Weekly Bulletin

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
[email protected]
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,[email protected] or call 416.665.2182; Tree of Life, Dedications, Memorial Plaques, Howard Kurlandski, [email protected] 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
[email protected]
www.bnaitorah.ca