בס״ד SHAAREI ORAH NEwSlEttER The Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck • 1425 Essex Road, Teaneck NJ, 07666 • 201-833-0800 • www.sephardicteaneck.org
Zmanim & Services Rabbi Haim Jachter PARASHAT MATOT-MASEI A Brief Sketch of Yemenite Halachic History AUGUST 3, 2019
Friday Night One does not appreciate the full spectrum of Halachic practice unless he takes in account the practices of Yemenite Jews. However, one can understand Yemenite Halacha only if one learns the basics
of its history. Shir Hashirim 6:50 pm Candle Lighting 7:53 pm Geonic Period: A key aspect of Yemenite (Temoni) Jewish life is that Yemenite Jews, in contrast Minha 7:00 pm with other Jewish communities located at the outskirts of the Exile (such as Ethiopian Jews) kept in touch with Jews worldwide throughout its many centuries in Yemen. This means that the Jews in Yemen were followed by Kabbalat Shabbat / Arvit aware of and fully observed Hanukah and Purim and were fully aware and practices that which is set forth in the Mishna and Gemara. Shabbat Day There is evidence to this already dating to the time of the Geonim. Shaarei Teshuva (a collection of Geonic responsa; number 99) records that the Geonim in Babylon received inquiries regarding Pre-Shaharit shiur 8:30 am observance of Halacha from Jews all over the world. The places listed include Temon (Yemen) and Spain. Shaharit 8:45 am Latest Shema 9:21 am This means that despite geographic distance, the Jews of Yemen maintained themselves as full- Pre-pre Minha Shiur 6:15 pm fledged members of the Jewish Halachic mainstream. This explains why no Halachic authority has ever Pre-Minha Shiur 6:55 pm questioned the Jewish status and Kashrut of the Jews of Yemen. Minha 7:35 pm Arvit 8:37 pm The Rambam: The peak of Yemenite interaction with Jews outside its adopted land is the loving Havdala 8:47 pm connection with the Rambam. The Rambam records in his famous Igeret Temon how Jewish travelers report the very warm welcome they receive when they visit Yemen. The Rambam records that the travelers Weekly Schedule report that the Jews of Yemen are learned in Torah, fully observant of all the Mitzvot and thoroughly Shaharit committed to both the written and Oral Law. Sunday 8:00 am In this letter the Rambam offered much needed encouragement to the Jews of Yemen who were Mon/Thu 6:20 am facing a crisis. They were being persecuted by their Islamic rulers and they were coping with a Jew Tue/Wed/Fri 6:30 am claiming to be the Mashiah.
Minha/Arvit The Rambam in his letter showed them how Islam is false on the one hand and that the Jew claiming to be the Messiah is false as well. The Rambam struck the perfect balance between Sunday 7:50 pm encouragement and realistic appraisal of their situation. In doing so, the Rambam won the wholehearted devotion of the Jews of Yemen.
The Rambam wrote many Halachic responsa to the Jews of Yemen. In fact, the Rambam’s grandson Rav David HaNagid reports that the Rambam received more questions from the Jews of Yemen than any other community.
The Ramban in a letter records how the Rambam used his political connections to relieve the Jews of Yemen from terribly burdensome taxes. The Jews of Yemen, continues the Ramban, loved the Rambam so much that they (famously) added a line to the Kaddish praying (during the lifetime of the Rambam) for the welfare of the Rambam “B’Hayei D’Rabbana Moshe ben Maimon”.
Needless to say, at this point the Jews of Yemen unreservedly embraced the Rambam as their Halachic authority at this point.
The Mawza Exile: The Jews of Yemen struggled but maintained their Jewish life with stability and success until catastrophe struck. The Exile of Mawza of 1679–1680, is (as described at Wikipedia) “considered the single most traumatic event experienced collectively by the Jews of Yemen, in which Jews living in nearly all cities and towns throughout Yemen were banished by decree of the king, Iman al-Mahdi Ahmad, and sent to a dry and barren region of the country named Mawza to withstand their fate or to die”.
Galut Mawza, as it is referred to by Yemenite Jews, caused a severe disruption in Jewish life. Approximately half of the Jews died as a result of this horrific experience, including many of its great Rabbanim and leaders. The Jews’ homes were confiscated by their Arab neighbors. Jewish manuscripts were lost and the community had to rebuild itself nearly from scratch both materially and spiritually. The Galut Mawza constituted a severe disruption in the Torah traditions of the Yemenite community and in the following decades Yemenite Jews endeavored to restore its equilibrium.
