Announcements

Wishing members and friends of the 

*****

Ladies’ Seating Plan for the Yamim Noraim – High Holy Days

Dear Ladies,

As we know tefila, prayer, is our strongest tool in connecting directly to Hashem and especially during the upcoming awe-inspiring days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, now only a few days away. It is vitally important that we use our tefilot to ask Hashem to inscribe each and every one of us in the Book of Life and that all may merit a year of health and happiness.

The Shulhan Aruch expresses the importance of makom kabua, makon kodesh – that a person’s regular and fixed place where he or she prays has a direct relationship to the power of the tefila, to the extent that the place a person prays is called kodesh – holy. Therefore, in order to avoid disappointment on such special days we are willing to reserve a seat for lady members of our community.

We will attempt, to the best of our ability, to allocate the seats according to where the ladies sit throughout the year, but we cannot guarantee how the seats will be allocated. We will also consider accommodating places for unmarried girls over Bat Mitzva to sit next to or close to their mothers.

Please choose from the following options and email directly to emmajacobs620@gmail.com or moorlanenews@gmail.com before THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

1)     ONLY Rosh Hashana (2 days)                       _______

2)     ONLY Yom Kippur                                          _______

3)     BOTH (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur)       _______

Please let us know below who the seat is for:

1)     Name  _______________________________

2)     Name  _______________________________

3)     Name  _______________________________

Please note, we will gladly reserve and allocate you a seat, however, if for example, you are allocated a seat for Yom Kippur but can only come for Ne’ilah please understand that your seat cannot be kept vacant all day, when others could use the seat until you arrive.

Therefore, we endeavour to do the following:

·        A clear sign will be posted asking ladies to respect the allocated seating plan by not sitting in someone’s allocated place and to vacate the seat as soon as the lady comes.

·        If someone is sitting in your allocated seat when you arrive, you have the right to politely ask that person to move.

·        We request that you ask the lady to move in the most polite, discreet and nicest way possible so as not to cause embarrassment, offense or any discomfort whatsoever.

Thanking you in advance.

Tizku leshanim rabot

The Gabbaim

 PS – Whilst there is no charge for allocating you a seat, any donations made will be gratefully appreciated.

***

Silver Cleaning

 

*** 

SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לקיץ תשע"ט

Summer
Timetable 5779 – 2019

*    For those not in the Bet Hakeneset, but wishing to
bring in Shabbat with the Kahal, candles should be lit about 30 minutes after
the time listed for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat. (Unless the time listed in the ‘latest
candle lighting’ column is earlier, when candles should be lit by that time, in all
cases.)

Youth Club 4:00 pm

Avot Ubanim 5:00 pm

Mincha 6:00 pm

Followed by
Shiur

****

****

Q
& A on Parashat Nitzavim

 Questions

1. 29:12 – The Jewish People asked, "Who can survive such curses?" Moshe responded, "You've done a lot to anger Hashem, and yet "atem nitzavim" — you are still standing before Him."
2. 29:10 – Canaanites who joined the Jewish People under false pretenses.
3. 29:12 – Because Hashem swore to their ancestors that He would never do so.
4. 29:18 – He causes Hashem to reckon his unintentional sins alongside his intentional ones, punishing him for all.
5. 29:22 – Admah and Tsevoyim.
6. 29:28 – There is collective culpability only for "open" sins, but not for "hidden" ones.
7. 30: 3 – It will be as if Hashem needs to take each individual by the hand and lead him out of exile.
8. 30:12-15 – The Torah is not found in Heaven, nor is it across the ocean. Rather, it is "very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart."
9. 30:28 – When they crossed the Jordan and accepted the oath on Mount Eval and Mount Grizim.
10. 30:19 – The earth and heavenly bodies, although receiving neither reward nor punishment, always obey Hashem's will. How much more so should we, who stand to receive reward or punishment, obey Hashem.

****

Q & A Rosh Hashana

Questions

1. Why do we blow the shofar during the month of Elul?
2. Where in the written Torah text does it tell us explicitly that the first day of Tisrei is Rosh Hashana?
3. We eat apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet year. Why do we choose apples above other sweet fruits?
4. What two blessings do we say before sounding the shofar?
5. Which Book of Tanach does the beginning of the Tashlich prayer come from?
6. What three barren women were "remembered" by Hashem on Rosh Hashana?
7. A person's yearly allowance is fixed on Rosh Hashana, except for three types of expenses. What are they?
8. We refer to the binding of Isaac in our prayers when we say: "Answer us as You answered Abraham our father on Mount Moriah…" What was Abraham's prayer on Mount Moriah?
9. Why, even in Israel, are there two days of Rosh Hashana, whereas other festivals in Israel are celebrated for only one day?
10. What halacha applies to the shehechiyanu blessing on the second night of Rosh Hashana which does not apply on the second night of any other holiday?

