s xc P E S A H CONGREGATION EDMOND

Transcription

1 s xc P E S A H CONGREGATION EDMOND J. SAFRA

2 We read in the Haggada every year how the A-mighty took us out of Egypt not through an angel, and not through a Seraph and not through a messenger but He, Himself. And yet, we cannot ignore that the most important human protagonist of Pesah is clearly Moshe Rabbenu, however his name does not appear in the Haggada. That is because the miracles and the exodus from Egypt are credited to the command and magnitude of Hashem, and not to the leadership of Moshe, a mere mortal. It is clear that the leadership of Moshe was not only necessary but central and therefore we need to still revere and respect Moshe for the leader that he was, and for the accomplishments that he was recognized for. Leaders don t grow in a vacuum, to understand Moshe, is to know the family from which he descended. His parents, Amram and Yokhebed are the grandson and daughter of Levi, respectively, the outspoken son of Yaakob. Levi along with his brother Shimeon defended the honor of their sister Dina who was kidnapped by Shekhem. This strength of character is transmitted into future generations of the Levite dynasty, and ultimately, the Kohanim, the priestly sect of Bene Yisrael emerged from this tribe. Amram and Yokhebed defied Pharaoh Decree by giving birth to Moshe himself, this is certainly a form of resistance, and upon the birth of the baby boy they chose to actively save his life. This strength of character of the Levite family is quickly seen in the daughter of Amram and Yokhebed, Miriam; she not only saves her brother Moshe, but manages to confidently request for her mother Yokhebed to become Moshe s nursemaid in the Pharaoh s palace of. Later, upon Hashem s selection of Moshe to represent Bene Yisrael to Pharaoh, Moshe immediately requests a well spoken orator to represent his directives. Aharon, his older brother is soon called upon for this task. Throughout the chronicles of Moshe s life and his legacy of leadership we encounter not only Moshe s greatness and strength of character but that of his entire family. Miriam continues to be a leader and is credited with leading the women in song after the parting of the Red Sea. Aharon, is selected to become the Kohen Gadol, and is responsible for facilitating the workings of the Holy Tabernacle. Certainly, there is much human input, intervention and glory that we can be proud of. Nonetheless, it is remains a human achievement and it is filled with flaws and foibles, and differs from the perfection of Divine accomplishment. In the redemption of the Israelites from Egypt, G-d wanted it to emanate from the perfection of a Divine involvement. And therefore, the A-mighty Himself took us out of Egypt, not through an angel, and not through a Seraph and not through a messenger.. So despite the merit of Moshe Rabbenu and his impressive family, the holiday of Pesah is dedicated to the supreme greatness of Hashem who delivered us from the clutches of slavery in Egypt so that we could become a great nation. Hashem continues throughout eternity to wield miracles, sometimes as great as the ones in Egypt, however this time it is through the intervention of human beings. Our Sages stated that in the coming redemption G-d will show us once again the same type of miracles as He did during our Exodus from Egypt. Let us hope and pray that we will merit seeing it in our own eyes and our lifetime, Amen. Hag Sameah, and Tizku L Shanim Rabbot Elie Abadie Rabbi Elie Abadie, M.D. 2 P A S S O V E R S E R V I C E S / C O N G R E G A T I O N E D M O N D J. S A F R A

