Sign In Forgot Password

PESACH 5783

04/05/2023 11:24:21 AM

Apr5

Alan Zavalkoff observes for his mother Malca on 21 Nisan. May her memory be for a blessing.

******

Mazal tov to our Israeli friends, the Gehrs, on the birth of a girl to Arye and Elinor Kaufman in Jerusalem.

****

After we were no longer able to conduct daily services in CS Hall, I would often begin the davening as Hazzan for my students in Herzliah. Our Bet midrash was located on the 4th floor, thus offering a panoramic view of the surroundings. One windy day, it looked like the trees were dancing to my prayers. I told the students “look: this is what the Bible (Book of Chronicles,)

as quoted in the siddur, said, ‘az yerannenu `atsei ha-ya`ar” “the trees of the forest sing out.’”

It looked like the trees were responding to my prayers.

It is now the month of Nisan. The harsh winter, even in Quebec, is coming to an end.

It is time to appreciate the beauty of nature.

On Shabbat, we read the Song of Songs: (chapter 2) “… the winter is past… the blossoms have appeared in the land; the time of singing has come; the song of the turtledove is heard in our land; the figs form on the fig tree; the vines in blossom give off fragrance…”

The Rabbis of the midrash noted that it was not by coincidence that the Exodus from Egypt was in the month of Nisan, as this was the easiest time for traveling.

Yes, the hills are ablaze with the sound of music: the music of nature singing the praises of HaShem; and our appreciating the beauty of the world.

Have a kosher and happy Pesach; Shabbat shalom

Rabbi Menahem White

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784