Parashat Bo
3 Shevat 5774 / 3-4 January 2014
Parashat Bo
Torah: Exodus 10:1 – 13:16
Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28
Dedications and this week’s calendar are below. For more information about our community, visit: http://bethmeier.org/
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Unleavened Mitzvot
"And you shall observe the matzot; for on this very day I brought out your hosts from the land of Egypt; and you shall observe this day for your generations - it is an ordinance forever." Ex. 12:17
"Rabbi Josiah says: Do not read thus (as 'matzot'), rather as, 'And you shall observe the mitzvot.' Just as one should not leaven (chametz) matzah, one may not leaven a mitzvah. Rather, if a mitzvah comes to your hand, perform it immediately." Mechilta, Tractate Pischa, Ch. 9
The Hebrew words "matzot" and "mitzvot" may appear identical when written without vowel marks, as in a Torah scroll. Rabbi Josiah, noting this, goes on to say that just as matzah is observed to assure that it does not rise (from leavening), so must mitzvot be carried out lest they too start to rise. What does it matter if a mitzvah becomes leavened (chametzdik)? For that matter, how can a mitzvah become chametzdik?
Matzah must be baked within 18 minutes of the formation of the dough, or else it may become leavened by airborne organisms, such as yeast. This contamination renders the dough unfit to be baked into matzah for Passover. A mitzvah also can become contaminated by delay - it becomes chametz.
Think of a mitzvah, or any other worthy act, you intended to perform and put off, for whatever reason. The longer you waited, the more you felt guilty about it, the more burdensome it became, until it was no longer desirable to perform. We are all familiar with this type of procrastination. It turns something sweet into something sour. And in fact, 'chametz' is also the word for 'vinegar'.
If you are considering performing any mitzvah, whether it is reciting prayers or kashering your kitchen or giving tzedakah or calling your mother, don't delay. The sooner you do a mitzvah, the sweeter it will be.
Have a wonderful Shabbat full of unleavened mitzvot!
"And you shall observe the matzot; for on this very day I brought out your hosts from the land of Egypt; and you shall observe this day for your generations - it is an ordinance forever." Ex. 12:17
"Rabbi Josiah says: Do not read thus (as 'matzot'), rather as, 'And you shall observe the mitzvot.' Just as one should not leaven (chametz) matzah, one may not leaven a mitzvah. Rather, if a mitzvah comes to your hand, perform it immediately." Mechilta, Tractate Pischa, Ch. 9
The Hebrew words "matzot" and "mitzvot" may appear identical when written without vowel marks, as in a Torah scroll. Rabbi Josiah, noting this, goes on to say that just as matzah is observed to assure that it does not rise (from leavening), so must mitzvot be carried out lest they too start to rise. What does it matter if a mitzvah becomes leavened (chametzdik)? For that matter, how can a mitzvah become chametzdik?
Matzah must be baked within 18 minutes of the formation of the dough, or else it may become leavened by airborne organisms, such as yeast. This contamination renders the dough unfit to be baked into matzah for Passover. A mitzvah also can become contaminated by delay - it becomes chametz.
Think of a mitzvah, or any other worthy act, you intended to perform and put off, for whatever reason. The longer you waited, the more you felt guilty about it, the more burdensome it became, until it was no longer desirable to perform. We are all familiar with this type of procrastination. It turns something sweet into something sour. And in fact, 'chametz' is also the word for 'vinegar'.
If you are considering performing any mitzvah, whether it is reciting prayers or kashering your kitchen or giving tzedakah or calling your mother, don't delay. The sooner you do a mitzvah, the sweeter it will be.
Have a wonderful Shabbat full of unleavened mitzvot!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Congregation Beth Meier
Studio City, CA
http://www.bethmeier.org
Visit me on Facebook
Congregation Beth Meier
Studio City, CA
http://www.bethmeier.org
Visit me on Facebook
"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still." Isaiah 62:1
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Candle lighting: 4:38 pm
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Come on down for a joyful way to bring in Shabbat! Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch sponsored by Irwin Silon in honor of Ronnie Silon’s birthday follows.
Sunday: Religious School – 9:30 am; Adult Hebrew Class – 10:00 am.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn - noon.
Wednesday: (Re)Introduction to Judaism class – 7:30 pm.
Sunday, 12 January: Tu B'Shevat Seder at 10:00 am for the Religious School and entire congregation. Join us for snacks and songs of Eretz Yisrael (no cost but RSVP required)
This d'var torah is offered in memory of Ira Reiff, father of Ethan Reiff. The funeral took place in New York – conducted by Rabbi Benson. The congregation extends its condolences to Ethan, Xinhua, Skylar, Izzy and Sarah.
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Blimah Reizel bat Ruchel, Dina bat Sarah Emanu, Dov Nechemya Hakohen ben Rachel Chaya Sarah, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Eve Beatty, John Todd Brosky, Jo Cardona, Howard Ehrlich, Joshua Erenmark, Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan, Steven Kleiger, Lizzie Legnine, Gloria Loera, Frank Marcovitz, Marshall Neiman, Colleen Pierce (Chaya Shoshanah bat Sarah Emanu) and Phil Raider.
Please let me know if there is anyone you would like to add to this list or if there is anyone who may be removed from this list.
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