December 26, 2014 Shabbat Parshiot Vayigash/Vayechi From the Desk of the Rav TO ELEVATE A JOURNEY Two weeks ago we read about the sale of Yosef. The Torah describes the caravan that transported Yosef down to Egypt as one that was carrying "spices and balsam and myrrh." According to the Midrash the reason the Torah lists the goods with such detail is to tell us that Hashem watched over Yosef. Usually caravans in that area would be hauling foul-smelling cargo like tar and naphtha. Yet for the sake of Yosef the Al-mighty arranged a transport of fragrant spices. Despite the beautiful message of this rabbinic source one can still wonder; can a young man being sold by his brothers, traveling to an unknown destination, be affected in any way by the aroma that surround him? Can a journey of despair be elevated by a few pleasant spices? Perhaps the particles that entered Yosef's nostrils were not to change his predicament but rather to teach and guide him for the future. As a nation we have traveled through many difficult lands. The bitter exile has indeed taken a toll on our people. Yet in every generation we have leaders who see the unseen, and with love and optimism, elevate the nation and guide Israel to continue with faith. With a scene and a vision of the destiny of the People of Israel they take care of the needs of the people and emit optimism by teaching that better things are waiting for us down the road. In this week’s Paresha, Yosef takes care of his family during the years of famine. In addition he enacted several laws to ease the difficult years the Children of Israel will be spending in Egypt. His guidance was spiritual as well. At the end of his life he reminded his family that one day they will return to Eretz Yisrael and requested that his remains be transferred to Eretz Yisrael. Yosef's inspiration and ability to elevate a 'journey of despair' came from his own trip down to Egypt where Hashem placed a few pleasant spices to ease a difficult predicament. Shabbat Shalom, Yirmiya Milevsky Halacha Corner Thursday January 1st is a minor fast day. Individuals who are in good health should fast from dawn until sunset. The day commemorates the siege of the Babylonia empire under king Nevuchadnezar. This event lead to the destruction of the first Beit Hamikdash. In our Mincha Shemonah Esrei we insert the prayer of Aneinu. 4 Tevet, 5775 Z’manei Tefillah Friday, December 26, 2014 Candlelighting ........................................................... 4:28 p.m. Mincha ....................................................................... 4:30 p.m. Saturday, December 27, 2014, Pareshat Vayigash Shacharit ........................................................... 7:30, 8:45 a.m. Latest Shema ............................................................ 10:04 a.m. Daf Yomi ..................................................................... 3:35 p.m. Mincha ....................................................................... 4:25 p.m. Motzei Shabbat .......................................................... 5:32 p.m. Sunday - Friday-Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2015 Earliest Talis & Tefillin, Sunday-Friday ......................... 6:52 a.m. Shacharit, Sunday ...................................................7:00, 8:00 a.m. Shacharit, Monday, .................................................6:45, 7:10 a.m. Shacharit, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday .............. 7:00, 7:20 a.m. Mincha/Maariv, Sunday-Wednesday .............................. 4:40 p.m Thursday Jan. 1, 2015, Asarah Betevet Fast Day Fast begins ................................................................. 6:39 a.m. Shacharit ........................................................... 7:00, 8:00 a.m. Mincha ........................................................................ 4:25 p.m Fast ends .................................................................... 5:25 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2015 Candlelighting ............................................................ 4:33 p.m. Mincha ....................................................................... 4:35 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2015, Pareshat Vayechi Shacharit ........................................................... 7:30, 8:45 a.m. Latest Shema ............................................................ 10:07 a.m. Daf Yomi ..................................................................... 3:40 p.m. Mincha ....................................................................... 4:30 p.m. Motzei Shabbat .......................................................... 5:38 p.m. Sunday – Friday, Jan. 4-Jan.9, 2015 Earliest Talis & Tefillin, Sunday-Friday ......................... 6:52 a.m. Shacharit, Sunday ............................................. 7:00, 8:00 a.m. Shacharit, Monday,Thursday ............................. 