Selling Chametz
Even if you don’t keep a kosher kitchen, and/or you don’t “convert” your kitchen for Pesach, there is still spiritual value in selling your chametz: You are engaging with myriad Jews worldwide in a practice that can be traced back to Torah and, if you include a donations to “ma’ot chitin,” you are enabling those in need to more fully celebrate Pesach.
A Few Things About Pesach (With lots of links)
There is a wealth of information about Pesach (and the challenges of this year) at Exploring Judaism.org.
Omer 5785
My recent posts...
Purim: What’s at Stake
Today is Ta’anit Ester, a half-day fast in solidarity with the biblical Esther who orchestrated a three-day hunger strike to boost her chance of success in approaching the king without having been summoned, potentially a capital offense.
In Harmony
In Harmony
In some 54 of the 150 hymns in our biblical book of Psalms, the prefatory lines include the word “מְנַצֵחַ / m’natzeiach,” the conductor, the leader of the band. Music was a vital part of worship and ceremony in the ancient temple in Jerusalem: הַלְלוּהוּ בְּתֵקַע שׁוֹפָר / halleluhu b’teika shofar — praise Adonai with trumpet, harp and lyre, with drum, flute, strings and cymbals!
A conductor, a leader, guides the musicians and works to shape them into a willing and purposeful ensemble. The musicians must aid and abet those efforts with their harmonious responses to the conductor. The best ensembles, large or small, share trust and understanding between leader and members.
The Hebrew word for conductor, מְנַצֵחַ | m’natzeiach, also means victor or winner. When we all play our parts with conviction, energy and sensitivity, our new conductor can lead this Shirat Hayam orchestra to resonate and resound, winning over hearts, starting with our own.
Let’s make beautiful music together!
Shabbat shalom ! שבת שלום