FEATURED THIS WEEK: Spotlight on the BRS Men's Club PAGE 25 BOCA RATON WEEKLY

@RABBIGOLDBERG /BOCA.RATON.SYNAGOGUE /BRSTORAH @RABBIPHILIP @BROIDE

Parshas Vayikra | Stone Chumash page 544 | March 19–25, 2021 | Nissan 6–12, 5781

FRIDAY NIGHT SHABBOS DAY Earliest Candle Lighting: 6:16 pm Mincha: 3:00/7:10 pm Candle Lighting: 7:13 pm Shkiah: 7:32 pm Mincha: 6:00 pm & 7:15 pm Ma’ariv/Havdalah: 8:07 pm

Chaburah following the 7:30 pm: ’ Class 9:00 pm: Shabbos Hagadol Drasha 8:30am (in the Social with Philip with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Hall) with Rabbi Rafi BenSimon Moskowitz See back page for more details

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Rabbi Rael Blumenthal Rabbi David Shabtai, MD Jeffrey Goldgrab Marah D’asra Associate Rabbi Rabbi, BRS West Rabbi, Sephardic Minyan Chief Operating Officer [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Rebbetzin Yocheved Goldberg Rebbetzin Arielle Moskowitz Rebbetzin Aliza Blumenthal Rebbetzin Monica Shabtai Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Rebbetzin, BRS West Rebbetzin, Sephardic Minyan [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Rabbi Samuel J. Levine Rabbi Josh Broide Rabbi Simcha Shabtai Rabbi Eli Zians Rabbi Kenneth Brander, PhD President Outreach Rabbi Rosh Beis Medrash Teen Director Rabbi Emeritus [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Hahn Judaic Campus • 7900 Montoya Circle N. Boca Raton, FL 33433 (561) 394-0394 • Fax (561) 750-2451 • www.brsonline.org • [email protected] FRIDAY NIGHT Earliest Candle Candle Lighting Lighting Shabbos Guide 6:16 pm 7:13 pm SHABBOS DAY PARSHAS VAYIKRA Shkiah Ma’ariv/Havdalah 7:32 pm 8:07 pm

• Plag Mincha is at 6:16 pm. Those making early Shabbos should complete Mincha before then and light candles after that time. • Those accepting Shabbos at the zman should light candles at 7:13 pm and complete Mincha by 7:31 pm. Guide for • If you made Shabbos early, repeat Shema after8:06 pm Davening • Sof Zman Krias Shema is at 10:26 am. Sof Zman Tefilah is at11:26 am. • The reading is Vayikra 1:1–5:26. The haftorah isYeshayahu 43:21–44:23. at Home • Mincha on Shabbos day should be recited after2:00 pm. • Shkiah on Shabbos day is at 7:32 pm. Mincha should be completed before this time and Shalosh Seudos should be started before then. • Shabbos concludes at 8:07 pm. Havdalah should not be recited before then. • Friday night: 6:00 pm & 7:15 pm (Rand Sanctuary) • All Shacharis times are for starting at Nishmas (unless otherwise noted): Shabbos • Shacharis: 7:15 am (Social Hall – begins with Berachos) Minyanim • 8:15 am KN95 Mask Only Minyan (Shechet Beis Medrash) • 8:30 am (Rand Sanctuary) 9:00 am (Outdoor Minyan– begins with Berachos) Times at • 9:45 am Teen Minyan (Shechet Beis Medrash) BRS • 10:00 am Shtiebel Shacharis (Shtiebel Beis Medrash) 10:15 am (Rand Sanctuary) • Mincha: 3:00 pm & 7:10 pm (Rand Sanctuary) • Ma’ariv: 8:07 pm • All morning Shacharis Minyanim begin with Berachos. • Morning Minyan Times: 6:15 (Thursday at 6:20)/6:25 am / 7:00 am/ 8:00 am/ 9:00 am Weekday • Please note: If you are davening at the early weekday minyan, Alos Hashachar on Sunday is at 6:22am and the earliest time for Talis and Tefillin is at 6:49am Minyanim • Daily Outdoor Shacharis at 8:00 am in the BRS Tent (Begins with R’ Yishmael) at BRS • 2:00 pm Mincha (Sunday–Thursday in the BRS tent) • 7:15 pm Mincha followed by Ma'ariv (Both in the Rand Sanctuary and the BRS Tent) • 9:00 pm Ma’ariv in the Rand Sanctuary 9:30 pm Ma’ariv (Nusach Ari) in the BRS Tent

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THIS SHABBOS Chaburah following 7:30 pm: Rabbis’ Class with Rabbi Philip Moskowitz the 8:30am Minyan (in Pesach: The Holiday of Never Giving Up Hope the Social Hall) with Sponsored by Dr. Gordon & Yanina Haas in memory Rabbi Rafi BenSimon of her beloved father, Chaim ben Aharon Pinchas HaLevi, Hyman Leichtman on his yahrzeit, 7 Nissan.

2 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 MAZEL TOV TO

Chari Cohen and Dr. Steven Cohen on Melanie & Dr. Bernie Kaminetsky on Ouaknine of East Boca. And on the the birth of their granddaughter. Her the birth of their grandson, Joseph birth of their granddaughter, Esther proud parents are Esti & Bradley (Zev) Micah. His proud parents are Sarah & Leah (in August). Her proud parents Cohen of Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel. Isaac Jonas of New Rochelle. His proud are Yocheved & Meir Ouaknine of Kew Her proud sister is Penina. sisters are Claire and Margot. His proud Gardens, Queens. Their proud aunt and aunts and uncles are Jordana & Simon uncle are David and Yaeli. Zeldie & Benjie Henner on their son, Bernstein, Josh & Alana Kaminetsky and Evan, becoming a Bar . His proud cousins Noah, Jack and Jonathan. Happy birthday to David Berger, Orly siblings are Samantha, Rebecca, and Landau, Geoffrey Pitch, Mitchell Stiel, Jordan. His proud grandparents are Rachel & Yehuda Ouaknine on the birth Shira Blum and Donny Cohen. Elaine & Harry Schlakman and Judy & of their grandson, Daniel Yosef. His Lester Henner. proud parents are Temima & Yitzchak Happy anniversary to David & Ranana Berger.

If you are celebrating a Simcha and would like a Mazal Tov in the Weekly, please let someone in the office know. Please note that the deadline for the Weekly is Wednesday morning before noon. If you have a Simcha on the calendar and are changing the date, please contact Lee at [email protected]

