Dear All,
Wow! What a Purim! We could not have had such a wonderful Purim party until 11:30 pm with over 100 people if it was not with your help! Thank you so much for all of the volunteers who helped shlep, set and fres (eat) the Great Purim Feast and the very special Chabad of Uptown International Purim Party. Pictures are online here!
This week is a triple special Shabbos - PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE MINYAN! SCHEDULE BELOW
- Shabbos Mevarchim Nissan
This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarchim ("the Shabbat that blesses" the new month): a special prayer is recited blessing the Rosh Chodesh ("Head of the Month") of upcoming month of Nissan, which falls on Thursday of next week. Prior to the blessing, we announce the precise time of the molad, the "birth" of the new moon. Click here for molad times. It is a Chabad custom to recite the entire book of Psalms before morning prayers, and to conduct farbrengens (chassidic gatherings) in the course of the Shabbat.
Links: On the Significance of Shabbat Mevarchim; Tehillim (the Book of Psalms); The Farbrengen - Shabbos Chazzak - Completion of Book of Shemos
- Shabbos Parshas Hachodesh
On the Shabbat that falls on or before the 1st of Nissan, a special reading called "Hachodesh" (Exodus 12:1-20) is added to the regular Shabbat Torah reading. Hachodesh recounts G-d's historic communication to Moses in Egypt on the 1st of Nissan (2 weeks before the Exodus) regarding the Jewish calendar, the month of Nissan and the Passover offering.
Links: Parshat Hachodesh with Commentary
From the teachings of the Chassidic masters on Hachodesh
About the Jewish calendar and the Passover offering
Friday, March 21:
- Candle Lighting : 7:15 pm
- Shabbat Services: 7:30 pm (New time for Summer Schedule) followed by dinner (RSVP)
Shabbat, March 22:
- Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim 8:30 am
- Shacharis Services 10:00 am
- Torah Reading Chazzak & Hachodesh approx. 11:00 am followed by lunch kiddush
- Mincha at 7:15 pm
- Maariv & Shabbos ends at 8:09 pm
Important items coming up:
- Sell your Chametz NOW www.chabadtexas.org/chametz
- Order Hand Baked Shmurah Matzah NOW: www.chabadtexas.org/370290
- Only every 28 years: Blessing of the Sun on Erev Pesach: www.chabadtexas.org/sun. We will hold classes around the town and a special massive hakhel gathering on Erev Pesach, April 8, after sunrise, at 8 am in the morning, for this momentous event! Stay tuned!
See you Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim, Chanie & Clan