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.
Sanctity of the Camp
This week’s Torah portion, Naso, includes an injunction to send those who are ritually impure “out of the contamination range” (Etz Hayim) of the mishkan, the portable sanctuary at the center of the Israelite’s encampment.
The impure are to be moved beyond the bounds of the Israelite camp, however that was determined. How far was far enough to keep impurity pollution from driving Adonai from the mishkan, Adonai’s dwelling place among the Israelites: The other side of the outermost row of tents? The back edge of the grazing area? That rock over there?
Are there limits to that which can contaminate the civic sanctuary at the center of the American camp? Contaminants such as unyielding ideologies, willful blindness, or wishful thinking, are not limited to only one political party; they are everywhere!
Better that we seek to cast light rather than sling mud; that we pursue truth rather than power; that we foster compassion within the community that America could be, should be.
For those efforts, there are no limits.
Shabbat shalom ! שבת שלום