Special Features Rain Check From Musaf of Shmini Atzeret (Simchat Torah) until and including Shacharit of the first day of Pesach, we "mention" G-d as the Rainmaker in the Amida of every davening, with the words MASHIV HA'RU'ACH U'MORID HAGASHEM (MHUH). [Those who daven Nusach Ashkenaz in Chutz LaAretz, and don't say Morid HaTal during the Summer, MHUH is also said at Musaf on the first day of Pesach.] For the statistically minded, we will say MHUH 539 times this year (if we daven everything correctly). REMEMBER though, that we are still saying V'TEIN BRACHA until 7 Cheshvan. We begin "asking" for rain two weeks after Sukkot. (More than 6 weeks after Chag in Chutz LaAretz.) In Israel, we begin saying V'TEIN TAL U'MATAR LIVRACHA on Motza'Sh, November 4th. If one forgets to say MHUH, we can assume that Morid HaTal was said instead (when this is the summertime custom). This means that some reference was made to G-d's involvement in the weather, and the Amida stands as is. It is not invalid and is not repeated. (This is all the more so, in case one is not sure if he said MHUH or not.) Rules for TAL U'MATAR next week, IY"H. Review and explanation. Let's say someone makes a mistake between Simchat Torah and 7 Cheshvan and says both MHUH and Tal U'Matar in his Amida. It's incorrect, but does it invalidate the Amida? On the one hand, Tal U'Matar does not begin until 7 Cheshvan. Invalid Amida. OTOH, why don't we say TUM until 7 Cheshvan? Not because it isn't SAMUCH L'G'SHAMIM (near the rains). Because of a courtesy for those who came from distances to Yerushalayim and are on their way back until 7 Cheshvan. That reason really doesn't apply in our time, but we maintain the 7 Cheshvan rule nonetheless. But is TUM in an Amida before 7 Cheshvan (but after Simchat Torah) a "fatal" mistake for the Amida? Probably not. But one repeats the Amida as N'dava (we'll review N'dava davening some other time.) From the Desk of the Director Dear Torah Tidbits Reader, To our aid comes Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik's classic treatise on the creation of Adam HaRishon. For the history of Man - that is, the description of our existential state - is, to coin the Rav's words, "the struggle of two Adams." The first, "Technological Man" (Breishit:1), sees humanity realized in the pragmatic and scientific harnessing of nature to man's service - a pursuit that (often) reflects human creativity and confers dignity. Adam II, into whose nostrils was introduced the divine breath of life, is the "Man of Faith" whose primary aspiration is not to master nature but to intimately serve his Creator. In awe of G-d, this Adam discovers the mighty footprints along the many tortuous paths of creation. It seems that we need more than ever to identify with this Second Adam. When all around us is starkly shocking, we need to take refuge in this Adam's "religious experience of sanctity." And to find, in the Rav's words, a "sense of communion with the transcendent," that closeness between God and Man, as represented in the sudden appearance of the name of Hashem in second description of Man's creation. Sincerely yours, When you look upon the world, you are looking at its Creator. - Baal Shem Tov The quiet streets of Jerusalem were stirred by the sounds of marching footsteps on the first day of Chol Hamoed Succot. Over 100 NCSYers from Netanya, Lod, Jerusalem, Gush Etzion, Raanana, and Kfar Saba made Aliya to Jerusalem, despite the security situation, in order to walk her near empty streets. Some of the group left from Giv'at HaTachmoshet, some from the Knesset, and all met at the new Israel Center at 22 Keren Ha’yesod. After mincha, the entire group joined together for a simchat beit hashoeva with music, dancing, and a beautifully catered dinner. We had a great time, met old friends, and lent each other tremendous chizuk during this trying chag. NCSY on the move! As we enter full swing into 5761 I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all the NESTOites past and present to congratulate Phil Chernofsky as he enters into his 20th. year of service at the Israel Center. Phil, who is responsible for creating the name NESTO has been one of he back bones of the group since its inception. Our first Tuesday night discussion group with donuts will be take place on October 31st. We will begin with our year long program called Fiddlin' an Food. Be prepared for lively, challenging, insightful, relevant, heart breaking, emotion tearing, soul searching, mind expanding, out and out awesome conversations about ourselves and our Judaism based on the film Fiddler on the Roof. Based on an innovative, experiential approach to understanding the movie Fiddler on the Roof, we will have the chance to explore not only the characters and their lives in the movie, but more importantly, the message that it gives to us today, as olim living in the 21st century. Our first discussion, based on the song, "Tradition" will discuss the roles of men and women in traditional Judaism and how they have changed, or remained the same. We will then look at our own values, compared to those in the movie to see if they are in sync, or if they clash. I did mention the donuts, didn't I?! 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the Israel Center - the room to be announced. Please note the address, phone number and e-mail address changes NESTO, the Israel Center's youth program for Anglo-Israelis [The B'reishit Homepage]
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