PARASHA * ZEMANIM * TEFILOT

Šabat Parašat Balaq

20 July 2024 * 14 Ḣodeṡ Tamuz 5784
י”ד תמוז התשפ”ד
Earliest Candles Lighting - 6:51pm

Official Hadlaqat Nerot Ṡabat Time - 8:05pm

Ṡir Haṡirim - 6:45pm

Minḣa/Qabalat Ṡabat/Ȯrvit - 7:00pm
Ṡaḣarit - 8:45am * Latest Ṡemaȯ - 9:21am
Devar Torah - 10:45am
Divre Todah and Berakha - 11I30am

Qiduṡ - 12:00pm
Table Conversations - 12:30pm

Minḣa Gedola - 1:38pm * Minḣa - 7:50pm

Ṡiȯur & Seȯudonet Ṡeliṡit - 8:20pm

Ṡeqiȯa - 8:22pm * Ȯrvit - 8:57pm

Żet Hakok̇avim / Havdala - 9:07pm
Ṡabat ṡel Ṡalom!

Rəfuaa Shəlema

Our prayers for full and quick recovery to ‘Am Yisrael wounded bodies & souls and the kidnapped brothers  & sisters, and to those who are sick, among them: * Reuven ben Aliza * Yig’al ben Sulika * Gavriel ben Yocheved * Shoshana bat Yocheved * Yehuda Baruch Noam ben Tova Batya * Eliyorah Ruth bat Naomi Rivka * Gavriel Lev ben Yechielah * Yosef David ben Haya Golda * Zvi Hershel ben Miriam * Dalia bat Rahel * Hadassa bat Shoshana * Masha bat Miriam * Tehila bat Rachel * Tanya bat Hoda Margalit * Yehuda Efraim ben Shifra * Yehuda ben Susi * Aliza bat Hassibah * Orly bat Annet * Rachel bat Hassibah * Shulla bat hassibah * Simon bat Hassibah * Yaniv ben Sarah * Michael ben Sonia * Shachar Shalom ben Sason * Menachem Hillel ben Malka Sandra * Liraz bat Tziporah * Shaked Ben Aliza * Ilana bat Victoria * Etka Ruth bat Devorah * Ezra ben Evlin * Beeri Mikhael ben Reut Ester * Shoshana bat Chaya * Arielle bat Merav, Nahum ben Yehudit * Maor ben Liran & David * Hafsa Yaffa bat Alia * Sarah Yehudit bat Yona.* Rahel bat Hamama; and to all the ḣolim and the ḣolot.

Beth Aharon offers condolences to the family of Corey Comperatore who was killed in the Trump assassination attempt in an election rally near Butler Pennsylvania last Shabbat afternoon. We pray for the full recovery of David Dutch and James Copenhaver who were seriously injured, and for refuaa shelema to former president Donald Trump, who miraculously survived the shooting, suffering ear injury. We thank the Secret Service agents who swiftly eliminated the shooter, protected Trump, and escorted him out of further danger. And we pray for unity and peace among all the American people.

This Shabbat & Beyond

● This Shabbat we Read Parashat Balaq, pay gratitude to Hashem, thank the Zalicha twins Yosef and Hayim and all IDF soldiers for their service, celebrate Simḣat Bat with the Rimini & Palka families, and pray for the IDF’s soldiers safety & victory.

● The Bayit Sarah & Avraham’s Tent welcomes all community members and visitors for communal erev Shabbat dinner, in memory of Henry & Goldie Guttman z"l.
● Kids Are welcome to participate in tefilot Beth Aharon and recite Tefila portions loved by kids; and/or join the Bayit Groups available from 9:30am to 11:30am, on the 3rd floor.

● Special Tefila: We say prayers for Medinat Israel, its People, the Perished, the Kidnaped, the Wounded, the Safety of all IDF Ḣayalim and Ḣayalot, and for a Victory of the IDF.
● Azkara: Eyal ben Varda z”l, Benyahou Mahgerefteh z”l, Juliette Abergel z”l, Batsheva bat Nadra z”l, Fraydel bat Shlomo v'Rochel z”l.
● Dvar Torah on the Parasha.
● Divre Todah & Berakha - before kiddush, by Zalicha, Rimini, and Palka family members.

● Qidush this Shabbat is cosponsored by the Zalicha family, in gratitude to Hashem and in honor of Yosef & Hayim and the IDF soldiers; and by Shira & Manuel Rimini in celebration of newborn baby Maya - מאיה :) Mazal Tov!
● Table Conversations after qidush, on things that matter or matter more.
● Mila baParasha - understanding a word in the parasha. This week: “Balaq - בָּלָק” - What does the word mean Balaq, and is it related to the Hebrew slang word Dir-Balaq? Basic (and love of :) Hebrew is sufficient.

● Shiur after Mincha at the MSN w/Brian Spira: Moav: Desperation & Redemption .
***
● Sunday Shaḣarit @ 8:15am - Hodu. Qorbanot @ 8:00am.