REFUAH SHLEIMAH TO

WOMEN MEN Ariella Berman: Ariella Marie Gosser - Muna bat Arnold Hordish: Yosef Avraham ben Michael Bierman: Michael Sarah bat Elisheva Malka Salima Shulamit Chana Avrahahm ben Nechama Arielle Bittoun: Arielle Noa Maya Carmel: Noa Aryeh Leib ben Baila Rochel Michael Lupin: Michoel Yonah ben Mazal Tov bat Aliiah Maya bat Devora Rachel Avraham Chaim ben Sarah Leah Breindel Chanah bat Olga Newman: Liba Rivka Bob Strauss: Chayim Ha’Levi ben Moshe Applebaum: Moshe Zvi ben Chaya Raizel bat Esther Malka Tzipora Rochel Leah Chana Guta bat Rochel Or Ester bat Dina Rivka Boruch Len: Boruch ben Devorah Nacham Gershon ben Kayla Chana Zahava bat Penina Rachel bat Malka Leah Chaim ben Rachel Nathan Gross: Nachum ben Bailla Devorah bat Yita Roiza Rena bat Shayna Chaim Nachum ben Elka Leah Hennya Blima Rochel bat Mindle Chayim ben Rashi Reuven ben Adina Eden Malka bat Ravit Ruchama bat Chaya Gittle Dovid Yosef ben Eliezer Ha’Levi Richard Berg: Yerachmiel David ben Malka Elka bat Rachel Ruth Malinowitz: Rivka bat Dr. Saul Kahn: Zalman Binyamin ben Elka bat Rochel Frieda Zissel Sam Rubin: Yehoshua ben Fruma Esther bat Doba Sara Leah bat Bracha Etza’el Hedy ben Oshrat Shoni Chaim ben Yoseffa Chava Gila bat Gila Miriam Gad ben Yehoshua Ozer Simcha Leib ben Devorah Helen Ijac: Alta Haita bat Sara Leah bat Maya Elanit Howard Noven: Chaim ben Chaya Stuart Silverman: Yeshaya Moshe Devorah Shula Amsalen: Shulamit Sara ben Nacha Sarah Jacquie Padow: Ya’akova bat Bella Marcus Witztum - Mordechai ben Yehuda Leib ben Chaya Sarah Chava Rus bat Beyla Wendy Wasserstrom: Malka Yoel ben Etel Tzivia Joan Noven: Rochel Tova Zahava bat Chaya Meir Aryeh ben Sara Yosef Chaim ben Faiga bat Malka Merv Jacobs: Meir ben Sarah Yosef Shmuel ben Michaelah Esther

For members of BRS Community. For all other Refuah Shleimah needs, please contact Linda at (561) 394-0394 or [email protected].

CONDOLENCES TO

Sara Schandelson on the passing of her beloved mother, Carol Naomi Askarinam on the passing of her beloved father, Sasson Parzen. Molavi.

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 3 YAHRZEITS

6 Nissan 10 Nissan Lee Benjamin in memory of her sister Ruthy Zehnwirth Gerald Sigal in memory of his mother Bluma Sigal Morris Bertram in memory of his brother Betzalel Betram Dr. David Brudnoy in memory of his aunt Deborah Miller Ruchie Stern in memory of her grandmother Judith Gluckman Estelle Wald in memory of her father Irving Herz Dr. Jonathan Cutler in memory of his brother Stephen Cutler 11 Nissan Dr. Ronald Herrmann in memory of his father Lou Herrmann Dr. Harold Eisenman in memory of his sister Roz Horwitz 7 Nissan Robert Cohen in memory of his mother Gertrude Cohen Yanina Haas in memory of her father Hyman Leichtman Rachel Ouaknine in memory of her sister Ahuva Klein Dr. Benjamin Tripp in memory of his grandfather Binyamin Yosef Tripp 8 Nissan Steve Rantz in memory of his uncle Louis Rantz Dr. Wayne Kotzker in memory of his brother Steven Kotzker Jordan Katz in memory of his mother Rosalie Sarah Katz Barry Okoskin in memory of his brother Edward Okoskin Martin Schandelson in memory of his father Morris Schandelson 12 Nissan Rabbi Samuel April in memory of his father Simon April Rena Rantz in memory of her brother Moshe Plich Chaim Hackner in memory of his father Rabbi Benzion Eliezer Hackner 9 Nissan Dr. Benjamin Tripp in memory of his uncle David Tripp Moshe Leifer in memory of his mother Freidel bat Mordechai Dr. David Flug in memory of his sister Fran Flug Miriam Oppenheimer in memory of her mother Rebecca L. Shapiro Dr. Zorik Spektor in memory of his father Natan Spektor Rosalie Somsky in memory of her husband Martin Allan Somsky Helene E. Furst in memory of her father Martin Allan Somsky

Rabbi Goldberg’s next Kaddish Class will take place on Sunday, March 21 at 9:30 am (New Time) on Zoom. This class is designed for people who are within a year of mourning the loss of a loved one. To sign up for the class, to receive regular emails, or to sponsor, please email [email protected] or call (561) 394-0394. This class is sponsored by Arianne & Abe Wijnperle in memory of their dearest son, Jonathan

REMINDER OF SHUL COVID POLICIES Please note that the BRS and Palm Beach County Executive Order 2020-012 Covid-19 policies remain in effect, including wearing a mask (fully covering mouth and nose without the need to hold in place by hand) and maintaining strict distancing at all times on campus – both indoors and outdoors – including the Keilim Mikvah and Women’s Mikvah waiting room. When attending Minyan you must remain at your seat and refrain from walking around to talk to others. Those who will not be compliant will be asked to leave.

Sell your chametz with BRS!

Monday, March 22 • 6:45–7:15pm Rabbi Goldberg in his office Wednesday, March 24 • 9:30–10:15am Rabbi Moskowitz in the BRS Outdoor Tent Wednesday, March 24 • 6:45–7:15pm Rabbi Goldberg in his office For those unable to sell their chametz in person, chametz forms are available to be filled out online at www.brsonline.org/chametz

4 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 Join the BRS Youth Department for Shabbos Morning Davening & Parsha, Songs, Playground Time and Snacks To-Go! Drop off at 10:45 and Pick up at 11:30 EC3 Boys and Girls, EC4/Kindergarten EC4/Kindergarten Girls, 1st/2nd Grade Boys, 1st/2nd Grade Boys: Girls: Drop off and pick up at Picnic Tables Drop off and pick up at Basketball Court NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Masks must be worn by all children. Please don’t bring snacks.

The shul playground is now open on Shabbos mornings until 10:40 and then at 11:30 after the conclusion of groups. Additionally, the park will be open on Sunday. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Masks and distancing are required. We ask that no more than four families use the park at the same time. If there are already four families there, please wait for one to leave before entering. Thank you in advance for your compliance. AVOS U'BANIM Shabbos afternoons • 2:20–3:00 pm • in the BRS Tent (masks and distanced)

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 5 Be Grateful It Tastes Bitter

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Marah D’asra • [email protected]

In too many homes, marror is not To foster more positive thinking, she physically from focusing on positive the most bitter thing at the seder and her colleagues suggest: thoughts. table. There are people who suffer • Recognize a positive event each However, the halacha comes to from chronic negativity, who drag day. a different conclusion and with down those around them and make • Savor that event and log it in a it, I believe a great insight into most interactions unpleasant, often journal or tell someone about it. transforming ourselves from negative, confrontational, almost always • List a personal strength and note to positive people. Yes, we dip the negative. how you used it. marror in charoses, but we don’t There is lots of new research that has • Set an attainable goal and note overwhelm or overpower the taste of been coming out about how people your progress. marror, we specifically eat it to invoke who live marror lives can cultivate • Recognize and practice small acts its bitterness. and foster more positive emotions of kindness daily. Almost every Hagaddah is bothered and attitudes. Barbara Fredrickson, • Practice mindfulness, focusing on by the presence of marror at the seder. a psychologist at the University of the here and now rather than the After all, it is a night of freedom, North Carolina, has developed a past or future. joy and celebration. It is one thing theory about accumulating what she All their suggestions revolve around to be maschil b’genus, to start from calls, “micro-moments of positivity.” amassing positive experiences, the beginning of the story despite it She demonstrated that more than a thoughts and feelings and having being degrading or humiliating, but sudden burst of good fortune, it is them overwhelm the negative. In why harp on the negative? By the repeated brief moments of positive other words, have so much charoses time we have completed maggid, the feelings that can provide a buffer that you can’t even taste the marror. essential telling of the story, we have against stress and depression and One almost didn’t need the research arrived at the miracle of our liberation foster both physical and mental health to know we benefit mentally and from bondage to freedom. Why not

