Most of you know that Jewish folks read a section of the Tora (what many of you call the Old Testament) every week, as well as a reading from the prophets.
Tag Archives: Passover
The 15th? Not the 14th?
You know, almost every Friday night, I have a bunch of friends and acquaintances over to share a meal. Because it is the holiday of Shabat, the day the Supreme Being rested- and that means so do we.
The only time I ever lag!
My mom’s dead. And, I’m single. So, there’s no celebration of Mother’s Day this weekend. (Pay attention kids- your mom’s alive. Don’t forget her.) And, I was somewhat confused last week, when the Phillies celebrated Mother’s Day. (That’s because there will be no Sunday home game this weekend. )
Gimme a Do-Over!
The Tora- or the bible as you call it- doesn’t have a lot of do-overs. OK. Life doesn’t have a lot of do-overs, either.
Another one?
Yup. Another holiday. Yes, I know it’s tax season. It’s why I’ve been pushing my clients to get me their stuff early. Because tonight begins the 7th day of Pesach. (You do recall that we Jews start our days in the evening. Because Hashem stated it was evening, it was morning- one day. It’s why Christians follow the evening concept for the birth of Jesus- because he was Jewish and that’s how it worked for him.)
Yom Tov Pesach (when we don’t work)
The Ten Plagues. Dam, Tzfardaya, Kinim.. In English: Blood. Frogs. Lice. Wild Beasts. Pestilence. Boils. Hail. Locusts. Darkness. Slaying of the First-born.
Pesach… Or, as you call it- Passover
Tonight begins the holiday of Passover. Other than Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipur, this is the one holiday that most Jews celebrate. Oh, Chanuka comes close, but most folks still
Tonight, tonight…
Wow. A Friday night Pesach (Passover). Back when I was a little boy, I remember the first time that occurred in my lifetime (short as it was). It was something special. Because of the extra prayers tonight- and tomorrow night, when Shabat ends.
Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Shabat Rosh Chodesh.
My calendar is governed by new moons. The new moon sets the new month, which is called Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the month) in Hebrew. Last Friday night was the new moon. But, because I had a guest blogger last week and a few timely additions, this post got moved in the queue.
33!
Come on. Let’s go on a picnic.
No, I am being dead serious. Today is the 33rd day between Passover and Shvuot. It’s called Lag B’Omer- not a very original name, since Lag means 33 and Omer is the counting we do as we await the next holiday; it was the time that Jews used to bring daily offerings of barley to the Temple. (The reason we count the 50 days from Passover because we are waiting to receive the 10 commandments and the Tora- that is what happens on Shvuot.)