Community Matters

● Beth Aharon is Riverdale’s Sephardic orthodox congregation, located at the Riverdale Bayit (HIR) Bronx, NY, since its establishment on parashat Ḣaye Sara 5768/1998. We mark this year 25 years, in gematria ḢIBA-חִיבָּה standing for love and affection. Beth Aharon tefilot follow the Sephardi-Yerushalmi nusaḣ, based on the teachings of Rav Ovadia Yosef, z”l. Our community embraces Jewish worshipers of all ethnic communities (‘edot) and of any level of observance, and welcomes all individuals who are in search of the Jewish faith. We encourage our congregants to take an active-leading role in Tefila and Qriat haTorah.
● Ahavat Yisrael and Ahavat Haberiyot - love for the Jewish people and love for all humanity - are part of the Bayit’s and Beth Aharon’s values. It manifests by being a warm and welcoming and inclusive community to everyone who loves Medinat Yisrael and the Jewish People.
● Join Beth Aharon’s WhatsApp Groups

BA Information Notifications: BethAharonNews

BA Tefilot Information: BethAharonTefila

BA Community Chat BethAharonCommunity

BA Women Group BethAharonWomen

BA Tehilim & Refuaa Shelema BethAharonTehilim
BA Politics Polite BethAharonPoliticsPolite
BA Website-Blog BethAharonBlog 

BA Facebook Page BethAharonFB 
● Contact Us at bethaharon@gmail.com for general inquiries and to join our email listing and our weekly BANewsletter.
● Supporting Beth Aharon tefilot and events is much needed & welcomed! Donate online here: SUPPORT ONLINE for more information go to www.bethaharon.org. Tizku leShanim Rabot veTovot.

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Blessings & Thanks

● Mazal Tov to Shira & Manuel Rimini on the naming of a baby-girl, Maya - מָאיָה :) To Lea Rebecca & Yuval Maman on the brit of a baby-boy Maoz Zev - מעוז זאב :)

● Happy Birthday to Karen Jordan, Kfir Henn, Moshe Assaban, Ruth Herzel, and all this week’s birthdays.
● Many Thanks to Shoshi’s Hamakolet and the Potluckers for sponsoring Kiddush last Shabbat.
● Condolences to the family of Corey Comperatore, may his memory be for blessing, a 50 year old husband, father of two girls, and a volunteer firefighter in Buffalo Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, who was murdered, while shielding his daughters from the shooting, in the assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump; to the families of IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians who lost their lives this week in the Eighth Day War, among Efrayim ben Amram from Yesod HaMaala, and Yevgeny Ferder, who was killed in the drone attack on Tel-Aviv.

● Refuaa Shelema Bimhera to David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington PA, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, PA, who were critically wounded in the Trump assassination attempt; and to all Am Yisrael’s injured bodies & wounded souls, soldiers and civilians alike.

Upcoming Happenings & Other News  

● Talk with Daniel and Neria Sharabi heroes of the October 7 Nova Festival will share their story of fighting and survival. Sunday, July 21, 2024 • 15 Tammuz 5784, 9:30am-11:30am @ the MSN - The Bayit Main Sanctuary.

● Virtual Shiur: Searḣ bat Asher: The Most Underrated Woman in the Tanach. Thursday July 25 @ 1:00-2:00pm. A virtual event presentation by Rabbanit Bracha Jaffa.

● Talk with Parents of Fallen Soldier Maoz Morell's Hy"d. Sunday, July 28 • 22 Tammuz, between 7:00pm-8:00pm. At the Bayit LBM.
***

~~ Summer Times ~~

Parasha & Times

Šabat Parašat Balaq

20 July 2024 * 14 Ḣodeṡ Tamuz 5784
י”ד תמוז התשפ”ד
Today 288 Days BaGaza 
Jerusalem - 7:04pm Candles; 8:24pm Havdala

Modiin - 7:15pm Candles; 8:25pm Havdala

Miami - 7:55pm Candles; 8:50pm Havdala
Austin - 8:14pm Candles; 9:12pm Havdala

Manhattan - 8:05pm Candles; 9:10pm Havdala

Moscow - 8:40pm Candles; 10:20pm Havdala

London - 8:48pm Candles; 10:12pm Havdala
Paris - 9:27pm Candles; 10:44pm Havdala

Picture of the Week

~ Never Forget ~

Weekly Moment

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."  

- Frederick Douglass

‘Am Yisrael Ḣazaq Ḣai VeQayam עם ישראל חזק חי וקיים

The Gaza War, the Eighth Day War, enters its 39th week. We strengthen the hands of Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael, of Israel’s army, its security forces, its citizens, and its residents, and remember the 1583 perished Israelis, civilians, rescuers, defenders, and soldiers. We pray for the fast return of the remaining 120 kidnapped, the return of the 120,000 displaced Israelies to their homes, for the full recovery in body and soul of over 13,000 injured, and for strength for the bereaved families.

With prayers for absolute victory and lasting peace.

