Pesach This Year
Having recently returned from my own personal mission of support to Israel, I reflected on what it will be like to observe Pesach (Passover) in Israel this year. Or, phrased in a timely familiar cadence, why is this year different from other years?
Certainly, the events and aftermath of the October 7th pogrom have figured heavily in the minds, hearts, souls, and daily lives of many Jews the world over. In many places outside of Israel we are experiencing surges of unhinged Jew-hatred, alarmingly reminiscent of precursors to some of the worst times in our history. This will likely be felt and figured-in at s’darim (plural of seder) far and wide.
Yet in Israel, the center of it all – ‘Eternal Worldwide Jewish Headquarters,’ if you will – it will be on a different level. After all, it is the Land of Israel – the Jewish homeland, the journey’s-end of the Pesach saga – that is the locus and focus of the newfangled worldwide Jew-hatred.
The purpose of leaving Egypt was indissolubly bound with the specific destination of Israel. The Jewish story of Pesach has no purpose if it is severed from this core, if it is reinterpreted to omit or marginalize the centrality of Israel.
Yes, our story of Pesach recounts the beginnings of our history from Avraham Avinu (and Sarah Imeinu), and surely highlights the miracles, achievements, lessons, and jubilation of our leaving Egypt and slavery behind. But the story of Pesach and of the Jewish people only finds its fulfillment in then receiving the Torah at Sinai and then returning to and reinhabiting our land, the Land of Israel. All this is recounted in the words and songs of the haggadah recited and sung during the seder.
With Israel under relentless attack in word and deed by so many foes (and, as it turns out, even by some fair-weather friends), Israelis living in the destination land of the Pesach journey – the land which fulfilled the Pesach purpose – must feel now a special sense of mission and resolve. It is they who are keeping Israel alive and safe not only as the Jewish homeland for all the Jews who are already there, but also as the destination land for all Jews not yet there. This is an awesome responsibility, one that is terribly challenging and too often so very painful, yet always sacred and, hopefully, overall mostly joyous, gratifying, and rewarding.
And yes, even in – or particularly in – these circumstances, it is vital to keep in mind and observe the mitzvah of fully celebrating and reveling in the joy and the profound themes of this great Jewish holiday. As we have learned before, even in difficult times “it is a great mitzvah to be in happiness always.” Indeed, all of this comprises the magnificent Jewish experience.
May it be Your will, Adonai our God, that we not have to wait לשנה הבאה – l’shanah haba’ah – for next year, but rather now, לשנה הזאת – l’shanah hazot – for this year, that we are worthy and blessed to realize: this year our enemies are unconditionally and absolutely defeated, this year the hostages come home, this year we honor the memories of the victims of October 7th by achieving total victory, this year we treasure Israel our homeland, this year we live Jewish life as very proud Jews, and לשנה הזאת בירושלים - this year in Yerushalayim!
Chag Pesach kasher v’sameiach – a happy Pesach to all!
Rabbi Jonathan Pearl
Celebrating Chanukah Even (Especially) Now
Dear Friends,
With Chanukah upon us at this particularly difficult time in our Jewish lives, it is vital and inspiring to recall our miraculous survival in the face of near extinction at the hands of foes some 2,000 years ago.
We are in the midst of experiencing the far-reaching consequences of the recent unfathomable genocidal pogrom against Israel’s Jews (with non-Jewish Israeli and non-Israeli friends in their midst who were tragically trapped in the horrors) perpetrated by the depraved Jihadist Hamas, the widespread support it received, and the explosion of seething Jew-hatred in words and action unleashed against Jews worldwide – anywhere and everywhere.
This is a profound moment for us to once again take stock of the wonder of our distinct Jewish heritage and history, to rededicate ourselves to it, and to celebrate our pride in Judaism, in the Land of Israel, and in our ability to survive against overwhelming odds. And with the current circumstances in mind and heart, it is also a most fitting time to recall, with gratitude, the heroism of the Makabim (Maccabees), their willingness and determination to confront the enemy, the distress, and negativity; to reject the easy way out and instead to stand up for what is right.
The powerful Syrian Greeks wanted to obliterate Jewish life and living, seeking to do away with Jewish values and observances, history and destiny, morals and ethics. They defiled the Beit HaMikdash (holy Temple), and forbade the Jews from practicing their religion, on pain of death. Facing these perilous circumstances, the Chashmonai (Hasmonean) family, led by Matityahu and his 5 sons – the most famous of whom was Y’hudah haMakabi (Judah Maccabee) took on this battle of survival and, with God’s help, miraculously they won! Upon their victory, the Makabim spent time cleaning, rebuilding, and purifying the Beit HaMikdash. When they were ready to rededicate the Beit HaMikdash and relight the menorah, they could not find enough oil. But miraculously, the tiny bit of oil they did manage to find lasted for the days of rededication.
