. So, I specifically give him less spending money than he will need. This way, he invariably calls me once a week, I get to talk to him and hear how he’s doing, and of course, before he hangs up, he asks for a little bit more pocket money which I agree to mail him. It’s a win - win situation”. 

Hashem is our loving Father​ who wants nothing more than to have the closest imaginable connection and relationship with us, and cares to hear from us even more than the most loving parent. The Gemara explains that THIS is the reason why Hashem only gave us one day’s worth of food at a time, for it encouraged us to ask Hashem for food every single day. This system of constant connection brought our nation closer to Hashem than ever before, as it trained us to talk to Hashem regularly and ask Him for all of our needs (Yoma, 66a. Additionally, see there for a similar parable).

This​ was the lesson of the lechem hapanim and the lesson which the Kohanim were conveying to the Jewish people. When we saw the lechem hapanim bread, which usually begins to become stale after just a few hours, remain fresh and warm all week long, we understood with absolute clarity that Hashem was obviously capable of sending the mun in the desert once a month, or even once a year, while keeping it warm and fresh. Instead, Hashem specifically sent only one day’s worth of food because, like any loving father, He wanted to hear from us constantly and desired the constant connection that this system afforded. 
When the Jews saw how important it is to Hashem that we turn to Him and ask Him for our needs, and how much He desires a constant connection with us, they re-strengthened and revitalized their davening and practice of regularly talking to Hashem. They got the message loud and clear: Talk to Hashem; He wants to hear from YOU.
 
The timeless lesson of the lechem hapanim is that Hashem is our loving Father and that He wants to hear from us on a REGULAR basis. Whether you want a big raise, or you simply need help finding your car keys, Hashem wants you to talk to Him and ask Him for help. With this understanding, we can answer an extremely important and fundamental question: On Rosh Hashanah, Hashem decrees exactly what will happen to us and what blessing we will receive that year. If so, why do we daven for our needs every day? Furthermore, if every detail of our year was ALREADY decided on Rosh Hashana, how could our davening to Hashem even help? R' Meir Stern uses the lesson illustrated by the lechem hapanim and answer as follows: true, Hashem has already decided on Rosh Hashana precisely which fantastic blessings He will give us this year. However, every single one of those blessings sit in heaven until we ASK Hashem for them. Hashem wants to give us blessing, but He also wants us to be in touch with him, like every loving father does. He knows that, similar to a child in camp who receives a generous amount of pocket cash, if we receive all of the blessings which He decreed without having to ask for it, we very well may begin to forget our Father. Therefore, Hashem holds onto all of it until the moment we ask for it, and only then will He shower it upon us, for He desires our words and prayers. 
​​​​​​​
May we all understand how much Hashem cares to be a part of our lives, practice talking to Him more often, and feel the unbridled joy which can only be attained by having a connection with our Father in Heaven through prayer. 

Gut Shabbos

Moishy Pruzansky

Hello {{first_name}} {{last_name}}​​​​,

Zmanim this week are as follows:

Mazeltov
Mazel Tov to Mr and Mrs Moshe Baum on the birth of a baby boy!
May they see much nachas from him!

Mazel Tov to Mr and Mrs Yaakov Ribakow on the birth of a baby boy!
May they see much nachas from him!

Mazel Tov to Mr. Mr. & Mrs. Serayah Raphaely on the birth of a baby girl!
​​​​​​​May they see much nachas from her!

Hallel
There is an interest in having a minyan to stay and say Hallel after shul on both nights of Pesach. If you would like to participate or for more info please contact Elie Mishory at 443-839-3192.

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Dvar Torah
 צו את אהרן וכו'. Rashi at the beginning of the Parshah explains that צו is מלשון זירוז - the word 'צו' connotes doing with זריזות. Although Rashi explains the association of זריזות specifically in the context of the קרבן עולה (due to חסרון כיס), it is not only with regards to this Mitzvah that זריזות is demanded. Rather, with regards to all mitzvos we are expected to do them with זריזות. As Chazal teach based on the pasuk stated by Matza – 'ושמרתם את המצות' – that 'מצוה הבאה לידך אל תחמיצנה'; we are to do all Mitzvos with זריזות and not allow them to become chometz. (There is thus an obvious connection between the impending Yom Tov and the Parshah - from the first word in the Parshah, no less.)

But why should mitzvos be done with זריזות? And why does the Torah reveal this essential teaching specifically with the mitzva of Matza? If the idea behind זריזות is just the practical reality that humans get distracted, then we do not need Chazal to reveal this to us based on a pasuk, and there would be no special connection to Matza! 

