It is the Shabbat before the seder! It is time to infuse meaning into our Passover practices.
Join me for Shabbat morning services where I will present a specially created text-study based teaching sermon called: Crumbs & Corruption: Let’s Get Rid of Both!
In our people’s history congregations around the Jewish world expected and looked forward to the Rabbi’s detailed Passover oriented sermon (Rabbinic wishful thinking?). Or, at least they knew it would be a time to engage in the spiritual side of Passover prep instead of just cleaning the house.
In an age of printed Haggadot I do not feel I need to review the legal strictures of our practice. But in order to make meaning of our Jewish traditions on Passover we must put away the brooms, step out of the marketplace and standard cultural endeavors.
The Shabbat before the seder is for coming to hear the Torah chanted and sing with the community. It is, to make good on our She’hekhayanu blessing at the seder, understand the spirtual power of this time of year and our sacred customs.
In Jewish homes everywhere around the globe we discard chametz, cover what we’re keeping, sell it through the rabbi, and get ready to burn and nullify it for the week. What more can that practice mean to us? Come to my Shabbat HaGadol teaching this Shabbat during services; let’s explore.
Shabbat Shalom and wishes for a sweet, joyous and kosher Pesah,
Rabbi Bolton