Answers

1. After the sin of the golden calf, Moshe went up to Mount Sinai to receive the second set of Tablets on Rosh Chodesh Elul. On that day, the Jewish People sounded the shofar to remind themselves to stray no more after idol worship. Also, the sound of the shofar strikes awe into our hearts and inspires us to return to the ways of Torah. (Mishna Berura and Aruch Hashulchan Orach Chaim 581)
2. Nowhere. The Torah calls it "a day of shofar blowing." (This is one of many examples showing how our observance depends on the continuous oral tradition dating back to Mount Sinai). (Bamidbar 29:1)
3. Isaac blessed Jacob with the words: "The fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field which Hashem has blessed…" (Bereishis 27:27). The Talmud identifies this "field" as an apple orchard. (Ta'anis 29b, Biyur Hagra)
4. "Blessed are You… who has commanded us to hear the sound of the shofar," and the shehechiyanu blessing. (Orach Chaim 581:2)
5. The Book of Micha (7:18-20).
6. Sara, Rachel and Chana. On Rosh Hashana it was decreed that these barren women would bear children. (Tractate Rosh Hashana 10b)
7. Expenses for Shabbos, Yom Tov, and the cost of one's children's Torah education. (Ba'er Hetaiv Orach Chaim 242:1)
8. He prayed that Mount Moriah should remain a place of prayer for all future generations (Onkelos 22:14). Also, he prayed that his sacrifice of the ram should be considered as though he had actually sacrificed Isaac. (Rashi 22:13)
9. Before our current exile, we did not have a fixed calendar as we do today. Rather, the Supreme Torah court in Jerusalem determined our calendar on a month to month basis. They did this on the first day of every month, based on witnesses testifying that they had seen the new moon. Therefore, the people outside Israel had insufficient time to find out the exact date in time for the festivals. The "two-day festival" arose to correct this situation. In Israel, however, the people lived close enough to Jerusalem to find out the exact date of all the festivals except Rosh Hashana. Since Rosh Hashana occurs on the first day of the month, even those living in Jerusalem sometimes needed to observe it for two days, if the witnesses failed to arrive.
10. On the second night of Rosh Hashana it is customary to wear a new garment or to have a new fruit on the table when saying the shehechiyanu blessing. Thus, the shehechiyanu blessing applies not only to the holiday, but to the new garment or new fruit as well. (This is done in order to accommodate the minority of halachic authorities who rule that no shehechiyanu blessing be said on the second night of Rosh Hashana.) (Taz 600:2)

****

Please note:

 Everyone should
following their own custom as far as:

1)    What Simanim /  foods they eat

2)     In which order they eat it

3)    What Yehi Ratzon
they say

Announcements

***

SELICHOT

Sundays 7:00 am

Mon – Fri 6:00 am 

Shacharit will follow straight after Selichot

Please note: The time for Shacharit may be a few minutes 

before the normal time for Shacharit

Dear Kahal we are proud to report that we have had such great 

Siyata Dishmaya to have minyan for selichot,

since the beginning of Elul, throughout these last 3 weeks.

As of Sunday, all the other Sefardi Minyanin will begin their own selichot

and some regulars will leave our minyan and join their minyan.

Therefore we ask that members and friends of Moor Lane 

help us, this coming week and until Yom Kippur, 

to continue having a minyan for selichot in our Bet Hakeneset.

Tizku Leshanim Rabot 

Neimot Vetovot

Tizke Lemitzvot

****

Mincha

Mincha next week will be at 6:45 pm

followed by Arbit

Please support our minyanim whenever possible

***

Ladies’ Seating Plan for the Yamim Noraim – High Holy Days

Dear Ladies,

As we know tefila, prayer, is
our strongest tool in connecting directly to Hashem and especially during the
upcoming awe-inspiring days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, now only a few days away.
It is vitally important that we use our tefilot to ask Hashem to
inscribe each and every one of us in the Book of Life and that all may merit a
year of health and happiness.

The Shulhan Aruch expresses the importance of makom
kabua, makon kodesh – that a person’s regular and fixed place where he or
she prays has a direct relationship to the power of the tefila, to the
extent that the place a person prays is called kodesh – holy. Therefore, in order to avoid disappointment on such special
days we are willing to reserve a seat for lady members of our community.

We will attempt, to the best of our ability, to
allocate the seats according to where the ladies sit throughout the year, but
we cannot guarantee how the seats will be allocated. We will also consider
accommodating places for unmarried girls over Bat Mitzva to sit next to or
close to their mothers.

Please choose from the following options and email directly to emmajacobs620@gmail.com or moorlanenews@gmail.com before THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

1)    
ONLY Rosh
Hashana (2 days)                       _______

2)     ONLY Yom Kippur                                          _______

3)    
BOTH (Rosh Hashana
and Yom Kippur)       _______

Please let us know below who the seat
is for:

1)    
Name  _______________________________

2)     Name  _______________________________

3)    
Name  _______________________________

Please note, we will gladly reserve and
allocate you a seat, however, if for example, you are allocated a seat for Yom
Kippur but can only come for Ne’ilah please understand that your seat cannot
be kept vacant all day, when others could use the seat until you arrive.

Therefore, we endeavour to do the
following:

·       
A clear sign
will be posted asking ladies to respect the allocated seating plan by not
sitting in someone’s allocated place and to vacate the seat as soon as the lady
comes.

·       
If someone is
sitting in your allocated seat when you arrive, you have the right to politely ask
that person to move.

·       
We request
that you ask the lady to move in the most polite, discreet and nicest way
possible so as not to cause embarrassment, offence or any discomfort whatsoever.

Thanking you in advance.

Tizku leshanim rabot

The Gabbaim

 PS – Whilst there is no charge for
allocating you a seat, any donations made will be gratefully appreciated.

***

Silver Cleaning

 

*** 

SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לקיץ תשע"ט

Summer
Timetable 5779 – 2019

*    For those not in the Bet Hakeneset, but wishing to
bring in Shabbat with the Kahal, candles should be lit about 30 minutes after
the time listed for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat. (Unless the time listed in the ‘latest
candle lighting’ column is earlier, when candles should be lit by that time, in all
cases.)