6 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 celebrate with sweet treats, why with opposite. The fact that we can taste Pesach we have been accustomed to. bitter marror? something as bitter is an affirmation of While our lives have been significantly Rabbi Lord Sacks z”l explains that we how sweet our lives generally are. altered and major adjustments were eat marror because “within freedom, Perhaps we can transform ourselves needed throughout this pandemic, we are commanded each year never to from negative to more positive people they are a reminder of how blessed we forget the taste of slavery, so that we not by overwhelming the negative normally are, how much we take for should not take liberty for granted, with positive, but by embracing the granted and just how sweet our lives nor forget those who are still afflicted.” negative and recognizing that if that are ordinarily. The Sfas Emes says we eat the marror is our negative, we in fact have such The great coach Lou Holtz once said, to remember that not only were the positive lives. I am not referring to “Life is 10 percent what happens to matzah and freedom from Hashem, out of the ordinary negative, deeply you and 90 percent how you respond but the suffering and bitterness too painful and devastating situations of to it.” The moments of small pain and were part of His master plan and life that understandably justify pain, inconsequential frustration not only design. Others say we eat marror to negativity and sadness. alert us that something is momentarily remember that even after matzah, But just as we can be transformed wrong, but they are a very healthy even after being set free, there are with micro moments of ordinary reminder about how much is right. bitter moments in life and they too positivity, I think most negative We are commanded to eat marror to are part of our continued journey and people suffer from the composite or remember that the romaine lettuce or story. Many more answers are offered, compounding of micro moments of grated horseradish should be the only but they all have in common that the ordinary negativity. Instead of harping bitter and negative thing at our table. bitter taste serves to remind us about on the small negatives and frustration If we can taste bitter, we in fact have bitterness. – someone said something hurtful, sweet lives for which we should be not Rav Kook explains that we don’t eat they ran out of the pesach product I only profoundly grateful, but eternally the marror to invoke bitterness, we needed, the traffic made me late, the positive people. eat it to affirm our freedom. A slave service at the restaurant was poor -- whose entire life is bitter and only we should stop and remind ourselves has access to bitter foods no longer that if these are my biggest problems, tastes anything as bitter. Bitter simply how much is going right and well Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Subscribe to the Rabbi's newsletter at becomes their default taste, their new in my life. If this is my marror, my www.rabbiefremgoldberg.org normal. When we bite into something bitterness, how sweet my life is. and an alert goes off, we recoil by its This past year has been filled with bitterness, we are in fact so incredibly frustration, challenges and for fortunate because it means we are not some people real pain. Last Pesach, accustomed to that taste, we have not unimaginably, many had the Sedarim adapted to that as our reality. Says Rav alone, isolated and apart from family Kook, we eat the marror not to invoke or friends. Everyone was locked bitter times or experiences, but the down, separated and longing for the

Rebbetzin’s “What’sUp” Group

Rebbetzin Goldberg hosts a WhatsApp group for the women of the Boca Raton community to be notified of the upcoming programs, classes and events that would be of interest to them, and to share any shiurim or messages that are inspiring to her. It’s an admin-only group and it will not inundate! To join this group, please email her at [email protected]

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 7

Put the Fun Back in Being Jewish

Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Associate Rabbi • [email protected]

In 1910, William Howard Taft became position participating in such a playful This week’s Haftorah opens us with the first president to throw out the activity. President Grover Cleveland, the Navi Yeshayahu describing ceremonial first pitch at a baseball when asked to throw out the first Hashem’s frustrations with the Jewish game. Taft opened the baseball pitch, was quoted as saying, “What People. V’lo osi karasa Yaakov, even season at the request of Ban Johnson, do you imagine the American people though I created you and made you president of the American League, would think of me if I wasted my time My people, you fail to call out and who thought that the presidential at a ballgame?” seek a relationship with Me, and appearance would give a lift to But President Taft was convinced instead ki yagata bi Yisroel, you have sagging attendance. He was right. of its benefits. In his memoirs, Taft become tired of Me. What does it Twelve thousand fans — a record reflected on his first first pitch, writing mean, ki yagata bi Yisroel? How Washington turnout — were on that he hoped that the President are the Jewish People too tired for hand to cheer Taft and the baseball throwing out the first pitch would Hashem? Senators. not only remind us to enjoy healthy The Dubno Magid explains this pasuk There have been interruptions to amusement, but more importantly, with the following parable. The story this tradition. In 1912, the Opening would reinforce to the entire nation is told about a businessman who Day pitch was thrown out by the vice that being an American isn’t only a once returned home from his travels president rather than Taft himself burden, but should also be a lot of fun. and hired one of the porters at the because the Titanic had sunk only What can be said of being an train station to carry his luggage to days earlier. During World War II, American can also be said of being his home. Upon arriving at the man’s FDR skipped the game because the a . Especially during this time house, the porter put down the bags optics wouldn’t be good during times of the year with so much stress and and approached the man to receive his of war. And President Trump also anxiety as we prepare for Pesach, it’s payment. The traveler took one look chose not to partake in this tradition. important to remember that at the boy and informed him that he These exceptions aside, this has been isn’t just supposed to be burdensome had mistakenly brought the wrong a Presidential rite of passage. and full of hard work; rather it should suitcases home. Not everyone has embraced the idea also be filled with joy, enthusiasm, and The surprised porter questioned how of a someone in such a prestigious excitement. the businessman could make this

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 9 claim with such certainty when he and every day. And if we don’t feel He would be overwhelmed with hadn’t even seen the bags, which were that way, if ki yagata bi Yisroel, then happiness and excitement. He would still outside. The man explained that something must be wrong. literally be dancing in the streets. Says it was clear from the boy’s appearance Rav Shimshon Pincus writes that Rav Pincus that if we fail to be more that he had sweated and exerted feeling joy or happiness in our service joyous in our service to Hashem, it tremendous effort to transport the of Hashem isn’t just an important part shows that we don’t really understand luggage. As the bags which belonged of our service to God and it isn’t just what it means to be in a relationship to the businessman were filled with a prerequisite to our serving God. with our Creator. lightweight items which wouldn’t have Rather, it is what he calls a siman to Of course cleaning for Pesach is hard. required such exertion, it must be that our Avodas Hashem, it testifies to Is Judaism sometimes laborious and the porter mistakenly brought the the quality of our relationship with tiresome? Yes, of course it is. But we wrong suitcases. Hashem. Rav Pincus comments that if need to always remember that we The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh writes we don’t feel joy in serving God, then have won the lottery! We need to that the study of Torah and the we don’t understand what it means to approach and promote our Judaism performance of mitzvos should be have a relationship with God. with a sense of joy and excitement enjoyable. It should strengthen and He brings an analogy of someone on because we know that it is really about invigorate us. Just as the businessman the street who just won the lottery. a relationship with Hashem and a informed the porter of his error, the But, instead of walking around elated connection to the infinite and the Navi chastises the that they and overwhelmed with excitement, Divine. If throwing out the first pitch must have the wrong perspective on this person is walking around in reminds us that being an American doing mitzvos properly. The proof a blasé manner as if everything is can be fun, then as we approach of this claim is that instead of feeling normal. When you see that person, Pesach and focus on spending time renewed and energized, ki yagata bi you’re certain that this man doesn’t yet with family, showing our children Yisroel – you have grown exhausted of know that he’s won the lottery. Surely the beauty of our traditions, and your relationship with me. Judaism is someone who knows that he’s won the engrossing ourselves with Mitzvos, supposed to make you feel alive. It is lottery would walk around differently. let’s remind ourselves that Judaism supposed breathe new life into us each can and should be fun as well.

