B"H

Friday, 29 Adar 2, 5776 / April 8, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR

The Parsha of this Shabbat is Tazria. This Shabbat will be Rosh Chodesh Nissan– the first day of the new month Nissan.

It is also a special Shabbat, called Shabbat Parshat Hachodesh- because we read from the Torah a special reading called Parshat Hachodesh.

Because there are three readings from three different places in the Torah, three Torahs will be taken out of the ark on Shabbat. In the first Torah the cantor will read the Parsha of the week, Tazria. In the second Torah he will read the reading for Rosh Chodesh. In the third Torah he will read Parshat Hachodesh.

Q.What is the significance of Parshat Hachodesh, which we read now before Pesach?

A.In Parshat Hachodesh G-d tells Moshe to command the Jewish people, while still in Egypt, how to prepare for the Exodus. Two weeks before the Exodus, on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. G-d told Moshe about the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh. Also about performing the first Seder on the night before the Exodus. G-d commanded them to bring the Pesach sacrifice and eat it together with matzah and maror (bitter herbs) at the Seder.

Q.Why do we have to take out threeTorahs? Why can’t we take out only one Torah and roll it from one reading to the other?

A.When there is no other choice, like when there is only one Torah in the synagogue, then that’s what we do. But there is a law that we should not be burdensome on the congregation. Thus, it is not proper to have the congregation sit and wait while we roll the Torah from one place to the other.

Q.At the Seder we drink four cups of wine. There is also a fifth cup filled at the Seder, after the meal, which is called “Kos shel Eliyahu” – “Elijah’s Cup.” What is the significance of this cup, and why is it named after Elijah?

A.According to tradition, Elijah the Prophet visits every Seder. As children we were told that Elijah takes a sip from the wine in his cup.. I remember looking very intensely, but somehow he evaded me.. I never saw him.. I used to be very disappointed..

Being that at the Seder we celebrate our first redemption, which was from Egypt, we pray that Elijah, who is designated to bring us the news of the imminent redemption through Moshiach, should come and inform us of this great news. We also conclude the Seder with our, over two thousand year wish of, “Next year in Jerusalem.”

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 7:14 / Shabbat ends: 8:20