Parashat Metzorah

Friday Night Shabbat Services Tonight 4/15, at 7:00 PM.
Candle lighting in Austin is at 7:36 PM

Passover countdown – one week away.

Shabbat morning services Saturday April 23 at 9 AM.
Second Night Seder, 7PM

This month, we are adding a special shabbat morning service on the fifth shabbat, Saturday April 30, with a special Yizkor service.

Our deepest condolences to the Shapiro family and relatives on the passing this week of Milton Simons, z’l, who passed away at the age of 99. May his memory be a blessing and may you be comforted among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Cantor Ben-Moshe’s Message
Our parshah this week, Metzora’, details the ceremony by which one became purified after the affliction of tzara’at clears up. The first step is that a Cohen, a priest, is notified of the change in status, and then goes outside the camp to inspect the afflicted person, to validate that the affliction has indeed passed. This is significant-the Cohen “lowers” himself to approach the impure person, in order to more swiftly facilitate his or her return to the community.
In the haftarah for Shabbat Hagadol, the Shabbat before Pesah, we read that Elijah the Prophet will come to turn “the hearts of parents to children, and of children to parents”. In the context of ancient Israelite society, this is remarkable. It was the norm that children were subservient to parents in ancient times-so for parents to first attempt to reconcile with their children, and only then for the children to reciprocate would be unheard of.
In both of these instances, our Tradition is teaching us an important lesson. Too often, we humans allow conflict to go on and fester because we are unwilling to “lower ourselves” by reaching out to an opponent. It is in our nature to hold a grudge rather than to “pursue peace”. However, we are called upon by our Torah to overcome our nature and to seek reconciliation even when it is uncomfortable. Unchecked pride can lead to fatal deterioration of relationships. Indeed, we are taught that God approaches us for reconciliation-and we are called upon to walk on God’s ways.
At this time when families gather together to celebrate and retell the Liberation from bondage, let us also liberate ourselves from the bondage of pride and of holding grudges. May we all celebrate true freedom-us, our families, all the People of Israel and all of humanity. Shabbat Shalom.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe
Saturday April 23 at 7:00 PM is our wonderful 2nd night Seder at Beth El.
Remember, you can help in the following ways: volunteer to cook with the kidish crew, bring in kosher for Passover items like kosher for Passover deserts from the kosher HEB and kosher for Passover wine or grape juice and of course making a donation.

Mini work day and afternoon of cooking this Sunday April 17 at 12 PM – just after Sunday school. We need help with light yard work, cleaning and setting up the tables, as well as cooking. Next Tuesday 19 and Thursday 21 we will also be cooking, from 11 AM on both days. Please let us know if you can help.

We have a first for Beth El at the end of Passover! We are going to have a traditional Moroccan Meimuna. What is a meimuna you ask – more details to follow, but it will be a great new and meaningful and extremely delicious event, one that is enjoyed by Jews in Israel and soon, by us here. Sunday evening, May 1.

Please see the lovely article written by Bev Golden in this month’s Jewish Outlook about our sisterhood and the good deeds and fun moments they share, page 108. Also, check out a wonderful article about the Szyk exhibit from the Philipson collection on page 100. Go the the website directly
http://shalomaustin.org/outlook. E-edition.

BERS, Sunday school class meets this Sunday April 17 at 10AM. “Ms Carol” Rubin is coming to do a special activity and songs with the children.

Happy birthday to our Gabbai Bam! (20 April) Until 120!