Shabbat Blast 4/7/17: Beet on the Seder Plate!
04/07/2017 12:12:17 PM
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Shabbat Blast!!! |
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Erev Shabbat – April 7, 2017 Candle Lighting: 7:07 pm Services: 6:30 pm Family-Friendly Early Services! There will be no 8PM Services!
Shabbat, April 8, 2017 Parshat Tzav Nosh and Drosh 9:00 am Services 9:45 am Click Here for Times for Passover Services Dear [first_name], What will be on your seder plate this Monday and Tuesday? You would think that all seder plates look the same, but there are a few variations and they are growing by the minute. The first question we should ask is how many items are found on a seder plate? Some say 5, while others say 6. There are those who have even more! And what about vegetarians like me? What do you do instead of a shankbone and why do some people have an orange? This Shabbat blast is dedicated to the symbols on the seder plate and how they reflect the Jewish people’s creativity, vibrancy, and ability to adapt to new circumstances. Chazeret and Maror Some seder plates just have Maror (bitter herbs) while others also have chazeret. We are commanded (in Numbers 9:11) to eat the paschal lamb "with unleavened bread and bitter herbs." Because “herbs” is in the plural, most seder plates have a place for maror and chazeret. What is the difference? We read in the Mishnah in Masechet Pesachim 2:6: “These are the vegetables with which a person discharges his [obligation to eat bitter herbs] on Pesach: with lettuce, and with wild endive, and with garden endive, and with field eryngo, and with bitter coriander; we may discharge [our obligation] with them whether they are fresh or dried, but not [if they are] pickled, boiled, or cooked.” No mention of horseradish! The Ashkenazic families I know assume that chrain is the only maror. This likely became the bitter herb of choice because Lettuce was not in full bloom in Eastern Europe at the time of Pesach. They used what they could get their hands on. Shankbones and Vegetarians My seder has no brisket, meatballs or turkey. So what do we do with the shankbone, if I don’t have a fleishig seder? Many vegetarians use a beet for a number of reasons. One is that it has a blood red color like that which is a natural part of a sacrifice. Another is that we are commanded to eat beets as another dish at the seder. The Gemara asks: “What are these two cooked foods mentioned in the mishna? Rav Huna said: Beets and rice. The Gemara relates that Rava would seek beets and rice for his meal on Passover night… (Pesachim 114b).” We’re not focussing on the rice in this source, but it is important to take note that traditions evolve and change over time. It’s natural. The Orange There are many versions describing how the orange got on some seder plates. It starts with Professor Susannah Heschel, daughter of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. The following comes from the “Jewish Women’s Archive:” “The most familiar version of the story features Susannah Heschel, daughter of Abraham Joshua Heschel and scholar in her own right, giving a speech about the ordination of women clergy. From the audience, a man declared, “A woman belongs on the bima like an orange belongs on the seder plate!” However, Heschel herself tells a different story. During a visit to Oberlin College in the early 1980s, she read a feminist Haggadah that called for placing a piece of bread on the seder plate as a symbol of the need to include gays and lesbians in Jewish life. Heschel liked the idea of putting something new on the seder plate to represent suppressed voices, but she was uncomfortable with using chametz, which she felt would invalidate the very ritual it was meant to enhance. She chose instead to add an orange and to interpret it as a symbol of all marginalized populations. A vibrant Jewish community calls for 3 seemingly contradictory, but essential components: Diversity Adaptation Continuity May you root yourself in tradition and also creatively meet the needs of those who sit around your seder table. Shabbat shalom,
Monday Meditation! We are creating a meditation space in the Muraskin Room, and on the Second Monday of every month, we will have a Meditation Session. We will gather in a quiet room at 7PM, where we will enjoy hot tea and personal meditative space. At 7:20 Rabbi Bernstein will lead us in a guided meditation. Please bring a yoga mat or cushion of your choice. Chairs will be available for those who do not wish to sit on the floor. Next session is May 8, 2017. You do not need to attend all sessions. Registration is appreciated but not required.
Yom Hashoa, Holocaust Remembrance Day, gives us the opportunity to honor those who suffered during this horrific period of history. It challenges us to never forget the human potential for cruelty, genocide, and apathy. This day calls for us to pay attention and spend the time reflecting, learning, and coming together to respect the dead and support the living. This year, our community has taken on a special project. It is a Jewish tradition to have a guard, shomer, sit with a person who has died before he or she is buried. That way, no one is left alone and they are given the respect of having someone present with them. The Jewish people who died in the Holocaust did not have the dignity of having a shomer, so our community will be acting as shomrim for the 24 hours of Yom Hashoa.People are taking one-hour shifts from Sun. April 23rd, 8:30 PM through Mon. April 24th, 8:00 PM. These people will sit in the sanctuary and guard 6 candles representing the 6 million Jews who died. They will read a list of names of the deceased, sit in silence, read about the Holocaust, and share reflections in a communal CBO journal. We prefer to have 2 people taking shifts. If you know you would like to take a shift, please look at the drop down list for availability. At this point, we need more people to take day shifts and a couple of shifts in the middle of the night. We will start and end the guarding with minyan at 8:00 PM. If you cannot take a shift please join us for minyans and the speaker programs. Please contact Rabbi Bernstein (Rabbi.Bernstein@cbohr.org) or call the office (516)-781-3072 to sign up or get more information.
Sisterhood Paint Night!!! Tuesday April 25, 2017 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. $36 per person, paid at the door. Advance registration IS required as there is a minimum number for this event. Please DO NOT submit payment via ShulCloud. Payment must be remitted directly to Congregation Beth Ohr Sisterhood. Thank you!
