Lubavitch, Aventura South

PARSHAT TZAV –SHABBAT HAGADOL—1st DAYS OF PESACH

The Torah Portion in a Nutshell: A continuation of the description of the different sacrifices, followed by an account of the seven-day inaugu‑ On The Lighter Side ral of the Tabernacle.

Here’s a Seder tip taken On Rabbi’s & Jews by Rabbi Yossi Goldman from a small periodical Without going into the whole question of sacrifices, one tive than anyone else’s on your behalf.” The saintly man published in Chicago: difficult phrase that appears in this week’s reading, and understood that this woman was placing too much cre‑ “Lettuce will not turn throughout the early chapters of Vayikra (Leviticus), is dence in him, and forgetting about G‑d. reiach nichoach la-Hashem—“a satisfying aroma to G‑d.” There used to be an unhealthy—and, thankfully, now brown if you put your Why the repeated emphasis on satisfying G‑d? largely discredited—attitude among many that one could head in a plastic bag Some have suggested that with all the pageantry associat‑ hire a rabbi to perform all religious duties on his or her before placing it in the ed with the Temple rites and rituals, people might come behalf. Let the rabbi keep kosher, and let him observe refrigerator…” to place undue importance on the kohanim and their Shabbat and the festivals. Let him study the Torah, to keep ceremonials. The ritual directors might become so promi‑ it alive (barely) to pass on to the next generation . . . of nent in people’s eyes that they would forget about the rabbis! Meanwhile, I will live the easy life, and pay for the Almighty. It was therefore necessary to remind worship‑ services of a rabbinical professional when I need them. IMPORTANT TIMES: pers to Whom they ought to be directing their offerings, Until then, don’t bother me, I’m busy. Search for thoughts and prayers. I once encouraged someone to try putting on tefillin in the Sunday night immediately As a rabbi, I am often asked to pray for people. This one is mornings. His response: “Rabbi, you do it for me.” I asked after 8:02 p.m. in need of a blessing for improved health, the other wants him if I could also eat for him and sleep for him. Eat Chametz to earn a better living, and so it goes. Of course, there are Rabbis are not meant to be intermediaries between Jews set times for such prayers in the synagogue service, and I and G‑d. Every Jew has a personal and direct relationship Monday morning: until am happy to oblige. But I also suggest to people that they with G‑d. There are not 612 commandments for ordinary 11:19 a.m. themselves should be in shul for the prayer too. Further‑ Jews and 614 for rabbis. We all have the same 613 obliga‑ Burn Chametz more, there is no more sincere prayer than that of the tions, no more, no less. Rabbis are only teachers, to advise Monday morning: before person in need. Surely their sincerity will be unmatched, and to guide. The rabbi will be happy to help and do 12:16 p.m. even by the most pious of rabbis. whatever he can; but remember that, ultimately, we have The story is told of a saintly rabbi of yesteryear who was to help ourselves, and each of us can turn to the single approached by a woman in need of a blessing for her most important address in the universe—and that is G‑d. child. The rabbi demanded a large amount for charity in Rabbis may be very reliable, but don’t rely on the rabbis. Shabbat & Yom Tov return for his prayer. The woman was apologetic, and Kohanim, Levites, rabbis and teachers all have their im‑ said she didn’t have that amount of money. Could the portant roles to play. But never confuse the messenger Candle lighting Times: rabbi reduce the price? But he was adamant. After all her with the One who sent him. Long ago, our sages taught Times for the haggling got her nowhere, the woman stormed out in a (and it has even become a popular Israeli bumper sticker): Aventura area: huff. “I don’t need you to talk to the Almighty for me,” “We have no one to turn to but our Father in Heaven.” Friday, March 22 she said angrily. “I’ll pray for myself.” Light Candles at: 7:14 pm “Aha,” said the rabbi. “That is exactly what I was hoping Shabbat, March 23 to hear. Your prayer will, in fact, be better and more effec‑ Shabbat Ends: 8:07 pm Happy Birthday, Rebbe! Monday, March 25 Tomorrow Friday, the 11th of Nissan, is the birthday of Eve of First day “a nassi who is a king—not the leader of a tribe, but one Rabbi Menachem M. Schneersohn, the Lubavitcher Reb‑ who has no one on top of him but his G-d” (Talmud Hori‑ Light Candles at: 7:16 pm be. yot). All this [will cause that] with a complete heart and

Relatively little is known about the childhood years perfect comprehension “it will be said on that day, ‘I Tuesday, March 26 which prepared him for the critical role he would play in thank You, O L-rd, for You were wrathful with Eve of Second day Passover leading and vitalizing post-Holocaust Jewry. However, in me’” (Isaiah 12:1). It is, therefore, so difficult for me to use Light Candles after: 8:09 pm a letter written to Israeli President Mr. Yitzchak Ben-Tzvi, this title with regards to Jews in a time when Jacob is Wednesday, March 27 dated 11th Nissan 5716 (1956), the Rebbe himself offers a small and the Children of Israel are feeble, pressed, vul‑ Holiday Ends: 8:09 pm glimpse into his early years. The following is the post‑ nerable, chaotic, and constantly afflicted. I could have script to the letter, wherein the Rebbe apologizes for not used this word superficially, however having been in‑ On Shabbat we read using the title “nassi” (president) in his introductory salu‑ formed that your honor is a genuine person, I did not tations: Parshat TZAV want to be untruthful in spirit. For this I seek your par‑ “From the day I went to cheder (elementary school) and After Mincha don.” even beforehand, the image of the future redemption The best birthday present we can give the Rebbe is to we recite part of the Hagada began forming in my mind—the redemption of the Israel‑ commit ourselves to transforming his childhood vision – ite Nation from its final exile; a redemption such as the dream which consumed every moment of his adult‑ would explicate the suffering, the decrees, and the massa‑ hood as well – into reality. cres. Part of this glorious future and redemption includes Everything You Wanted To Know About…THE SEDER PLATE

Few single topics consume as much space on the Jewish meal.) Sitting at the seder table, it is impossible not to be bookshelf as the holiday of Passover. An attempt to cover saddened when thinking of the “good old times” when the all aspects of this holiday – even superficially – in the pa‑ Jews gathered in Jerusalem on this very night and enjoyed rameters of this bulletin would be an exercise in futility. the sacrifices which were offered in the Holy Temple. Each year, however, we try to present “everything you The egg is eaten as an appetizer before the meal – immedi‑ wanted to know about” a certain aspect of the holiday. ately after the “Koraych” (matzah and bitter herbs) sand‑ Minyan Schedule There are various customs as to the location of the differ‑ wich – and is traditionally dipped into salt water before ent items on the seder plate. We bring you the Chabad being eaten. Summer Schedule custom, which is based on mystical tradition. – The Bitter Herbs; in the center of the plate. Friday night Matzah Sharp tasting is grated to produce maror. It 7:00 p.m. The foundation of the seder plate are the three matzot. We almost goes without saying that this represents the suffer‑ Maariv/ Kabalat Shabbat 15 place them on a plate, separated from each other by a ing of our enslaved forefathers. The horseradish is placed minutes after Mincha napkin or handkerchief, and cover the top matzah as