From The Rabbi’s Study…April 9, 2021/27 Nisan 5781/Omer 12
Torah:Torah:Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)Haftarah: (II Samuel 6:1-7:17) (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)Haftarah: (II Samuel 6:1-7:17)
The Counting of the Omer is day 12. *We count the days from the Second Seder to Shavuot.
The Torah portion is about Moses instructing Aaron and his sons Nadav and Avihu concerning offerings for atonement of sins. Nadav and Avihu bring unauthorized fire offerings of their own, and G-d punishes them with death. G-d tells Moses and Aaron which foods are permitted and forbidden to be eaten.
The Torah parsha of the punishment of Nadav and Avihu appears to be severe, however they were told all requirements of offerings to G-d that are permitted. They were overstepping their father, Aaron the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). Aaron’s sons showed disrespect not only to their father but to G-d.
The key concepts and values found in this Sabbath’s Torah parshiot are the attainment of holiness. The rules of conduct of the priests were designed to keep foremost in their minds the task of distinguishing between good and evil. In addition, one of the purposes of the Jewish dietary laws is to help the individual strive after holiness.
G-d says, “Sanctify yourselves, and be holy” (Leviticus 11:14). The people of Israel should be made aware of their dedication to G-d as a priestly and a holy people by maintaining Kashrut. The laws regulate what a Jew may and may not eat, and are a means of preserving Jewish identity and Jewish loyalty.
This Passover many Jews around the world had challenges to maintain Kosher L’Pesach because of the Covid-19 and hardships of obtaining special food items. Does this mean G-d will not love the Jewish people? No, G-d is able to look into each person’s neshamah(soul), and He sees their intent of purpose to strive to be as good a person they can be. Since eating is a continuing activity, observing the laws of kashrut becomes a constant reminder of the values, traditions, and special obligations of Jewish living. Once again families of our congregation had attended A ZOOM Seder! Modern technology. Our Congregation has been very active during the covid 19 and people continue to do things within the guidelines of the health department and government orders to keep us safe and healthy.
The virus seems to be declining in certain cities, regions,and states. As we continue to pray for everyone’s health, spirit and for those that died, that this disease will end quickly and normal life with less restrictions will come.
Thursday, April 8th will be Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. We light usually yellow memorial candle to remember our families that perished during this horrific era when Humanity Remained SILENT! NEVER BE SILENT! AND NEVER FORGET!
On this day we say prayers in loving memory for all the innocent 6 million Jewish men, women and children that were slaughtered by the Nazis in Concentration Camps.
ALL JEWS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE ANOTHER!
AM YISRAEL CHAI! Long Live Israel!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
*Thank you for your thoughtful emails, notes and phone calls about the Zoom Seder Service. Everyone truly made the Passover Festival meaningful and touched my Neshamah, and family members neshamot/hearts, too. This is Jewish community and L’Dor V’Dor/ Generation to Generation as we all strive to keep Jewish traditions and Judaism ALIVE!