10 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 Plan Out Your Week

MOTZEI SHABBOS, Shmuel Ben Yitzchak, in his memory and 7:30 pm 5th Yarzheit, may his memory be for a Ice Cream and Inspiration for MARCH 20 blessing. Middle School Girls 9:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:15 pm Shabbos Hagadol Drasha with BRS/TTB Chavrusa Program for Amud Shavui with Dr. Avi Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Boys grades 2-8 Oppenheimer & Dr. Mordy SUNDAY, MARCH 21 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24 Goldenberg 9:30 am 8:15 am FRIDAY, MARCH 26 Kaddish Class with Rabbi Efrem 10 Minutes of Meaning with Rabbi 4:05 pm Goldberg Efrem Goldberg Sponsored by Arianne & Abe Wijnperle in Sponsored by Chanie & Len Grunstein in Turn Friday into Erev Shabbos memory of their dearest son, Jonathan memory of Aron Tambor z”l. with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Sponsored this week by Roger & Lisa Sponsored by Mendel & Ciporah Fischman 9:30 am Gladstone in commemoration of the – Zchus for Chaya Rivka bas Tziporah Sunday Sports with Coach Moishe yahrzeit of Lebel ben Meyer, yesterday. Fradel and in memory of R’ Lord Jonathan Sacks, HaRav Ya’akov Zvi ben David Arieh 10:30 am 8:45 am z”l. Kashering Keilim in the BRS Living with Emunah with Rabbi 5:00 pm Parking Lot Efrem Goldberg Virtual Friday Night Live 5:15 pm Sponsored by Drs. Avi & Bella Morgan in memory of Rabbi Dr. Brian Galbut z"l and in Matzah Factory for Grades 3–8 memory of her mother, Dr. Ellen Schanzer. DAILY CLASSES (MON–THURS) Sponsored this week by by Ida Wax and 8:30 pm 7:00 am Prepare for the Seder with the Family in memory of her mother-in-law, Sara Wax, her father-in-law, Elias Wax, and Daf Yomi with Rabbi Sugerman BRS Rabbis and Rebbetzins her sister-in-law, Feiga Spitzer on their 8:00 pm yahrzeits. Daf Yomi with Stuart Silverman MONDAY, MARCH 22 8:15 pm and 9:15 pm 8:00 pm 7:00 pm Learning with the Boca Raton Kollel The Dannie Grajower z”l Night Learning 9:00 pm of BRS 9:00 pm Behind the Bima with BRS Rabbis Sponsored this week by the Muller family Kinyan HaMasechta with Rabbi TUESDAY, MARCH 23 in commemoration of the publication of Simcha Shabtai 9:30 am David’s new book, The Jew in the Mosque. Parsha Class with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg THURSDAY, MARCH 25 Sponsored by Becky & Avi Katz and Family 9:30 am in loving memory of David Grossman z"l, Top Pesach Ideas to Spark לעילוי Becky's father; may the learning be Dovid ben Menachem Meaningful Conversations with) נשמת דוד בן מנחם מוניש Manis z"l). Rabbi Philip Moskowitz Sponsored this week by Lisa & Rabbi Dr. Dedicated for a Refuah Sheleima for Yonah Feldman of Plainview, NY in honor Rapahael Aaron Hacohen ben Rivka. of their children. and by Gail Goldman, Joy Sultan, and Ira Kostman, children of Samuel Kostman,

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 11 Attaining the Fullness of Torah Learning by Learning with Children

Rabbi Dr. David Shabtai Rabbi, Sephardic Minyan • [email protected]

In a somewhat forgotten yet prevalent central focus of the Mishkan, that which Va-Yikra), His voice resonated specifically piece of educational guidance, the everything is built around and dependent from between these two keruvim. For the Tanchuma exhorts parents and on, is the Aron that housed the luhot and Torah to even exist in this world, it’s only teachers that a child’s Torah education the Torah. And it’s specifically the Aron to complete when children are dedicated should begin with Sefer Va-Yikra. Even which children are specifically connected. while it deals with the somewhat esoteric In describing the structure of the Aron, ZEMANIM concepts of korbanot and rules of tum’ah the Torah describes that there were two and taharah, it’s precisely for those reasons golden keruvim to be fashioned atop its Friday Night that they are appropriate for children’s cover. While the Torah describes them Minhah/Kabbalat : 5:55 pm study. “Let the pure ones [children, who as having wings that were spread upward, Candle Lighting: 7:13 pm are still free from sin] delve into topics of it doesn’t really give much other detail purity and sacrifices.” Indeed, there is a about how they looked. Rashi, based Earliest Shema: 7:42 pm strong focus in Hazal on the purity of the on the , explains that the two Torah learned by children, taking it so far keruvim had faces of children and they Shabbat as arguing that it’s the sole reason for the faced each other. Shaharit: 6:40, 9:00 am continued existence of the world. The symbolism couldn’t be stronger. The Minhah: 3:00, 7:10 pm The connection between children very symbol of Hashem’s Torah in this Arvit / Havdalah: 8:07 pm and Torah learning, particularly as it world, the Aron, was to have the image relates to Sefer Va-Yikra runs deeper. of two children permanently affixed to Rabbenu Tam: 8:41 pm The running theme of Sefer Va-Yikra— it. Hashem is trying to teach us that the including the elements of korbanot, the essence of Torah is children’s learning. Weekday rules of Kohanim, and details of tum’ah In fact, the Torah itself describes that Shaharit: 7:00 am and taharah—is ideas and elements when Hashem called to Moshe to teach Minhah / Arvit: 7:10 pm that revolve around the Mishkan. The him Torah (at the very opening of Sefer

12 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 to its study. This explains the tremendously significant emphasis Perhaps this is also the reason that each morning, in the course of that Jewish law and have always placed on Jewish birkot ha-Torah (the blessings on the Torah), we include a prayer education. on behalf of our children’s learning. These berakhot are simply The symbolism runs even a little deeper. The keruvim’s wings intended to function as an introduction to the mitzvah, much were to ascend upward, perhaps symbolically representative like we recite berakhot before performing most other mitzvot. of the ’s description of true Torah learning as capable of And strangely, these include a prayerful request that our children ascending Heavenward. Torah learning isn’t just something that merit being able to learn Torah. But once we recognize that people do, but creates a spiritual energy that transcends this the ultimate form of Torah learning is guaranteeing the Torah world and rises to Hashem’s throne of glory. But this can only learning of our children, it makes a lot more sense. happen when it’s performed in its ideal and most pristine form. Pesach and particularly Seder Night is a time where we focus In codifying the mitzvah of Torah, Rambam includes on transmitting our glorious Tradition to the next generation. two different aspects: learning Torah and teaching one’s children Whether we are able to spend that time with our families Torah. In fact, the individual mitzvah of learning Torah is derived this year, it’s a time to reflect on what we can do to ensure the .Meaning, continuation of our Torah and our mesorah .ושננתם לבניך — from the mitzvah to teach our children that the ideal and most pristine form of Torah learning is when we learn together with our children. In doing so, we most accurately reflect what the keruvim intend to teach us—not only the strong connection between children and Torah learning, but the means through which it can ascend on most high.

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 13 Does Our Community Believe in Derech Eretz?

