Shabbat Mevarchim
Shabbat Schedule
Friday, August 10
- 06:50 am – Shacharit
- 07:00 pm – Mincha
- 07:33 pm – Candle lighting
Saturday, August 11
- 07:45 am – Shacharit at Salem Towers
- 08:45 am – Shacharit
- 09:18 am – Latest time for Kriat Shema
- Cancelled – Jr. Congregation
- 11:15 am – Kiddush
- Cancelled – Ladies’ Torah class
- 06:15 pm – Men’s Torah class – by guest speaker Rabbi Mark Vegh
- 07:05 pm – Mincha and Se’udah Shlishit
- 08:25 pm – Ma’ariv
- 08:40 pm – Shabbat Ends
Weekday Schedule
August 12 – 17
Shacharit
- 08:00 am – Sunday
- 06:40 am – Monday and Thursday
- 06:50 am – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
Mincha
- 07:25 pm – Sunday – Thursday
- 07:00 pm – Friday
Ma’ariv
- 07:55 pm – Sunday – Thursday
To print this schedule, click here to go directly to the post, and then press ctrl-P (Windows) or cmd-P (Mac) to print it.
Weekly Words of Torah
Gratitude Plus
Insights into Parshat Ekev by Rav Re’uven Ungar of Yeshivat Sha’alvim.
The blessings recited subsequent to consuming a meal (Birchat HaMazon) are mandated from the Torah, while blessings recited prior to eating (Brachot Rishonot) are of a rabbinic nature. In regards to learning Torah, the blessings recited prior to learning (Birchot HaTorah) are mandated from the Torah (according to many authorities) while no standard blessing is recited subsequent to learning Torah.
The gemara relates that one would think that the converse would apply. If we are required to recite a bracha after eating- when we are sated- certainly it would reason that we should recite a blessing (on a Biblical level) prior to eating when we are hungry! And if for physical nourishment we bless Hashem certainly after the soul-food of Torah we should thank Him!
Why is this not so?
The Meshech Chochma explains that Birchat HaMazon and Birchot HaTorah contain elements in additon to gratitude to Hashem. As the verses in Parshat Ekev indicate a person who is sated- both physically and on a financial level- is prone to G-d forbid cast off the Yoke of Heaven. An essential element of Birchat HaMazon is to remind ourselves that our well-being, wealth, feeling of “having arrived”- stem from Hashem. A person is susceptible to dangerous attitudes on a full stomach. Thus the obligation of Birchat HaMazon applies subsequent to eating.
The study of Torah purifies and elevates a person. However, this applies when a person approaches Torah with the proper attitude- that this is Divine Wisdom. Lack of such an approach may yield disastrous results. Therefore, the Torah mandates the recitation of Birchot HaTorah prior to the learning.
May we benefit from Hashem’s blessings in all realms with the proper attitudes.