THE REWARDS OF SACRIFICE

Parashat Tzav (Shabbat HaGadol)
Annual: Leviticus 6:1-8:36
Haftarah: Malachi 3:4-24, 23
Nisan 10, 5783 / March 31 – April 1, 2023
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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah bat Feigel.
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Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live.

NOTE: NO MEETING ON APRIL 4 - CLEANING FOR PESACH.

We're continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya'akov. 
On April 11, we'll be at BT Shabbat 56a, page 149 of Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) Volume 1 -  "...גופא רב אמר" - "This is the substance of that which is mentioned above: Rab said...” 
Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 
----------------------------------------------------------------
My annual Pesach Resources page is now available! Check out:
https://rav-rich.blogspot.com/2023/03/pesach-resources-5783.html  
The page will be updated as needed before Pesach.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at: 
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 
 
Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at: 
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com 
 
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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THE REWARDS OF SACRIFICE

"Command Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law of the burnt offering ...'" Leviticus 6:1

The Midrash, Vayikra (Leviticus) Rabbah, quotes Psalms 51:19  - "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Either Zabdi ben Levi or Rabbi Yose ben Petros (it's not clear in the text) says that from this verse we learn that if a person does teshuvah (turns their life around through repentance), it is considered as if s/he had gone up to Jerusalem and built the Temple and altar, and there offered all of the sacrifices ordained by the Torah(!).

Moses Consecrates Aaron and His Sons and Offers Their Sin Offering (illustration from the 1728 Figures de la Bible)

The Maharal, Rabbi Yehudah Loewe of Prague, adds that every person is like the Temple. If a person is holy, the Temple is holy, and if one sins, s/he pollutes the Temple. Thus, a sinner who repents is considered to have rebuilt the Temple(!)

In Talmud Sanhedrin 99a, Rabbi Abuhu says, "At the place where ba'alei teshuvah (literally, masters of repentance) stand, perfect tzaddikim (righteous persons who have never sinned) cannot stand. For we learn in Isaiah 57:19, 'Peace, peace to the one that is far off, and to the one that is near.'" The Talmud explains that one who was far from God and has returned, takes precedence over one who was always close. Perhaps this verse also teaches that the pursuit of peace itself might serve as a rebuilding of the Temple, and provides for those who seek peace a place closer to God.

From all of these teachings cited above, it should be perfectly obvious that there is great reward in teshuvah, in turning to God and to a life of goodness and holiness. It is not easy - that's why it is compared to the sacrifices! Similarly, the pursuit of peace is often viewed as a sacrifice. It also is not easy. But it is worth the effort! For we learn, “May we be disciples of Aaron the Kohen, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving our fellow creatures and drawing them near to the Torah.”
 
Shabbat Shalom! Chag Pesach Sameach U'mashma'uti!
 

Rabbi Richard A. Flom, Rabbi Emeritus

TBH/CBM

הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1 

------------------------------------------------------
Cyber Torah list management (no salesman will call!): 
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, and receive Cyber Torah every week in your mailbox, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to: 
ravflom@sbcglobal.net 
Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

SACRIFICING ONE’S APPETITES

Parashat Vayikra

Nisan 3, 5783 / March 24-25, 2023
Torah reading: Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26

Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21 – 44:23
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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah bat Feigel.

-------------------------------------------
Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. We're continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya'akov. 
On March 28, we'll be at BT Shabbat 56a, page 149 of Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) Volume 1 -  "...גופא רב אמר" - "This is the substance of that which is mentioned above: Rab said...” NOTE: NO LUNCH AND LEARN ON APRIL 4 - CLEANING FOR PESACH
Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 
----------------------------------------------------------------
My annual Pesach Resources page is now available! Check out:

https://rav-rich.blogspot.com/2023/03/pesach-resources-5783.html  

The page will be updated as needed before Pesach.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at: 

https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 

Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at: 

https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com 

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.