3 Passover Schedule of Services Tuesday, April 7 - Bedikat Hamess Search of Hamess 7:45 pm and on Wednesday, April 8 - Ereb Pesah - Fast of the First Born Siyum - Conclusion of a Talmud Tractate 7:45 am Refrain from eating Hamess 10:06 am Burn Hamess no later than 11:19 am Erub Tabshilin 6:00 pm Candle lighting 7:07 pm 7:00 pm Thursday, April 9 - First Day of Pesah (BEGIN MORID HATAL IN MUSAF) (BEGIN COUNTING OMER AFTER ARBIT) 7:00 pm Candle lighting 8:04 pm Friday, April 10 - Second Day of Pesah Candle lighting 7:11 pm 7:00 pm Candle lighting and Kiddush blessings are recite like any other Shabbat. Saturday - April 11 - Shabbat Hol Hamoed Pesah 6:45 am Seuda Shelishit (Begin Barekhenu) 7:50 am Habdalah - End of Shabbat 8:05 am Sunday - April 12 - Fourth Day of Pesah (No Tefillin) Pele Yo ess Class 9:30 am & 6:45pm Monday - April 13 - Fifth Day of Pesah (No Tefillin) Pele Yo ess Class & 6:45pm Tuesday - April 14 - Ereb Shebi i Shel Pesah (No Tefillin) Candle Lighting 7:14 pm 7:00 pm Wednesday, April 15 - Seventh Day of Pesah Shebii Shel Pesah Tiqun Shebi i Shel Pesah 7:00 am 7:20 pm Candle Lighting 8:10 pm Thursday April 16 - Eighth Day of Pesah Shemini Shel Pesah 7:20 pm 8:00 pm Habdalah - End of Festival 8:11 pm Earliest time to eat hamess to allow buying back the hamess 9:00 pm 4 P A S S O V E R S E R V I C E S / C O N G R E G A T I O N E D M O N D J. S A F R A

4 Selected Laws and Customs of Passover 1. Bedikat Hamess The Search For Leaven On Tuesday night, April 7, Bedikat Hamess begins after 7:45 pm. Search the home for bread or any hamess by the light of a single candle. All rooms must be thoroughly cleaned before search is conducted. Distribute 10 particles of bread and place them in various rooms that are to be searched. During the search collect these 10 particles and place them on a plate together with other hamess product planned to be burned the next morning. Consult the Mahzor or Haggada for further instructions as needed. If you are going away for the holidays, you must remove all hamess and make Bedikat Hamess the night before you depart. No blessing is recited if the search is performed before April 7. Recite the following blessing prior to the search: BARUKH ATA A DO NAY ELO HENU MELEKH HA OLAM ASHER KIDESHANU BE MISSVOTAV VESSIVANU AL BE UR HAMESS BLESSED ARE YOU, G-D KING OF THE UNIVERSE, WHO HAS SANCTI- FIED US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS AND HAS COMMANDED US ABOUT BURNING THE HAMESS The search should be conducted by the light of a wax candle containing a single wick. If this is not available, a flashlight may be substituted. For areas that a candle is not practical or maybe dangerous, a flashlight is preferred. Immediately after the search, one recites the following: KAL HAMIRAH DE-EEKAH BIRSHOOTI D LA HAZEETEH UDELAH BEEARTEH L BATEL VE LEHEVEH KE-AFRA DE-ARAH. ALL LEAVENED FOODSTUFF, IN MY POSSESSION* WHICH I HAVE NOT SEEN NOR REMOVED, SHALL BE ANNULLED AND CONSIDERED VOID LIKE THE DUST OF THE EARTH. 2. Ta anit Bekhorot - Fast of the Firstborn On Wednesday, April 8 every male first born must fast or waive his fast obligation by attending a service of Siyum conclusion of Talmud tractate, and participate in a festive meal. 3. Siyum - Tractate Conclusion Upon conclusion of a Tractate, cake and wine are served rendering the occasion a festive meal. The Siyum will be held after services. Every first-born male should attend services and participate in the Siyum. 4. Last Hamess Meal Refrain from eating hamess after 10:06 am on Wednesday morning April Mekhirat Hamess The Sale of Leaven. Hamess may not remain in the possession of a Jew during Passover. Hamess, therefore, must be either discarded or sold to a Gentile. However, hamess sold to a Gentile may remain in the property of a Jew within a locked closet, freezer or a refrigerator inaccessible to the Jew during the holiday. Since selling the hamess requires special knowledge of the laws, one may do so by contacting Rabbi Abadie until 11:00 am Wednesday morning, April 8 at Enclosed is an authorization form to be filled out and mailed to Rabbi Abadie so that it is received no later than April 8. Otherwise please contact Rabbi Abadie in person or by phone. 6. Bi ur Hamess The Burning of Leaven. Hamess must be burned or discarded no later than 11:19 am on Wednesday, April 8. After burning the hamess, one recites the following: KAL HAMIRA DE EEKA BIR SHOOTI DAHAZITEH U DELA HAZITEH, DE BEEARTEH UDLA-BEEARTEH LEEBATEL VELEHEVEH KE-AFRA DE ARAH. ALL LEAVENED FOODSTUFF IN MY POSSESSION WHETHER I HAVE SEEN AND NOT SEEN WHETHER I HAVE BURNED OR NOT SHALL BE ANNULLED AND CONSIDERED VOID, LIKE THE DUST OF THE EARTH. 7. What is Considered Hamess Hamess includes such articles as bread, cake, cookies, cereals, whisky, beer, candies, preserves, desserts, leavening, etc. or any food or drink made from or containing wheat, barley, oats, rye or spelt or their derivatives. 8. Erub Tabshilin Our sages instituted Erub Tabshilin as a means to enable us to prepare food on the Holiday for Shabbat. This year the holidays are followed immediately by Shabbat and Erub Tabshilin is applicable. On Wednesday afternoon, set aside a piece of bread and cooked food intended for Shabbat (i.e. a hardboiled egg). Raise it and recite the following: (see blessing on next page) 6 P A S S O V E R S E R V I C E S / C O N G R E G A T I O N E D M O N D J. S A F R A