The depth in this can be gleaned from the language of צו or מצוה which denote זריזות, as mentioned. The simple explanation for this is that the word ‘command’ implies focus, without delay. However, many Sefarim explain that the word  צוalso implies connection, from the word צוותא. That is, we connect to a higher source when we perform מצוות. One way of understanding this connection is that we become connected to נשמת ישראל when we perform mitzvos. This special  ,נשמת ישראלi.e. the relationship ישראל has with ,מצוות became possible with יציאת מצרים. Only by becoming unique through Yitziyas Mitzrayim, is כלל ישראל able to connect to Hashem’s lofty mitzvos.

That is precisely why, as the Maharal explains, we had to go out of Mitzrayim so quickly, without being restricted to time; because the creation of a nation which is above nature had to be done in a way that was without natural restrictions. This speedy redemption which represents נשמת ישראל is represented by the מצות which did not have to time to bake. They are also called ,מצות which is similar to  מצוה, because they embody the  צוותא/ connection that כלל ישראל has to Hashem and His מצוות.

The reason then that we do Mitzvos with זריזות is to truly connect to the מצוות. To tap into that special bond our נשמה has with the מצוה we need to perform it in a way that is above our natural instincts or natural order, just as כלל ישראל became the chosen nation in the first place – in a completely unnatural way. It is precisely from the spectacular and speedy exodus - and the Matza that resulted - from which we learn how we can really connect to מצוות in general.

Have a good Shabbos and a Chag Kasher V’Sameach!

Hello {{first_name}},​​​​​
Zmanim this week are as follows:

Neshei event
Ladies shiur March 9th at 8PM. See flyer for details! Please contact nsheikehilasbneiyeshiva@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list.

Chumashim
Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Berger for donating two dirshu chumashim to the shul!

Thank you
Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Eitan Lazarus for setting up the coffee station on Purim morning!

Sunday Morning Learning
We will be having a learning program next Sunday, March 14th from 8:45a - 10:15a. Program begins with shacharis at 8:45a, followed by breakfast, and a shiur from the Rov on "Inyanei Pesach". Please make an effort to join for shacharis so as to ensure a smooth program. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

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Dvar Torah

In this week’s parsha, we learn about Moshe pleading with Hashem for forty days to forgive the Jewish people after committing the sin of the golden calf. Finally, on Yom Kippur, Hashem forgives the Jews and grants them the second set of tablets.

After receiving the tablets as Moshe comes down from the mountain approaching the nation, the Pasuk says: וַיַּ֨רְא אַהֲרֹ֜ן וְכָל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֔ה וְהִנֵּ֥ה קָרַ֖ן ע֣וֹר פָּנָ֑יו וַיִּֽירְא֖וּ מִגֶּ֥שֶׁת אֵלָֽיו Aharon and all the children of Israel saw Moshe, and behold the skin of his face had become radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.”(Shemos 34:30).

A perplexing question is asked on this pasuk. This is the second time Moshe is bringing the tablets down and only now the Torah says that his face was radiant and the Jews were afraid to come near him. How come the first time he brought the tablets down, the Torah didn’t mention that Moshe’s face had become radiant and the Jews were afraid to come near him?

There are only two possibilities, either Moshe’s face was radiant the first time just like the second time and there was nothing new the second time, then the question would be why only now does the Torah say that his face had become radiant and the Jews were afraid to come near him? Or, the first time Moshe’s face had not become radiant. If so, the obvious question is how come the first time Moshe’s face didn’t become radiant? After all, our Rabbis tell us that the spiritual level of the first set of tablets was on a much higher level than the second set of tablets. If so, how come Moshe’s face didn’t become radiant after receiving the first set?

The Sefer Shem Mishmuel gives the following answer. The fact that Moshe gave over his life for the Jewish people after committing the sin of the Golden Calf to the point that he asked Hashem either He would forgive the nation or erase Moshe’s name from the Torah, gave Moshe the merit that the shechinah of Hashem resides on him after receiving the second set much more than when receiving the tablets the first time. 

Even though the first set was on a much higher level, Moshe’s level as a person was not as high as when he received the second set. The second time Moshe’s body and soul were much elevated because of his own hard work for the Jewish people and were ready to accept the shechinah of Hashem to the point that his face had become radiant. As opposed to the first time, that the spiritual experience of receiving the tablets was on a much higher level but Moshe’s body and soul were not ready to identify with the shechinah as much.

