Rabbi Blog

(Last call for Mechiras Chametz: Please click here if you still need to sell chametz.)

Dear QJC Family,
 
This will likely be my last email before Pesach. I am tremendously sad that we will not be together to daven and celebrate Yom Tov. The challenge for us this year, that I have been pondering the last few weeks, is to recognize and accept the reality of the crisis we are in, while also allowing us to accept the license to celebrate a Yom Tov. In many ways, this tension is built in to the seder - we are required to begin our telling the story of Pesach with our גנות (trials) and to finish with שבח (praise). Part of the story is suffering, but the result is redemption. We should feel empowered to hold on to both of those elements this year as we sit down to our sedarim. Both are real. But I hope that the appearance of Yom Tov in the height of this time of uncertainty will give us a means to feel something positive and to feel like life can continue with joy, even as we deal with crisis. Additionally, I pray that the story of Pesach will remind us of the possibilities of hope, even when we seem to be at rock bottom.

There are two primary things I wish to share here: First, a guide to davening and zmanim (times) for the eight days of Pesach. My thanks to Herb Schonhaut and Rabbi Brahm Weinberg (Silver Spring, MD) for their helpful guides.

Second, some Divrei Torah that I wrote in previous years that you can read during Yom Tov.

Please print out both documents before yuntif if they will be helpful.

Additionally, for more divrei Torah to print, please see YU Torah-to-Go and Hamizrachi.

Eliana and I wish everyone a heartfelt חג בריא, כשר, ושמח!

Rabbi Judah Kerbel