Youth Club 4:00 pm

Avot Ubanim 5:00 pm

Mincha 6:00 pm

Followed by
Shiur

*****

Children’s
Tehilim straight after Musaf

****

Anyone wishing
to donate a Kiddush Please email Moorlanenews

****

Q
& A on Parashat Ki Tabo

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

1. When did the obligation to bring bikkurim begin?
   26:1 – After the Land was conquered and divided.
2. Bikkurim are from which crops?
   26:2 – The seven species for which Eretz Yisrael is praised.
3. How does one designate bikkurim?
   26:2 – When he sees the first fruit ripen on a tree, he binds a piece of straw around it to mark it as bikkurim.
4. Who shakes the basket containing the bikkurim?
   26:4 – The kohen places his hands under the hands of the one bringing it, and they wave the basket together.
5. What does "v'anita v'amarta" mean?
   26:5 – Speak loudly.
6. Which Arami "tried to destroy my father?"
   26:5 – Lavan.
7. When during the year may bikkurim be brought? Until when are the special verses recited?
   26:11 – Bikkurim are brought from Shavuot until Chanukah. The verses are recited only until Succot.
8. Someone declaring that he separated terumah and ma'aser says: "And I didn't forget." What didn't he forget?
   26:13 – To bless G-d.
9. What were the Jewish People to do with the 12 stones on Mount Eval?
   27:2 – Build an altar.
10. Six tribes stood on Mount Eval and six on Mount Gerizim. Who and what were in the middle?
    27:12 – Kohanim, levi'im and the Holy Ark.
11. Who "causes the blind to go astray"?
    27:18 – Any person who intentionally gives bad advice.
12. How does one "strike another secretly"?
    27:24 – By slandering him.
13. Eleven curses were spoken on Mount Eval. What is the significance of this number?
    27:24 – Each curse corresponds to one of the tribes, except for the tribe of Shimon. Since Moshe didn't intend to bless the tribe of Shimon before his death, he did not want to curse them either.
14. Why are sheep called "ashterot"?
    28:4 – Because they "enrich" (m'ashirot) their owners.
15. How is the manner of expressing the curses in Parshat Bechukotai more severe than in this week's parsha?
    28:23 – In Bechukotai the Torah speaks in the plural, whereas in this week's Parsha the curses are mentioned in the singular.

****

Halachot
from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

ההכנות לימי הדין

בימים
הסמוכים לימי לראש השנה, על כל אחד ואחד מעם ישראל, להתבונן על מעשיו,לעשות
"חשבון נפש", כדי לבחון במה יוכל לתקם את מעשיו ולשפרם, על מנת שלאחר
מכן, יעמדו לו סניגורים טובים ליום הדין.

משמעות
השם "אלול"

כתב
מרן הרב עובדיה יוסף , ש"אלול", כלומר, משמעות השם של החודש
"אלול", היא מלשון "יאללון" שהוא התרגום הארמי למה שנאמר
אודות המרגלים "ויתורו" את ארץ כנען, "ויאללון" ית ארעא דכנען, כלומר,
לשון ריגול וחיפוש אחר מעשיו. כי בחודש אלול, מנהג ישראל קדושים לתור אחר מעשיהם,
ולבקר את עצמם, כי הם
הימים המיוחדים והמסוגלים לתיקון העונות, לחזרה בתשובה שלימה, ולעלות מעלה מעלה
בדרך העולה בית אל.

תפלות ימי חודש אלול

בלי
ספק, ריבוי התפלה והתשובה מסייעים הרבה מאד לכל אדם, והם שיעמדו לו אחר כך בימי
הדין, ראש השנה ויום הכפורים הבאים עלינו לשלום, כדי שיזכה להכתב ולהחתם לחיים
טובים, לעושר ואושר ולמלוי כל משאלותיו.

ויש
לאדם לעורר את עצמו ולהתנער מתרדמת השגרה הנופלת עליו במסע החיים האפלוליים, כי
כמה השתדלויות כל אחד עושה כדי לשפר את מצבו החומרי, בקניית בית או רכב, ובהשקעת
כוחותיו עבור מאכלות ערבים, טיולים ובילויים וכיוצא בזה, וכל מה שפועל ועושה, הכל
כאין וכאפס לעומת מה שישפר את מצבו החומרי והרוחני כאחד, בעזרת התפלות לאל נורא
עלילה בימים הנוראים הללו. וכמו שכתב הגאון החזון איש, שעל ידי התפלה, האדם פועל
להטיב את מצבו יותר ממה שיוכל לפעול על ידי השתדלות טבעית שנראה לעין כל שהשתדלות
זו מועילה.

תשובה ותפלה וצדקה

אמרו
רבותינו בתלמוד ירושלמי (תענית פ"ב), אמר רבי אלעזר, שלשה דברים מבטלין את
הגזרה, תפלה (קול), צדקה (ממון), ותשובה (צום). והביא ראיה לזה מן הפסוק. ולכן יש להרבות מאד בימים
אלה בכל אלו השלשה, צום, קול, ממון, וכמו שאמר הפייטן "ותשובה ותפלה וצדקה
מעבירין את רוע הגזירה", ומקור הדברים בתלמוד הירושלמי כנזכר. וכתב מרן רבינו
הגדול , שאף על פי שבדורות הקודמים היו מרבים מאד בתעניות בימים אלה,
בבחינת "תשובה", מכל מקום בזמנינו שקשה לרוב בני האדם להתענות, יש
להרבות עוד ועוד בצדקה יתרה, ומוטב להרבות בצדקה ומעשים טובים בזמנינו יותר
מלהתענות, שעל ידי התענית הוא ממעט במלאכת שמים.

וכבר
כתבנו כמה פעמים שיש להזהר להעביר את כספי הצדקה לאנשים אחראים, בכדי שיעבירו את
המעות לעניים אמתיים, ואין לסמוך בזה על כל אדם, אפילו אם הוא מתהדרכביכול בהמלצות
גדולי הדור

Preparing for the Day of Judgment

During the days preceding Rosh
Hashanah, every single member of the Jewish nation must contemplate his/her
actions and perform some sort of self-introspection in order to ascertain how
one can improve one's actions and Mitzvah observance so as to guarantee one's
self powerful defenders on the Day of Judgment.