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SACRIFICING ONE’S APPETITES

"And he shall slaughter it before the Lord; on the north side of the altar ..." Leviticus 1:11

Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl (1730-1787) teaches: ‘This verse is a metaphor. What one is really slaughtering is one's yetzer hara - the evil inclination. The word translated here as "side" also means “thigh" - this alludes to lust. "Altar" refers to gluttony, because "a person's table is like an altar" (BT Chagigah 27a). "North" refers to avarice, the insatiable desire to accumulate wealth, for we learn "one who desires wealth should turn north" (BT Bava Batra 25b).’ Menachem Nachum adds that we often hold most dear those character traits which are the most destructive - they are part and parcel of our very selves, as modern psychiatry would say some 125 years later. 

Dura Europos synagogue wall painting of the Consecration of the Tabernacle including Aaron and male attendants. 3rd c

We usually understand "sacrifice" as the giving up of something of considerable worth, particularly within the context of ritual worship. The Hebrew word for sacrifice, korban, is from the root word k-r-b, meaning “to come close”. By offering up a valuable item, we show our dedication and our desire to draw near to God. Our tradition, however, teaches that the sacrifices have been replaced by tzedakah and gemilut chasadim - charity and deeds of loving kindness.

Rabbi Elazar said: ‘Doing deeds of charity is greater than all of the sacrificial offerings.’ BT Sukkah 49b

Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai taught: ‘How does one make atonement in the absence of sacrifice? We have another way of gaining atonement which is equal to it. What is it? Deeds of loving-kindness, as it is written: “For it is loving-kindness I desire, and not sacrifice.”’ Avot D’Rabbi Natan 11a, quoting Hosea 6:6.

Don't be retentive! Lust - gluttony - greed; slaughter those bad habits and appetites, and replace them with your inner power to do good and improve the world!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom, Rabbi Emeritus

TBH/CBM

הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1 

------------------------------------------------------

Cyber Torah list management (no salesman will call!): 

To subscribe to Cyber Torah, and receive Cyber Torah every week in your mailbox, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to: 

ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

SERVICE OF THE HEART

Adar 25, 5783 / March 17-18, 2023

Parashat Vayak’hel/Pekudei - Shabbat HaChodesh

Torah: Exodus 35:1 – 40:38

Maftir (HaChodesh): Exodus 12:1-20

Haftarah (HaChodesh): Ezekiel 45:16 – 46:18

This d’var torah is offered in memory of my father-in-law, Abraham Kronzek, whose yahrzeit falls on Thursday, Nisan 1. Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah – his memory is a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah bat Feigel.

-------------------------------------------
Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. We're continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya'akov. 
On March 21, we'll be at BT Shabbat 56a, page 147 of Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) Volume 1 -  "...אמר רבי שמואל בר נחמני" - "Further said R. Samuel b. Nachmeini...” 
Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 
----------------------------------------------------------------
My annual Pesach Resources page is now available! Check out:

https://rav-rich.blogspot.com/2023/03/pesach-resources-5783.html  

The page will be updated as needed before Pesach.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at: 

https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 

Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at: 

https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com 

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.

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SERVICE OF THE HEART

"Take from among you gifts to the Lord; everyone whose heart so moves him shall bring them ... Every man and woman whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded to be done, through Moses; the Israelites brought free will offerings to the Lord." Exodus 35:5; 35:29

The Goldsmith (Bezalel), ca. 1896–1902 by James Tissot

The free-will gifts mentioned here relate to the construction of the tabernacle and the ritual objects and vestments utilized by the Israelite priests. With no more Temple in Jerusalem, we have found different ways to make holy gifts, in the form of tzedakah (charity) and gemilut chasadim (deeds of lovingkindness). For Purim, we have Mishlo’ach Manot (sending gifts of food) and Matanot L’evyonim (gifts of food or money to the poor). For Pesach we have Ma’ot Chittin (tzedakah specifically so the poor can observe the festival). Although these are mitzvot, acts which are commanded, we must admit that we give more and we do more when our hearts are moved to do so.

