Community Pesach Seder
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ADAR/NISSAN 5776 בס”ד VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 3 MARCH/APRIL 2016 the chabad times A PUBLICATION OF CHABAD LUBAVITCH OF IDAHO INSIDE: Ask the Rabbi Photos Purim & Pesach Guides Community Camp Gan Israel Pesach Seder Adult Education Details on back cover & More! Contribute to our annual Pesach appeal! See envelope inside. CONTENT A WORD FROM THE 2 A Word from the Director DIRectoRS 3 From Our Mailbox Dear Friend, Heinrich Heine, the 19th century German poet, once 4 Purim Guide remarked, “Since the Exodus, freedom has always spoken with a Hebrew accent.” 5 Purim Story Indeed, the Pesach story is a powerful tale of 6 Adult Education emancipation, one that has left an indelible mark on history and given birth to our people. 7 Seeing the Blind Each year, at the Passover Seder, we relive the Exodus from Egypt. Through prayer, study and ritual we are transported to a time bygone, yet still alive. The special 8 Ask the Rabbi Pesach foods help us re-experience the newfound liberty of our ancestors. 9 Passover Overview Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Britain’s Former Chief Rabbi, notes that we read in Haggadah about the Pesach lamb, the maztah and the bitter herbs. The Pesach lamb, a food 10 Passover Guide of luxury, symbolizes freedom. The bitter herbs represent slavery due to their sharp taste. The matzah combines both. It was the bread the Israelites ate in Egypt as 13 Passover Story slaves. It was also the bread they took when leaving Egypt as free people. 14 Photos It is not just the symbolism, but also the order these items are spoken about in the Haggadah that is interesting. First we speak of the Pesach lamb, then the matzah 18 Message from the Rebbe and finally the bitter herbs. But this seems strange. Why do the symbols of freedom precede those of slavery? 18 Rest of Passover Surely slavery preceded freedom so it would be more logical to talk of the bitter herbs first? 19 Holiday Schedule The answer, according to the Chassidic teachers, is that only to a free human people 20 Pesach Seder does slavery taste bitter. Had the Israelites forgotten freedom they would have grown used to slavery. The worst exile is to forget that you are in exile. To truly appreciate our freedom is to express it. As Jews, we express our freedom by living Jewishly. It isn’t enough to enjoy the liberty to practice our faith. For if we do ADVERTISE IN THE CHABAD TIMES not exercise our right to our faith, we haven’t truly tasted the taste of freedom. Reach Jewish households across Idaho! This Passover, let us mark our liberation. No merely by the absence of slavery, but by Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho Lubavitch Chabad the taste of freedom. AD SIZE COST Business Card $100 Each mitzvah we perform – from tefillin to visiting the infirm – is another nail in the coffin of slavery, another breath of the fresh air of freedom. If we truly long for 1/4 page Ad $180 freedom, let us display it in our lives and actions. 1/2 page Ad $300 Certainly, G-d will act in kind and upgrade our freedom to a time when warfare, exile Full page Ad $500 and hatred is wiped off the face of the earth. As we recite at the end of the Seder, Next year in Jerusalem! On the cover: With blessings for a Happy and Kosher Passover full of inspiration, joy, good health Matzah cover with matzah and spiritual advancement. The Chabad Times Sincerely yours, Published by Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho Rabbi Mendel & Esther Lifshitz 3813 W. State St., Boise, Idaho 83703 208.853.9200 THE CHABAD TIMES TIMES THE CHABAD [email protected] www.jewishidaho.com WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! TZEDAKAH MAIL lasting legacy Director: Rabbi Mendel Lifshitz We are fully BOX Mail a check to as part of your responsible Editor: Esther Lifshitz Give tzedakah 3813 W. State St., estate planning. to raise our Contributing Editors: Mushky Sossonko, Debbie daily (except Boise, ID 83703 Call us for more own budget Smith, Miriam Israily Shabbat and information. and are Select content courtesy of www.chabad.org and The holidays)! CAR supported by Shluchim Office Call us to receive Free pickup. REAL ESTATE individuals Design: Ben Rose a charity box or For more Call us for more that care. to arrange for information, information. The Chabad Times is published five times a year for pickup of your please contact Thank you for your STOCK the Jewish Holidays. © Copyright Chabad Lubavitch full charity box. our office. support! of