Rabbi Carl M. Perkins 
Donald R. Lassman, President
 


 

"Go Down, Moses!" and When Does 7 Equal 8?


April 28, 2016
The Fourth Day of Hol HaMoed Pesach, 5776
 
Dear Friends,
 
As the conclusion of Passover approaches, would you like to recover some of the spirit of the Seder?  I can't think of a better way than by watching a cute, creative and clever Passover Youtube video while listening to a fabulous rendition of "Let My People Go." (Go ahead and watch it, and then finish reading this email!)
 
Let me share with you what's in store for us in shul over the next few days:
 
Tomorrow, Friday, the seventh day of Passover, we commemorate the crossing of the Red Sea.  We chant the "Song of the Sea" (Exodus 15) from the Torah, using a beautiful, melodic trope.  If you haven't ever heard the Song chanted (and even if you have), I encourage you to join us.  Our Cantor in Residence, Cantor Linda Sue Sohn, will be chanting it for us this year. 

On Shabbat, the eighth day of Passover, we'll be reading four chapters of the Song of Songs.  Eight members of the congregation have volunteered to read these chapters.  (Thank you!)  We will also be reciting Yizkor prayers.  Again, I encourage you to join us. 
 
On both days, we'll be chanting Hallel (Psalms 113-118), and both services will conclude with a wonderful Kosher-for-Passover Kiddush. Please join us!
 
Wherever you find yourself on these concluding days of Pesach, I hope you will remember what we say in the Yom Tov Kiddush:  "Moadim l'simcha"--"Holidays are for joy!"

Let's take these words to heart, and share some joy in honor of the holiday!
 
Hag Sameach!
 
Sincerely,
 
Rabbi Carl M. Perkins
 
P.S.  Let me conclude with a riddle:  When is 7 equal to 8?  The answer:  This year in Jerusalem (and the rest of Israel). 
 
Let me explain.  According to the Bible, Passover is a seven-day holiday, right?  Here's what Leviticus says: 
 
For seven days you must eat bread made without leaven. On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. 8 ... And on the seventh day as well, hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.'"  (Leviticus 23:6-8)
 
That's pretty clear, right?  Passover lasts for seven days. The first day is holy and the seventh day is holy.
 
However, as early as the Talmudic period, Jews living outside of the Land of Israel began to double the holy days on the Jewish calendar, such as the first and seventh days of Passover. Why?  Because the dating of the holidays was based on (a) the observation of a new moon in the sky by qualified witnesses; and (b) the acceptance of this observation by the Jewish Supreme Court (the Sanhedrin) in Jerusalem.  Since Jews living in far-flung communities might not hear of the precise date of a holiday until long after it was concluded, the holy days were doubled so that one could be sure to observe the holiday on the right date. 
 
This practice has continued to the present day.  Hence, although in Israel Passover comes to an end on Friday night (seven days after the first seder), here in America, the holiday comes to an end on Saturday night.  Passover lasts for 7 days in Israel but 8 days here.
 
Still with me?
 
Why then did I suggest above that this year, in Israel, 7 is equal to 8?
 
The reason is this: The Jewish religious practice most closely associated with Pesach is, of course, refraining from eating, cooking, or even owning hametz (leavened bread).  You know that Passover is over when you can go out and buy and cook and eat hametz
 
But this year in Israel, the day after Passover is Shabbat. Even though, as Friday draws to a close, Israeli Jews might be looking forward to eating some hametz as soon as the holiday ends, they won't be able to purchase, cook, prepare or in any other way take possession of hametz on Shabbat, so they can't begin to think about eating hametz until well after Shabbat is over.  Hence, even in Israel, observant Jewish households will be observing an extra day of Pesach this year.
 
In other words, in Israel this year, the 7 days of Passover are going to feel a lot like 8.  Got that?
 
P.P.S.  Don't forget to watch that Youtube clip!  Here, once again, is the link to the one and only Louis Armstrong singing "Go Down Moses" like no one else.  Enjoy!  
https://player.vimeo.com/video/124174282




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