This Shabbat, we read the second Portion of the Book / Chumash of Leviticus, the third Chumash in the Torah.

This portion continues the theme of last week’s portion. G-d tells  Moses to command Aaron and his sons to follow the procedures for offering sacrifices. This is followed by the week long installation rites by which both the priests and the Tabernacle were inaugurated.

The Shabbat which precedes Passover is called Shabbat haGadol, the Great Sabbath, for many and varied reasons.

On the tenth of Nissan, five days before their redemption. the Children of Israel were given their first commandment which applied only to that Shabbat, but not to future generations: On the tenth day of this month [Nissan]… each man should take a lamb for the household, a lamb for each home (Exodus 12:3).

This mitzvah was to  prepare a lamb for the Passover offering four days before it was to be brought as a sacrifice. When asked by their Egyptian neighbours, they told them that this was a sacrifice to their G-d who commanded them such.

The Egyptians, for whom the lamb was a deity, gnashed their teeth in anger but could not utter a sound in protest.

Many other miracles as well were performed in connection with the Passover offering, we therefore refer to this day as Shabbat haGadol. A special Haftorah is read.

Wishing you a meaningful Shabbat followed by a successful week.

Passover begins on WEDNESDAY 1stApril in the evening, when we celebrate our FIRST of TWO Seder services.

Please check our website for further details.

Our Communal Seder held on the first night is fast filling up, should you wish to join us, PLEASE register today. WISHING YOU A MEANINGFUL PASSOVER FESTIVAL.