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 I am always hungry. I rarely seem to be able to satisfy my appetite. I have had this problem since I was a kid. In fact, my mother used to pack me four sandwiches when I was in the 3rd grade. In those days, I was as skinny as a rail. Eventually, my metabolism caught up with me. I still eat lots of sandwiches and often leave the dinner table hungry. But, thank God, I am never hungry in a way that I want to eat and cannot. I always have food and the means to buy food, readily available to me.
As hard as it might be to believe, there are people in our community - both Temple and Bergen County - where that is not the case. Kids and adults are hungry every night and they do not know where their next meal will come from. In our Jewish community, this issue is highlighted when Jews amongst us do not have the means to buy wine, matzah and chicken soup for the Passover holiday. To forsake those during their time of hunger is to forsake the essence of Judaism. After all, we say during the Seder, Kol Dichfin - Yatay Veyaychol - 'All who are hungry, let them come and eat.' How can we say such a line if we are silent and stand still, knowing real hunger surrounds us?
In the Torah portion of Metzora, that we will read this Shabbat, the Priest is instructed twice, to look at the person afflicted with leprosy. The reason for the second opinion is so we see the human who has the actual affliction. We cannot gloss over the person and simply look at one's skin and ailment. We must look at both; affliction and human - illness and patient. So too, at this time of the year, the face of the hungry is the face we cannot afford to ignore. Let us look a second time and make a difference for all of those in need.
This year, again, Temple Emanu-El is collecting support for the Maot Hittim - Kol Dichfin - All Who Are Hungry fund. 80% of the funds collected will be distributed in the tri-state region. 20% will go to soup kitchens and food pantries in Israel. 10% of all funds collected will be matched by my discretionary fund. There is no amount too big or too small to donate. All contributions will make a profound difference.
Also, if you have unopened Hametz such as cereal boxes, oatmeal, canned soups, beans, vegetables or boxes of pasta, that you want to rid your home of before Passover, please bring them to the Temple. There is a drop box at the Administration Wing entrance. All unopened boxes will be donated to the JFS food pantry.
The Passover Seder is a feast that tells us all, we are free and we are able to satisfy our hunger whenever and wherever we choose. For those bound by hardship, you can enable them to celebrate Passover this year in the spirit it was intended. Please be a part of this important Passover Mitzvah. You can send your tax deductible donation to the Temple, to the Passover fund.
There is still time to sell your chametz (deadline Friday, April 15)and donate to the Maot Hittim - All Who Are Hungry Fund. Click here for the link to e-mail the form directly to me.
or e-mail it to Machla at shaffer@templeemanu-el.com or mail it to Machla Shaffer at the Temple office.
Shabbat Shalom. Happy Passover
Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner
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