The Alix Rubinger Food Pantry is open and volunteers are always needed. Please call the office if you can offer your time. We are looking for people to staff when the doors are open, as well as come in on off hours to maintain the space and stock the shelves with donations. Family Kabbalat Shabbat! Join us on the first Friday of every month for a special Family Service. Services will begin at 6:30. Dinner or a special themed snack will follow! May 5 (Bet Class Shabbat), June 2. The New And Improved Junior Congregation! Join us for our next great Junior Congregation on May 6, 10AM in the Muraskin Room. There will be learning, there will be noshing. Our talented Educators will be explaining the Saturday Morning Service, discuss the prayers in depth and how they pertain to each of us, and of course, bagels. Parents are welcome (Encouraged) to come to the Sanctuary during this time. Stay for a lovely kiddush with the entire congregation. Click here for a printable flyer with the dates. Rabbi's Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class! Mondays at 6PM, join the Rabbi for an informative class to learn all about the Torah/Haftorah Service, the prayers and tunes associated with it, and the history of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service. This is geared toward those who do not have any background in the Torah Service. Flyer is available here. We’re Heading to Israel in 2018. Informational sessions have occurred. If you are interested, contact Rabbi Bernstein or the office! Seats are filling up fast. There is a limit of 40 people, and it is first come, first served. Click here for a detailed itinerary!
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Conservative Movement Condemns President Trump's Executive Order on Immigration and Refugees
Deeply rooted in our tradition, faith, and values, we are a people of immigrants. Throughout our history we often were the stranger in a strange land and were persecuted and attacked simply for being the other. As Jews, it is not only our religious values that speak to welcoming those who seek shelter and safety, but it is also a pillar of free, democratic nations. Our religious tradition repeatedly forbids us from oppressing the stranger. For instance, Leviticus 19:34 commands us, 'The strangers who reside with you shall be to you as your citizens; you shall love each one as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.' And Exodus 22:21, 'And you shall not wrong a stranger, neither shall you oppress them; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.' It is a betrayal of Jewish history and our own Jewish values to stand quiet as victims of war and terror are left helpless -- especially on the basis of religion. The protracted war in Syria has created 7 million displaced persons within Syria alone and millions more throughout the Middle East, with refugees escaping through Turkey, the Balkans and Europe. Meanwhile, millions of undocumented immigrants in America live in fear of imprisonment, deportation or worse. The Conservative movement has continuously and consistently advocated for the rights of immigrants including pathways to citizenship and family reunification as a top priority. We call on the US government to reject policy proposals that would halt, limit, or curtail refugee resettlement in the U.S. or prioritize certain refugees over others; and urge President Trump and the U.S. Congress to instead take bold leadership by providing robust funding to support refugees around the world as well as provide necessary resources to refugees who are already resettled in the U.S. Most importantly, the Conservative Movement completely rejects the targeting of individuals based on their religion. As Jews, it is an affront to our fundamental values. We are all enriched by the diverse set of experiences that immigrants bring to our society. We see it not only throughout our economy and educational system, but also in our synagogues, camps, schools, and institutions where people of diverse backgrounds, countries of origin and experiences come together to pray to the same God, who sees us all as equals. To do otherwise betrays the Jewish values we find deeply engrained in our faith and history. Rabbinical Assembly |
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"Or Lachayal" and its strategic mezuzah project for IDF.
Having a kosher mezuzah on every doorpost is one of the most important and widely observed mitzvot in the Torah, and is especially important now, with the dangerous security situation in Israel. In addition to its religious significance, a mezuzah affords physical protection to everyone dwelling in the house, while at home or away. In Psalm 121:8, King David refers to the mitzvah of mezuzah with the words, "Hashem will protect your going out and coming in from now and forevermore." In fact, the Hebrew letters shin, dalet and yud, inscribed on every mezuzah, are an acronym for one of the names of G-d Protector of the Doors of Israel. It is no exaggeration to say that this project has the potential to change the course of Jewish history by giving our soldiers an extra measure of blessing in their holy mission of defending the Land and its people. Or Lachayal was founded in 2000, following an attack on Rabbi Menachem Ofen and his brother by Hamas terrorists near Hebron, while on their way to deliver Purim baskets to soldiers. Although their injuries were severe, they miraculously survived and decided to devote their life to raising IDF morale, enhancing the soldiers' awareness of their Jewish heritage and bringing them light and joy. In the past few years, Or Lachayal has developed a wonderful relationship with the Friends of the IDF (FIDF). As part of our collaboration, FIDF has initiated a matching funding program with Or Lachayal, aimed at addressing the spiritual needs of the soldiers. This assistance has been instrumental in bringing our programs to an ever-growing number of army personnel. Our morale-boosting events throughout the year, holiday programming, which brings the excitement and happiness of the holidays to the bases, as well as educational and recreational programs have reached hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Providing for the spiritual needs of the soldiers is a major part of our work. Due to the tremendous demand we are witnessing, Or Lachayal has undertaken a unique project of historic proportions to provide a kosher, mehudar mezuzah for every entryway in the army. As part of this project, Or Lachayal will install 40,000 mezuzot, first and foremost at places that lack any mezuzah, and then replace those that are no longer kosher. The mezuzot will include a durable cover to ensure adequate protection from the elements, so that the new mezuzot will remain kosher for as long as possible. The cost of each mezuzah is $40 for a total of $1.6 million. We have obtained matching funding for half of this sum, and we would be honored if you would consider partnering with us for the remaining half ($800,000). Needless to say, any donation that you would make to the project will enable us to move forward. I am available to answer additional questions at any time. Thank you in advance for your consideration. All checks should be sent to: FIDF 60 east 42nd Street New York, NY 10165 With a note: contribution to Or Lachayal Mezuza Project. Please also send an email to: Rabbi Menachem Or Lachayal (orlachayal@gmail.com) so they can track checks. |
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30 Nisan 5785
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