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MEMBERSHIP YEAR 5784

SHIURIM & PROGRAMS

SPONSOR TORAH LEARNING

RABBI MOSES' WEEKLY MESSAGE

Dear Mogen David Family,

In addition to identifying this Shabbat as Parashat Metzora, we also have the extra benefit of experiencing the Shabbat preceding Chag Pesach, known as Shabbat HaGadol.

This Shabbat commemorates the original Pesach (with its Korban). The Minhag Ha-olam is for the Rav of the Kehilla to deliver a Derasha outlining some of the halachot related to the Chag, and generally expounding upon one area of Pesach to learn in depth. Usually the Derasha also contains a lesson or value we can incorporate into our homes and at our Seder. 

Various reasons are offered explaining why this Shabbat specifically is designated by the name  'HaGadol.' We certainly understand the historical 'greatness' attached to this Shabbat, but why, nowadays, is it necessary when Pesach is right around the corner? 

The Sfat Emet, one of the great Chassidic Masters in the illustrious line of Gerrer Rebbes, offers a unique answer which relates more to Shabbat than Pesach. With the myriad preparations we engage in before Pesach, in terms of cleaning, cooking, shopping, and learning the halachot, it's easy for Pesach to completely overtake one's life and monopolize one's thoughts. If so, what about Shabbat Kodesh?! We are well aware from the Torah and the Mishna in the first perek of Masechet Megilla, that Shabbat is the holiest day of the year, far superior to all the Yamin Tovim, including Pesach (and Yom Kippur!). It would be easy, explains the Sfat Emet, to temporarily forget that Shabbat is paramount to Pesach when all we've been doing is in anticipation of the latter over the former. It is for this reason that the Chachamim labeled this Shabbat as 'Gadol.'

Let us never forget--specifically on Shabbat HaGadol--that it's Shabbat which is 'Gadol,' the holiest and most sanctified day of the year. 

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yehuda Moses Rav HaKehillah/Senior Rabbi

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Fri, April 19 2024 11 Nisan 5784