The lesson is obvious for us. How much is our obligation to work towards the well-being of the Jewish nation? And how much value Hashem gives to a person who is willing to work so hard towards this lofty goal? May we have the merit to always look for ways to help our Jewish brothers and sisters.

Good Shabbos,

Shmuel Khoshnood

Kehilas Bnei Yeshiva is pleased to announce a new initiative for Purim 5781. The Shul will be sending each member a beautiful and classy Shalach Manos as an expression of our deep appreciation for your commitment to our Kehilah. Members are encouraged to participate in this program and send Shalach Manos for another member (including the Rov) through the Shul.
To send one Shalach Manos for another member- $25, each additional member name after that is $4 per name. If you wish to send to every member in the Shul, the price is discounted at $180. To sign up, please use this link . You will need to log into your Shul account.
This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize your fellow member and the contribution he brings to our flourishing Kehilah. We hope you take advantage of this initiative, and may we all be Zoche to a Freilichen Purim!

Please note; we will be delivering these packages to our members on Thursday, February 24th, which is Tannis Esther. Therefore, your participation will stand out even more and will cultivate a beautiful sense of camaraderie and simcha as Purim begins. 
As the baskets will not be delivered on Purim, one does not fulfill the mitzvah of Shaloch Manos by participating. However, it is a wonderful way to create achdus, especially in this year when much of Purim will be different.
The deadline for submitting your list is Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

Volunteer to Deliver Shalach Manos Packages
If you can volunteer to deliver packages on Thursday, February 24th, please sign up at kehilasbneiyeshiva@gmail.com.

Feel free to contact the Shul if you have any questions at kehilasbneiyeshiva@gmail.com.

Thank you for your participation!

Hello {{first_name}} ​​​​​​​ ,
Zmanim this week are as follows:

Mazel Tov to Yehuda Roll on his recent marriage to Sara Fink! May you build a bayis ne'eman b'yisroel!

Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Shai Meyerowitz for sponsoring this past weeks learning program in honor the birth of their daughter Temima Rus.

Motzei Shabbos Learning Programs
Avos U'Bonim will be held Motzei Shabbos at 7 PM with pizza and prizes. Please join the fun! Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Shlomo Moshe Fixler for sponsoring this week's program.

The Men's Motzei Shabbos Learning Program will be held from 8 - 9 PM. They will be learning hilchos shabbos topics related to kiddush. The program will be headed by R' Jordie Jacobs and will be replete with chavrusa learning, source sheets, and a short chabura.

Mazel Tov!
The Rav and Rebbetzin will be celebrating the Bar Mitzva of their son Efraim in shul next Shabbos and would like to invite everyone. Please view the invitation here.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!
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Dvar Torah

In this week's Parsha, after Klal Yisrael was told about the mitzva of Korban Pesach, the pasuk says "וַיֵּלְכ֥וּ וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאַהֲרֹ֖ן כֵּ֥ן עָשֽׂו." Rashi is bothered, why does the Pasuk repeat itself, telling us “וילכו ויעשו”, that Bnei Yisrael went and did the mitzva of Korban Pesach, and then says "כן עשו"; we already know that they did it! Rashi explains that the extra words of "כן עשו" are referring to Moshe and Aaron, that they too did the mitzva, and did not change anything from which they were commanded. 
Rav Moshe Feinstein asks the obvious question: Why is it a chiddush that Moshe and Aaron also did the mitzvah as they were commanded!?  
Rav Moshe explains (in Darash Moshe) that Moshe and Aaron specifically had every reason to cut corners to ensure that the mitzva would get done - despite the difficulties inherent in doing so - because of "עת לעשות לה' הפרו תורתך". After all, Hashem was asking Klal Yisrael to take the idols of the Mitzrim and shecht it in front of them, then to take the blood and smear it on their door posts! Understandably this was a dangerous and difficult task. One could argue on behalf of Moshe and Aaron, that cutting corners and making the mitzva easier for Klal Yisrael would have been completely reasonable, to ensure the mitzvah would be performed. The pasuk therefore declares "כן עשו" - to show us the importance of keeping the correct mesorah despite all the difficulties.
Moshe and Aaron also understood that since this was the first time the mitzvah was to be performed, if at the start of the mitzva corners would be cut, the mitzvah (and mitzvos overall) would eventually become degraded. 
Rav Moshe goes on to say that this was the major mistake of both the Reform and Conservative movements. They cut corners on some of the mitzvos, eventually leading to their degradation of the overall performance of mitzvos and mesorah, to the point where almost nothing is left. 
This is an important lesson for all of us when doing mitzvos and giving over our mesorah. It needs to be as complete as possible without cutting any corners, to protect the mitzvos and mesorah that we have been זוכה to receive.  

