A week after the Exodus from Egypt, the Jewish people experienced a most extraordinary miracle: the Splitting of the Sea. In addition to the literal miracle that occurred, there was an important message for the Jewish people of that time and of all generations:
Bodies of water, such as oceans and seas, naturally conceal everything beneath the surface. All you see is water. But once you “split” the sea and remove the outer layers, you will discover an amazing world of marine life, equal to or even greater than what exists on dry land. But you would never know that by simply gazing at the water’s surface.
As the Jews were leaving Egypt and heading towards the desert to receive the Torah, G‑d introduced them to this crucial aspect. Sure, you can read the text of Torah and take it at face value; you can even read the Talmud, Kabbalah, and Jewish law, and still only see the words. But Torah study means a lot more than that.
Torah is how we connect with G‑d’s infinite wisdom, and that can only be achieved by allowing our curiosity to lead us down the deepest burrows, so to speak, of Torah and Divine wisdom. The deeper we dig, the greater our connection with G‑d becomes and the more desire we have to learn. And the more we learn, the deeper we want to dig.
Good Yom Tov!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
The first days of Pesach was wonderful with overflowing crowds, wine and camaraderie. It was wonderful to have all the kids home, Rabbi Chaim's brother Peretz and family and Elliott & Rachel Levine and family for the holiday!
Tonight at 7:28 pm begins the last days of Pesach, a Yom Tov where we have services, festive dinners and lunches and refrain from work similar to Shabbos. For the complete schedule, see below. The highlights:
- Night of Learning - Tonight, Tuesday, it is customary to remain awake on the eve of the Seventh of Pesach and spend the entire night in Torah study and joyous celebration of the great miracle of the splitting of the sea.
- Reading of Az Yashir - Tomorrow, Wednesday, at 11 am, on the Seventh Day of Pesach we read how on this day the sea split for the Children of Israel and drowned the pursuing Egyptians, and the "Song at the Sea" sung by the people upon their deliverance.
- Yizkor - Yizkor, the remembrance prayer for departed parents, is recited Thursday after the morning reading of the Torah.
- Moshiach Seudah - The last day of Pesach ("Acharon Shel Pesach") is particularly associated with Moshiach and the future redemption. The Haftarah (reading from the Prophets) for this day is from Isaiah 11, which describes the promised future era of universal peace and divine perfection. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of partaking of a "Moshiach's meal" on the afternoon of the last day of Passover; in addition to the matzah eaten at "Moshiach's meal", the Rebbes of Chabad added the custom of drinking four cups of wine, as in the seder held on Pesach's first days.
Upcoming Events:
- Thursday, April 13 - Moshiach Seudah - Mystical Seder Grand Pesach Closing - Enjoy wine and matzah, discuss words of Torah and inspirational stories, sing Chassidic melodies, and find out why this final day of Pesach has a special energy related to the coming of Moshiach. www.chabaduptown.org/3967478
- May 3-7 Antigua Guatemala Trip - An adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.yjphouston.org/guatemala
- May 5 - Cinco de Shabbat May First Fridays - Enjoy a Mexican Themed evening with other Young Jewish Professionals over Shabbat Dinner. www.yjphouston.org/cinco2023
- May 8 - Lag B'Omer Artisan raBBiQ - Experience the mystical insights of this unique not-so-famous Jewish Holiday, with TV chef Rabbi Chaim. www.yjphouston.org/raBBiQ
Last Days of Pesach
Tuesday April 11 | DAY 6
Candle Lighting at 7:28 pm
Evening Service at 7:30 pm
Omer Count
Wednesday April 12 | DAY 7
Late Night Torah Study (AKA Tues. night) at 12:00 am
Morning Service at 10:00 am
Evening Service at 7:30 pm
Omer Count
Light Candles AFTER 8:23 pm
Thursday April 13 | DAY 8
Morning Service at 10:00 am
Yizkor Memorial Service at 11:30 am
Mincha Service at 5:30 pm
Moshiach Meal at 6:00 pm
Evening Service at 8:24 pm
Omer Count
Havdalla & Holiday Ends at 8:24 pm
Shabbos Mevarchim Iyar Parshas Shemini
Friday, April 14, 23 Nissan
Candle Lighting & Mincha at 7:30 pm
Services at 7:30 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
Shabbos, April 15, 24 Nissan
Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim at 8:30 am
Services at 10 am
Shabbos Mevarchim Kiddush & Farbrengen in honor of the Bas Mitzvah of Bluma Lazaroff
Torah Study of Rebbe's teachings at 6 pm
Mincha at 7:30 pm
Pirkei Avot Chapter 1
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 8:25 pm
Living Torah
Sunday, April 16, 25 Nissan
Shacharis at 8:00 am
Mon.-Fri. April 17-21, 26-30 Nissan
Shacharis at 6:45 am
Rosh Chodesh Iyar Shacharis and Monthly Breakfast at 6:45 am
Good Yom Tov & Good Shabbos!