When you Choose Shabbat, you choose to learn that every Shabbat is different and special. This week is Chol HaMoed Pesach.
According to Wikipedia, Chol HaMoed Pesach refers to the intermediate days of Passover. As the name implies, these days mix features of chol (mundane) and moed (festival). On Passover, Chol HaMoed consists of the second day through to the sixth day of the holiday (or the third through to the sixth in the Diaspora). The special mitzvahs for the entire holiday are observed during the Chol HaMoed such as the Pesach prohibition on Chametz.
Rabbi Michael D Klein of Temple Torat Emet offers his insights on Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach for Shabbat, April 27, 2024 aka 19 Nisan 5784:
“It is very interesting that we include the mention of the holiday of Pesach all through the year and even during the Shabbat Kiddush. It is absolutely a defining moment in the history of our people that begins our existence as a national entity. Before the story of Pesach, from Avraham to Jacob we had a land which was given to us as part of the original covenant between Avraham and Hashem. From the time of Yaakov, we were 12 tribes, each with its own identity arising from the sons of Yaakov
The story of liberation from Slavery is the beginning of the journey which combines these two elements and unites them eventually achieving our ultimate destiny arriving in Israel 40 years later. Then, each tribe took possession of their inheritance according to the directions of the Torah. Yet, like each family, all maintained their uniqueness while working together as a unified whole.
The story of liberation is timeless in its relevance and inspiring in its scope. That a people, small in number and without an army, could overcome the amazing might of Pharaoh and the army of Egypt is proof positive that the Jewish People have a special relationship with Hashem. The retelling of the miraculous story is only underscored this year with the hope that those who were captured last October 7 will be returned to their families as were our ancestors. May this narrative continue to inspire hope for the future and keep us steadfast in our faith and belief.
Chag Sameach to All!
- What is the reason why there were three matzot at our Sedra table instead of the usual two loaves of bread?
- What does the parable of the 4 sons really represent about our lives and how we relate to the Pesach story?
- What event at the second seder connects us with the next holiday? Why is this significant in its symbolism?
- Why did we wash our hands at the beginning of the Seder but only recite the blessing before the 2 nd washing?“
Rabbi Michael D. Klein attended Yeshiva College of South Florida and served as Torah Reader, Hebrew teacher, Chazzan and spiritual leader of various synagogues throughout South Florida. In January 2015 he became Ritual Director, Bnai/Bnot Mitzvah instructor and 7th grade Hebrew instructor for Temple Torat Emet of Boynton Beach. In October 2019 he was accepted into an accelerated track and received his shicha from Yeshiva Adath Wolkowisk and has been the Rabbinic leadership of Temple Torat Emet since August 2020. In September of 2022 he was appointed Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor of the Florida Region of FJMC.
Choose Shabbat; choose to celebrate, to light candles, sing songs and learn a little Torah.
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