5 BARUKH ATA ADO-NAY ELO-HENU MELEKH HA OLAM ASHER KIDESHANU BEMISVOTAV VESSIVANU AL MISVAT ERUB. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF ERUB, IT SHALL BE PERMISSIBLE FOR US TO BAKE, COOK, PREPARE AND DO ALL NECESSARY THINGS FOR SHABBAT DURING YOM TOB (THE HOLIDAY). Be sure to eat the bread and food by Seuda Shelishit on Shabbat. 9. General Regulations The gas range should be scoured thoroughly, and then heated to the glowing point by early Friday morning. Any dishes, silverware, excluding glassware, used all year are not to be used on Passover. Whenever possible, a complete set of special Pesah dishes, pots and silverware should be used. Any utensils used during the year in preparation and serving of food must be thoroughly cleansed and purged. For the proper procedure to be employed in the purging of utensils, contact the Rabbi. 10. Kiddush On both nights of the Seders, Kiddush should be recited after nightfall, which is approximately 20 minutes after sunset. 11. Counting of the Omer Starting on the second night of Pesah Thursday, April 9, the Omer should be counted until Shabuot. The counting should take place after nightfall, which is 20 minutes after sunset. Sale of Hamess The power of selling any and all articles of hamess left during the Passover Holiday must be delegated to the Rabbi who, in turn, will sell it to a non-jew for you. This sale can definitely not be transacted by the ordinary layman as the procedure is complicated and must, therefore, be arranged only by a Rabbi. The Rabbi should be contacted a few days in advance. Any hamess retained for use after Pesah can not be eaten unless it was sold through a Rabbi. An authorization for it is printed below. It should be detached and mailed immediately upon receipt of the Bulletin to: Edmond J. Safra Synagogue Rabbi Elie Abadie 11 East 63rd Street New York, NY For those who are unable to contact the Rabbi personally for the sale of hamess, the following form on the next page may be used and mailed to him. 12. Morid Hattal - Prayer for the Dew It is customary that on the first day of Passover in the prayer of Musaf we begin reciting Morid Hattal. 13. Barekhenu - Prayer for Sustenance We begin reciting this prayer on Saturday night April 11 in the Amida of. 14. Tiqun Lel Shebi i Shel Pesah It is customary that on the eve of the 7th day of Passover, special prayers are recited throughout the night to commemorate the splitting of the Red Sea and the crossing of the sea by the Israelites on dry land. We will recite those prayers prior to on Wednesday April 15 at 7:00am. 8 P A S S O V E R S E R V I C E S / C O N G R E G A T I O N E D M O N D J. S A F R A

6 Please find and mail attached card for sale of hamess Congregation Edmond J. Safra 11 East 63 rd Street New York, N.Y Tel: Fax: P A S S O V E R S E R V I C E S / C O N G R E G A T I O N E D M O N D J. S A F R A

7 vc ohehzjnk thv ohhj.g CONGREGATION EDMOND J SAFRA 11 EAST 63RD STREET NEW YORK, NY 10065