The
Definition of the Name, "Elul"
Maran
Harav Ovadia Yosef z'l writes that the word "Elul" is
similar to the Aramaic word " Ve'Alilu ," which is the Aramaic
translation of the verse which is said regarding the spies sent to the Land of
Israel, " And they spied the land." This means that "Elul"
connotes searching through and probing one's actions. During the month of Elul,
it is the custom of the holy Jewish nation to probe their deeds, for these days
are auspicious for atonement of sin , attaining full repentance, and reaching
loftier levels of spirituality and service of Hashem.

Prayer
During the Month of Elul
Certainly, praying copiously and repenting for one's sins are extremely
beneficial for every individual and these things will defend a person of the
upcoming Days of Judgment of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These will be one's
gu arantors that one will be inscribed in the books of life, wealth,
satisfaction, and the fulfillment of all of one's requests.

One must awaken himself from
the slumber which comes along with one's daily routine throughout one's life;
one should stop and think how much we invest on increasing the quality of our
physical lives by purchasing new cars or homes, focusing on obtaining only the
finest culinary delights, and going on all sorts of trips and vacations. All of
this is nothing compared to the Heavenly key to advancing one's physical and
spiritual status as one through deep and heartfelt prayer to Hashem during
these Days of Awe. Similarly, Hagaon Chazon Ish writes that a person can
improve his situation much more through prayer than through any other natural
means that he believes may help him.

Repentance,
Prayer, and Charity
Our Sages teach us in the Talmud Yerushalmi (Ta'anit, Chapter 2), "Rabbi
Elazar says, three things nullify harsh decrees: Prayer, charity, and
repentance." He continues to bring proofs to this idea from the
scriptures. Thus, one should practice these three things, i.e. prayer, charity,
and repentance, profusely during these days, as the hymnist writes,
"Repentance, prayer, and charity shall annul the harshness of the decree."
The source for this is the aforementioned Talmud Yerushalmi. Maran Harav
z'l writes that although in previous generations, people would fast
many times during these days in the spirit of "repentance,"
nevertheless, in our times when it is difficult for people to fast, one should
increase one's donation of charity instead. Indeed, it is better to give more
charity in our times than to fast, for by fasting, one decreases in his service
of Heaven (for fasting weakens the body).

We have already mentioned
several times that one should take care to pass along charity funds to
responsible individuals so that they will in turn dispense these funds to truly
needy people and one should not rely on every individual regarding this matter
even if one seemingly comes with the recommendation of the generation's leading
Torah leaders.

****

Announcements

Invitation

With much gratitude to HaShem, 

R' Raphael & Leah Kada

invite the kahal to the naming of their baby daughter 

Beezrat HaShem 

THIS SHABBAT

at Moor Lane Shul 

followed by Kiddush 

Moorlanenews

would like to use this opportunity 

to wish

R'Raphael and Leah

a big Mazal Tov

and a lot of Nachat from their new baby daughter

Sheyegadela Latorah Lachupa ulemaasim tovim

Mazal tov to families Kada & Masserano

*****

Selichot

Sundays 7:00 am

Mon – Fri 6:00 am 

Shacharit will follow straight after Selichot

Please note: The time for Shacharit may be a few minutes 

before the normal time for Shacharit

****

Mincha

Mincha next week will be at 7:00 pm

followed by Arbit

Please support our minyanim whenever possible

***** 

SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לקיץ תשע"ט

Summer
Timetable 5779 – 2019

*    For those not in the Bet Hakeneset, but wishing to
bring in Shabbat with the Kahal, candles should be lit about 30 minutes after
the time listed for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat. (Unless the time listed in the ‘latest
candle lighting’ column is earlier, when candles should be lit by that time, in all
cases.)

Youth Club 4:00 pm

Avot Ubanim 5:00 pm

Mincha 6:00 pm

Followed by
Shiur

*****

Children’s
Tehilim straight after Musaf

Anyone wishing
to donate a Kiddush Please email Moorlanenews

****

Q
& A on Parashat KI Tese

1. Why must a captured woman mourn her family for a month in her captor's house?
   21:13 – So her captor will find her unattractive.
2. What fraction of the inheritance does a first-born receive if he has a) one brother? b) two brothers?
   21:17 – a) 2/3 b) 1/2
3. What will become of a ben sorer u'moreh if his parents don't bring him to court?
   21:22 – He will eventually rob and kill to support his physical indulgences.
4. Why is it a degradation to G-d to hang a criminal's body on the gallows overnight?
   21:23 – Because humans are made in G-d's image; and because the Jewish People are G-d's children.
5. What do you do if you find a lost object that costs money to maintain?
   22:2 – Sell it and save the money for the owner.
6. Why does the Torah forbid wearing the clothing of the opposite gender?
   22:5 – It leads to immorality.
7. Why does the Torah link the mitzvah of sending away the mother-bird with the mitzvah of making a railing on the roof of your house?
   22:8 – To teach that one mitzvah leads to another, and to prosperity.
8. When is it permitted to wear wool and linen?
   22:12 – Wool tzitzit on a linen garment.
9. What three things happen to a man who falsely slanders his bride?
   22:18 – He receives lashes, pays a fine of 100 silver selah, and may never divorce her against her will.
10. Although the Egyptians enslaved the Jewish People, the Torah allows marriage with their third-generation converts. Why?
    23:8 – Because they hosted Yaakov and his family during the famine.
11. Why is causing someone to sin worse than killing him?
    23:9 – Murder takes away life in this world, while causing someone to sin takes away his life in the World to Come.
12. If one charges interest to his fellow Jew, how many commandments has he transgressed?
    23:21 – Three; two negative commandments and a positive commandment.
13. What is the groom's special obligation to his bride during their first year together?
    24:5 – To gladden her.
14. When is a groom required to fight in a non-obligatory war?
    24:5 – When he remarries his ex-wife.
15. What type of object may one not take as collateral?
    24:6 – Utensils used to prepare food.