Rabbi Rael Blumenthal Rabbi, BRS West • [email protected]

When I was in 11th grade, I was privileged eat her cheesecake?” “No, I suppose not,” I their teacher, “What are the ‘Chumros‘ to spend a few weeks learning in the Yeshiva replied. “Do you think that will upset her?” (stringencies) the Rebbe practices during the Gedolah of Johannesburg as part of their “Probably.” “Well then, it seems that you time he bakes matzah?” All sorts of different winter vacation program. have a choice to make. Are you going to be stringencies are practiced by righteous Like many teenagers, I was trying to Machmir to observe Chalav Yisrael, or are individuals while baking their Seder figure out a system of priorities in life and you going to be Machmir to have Derech Matzahs. They asked Rav Yisrael Salanter Yiddishkeit. I realized, already then, that Eretz for your aunt?” which Chumrah he was particular about. it’s not always intuitive to understand “Always remember,” he concluded, “There is He told them “I am very careful not to yell what’s important, what’s extraneous no such thing as a Chumrah (a stringency) at the woman who cleans up between every and what’s incorrect. This challenge is that doesn’t come with a Kulah (a leniency) batch of matzah baking. She is a widow. constantly compounded by multiple factors: somewhere else.” Please speak kindly with her.” community standards, family customs and This idea - conveyed in a few short Parents have often mentioned to me that differing opinions. moments - has been cemented in my they are at a loss to determine which, if Even today, I’m working to establish rubrics mind since then. It is possibly one of any, of the mitzvos should be “forced” and perspectives through which I should see the most powerful tools to assess and onto their children. “My son doesn’t want the world. I imagine that this will be a life- determine the right cause of action. to come to minyan... My daughter doesn’t long project. want to wear skirts...(etc.) Is it right to Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, the founder of force them? Or will it backfire? Will they But I recall that winter that I approached the Mussar movement, was famous simply rebel? And if don’t will they think the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Azriel Goldfein for instilling this sense of priority, as is it is unimportant?” and asked him what he thought about evident by this, now famous, Pre-Pesach זצ״ל me taking on the custom of Chalav Yisrael. story: I don’t have any axiom or rubric to He looked at me intently and then asked: answer those questions - I think that they When he was older, he no longer went to are particular to each parent and child “If you decide to eat only Chalav Yisrael, bake his own matzah before Pesach, but what will that mean when you spend and mitzvah. But there is a category of rather he asked his students to bake his mitzvos that we most certainly should Shavuos at your aunt? Will you be able to matzas mitzvah for him. The students asked

14 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 insist on: Derech Eretz. the Tent of Meeting, saying”. Why does the Acharonim ask why it is that we will not Derech Eretz is universally understood. verse mention calling before speaking, and be making a bracha on the Mitzvah of Insisting that our children are menchen God did not speak to him at the outset? The Telling the Story of the Exodus on Seder is a Torah and societal imperative. Our Torah is teaching etiquette: A person should Night. And there are many explanations. morning davening contains the words: not say anything to another unless he calls But the Sfas Emes writes simply: We A person should him first. never make a bracha on mitzvos that - לעולם יהא אדם ירא שמים always be fearing of Heaven. My Rebbe, At first blush, this seems like a nice idea; come from being a mench. We don’t Rav Blachman, often told us that their is a a good lesson in politeness and Derech make a bracha on honoring parents, You should Eretz. But this defies our categories. giving tzedeka or visiting the sick, though - לעולם יהא אדם ;comma here first be a person, a mench. Only then can Chazal are telling us here that from all of them are obligatory. We would have .Moshe’s relationship with Hashem, we done it with or without a commandment .ירא שמים you be a Tragically, observant Jews are often not should learn how to treat our friends. Likewise, our obligation of Telling the well known for their Derech Eretz. The Apparently, we are to act towards Hashem Story of how Hashem saved us is a simple COVID pandemic has brought this to a with Derech Eretz as well! expression of immense gratitude! If we fore in a powerful and upsetting way. Having Derech Eretz for Hashem might can’t say thank you to Hashem for saving seem strange; until we realize that beyond us, loving us and giving us a life and But thankfully, overwhelmingly, I think future, then we’re simply jerks. our community is likely a little above the halachik characterizations of mitzvos, average in the Derech Eretz category. This Hashem wants us to have a relationship Perhaps this should reframe the way doesn’t mean that there isn’t work to do with Him. we think of leniencies and stringencies. in the ways that we speak, interact and This relationship might be different from Perhaps this will redefine our focus educate. But at least in theory, we believe others in our lives, but the fundamentals in preparing for Pesach. It is worth in treating all people with respect and of Derech Eretz remain the same. considering: in which of our practices are we trying to build closer relationships dignity. We try to live with the feeling Consider, for example, that a parent wants that each person is created in the image of with our friends, our families and nothing more than their children to love Hashem? God, and we grapple honestly with areas each other. The parent will often prioritize of Halacha that don’t fit comfortably into siblings getting along over almost Hashem should help us to become people our understanding of morality. anything else. of principles and priorities. We should live lives of Derech Eretz and closeness. explains But imagine a child that, after years of (חלק ד עמוד רמד) Rav Desler means that being And perhaps, we, just like Moshe, will be דרך ארץ קדמה לתורה that hearing the importance of being a good called back to the Mikdash. a Mench is the prerequisite to a life of sibling, declares: “My parent doesn’t Torah. Without it, there can be no success really care about my love and in Talmud Torah. respect of them as long as But there is a fallacy that I fear we have I’m nice to my brother and fallen into. Classically, we understand brush my teeth.” that the value of “Derech Eretz” finds That would be a tragedy. mitzvos That’s the wrong conclusion ,מצות בין אדם לחברו expression in between a person and their friend. And entirely! we assume that “Torah” is equated with mitzvos between a Shlomo Hamelech makes ,מצות בין אדם למקים person and Hashem. the argument for relating to Hashem as a friend in :(כז י) But this plainly incorrect. Mishlei - Yourרֵ עֲָך וְרֵ עַאָבִיָך אַ ל ּתַעֲ זֹב Sefer Vayikra opens with Hashem calling Moshe to the Mishkan. Why does Moshe friend and your father’s friend, need to the called? He was the one who you should not abandon. build the Mishkan?! Rashi explains here: Who is explains: your friend and your father’s (יומא ד ב) The Talmud friend. Hashem; Who וַּיִקְרָא לאֶ מֹׁשֶ ה וַיְדַּבֵר לָּמָההִקְּדִ יםקְרִ יאָ הלְדִ יּבּור loves you and loves your לִיּמְדָה ּתֹורָה ּדֶרְֶך אֶרֶץׁשֶ ּלֹא יֹאמַר אָדָם ּדָבָ ר .ancestors לַחֲבֵירֹו אֶ ּלָאאִ ם ּכֵןקֹורֵ הּו. The verse says: “And He called unto Moses, Many of the Rishonim and and the Lord spoke unto him from within

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 15 16 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 BRS Bein Hazmanim KOLLEL

WHO: WHEN: HOURS: All post High March 22–25 9:00 am– School young men (Mon - Thurs) 12:00 pm

8:45 am: Light Breakfast & WHAT: STIPEND: Coffee in the Tent Learn what you choose, on $100, for limited 9:00 am: 10 Minutes of your own or with a chavrusa participants Inspiration from BRS Rabbis

Contact Rabbi Simcha Shabtai at [email protected] to register

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 17 POWERFULPOWERFUL MESSAGESMESSAGES FORFOR YOURYOUR SEDERSEDER

FROM BOCA, WOODMERE AND CHICAGO

PREPARE Tuesday, March 23 FOR THE 9:00–10:00 pm EST • 8:00–9:00 pm CST youtube.com/kollel613

9:00 pm EST • 8:00 pm CST Rabbi Shay Schachter Rosh Bais Medrash, Young Israel of Woodmere