Good Shabbos,
Betzalel Muller

Hello {{first_name}} ​​​​​​​ ,
Zmanim this week are as follows:

Back to Shul:
We are excited to be returning to our regular location for all of the tefillos this week. We would like to thank Bnos Yisroel for allowing us to use their facilities for the last two weeks! And thank you to all those who made a special effort to attend the tefillos.

Mazel Tov to Yehuda Roll and his parents Rabbi and Mrs. Yisroel Roll on the occasion of his aufruf to be held in shul. May he be zocheh to build a bayis ne'eman b'yisroel amidst health, happiness, and all good! There will be an outdoor kiddush following davening.

Motzei Shabbos Learning Programs:
We will be resuming the Avos U'Bonim learning program at 7 PM. It will be held at the regular location. There will be pizza and prizes. Please join the fun! Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Shmuel Khoshnood for sponsoring last weeks program.

The Men's Motzei Shabbos Learning Program will be held from 8 - 9 PM at our regular location. 

​​​​​Have a wonderful Shabbos!
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Dvar Torah

This week we start learning the parshiyos of Shemos, about the גלות and the גאולה. This coincides with the period of שובבי"ם (an acronym for the next six parshiyos), a period in which we strive to better ourselves in the topic of קדושה, abstaining from immorality. On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be any apparent connection between these parshiyos and שובבי"ם. What is it about the servitude in Mitzrayim and the subsequent redemption that correlates with doing תשובה in this area?
Perhaps one way to approach the topic is to better understand the meaning of the word שובבים. The word is a reference to the pasuk in Yirmiyah "שובו בנים שובבים", which is usually translated as “return wayward sons”. Simply put, a שובב is wayward or rebellious. However, in another context, שובב seems to indicate something different, almost the opposite. In Tehillim, Dovid Hamelech says "נפשי ישובב" which the mefarshim explain to imply calmness and tranquility. 
Apparently, there is no contradiction; it is possible to rebel calmly. Although rebellion is usually associated with breaking restrictions, and violating established boundaries in a forceful way, it can also be done calmly, by simply being at home with an alternative lifestyle, contrary to Hashem’s will. In other words, to oppose קדושה one does not necessarily need to be a פורץ גדר and act with פריצות; one can accomplish this by being a שובב as well. 
Maybe we can now understand a drop better how this ties in to the גלות and the גאולה. Klal Yisroel’s redemption from Mitzrayim required קדושה, they needed to remain an individual nation without intermarrying, otherwise there would be no nation to redeem! Chazal tell us that they remained loyal and were גדורים from עריות, and therefore merited redemption. [Even though they did fall drastically in areas of faith and connection to Hashem, they held strong to their identity.] Their struggle, however, was not around פריצות, they were underprivileged slaves who could not forcefully break rules and indulge. Rather, their struggle was to not allow their circumstances to ruin their identity. They could have easily lost hope, accepted their reality, and said ‘there’s no point in trying to remain special and unique, we are a lost cause’. Instead, they held on and did not allow their ominous settings to change who they were. In essence, they did not allow themselves to be שובבים. It was due to this that they were  זוכה to the גאולה.
May we be זוכה! 

Hello {{first_name}} ​​​​​​​ ,
Zmanim this week are as follows:

RELOCATION:
​​​​​​​
Due to a few Covid cases in the Yeshiva, the Shul is taking precautionary measures and will not be holding the minyan in the regular location. Rather, the minyanim will all be held in the shul located in Bnos Yisroel ​​​​​​​for this Shabbos. We ask everyone to make an effort to attend all of the minyanim so as to ensure that everything runs smoothly!

