Follow @StantonStShul on TwitterPolitics of Exclusion – Sephardim vs. Ashkenazim
Rabbi Yuter discusses Chaham Tzvi Responsa no. 38, featuring a conflict between an established Spanish/Portuguese synagogue and members crossing over to the newer Ashkenazi synagogues.
Politics of Exclusion: David Berger vs. Chabad Lubavitch
In this installment of his “Politics of Exclusion” series, Rabbi Yuter tackles the highly controversial and publicized arguments of Rabbi Dr. David Berger against the messianic elements in Chabad Lubavitch.
Politics of Exclusion: David Berger vs. Chabad Lubavitch Sources (PDF)
Purim Greetings Program 2011!
This year Purim will be celebrated on Saturday Night March 19th and Sunday March 20th. You can fulfill the mitzvah of Matanos LeEvyonim and help the Shul at the same time through our Purim Greeting program. A beautiful Purim Greeting Card will be mailed to the friend of the Shul you wish to honor. A portion of the monies collected will be given to at least two individuals in our community.
To participate in this program, please click here to download our shul list (PDF). Circle the name or number next to each individual you would like to send a greeting (minimum of two members). The prices are: $5 per greeting, $4 per greeting when 25 or more are selected, or $360 to send to all friends of the Shul.
Please send your completed list and check made out to “Stanton Street Shul” to PO Box 1008 New York, NY 10002. Your check must be received by Friday, March 4th. If you cannot print out the PDF, you may also e-mail the full list of names to purim@stantonstshul.com. If you would like to order greetings for the entire list, you can do so by selecting the “Purim Honors Greeting” option from our Shop / Donate page.
We hope you enjoy this opportunity to fulfill this important mitzvah!
Rabbis Corner – Purim Katan Edition
Dear Friends,
Today is the 14th day of Adar 1 in the Hebrew calendar, creating the calendrical quick known as “Purim Katan” or “small Purim.” Ordinarily, the holiday of Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar, but when there is a leap year and the moth of Adar is doubled, Purim is celebrated in the second one, which leaves the first month has having Purim Katan.
While not named as such, the notion of a Purim Katan dates back to the Mishna. M. Megillah 1:4 states that “If the megillah has been read in the first Adar and the year has subsequently been prolonged, it is read again in the second Adar.” Before the calendar had been set, a court could create a leap year by creating a new month of Adar. In the unusual event that Purim had already been commemorated, the court could have effectively decreed that Purim be celebrated again the following month!
The Mishna continues saying that “There is no difference between the first Adar and the second Adar save only in the reading of the megillah and the distribution of gifts to the poor” meaning that of the four rabbinic obligations associated with Purim only the two of Megillah and gifts to the poor are repeated in the second Adar. In discussing this Mishna, the Talmud in B. Megilah 6b ultimately concludes that all mitzvot associated with Purim done in the first month carry over to the second with the exception of the Megillah.
Since the Hebrew calendar was set, we need not be concerned with a new Adar being sprung upon us at the last minute (though I’m sure we’d all appreciate the extra time before Pesach) and now that we know in advance when there is a second Adar we simply fulfill everything at once.
But if someone has the urge to take an extra lechayim today, far be it from me to stop you (though I’d also suggest performing matanot le’evyonim to go along with it)
Shabbat Shalom and Purim Katan Sameach!
Who’s Who in the Talmud – R. Meir Part 1
Rabbi Yuter’s Who’s Who in the Talmud returns with a first look at the Tanna Rabbi Meir.