Rabbi Efrem & Yocheved Rabbi Philip & Arielle Rabbi David & Monica Rabbi Rael & Aliza Rabbi Josh & Simone Rabbi Eli Rabbi Simcha 9:20 pm EST • 8:20 pm CST GOLDBERG MOSKOWITZ SHABTAI BLUMENTHAL BROIDE ZIANS SHABTAI Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Senior Rabbi, Boca Raton Synagogue Seder 9:40 pm EST • 8:40 pm CST Rabbi Reuven Brand Sunday, March 21 | 8:30 pm | 10 minutes per couple Rosh Kollel, YU Torah Mitzion Each Rabbinic couple will share one Dvar Torah, Kollel of Chicago a Seder suggestion, and a Haggadah recommendation.

www.brsonline.org/seder

18 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 POWERFULPOWERFUL MESSAGESMESSAGES FORFOR YOURYOUR SEDERSEDER

FROM BOCA, WOODMERE AND CHICAGO

Tuesday, March 23 9:00–10:00 pm EST • 8:00–9:00 pm CST youtube.com/kollel613

9:00 pm EST • 8:00 pm CST Rabbi Shay Schachter Rosh Bais Medrash, Young Israel of Woodmere 9:20 pm EST • 8:20 pm CST Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Senior Rabbi, Boca Raton Synagogue 9:40 pm EST • 8:40 pm CST Rabbi Reuven Brand Rosh Kollel, YU Torah Mitzion Kollel of Chicago

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 19 6 Minute Siddur Snippets

with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Thanks to Yonatan Kurz for writing up and editing the Snippet

הודו - (Part 1)

אל תגעו until הודו According to the Seder Olam, the pasukim of ,הודו While everyone says . הודוThe next section begins with .were said during the morning Korban Tamid רוממו there are contrasting customs as to when it is said. Ashkenazim right before and the says that Now, we understand according to Nusach Sefard that from the ,ברוך שאמרsay it right after fact that it is connected to Yerushalayim and the Beis HaMikdash חזרתuntil after ברוך שאמר a person is forbidden to speak from and sung when the daily sacrifice was offered in the morning . הודוafter ברוך שאמר Sefardim, on the other hand, only say .הש״ץ seems to be an expression of gratitude and הודו ,Why is there a discrepancy of different practices? We first must and evening understand where it comes from. thanks, songs of praise to Hashem that are associated with the is only ברוך שאמר ,is made up of three parts. The first two-thirds are directly Korbanos. For the practice of Sefard הודו instead, it is part ;פסוקי דזמרה which is not part of , הודוtaken from Divrei HaYamim, but there is another version of said after them in Tehillim, with a few small differences. The last twenty- of the Korbanos. However, there is a very similar text composed come exclusively as a compilation from by Dovid HaMelech that appears in Tehillim, which is why it הודו two pesukim of ,which are the songs of Dovid ,פסוקי דזמרה would be suitable for ’’,הודּו לה’ קִרְ אּו בִׁשְ “ מו,Tehillim. That first part that we begin with was actually recorded in Divrei HaYamim and sung for the first allocated for us to give expression to our gratitude and praise of time when Dovid HaMelech brought the Aron to Yerushalayim. Hashem. So the Ashkenazi minhag has a variant version, but it is first, we ;שירי דוד עבדיך The Plishtim had destroyed the Mishkan in Shilo, and had almost the exact same Tehillim and part of . הודוand only afterwards we say ,ברוך שאמר captured the Aron, the heart and the epicenter of the Jewish say has ten separate expressions הודוand The Beis Yosef points out that , לוחותpeople, which was devastating. The Aron had held the is the statement of our gratitude and הודו it was the greatest symbol of our of gratitude, and ;קודש הקודשים was kept in the intimacy with Hashem, and the Plishtim had taken it. However, corresponds to the Ten Plagues and the miracles that we after they had held onto it for several months, Hashem struck all experienced. While the expressions may sound alike, each one of the Plishtim with a terrible plague, and after suffering, they is its own unique way of expressing gratitude and appreciation, decided to return the Aron. The Miskhkan had been destroyed in acknowledging the good that the Almighty, the Ribono Shel is the history of the miracle הודוShilo, but it was rebuilt in Givon; however, rather than return it Olam, does for us. The theme of but it begins with that which precedes ,מצרים to Givon, Dovid had made a special place for it in Yerushalayim. of being saved from He put the Leviim in charge of guarding the Aron, and assigned it: the promise that Hashem made to Avraham that his children is the promise to הודו as part of their guardianship, singing would be redeemed from Egypt. So מזמורים them to recite praises to Hashem as they protected the Aron in Yerushalayim Avraham that while his children will eventually be emancipated and preventing it from being taken again. The head of the Leviim and free after enduring great suffering and slavery, and followed assigned to guide the Aron was named Asaf, and he was one of by ten expressions of gratitude relating to the Ten Plagues and the Ten Elders who wrote parts of Tehillim; we have his name the way that we were saved. and express gratitude for what is going הודו On Why don’t we just say ”.מזמור לאסף“ mentioned on several occasions with the phrase the day that the Aron was taken back to the Plishtim and came to on in our lives today? Why not provide contemporary examples or leave subjectively for us to fill in the blank for what we are הודּו“ Yerushalayim, our holiest city, Dovid composed this text of launched by tapping into and פסוקי דזמרה and’ assigned it to Asaf and the Leviim to sing as grateful for? Why was ’,לה’ קִרְ אּו בִׁשְ מו they rotated the Aron. They sang it for forty-three years, until the invoking our history as the precedent and catalyst for praise? Aron was placed by shlomo HaMelech into the Beis HaMikdash. Rav Yechezkel Levenstein says that we are reflecting on each act

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20 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 of history, and these are actually the two themes throughout all chance; it is all by design, for He is choreographing the story of ,We are getting to know Hashem: before we can our people. We review history to feel confident about our destiny .פסוקי דזמרה of and its berachos, and then have an because when we look back and see Hashem’s hand, we feel more שמע make a commitment to intimate rendezvous with Hashem in the Amidah, we have to confident and comfortable, and we can praise Hashem for all that court Hashem and to know Him. Before we turn to Him to we are going through now. make requests, we have to know before whom we appear and I saw that Rav Wolbe has a very similar idea in Alei Shor. A and ”גאל ישראל“ speak to. How do we get to know Hashem? There are two ways person is not allowed to stop between the line of and go סומך גאולה לתפילה to do so. There is Hashem in nature, where we look at the natural Shemoneh Esrei, as they have to be is talking ”גאל ישראל“ world and see the magnificence of the natural world. Rabbeinu right in. Why is that? Rav Wolbe says that that if a person sees Hashem and about Hashem redeeming us in the past. One cannot make a שער בחינה Bachye writes in his lives life with their eyebrows open and their antenna extended, break in between acknowledging what Hashem did previously they cannot miss Him, for He is everywhere, whether it be the and believing that He is now the One to turn to for what we ,is what empowers the Amidah ”גאל ישראל“ .miracle of nature or the miracle of the human body. The other need right now place that we can see Hashem is through history, and Jewish because when we see Hashem’s hand in history, we believe that history in particular; when viewing in retrospection, a person He will guide us in our destiny, and that is what is going on in We review the promise to Avraham and acknowledge the .הודו cannot help but see Hashem’s guiding hand throughout all of the miracles. Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein says that when we Ten Plagues and miracle of leaving Egypt; because we can look look back at history, we see that all of Hashem’s promises came back and see that none of this was by chance and it is all up to true, and all every chapter in our history is direct providence of Hashem, we are all ready to praise Him, looking to see Him and Hashem. There are no coincidences, and nothing is random or by find His presence in our lives as well.

