This coming Shabbat, April 23-24, 2004 – Iyar 3, 5764, we will read Parshat Tazria – Metzora (annual cycle Leviticus 12:1-15:33; triennial cycle – Leviticus 14:33-15:33). This is the second of six Sabbaths on which we read a double Torah portion during the year 5764.

The Haftarah reading is from II Kings 7:3-20.

Tazria is the name of the first Torah portion designated to be read this coming Shabbat. This Torah portion and the following portion of Metzora describe physical disease and bodily disorders. I was honestly hoping for a more relevant Torah reading text to apply to our upcoming synagogue dedication ceremonies. However, the title of the first Torah reading, Tazria, is quite appropriate and applicable.

At the root of the word “Tazria” are the Hebrew letters zayin, reysh, and ayin. The meaning of this root is most closely connected to the English word “seed.” This term is found in the second sentence of the Torah portion that bears its name. It is used in a passage that describes a woman giving birth.

Tazria indicates the beginning of the planting process. As human beings, with God’s help, we plant many seeds throughout our lives. Sometimes those seeds are planted in our outdoor gardens, within our family trees, or within our spiritual lives. From all of those places and many more we watch with great anticipation and hopefully pride, as the seeds we plant, grow and mature.

As our congregation is ready to dedicate our new synagogue building, we share many of the feelings and emotions that come along with the activity of harvest. We are celebrating the fulfillment of hopes and dreams brought to this area by everyone who has been part of our congregation through its 32-year history.

Those of us who have been with the congregation for many years, and those who have joined more recently, collectively make up our community of faith. The new beautiful synagogue building we God willing, will dedicate this coming weekend, is more than a tribute to the “works of our own hands.” It is testimony to the power of our faith, the rich texture of our religious heritage, and an example of the lessons we learned from our parents, grandparents and those who lived before them.

I hope you will be able to join with me at all or some of the dedication ceremonies at our synagogue this coming Shabbat and Sunday. Just to review, we will begin with Minha at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 23. After Minha there will be an instrumental, sing-a-long Kabbalat Shabbat service, which will be followed by dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. In order to attend dinner you need to contact the synagogue and reserve a place. At 8 p.m. on Friday night our Shabbat Ma-ariv / dedicatory service will begin. There will be special additional prayers inserted into the service as well as speakers to set the tone for the weekend.

The dedicatory ceremonies continue at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 25. The ceremony will be highlighted by a concert presented by our Hazzan, Sara Geller, and the various B’nai Shalom of Olney choirs. Your presence this weekend will add immeasurably to the glory and beauty of our new synagogue building.

Candle lighting time this Friday night is 7:35 p.m.

Our Shabbat morning service will begin at 9:00 a.m. During the service we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Madeline Faunce. Mazel Tov!

Our Shabbat Minha-Ma-ariv Havdalah service will begin at 7:05 p.m. During the service we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Max Kottler. Mazel Tov!

Our service on Sunday morning, April 25 will begin at 8:45 a.m.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Philip Pohl

Rabbi Philip Pohl
B'nai Shalom of Olney
18401 Burtfield Dr.
Olney, MD 20832
301-774-0879
301-774-3992 FAX