Congregation Shaarei Orah is an inclusive kehillah, all are welcome regardless of edah or level of observance. בס״ד SHAAREI ORAH NEwSlEttER The Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck • 1425 Essex Road, Teaneck NJ, 07666 • 201-833-0800 • www.sephardicteaneck.org The Shetile Zetim vs. The Maharitz: Soon after the return from Exile, the community spawned two of its greatest Halachic leaders. There are Rav David Mishrequi, the author of the Shetile Zetim and the Ravid HaZahav, and Rav David’s student Rav Yihyeh Tzalah, known as the Maharitz. The Maharitz authored important responsa and commentaries and is regarded as the primary Halachic authority for Yemenite Jews.
The Shetile Zetim and the Maharitz, however, had a fundamental disagreement regarding the primary Halachic authority of Yemenite Jews. The Shetile Zetim felt that since Jews worldwide had accepted the authority of Rav Yosef Karo and the Shulhan Aruch, Yemenite Jews should follow suit and remain in the Halachic mainstream. The Maharitz, though, argued for maintaining traditional Yemenite customs and fidelity to the Rambam’s rulings.
Both the Shetile Zetim and the Maharitz were not rigid in their respective approaches. The Maharitz was willing to accept some new customs accepted in the worldwide Jewish mainstream and the Shetile Zetim sometimes advocated for retaining some specific traditional Yemenite practices.
Baladi, Shami and Dor Da’im: This led to the famous split among Yemenite Jews. Baladi Jews follow the Maharitz and the Shami faction follow in the footsteps of the Shetile Zetim. A third group emerged in the nineteenth century which called for renewed strict adherence to the Rambam. Rav Yosef Kapah was the most famous member of this group.
Rav Ovadia Yosef vs. Rav Ratzabi: Further debate emerged in twentieth century upon the blessed return of Yemenite Jews to Eretz Yisrael. Rav Ovadia Yosef (Teshuvot Yehave Da’at 1:27) argues that now that they are in Eretz Yisrael, Yemenites should follow the rulings of the Shulhan Aruch. An example of a disputed matter is the Yemenite practice to follow the Rambam and not recite a Bracha on the lighting of Yom Tov candles. Rav Ovadia argues that now Yemenites should follow the Shulhan Aruch’s ruling (Orah Haim 263:5 and 514:11) to recite a Bracha before lighting Yom Tov candles.
The leading Yemenite sage Rav Yitzhak Rasabi in his work Ner Yom Tov, strongly argues with Rav Ovadia concerning this specific point and his overall agenda to convince Yemenite Jews to abandon their practices in favor of the rulings of Rav Yosef Karo.
Conclusion: Yemenite Minhagim are incredibly rich and fascinating. They add the final touches to the full picture of Jewish practice. Yemenite Jews tenaciously maintained their practices in face of enormous pressure throughout the centuries. Fortunately, this precious component of our people has been preserved and with Hashem’s help remain a vibrant community whose practices add a special flavor and dimension to the full Halachic spectrum.
Announcements
Reminder: The deadline for all submissions to the weekly newsletter is Thursday at 10 am. Thank you for your cooperation.
Kiddush this week is sponsored by the kiddush fund. To contribute to the kiddush fund, please visit https://www.sephardicteaneck.org/form/kiddush-fund-donation.html
Seudah Shelisheet this week is co-sponsored by co-sponsored by Rivka and Sahba Azar for the yahrzeits of Malka bat Yekutiel z'l, Esther bat Meir z'l(Sahba's aunts) and Pinchas ben Meir z'l, (Rivka's father) and Shuli and David Shakarchi and the extended family for the yahrzeit of their mother, Ahuva bat Chacham David Yosef z'l. To sponsor seudah shelisheet please visit https://www.sephardicteaneck.org/form/seudah.
We are excited to announce that as of today, Friday, August 2nd, we are on a Shaharit minyan streak of 63 consecutive days! Stay tuned for our big Kiddush celebration if we hit the 100-minyan mark. Thank you, Ari Stein, for all of your help with the daily minyan and thank you to all of our participants. Let's keep this streak alive! For updates and suggestions or if you would like to contribute towards this celebration, please contact Cesare Pinto - [email protected].
Registration is now open for the Yamim Nora'im seating. Early bird pricing ends on 8/29/19 and the final deadline for all reservations is 9/15/19. Our Yamim Nora'im services last year were at full capacity in both the women’s and men’s sections. Notwithstanding the above-mentioned deadline dates, we highly recommend you place your reservations as soon as possible to ensure that you will be able to obtain seats for your entire family. As in previous years, the seating committee will make best efforts to use similar seating from previous years. However, please note that full members have priority over affiliate members and affiliate members have priority over nonmembers and requests will be honored on a first-come-first served basis. To make your reservations, please visit: https://www.sephardicteaneck.org/form/YN2019_5780. If you have general questions or need assistance making your reservations, please contact Mati Goldstein - [email protected]/201-833-0800. For financial questions or concerns, contact Gila Stone - [email protected].