Preparing for Pesach Monday, March 22

7:00 pm: 7:45 pm: 8:30 pm: Mrs. Michal Horowitz Mrs. Amy Horowitz Rebbetzin Malka Touger

All shiurim at brsonline.org/midrasha

Weekly sponsorships are available. Contact Rabbi Simcha Shabtai at [email protected] for more information.

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 21 Celebrating the Bnei & Bnos Mitzvah in our Community

1. What do you like most about yourself right now? 2. What do you think your future job will be and why? 3. What is the funniest thing you’ve ever done? 4. How do you like to spend your free time? 5. What do you think will be different about the world when you are an adult?

EVAN HENNER 1. I’m enjoying school, have great friends and I’m really looking forward to laining my bar mitzva parsha on Shabbos. 2. When I’m older, I’d like to be an entrepreneur. I want to create my own product, appear on Shark Tank and make a deal with one of the investors on the show. 3. When I was in little league in New Jersey, I once led off the game by hitting a ball into the outfield. I raced around the bases, slid home head first (because the 3rd base coach - my dad - was yelling “slide Evan!”) and got covered in dirt. I ran to the dugout all excited, high-diving my friends thinking that I just hit a home run then the umpire sent me back to third base because you can’t slide! 4. I spend my free time hanging out with family and friends, playing sports like hockey and basketball, riding my scooter and playing video games. 5. I think some of the inventions that we have now will become more common like drones delivering things right to your house, self-driving cars and space travel. And no more Corona!

BEN BELLESEHN 1. I think I’m funny, I love my family and like that I have a lot of friends. 2. I want to be an Architect and work in Real Estate. 3. I gave my grandfather a fake winning lottery ticket. 4. I love to do all kinds of Water sports, play football and ride my bike. 5. Covid will be gone. Elon Musk will have sent civilians into outer space. I think there will be flying cars.

22 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 BOCA RATON SYNAGOGUE Israel Update

PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS OF IDF SOLDIERS Please have in mind children and grandchildren of members of our community currently serving in the IDF: Shani Ben Zikry, Yakir Berman, Brian Borenstein, Avigayil Broide, Noffiya Brooks, Dov Ber Cohen, Jonathan Cohen, Dov Colman, Aviad Halfon, Moshe Gad, Shoshanna Golish, Ben Herman, Raziya Illana bat Moshe Israel, Jeremy (Yirmiyahu) Jacob, Zachary (Zechariah) Jacob, Shuli Klein, Mikki Kowal, Meir Lazar, Chaim Eliezer Len, Shmuel Yaakov Len, Effy Levy, Noam Lowenstern, Avigayil Maryles, Daniel Miller, Eliezer Plotsker, Moshe Rosenstein, Avi Skoczylas, Eitan Yitzchak ben Etel Rochel, Oliver Solomon, Yitzchak Spodek, Chananya Strauss, Michal Strauss, Jacob Tokayer, Amir Tsarfati, Ilana Makover, Yehonatan David Vloski, Joshua Weiss & Yonatan Weiss. If you have children or grandchildren currently serving in the IDF, please let us know their names so we can include them. If your child or grandchild is no longer in the IDF, please let Gloria know ([email protected]) so their name can be removed.

Israel Update with the BRS Social Action Committee

From United With Israel: and advanced statistical methods to build a model of the Despite tens of millions of Covid-19 cases worldwide, much spread of the pandemic to assist in planning and testing remains unknown about the origin and long-term effects methods for stopping infection. of the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus. One thing that scientists In another project, a team led by Prof. Motti Gerlic and know without a doubt: We can expect more pandemics in Prof. Ariel Munitz has developed a robotic blood test for the future. antibodies against the coronavirus. The Israel Defense That’s why Tel Aviv University recently launched the Center Forces will test the method on soldiers. for Combating Pandemics, thought to be the first of its The center also plans to establish a Biomedical Solutions kind anywhere. Task Force to deepen understanding of the mechanisms The center aims to improve frontline containment of underlying the virus and develop precision methods to infection; bolster biomedical knowledge for developing diagnose, treat and prevent it. vaccines and treatments; and help nations strengthen Scholars in economics, law, public policy, management, their capacity to ensure social and economic resilience. employment and education will comprise a Social and In the area of containment, a Google-funded study at TAU’s Economic Resilience Think Tank to inform national policy AI and Data Science Center is employing AI techniques during medical crises.

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 23 CHESSED OPPORTUNITIES

FOR BRS COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Thank you to all the middle school girls who joined this past Sunday to learn about the Emunah children’s home Achuzat Sara and paint with the girls of the home led by The extremely creative and animated Nikki Sausen beginning a friendship with these children. We hope to do another activity after Pesach with middle school boys of our community and the boys of the children’s home. The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County and the Deborah & Larry D. Silver Center for Jewish Engagement Passover

This month will be dedicated to collecting non-perishables for Passover. Matzah, matzah meal, matzah farfel, potato starch, tomato sauces, canned tuna, nuts, chips, oils, etc., are requested for the Jacobson Family Food Pantry at JFS, a program of Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services. The pantry provides supplemental food assistance to residents of Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach.

You may drop off the pantry items at the home of Simone Broide at 22233 Alyssum Way, Boca Raton, FL 33433 or you can order and ship directly to her address.

If you have questions, please email Simone Broide at [email protected] or call/text to 561.929.4568.

Thank you for your participation!

WONDERFUL MITZVAH OPPORTUNITIES TO DO AS A FAMILY

Art supplies Yachad Mobile shower Thank you to all those who donated We are always looking to connect the We are looking for volunteers to art supplies for families with greater community with our Yachad assist B'nai Torah Congregation's TLC individuals with disabilities last families. One way that has been free mobile shower program for the month. They were extremely well successful is for children to assist homeless. It provides privacy, dignity received and so we will continue with our monthly care packages as and compassion for people in need. collecting art supplies for the part of their bar/bat mitzvah project. Volunteers are needed on Tuesdays remainder of this month as well. We have holiday packages, summer and Thursdays 9:30 am - 1:00 pm. If you Please consider dropping off packages, Shabbat packages and are interested in volunteering please crayons, markers, colored pencils, more that your child can assist with . contact Simone at 561-929-4568. You construction paper, glue or scissors If you are interested in learning more can also assist by continuing to drop to 22233 Alyssum Way. Thank you in about this please contact Simone at off travel size soaps and shampoos at advance. 561-929-4568. 22233 Alyssum Way.

