B"H

Friday, Nissan 28, 5776 / May 6, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR

The Torah reading for this Shabbat will not be the same for us, in the Diaspora, and for Israel. The Torah reading in Israel will be Parshat Kedoshim, the seventh Parsha in the Book of Leviticus. In the Diaspora we will read Parshat Acharei - the sixth Parsha in Leviticus.

Also, in the Diaspora we will recite the first chapter of the Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers), but in Israel they will be reciting the second chapter. Here too, Israel is one week ahead of us.

This Shabbat, in Israel as well as in the Diaspora, we will bless the New Hebrew Month, Iyar. Rosh Chodesh will begin Saturday night, through Sunday and Monday.

Q.Why is it that the Torah readings and the Pirkei Avot are different in Israel and in the Diaspora?

A.Pesach (Passover) is celebrated in the Diaspora 8 days. In Israel they celebrated seven days.

When the first day of Pesach falls on Shabbat, as this year, in Israel the last day of Pesach was on Friday. But in the Diaspora, where eight days are celebrated, the last day of Pesach was on Shabbat.

The regular Torah portions are read each Shabbat only when it’s not a holiday. But on the holidays we do not read the regular Torah portions, we read the special holiday readings instead.

Last Shabbat in Israel it was already after Pesach, thus, they read the regular Torah Shabbat reading, which was Parshat Acharei and this Shabbat Parshat Kedoshim will be read.

In the Diaspora, we celebrated the last day of Pesach last Shabbat and read the Pesach reading. As a result, we will only read Parshat Acharei this Shabbat. In Israel they will be one Torah portion ahead of us.

Q.When will Israel and the Diaspora be back to reading the same Torah portion again?

A.The first Shabbat in August. In Israel they will read one Torah portion, while in the Diaspora we will combine two portions, thus catching up to them.

In honor of Mother’s Day: A little boy comes home from school and tells his mother he's been given a part in the school play.

"Wonderful. What part is it?"

The boy says, "I play the part of the Jewish husband at the Shabbat Table."

The mother says, "Go back and tell the teacher you want a speaking part…"

To all mothers - A Happy and healthy Mother’s day. May G-d bless you for all your efforts.   

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 7:50 / Shabbat ends: 9:01