Shabbat Shalom (Parashat Tzav - Shabbat HaGadol)
1. From the Rabbi
Preparing for Pesach – Going Chametz Free
The Talmud (Pesachim 10a) contains a tongue-in-cheek discussion of what a person should do if, in the midst of Pesach, perhaps leaning back in the course of Seder night, one sees a loaf of bread lurking in the rafters. The discussion (sadly uncompleted) hinges on whether the Rabbis would put a person to such trouble since the said loaf is unlikely to fall down. The good news is that no party to the conversation considers the Rabbis immune to the notion that ‘enough is enough.’ The point is this - going chametz free should not be, and was never intended to be a loathsome, exhaustive burden.
It’s supposed to be hard work, a ritual endeavour in every sense, but not something to fear and certainly not something to enslave.
The Rabbis instituted a three-fold model of going chametz free.
First – the obvious bit – remove the chametz.
Then perform a bittul. This is the safety-net, it’s the guaranteed removal of any chametz we might have missed. Twice, once on Tuesday evening and then again on Wednesday morning say the magic words;
“All chametz in my possession, whether I have seen it or not, whether I have removed it or not, shall be nullified and be ownerless as the dust of the earth.”
And it is gone.
The third element is the one which attracts occasional (misplaced) ridicule. Mechirat chametz – a sale of chametz is one of the great gifts of Rabbinic culture. For those of us who collect whiskey, or would feel the financial (or ecological) pinch of having to throw out perfectly good chametzdik food, the Rabbis created a method whereby food can be sold and then repurchased and used again after Pesach. Now the Rabbis knew, as much as we know today, that this mechirah is a loophole, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable. What we rather the bearers of our tradition were blind unswerving automata? This willingness to meet us in our endeavour, treating us as humans with human needs and human strength, is the very essence of Rabbinic Judaism and every time I avail myself of this loophole I’m grateful for the boldness of my Rabbinic predecessors.
If you wish me to arrange a mechira for you please send me an e-mail with your name and full address and the phrase, ‘I authorise RABBI JEREMY GORDON, to act in my place and stead and on my behalf to sell all chametz possessed by me in accordance with both Civil Law and the religious requirements of Jewish Law.’ I need these mails by noon on 7th April.
For more on the technical rules regarding preparing for Pesach please check the New London guide to Passover, on-line at http://www.newlondon.org.uk/files/pes09.pdf
Shabbat shalom
Jeremy Gordon
2. Shabbat HaGadol - There are three explanations as to why the Sabbath before Passover is called Shabbat HaGadol, the Great Shabbat. - Among Ashkenazi Jews it was one of two times during the year that the rabbi would address the congregation. Often, the Shabbat HaGadol address dealt with the issues and intricacies of Passover kashrut, and would be a great and rather long event! . - According to tradition, the 10th of Nisan in the year of the exodus was a Saturday. It was considered a miracle, that the Israelites could on that day select a lamb for sacrifice without being molested by their Egyptian masters, who, at other times, would have stoned them for such daring. - Another possible reason for the name is that the haftarah (Malachi3:4-24), speaks of the "great day" of God on which the Messiah will appear.
3. Seder volunteers - We need a small number of volunteers on Wednesday morning for a couple of hours (there are eggs to peel and asparagus to bake etc) as well as after the Kiddush on the first day to set up the tables. If you can help please contact me (Stephen Cotsen) by clicking on my name below.
4. The Week Ahead
The Kabbalat Shabbat service this evening begins at 6.30 pm. Tomorrow morning Shacharit is at 9.15 am. The Minyan Chadash service will begin at 9.45 am, in the New London Hall. Jonathan Berg will be the guest teacher and the service will be led by Stephen Lerner and Joel Stanley. In the main service, we celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Oscar Silver and the Auf ruf of John Lightman. Mazal tov to both families. The Silver and Lightman families invite you to join them for Kiddush following the service.
Sunday morning, Shacharit will be at 9.30 am in the Bet Midrash. The Midrash Shiur with Rabbi Gordon is at 10.15 am in the Bet Midrash and Hebrew reading with Rabbi Elaina Rothman, is at 10.15 am in the Rabbi's study.
Wednesday is the Fast of the First Born and Shacharit will be at 7.30 am followed by a Siyum. The service also includes Birkat HaChamah (Blessing of the sun) which takes place just once in evry 28 years. You can read more about it in the Synagogue Newsletter.
Wednesday evening Pesach begins. Evening services on Wednesday and Thursday will be at 6.30 pm and Shacharit on Thursday and Friday will be at 9.15 am.
Thursday evening at 7.15 pm is the NLS Communal Seder (second Seder)
We look forward to welcoming you to our Seder, - places are filling fast so please contact the office quickly if you would like to join us. The cost is £38 members £48 non-members and £16 for children and students. Download Booking Form
4. FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Monday 20th April at 8.00 pm - Yom HaShoah Commemoration with Guest Speaker Kitty Hart Moxon
An Auschwitz Survivor, Kitty Hart Moxon will talk about the Uprising in Auschwitz which she witnessed and also show a film documenting her emotional return to Auschwitz in the 1970’s.
Kitty was one of the first to return to Auschwitz from the West and no one has made a comparable film since. A short Memorial Service will follow the presentation. Admission is £5
Tuesday 28th April at 7.45 pm - Yom Ha'atzmaut Service and celebration
Our annual service will be followed by Israeli style Refreshments including falafel...after which you are invited to stay for “Zionisms in the Declaration of Independence” with Angela Gluck. The State of Israel started, it seems, as it meant to go on: by dealing with diversity! In those frantic days towards the end of the British Mandate, Jewish leadership in the yishuv felt the need to make a statement about what the State of Israel would be like and what it would be for - a statement for Jews in the yishuv, for Jews in the diaspora, for Israel's Arab neighbours and for the whole world... But what should they say? They were united on the existence of the state but divided on the nature of the state. And the clock was ticking… In this partly interactive session, we'll explore the interacting Zionisms at the time of the establishment of the State of Israel and identify ways that their ideologies found expression in the Declaration of Independence. Come prepared to shout!
5. BEYOND NLS
Walking On Sunshine - Wednesday 8th April
Venue: LSJS, Schaller House, 44a Albert Road, London, NW4 2SJ
By reservation only: marcus@bibliyoga.com
Cost: Pay-what-you-can (recommended donation of £10). All proceeds will go to The Separated Child Foundation.
Walking On Sunshine will be an ultimate yoga experience. Birkat HaChamah, the Blessing of the Sun, is a Jewish event that occurs once every 28 years. Tradition teaches that the sun returns to the same place it was on the day of creation…and we’re going to celebrate it. We’ll learn about this enigmatic festival, bless the sun and move through 28 powerful sun salutations! This vinyasa yoga class will be dynamic and energising, leaving you feeling uplifted. Suitable for people who’ve done yoga before (or brave beginners with great stamina), please wear appropriate clothing and get ready to greet the sun.
Tuesday 21 April, 8 pm - 10.15 pm at NLS - Masorti Uncovered - Join Rabbi Jeremy Gordon & Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg for a discussion on God, Faith & Revelation. When, where and how do we meet God? Is there a unique Masorti approach to questions of faith?
...and finally, Mazal tov to Sol Rogol who celebrated his 90th Birthday this week.
Shabbat shalom
Stephen Cotsen |
