Parshas VaEschanan 11 Av | August 1, 2020 Candle Lighting Havdallah Torah Reading Haftorah Candle Lighting 8/7 8:01p 9:08p Devarim 3:23 - 7:11 Yishayahu 40:1-26 7:53p CONTINUOUS CONSOLATION RABBI SHMUEL SILBER SHABBOS SCHEDULE As I write these words, the tears of Tisha B’Av are not yet dry. We spent this past Wednesday even- Shabbos Nachamu ing and Thursday mourning two thousand years of collective loss. We mourned the 2,500,000 Jews Shabbos Night murdered during the destruction of the second Temple, we mourned the 6,000,000 who perished in 7:00p Mincha followed by Kabbolas the Holocaust, we mourned every man, woman and child we have lost throughout the years. But Shabbos then something amazing occurs – we find comfort. This Shabbos is called, Shabbos Nachamu (the 8:01p Candle Lighting Shabbos of consolation). This name is taken from the opening words of the Haftorah, ‘Nachamu Shabbos Day Nachamu Ami, (be consoled, be consoled my nation),’ uttered by the prophet, Isaiah. We transition 8:30a Shacharis (9:40a Krias Shema) from profound mourning to a feeling of comforting consolation in just a matter of days. Yet, we must 7:50p Mincha ask, what has changed? Has the final redemption occurred? Have the fundamental challenges of 8:10p High School Boys Learning suffering and difficulty been alleviated? Where is the nechama (consolation) of Shabbos Nachamu? 8:10p Daf Yomi (Rabbi Silber) Rav Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik zt’l (1903-1993) explains this dynamic in a profound way. After 9:00p Maariv two thousand years of suffering and constant challenges, one would have assumed that the Jewish 9:01p Havdalah people would have ceased to exist. After enduring the crusades, pogroms, the Holocaust, wars and 9:35p Zoom Daf Yomi terror attacks, one would have assumed that even if we managed to survive, our will to forge forward (Yehuda Neuberger) as a nation would have simply disappeared. But herein lies the awesome nature of the Jewish people – despite so much tragedy and adversity, we are still here. And we do not simply exist; we thrive. WEEKLY SCHEDULE Every time our enemies knock us down and try to trample our soul, we get back up and answer their derisive taunts and barbaric brutality with unbreakable resolve. On Tisha B’Av we cry because we are Sunday 8/2 - 12th of Av truly broken-hearted over what has been lost. On Tisha B’Av when reflecting on the scope of our 7:15, 9:00a Shacharis personal and national tragedies, we don’t know how we can go on. On Shabbos Nachamu we re- 6:35p Plag Mincha (outdoors) joice, because we have. 8:05p Mincha/Maariv The first time we see the word “nechama” (consolation) in the Torah is at the end of Bereishis Mon-Wed a.m, Fri a.m. (Genesis) after man had experienced a spiritual and moral decline, and God contemplated the de- 6:45a Shacharis (indoors) struction of mankind. “And the Lord regretted (va’yinachem) that He had made man upon the earth, 6:55a Shacharis (outdoors) and He became grieved in His heart.” (Genesis 6:6) Rashi explains that the word va’yinachem 6:35p Plag Mincha (outdoors) means “nehepcha machshavto” – God experienced a change of heart. 8:05p Mincha / Maariv (indoors/outdoors) God had high hopes, dreams, and aspirations for man. But then, va’yinachem. God has a change of SHACHARIS MINYANIM heart, a change of perspective. God still loves man, man is still the crown jewel of creation, but God We would like to gauge interest in an must adjust his perspective and expectations. He must accept the frailties of His creations. God 8:15a outdoor Shacharis minyan (to must accept man’s failures and shortcomings. God still knows what man can be, but He must accept replace the 9:00a minyan) In order to that man will often not actualize that potential. ensure that we will get a minyan each Thus, explains the Rav, nechama does not mean consolation; it means to experience a change in day, please contact Rabbi Aryeh perspective. There are circumstances, both national and personal, that we would give anything to Richter if you can attend on a regular change, but we can’t. There are tragic realities which we cannot change no matter how hard we try. basis 732-508-7006 There are challenges that seem so overwhelming that we fear we will be swallowed up and As a reminder, masks must be worn at all enveloped by them. We do not get to choose our life circumstances, but we do have the great minyanim, both indoor and outdoor. privilege to choose our life perspective. We can do things to find meaning and fulfillment even in compromised circumstances. WEEKLY SHIURIM When I encounter difficulty, I begin to realize that it is not the end of the road, there will be a Sun 8:00a Daf Yomi tomorrow, I can make it. I can give up in the face of adversity, or find the strength to move forward Mon - Fri and accomplish. I can let the tzaros conquer me, or find a way to conquer them. This is nechama. 