We have been told by our Rabbis that the Temple was destroyed because of sin'at chinam, senseless hatred, and that we will be redeemed through ahavat chinam, senseless love of our fellow human beings.

Observance of the mitzvot may be seen as a form of worship – just as our prayer services are. Perhaps our path to redemption, for ourselves, for our communities, and for our world, is for our hearts to be constantly moved with love of these mitzvot and of those who benefit from them, so that we continually engage in Avodat HaLev - the service of the heart

Our society too often appears to be engaged in a struggle between love and hate, between caring for each other and treating people like they were disposable. Yes, Pesach is coming in three weeks – but members of our community are in need NOW!

God promises us through Ezekiel (36:26 – the haftarah we read last week for Shabbat Parah), "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit into you; I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh."

Don’t wait for God’s heart transplant! Don't wait until your heart moves you! Move your heart!

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom, Rabbi Emeritus

TBH/CBM

הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1 

-----------------------------------------------

Cyber Torah list management (no salesman will call!): 

To subscribe to Cyber Torah, and receive Cyber Torah every week in your mailbox, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to: 

ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

WE MIGHT NOT BE PERFECT...

Parashat Ki Tisa (Shabbat Parah)

Adar 18, 5783 / March 10-11,2023
Torah: Exodus 30:11 - 34:35

Maftir (Parah): Numbers 19:1-22
Haftarah (Parah): Ezekiel 36:16-38

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This d'var torah is offered in honor of my mother, Annabelle Flom, celebrating her 92nd (!) birthday on Thursday. Happy Birthday, Mom! Ad me'ah v'esrim!

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah bat Feigel.
-------------------------------------------
Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. We're continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya'akov. 
On March 14, we'll be at BT Shabbat 55b, page 145 of Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) Volume 1 -  "...מיתיבי ד' מתו בעטיו של נחש" - "It is taught in a Baraitha - Four died in consequence of the instigation of the serpent...” 
Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  

-----------------------------------------------

My annual Pesach Resources page is now available! Check out:

https://rav-rich.blogspot.com/2023/03/pesach-resources-5783.html  

The page will be updated as needed before Pesach.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at: 
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 

Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at: 
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com 
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 
----------------------------------------------------------------

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WE MIGHT NOT BE PERFECT...

‘The LORD spoke to Moses, "Go, get down; for your people have corrupted themselves, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt!”’ Exodus 32:7

In his midrashic commentary in Humash Etz Hayim on this verse, Rabbi Harold Kushner, z’l says that the words “your people” not only minimize God’s relationship to them, they emphasize Moses’ close relationship to them. He then cites the Mekhilta d’Rebbi Yishmael (Shirata 1) as teaching the following: “Moses devoted his life to three things – the Torah, the people Israel, and the pursuit of justice.”

This brings to mind the teaching of Shimon HaTzaddik: "The world stands on three things: On the Torah, on service to (or worship of) God, and on deeds of lovingkindness." (Pirkei Avot 1:2) This Mishnah from Avot is so well known that it’s become a song that most Jews learn and sing in religious school and the synagogue. But the teaching from the Mekhilta? Not so much.

I’m not proposing that we set the Mekhilta to music. But I do believe that Moses’ life’s devotions should be incorporated with the teaching of Shimon HaTzaddik to give us the following: The Jewish world depends on Jews committed to Torah, service to God, the Jewish people, justice for all, and lovingkindness towards all.

Moses Destroys the Tables of the Ten Commandments (c. 1896–1902 by James Tissot)

All we can do is try to do the best we can to the best of our abilities. We might not always be able to fulfill our commitments, but that does not mean we have failed or that we are corrupt beyond redemption. Because another thing that Rabbi Kushner teaches about this week’s Torah reading, in the Maftir for Shabbat Parah, is that the sacrifice of the unblemished, perfect Red Heifer implies “that perfection does not belong in this world…; this world is given to the inevitably flawed and compromised.” That’s us. But we can make our world a better place by striving to improve ourselves.

