Better to channel a need for honor toward the shul
“And Yaakov loved Yosef more than all his sons… and he made him a fine woolen coat.” (Bereishis 37:3)
Chazal say Yaakov knew the shevatim might be jealous of Yosef’s coat, but he thought they would feel kinas sofrim, which would spur them to follow Yosef’s achievements in Torah. Therefore, he felt such jealousy appropriate.
A similar situation occurred in the city of Lodz, Poland, which had the following system for aliyos on Shabbos: The rav of the city, Rav Eliyahu Chaim Meisel, would get shlishi, and the important people, shishi. Maftir was given for a yahrtzeit or simchah. The rest of the aliyos were considered less significant and given to anyone. (Rav Shalom Wallach, Maayan Hashavua)
Short winter Fridays are intense. But the rewards are after I bentsh licht, when I sink into the couch with a long Friday night ahead of me. Curling up among the cushions, I like to snuggle up with a blanket, ensconced in a warm and fuzzy blanket of peace.
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