B"H

Friday, Adar2 29, 5782 / April 1, 2022

As mentioned yesterday, this Shabbat we read from three Torahs. The Parsha of the week, Tazria, is read from the first Torah. Shabbat is also Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the month Nissan, so we read the Rosh Chodesh reading from the second Torah. From the third Torah we read the last of the four special Torah readings before Pesach.

Parshat Hachodesh is about the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh and about the first Pesach sacrifice which was brought while the Jewish people were still in Egypt.

It is customary to distribute extra Tzedakah-charity before Passover in order to help the needy with their Passover provisions. 

Although the mitzvah of charity should be practiced all year long, it is especially important before Passover.  Not only does this benefit those who receive, but also the ones who give.  On Passover we all have to feel the feeling of freedom and in order to accomplish that we have to make sure that others also have what they need to enjoy the holiday.

At the beginning of the Seder we hold the the matzah and recite the following passage, “This is the poor bread which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt.  Let anyone who is hungry come in and eat.  Let anyone who is needy come in and make Pesach.” 

We can say this in good conscience when we know that we helped those who are lacking and not as fortunate as we, that they too will have their holiday needs too.  

Special appeals and collections are made for, “Maot Chitim” – “Money for wheat” to help those in need so they can purchase their matzah and other holiday provisions. It is called “money for wheat” because in the past people would buy their wheat, bring it to the mill, where it was grinded into flour and then baked matzah.

Rabbi Naftoli was the rabbi in the town of Ropshitz. One year, upon returning home, after delivering his annual pre-Passover fund-raising appeal to the members of his congregation, for the benefit of the poor and needy, Rabbi Naftali’s wife asked him, "Was the appeal successful?"

"At this point I can only say that it was half successful," he answered.

  "What do you mean 'half' successful?" his wife wondered.

"You see,” replied Rabbi Naftali, “In the mitzvah of charity there are two parties; the poor who receive and the wealthy who have to give.  I was successful with the first half -- in that the poor are willing to take.  I’m still not sure about the other half -- whether the rich are willing to give…"

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 7:04 / Shabbat ends: 8:09