Holidays

Chag Hodu Sameach—Happy Thanksgiving

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This year the first night of Hanukkah will coincide with the American holiday of Thanksgiving. American Rabbi Benjamin Blech of Aish Torah quips, “It will never again happen in our lifetimes—unless you are somehow still alive 70,000 years from now. The latkes will share their prominent place at the festive meal with the turkey. Small wonder that some have already humorously decided that this year we ought to call the day by a new name—Thanksgivukkah.” It is an interesting coincidence and American rabbis are having a field day drawing many reflective interpretations around this unique calendar event. This year we can enjoy a both a little humor and a little spiritual insight of our Chanukah celebrations.  …

Chag Hodu Sameach—Happy ThanksgivingRead More »

Chag Hodu Sameach—Happy Thanksgiving Read More »

Shavuot: The Feast of Weeks

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Shavuot, the final festival in the  spring cycle that began with Passover, is the holiday that celebrates the first harvest, the ripening of the first fruits, and most importantly, the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people on Mt. Sinai. In the Bible, Shavuot is called by various other names: Feast of Weeks, Pentecost and Feast of the Giving of the Law. This year, the festival begins on the evening of May 14th, 5773. It is one of the Lord’s Moedim or appointed times. …

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Shavuot: The Feast of Weeks Read More »

Chag HaMatzot, Chag HaBikkurim, & Shemirat HaOmer

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The Festival of Unleavened Bread - Chag ha’Matzot

matzaMatzah is a central symbol of Passover. The first matzah is eaten at the Seder and is the staple ‘bread’ during the next seven days, when no leavened products are eaten, in accord with Exodus 13:3-8, “Remember this day, in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage, for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place; no leavened bread shall be eaten. This day you are to go forth, in the month of Aviv. And when the Lord brings you into the land …which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall keep this service in this month. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord. Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days; …and no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory.” …

Chag HaMatzot, Chag HaBikkurim, & Shemirat HaOmerRead More »

Chag HaMatzot, Chag HaBikkurim, & Shemirat HaOmer Read More »

Time of our Freedom – Zman Cheruteinu

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HaggadahEngPassover is, as it were, the “firstborn” of the biblical festivals. God set it in place when He proclaimed at the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt: “You shall therefore keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year” (Exodus 13:10). As a first, Passover also sets a precedent for the purpose of the mo’edim, the set times of the Festival Cycle. Arnold Eisen describes this basic purpose well in saying that they are a remembrance that we are between redemptions.  “We are commanded to recall the past, in order to remember the present – to see it clearly, to know it fully, in all its possibilities – in the light of our future full redemption.” These appointments with God offer unique opportunities that enable us to look back on God’s mighty deeds, to live in His light in the present, and to look forward in faith.  Together with remembrance, rebirth and hope are also key elements of Passover. It is always celebrated in the spring when fresh new life is bursting forth after the gray confines of the winter.  Passover offers the possibility and hope of renewal, of growth and positive change. …

Time of our Freedom – Zman CheruteinuRead More »

Time of our Freedom – Zman Cheruteinu Read More »

The Festival of Purim …Eat and Rejoice!

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This month we celebrate the festival of Purim, a traditional festival that comes to us from the biblical account of the story of Esther - the Queen who saved her people from the hand of a murderous enemy. You may have heard the old, humorous 'quip' about Jewish festivals as regards their history, "They tried to kill us. We won. Let's eat!" It is humorous but with a dark edge. Time after time, and again in the story of Esther, God miraculously delivers His people from the hands of almost certain death. The Hebrew word 'Purim' means 'lots'. According to the story, Haman cast lots to determine the day upon which to exterminate the Jews. …

The Festival of Purim …Eat and Rejoice!Read More »

The Festival of Purim …Eat and Rejoice! Read More »

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