What’s Happening at Local West Orange Synagogues

Shabbos Chazon/Tisha B’Av
This Shabbos is known as Shabbos Chazon.  It is the Shabbos that directly precedes the fast day of Tisha B’Av.  The name Shabbos Chazon is a reference to the haftorah that is taken from the prophet Yishayahu and is read yearly on Parshas Devarim.  Although Shabbos Chazon marks the start of Shavuah shechal bo, which is the last period of the three weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av itself, Shabbos is not a time of mourning and the restrictions on eating meat and drinking wine are lifted for the day.
Those that accept Shabbos before sundown are allowed to eat meat and drink wine at that time, as are those whose shalosh seudos continues into the night, so long as they have not ended Shabbos.  Grape juice is included in the prohibition of drinking wine.  Therefore, when making Havdalah after Shabbos, it is preferable to give the wine or grape juice to a child to drink, so long as the child is not old enough to appreciate the significance of the mourning period.  If no such child is available, it is permissible for the one making Havdoloh to drink the wine or grape juice himself, although no one else is allowed to share in it.  Some say that Havdoloh can be made over tea, while others hold that Coca Cola or beer would be acceptable alternatives.  If using a beverage other than wine, the proper brocho for that item should be substituted in Havdoloh in place of the borei pri hagofen.
The restrictions on shaving, cutting hair and bathing that are in effect during the Nine Days also apply to Erev Shabbos Chazon.  Therefore, in preparing for Shabbos, bathing in hot water is still restricted.  While a shower is permitted, it should be taken using cold water. If this is too difficult, using water that is heated only minimally to a point where it becomes no longer too cold to bathe in would be preferred.  However, for one who is accustomed to taking a hot shower in honor of Shabbos every week, in a manner that they never miss doing this under any circumstance, it would be permissible to bathe normally on Erev Shabbos, even with hot water.
Clean clothing is permitted to be worn on Shabbos, although wearing new clothing is prohibited.  Clean undergarments and other items worn directly on the body for the purpose of absorbing sweat are permitted during the entire Nine Days, although new items of this variety are prohibited.
In most other respects, Shabbos Chazon is treated as a normal Shabbos, with abundant good food, meat, chicken, wine and other delicacies.  The hearty singing of zemiros and speaking of divrei Torah during the meal is encouraged.

Mazel Tov
Hearty mazel tov wishes go out to Asher and Sheri Najer on the birth of a granddaughter to children Shaul and Rivka Urimansky.  Three-week-old Maya was honored to have her grandfather come from out of town to be in the same zip code as her at the time of her birth.  Asher has a lavish Kiddush planned in honor of Maya’s birth and has planted a carob tree to provide fresh fruit for the simcha.  Until the carobs are ready, he will be sponsoring a more simple gala Kiddush next Shabbos after shacharis.

What’s Missing From This Picture
Carefully study this photograph of Rabbis Moshe Darabaner (r) and Eliyahu Hecht learning Torah at the Kollel.  Can you find what’s missing?  The answer is – YOU!  During the summer months, while many are out grilling, swimming, picnicking and vacationing, the B’nei Torah Kollel continues with its learning every Monday through Thursday night in the Sefardic wing of AABJ&D.  There are many opportunities during the summer to grab a half hour or an hour of learning.  Although the Kollel will be on a semi-regular schedule during the next three weeks, learning should take place each night.  Why not become a part of it?  There’s always room for one (or two, or three, or ten, or a hundred) more!

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 Parshas Devarim/Shabbos Chazon

Friday Aug. 4

Mincha Erev Shabbos: 7:22 p.m.
Kabbolos Shabbos/Maariv: 7:40 p.m.

Shabbos Day, Aug. 5

Brochos: 8:10 a.m.
Shochen Ad: 8:44 a.m.
1st Zman Krias Shma: 8:54 a.m.
Kiddush following davening
Daf Yomi following Kiddush
Learning Seder: 5:45 p.m.
Mincha: 7:45 p.m.
Maariv Motzei Shabbos: 8:55 p.m.

Weeknight Maariv - Week of Aug. 8
Maariv (M,T,W): 9:45 p.m.
(Th): 10 p.m. (following Kollel; at AABJD Sephardic Wing)