 ****

Halachot
from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

 חודש הרחמים והסליחות

כבר הזכרנו באחת ההלכות
הקודמות, מאיזה טעם אנו נוהגים להרבות בסליחות ותחנונים בכל
ימי חודש אלול, שהוא מסוגל לסליחה וכפרה.

וידוע שבימים אלה אנו קרובים יותר לה' יתברך,
והוא ממהר לשמוע תפילות. כמו שדרשו "אני לדודי ודודי לי", ראשי תיבות
אלול. וכן בפסוק "ובא לציון גואל ולשבי פשע ביעקב",
רמוז חודש "אלול". וכתב רבינו יונה בספר היראה בזו הלשון,
"משנכנס אלול עד מוצאי יום הכפורים יהיה ירא וחרד מאימת יום הדין".
ובזכות התשובה בימים אלה, אנו עתידים להגאל, כמו שנרמז בפסוקים שאמר דוד המלך,
"לדוד ה' אורי וישעי", אורי, בראש השנה, וישעי, ביום
הכפורים. ומסיים דוד המלך,
"לולא האמנתי לראות בטוב
ה'", ופירשו רבותינו (בברכות ד.), שהיה דוד המלך מתיירא (מפחד) שמא יגרום החטא
ולא תבא הישועה, ולכן יש ניקוד (נקודות) מעל המילה "לולא" האמנתי לראות
בטוב ה', שרצונו לרמוז בזה על חודש "אלול"
(אותיות לולא), שבזכות תשובתינו בימים אלה נוושע ביום הדין.

וכתב הגאון רבי דוד עמר ז"ל, בספר תפלה
לדוד (סי' ריב), שבחודש אלול ובעשרת ימי תשובה, נכון מאד לכוין
בברכת "השיבנו אבינו לתורתך" שבתפלת שמונה עשרה, ולהזכיר כמה משמותיהם
של אלה שנטו מדרכי ה' ותורתו, ויצאו לתרבות רעה, וביחוד אם הם קרוביו. והביא כל זה
מרן רבינו הגדול זצ"ל הכ"מ בספרו חזון עובדיה (עמוד כה).  וכמו כן
בודאי שראוי לאדם להתפלל גם על עצמו, שיזכה לשוב בתשובה, ולעלות מעלה מעלה
בתורה וביראת ה'. וגם כל בקשותיו האחרות, יהיו לשם שמים, שאם תהיה לו
פרנסה טובה ובריאות טובה, יוכל להתחזק עוד ועוד בעבודת ה'.

ובאמת שאם נתבונן, הלא נראה כל איש ואשה, כמה
אנו מאריכים בתפלה על קרובינו שחלילה אינם בקו הבריאות, או מעוכבי זיווג וכדומה.
והלא הדברים קל וחומר, כי הכאב על מי שאינו הולך בדרך ה' הוא גדול פי כמה וכמה,
שמאבד עצמו מחיי העולם הבא, ואינו מזכה את עצמו בזכויות רבות לחיי עולם הנצח, אשר
כל קורות האדם בזה העולם הם כאין וכאפס לעומת חיי העולם הבא.

וזכור לנו, שאחר פטירת
רעייתו של מרן רבינו זצ"ל, היה מרבה בתפלות ובלימוד תורה לעלוי נשמתה, והיה
מזכיר מה שכתבו המקובלים, שיראה אדם את קרובו הנפטר כאילו הוא עומד ומתחנן לפניו
שיצילו מאש אוכלה. כי צורך האדם בעולם הבא לזכויות ומעשים טובים בכדי לזכות בחיי
העולם הבא, הוא גדול לאין שיעור מכל צרכיו בזה העולם השפל והחולף.

והגאון רבי דוד עמר הנזכר, הביא בספרו את הנוסח
הנכון למי שרוצה להוסיף שמות קרובים בברכת "השיבינו", שיאמר בתוך הברכה,
אחרי אמירת "השיבנו אבינו לתורתך וקרבנו מלכינו לעבודתך והחזירינו בתשובה
שלימה לפניך": יהי רצון מלפניך ה'
אלהינו ואלהי אבותינו, שתחתור
חתירה מתחת כסא כבודך להחזיר בתשובה שלימה כל פושעי ישראל, ובכללם תחזיר בתשובה
שלימה את (יאמר את שם הקרוב ואת שם אמו,
כגון דוד בן אסתר), כי ימינך פשוטה
לקבל שבים, ברוך אתה ה' הרוצה בתשובה. 

(ונכון שבסיום הברכה כשמזכיר את שם ה', יכוין שניקוד שם
ה' בכתיבתו בברכה זו, הוא בסגול, כפי שמודפס בסידורים המדויקים).

ויהי רצון שהשם יתברך יחזיר את כל פושעי ישראל
בתשובה שלימה וידעו תועי רוח בינה, ומלאה הארץ דעה את ה' כמים לים מכסים

The Month of Mercy
and Forgiveness

We have already discussed in a previous Halacha the reason why we customarily recite Selichot
prayers throughout the entire month of Elul which is an auspicious time for
forgiveness and atonement.