Reminder - Rabbi Jachter's Tuesday night class will not take place during the Summer.
Happy Birthday to Eitan Benhamu (Aug 3), Matan Shmuel Cohn (Aug 4) & Gail Barry (Aug 7). Happy Birthday to all of our August birthdays being celebrated in youth groups this Shabbat. For more information please contact [email protected].
Come and participate in our wonderful classes. See details on the back page of the newsletter. Congregation Shaarei Orah is an inclusive kehillah, all are welcome regardless of edah or level of observance. בס״ד SHAAREI ORAH NEwSlEttER The Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck • 1425 Essex Road, Teaneck NJ, 07666 • 201-833-0800 • www.sephardicteaneck.org Shorashai Orah
Chesed Opportunity: A young widow living in Teaneck, whose husband was a Talmid of Rabbi Jachter, is in need of babysitting coverage on Sunday mornings from 9:45-11:15 each week and as needed, when she has to work, from 11:15AM to 1:30PM/2:00PM. Looking for our babysitting-age girls to volunteer for this important chesed on a rotating basis. The individual has two daughters (ages 6 and 2) and lives in Terrace Circle. Please respond to Erica Ohayon - [email protected].
A Story – Of the Monkey and Cats Dvar Torah by Abraham J. Twerski, M.D.
It was the aftermath of a big festival. Two cats were The Torah states: prowling together. One of the cats saw a big cake and missed. The other jumped up and picked it. "These are the journeys of the Children of Israel ... Moses wrote their goings forth according to their journeys" (Numbers 33:1-2).
The first cat said, “Give me the cake. It is I who saw it The Torah commentaries say that the enumeration of the journeys first.” and encampments was to review all that had transpired during the forty years in the desert. The names listed are not necessarily the names of the places but The other cat said “Keep away from it. It is I who picked hints as to what the people did in those places. it up.” A person who has a purpose and goal in life will pause every now They were fighting and fighting. But there was no and then to assess how much he has accomplished toward reaching his solution. Just then, a monkey passed by. He thought “What objective. foolish cats they must be! Let me make use of this chance.” Many tzaddikim, (righteous people) did an accounting every night He came to the cats and said in a loud voice. “Don’t to see what they accomplished during that day and to correct whatever fight. Let me share the cake with you both”. The cake was handed deficiencies they discovered. over to the monkey. So it was with Moses at the end of the forty years in the desert. The The monkey split the cake into tow parts. He shook his Israelites were about to enter the Holy Land and he was about to turn over the head and said, “Oho! One is bigger. One is smaller”. He had a bit leadership to Joshua. The period of his stewardship had come to a close. It of the bigger and now said “Oho! This has become smaller now”. was time to see what Moses and the Israelites had achieved during the past He ate from the other. And thus, he went on eating from part to forty years, hence the meticulous review of the journeys and encampments part and finally he finished the whole cake. and what had transpired in each place.
If we are serious about achieving a goal in our lives we must The poor cats were disappointed. periodically take inventory. What have we accomplished? How can we better use our time? Moral: When you quarrel someone else gains. Source – Aish.com
Wisdom of The Week by Ezra Ghazal
The best apology is changed behavior
Weekly Riddle Time to Smile
What can be seen in the middle of March and April that The Olympics remind us that no matter what country we cannot be seen at the beginning or end of either month? may be from, we all look dumb using an iPad as a camera. Answer is located on the back sheet, guess before you look!!!
ALLERGY NOTICE
Shaarei Orah is a “nut aware” facility. All food for both public and private events, including our Shabbat youth groups, may not contain nuts or nut products of any kind (this includes products that "may contain" nuts or that were "processed in a facility" that also processes nuts). For more details please contact [email protected]
Congregation Shaarei Orah is an inclusive kehillah, all are welcome regardless of edah or level of observance. בס״ד SHAAREI ORAH NEwSlEttER The Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck • 1425 Essex Road, Teaneck NJ, 07666 • 201-833-0800 • www.sephardicteaneck.org UPCOMING EVENTS & MORE…
"3 Weeks of Shiurim: Community-Wide Focus on Ahavat Yisrael”- Coming up this week:This Shabbos August 3rd, the Drashot at Ahavat Shalom, Beth Aaron, Beth Abraham, Chabad of Teaneck, Ohr Saadya, Shaarei Orah, Teaneck Sephardic Center, and Zichron Mordechai will IyH focus on Ahavas Yisrael. Mrs. Yael Weil @ Keter Torah, Wednesday August 7th, 10:30AM, Rabbi Pruzansky @ Bnai Yeshurun, Thursday August 8th, 8PM - How to Love Every Jew. May this project be l’ilui nishmas Reuven Tzvi ben Menachem, Rabbi Reuven Bauman A’H who brought Kiddush Hashem and Achdus to Jews worldwide.