Cyril Zooms In

"Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without." - Confucius

This week's parasha, Balak, features two characters with distinct but converging motivations. On one hand, Balak, king of Moab, fears an invasion of his kingdom by the Israelites after they have destroyed the kingdoms of Og and Sihon. He is unaware that God has ordered the Israelites not to invade Moab, but it is understandable that his fears are justified. On the other hand, Balaam, a sorcerer who has the gift of prophecy. He is asked by Balak to curse the Israelites, since a military victory against them is impossible. After various rather comical adventures, Balaam is unable to utter the curses for which he was hired. In fact, God forces him to deliver three oracles praising the Israelites and their qualities. However, out of pure hatred for the Israelites, he suggests to Balak that he should pervert them through idolatry and prostitution. Balaam sought a flaw and ended up finding it. While spiritually, the Israelites are unassailable, it is in the lowest materiality that Balaam is able to destabilize them. All the while knowing, through his last prophecy, that the Jewish people will never be destroyed despite the vicissitudes of history, and that their enemies will be annihilated. A diamond remains a diamond, whether it is perfect or not.

I wish you and your family a bright, restful and joyful Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom! C.B.

The Weekly Riddle

Who was the first known assassinated King in world history?

(Guess before you take a peek, the answer is on the back page)

Biblical Quiz: Balaq

Kids: Did Bil‘am ride on a horse, donkey, or a cow? Teenagers: Mikha is one of the prophets of the Tri-Asar. Which one of them? Third, Sixth or Tenth? Adults: From which town was Mikha? Experts: How far was his town from Jerusalem? Sages: What was the color of Bil‘am’s donkey?

Parasha:  Balaq - Bamidbar (Numbers) 22:2-25:9

Parasha's Historical Context: Creation Time: 2487 (1407 bce or 1272 bce according to Seder Olam). Bene Yisrael's 40-year journey is close to an end. They are encamped in the Plains of Moav, across the Jordan River from the city Yeriḥo. Parashort: Balaq, the King of Moav, summons the prophet Bil‘am to curse Bene Yisrael. On the way, Bil‘am is berated by his donkey, which sees the angel that G-d sends to block their way. Three times, from three different locations, Bil‘am attempts to pronounce his ill wishes to the Israelites; each time, blessings are issued instead. Bil‘am also made prophecies on the End of the Days. Bene Yisrael falls prey to the charms of the daughters of Moav and worship the idol Peor. When a high-ranking Israelite official publicly takes a Midianite princess into a tent, Pinḥas ben El’azar ben Aharon haKohen kills them both, stopping the plague raging among the Israelite People.

Haftara: Balaq - Mikha (Mikha) - 5:6-6:8

Haftit: The prophet Mikha predicts that prior to the war of Gog and Magog the mighty nations of the world will assemble against Israel. The Israelites will be like dew unto the nations and like rain to all mankind. Mikha predicts the purification of Israel; after the war of Gog and Magog, G-d will remove all the weapons of war from Yisrael because they will not be needed any longer. G-d will also eliminate idolatry and all the people in the world will realize the one true G-d. Israel is accused of not listening to G-d's commandments, even though they had been warned many times. G-d asks "Is this how you thank me for taking you out of the land of Egypt?" "Is this how you thank me for protecting you from the King Balaq of Moab?" "Is this how you thank me for the way Bil‘am answered them?" Mikha concludes with advice to perform justice, love kindness and walk humbly with G-d.
Connection to the Parsha: The prophecy of Mikha recalls some of the ways in which G-d protected the newly emerged nation during its forty years in the desert wilderness. Among the incidents mentioned by the prophet is Balaq's plot to have Bil‘am curse Israel, and Bil‘am's advice to use lewdness to bring Bene Yisrael into Idolatry.

In the Beginning

Rav Pappa said that this is what it is saying: When there is peace in the world and the Temple is standing, these days [the fast of the fourth {month), and the fast of the fifth, and fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth] will be times of joy and gladness; when there is persecution and troubles for the Jewish people, they are days of fasting; and when there is no persecution but still no peace, neither particular troubles nor consolation for Israel, the halakha is as follows: If people wish, they fast, and if they wish, they do not fast. Since there is no absolute obligation to fast, messengers are not sent out for these months.

- Talmud Bavli Rosh Hashana Tractate, 18:2

Rav Question - שאלת רב

Do Americans, or American Jews on behalf of America, need to say Birkat haGomel or Birkat ‘Al haNes for the assassination survival of former President Donald Trump?

Speechless in the Parasha: Balaq

How many times did Bil’am’s jenny talk? In what language? How many speeches did Bil’am carry? Were they good or not good?

Biblical Quiz - Answers: Balaq

Kids: A jenny (female donkey) Teenagers: Mikha is the 10th of the Tre-Asar Adults: Morashet-Gat, near the Philistine border in Judah Experts: A 1-day journey from Jerusalem Sages: Bil‘am is being identified by the sages as Lavan himself or as Lavan’s grandson. So either way maybe the jenny donkey was white :).  

Riddle Solved

The Egyptian pharaoh Teti, who lived in the 23rd century BCE, is considered the earliest known victim of assassination, though evidence is circumstantial due to a lack of written records.