This week’s Torah reading describes various activities that took place in the Beis Hamikdash on a regular basis. There were daily offerings, as well as offerings that were brought for holidays and other special occasions.
Whenever an animal offering was brought to the Temple, it was burnt – either entirely or in part – on the altar, located in the Temple courtyard. In the middle of the altar there was a flame that burned continuously. It was never extinguished, and miraculously it was also never affected by the elements; the rain didn’t extinguish it and winds never caused its smoke column to rise anywhere other than straight up.
This perpetual flame serves as a reminder for us today, that in our service of G-d – in living our lives as proud Jews in all that we do – we must never allow the external elements to get in the way of our commitment. They will continue to attempt to extinguish our flame or to cause us to sway, but the Jewish spirit continues to burn miraculously through it all.
May the perpetual flame within each and every one of us continue to burn and to light up the world around us!
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
PURIM RECAP
Last Motzei Shabbat and Sunday was Purim! On Saturday night YAD, YJP and Jewston, hosted a joint project of Houston Young Jewish Professionals in their 20s and 30s celebrating Purim in Style with an interactive comedy murder mystery dinner professionally produced by the The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show! Check out the pics here! Read about in the JHV here.
All day our volunteers visited, read the megillah and brought Purim cheer the senior home, those in the hospital and house parties!
On Sunday afternoon, the Chabad of Uptown community joined together for an unforgettable Jungle themed Purim party and drum circle for the whole family and community, bringing friendship and fun together! Check out the pics here!
Photos by Hagit Bibi Photography
HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND
Chabad Young Professionals International is set to welcome hundreds of young Jewish professionals to the highly anticipated CYP Texas Summit taking place at Chabad of Uptown this weekend, a landmark event fostering Jewish pride, connection, and active community involvement. This unique gathering, slated for this weekend, aims to empower young Jews with workshops on critical issues they face today, from antisemitism to mental health, leadership, and relationships. It is so popular, the event is sold out and is no longer taking registrations! Read all about it in the JHV
THIS SHABBAT: Parshat Parah
The Torah reading of Parah (Numbers 19) is added to the weekly reading. Parah details the laws of the "Red Heifer" and the process by which a person rendered ritually impure by contact with a dead body was purified. When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, every Jew had to be in a state of ritual purity in time for the bringing of the Pesach offering in the Temple. Today, though we're unable to fulfill the Temple-related rituals in practice, we fulfill them spiritually by studying their laws in the Torah. Thus, we study and read the section of Parah in preparation for the upcoming festival of Passover. Links: The Parah reading with commentary, The Calf's Mother
Pesach is coming, April 22-30! Our Pesach website and Seder RSVP is now open!
Yes, Pesach is coming! Check out our Pesach mini-site with everything you need, including selling your chametz, buying hand-made round Shmurah Matzah for your seder table, RSVP for our seder table, our Pesach schedule and all kinds of Pesach readings and resources! www.chabaduptown.org/pesach2024
- Sell your chametz now! www.chabaduptown.org/chametz
- Order handmade Shmurah matzah www.chabaduptown.org/ordermatzah
- RSVP for the Seder www.chabaduptown.org/sederrsvp
- Complete Pesach candle lighting and service schedule www.chabaduptown.org/pesachschedule
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
- Tuesday, April 2, 12-1:30 pm - Pesach 15 Steps to Freedom - Lunch & Learn - At the monthly Lunch & Learn the community has an opportunity to enjoy an upscale lunch with like minded friends for a spirited class and discussion! RSVP
- Monday & Tuesday, April 22 & 23 - The Uptown Seders - Learn from our ancestors! Gather with new and old friends to experience an authentic Pesach Seder with Uptown Flare! www.chabaduptown.org/seder
UPCOMING YJP HOUSTON EVENTS:
- March 29-31: CYP Shabbaton Encounter Texas - SOLD OUT - NO LONGER TAKING RESERVATIONS - YJP Houston will host an exciting weekend of soulful connections and enriching encounters, fostering personal and spiritual growth. The full programming, including all meals, classes, group discussions, social mixes, axe throwing, entertainment and volunteering opportunities, from Friday afternoon - Sunday afternoon.
- Friday, April 5, 7:30 pm: Brisket Shabbat First Fridays Shabbat Dinner - Join a four course Brisket Shabbat dinner with other Young Jewish Professionals, ages 21-39! 7:25 pm - Candle Lighting, 7:30 pm – Friday Night Services, 8:30 pm – Shabbat Dinner. $18 until Thursday, $25 after. Use promo code: advance
Shabbos Parah, Parshas Tzav
Friday, March 29, 19 Adar II
7:21 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
7:30 pm Kabbolas Shabbos
8:30 pm Texas Shabbaton Encounter Shabbat Dinner - SOLD OUT
Sponsored in part by Bonnie Pfrenger marking the yartzeit of her parents, Yaakov Moshe ben Yechiel, a"h, and Sara bas Yitzchak, a"h,
Shabbos, March 30, 20 Adar II
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Shacharis Services
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen
Texas Shabbaton Encounter Program
6:45 pm Mincha
7:15 PM Compatibility Symposium
8:15 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Sunday, March 31, 20 Adar II
9:00 am Shacharis Services
Monday-Friday, April 1-5, 22-26 Adar II
6:45 am Shacharis
Good Shabbos!
