B"H

Friday, Nissan 7, 5778 / March 23, 2018

This Shabbat we read from the Torah Parshat Tzav – the second Parsha in the Book of Leviticus.

This Shabbat, being that it is the Shabbat before Pesach. is called, “Shabbat Hagadol” – “The Great Shabbat.”

One reason it is called “The Great Shabbat,” is that the Exodus from Egypt took place on a Thursday. On the Shabbat before, Jews experienced a great miracle, when the first-born Egyptians, realizing that they will soon be afflicted by the plague of the first-born, fought with Pharaoh's men to let the Jewish people out of Egypt. Thus, the Shabbat before Pesach is called, “The Great Shabbat,” as the great miracle of the process of the Exodus began then.

In this week’s Torah portion, Tzav, the Torah describes many of the sacrifices which were offered in the Holy Temple.  One of them was the "Korban Toda" - "Thanksgiving offering". 

Korban Todawas brought by an individual in thanks for G-d's kindness in one of the following four categories:

1) When one is freed from prison;

2) Recovered from a serious illness;

3) When someone made it to safety after a sea voyage;

4) Traveled safely through the desert.

Since, with the destruction of the Temple, there are no sacrifices, we recite the special blessing of "HaGomel," at the Torah, to thank G-d for delivering us safely from one of the above situations.

Offering thanks to G-d for the good He does for us is basic to Judaism.  We recite Psalm 100: "A Psalm of Thanksgiving," each day (except for Shabbat and holidays) during the daily morning service. This reminds us to appreciate the miracles which G-d performs for us daily. These daily miracles are those we take for granted. They are veiled in what we call nature.

Pesach humor: Before Pesach Abe goes to his boss and says, "We're doing some heavy house-cleaning tomorrow for Pesach. My wife needs me home tomorrow to help with moving the stuff."

"But we're short-handed, Abe," the boss replies. "I just can't give you the day off."

"Thanks, boss." says Abe, "I knew I could count on you!"

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 6:53 / Shabbat ends: 7:56