5:45a Tzidkas HaTzadik True nechama is not a result of everything being wonderful and perfect. This is not the reality of the 5:55a Daf Yomi human condition. True nechama is the result of a paradigm shift. In the midst of my pain, I thought I Online Emunah Minute could not go on, but I did. True nechama occurs when I realize that the sun will rise no matter how EMUNAH MINUTE MONTHLY SPONSOR: dark the night before was. True nechama is actualized when I recognize that I have the tools to Leah Sol as a mazal tov to Rabbi & rebuild, no matter the scale and scope of the damage and destruction. True nechama is experienced Rebbetzin Silber and Shoshana Bizouati when I realize that I can get up, dust myself off, and continue to do great things. on the birth of a new granddaughter This is Shabbos Nachamu. What has changed since Tisha B’Av? I have. I have gone from feeling Thurs helpless, despondent, and broken to realizing that although life is far from perfect, I control my Online Virtual Shabbos Drasha reaction and spiritual disposition. I am not a victim. I am the master of my own destiny. I have suffered much and may still suffer more, but I choose to focus on all I can accomplish. I can live a Zoom Beis Midrash: zoom.us/ meaningful life, contribute to my people, and sanctify the name of God through my actions. I create j/4591668597, password 7504 | audio: the nechama of Shabbos Nachamu. (929)205-6099, code: 4591668597 We hope and pray that we will experience the true nechama of complete redemption speedily in our days. But until that great day, we will continue to find personal and national nechama through maintaining positive perspective in all that life brings our way. 1 MEMBER NEWS DAVENING B’YICHIDUS GUIDELINES BIRTHDAYS COMPILED BY SOTC GABBAIM Leah Caplan, Tobi Caplan, Devora Cohen, Rena Cohn, Jacob Dorfman, General A person should set aside a space in their home (or outdoors) for prayer. Nathan Franco, Aaron Goldberg, Those davening without a minyan do not recite the tefilos of Kaddish, Pesach Kadin, Seth Rotenberg, Farrell Borchu or Kedusha and include the verse of Kel Melech Ne’eman before Silverman, Miriam Sperling, Adam reciting Shema. Steinmetz, Michael Turniansky, Alan Friday Mincha Wiseman Recite the same Mincha as recited in Shul. YAHRZEITS Kabbalas Shabbos Lawrence Gross, Bessie Ruback, Tzvi Sing Kabbalas Shabbos Sherizan, Harriet Fellner, Emmy Levy Recite the same davening as recited in Shul Hamburger, Julius Hamburger, Hugo After the completion of Lecha Dodi, no more melacha (prohibited work) may be Ackerman, Bessie Rapoport, Chaim Ben performed. Zion Rosenbloom, Jack Stolero, Meir Friday night Maariv Schwarzbaum, Leah Wiesenberg, Robert Recite the same Maariv as recited in shul. Cohen If possible, recite the prayer of Vayechulu following the Amidah along with one other person. If not, the tefila may be said alone. SPONSORSHIPS Those davening without a minyan omit the prayer of Magen Avos following WEEK OF LEARNING: Moshe & the Amidah. Anne Ellen Gavant in honor of Repeat the three paragraphs of Shema after nightfall (9:01pm). Moshe’s birthday Shabbos Morning Yaakov & Monica Luxenburg in the merit Recite the same Birchos Hashachar, Psukei D’Zimra and Shachris as recited in shul of a refuah sheleima for Aiden Shalom Those davening without a minyan do not recite any tefilos for taking out the Torah ben Alta Bryna Read the Torah portion of Vaeschanan and the Haftorah from Yeshaya (Isaiah) 40:1 NINE DAYS OF LEARNING: Jeremy & – 26. Recite Yekum Purkan. Those davening without a minyan only recite the first paragraph Rachel Lasson in memory of Rachel’s of Yekum Purkan. grandparents: Esther Shaindel bas Recite Av Harachamim and recite Ashrei and the Mussaf Amidah. Elimelech z’l and Mordechai ben Shlomo Complete the davening as usual. Those who are not davening with a minyan ha'Levi z’l omit Anim Zemiros. Rabbi Shmuel & Aviva Silber in memory It is customary to study a Perek (Chapter) of Pirkei Avos (Ethics of our Fathers) of their grandparents who survived and every Shabbos afternoon until Rosh Hashana. This week, we study Perek Shlishi their family who perished in the (Chapter 3). Holocaust Shabbos Mincha KINOS: Judah & Judy Minkove in memory Recite Ashrei and Uva Le’tzion, the Amidah, Tzidkascha and recite Aleinu. of their daughter, Rachel Tova z'l bas Seudas Shlishis Yehuda Avrum Seudas Shlishis should begin before Shkia (8:18pm).