24 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 THE PEOPLE OF BRS CONNECTING TO OUR MEMBERS' LIFE STORIES

Spotlight on BRS Men’s Club By Yaffi Wexler, BRS Weekly Contributing Writer

When Joe Blumenthal moved to Boca nearly 30 years ago, there were only 60 families at Boca Raton Synagogue, and he had to travel down to North Miami Beach to buy Kosher meat. “There weren’t that many of us at the time,” he recalled. “So, when someone asked me to help out with the BRS Men’s Club to run programs for the shul, I agreed.” Serving as president of the Men’s Club for over 10 years was a role that came naturally to Joe. Before relocating down south, he was vice president of his shul in New Jersey. He also served on the BRS Board guys, and then eventually I became one of the older of Directors, and he and his wife, Sarah, were honored guys,” Joe said. “It was time to get some new blood.” at the Annual Journal Dinner. In 2005, Eric Pinkis stepped up as co-president. “I met “Getting involved is just what we were supposed to Joe in shul one Shabbos and we really hit it off,” said do, and that’s how I was brought up,” said Joe. “I truly Eric. “He is a great role model, and I learned a lot from enjoy it - the socializing, and the funds that we raise him about what it means to help out and give back to that go to Tomchei Shabbos, so we can do a mitzvah the community.” while having a good time. It’s also a great way to meet Building on the strong foundation that Joe had people.” established, Eric slowly began to introduce more In the early years, Joe organized a popular monthly programs, while also trying to bring in new volunteers. bagel breakfast on Sundays that featured informative “I was so fortunate to have Eric as co-president,” said and entertaining guest speakers, including local Joe. “He did an incredible job and has become a dear politicians, authors, and community leaders. Some of friend who I respect and admire.” the events that he introduced almost three decades During his 14-year tenure, Eric helped organize more ago, such as the Super Bowl Party, are still going than 100 events, including the legendary Hodu Bowl strong today. football tournament held on Thanksgiving morning, Joe has been privileged to watch the shul evolve which has become an annual community highlight. and expand over the years, under the leadership of The Hodu Bowl was originally started by the Boca the BRS rabbis. “It’s been amazing to see their vision Raton Kollel as a smaller event at Veteran’s Park for become a reality,” he said. “Something very small only six teams. Today, thanks to Eric’s leadership, turned into something much larger, and I’m excited to it has become a BRS mega event held at Logger’s be a part of it.” And as the shul grew, so did the Men’s Run Park that attracts over 500 people, including Club. “When I started out, I was one of the younger 14 competitive football teams and a kids’ junior

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 25 league, plus bounce houses, food, raffles, and fun for the entire family. The shul also invites the local sheriffs and firefighters to come and enjoy some refreshments, while a BRS representative takes the opportunity to publicly thank them for their service to the community. Joe has fond memories of the year that Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l was a scholar in residence in Boca for Thanksgiving weekend and came to the Hodu Bowl. “Rabbi Sacks shared a Dvar Torah, and he even threw up the coin to see which team would start the game,” Joe recalled. “Rabbi Sacks said that he loved the idea of everyone getting together for a “Rabbi Sacks said that he loved the idea of community event. It was a beautiful thing to see, and everyone getting together for a community it’s something I will always remember.” event. It was a beautiful thing to see, and it’s In addition to the Hodu Bowl, there are typically something I will always remember.” seven to eight events held each year, with different programs designed to appeal to a wide range of participants and reflect the diversity of the shul of our profits to Tomchei Shabbos, and often drop off population. With activities like paintball and fishing, our extra food after events to give to those in need.” wine tastings and scotch and cigar nights, and Eric remembers bringing his children to countless sports and poker tournaments, there is something programs throughout the years, and he especially for everyone. Other events have included a Scholar enjoyed the camaraderie between the volunteer in Residence series in collaboration with the BRS families. “I loved getting my kids involved and Political Action Committee, sunrise minyan at the hanging out with the other guys and their families beach followed by a 5K run and breakfast, family fun who all came to help,” said Eric. “Noam Kaminetzky day, pre-Pesach BBQ, Man of the Year event, and has contributed so much of his time over the years, a special fly-in to New York City for learning and together with Jonathan Gildin and Avi Zwelling. All Kosherfest. our volunteers and event chairs put in so many hours Since the Men’s Club events are open to everyone, to ensure we can pull off our events, and it’s really a they often attract people from across the community labor of love… The shul is also extremely supportive who aren’t yet members of BRS. “It’s like a bridge to and always willing to offer new programs, and that’s the community,” said Eric. “I enjoy planning these one of the reasons we are able to run so many events for people who wouldn’t be able to experience successful events.” them otherwise. We often sponsor the cost for those “The Men’s Club at BRS has been responsible not who can’t afford it, but really enjoy the experience, only for so many fun and entertaining events, but for like a Dolphins or Panthers game. We also donate all making a real difference in our community through

We are once again running a new season of Laining Loudly with Dr. Yechiel Rosman. This incredible Laining learning opportunity is a great way to get an early start preparing for your Bar Mitzvah and learn an important skill needed in every Jewish community. Laining Loudly will meet near the basketball Loudly courts under the tents. Masks and Social distancing will be strictly enforced. Group I (beginners) Group II (intermediate) with Dr. Yechiel Rosman 9:40–10:00 am 10:00–10:20 am For boys in 2nd grade and up. See you there!

26 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 “When COVID hit, our plans were put on hold, and now we’re at a crossroads,” said Jason. “As we hopefully transition back to a more regular schedule, this is a great time for some new people to get involved. As the shul continues to grow, there is so much potential in terms of what can be done. We welcome new ideas and more volunteers to help run events and reach more people.” Since the shul has grown, other newer groups have flourished, such as the Young Leadership Committee and the BRS Networking Group. But the Men’s Club still continues to fill an important niche in the community. “Over the years, the Men’s Club events have shifted to also include father-son outings, as well as events their fundraising, raffles, and more,” said Rabbi Efrem for the whole family,” said Jason. “We fill a void where Goldberg. “From World Series watch events and people can come to enjoy the social opportunities Super Bowl parties to the epic Hodu Bowl, the flag that are not available to them elsewhere. It also football tournament that hosts teams from around presents a great opportunity to bring in unique South Florida, our Men’s Club has brought together programs that will appeal to new demographics and people with no agenda other than to socialize, have people of all ages. Everyone loves to come out and fun, and connect with one another. For many years, have fun and spend time together.” Joe Blumenthal and Eric Pinkis, and more recently If you would like to get involved in the BRS Men’s Club, Jason Zangre and AJ Hauptman, have contributed please contact Rabbi Moskowitz at [email protected]. their leadership, efforts, time, and energy to lead this beautiful part of our community and we are all better for it.” After Eric stepped down, Jason Zangre and AJ The Weekly is looking for new and able-bodied Hauptman volunteered to take over as co-presidents. writers to assist with our featured articles. If The pair worked hard to keep the momentum going you are interested in being a BRS Weekly writer and successfully organized the Hodu Bowl, NBA finals contact Rabbi Moskowitz at [email protected] party and basketball competition, and a Dolphins game last year, as well as a welcome event for Men’s Club Board members. However, with COVID, most of the usual events had to be canceled, although they did manage to host a COVID-friendly outdoor Super Bowl party this year as well.

The following South Florida restaurants are Kosher for Pesach 2021 by the ORB Café Noir • Shalom Haifa Chocolate Studio (New Location) Ditmas • Oak and Ember

BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 27 BRS Young Leadership Committee Young Members Night Out at Top Golf Pictures from the event on Sunday, March 14 We would like to thank the Young Leadership Committee for organizing this event and our Event Chairs: Shira Menczer, Rachel Khaimov & David Steinberg. If you would like join the YLC please reach out to Joe Landsberg, [email protected]

Thank you to our sponsors! 1st & 2nd place prizes for highest scoring players Sponsored by Shlomo Khaimov at Event Food sponsor sponsor

28 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 PAID ADVERTISEMENT. TO ADVERTISE IN THE WEEKLY VISIT BRSONLINE.ORG/ADS

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KASHERING KEILIM AT BRS Sunday, March 21 10:30 am – 12:30 pm BRS Parking Lot

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BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781 31 SHABBOS HAGADOL DERASHA 5781 WITH RABBI EFREM GOLDBERG Growing Community Larger & Smaller at the Same Time Motzei Shabbos, March 20 at 9:00 pm

Live in person in the Rand Sanctuary and online at rabbiefremgoldberg.org/hagadol Sponsored by the Freedman and Cohan families in loving memory of Rabbi Simcha Freedman and Helen Cohan, who dedicated BRS+ their lives to strengthening Klal Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael.

32 BRS WEEKLY • PARSHAS VAYIKRA 5781