On the Shabbat on or before the month of Nisan begins–this year, that Shabbat is April 6–we mark what is known as Shabbat HaChodesh, in which the special Torah reading highlights the preparations made for the very first Passover. Each month, the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh is called Shabbat Mevarchim HaChodesh, the Shabbat of Blessing the (New Month). And each Shabbat before (or on) Rosh Chodesh, a blessing is offered which relates to yesterday’s kavannah. Each month, echoing the blessings of Rosh HaShanah, we offer a blessing for the new month which prays for renewal, for possibility, for fullness and satisfaction. We might then ask, what makes this month different from all other months? Why does the Shabbat before Nisan begins get a special name, a special reading? Once again pairing the Torah reading (this time from Exodus) with a haftarah from Ezekiel, Shabbat HaChodesh, we are confronted with the visions of Passovers [...]

On Saturday, the Shabbat just after Purim, the tradition is to once again bring out a second scroll—this time to read from Numbers on what we call Shabbat Parah. Not a particularly comfortable reading, the text addresses the consequences of coming into contact with a dead body, and the purification rituals that must ensue. Rabbi Mychal Springer, writing on this portion, notes the parallel between the text of the Torah and the text of this week’s haftarah, taken from the book of Ezekiel. Where the Torah portion deals with the aftermath of physical defilement, using the ashes of a red heifer in the purification ritual, the Book of Ezekiel—with its focus on spiritual defilement and renewal—feels more in tune with our calendar. One of the many names for Passover in our texts is Chag HaAviv, the spring holiday. Just this past week, we marked the Spring Equinox, and with it Nowruz, the [...]

Twice in the weeks before Purim, a second scroll is taken out of the Ark during the Shabbat Morning service, marking two of what are known as the “4 parshiot.” These special readings, two leading up to Purim and two after, serve as spiritual and textual preparation, and serve as a bridge between Purim and Passover in their own way. The preparations begin on the Shabbat before (or on) Rosh Chodesh Adar, and continue on the Shabbat immediately before Purim (last week). The first reading, from the Book of Exodus, is known as Shabbat Shekalim. The reading includes the verses which commands everyone to bring a half-Shekel to the Mishkan every year. The communal fund—the original Annual Campaign (there’s still time to make a gift, btw!!) made up of those half-shekels—had to be renewed every year; and the year, based on the festivals, would begin on Rosh Chodesh Nisan. By [...]

For a religion and practice deeply rooted in time, it is no surprise that our ancient rabbis spent a lot of time worrying about the calendar. Not gifted with iPhones and GoogleCal, or the wonderful Jam Family Calendar created by one of our members, they were concerned not with missing an important meeting or child’s sporting event, but with the times and tides, the seasons, and the possibility of missing a festival celebration. And perhaps nothing caused them more consternation than the month of Adar—the month which gets doubled in a leap year. Because while they did proclaim that משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה, as the month of Adar begins, we should increase our joy…they had to understand how that worked in a leap year such as this one. Do we double our joy? Celebrate in the first Adar and then just let it lie? Pretend first Adar does not really exist and [...]