It is well-known that during these
days we are closer to Hashem and he hears our prayers more quickly than usual,
as our Sages have expounded the verse, “Ani Le’Dodi
Ve’Dodi Li” (“I am to
my beloved and my beloved is to me”) which is an acronym for the word “Elul.”
Similarly, the month of Elul is also hinted in the verse, “Uva Le’Zion Go’El
Ul’shaveh Fesha Be’Yaakov.” Furthermore,
Rabbeinu Yonah writes in his Sefer Ha’Yir’ah: “From the beginning of Elul until
the conclusion of Yom Kippur, one should be filled with fear and trepidation
over the Day of Judgment.” In the merit of the repentance during these days, we
shall one day be redeemed, as is hinted in the verses composed by King David,
“A Psalm by David, Hashem is my light and salvation”: “My light” on Rosh
Hashanah “and salvation” on Yom Kippur. King David ends this Psalm by saying,
“Were it not that I believe that I should see the goodness of Hashem,” and our
Sages explain (Berachot 4b) that King David feared that sins might impede the
salvation and thus, the word “Luleh” (“Were it not,” also the
same Hebrew letters as “Elul”) is dotted in the scripture in order to allude to
the fact that in the merit of our repentance during the month of Elul, we shall
be saved on the Day of Judgment.

Hagaon Harav David Amar zt”l
writes in his Sefer Tefillah Le’David (Chapter 212) that during the month of
Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance (the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur), it is especially worthy to recite the blessing of “Hashivenu Avinu
Le’Toratecha” (fifth blessing of the Amidah prayer which deals with
repentance) with proper concentration and to mention the names of some
individuals who have strayed from the proper path of Hashem and His Torah,
especially if they are one’s relatives. Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l
quotes this in his Chazon Ovadia-Yamim Nora’im (page 25). One should certainly
pray that one merit repenting fully on his own and continue to ascend higher
and higher in spirituality.

Indeed, if we stop and think for a
moment, do we not all pray lengthily for our relatives who, G-d-forbid, are not
in the best of health or have yet to find their marriage partners and the like?
Certainly the pain one feels for an individual who does not follow the path of
Hashem is much greater, for such an individual loses his share in the World to
Come and misses out on countless merits in the Eternal World; anything a person
can experience in this world pales greatly in comparison to life in the World
to Come.

We remember that when Maran zt”l’s
wife passed away, he would learn and pray a substantial amount in order to
elevate her soul. He would mention what the Mekubalim say that one should
imagine his deceased relative as though he is standing before him and begging
him to save him from a raging inferno. One’s need for merits and good deeds in
order to merit entry in the World to Come is infinitely greater than any
physical need one may have in this lowly, fleeting world.

The aforementioned Hagaon Harav
David Amar quotes in his work the correct text for one who wishes to insert
names of relatives in the blessing of “Hashivenu.” After reciting “Hashivenu
Avinu Le’Toratecha Ve’Karevenu Malkeinu La’Avodatecha Ve’Hachazirenu Bitshuva
Shelema Lefanecha,” one inserts: “May it be Your will, Hashem our G-d and
the G-d of our fathers, that You dig a tunnel under Your Holy Throne to accept
the repentance of all of the sinners of Israel, and similarly may You cause
so-and-so (insert name) son/daughter of so-and-so (insert mother’s name) to
repent fully, for Your right hand is outstretched to accept those who are
repentant,”  then conclude the blessing, “Baruch Ata Hashem Ha’Rotzeh
Bitshuva.” Here is the actual Hebrew text one should recite in the Amida:

יהי רצון מלפניך ה' אלקינו ואלקי אבותינו שתחתור
חתירה מתחת כסא כבודך להחזיר בתשובה שלימה לכל פושעי ישראל, וכן תחזיר בתשובה
שלימה את פלוני בן פלונית, כי ימינך פשוטה לקבל שבים.

It is correct that when one
concludes this blessing upon reciting the name of Hashem one should have in
mind that this name of Hashem is punctuated with the “Segol” mark, as
is printed in precise Siddurim; one should concentrate on this but not utter
it.

May Hashem return all sinners of
Israel to Him through complete repentance and may the land be filled with the
knowledge of the Hashem like the waters that fill the sea.

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Announcements

Selichot

Sundays 7:00 am

Mon – Fri 6:00 am 

Shacharit will follow straight after Selichot

Please note: The time for Shacharit may be a few minutes 

before the normal time for Shacharit

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Mincha

Mincha next week will be at 7:15 pm

followed by Arbit

Please support our minyanim whenever possible

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Rabbi Stamler's Fundraising Swim

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SHABBAT

Shabbat Times

לוח זמני תפלה לקיץ תשע"ט

Summer
Timetable 5779 – 2019

*    For those not in the Bet Hakeneset, but wishing to
bring in Shabbat with the Kahal, candles should be lit about 30 minutes after
the time listed for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat. (Unless the time listed in the ‘latest
candle lighting’ column is earlier, when candles should be lit by that time, in all
cases.)

