Yom HaShoah

In memory of those who perished. In honor of those who survived. In thanks to all the Righteous Gentiles and Jews who stood up against the perpetrators of genocide. Yom HaShoah - 26 Nisan 5768/1 May 2008

Shabbat - 04/26/08 (21 Nisan 5768)

For your local Shabbat Candle-lighting times, please go here. This week's reading is -- Pesach Reading (Exodus 13:17-15:26). Special Note: This week is reading for the seventh day of Pesach. The reading recalls the promise of the return of Prophet Elijah and the ushering in of the end times (Malachi 3:4-24). Torah Aliyot and Topics: Aliyah 1: Exodus 13:17-19 The route to Eretz Yisrael Aliyah 2: Exodus 13:20-22 The route to Eretz Yisrael Aliyah 3: Exodus 14:1-4 Pharaoh’s change of heart Aliyah 4: Exodus 14:5-8 Pharaoh’s change of heart Aliyah 5: Exodus 14:9-14 Israel panics, G-d’s assurance Aliyah 6: Exodus 14:15-25 G-d’s assurance, The sea splits Aliyah 7: Exodus 14:26-15:26 The sea splits, The water crashes down upon Egypt, The salvation, The Song by the Sea, The women sing, Marah: Israel tests G-d Maftir: Numbers 28:19-25 Pesach For more information about this week's Parsha, please visit these sites. Orthodox Union Chabad Aish HaTorah United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism Union for Reform Judaism Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Pesach

May you have a happy Pesach! Pesach (Passover) is a Biblical festival that begins on 15 Nisan (in March or April). Pesach is an eight-day holiday that celebrates the Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt and our freedom from oppression in modern days. The holiday is also referred to as Chag he-Aviv (the Spring Festival), Chag ha-Matzoth (the Time of Our Freedom). It is the first of the three pilgrimage festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Shavuot and Sukkot). Agriculturally, it represents the beginning of the harvest season in Israel. The primary observances of Pesach are related to the Exodus from Egypt after generations of slavery. This story is told in Exodus, Chapters 1-15. Many of the Pesach observances are instituted in Chapters 12-15. Probably the most significant observance related to Pesach involves the removal of leaven/chametz (the five major grains-wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt) from our homes. Ashkenazi Jews also avoid kitniyot (rice, corn, peanuts, and legumes-beans) as if they were chametz. We may not own, benefit from, or eat chametz during Pesach (this includes food for the animals). All chametz, including utensils and other kitchen accessories used to cook chametz, must either be disposed of or sold to a non-Jew (they can be repurchased after the holiday). This commemorates the fact that the Jews leaving Egypt were in a hurry, and did not have time to let their bread rise. The process of cleaning the home of all chametz in preparation for Pesach is an enormous task. To do it right, you must prepare for several weeks and spend several days scrubbing everything down, going over the edges of your stove and fridge with a toothpick and a Q-Tip, covering all surfaces that come in contact with foil or shelf-liner, etc. After the cleaning is completed, the morning before the seder, a formal search of the house for chametz is undertaken, and any remaining chametz is burned. The grain product we eat during Pesach is called matzah which is unleavened bread, made simply from flour and water and cooked very quickly. This is the bread that the Jews made for their flight from Egypt. The day before Pesach is the Fast of the Firstborn, a minor for all firstborn males, commemorating the fact that the firstborn Jewish males in Egypt were not killed during the final plague. It is traditional to study a tractate of Talmud during the night which then allows these men to avoid the fast (one must celebrate when finishing a tractate of Talmud). On the first night of Pesach (first two nights for Jews outside Israel), a seder is held. Pesach lasts for seven days (eight days outside of Israel). The first and last days of the holiday (first two and last two outside of Israel) are days on which no work is permitted. Work is permitted on the intermediate days (Chol Ha-Mo'ed).

Shabbat - 04/19/08 (14 Nisan 5768)

For your local Shabbat Candle-lighting times, please go here. This week's reading is -- Acharey Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:30). Special Note: This week is Shabbat HaGadol -the Shabbat before Pesach. The reading recalls the promise of the return of Prophet Elijah and the ushering in of the end times (Malachi 3:4-24). Torah Aliyot and Topics: Aliyah 1: Leviticus 16:1-17 The death of Aaron’s sons and the Yom Kippur service, The lots, The incense service Aliyah 2: Leviticus 16:18-24 The incense service, The he-goat to Azazel, Removal of the shovel and ladle, Conclusion of the service Aliyah 3: Leviticus 16:25-34 Conclusion of the service, The eternal commandment of Yom Kippur Aliyah 4: Leviticus 17:1-7 Service outside the Tabernacle Aliyah 5: Leviticus 17:8-18:5 Service outside the Tabernacle, Prohibition against eating blood, Covering blood, Forbidden practices and traditions Aliyah 6: Leviticus 18:6-21 Forbidden relationships, Molech Aliyah 7: Leviticus 18:22-30 Sodomy and bestiality, The holiness of the land Maftir: Leviticus 18:28-30 The holiness of the land For more information about this week's Parsha, please visit these sites. Orthodox Union Chabad Aish HaTorah United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism Union for Reform Judaism Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Shabbat - 04/12/08 (7 Nisan 5768)

For your local Shabbat Candle-lighting times, please go here. This week's reading is -- Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33). Torah Aliyot and Topics: Aliyah 1: Leviticus 14:1-12 The first stage of the metzora’s purification, From arrogance to humility, The second stage: Shaving, The final stage of purification: Offerings Aliyah 2: Leviticus 14:13-20 The final stage of purification: Offerings Aliyah 3: Leviticus 14:21-32 The offering of the poor metzora Aliyah 4: Leviticus 14:33-53 Tzaraas on houses, Purification of the house Aliyah 5: Leviticus 14:54-15:15 Purification of the house, Zav and baal keri/male discharges Aliyah 6: Leviticus 15:16-28 Zav and baal keri/male discharges, Niddah and zavah/female discharges Aliyah 7: Leviticus 15:29-30 Niddah and zavah/female discharges Last Reading: Leviticus 15:31-33 Niddah and zavah/female discharges For more information about this week's Parsha, please visit these sites. Orthodox Union Chabad Aish HaTorah United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism Union for Reform Judaism Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Shabbat - 04/05/08 (29 Adar II 5768)

For your local Shabbat Candle-lighting times, please go here. Special Note This week is Shabbat HaChodesh is the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh Nisan or Rosh Chodesh Nisan if it falls on Shabbat. The Maftir reading recalls the establishment of the Jewish calendar (Exodus 12:1-20). This week's reading is -- Tazria (Leviticus 12:1-13:59). Torah Aliyot and Topics: Aliyah 1: Leviticus 12:1-13:5 Human contamination, Childbirth and purification, The basic tzaras and the procedure for verification, Baheres Aliyah 2: Leviticus 13:6-17 Baheres, S’eis Aliyah 3: Leviticus 13:18-23 Inflammations Aliyah 4: Leviticus 13:24-28 Burns Aliyah 5: Leviticus 13:29-39 Tzaraas of the head or face Aliyah 6: Leviticus 13:40-54 Baldness at the front and back of the head, The metzora’s isolation, Afflictions of garments Aliyah 7: Leviticus 13:55-56 Afflictions of garments Last Reading: Leviticus 13:57-59 Afflictions of garments For more information about this week's Parsha, please visit these sites. Orthodox Union Chabad Aish HaTorah United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism Union for Reform Judaism Jewish Reconstructionist Federation