6:45, 7:10 a.m. Shacharit, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday ............. 7:00, 7:20 a.m. Mincha/Maariv, Sunday-Thursday ................................ 4:45 p.m Friday, January, 9,2015 Candlelighting ............................................................ 4:40 p.m. Mincha ....................................................................... 4:45 p.m. Congregation B’nai Torah 465 Patricia Avenue Toronto, Ontario M2R 2N1 tel/fax 416.226.3700 HaRav Yirmiya Milevsky, Mara D’Atra Paul Forman, President office@bnaitorah.ca www.bnaitorah.ca B’nai Torah Weekly Bulletin Parshiot Vayigash/ Vayechi Lifecycle Celebrations.  Mazal tov to Jacob and Naomi Korman on the birth of a greatgranddaughter, Chaya Gittel, daughter to Deena and Avromi Boehm of Jerusalem. Nachas Notes.  Congratulations to Phil Lepofsky on receiving the UJA Shem Tov Award. We Thank Our Sponsors The foyer Kiddush this week is being sponsored by:  Tommy and Susan Jutcovich to commemorate the Yahrzeits of Tommy’s father, Yisroel Tzvai ben Aryeh, z”l and Susan's father, Eliahu Aryeh ben Dov haCohen, z”l. The foyer Kiddush on January 3 is being sponsored by:  Shirley Zuck and family to commemorate the second Yahrzeit of Jocelyn Zuck, Yehoshua ben Yonatan z”l.  Judy and Calvin Weinryb to commemorate the Yahrtzeit of Judy’s father, Aaron ben Lipot, z”l. Seudah Shlisheet this week is being sponsored by:  Rebbetsin Faigie Frankel, Sheba and Jochanan Sanders, and Barbara and Asher Frankel to commemorate the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Dr. Israel Frankel, Harav Yisroel Aryeh ben Harav Asher Yeshayahu z”l. Synagogue Notes Purim Mishloach Manot. Once again Bnai Torah will be offering a Mishloach Manot service to the members of the shul. Monies raised from this project go to the Tzedakah Fund to help families in our community and to Bnei Akivah youth programs. Order forms will be mailed out mid January. Thank you for your continued support. Babysitting. Shabbat morning babysitting services will be discontinued, effective January 3, 2015. We thank Ros Martell for the time, energy and enthusiasm that she displayed in providing babysitting services to the Shul. Her work was always outstanding, reliable and professional. She loved the children and they in turn loved her attention. Bikur Cholim – Sunshine and Friendship Club A couple of our members have expressed interest in attending Bikur Cholim’s Sunshine and Friendship club. The club meets every Wednesday and serves a hot lunch, offers programming and entertainment, and provides an opportunity to socialize with others. This is currently a women’s only program and there is no charge. Are you stuck at home during the winter? If you have interest in attending, please call/email the Shul office. If you need more information, please call/email Paul Forman. The Sunshine and Friendship Club is run by volunteers. We need some volunteers who are prepared to pickup and/or return members between home and the program venue (Bathurst and Wilson area). If you can volunteer your time on a regular basis (pickup or return or both), please call/email the Shul office. UPCOMING JANUARY PROGRAMS Hold the date. "THE PRACTICAL SHMITA" The second of the three part Shmita lecture series by Rabbi Milevsky Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 8:00 pm. Sponsorship for both the second and third lectures is still available. If interested, contact Paul Forman. <<>> AN ISRAELI EXPERIENCE Social committee event Saturday, January 31, 2015 <<>> JEWISH HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS: How the Netherlands produced Poskim Presented by former Bnai Torah member, Prof. Danny Frances Sunday Jan 25, after Shacharit – Breakfast will be served. Sponsorships welcome. B’nai Torah Shiurim Weekday Daf Yomi - Nir Lifshitz Sunday @ 7:00 a.m., Beit Midrash Monday-Friday @ 6:00 a.m., Beit Midrash <<>> Pareshat HaShavua - Rabbi Milevsky Will resume January 6 <<>> Navi –Micha- Rabbi Gemara Will resume January 6 .<<>> Minchas Chinuch, - Rabbi Hochman Men, Tuesdays @ 8:00 p.m., Library <<>> Chumash & Commentaries- Yitzchak Deutsch Men, Tuesdays @ 8:00 p.m., Boardroom <<>> Gemarah In depth - Rabbi Milevsky Analysis of the text and context of the treatises Will resume January 8 <<>> Kaylim Mikvah 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, other times by appointment with the Shammos, Joe Epstein. Kaylim Mikvah is not available Erev Shabbos or Yom Tov. Ladies’ Mikvah. Friday nights and Yom Tov nights, by appointment. Call Hanna Katz by Wednesday at 416.225.6483. Sisterhood Donations, ElaineTanenzapf,lainny@rogers.com or call 416.665.2182; Tree of Life, Dedications, Memorial Plaques, Howard Kurlandski, howardk@rogers.com.Visit us at Our Donations page at www.bnaitorah.ca Congregation B’nai Torah 465 Patricia Avenue Toronto, Ontario M2R 2N1 tel/fax 416.226.3700 HaRav Yirmiya Milevsky, Mara D’Atra Paul Forman, President office@bnaitorah.ca www.bnaitorah.ca