Passover
Passover (Hebrew, Yiddish: פֶּסַח Pesach, Tiberian: [pɛsaħ] ( listen), Modern Hebrew: /ˈpesaχ/ Pesah, Pesakh, Yiddish: Peysekh, Paysakh, Paysokh) is aJewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan in the Jewish calendar, which is in spring in theNorthern Hemisphere, and is celebrated for seven or eight days. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays.
In the narrative of the Exodus, the Bible tells that God helped the Children of Israel escape slavery in Egypt by inflicting ten plagues upon the Egyptians before Pharaoh would release his Israelite slaves; the tenth and worst of the plagues was the slaughter of the first-born. The Israelites were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a spring lamb and, upon seeing this, the spirit of the Lord passed over these homes, an easy way to remember the holiday[clarification needed]. There is some debate over where the term is actually derived from.[1] When Pharaoh freed the Israelites, it is said that they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread dough to rise (leaven). In commemoration, for the duration of Passover no leavened bread is eaten, for which reason it is called "The Festival of the Unleavened Bread".[2]Matzo (flat unleavened bread) is a symbol of the holiday. Together with Shavuot ("Pentecost") and Sukkot ("Tabernacles"), Passover is one of the three pilgrimage festivals (Shlosha Regalim) during which the entire Jewish populace historically made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.[3]Samaritans still make this pilgrimage to Mount Gerizim, but only men participate in public worship.[4][5] |
Temple Beth El celebrates Purim
Haverim!
Passover is just around the corner and that means that it's time to sell your Chametz! As you know, the Torah (Exodus 12:19 and 13:7) prohibits possession of Chametz (leaven) on Passover. In other words, it is a biblical requirement to get rid of all the Chametz in your possession before Passover begins. To assure the TOTAL disposal of Chametz, it is customary for Jews to sell their Chametz (Mechirat Chametz) as a means of "removing" the Chametz from their possession. You can print out this letter (see the form at the bottom of this e-mail) and bring thecompleted form to the Temple Office or alternatively fax it back to us at : (561) 833-5811. Wishing you and yours a sweet and happy Passover. Hag Kasher v ' Sameach THE DEADLINE TO SELL YOUR CHAMETZ IS THURSDAY MORNING,April 5, 2012 Authorization to Sell Chametz I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit the Clergy of Temple Beth El to act in my placeand stead, and on my behalf to sell all chametz possessed by me, knowingly or unknowingly as defined by the Torah and Rabbinic Law (e.g. chametz, possible chametz, and all kind of chametz mixtures). Also chametz that tends to harden and adhere to inside surfaces of pans, pots or cooking utensils, the utensils themselves, as well as pet food that contain chametz and mixtures thereof. The Clergy is also empowered to lease all places wherin the chametz owned by me may be found, particularly at the address listed below, and elsewhere. The Clergy has full right to appoint any agent or substitute in his stead and said substitute shall have full right to sell and lease as provided herein. The Clergy also has the full power and right to act as deems fit and proper in accordance with all the details of the Bill of Sale used in the transaction to sell all my chametz, chametz mixtures, etc., as provided herein. This power is in conformity with all Torah, Rabbinic and Civil Laws. Name:________________________________________________ E-Mail:__________________________________________________ Home Address:_______________________________________________________________ City:__________________________ State:____________ Zip Code:___________________ Signature:____________________________________________________________________ Date:_____________________________ It is customary to include a donation to Temple Beth El. Contact Us : 2815 N. Flagler Drive West Palm Beach, Florida 33407 Tel: (561) 833-0339 Fax: (561) 833-5811 E Mail: julesbethel@bellsouth.net |
