Words From Rabbi White

Dear mitpallelim,

This Friday, 20 Sivan, is the yahrzeit of my late sister, Muriel (Menucha Sarah) Gerofsky, and of my grandmother Ida (Chaya) Shapiro.

This day, known in Hebrew as Kaf Sivan, is a most significant day in Jewish history. In 1171, 40 Jews in Blois, France, were murdered due to a blood libel. The great sage Yaakov Tam (grandson of Rashi) decreed that this day should be observed as a fast day. And then, in the years 1648 and ‘49, the Ukrainian Cossacks, under the leadership of the notorious Bogdan Chmielnicki, massacred between 150,000-200,000 Polish Jews. The day of 20 Sivan was then established as a day of mourning and fasting in memory of those Jews and is recorded as such in commentaries on the Shulhan Arukh.

Perhaps, as a result of the holocaust, which has overshadowed kaf Sivan as a tragedy, this day is usually not observed as a fast anymore. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to take a moment to reflect on the memories of those who have perished `al kiddush HaShem.

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On Monday, 23 Sivan, Blossom Shaffer observes yahrzeit for her father Phillip; on Tuesday, 24 Sivan, Robert Skolnik observes yahrzeit for his mother Katie; on 26 Sivan, Henry Zingerman observes for his mother Chaya Sara.  May their memories all be for a blessing.

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Hardly anyone in NJ has any idea of Quebec realities: Bill 101, Bill 96, OQLF, Bill 21, pastagate, etc. However, Qc has finally become the number 1 item on the news reports. Air quality here the last couple of days has been the worst since the 17^th century. The culprit: “Quebec wildfires.” I heard asked on a talk show: why can’t their government put out those fires? So, Quebec is now famous! Bonne chance!

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On a positive note: Mazal tov to our good friends Ron and Coty Finegold, on the marriage of their granddaughter Zahava Giloni to Shlomo Brody. As the Giloni family lives is Passaic, which is about a half hour drive from Teaneck, I was pleased to attend the wedding, together with my daughter.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Menahem White