Youth Club 4:00 pm  

Avot Ubanim 5:00 pm

Mincha 6:00 pm

Followed by
Shiur

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Children’s
Tehilim straight after Musaf

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Anyone wishing
to donate a Kiddush Please email Moorlanenews

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Q
& A on Parashat Shofetim

1. What is the role of shoftim? What is the role of shotrim?
   16:18 – Shoftim are judges who pronounce judgment. Shotrim are officers who enforce it.
2. What qualifications should one look for when appointing a judge?
   16:18 – That he is expert in the law and that he is righteous.
3. May a judge accept a bribe if only for the purpose of judging fairly?
   16:19 – No, because it will sway his judgment.
4. What is the source for the concept "seek out a good beit din"?
   16:20 – "Tzedek tzedek tirdof…."
5. Although the avot built matzevot, the Torah later forbade doing so. Why?
   16:22 – Because the Canaanites used them for idolatry.
6. "You will come to…the judge who will be in those days." It's impossible to visit a judge living at a different time, so why must the Torah add these apparently extra words?
   17:9 – To teach that although a judge may not be as eminent as judges of previous generations, we must obey him nevertheless.
7. What does Hashem promise a king who doesn't amass much gold, doesn't raise many horses and doesn't marry many wives?
   17:18 – That his kingdom will endure.
8. How many Torah scrolls must the king have?
   17:18 – Two. One stays in his treasury and one he keeps with him.
9. How was King Shaul punished for disobeying a minor command of the Prophet Shmuel?
   17:20 – He lost his kingship.
10. Certain kosher animals are not included in the law of "chazeh, shok and keiva." Which ones?
    18:3 – Chayot (non-domestic-type animals).
11. Families of kohanim served in the Beit Hamikdash on a rotational basis. When was this rotation system implemented?
    18:8 – During the time of David and Shmuel.
12. Which three categories of false prophets are executed?
    18:20 – One who prophesies something he didn't hear, something told to another prophet, or prophecies in the name of an idol.
13. What does it mean to "prepare the way" to the cities of refuge?
    19:3 – To post direction signs saying "refuge" at the crossroads.
14. How many witnesses are meant when the Torah writes the word eid (witness)?
    19:15 – Two, unless otherwise specified.
15. "Through the mouth of two witnesses…." What types of testimony does this verse invalidate?
    19:15 – Written testimony and testimony translated from a language which the judges don't understand.
16. If witnesses in a capital case are proven to be zomemim (false-conspirators) before their intended victim is executed, how are they punished?
    19:19 – They are put to death.
17. Why does the section about going to war follow the laws governing witnesses?
    20:1 – To teach that if the Jewish People execute fair judgment they will be victorious in war.
18. The Jewish army is warned of four "scare-tactics" the enemy might employ. What are they?
    20:3 –
    (a)Clanging their shields
    (b)Making their horses stomp and whinny
    (c)Shouting
    (d)Blowing horns.
19. When a murder victim is found in a field, who determines which city is closest?
    21:2 – The Sanhedrin.
20. What happens if the murderer is found after the calf's neck was broken?
    21:9- He is tried and, if guilty, executed.

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Halachot
from Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Ztz'l

 חודש אלול –
מעשה במרן זצ"ל בענין שמיעת מוזיקה

כתב מרן רבינו עובדיה יוסף זצ"ל: חסד גדול
עשה ה' יתברך עם עמו ישראל, כאשר גילה להם, כי יום המשפט הוא יום א' בתשרי. (כי
באמת, גם אומות העולם נדונים ביום זה, אבל אין להם ידיעה על כך, ולכן אינם
מתכוננים כראוי ליום זה,
ומפסידים טובה הרבה). וכמו שנאמר
בתהלים, "תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר בַּכֵּסֶה לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ, כִּי חֹק
לְיִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא מִשְׁפָּט לֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב". כי בנוהג שבעולם, מי שעבר על
החוק, ונתפס אצל שוטר והלה יקחהו באופן מיידי לפני שופט, להשפט בצורה מהירה, הלא
קרוב לודאי שלא יוכל להתמודד מול האשמות שהוא מואשם בהן. מה שאין כן אילו תנתן לו
האפשרות לדעת את מועד המשפט, ויוכל להתמודד ולהתיעץ עם עורך דין טוב, בכדי שידע מה
לטעון במשפט ומי יסנגר עליו, שאז בודאי יש תקוה שיוכל לצאת זכאי במשפטו.

כמו כן אנו, מיום ראש חודש
אלול, מריעים בשופר וקמים לסליחות ומתכוננים ליום הדין שאומרים בו הרת עולם היום
יעמיד במשפט כל יצורי עולם, ואז מתחילים גם כן לומר בתפילה, המלך הקדוש, המלך
המשפט, ובאלול אנו מתכוננים כראוי להכין פרקליטים גדולים לפני הקדוש ברוך הוא,
ואלו הם פרקליטיו של אדם, תורה ומצוות ומעשים טובים (שבת לב.), ובתוספתא אמרו,
צדקה וגמילות חסדים,
פרקליטים גדולים הם בין ישראל
לאביהם שבשמים. וכן שנינו באבות, כל העושה לו מצוה אחת, קונה לו פרקליט אחד. ואם
הפרקליט הוא גיבור ואיש מלחמה, כגון שהוא נוצר מפי תלמיד חכם העוסק בתורה, בודאי
שאז אותם המקטרגים לא יהיו אלא כשועלים קטנים מחבלים כרמים, שגערה אחת מאת סנגור
כזה תשתק את כולם. וכמו שאנו אומרים בסליחות, חתום פה שטן ואל ישטין עלינו, ויעמוד
מלאך ומליץ טוב בעדינו, הוא יגיד יושרנו. הרי פתח רחב להוציא אותנו זכאים לפני ה'
יתברך, וכמו שאמרו במסכת ראש השנה, על הפסוק, כי מי גוי
גדול אשר לו אלקים קרובים אליו, כה' אלקינו בכל קראנו אליו.

רבינו האר"י ז"ל כתב בשער הפסוקים, על
הפסוק העוסק בבריחת הרוצח לעיר מקלט, ששם לא יאונה לו כל רע, וכפי שנאמר "אנה
לידו ושמתי לך" (מקום אשר ינוס שמה). ראשי תיבות "אלול", לרמוז כי
חודש אלול ניתן לתשובה, ושב ורפא לו. והכל צריכים לחזור בתשובה, וכן אמרו על
הפסוק: ומל ה' אלהיך "את לבבך ואת לבב" זרעך, ראשי תיבות אלול,
לרמוז על הבא ליטהר, מסייעין אותו. ובפרט בענין התשובה שהקדוש ברוך הוא אמר
לישראל, פתחו לי פתח כחודו של מחט, ואני אפתח לכם פתח כפתחו של אולם. וזוהי הסיעתא
דשמיא לחזור בתשובה.

