7 min read
GOOD MORNING! Three weeks to Pesach and counting... It's time to give some thought to making the Seder more enjoyable and effective in creating a warm family experience. Most Jews would like their children to feel positively about being Jewish. You cannot transfer your feelings, but you can create the atmosphere and the experience which will engender positive feelings. Anyone I have ever met who loved being Jewish, fondly reminisced about his Zaideh (grandfather) presiding over the Shabbat table or his Bubbie (grandmother) lighting Shabbat candles ... and his family's Seder! You are a link in that chain!
Q & A: HOW DO I MAKE MY SEDER ENJOYABLE, CREATIVE AND MEANINGFUL?
Remember that the Seder is for the kids, to transmit our history and understanding of life. You've got to make it interesting and intrigue them to ask questions. If a person asks a question, he'll be inclined to hear the answer! The only way to transmit your love and feeling for Judaism is through shared, positive experiences. Some ideas from Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf's Passover Survival Kit:
Would you spend another $60 to make this Passover really special?
Here is something that can really enliven your Passover Seder!
THE PASSOVER FAMILY FUN KIT created by one of Aish HaTorah's creative geniuses, my beloved colleague, Rabbi Stephen Baars, Aish Washington, DC! "The silliest, wackiest, wildest time you'll ever have at the seder table!" It includes 5 copies of the Children's Passover Play and over 100 exciting and fun props and character costumes for kids, grandkids and adults to act out the story of Passover. It's tons of fun for the whole family! $49.95 plus shipping & handling ($7 in the USA).
No Hebrew Required
Aish HaTorah Washington, DC.,
11418 Old Georgetown Road,
North Bethesda, MD 20852
(301) 881-9010
aishdc@aol.com
http://www.passoverkit.com
FEED THE POOR OF JERUSALEM!
Hundreds of families in Israel are unable to afford groceries for
Yom Tov (the holiday).
This group gives them coupons redeemable only for food. They
arrange with the supermarket to get an extra 10% on every dollar
you give them. I know they are legitimate and I give them money!
Send your tax-deductible contribution to:
Keren Y&Y
805-A Roosevelt Ct.
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Fulfill the special Mitzvah of Maos Chitim, helping the poor for
Pesach!
Torah
Portion of the Week
Vayakhel-Pekudei
Moshe relays the Almighty's commands to refrain from building the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) on the Shabbat, to contribute items needed to build the Mishkan, to construct the components of the Mishkan and the appurtenances of the Cohanim. The craftsmen are selected, the work begins. The craftsmen report that there are too many donations, and for the first and probably the only time in fundraising history, the Jewish people are told to refrain from bringing additional contributions!
Pekudei includes an accounting of all the materials that went into the making of the Mishkan and details of the construction of the clothing of the Cohanim. The Tabernacle (another translation of Mishkan) is completed, Moses examines all of the components and gives his approval to the quality and exactness of construction, the Almighty commands to erect the Tabernacle, it's erected and the various vessels are placed in their proper place.
Dvar Torah
based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
The Torah states regarding donations made for the clothing of the Cohen Gadol (High Priest), "And the heads of the tribes brought shoham stones (onyx) and (other) stones to be set for the ephod (an apron-like garment) and for the breastplate." Why does the Torah make specific mention that the Princes of the tribes were the ones to bring the stones?
Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo ben Yitzchok who lived 1040-1104 and is considered the leading commentator on the Torah and the Talmud) cites the words of the Sages who note that the heads of the tribes brought the last donations for the Sanctuary. The Princes said, "We will let the other people donate whatever they will donate, and we will bring whatever is missing." However, the people brought all that was needed. The heads of the tribes then asked, "What can we still do?" The only things remaining were the special stones that were needed and this is what they brought. Since they procrastinated the Torah hints a reproof to them by spelling the name nesiim (princes) lacking one Hebrew letter yud.
Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz comments that their original intention appears to be virtuous. They said that they would bring whatever was needed at the end. (The Sanctuary was built through donations -- except the foundations of the pillars which came from communal funds. The Princes felt that the needs would be too great for the people to cover; they underestimated the national fervor and generosity!) This appears to be a very generous proposal on their part. However, we learn from here that since their behavior touched on the negative trait of laziness, their behavior was considered incorrect and they were censored for it.
Whenever a negative character trait could be an underlying factor for your behavior, be very careful to clarify what your true motivation is. This especially applies to the trait of laziness. It is easy to give many good-sounding reasons for not doing things. When laziness could be the real reason for your lack of action, be suspicious that your reasons are actually rationalizations by which you are trying to excuse yourself. Our lesson: Don't procrastinate in preparing for Pesach! It can become too late.
CANDLE LIGHTING - March 23:
Jerusalem 5:15
Guatemala 5:55 Hong Kong 6:17 Honolulu 6:25
J'Burg 5:57 London 6:00 Los Angeles 5:49
Melbourne 7:10 Miami 6:15 Moscow 6:30
New York 5:33 Singapore 6:57
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
Time flies ...
but you're the pilot.
Dedicated by...
In Loving Memory of
Madelaine Joyce Patrick
May Her Memory Bless Us