The miracles of the Chanukah are celebrated to this day, but most important and inspiring are the powerful lasting messages of the Chanukah story:
* We celebrate and embrace the Makabim’s burning desire to stand up for who they were – Jews! – and what they believed; their fight to reclaim and revitalize Judaism and its practice; and the triumph of the virtuous few over the tyrannical empire that sought to destroy them.
* We celebrate and embrace our Chanukah story’s enduring messages of thriving survival, proud Jewish identity, national allegiance, the importance of battling for what is right, the triumph of good over evil, and ultimately, devotion to Adonai.
* We celebrate our homeland – Eretz Yisrael, Tziyon, Y’rushalayim, and the entire Land of Israel, defended by the Makabim so long ago, as the eternal land of the Jewish people.
* We celebrate חג האורים (Chag HaUrim), the Festival of Lights, highlighting the light emanating from the Chanukah candles that increases each night. The intensity of that light extols the Jewish imperative to vanquish darkness with light, to love good and hate evil; and its luminescence gives us the courage and strength of our ancestors to uphold and be true to their and our shared convictions, inspiring us to do all in our power to add to the bright wonder of family, Judaism, and celebration in our lives, and in the lives of those whom we know and love. As a congregation, we thank all those who help to do this for our k’hilah, keeping its paths always warmly and brightly illuminated. As the Jewish People, we proudly and unequivocally support and stand as one with our brothers and sisters in Israel and with the State of Israel.
With a mix of painful and joyous emotions today, we pray that the sacred lights of Chanukah provide us with the comfort, sustenance, and guidance to make the right choices; that we may be granted the wisdom to see and understand the astonishing and lasting potential in just one cruise of pure oil, and in each individual; and that may we be worthy descendants of what we have inherited and worthy progenitors of what is yet to come.
As we celebrate the joyous festival of Chanukah this year even amidst the heart-rending and challenging nature of these times, we recall the Makabim’s victory of long ago, and in this light we wish for our modern state, people, and army of Israel unequivocal, complete, lasting, and eternal victory. Am Yisrael chai v’kayam! -- עם ישראל חי וקיים!
My best wishes to each of you for a Happy Chanukah!
Rabbi Jonathan Pearl
A Prayer for the New Month:
As we begin the new Hebrew month of Marcheshvan, Rabbi Pearl wrote this prayer to share with you, for all of us to draw strength and comfort from it during these very difficult times. He has already shared it with family and friends in Israel and elsewhere, and invites you to also share it as you may wish. Am Yisrael chai!
שהחודש הזה יביא לא"י (ארץ ישראל), לאזרחיה ולתושיביה הנאמנים, לחייליה ולכל מגיניה, ולכל עם ישראל נחמה, רפואה שלמה בגוף ובנפש הפרטי והקהילתי, וניצחון מלא שיביא עימו שלווה, ברכה, אהבה וחברות אמיצה בין איש ואישה לרעהו, ולכולם שמחת עולם,
ועת שלום
A Prayer for the New Month:
May it be Your will that this month and the coming months bring to Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel), her citizens and faithful inhabitants, her soldiers and all her defenders, and to Am Yisrael, comfort and consolation, complete healing to body and soulm both personal and communal, and a complete victory that will bring with it tranquility, blessing, strong love, and camaraderie between each of us and our compatriots; everlasting joy, and a time of peace.
“How Are You?” Coping at this Difficult Time
Dear Friends,
“How are you?”
As we are attempting to comprehend and cope with the barbaric pogrom unleashed by the evil creatures of Hamas (and its cohorts) on innocent civilians, on Israel, and on the Jewish People on October 7th, we find ourselves groping for what to do and say.
While “How are you?” might seem – and often is – merely a trite and even dismissive utterance, those same words during these unsettling and uneasy times are perhaps among the most heartfelt and caring we can say. Of course we’re not okay! But from that baseline, we are still living, thinking, feeling, hearing, and experiencing so much, and trying to process it all. Yes, besides our being ‘not okay,’ I really do want to go further and know how you are, how your family and friends in Israel are, and how we can best be there for each other here and in Israel.
Please know that if you want to talk, I am but a phone call or email away. And be assured that we will continue to gather and strengthen each other in prayer, in song, in support, in camaraderie, as we proudly express our Jewishness and love of Israel together. I also plan to hold some talking sessions with members of our kehillah to help clarify some of the relevant history of Israel and the Jewish People, to help put various matters in perspective (without divisive politics), and to help us all stand confident, proud, and strong.
And for you to have during these trying times, I offer you here below just a few of the myriad Jewish words of wisdom, mostly from Tanach, that have helped to sustain, comfort, and bolster our people through it all, over the millennia.
Bivracha,
Rabbi Pearl
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עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי וּמִתְקַיֵּם, וּבִנְיַן אָב הוּא: וְאַתֶּם הַדְּבֵקִים בַּיְיָ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם חַיִּים כֻּלְּכֶם הַיּוֹם:
Am Yisrael Chai! ‘The People of Israel lives and will always live,’ based on the verse: “But you who hold fast to Adonai your God are alive every one of you this day” (D’varim 4:4) From Responsa of Mayim Chayim.