Unfortunately, the Avos U'Bonim and Motzai Shabbos learning programs are cancelled this week.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!
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Dvar Torah

A question was posed to the GR”A by the father of a distraught Agunah. This father wanted to know if his daughter can go back to her husband after a 12-year separation.
Some background to the story - 
In 1760, Chaim, a bochur from a distant town, married Rachel, a daughter of one of the askanim in Vilna. A few months after the chasunah, Chaim disappeared and no one in the town knew where he went. Search parties were sent but turned up without a trace. Chaim was missing. Rachel wept over the husband she barely knew and returned to her father’s house as an agunah. Twelve years passed. A man bearing a striking resemblance to Chaim came to town. He went directly to his fathers-in-law’s house to apologize for running away, and to see if there was a possibility to reconcile with his estranged wife. Rachel was introduced to Chaim and they spent some time talking about the past and what had happened to Chaim over the past 12 years. Her father encouraged her to ask the man personal questions that only her husband would know the answers to. She spoke with him for a few hours and quizzed him on anything her husband Chaim would know. She reported that he likely was her husband, and he knew secrets the two of them shared that no one else could possibly know. Still, she had a feeling that something was not right. Could it have been cold feet, or the 12-year lapse in time? Perhaps… but she wanted to be sure that he was indeed her husband from 12 years back. Rachel’s father came before the Vilna Gaon and posed the question. How can I verify that he is really my daughter’s husband?
The Gaon gave the following instructions: “On Friday night, bring the boy to shul. As you are walking inside, ask him to sit in the seat he sat in during his first few months of marriage to your daughter. If he sits in the correct seat, you can be assured that he is indeed her husband, and your daughter’s Agunah status will end”. The father did as he was told, and on Friday night, upon entering shul, asked the boy to sit in his old seat. Even though the boy knew everything there was to know about the family and his “wife”, he could not remember where he sat before skipping town. The man was exposed as a fraud and forced to explain the story behind the charade. He confessed that he did meet Chaim some time back, and that Chaim had shared with him everything he needed to know about himself and his marriage, allowing this individual to attempt this evil. The imposter was subsequently flogged and sent packing.
The father asked the Gaon “how did you know the right question to ask”? The Gaon answered that when two people are involved in such an evil plan, they can plan for everything, but thoughts of kedusha such as where to sit in Shul do not enter their minds.
The Gaon continued, that we see this concept in this week’s Parsha. At first, when Yaakov was told that Yosef was alive, the Pasuk says וַיָּ֣פָג לִבּ֔וֹ כִּ֥י לֹא־הֶֽאֱמִ֖ין לָהֶֽם, i.e., he did not believe them that Yosef was alive. However, after Yaakov saw the wagons, the next Pasuk says וַתְּחִ֕י ר֖וּחַ יַֽעֲקֹ֥ב אֲבִיהֶֽם - Yaakov’s spirit was revived, i.e., he did believe them. What changed? The Gaon explains that at first Yaakov was concerned that someone impersonated Yosef and Yosef was not alive. However, when he saw the wagons and was reminded of Egla Arufa, the last words of Torah he learned with Yosef, he knew that Yosef could not have shared that with anyone. It must be that Yosef had been the one that sent the message. Therefore, only now was the spirit of Yaakov revived.
A Good Shabbos to all,
Yehuda Tropper

We are excited to annouce that the Rav will be hosting a "Drive By and Drop In" event at his home for children and families this Thursday night, Zos Chanukah from 6:30PM to 8:00PM! The Rav will be sharing delicious treats and would love to spend some time with all the children of KBY. Please wear a mask and limit your time at the house to ensure everyone's safety. 
Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Shloimy Benjamin for sponsoring the event.
The Rav's address is: 3923 Labyrinth Rd. 
Looking forward!
A Freilichin Chanukah! 

Hello {{first_name}} ​​​​​​​ ,
Zmanim this week are as follows:

We would like to welcome our newest members to the kehilla:
Mr. and Mrs. Yeshayahu Schwartz
Mr. and Mrs. Moshe Kahn
We are so glad that we have decided to join our shul! 

Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Ori Strum on the birth of a baby girl! May they see much nachas!

Avos U'Bonim will be held Motzei Shabbos at 7 PM with pizza and prizes. Please join the fun! 