Idaho, Inc. TRANSFER ESTATE ONLINE Have your CHABAD jewishidaho.com/ PLANNING stockbroker JEWISH CENTER Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho does not certify or endorse donate Consider a call us for of the kashrut or views of its advertisers. instructions. Idaho 2 FROM OUR MAILBOX & INBOX Dear Rabbi Mendel & Esther, kindness. with a cup of tea, and really and It’s been many moons since May you and your family do appreciate you thinking mostly Sukkot, but Asher and I have experience only blessings. about me. To top it off, they getting were delivered by two lovely, to know each person not forgotten what a wonderful Warmest regards, time we had sharing a meal vibrant ladies with the most present just a little better. Tina Yomt ob in your sukkah. Thank you so positive attitudes (Miriam and What a talented and much for inviting us! Mushka). eclectic crew. I’m fascinated to see how your various endeavors I really appreciate you thinking Rabbi Mendel, Sorry again that I couldn’t will take shape over time. of us. We wanted to say thank you attend this year’s festivities, let alone help out. I really wish I Thanks again for a wonderful Asher and I are hoping to drop for the dreidels and gelt for could’ve attended the Capitol evening. in to class very soon. the grandkids - you sent the exact amount! 12 grandkids, celebration; maybe next year. Hopefully, we will see you Paul Epstein 12 Dreidels! We are all getting I’ve been lighting candles twice TIMES THE CHABAD before too long! together tonight and will be every day, though - once at 6 Dear Esther, Love, handing them out. Again, with with all the Jewish workers Candi R. much thanks for the gifts and at the mall (we all gather at a I was telling Karyn yesterday for all you and Esther do for special spot with a menorah), how amazing it was to see so our community. and then my own menorah many beautify young Jewish Dear Rabbi & Mrs. Lifshitz, when I come home later. souls enter Shul. It added so Jim and Renee Hon Thank you for hosting Rachel Yesterday I managed to see much life to Chabad and was at your Shabbos table. The all the menorahs you put up just so awesome. Thank G-d, Challah you sent with Miriam Rabbi, around town (that tells you Miriam does an amazing job was delicious, beautiful and Thank you so much for all how much driving I do for my with them all. Her love of completely eaten by the end of your help for assisting Yanai social work job on a typical the children and Torah shine Shabbos. on his Bar Mitzvah. If not you, day). I got to see the one by through so much. The Boise Rachel enjoyed the JLI class Yanai would not have had a Bar entrance to the connector, the community is so fortunate to – her school work / clinical Mitzvah. one next to the Chabad Jewish have her! of Idaho Lubavitch Chabad rotations are consuming a great Thank you for everything. Center, and, of course, the one Love, deal of her time and are her Warmly, on top of your car that was Lin Pyles life’s priority right now. The parked right there, as well as impact of being at your table is Nir and Leetal Benzvi the Village one. Rabbi Mendel, greater than I can express. It warmed my heart each time I’m touched, knowing that Rabbi & Esther, I saw one. I truly rejoice each I just finished watching the video of Marthe Cohn’s talk. she is having life transforming Even though I have not seen time I see one, and I’m grateful This woman is extraordinary. exposure to true Judaism – she you in so long, I want you to to Hashem for being in place Brave, resourceful, determined, is moved in ways that will be know that I read your emails and time where I can celebrate and charming. lasting. Thank G-d for your every time they show up on my My, Our Holiday openly and computer. I love proudly. And thank you, You exposed the folks in Boise them and they keep Chabad, for facilitating that! to a living Jewish legend. Thank me in touch with Thanks again, Esther! you. who I am, a Jew, a -All the best, You and your wife have made a GOT MATZAH? proud Jew. real impact on Boise. Chana Call 853-9200 or email Thank you, Mazel Tov. [email protected] to order. Sue Veeder Paul Pevzner Dear Rabbi Lifshitz and Fresh Handmade Shmurah Family, Matzah, $21 per pound. Shalom, dear On behalf of myself and Kosher Wine by the case only. Esther! Simon, I just wanted Letters to the Editor The sufganiot to say a proper “Thank We’d love to hear from you. Please you sent me You” for having us over submit your comments, articles, are absolutely for Shabbat a couple suggestions and letters to incredibly super weeks ago.