Am Yisrael Chai
אִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ יַעְזֹרוּ וּלְאָחִיו יֹאמַר חֲזָק:
Everyone helped his compatriot, and everyone said to his sibling: ‘Be strong.’ Yisha’yahu 51:6
Ish et rei-ei-hu ya’azoru u-l’achiv yomar ‘chazak.’
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ שֶתּוֹצִיאֵנִוּ מֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָהּ.
May it be Your will, Adonai our God, that You remove us from darkness to light Morning Prayers
Y’hi ratzon milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu she-to-tzi-ei-ni mei-a-fei-la l’orah
נֵצַח יִשְֹרָאֵל לֹא יְשַׁקֵּר
The Eternity of Israel does not deceive (colloquially: Israel/the Jewish people are eternal) I Shmuel 15:29
Netzach Yisrael lo y’shakeir
חֲזָק חֲזָק וְנִתְחַזֵק
Be strong, and let us strengthen one another Liturgy upon completing public reading of each Book of the Torah
Chazak chazak v’nitchazeik
הוֹי הָאֹמְרִים לָרַע טוֹב וְלַטּוֹב רָע שָׂמִים חֹשֶׁךְ לְאוֹר וְאוֹר לְחֹשֶׁךְ שָׂמִים מַר לְמָתוֹק וּמָתוֹק לְמָר
Woe to those who say of the evil that it is good and of the good that it is evil; who present darkness as light and light as darkness, who present bitter as sweet and sweet as bitter. Yisha’yahu 5:20
Hoi ha-omrim lara tov v’latov ra; samim choshech l’or v’or l’choshech; samim mar l’matok u-matok l’mar
הֲלָנוּ אַתָּה אִם־לְצָרֵֽינוּ: Are you for us or for our enemies? Y’hoshu’a 5:13
Halanu ata im l’tzoreinu
מַה־טֹּבוּ אֹֽהָלֶיךָ יַֽעֲקֹב מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
How good are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel B’midbar 24:5
Ma tovu ohalecha Ya’akov mish-k’notecha Yisrael
אַשְׁרֵֽינוּ, מַה טּוֹב חֶלְקֵֽנוּ, וּמַה נָּעִים גּוֹרָלֵֽנוּ, וּמַה יָּפָה יְרֻשָּׁתֵֽנוּ.
We are fortunate — how good is our portion, how pleasant is our destiny, and how beautiful is our heritage. Morning liturgy
Ashreinu mah tov chel-keinu u-mah na’im go-ra-leinu u-mah yafa y’rushateinu
כָּל יִשְרָאֵל עֲרֵבִים זֶה בָּזֶה
All Jews are responsible for one another Talmud, Sh’vu’ot 39:a
Kol Yisrael a-rei-vin zeh bazeh
עוֹד יִשָּׁמַע... בְּעָרֵי יְהוּדָה וּבְחֻצוֹת יְרוּשָׁלַם קוֹל שָׂשׂוֹן וְקוֹל שִׂמְחָה
We will continue to hear... in the cities of Yehuda and the outskirts of Y’rushalayim, the voice of joy and the voice of happiness Yirmiyahu, chapter 33
Od yishama b’arei Y’hudah u-v’chutzot Y’rushalayim kol sason v’kol simcha
עֵת לֶאֱהֹב וְעֵת לִשְנֹא עֵת מִלְחָמָה וְעֵת שָלוֹם
A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace Kohelet 3:8
Eit le-e-hov v’eit lis-no, eit milchama v’eit shalom
כְּגִבּוֹרִים יְרֻצוּן כְּאַנְשֵׁי מִלְחָמָה יַֽעֲלוּ חוֹמָה וְאִישׁ בִּדְרָכָיו יֵֽלֵכוּן וְלֹא יְעַבְּטוּן אֹֽרְחוֹתָֽם:
Like mighty heroes they run, they climb the wall as men of war; everyone marches on his paths and they do not break their ranks. Yoeil 2:7
K’giborim y’rutzun k’anshei milchama ya’alu choma v’ish bidrachav yeileichun v’lo y’abtun orchotam
עֵֽת־צָרָה הִיא לְיַֽעֲקֹב וּמִמֶּנָּה יִוָּשֵֽׁעַ
It is a time of trouble for Ya’akov; but [Am Yisrael] shall be saved out of it. Yirmiyahu 30:7
Eit tzara hi l’Ya’akov u-mimena yivashei’a
יְיָ עֹז לְעַמּוֹ יִתֵּן יְיָ יְבָרֵךְ אֶת־עַמּוֹ בַשָּׁלוֹם
Adonai will give strength to his people; Adonai will bless his people with peace. T’hillim 29:11
Adonai oz l’amo yitein Adonai y’vareich et amo vashalom