Sunday Morning Learning
We will be having a learning program this week on Sunday, December 6th, beginning with shacharis at 8:45, followed by breakfast and learning b'chavrusa, and a shiur from the Rov at 10:35. Please do not park on Bancroft Road or in the yeshiva parking lot. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Have a wonderful Shabbos!
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Dvar Torah

Angels or Men?
At the beginning of this week’s parsha, the Torah tells us that after leaving the house of Lavan and his return to Eretz Yisroel with his family, Yaakov Avinu sends “malachim”, messengers, ahead of him to meet Eisav. He hopes to appease him and dissipate the anger he still held towards him. Rashi comments that these “malachim” were actual angels. However, there is a machlokes in the Midrash (Bereishis Rabah) whether they were angels or human messengers, and commentaries bring proofs to both sides of the argument. I found this to be a really interesting point, to understand what exactly is the significance of this debate, and what we can learn from it. 
Rabbeinu Bachaye offers a fascinating and beautiful approach that I think is worth thinking about. He writes that the meaning of the word “malachim” actually includes both angels and human messengers. Yaakov wanted to send representatives from his household to seek peace from Eisav. He sent angels with them, the same ones who accompanied him when he re-entered Eretz Yisroel (Bereishis 32:2). That makes sense because their singular ‘shlichus’ was already to protect Yaakov, and now he is commanding them to go ahead and prevent Eisav from harming him or his family. There is a precedent for this earlier in the Torah, when Avraham sends Elieizer to find a wife for Yitchak, he sends a malach as well (24:7). Another approach he suggests is that the messengers were human messengers and angels joined, similar to the guests who came to greet Avraham after his bris. 
There is certainly deeper significance to this idea but I would like to suggest one takeaway. Whatever situation or adversity we face in life, it is important to see it in completely, and consider both the necessary physical and spiritual hishtadlus. There is a ‘danger’ in living a compartmentalized way - focusing on the physical at the expense of the spiritual or even the other way around. Yaakov Avinu took all aspects of the situation into account to adequately prepare physically and spiritually for his encounter with Eisav, and Hashem protected him. May we merit to follow his ways and see siyata d’shmaya and divine protection in our lives.
Good Shabbos,
Ben Temin

Hello {{first_name}} ​​​​​​​ ,
Zmanim this week are as follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Chanan Daniel Skurnik would like to invite everyone to a walk-by kiddush at 11:30 AM at 3300 Pinkney Road in honor of their son's bar mitzva. Mazel Tov and may you see much nachas from him!

Rabbi and Mrs. Ezra Katz would like to invite everyone to a kiddush in honor of the birth of their daughter Chana Bayla. It will be held in the parking lot of the Community Kollel located on 3800 Labyrinth Road at 11:30 AM. Mazel Tov and may you see much nachas!

Avos U'Bonim will be held Motzei Shabbos at 7 PM with pizza and prizes. Please join the fun! Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Heshy Abramson for sponsoring this week's program. 

N'shei Event
The n'shei will be hosting a pre-Chanukah gameshow event featuring games, trivia, prizes, and great food. It will be held on Tuesday, December 1st at 8 PM by the K'nish Shop. Make sure to save the date as it promises to be a wonderful event. 

Have a wonderful Shabbos!
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Dvar Torah
When Rabbi Avigdor Miller זצ"ל was young, he wrote the following mashal: There was once a donkey walking around the forest who couldn’t stand seeing how much honor the lion was getting. One day, he passed a hide of a lion which a hunter had just killed. The donkey happily put the hide on, including the face of the lion. He walked around the forest with pride that he was king of the forest. In his excitement, he could not hold himself back and started hee-hawing. At that moment, the other animals saw who the donkey really was, and pounced on him. Rabbi Miller describes this scenario with the following pasuk: "כי כסיל מחתה לו" – “a fool's mouth is his trap". Every person's face is made בצלם אלוקים; however, sometimes when a person opens his mouth and the truth comes out, his respect from other people declines.
הקול קול יעקב .....Rav Henoch Leibowitz asks on this: If Yaakov was trying to imitate Esav, why would he speak in his own refined tone? Also, if Esav was known for his Kibbud Av V’aim, why didn’t he speak with respect to his parents? He answers along the lines of the abovementioned mashal. That is, externally a person can act one way, but when he opens his mouth it reflects his true inner self. When Yaakov spoke, he spoke with a sweetness even when he was trying to imitate his brother because that is who he was. Esav, on the other hand, acted with Kibbud Av, but when he spoke, it was with a roughness because that was who he really was. 
We see this really come out on Purim. When someone drinks, we see who the person really is. The people who have Torah inside of them, you see, hear and taste Torah coming from them. Unfortunately, if a person is filled with other stuff, it comes out in that fashion - which is not usually so delightful. While we are in this world, we can work on ourselves to be the people we want to be on the inside, and then let it shine bright on the outside.

Good Shabbos,
Yehuda Rosen

Hello {{first_name}} ​​​​​​​ ,
Zmanim this week are as follows:

We would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Michoel Stein, as well as Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Englander, for sponsoring shtenders. Thank you! Sponsorships are still available- please speak to Shai Meyerowitz.

Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Betzalel Muller on the birth of a baby girl! We wish them much nachas! 

Sunday Morning Learning Program
This Sunday morning, November 8th, we will be holding a learning program following an 8:45 Shachris. There will be breakfast for those who stay to learn. There will be chavrusa learning until 10:35, followed by a shiur from Rabbi Meister. We ask that attendees not park on Bancroft Road, nor in the Yeshiva parking lot. 

Avos U'Bonim
We are very excited to be launching a new Motzei Shabbos learning program for children. It will begin at 7 PM.  Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Mordy Berman for sponsoring this inaugural program! We ask that attendees not park on Bancroft Road, however, they can park in the Yeshiva parking lot.

Survey
As the shul grows we would like to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our membership. To that end, we would like to start having more shul events and programs. We want your feedback to help us plan events that interest our members. Please take a look at the survey (please click HERE), and give us your opinion on what kind of events you are interested in.  

Have a wonderful Shabbos!
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Dvar Torah

In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, we find Avraham Avinu sitting outside in the unnatural heat, desperate for guests. As Rashi expounds, Hashem sees Avraham’s pain due to lack of guests and subsequently sends three Malachim his way. 
Reb Moshe Feinstein points out that Avraham’s tza'ar in this situation seems strange. After all, it’s not as though he had guests in front of him but was unable to serve them due to his physical state (i.e. an אונס). There were no guests, so he wasn’t even “in the parsha”! It’s seemingly comparable to a person bemoaning the fact that he is not able to keep Shabbos during the week.
Reb Moshe explains this as follows; the pain felt by Avraham at this moment stemmed from a visceral desire to just do the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim . He had a תאוה to do hachnasas orchim in the same way that we have a תאוה for food or other physical pleasures. Even if those pleasures may be unattainable for us in the moment, we still desire them because we know how good they are. That is why Avraham was still distressed, despite the fact that there were no guests who needed his chesed at the moment. He simply had a תאוה for chesed that needed to be fulfilled. 
Hashem should help us to direct out desires towards doing mitzvos.
Good Shabbos,
Yitzy Labowitz

Hello {{first_name}} ​​​​​​​ ,
Zmanim this week are as follows:

Mazel tov to Yehuda Roll upon his engagement to Sara Fink from Miami Beach! May they be zoche to build a Bayis Ne'eman B'yisroel!

Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Katz upon the birth of a baby girl! May they have much Nachas! 

Important information concerning pledges
We appreciate the dedication of our membership in support of our shul. As you know, the contributions given for aliyos are a significant source of income for the shul. Unfortunately, we have found that invoices billed for a matana without a specific amount are rarely paid. Therefore; moving forward, matanos will be billed for a $15 donation. If one does not want to give that amount, they may state the amount of their donation to the gabbai at the time of their aliya, or let the gabbai know shortly thereafter . However, Kohanim and Leviim who are members will continue to be billed for a matana without an amount. Thank you for your support! We appreciate it immensely!

If you have not yet paid for your Yomim Noraim seats, or an outstanding pledge from Yomim Noraim or Sukkos, we kindly ask that you take care of it at your earliest convenience. Payments can be made on our website, kbyeshiva.com.
Thank you!

Have a wonderful Shabbos!
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Dvar Torah​​​​​​​

In this week’s parsha we learn that after the מבול Hashem promised never to destroy the world again. On the surface, this seems odd, as if Hashem now changed his mind. Furthermore, Hashem had brought the מבול in the first place because he had regretted creating the world. How, can it be that shortly thereafter Hashem is now guaranteeing there never to be another destruction, seeming כביכול as if He is constantly going back and forth חלילה!
Perhaps one approach is that Hashem כביכול only ‘regretted’ creating the world in its pristine form. As the Ramban writes, the reason for the length of life, beauty, and strength of the earliest generations was because they were direct descendants from the one whom G-d Himself created. One can imagine that the extreme physical superiority of the people then was mirrored by a beautiful natural world, physically and spiritually. This great beauty came with a tremendous price; it was exceptionally vulnerable and sensitive to destruction, like a precious glass that can easily break. The מבול was therefore able to come and destroy this pristine world, and the world is now significantly less magnificent and less sensitive than it was before. It will therefore never be vulnerable to destruction again. 
However, destruction brings new opportunities. Just as with the חטא of the עץ הדעת  and the עגל and the destruction of the first בית המקדש and all the other calamities throughout history that have always brought new opportunity [e.g. to defeat the יצר הרע (due to the חטא עץ הדעת) or of learning תורה שבעל פה (due to the חטא העגל and first Churban)]. Noach too was given the tools to become closer to Hashem after the מבול, most notably through קרבנות. These tools were given to him and all his descendants to enable us to reach and achieve the pristine existence that Hashem wants us to attain - on our own – not through His doing once again. 
We too, in every situation in life, even when things seem to be going awry, are always given the tools to achieve whatever Hashem has in mind for us, to achieve our purpose in the world, and to reach our pristine potential.
Good Shabbos!

