Shabboom! Weekly Announcements

Energize your week with Ohev Sholom                                               April 25, 2019

Shabbat Times and Announcements

Erev Shabbat, April 26: Pesach, 6th Day Omer (Nisan 21)
9:15a Shacharit, with a Dvar Torah from Dan Troy
5:45p Daf Yomi
6:45p Mincha/Marriv
7:37p Candle Lighting

Shabbat, April 27: Pesach, Yizkor, 7th Day Omer, (Nisan 22)
9:00a Shacharit, with a Dvar Torah from Rabbi Herzfeld
~10:30a Yizkor
10:30a Shabbat Youth Groups
6:35p Daf Yomi
7:35p Mincha, followed by a Shiur from Rabbi Michael Balinsky
8:39p Havdalah

Upcoming Kiddush Schedule
4/27: No food served
5/4: Kiddush sponsored by the Ledeen & Balto families

Comments on the Torah Portion and Haftorah, Contributed by Rabbi Ben Mintz

On the seventh day of Pesach, the Torah reading includes the Song of the Sea (Shemos, Ch.13:17–15:26). When the Jewish people passed over the sea safely, and then the sea closed in on the pursuing Egyptians, the people sang a song extolling God for that triumph over the Egyptians: “Az yashir Moshe u’bnei Yisrael es hashira hazos.” (Then Moshe and the Jewish people sang this song.) According to the tradition, the song of Moshe and the Jewish people took place on the seventh day of Pesach.

The well-known midrash says that when the Heavenly Host sought to sing a song of triumph over the drowning of the Egyptians, God chastened them, saying, “My creatures are drowning in the sea and you are celebrating with song?” The moral? That Hashem’s mercy applies to all his creatures, and it is improper to celebrate even the death of a sinner. This is carried forth in the words of the daily Ashrei prayer: “Verachamav al kol ma’asav.” (His mercy covers all of his creatures.”) Our tradition at the present time, in saying Hallel on the last six days of Pesach (and on Rosh Chodesh), is to omit two paragraphs, in recognition of the fact that our praise (Hallel) of God is limited, since it involved the death of God’s creatures. 

After Moshe sang the song, the Torah states: “Miriam the Prophetess, the sister of Aharon, also sang a song of praise of God.” The questions are asked by the rabbis: How do we know that Miriam was a prophetess? And, Why is she called Aharon’s sister, and not Moshe’s sister?” In answer, the Midrash refers back to the start of the Book of Shemos, when Pharaoh decreed the death of Jewish male newborns. Amram, Moshe’s father, wanted to separate himself from his wife, Yocheved, because of the decree. However, the rabbis said, Miriam, the older sister, saw into the future that from the union of Amram and Yocheved, Moshe, the leader of the Jews, would be born. So the separation of the couple would prevent the deliverance of the Jews. Since the prophecy took place before the birth of Moshe, Miriam is referred to as Aharon’s sister.

The haftorah for the seventh day of Pesach is also a Biblical song. It is the song that David sang in thanks to God who saved him from the hands of King Saul who, in his jealousy, sought David’s death. (2 Samuel Ch. 22) The last line of the song is familiar, since it appears near the end of the Birkat Hamazon, the Grace After Meals. Here are two versions of the Hebrew text, with different meanings. Now, we say one version on weekdays and one version on Shabbos and Festivals (“Migdol” or “Magdil”). We have previously discussed these two versions, and speculation as to how they came about, at Seudah Shlishit. 

The eighth day of Pesach is a rabbinical addition for the Jews "chutz l'aretz," outside of Israel. The Torah says that Pesach is seven days. The Torah reading (Devarim, Ch. 15:19-16:17), like that of the second day of Pesach, presents the rules and practices of the High Holidays and Festivals. 

The haftorah for the eighth day is from the prophet Isaiah, (Ch.10:32-12:6). The prophet speaks of the time when God once again will deliver the remnant of the Jewish people from their dispersion in Egypt, Assyria and elsewhere. The haftorah ends in triumph: “Shout for joy, you who dwell in Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” (12:6)

On "Acharon Pesach," the last day of Pesach, we also read Shir Hashirim, the Song of Songs. This Megilla, describing love and the blossoming of nature, is appropriate for Pesach, the Spring Festival. "You have captured my heart, my own, my bride, you have captured my heart, with one glance of your eyes…” (Shir Ha'Shirim, 4:9).

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Contact Us

Synagogue Office
info@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225
Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld
RabbiShmuel@ostns.org
(202) 812-8900 
Maharat Ruth Balinsky Friedman
MaharatRuth@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225, ext. 107
Stacey Watson, Director of Engagement
Stacey.Watson@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225, ext. 102
Lisa Redisch, Director of Youth & Family Programs
youth@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225, ext. 105
Board of Directors
board@ostns.org
Hospitality & Welcome Committee
BeOurGuest@ostns.org
Mikvah Chaim
mikvahchaim.org
attendant@mikvahchaim.org
Cemetery Information
cemetery@ostns.org
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