I wish you Shabbat Shalom Uv’rakhah – A Shabbat of Peace and Blessing.

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

TBH/CBM

הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם

Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.

Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1

--------------------------------------------------------------

Cyber Torah list management (no salesman will call!): 

To subscribe to Cyber Torah, and receive Cyber Torah every week in your mailbox, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to: 

ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

PESACH RESOURCES – 5783

 PESACH RESOURCES – 5783

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Chaverim yekarim - Dear friends:
 
Well, it’s almost time for Pesach! You know, the “Festival of Freedom”, the holiday on which we celebrate our release from slavery to Pharaoh in Egypt by abiding by the very strict dietary and ritual rules created by the Rabbis and Jewish Tradition, including eating the hardtack called matzah for eight days. Freedom, you say? God said, “Send forth My people, so they may serve me.” That’s how it is typically translated. But the Hebrew word for “so they may serve me”, “v’ya’avduni”, might easily be translated as “so they will slave for Me”. The root for “serve”, “avad”, is also the root for “eved” – “slave”. So, how do you manage Pesach in such a way as to avoid complete slavery?
 
Here are some simple rules:
1. Accept that you are not perfect – and neither is anyone else! You don’t have to do it all! You can’t do it all!
2. Prepare the house by cleaning and removing the chametz. A short but very useful guide to kashering your kitchen and home and identifying foods that are or are not kosher for Passover can be found at: 

https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/pesah-guide-5783  

3. Prepare the food for the Seder.

4. Prepare the food for the remainder of the holiday by shopping for it before Pesach.
5. Prepare yourself and your family spiritually.
6. Prepare yourself and your family intellectually.
7. Do not drive yourself or anyone else crazy – see number rule #1.
8. Remember that Pesach really is about freedom; freedom is fun; have fun! See rule #7.
9. Any questions? Ask a rabbi!

We are marking the fourth(!) Pesach of the finally diminishing COVID-19 pandemic. The most important thing to remember: your health, and the health of your loved ones, friends, neighbors, and community, is more valuable than the laws concerning Pesach. We are permitted to be lenient regarding virtually any mitzvah when it comes to preserving life and health. This includes Pesach! There will be another Pesach! But there will never be another you! You do the best you can under the circumstances you face - period!

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Are you looking for ways to make your Seder more meaningful, more accessible, more involving for children, more interesting, shorter, etc.? Then check out these resources on-line:

 
a. The Rabbinical Assembly’s Pesach Guide 5783 can be read and downloaded at the following site: 

https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/pesah-guide-5783 

 
b. Additional Pesach kashrut and other resources from the Rabbinical Assembly may be found at: 

https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/jewish-law/holidays/pesah/pesah-prep-and-resources 

c. Pesach kitchen kashering from a strictly Orthodox perspective can be found at:
 
https://artscroll.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/kosher-kitchen_ch-15.pdf
 
d. MyJewishLearning.com is, IMVHO, the best Jewish educational resource on the web, and has material on virtually everything you might ever want to know about Judaism, but don't know how or whom to ask. The homepage is easily navigable. For Pesach, explore this page:

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/category/celebrate/passover/  

 

e. Passover according to Chabad in a straightforward manner. Lots of useful material. Follow the links on this page:
 
https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/default_cdo/aid/109747/jewish/Passover.htm  

f. Especially good for beginners, National Jewish Outreach Program’s extensive and accessible collection of how-tos, background materials and videos, from the folks who bring you Shabbat Across America (also has Shabbat and other holiday resources):
 
http://njop.org/resources/holidays/complete-guide-to-holidays/passover/passover-seder-101-web-series/ 

g. How about a downloadable Haggadah? Check out:

The Express Haggadah at: https://expresshaggadah.com 

A Google search for "free downloadable haggadah" will lead to many useful and many not-so-useful resources. If you go this route, be sure they are legitimate and not come-ons from missionary groups.

