Just after Pesach, Shaare Tefilla was privileged to join the ranks of one of the fastest growing Torah initiatives in the world- the Semichat Chaver Program, an innovative halachic study program for men carefully crafted for the needs of the 21st century, with a specialized focus on the ethical meaning of halacha and the conceptual underpinnings of observance.
Each week, there is a weekly shiur of approximately 1:30 duration that explores some hashkafic element of the material; we then began with questions about a hypothetical scenario that we would debate. We would then go through the sources that provided us with the ability to engage with and answer the question. While this is not a real semicha, Upon completion of each topic, there is an optional written exam, and every member who passes the exam receives a certificate of accomplishment and divrei bracha signed by Rav Herschel Schacher, Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel at RIETS, Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl, Rabbi of the Old City of Jerusalem, and Rav Shlomo Amar, Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem.
This semester, we studied laws of Shabbat governing cleaning and laundering clothes and fabrics, opening packages, making and melting ice on Shabbat and the melacha of borer (separating mixtures into component parts or removing things from mixtures). I am delighted to tell you that all the participants who took the test passed. A special Mazal Tov to Michael Rogers, Eric Safern and Shelley Weiss on their accomplishments!
The new semester of the Semichat Chaver Program begins on Monday, October 19, 2021 at 7:45 P.M. We will be studying laws governing the interplay between Jews and non-Jews on Shabbat, as well as fascinating and important laws pertaining to Kiddush and Havdalah. Whether you are new to this kind of study and this program, whether you began last semester and stopped, now is the time to start again!
Additionally, Daf Yomi will be finishing Masechet Beitzah on Sunday, October 10. Come on board on Monday, October 12 for Masechet Rosh Hashanah!
Hakarat HaTov
This week, we have had difficulty getting a minyan nearly every single night. On two evenings, we did not get one at all, leaving a member who is saying kaddish stranded. I am grateful for those who replied to our whatsapp messages, even if they could not attend. If you are not a member of the group already, please join by clicking here. Also, please sign up here to attend on specific days. A functioning daily minyan is the engine that drives an Orthodox shul, and an essential service we provide our members and the many travelers who visit us from all over the world.
Rabbi’s Recommendation
Here is something a little lighter - it made me laugh and smile all day when a friend sent it to me on Wednesday. It kind of reminded me of the singing at Shaare Tefilla!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky
Congregation Shaare Tefilla 6131 Churchill Way Dallas, TX 75230