Shabbos /Shmini Atzeres
Hadlakah/Mincha 6:18
Maariv 6:50
Shachris 8:30
Mincha 6:05

Simchas Torah
Maariv 7:15
Zman Kiddush/Preparations may begin:
7:25 (50 minutes)
7:47 (72 minutes)
Havdalah in Kiddush

Shachris 8:15
Mincha 6:10
Maariv 7:13
7:24 (50 minutes)
7:46 (72 minutes)

The shul will not be holding a minyan on Hoshana Rabba this year.

B"H, the Rav is doing well and will be completing his time in quarantine to rejoin us for Yom Tov.

Simchas Torah will be conducted in accordance with the guidance of the Va'ad HaRabbonim. Some of key points are as follows: Hakafos on Simchas Torah will be conducted with a limited number of people holding Sifrei Torah around the Bima and the rest of the Tzibbur dancing in their places.​​​​​​ The Hakafos will be limited in duration. There will be no Kiddush. 

Children are welcome to join us to dance and daven with their fathers. The shul will be distributing pekalach for each child. 

Although Kol HaNearim is a meaningful and uplifting moment for children and their parents, this year our shul will have to modify this in order to avoid large numbers of children and adults congregating for this special aliyah. Each child will stand at his seat while participating in Kol HaNearim. 
Unfortunately, due to limited space in our beis medresh and in keeping social distancing protocols, we will not be able to have ladies join us for davening and festivities throughout Yom Tov. 
Although this year will be different we are sure that Simchas Torah will be an uplifting and simchadik time for our shul, as it has in past years. 

We will be selling Pesicha L'Geshem at Shachris of Shmini Atzeres. The kibbudim for Simchas Torah night will be auctioned off between Mincha and Maariv on Simchas Torah, and the kibbudim of Simchas Torah day will be auctioned off before the day hakafos.

​​​​​​​Good Shabbos and Yom Tov!

Dvar Torah

The Rama writes that on Simchas Torah we make a seudah to celebrate the completion of the Torah. The Mishnah Berurah says that this halacha is based on a Midrash in Shir Hashirim. However, if you look closely at the referenced Midrash, it is difficult to understand how the Midrash is a source for the Rama’s halacha. The Midrash says that Hashem appeared to Shlomo Hamelech in a dream in Givon, telling him he could ask for whatever he wants, and his request will be granted. Shlomo responded by saying he wants chochmah. After Hashem granted his wish, Shlomo subsequently made a seudah - “ויעש משתה לכל עבדיו”. The question is, why did Shlomo make a seudah? He had not yet learned chochmas haTorah himself– Hashem only gave him the chochma to learn Torah! If so, how could the Rama learn from here that we make a seudah when we finish a chelek of Torah? 
When we finish a masechta we say “הדרן עלך” – “we will return to you”. What do we mean when we say this? Rav Shimon Schwab answers that this phrase means that now that we have finished the masechta once, it will mean so much more when we review it another time. After completing it once, we will have a deeper understanding and a greater insight when reviewing the mesechta. For this reason, Shlomo made a seudah. He realized that now that Hashem had bestowed him with all of the chochmah of the world, when he would review that which Hashem had given him, he would understand it with a new perspective and it would mean something much deeper than when he had learned it the first time. 
This is the reason, says Rav Schwab, that we make a seudah and celebrate Simchas Torah, and the Rama’s source makes sense. Every year when completing the Torah, we make a seudah, not so much because of our completion, but because when we start Bereishis again, it’s a fresh and new Bereishis, a new limud that we didn’t have the previous year. Our ability to approach limud hatorah with more amkus because of our previous learning is worthy enough for us to make a seudah. 
Iy”H we should all be zocheh to understand the Torah more and more and make many siyumim throughout our lives!

A gutten Yom Tov,
Chaim Komarow