One of my seminary teachers suggested that, in addition to whichever Haggadah of choice you use for your Seder, you should every year acquire a new Haggadah with commentary and illustrations to help you prepare and make your Seder more enjoyable. Ask your local Jewish bookseller, consult with a rabbi, explore the web – there are beautiful and accessible Haggadot available. Here are some of my favorites for getting ready:

 

 
1. Passover Haggadah – The Feast of Freedom. The Rabbinical Assembly, 1982. Clear spiritual commentary. NOTE: This is available for free download at the Rabbinical Assembly website. See the haggadah download link at:

https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/webform/form-download-feast-freedom-passover-haggadah 

 
2. A Passover Haggadah – Go Forth and Learn. Rabbi David Silver. Jewish Publication Society, 2011. A new classic.
 
3. The Haggadah Treasury. Rabbi Nosson Scherman. Artscroll, 1978. Midrash and traditional teachings.
 
4. From Bondage to Freedom – The Passover Haggadah. Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D. Shaar Press, 1995. Tradition blended with insights relating to addiction and dependency.
 
5. A Different Night – The Family Participation Haggadah. Noam Zion and David Dishon. Shalom Hartman Institute, 1997. Difficult to use at the seder, but lots of great ideas - especially in the leader's guide.
 
6. Studies on the Haggadah from the Teachings of Nechama Leibowitz. Urim Publications, 2002. Deep Torah from a great scholar.
 
7. The Hirsch Haggadah. Samson Raphael Hirsch. Feldheim Publishers, 1993. The 19th century voice of Orthodoxy.
 
8. A Feast of History. Chaim Raphael. Steimatzky’s, 1972. (Out of print but available used) The lengthy historical essay is interesting and useful.
 
9. The Origins of the Seder. Baruch Bokser. JTS Press, 2002 (Paperback edition). Not a Haggadah, but for those interested in an academic treatise that opens the eyes to history.
 
10. Passover – The Family Guide to Spiritual Celebration. Dr. Ron Wolfson. Jewish Lights Publishing, 2010 (2d edition) A straight-forward how-to guide with explanations and insights for the table.
 
Some other important reminders about Pesach and the lead-up to the holy days:
 
1. All first-borns (except Levi’im and Kohanim) are obliged to engage in a fast, called Ta’anit B’chorot, others say Ta'anit B'chorim, from pre-dawn until the seder on the 14th of Nisan, on Wednesday, April 5, in recognition of the 10th plague. To avoid the fast, the custom has become for the firstborn to engage in Torah study and then have a festive "meal" (a siyyum) at the completion of their study. Reb Jason will be in person AND on-line hosting Torah study and siyyum on April 5, at 8:30 am, streaming at https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/ and via Zoom - Zoom details will be in the synagogue e-mail notices, or you can contact me at ravflom@sbcglobal.net for the Zoom link.

 

2. Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier is holding an in-person

Community Second Seder this year, Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 pm.

For more information on the Community Second Seder, contact the synagogue at (818) 788-4664 or office@bethmeier.org  

3.  DON’T FORGET TO REMOVE AND SELL CHAMETZ!! – AUTHORIZE RABBI VAN LEEUWEN TO SELL ON YOUR BEHALF NO LATER THAN 3:00 pm, March 31, 2023.

A fillable on-line form is available here: https://forms.gle/jY2uUCbLaEGYQLRy6 

 
4. Kitniyot (beans, rice, corn) on Pesach? Yes! Read the latest from the Rabbinical Assembly at:
 
http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/sites/default/files/public/halakhah/teshuvot/2011-2020/Levin-Reisner-Kitniyot.pdf
 
I guess it's time to start thinking about Pesach!
 
Wishing you a Chag Pesach Sameach, Kasher U’Mashma’uti – A Passover that is Happy, Kosher and Meaningful!

Rabbi Richard Flom, Rabbi Emeritus

Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier

"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent."

BT Yevamot 87b