The “Great Sabbath”

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 3, 2022 | Bo, Nisan, Passover, Redemption, Shabbat

The Shabbat that precedes Pesach (Passover) is called ‘Shabbat HaGadol’ (the big/great Sabbath). There are several reasons for this. According to Jewish tradition, the first Shabbat HaGadol was the last Shabbat (Find out more about the laws of Shabbat) that the Jews...

The Hidden Haftorah: Elisha’s miracle of the loaves and healing leprosy

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 30, 2022 | Israel, Kings, Metzorah, Miracles, Nisan, Passover, Tazriah, Temple

Every week a portion from the Torah is read aloud in the synagogue, as well as a corresponding portion from the Prophets that is thematically connected to the Torah portion called the haftarah.  The portion of the Torah called Tazria (Leviticus 12-13) is accompanied...

The Fast of Esther

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 16, 2022 | Adar, Nisan, Passover, Prayer, Purim

Jews around the world fast from sunrise to sunset on the 13th of Adar. This fast day, called the Fast of Esther, is held just before the holiday of Purim. It is considered a minor fast and is more lenient in its observance, particularly when it comes to pregnant...

The Month of Adar: Turning Darkness into Light

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 2, 2022 | Adar, Antisemitism, Happiness and Joy, Nisan, Purim, Redemption

The Bible does not name the Hebrew months, but declares that the month containing the holiday of Passover, the month we refer to as Nisan, is the first month. The month preceding Nisan is Adar, and therefore, according to the Biblical manner of counting months, it is...

The Blessing of the New Month

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 24, 2022 | Community, Isaiah, Prayer, Shabbat, Temple, Tishrei

The Shabbat which precedes Rosh Chodesh (new month), the beginning of a Hebrew month, is referred to as Shabbat Mevorchim, or the Shabbat when we bless. On this Shabbat a special prayer is recited after the Torah is read but before the Torah scroll is returned to the...

Why We Read About the Silver Half-Shekel Before the Month of Adar

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 23, 2022 | Adar, Covenant, Ki Tisa, Purim, Temple

Shabbat Shekalim is the last Shabbat preceding the beginning of the Hebrew month of Adar*, or the 1st of Adar itself if the month begins on Shabbat. In synagogues, the Torah portion describing the bringing of the silver half-shekel is read (Exodus 30:11-16) in...