Shabbat Candle Lighting – 4:56 pm Shabbat Ends – 5:58 pm According to myzmanim.com
Shabbat - Parshat Vaera Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat - 4:56 pm Shabbat Morning Services followed by Kiddush – 9:00 am Mincha, Seudah Shelishit, and Maariv - 4:43 pm
*This week is a spaghetti Shabbat dinner following Kabbalat Shabbat! If you missed the deadline to register, please be in touch with Abby, abby@baisabe.com.
Bais Abe Community News
Rabbi Finkelstein's Office Hours Rabbi Finkelstein will have open office hours on Mondays from 1-3pm, Wednesdays, from 9am-12pm, and Thursdays from 12-3pm. Come say hi and chat! If you have any questions, or would like to speak further, feel free to reach out, rabbifinkelstein@baisabe.com.
Update Your Info in the Bais Abe Directory Did you know that Bais Abe members have access to an online shul directory? View and edit your listing by singing in to your Bais Abe account; directions can be found here. After you log in, you can click on "My Account" and view and/or edit your directory entry. You can also upload a photo so that everyone can put faces with names. This will also help Rabbi Finkelstein as he gets to know everyone! Please be in touch with Ruth if you have any questions about logging in to your account and making updates.
Sign Up for Perek of the Day WhatsApp Group In the aftermath of the attacks on October 7th, Rabbi Finkelstein started a Psalm of the Day WhatsApp group for his shul in Baltimore, so that people could find a time during the day to focus our minds and hearts into meaningful prayer through the Book of Psalms. The group has now completed Psalms and has transitioned to the Book of Yeshayahu (Isaiah). If you would like to join this group and learn more about Yeshayahu, please joinhere.
Bais Abe Stands With Israel We are brokenhearted and devastated over current events in Israel. We stand with our brothers and sisters during these unprecedented times. We have created a page of some resources on our website. The Jewish Federation of St. Louis also has a comprehensive resource page here.
Please refrain from wearing perfume/cologne in the synagogue because some of our members are highly allergic. If you inadvertently arrive at the shul wearing any scents, please wash them off. Thank you.
Please be sure to close any windows you open before you leave the building.
Join Connect Bais Abe to get the most up-to-date news from Bais Abe and your fellow Bais Abers. To join the conversation, just send an email to connectBaisAbe+subscribe@groups.io.
Upcoming Events
Learning Opportunities with Rabbi Finkelstein
Shemonah Perakim Shabbat afternoons at Seudah Shelishit
Join Rabbi Finkelstein for a study of Shemonah Perakim, Rambam’s introduction to Pirkei Avot, where he describes the important values through which we should live our lives.
Jewish History Through Its Great Religious Leaders Sundays at 9:15AM - in person and on Zoom
Every Sunday morning, join Rabbi Finkelstein as we journey through the great religious leaders of Jewish History, and look at how history shaped them, and was shaped by them. We will be learning in installments of four weeks for each figure. Find out more here.
Halachah with Chacham Ovadya Yosef Thursdays at 7:00PM - in person and on Zoom
Every Thursday night, join Rabbi Finkelstein as we learn halacha, Jewish law, by following the framework as set up by Rav Ovadya Yosef in his work of responsa, Yabia Omer. Find out morehere.
Pareve Food Cooked in a Fleishik (Meat) Pot
This week, this question arose for us: if pareve food is cooked in a fleishik pot, can the food be eaten with a milchik (dairy) meal? The Talmud, Chullin (111b), states that fish which was placed on a fleishik plate may be eaten with dairy. Based on this statement, Rabbi Yosef Caro (1488-1575) rules in the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 95, that if pareve food is cooked in a fleishik pot, it may be eaten together with dairy food. The Rama, Rabbi Moshe Isserels (1520-1572), disagrees. He believes that the Talmud was only referring to fish placed on a fleishik plate, not fish cooked in a fleishik pot, and that if pareve food was cooked in a fleishik pot then it should not be eaten with dairy food unless nothing fleishik was cooked in that pot in the previous 24 hours.
Among later Poskim (deciders of halacha), there is a difference of opinion as to whether any pot could be used to cook pareve food which could then be eaten at either a milchik or fleishik meal. For example Rav Ovadia Yosef, former Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Israel (Yabia Omer YD 9:3), defends the opinion of Rav Yosef Caro and rules accordingly. Most agree that no matter what you cook pareve food in, immediately after you eat that food, you can eat anything – meat or dairy. As stated by STAR-K ONLINE, “If one cooked spaghetti in a fleishik pot, he may eat cheese immediately after finishing the spaghetti.” (As with all halachik issues, consult your rabbi with any specific questions.)
Jack Shapiro
St. Louis Jewish Community News and Messages
Assisting Those Impacted by Fires in California As you have probably seen on the news, Los Angeles has been greatly impacted by a series of devastating wildfires. Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center was completely destroyed, and many individuals lost their homes and belongings. To assist those affected by the wildfires, please consider donating here: https://www.pjtc.net/payment.php .
Important Eruv Update Dear Community Members, This coming Shabbos marks exactly 30 years since the establishment of the St. Louis Community Eruv on Parshas Va'Yigash, 1994.
For three decades, the Eruv has enhanced the lives of countless individuals and families in our community, enabling us to experience Shabbos with greater ease and connection. As we celebrate this milestone, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the dedicated individuals who laid the foundation for this incredible endeavor. The Eruv was initiated and managed for many years by Stuart Zimbalist, Joel Garbow, Mickey Ariel, and Alan Haber, whose vision and commitment made this essential resource a reality.
Additionally, we recognize the tireless work of our inspectors, Mr. Lewis Notowich, Rabbi Chona Muser, and Rabbi Daniel Kamins, as well as the years of unwavering dedication of "Lineman Emeritus", Pat Lorenson, and our current linemen, Brandon Duree and Matt Hackett, who really go above and beyond to ensure the Eruv remains operational every week. Our Eruv has profoundly impacted our lives, fostering a stronger sense of community and enhancing our observance of Shabbos. This would not have been possible without your ongoing support, and we thank you for your partnership in maintaining this vital part of our communal infrastructure.
May our community continue to flourish and may we continue to share many more milestones together. Best regards,
THE ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY ERUV COMMITTEE Daniel Z. Lefton, President Dr. Stan Biel Robyn Weiss Ephriam Abrams
MIKVAH CAMPAIGN The mikvah is in significant need of funds and must raise at least $75,000 to cover urgent repair expenses. We are currently a third of the way to our goal. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help sustain our mikvaot. Online at STLMikvah.org/donate or send a check payable to Taharath Israel of St. Louis, 4 Millstone Campus Drive, 63146.
Bais Abraham Congregation Office Hours: 6910 Delmar Blvd. Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm University City, MO 63130 Friday: Closed Phone: 314.721.3030 Email: office@baisabe.com