ועוד נרמז חודש אלול בפסוק, ומשלוח מנות
"איש לרעהו ומתנות לאביונים", ראשי תיבות אלול. כי זהו הזמן הראוי ביותר
למצות הצדקה, שמכפרת עוון. וכמו שאמרו במדרש, הקרבנות אין מכפרים אלא על השוגג,
והצדקה מכפרת בין על השוגג ובין על המזיד.

בימי חודש אלול, על האדם להתבונן ולעשות חשבון
נפש עם עצמו, להתחזק בעבודת ה'. ואפילו מי שזכה לעבוד את ה' כראוי, עליו להתחזק
ביתר שאת בימים אלה, ברצינות גדולה ובריכוז, כדי שלא יאבד ימים יקרים אלה.

ומעשה היה, לפני כשש שנים,
שנסע מרן זצוק"ל ברכבו לאיזה שיעור תורני, ובשעת הנסיעה רצה הנהג שלו להסב לו
קורת רוח, לכן הפעיל "דיסק" עם מוזיקה ייחודית שמרן זצ"ל היה אוהב
לשמוע. פנה אליו מרן זצ"ל בנעימות וביקש ממנו שיכבה את המוזיקה, מהרי ימים אלה הם ימי חודש אלול!!! ישמע חכם ויוסף לקח!

The Month of Elul

Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l
writes that Hashem bestowed a great kindness upon his Jewish nation by
revealing to them that the Day of Judgment is on the First of Tishrei (for in
truth, the other nations of the world are also judged on this day, but since
they do not know about this, they do not prepare themselves accordingly and
they miss out on a substantial benefit), as the verse states, “Blow the Shofar
on the [new] month, on the designated day of our festival. For it is a statute
for Israel, a [day of] judgment for the G-d of Yaakov.” Usually, if one breaks
the law and is caught by a police officer, if the officer takes him immediately
in front of a judge to be judged in a swift manner, it is almost certain that
the defendant will not be able to cope with the charges being leveled against
him. If, however, he is made known of the court-date and given the chance to
meet with and seek adequate legal counsel and know who will represent him in
court, he surely has hope to be found innocent in his case.

Similarly, from the day of Rosh
Chodesh Elul, we begin blowing the Shofar and waking up early in the morning to
recite Selichot (prayer service for atonement) in preparation for the Day of
Judgment when we will proclaim, “Today is the world’s birthday; today He shall
make [everyone] stand for judgment, all creations of the world,” and is
likewise the day we begin to recite “Ha’Melech Ha’Kadosh” and “Ha’Melech
Ha’Mishpat” in our prayers. During Elul, we prepare great “attorneys” before
Hashem; one’s “attorneys” are Torah, Mitzvot, and worthy deeds (Shabbat 32a).
The Tosefta states, “Charity and acts of kindness are great defenders between
Israel and their Father in Heaven.” We have also learned in Pirkei Avot, “One
who performs one Mitzvah acquires for himself one defending attorney.” If the
defender is strong and mighty, such as one formed by a Torah scholar who delves
in Torah, certainly the other prosecuting angels will only be like small foxes
in comparison and one roar from the defending angel shall be sufficient to
silence them all. As we say in Selichot, “Seal the mouth of Satan so that he
may not prosecute us; may a good-speaking advisor stand up for us and speak of
our righteousness.” This is a tremendous opportunity to allow us be found
innocent in the eyes of Hashem, as the Gemara in Rosh Hashanah expounds the
verse, “For who is a great nation that has a God who is close to him, like
Hashem our G-d [who is close to us] whenever we call him.”

Rabbeinu HaAri z”l writes
in his Sha’ar Ha’Pesukim regarding the verse which deals with the fleeing of a
murderer to a City of Refuge where no harm will befall him, as the verse states
(in Hebrew), “Eenah Le’Yado VeSamti
Lecha,” which is the acronym of “Elul.” This
hints to us that Elul is the month of repentance and if one returns, he shall
be healed. All must repent, as the verse states, “U’mal Hashem Elokecha Et
Levavecha Ve’et Levav
Zar’echa,” which is likewise an acronym of “Elul,” to hint that if one
comes to purify himself, he is aided from Above. This is especially so
regarding repentance about which Hashem tells the Jewish nation, “Open for me
like the opening of a needle and I shall open for you like the opening of a
hall.” This refers to the Heavenly assistance offered to repent.

The word “Elul” is also hinted in
the verse, “U’mishloach Manot Ish Le’Re’ehu
U’Matanot La’Evyonim,”
to teach us that this is the most opportune time to fulfill the Mitzvah of
charity, which atones for sins. As the Midrash tells us, “Offerings atone only
for sins performed unknowingly, but charity atones for sins performed knowingly
or unknowingly.” 

During the month of Elul, one must
carry out self-introspection and strengthen one’s self in the service of
Hashem. Even one who serves Hashem properly must strengthen himself even more
during these days amid much seriousness and focus so as not to lose out on
these precious days.

An incident once occurred
approximately six years ago when Maran zt”l was on his way to deliver
a Torah class. His personal driver wanted Maran to relax and enjoy himself a
little so he turned on a CD of special music that Maran enjoyed. Maran zt”l
turned to the driver and pleasantly requested that he turn off the music,
for we are in the midst of the month of Elul!

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