Shul Spiel: What's Going On at Local West Orange Synagogues

A half shekel here, five shekel there ... a little silver goes a long, long way this week at Congregation B'nei Torah. 

Pidyon Haben

Tonight marks yet another red letter day in the life of young Shimon Stone. Born just 31 days before to proud parents Moshe and Rivkie Stone, Shimon has already taken center stage at his bris, where he went from a veritable no-name to the center of attention in a matter of moments. Now, this Friday morning, his new-found celebrity status reaches almost epic proportions as he makes a triumphant return public appearance at his Pidyon Haben.

The ceremony, which is expected to draw a large crowd of friends, fans and admirers, will be held at the Lubavitch Shul (located on the ground level of the same 395 Pleasant Valley Way address as B'nei Torah) due to lack of adequate space in the B'nei Torah minyan. The actual pidyon haben ceremony will take place in the context of the grand seudah (meal) celebration held in honor of the occasion.

As is both customary for the Pidyon Haben and in keeping with his already recognized grand flair and style, Shimon will make his typical and traditional grand entrance to the ceremony lying on a large silver tray, surrounded by bags filled with garlic cloves and sugar cubes. As the festive meal takes place, Shimon's father Moshe will negotiate with the Kohen over the terms of his redemption. As Shimon's grandparents Rabbi Avrohom and Frada Stone and Rabbi Gidon and Judy Goldberg, look on with the rest of the assembled throng, Moshe will declare that he wishes to exercise his Torah-given option to redeem young Shimon. In order to complete the transaction, Moshe will hand over five silver dollars, the five silver coins which constitute the 5 shekel amount mandated by the Torah to accomplish the redemption and fulfill this mitzvah. The Kohen will take the 5 shekels, Moshe and Rivkie will take Shimon, and the assembled crowd will take dessert. In short, a win-win situation for all present. Pidyon Haben does not happen often. It requires that the child should be a firstborn, a male and that neither father nor mother can be Leviim. In addition, Pidyon Haben is only done on a child born through natural childbirth and not Caesarian section. Everyone in the community is invited to participate in and witness this unusual event.

To the great disappointment of his adoring public, Shimon will be entering an extended period of semi-retirement following the conclusion of the ceremony, in order to pursue private interests in play, teething and ultimately intensive Torah study. Plans are already in the works for him to re-enter the public eye at his bar mitzvah in 13 years. In the meantime, his fans will have to content themselves with DVDs of his starring roles that have taken place in the past month and one day.

The Secret Siyyum

In his usual, understated manner, Dovid Chuna Meysarosh casually mentioned last week at shalosh seudos that he had finished his study of Masechta Shabbos that afternoon. Dovid Chuna has been learning Shabbos in depth every day for the past five years and has now embarked on the study of Masechta Eruvin, the next volume in Shas. He previously had finished Masechta Berachos. The image of Dovid Chuna's unending pursuit of mastering this masechta every single day, even during the tax season when he works such long hours at his job counting other people's shekalim, has served as an inspiration to us all. May he continue to find success in his pursuit of Shas.

Parshas Shekalim/Shabbos Mevarchim

Since this Shabbos is the one occurring immediately prior to Rosh Chodesh Adar 2, we not only bless the new month but also begin the cycle of the four Parshiyos by reading Parshas Shekalim. Parshas Shekalim is the section of the Torah at the beginning of Parshas Ki Sisa that deals with the half shekel donation given by each individual in the midbar (desert) for the purpose of building the Mishkan (tabernacle). Although the actual donation is commemorated by giving three silver half dollars on Taanis Esther at Minchah, which this year comes out on Thursday, March 17 (since Purim comes out on a Motzei Shabbos and Sunday, March 19 and 20), the Parsha is read the Shabbos before Rosh Chodesh Adar. In a leap year, such as this one, the Gemorrah mandates that the four Parshiyos are read during the second Adar as opposed to the Adar 1. 

The giving of the half shekel was, in fact, the equivalent of a tax on B'nei Yisroel for the purpose of building the Mishkan. The reading of Parshas Shekalim is an excellent reminder of the need to use the resources that HaShem has blessed us with to support the projects which define ourselves as a community. Torah study is the foundation of any Jewish community and, in that regard, the Parshah should inspire us to support projects such as the nightly B'nei Torah Kollel, which provides an opportunity and vehicle for the entire community to experience the learning of Torah on an individual, personal basis. 

Who We Are

Torah study continues to be the focus of Congregation and Kollel B'nei Torah of West Orange. The Kollel will meet this week, as every week, on Monday through Wednesday nights, from 8:15 to 9:45. On Thursday night, it will be from 8:30 to 10. Maariv follows each night. The Kollel is held in the Sefardic Minyan at AABJD. All are welcome to come and experience the thrill and fulfillment of studying Torah one to one. B'nei Torah, with its minyan and Kollel, is dedicated to uplifting and enriching the lives of every Jew through Torah study, serious tefillah and atmosphere that stresses and encourages personal growth. No experience necessary – everyone is welcome to come and grow along with us.

Davening Times for Shabbos Mevarchim Adar 2/Parshas Pekudei/Parshas Shekalim

Friday March 4

Candlelighting: 5:33 p.m.

Mincha Erev Shabbos: 5:35 p.m.

Shabbos Day, March 5

Brochos: 8:10 a.m.

Shochen Ad: 8:45 a.m. (note earlier time)

Kiddush following davening

Daf Yomi: 11:30 a.m.

Mincha: 5:30 p.m.

Maariv: 6:42 p.m.

Weeknight Maariv - Week of March 6

Maariv: (M,T,W): 9:45 p.m.

(Th): 10 p.m.

(following Kollel; at AABJD Sephardic Wing)