This Shabbat, at 6:40pm at Keter Torah, 600 Roemer Avenue, Teaneck. Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum, Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies, will speak on "The Ten Lost Tribes: Lessons from Archaeology for Today." Following Mincha at 7:40pm, Rabbi Dr. Zarum will speak on "Hope vs. Despair: Why didn't we give up when the Bet Mikdash was destroyed?"
Please join us for an AMIT Teaneck Chapter Summer Afternoon Tea which will be held on Saturday, August 3rd at 5:00 pm at the home of Lois Blumenfeld & Norman Sohn which is located at 1358 Sussex Road. Ms. Miriam Krupka Berger, Dean of Faculty at Ramaz Upper School and a Tanach and Judaic teacher will speak about “Eichah: Translating a Poetry of Grief”. To RSVP go to AMITChildren.org/GeulaChapterTea or email Robbie Fried at [email protected].
The next Teaneck Orthodox Retiree Association (TORA) lunch and lecture will take place on Tuesday August 6, and feature Rabbi Yosef Weinberger, Intern Rabbi at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun. The topic will be "Yemos Ha'Mashiach: What Are We Waiting For?". The lecture will begin at 12:45 PM Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, 641 West Englewood Avenue, Teaneck, and lunch will be available at 12:00 PM. The cost is $12 for those who register by Sunday 8/4 at 4:00 PM, and $15 for anyone who registers after that date/time or just shows up. To register, please email [email protected] with the names of those who will be attending, or go to the following link and fill out the online form that appears.
Chessed 24/7 invites you to the first annual Shabbos in a Box Campaign. Please join us Tuesday night August 6th, 7PM Congregation Keter Torah, 600 Roemer Avenue, Teaneck. We are excited to have Jackie Bitton share her words of inspiration with us. Light refreshments will be served.
Join Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey for a wine and cheese tasting and great speaker. FedTalks: Israel with Jonathan Frankel, Social Entrepreneur "Who’s going to help the tri-state area become a cyber capital? Israel of course". Wednesday, August 7 at 7:00 PM. At Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, 50 Eisenhower Drive, Paramus NJ
Rabbi Michael Taubes will give his annual Tishah B'Av class for women on Sunday afternoon (August 11th) at 2:45 PM at Congregation Zichron Mordechai, 268 West Englewood Avenue. Topic: "National Hatred: An Overview of the History of Anti-Semitism”
Please join us for a support group for loved ones of those struggling with substance abuse and addiction. We meet every other Wednesday night in Teaneck at 8:15 p.m. For more information, please email CCSA at [email protected].
*** Answer to the Weekly Riddle – The letter “R”.....*** WEEKLY SHIURIM @ SHAAREI ORAH
Rabbi Jachter: - Shabbat morning Pre-Sha’harit Shiur at 8:30am on the weekly Parasha – Shabbat afternoon Pre-pre Minha Shiur 80 minutes before Minha - Pre- Minha Shiur 40 minutes before Minha - Men and women are invited. Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM at Shaarei Orah on Kashrut Straight from the Shulhan Aruch (on hiatus for the summer). Weekly e-mail 5-minute Sephardic Shiur of the week - Hebrew version and English version.
Shlomo Levy - Wednesday nights, chavruta style learning on Hilchot Shabbat - 9:00 - 10:00 pm in the Beit Midrash upstairs.
Rabbi Michael Chernlck: Beginner's Talmud, Tuesday nights, 8:30-9:30 pm.
Shaarei Orah Contact Information
Thank YOU for joining Tefilot @ Shaarei Orah. Please mail all donations & payments to: Shaarei Orah – 1425 Essex Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666 or online at www.sephardicteaneck.org
Tizku L’mitzvot!!! To sponsor any event, send a donation card, place an ad in the newsletter or to receive our weekly newsletter by email please contact [email protected] or call 201-833-0800. Shorashai Orah, the sisterhood of Shaarei Orah contact: [email protected] RABBI: Rav Haim Jachter - [email protected] President: Joshua Murad - [email protected] Vice President: Shlomo Levy | Treasurer: Isaac Dayan | Secretary: Blanche Silver | Gabbai: Shalom Shushan Billing questions contact: [email protected] Congregation Shaarei Orah is an inclusive kehillah, all are welcome regardless of edah or level of observance.