Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Elul
Shabbat Schedule
Friday, August 17
- 06:50 am – Shacharit
- 07:00 pm – Mincha
- 07:23 pm – Candle lighting
Saturday, August 18
- 07:45 am – Shacharit at Salem Towers
- 08:45 am – Shacharit
- 09:21 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
- 06:55 pm – Mincha and Se’udah Shlishit
- 08:15 pm – Ma’ariv
- 08:30 pm – Shabbat Ends
Weekday Schedule
August 19 – 24
Shacharit
- 08:00 am – Sunday (2 Rosh Chodesh Elul)
- 06:40 am – Monday and Thursday
- 06:50 am – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
Mincha
- 07:15 pm – Sunday – Thursday
- 07:00 pm – Friday
Ma’ariv
- 07:45 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
Festive Joy
Insights into Parshat Re’eh by Rav Re’uven Ungar of Yeshivat Sha’alvim.
The conclusion of Parshat Re’eh contains the mitzvah of celebrating the 3 festivals- Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot. The Torah records rejoicing- simcha- in regards to Sukkot twice, once in regards to Shavuot and not at all in reference to Pesach. While the halacha mandates rejoicing in all of the festivals, why does the Written Torah contain this difference?
The 3 festivals reflect the redemption of the Jewish People. Pesach focuses upon the physical redemption from Egypt. Shavuot commemorates the next stage- we received the Torah from Hashem. Sukkot marks our clinging to Hashem as expressed by the Clouds of Glory (Ananei HaKavod) which marks the complete redemption (see the Ramban in his introduction to Sefer Shemot).
The Maharal teaches that simcha is an expression of wholeness, completion- shlemut. Therefore, the Torah does not mention simcha in regards to Pesach- as this was the beginning of the process. Receiving the Torah- a spiritual accomplishment merits the mention of simcha. The pinnacle is Sukkot- we utilize our physical freedom and freedom of the soul to serve Hashem and to enjoy a special relationship with him. This leads to abundant joy.
May the Jewish People merit redemption on all realms and rejoice with Hashem!