TORAH READING FOR 28 NISAN 5785 Apr 25-26, 2025
SHAZOOM ONLY 6:30 PM Apr 25, 2025
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AND ALL THE VICTIMS OF CONFLICT
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur” p.385
HELP ME PERFECT my ways of loving and caring. Inspire me to make myself whole so that I may honor Your name and create a world of justice and peace.
PARSHA
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/shmini
Sh’mini (שְׁמִינִי — The Eighth [Day]) – Leviticus 9:1-11:47
On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel. – Lev. 9:1
SUMMARY:
- Aaron and his sons follow Moses’ instructions and offer sacrifices so that God will forgive the people. (9:1-24)
- Two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, offer “alien fire” to God. God punishes these two priests by killing them immediately. (10:1-3)
- God forbids Moses, Aaron, and his surviving sons from mourning but commands the rest of the people to do so. Priests are told not to drink alcohol before entering the sacred Tabernacle and are further instructed about making sacrifices. (10:4-20)
- Laws are given to distinguish between pure and impure animals, birds, fish, and insects. (11:1-47)
HAFTARAH
Ashkenazi: II Samuel 6:1-7:17 and Sefardi: II Samuel 6:1-19
STRUGGLING WITH TORAH
Until further notice, we will meet on Fridays for Shazoom only. Please see the Shazoom and Observances schedule through June 2025 below. Read this week’s Torah Portion at https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.9.1-11.47, and Haftarah at https://www.sefaria.org/II_Samuel.6.1-7.17.
RECOMMENDED READING
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/shmini
Moving Forward: The Eighth Day
By: Rabbi Andy Gordon
SEFIRAT HA’ÓMER (Counting of the Omer) – April 13-June 1
We are in the 49-day period of Counting the ‘Ómer, which this year began Sunday evening, April 13 and continues until Shavuot (Festival of Weeks), which starts the evening of Sunday, 1 June and ends at nightfall on Monday, 2 June 2025. [The ‘Ómer is counted each evening.]
Today, Friday, is day 12, and day 13 begins this evening at sundown. Before the ‘Alëinu, after stating that one is ready to count the ‘Ómer, the following blessing is said:
Baruch atah Adonai Elohëinu Mélech ha’olam, asher kid’shánu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivánu ‘al S’firat Ha‘Ómer.
Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with your commandments and commanded us to count the ‘Ómer.
After the first six days, one also includes the number of weeks that one has counted:
“Hayom sh’loshah ‘asar yom, shehëm shavúa’ echad v’shishah yamim la‘Ómer/ba‘Ómer.”
“Today is 13 days, which is one week and six days of/in the ‘Ómer.”
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-count-the-omer/ and other websites have more detailed information on Counting the ‘Ómer. Some emphasize the Kabbalistic and mystical aspects of this practice.
PIRKË AVOT – Ethics of the Fathers
From Pesach to Shavuot on each Shabbat some study a chapter a week from Pirkë Avot. Following are a few selections from the first chapter.
From Sefaria.org https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.1
2: Shimon the Righteous was one of the last of the men of the great assembly. He used to say: the world stands upon three things: the Torah, the Temple service, and the practice of acts of piety.
5: Yose ben Yochanan (a man) of Jerusalem used to say: Let thy house be wide open, and let the poor be members of thy household.
7: Nittai the Arbelite used to say: keep a distance from an evil neighbor, do not become attached to the wicked, and do not abandon faith in [divine] retribution.
14: [Hillel] used to say: If I am not for myself, who is for me? But if I am for my own self [only], what am I? And if not now, when?
18: Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel used to say: on three things does the world stand: On justice, on truth and on peace, as it is said: “execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates” (Zechariah 8:16).
ROSH CHODESH IYYAR or IYAR 2025 / רֹאשׁ חוֹדֶשׁ אִיָיר 5785
Start of month of Iyyar/Iyar on the Hebrew calendar
Rosh Chodesh Iyyar/Iyar for Hebrew Year 5785 begins at sundown on Sunday, 27 April 2025 and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, 29 April 2025.
Start of month of Iyyar on the Hebrew calendar. אִיָיר (transliterated Iyyar or Iyar) is the 2nd month of the Hebrew year, has 29 days, and corresponds to April or May on the Gregorian calendar. רֹאשׁ חוֹדֶשׁ, transliterated Rosh Chodesh or Rosh Hodesh, is a minor holiday that occurs at the beginning of every month in the Hebrew calendar. It is marked by the birth of a new moon.
Read more from ou.org
PRAYERS
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur”:
ROSH CHODESH – FOR THE NEW MONTH p.519
Our God and God of our ancestors, may the new month bring us goodness and blessing. May we have long life, peace, prosperity, a life exalted by love of Torah and reverence for the divine; a life in which the longings of our hearts are fulfilled for good.
WEEKDAY T’FILAH – Al HaRishah – עַל הָרִשְׁעָה p.88
AND FOR WICKEDNESS, let there be no hope, and may all the errant return to You, and may the realm of wickedness be shattered. Blessed are You, Adonai, whose will it is that the wicked vanish from the earth. Amen.
FOR OUR COUNTRY p.376
THUS SAYS ADONAI, This is what I desire: to unlock the fetters of wickedness, and untie the cords of lawlessness; to let the oppressed go free, to break off every yoke. Share your bread with the hungry, and take the wretched poor into your home. When you see the naked, give clothing, and do not ignore your own kin.
O GUARDIAN of life and liberty, may our nation always merit Your protection. Teach us to give thanks for what we have by sharing it with those who are in need. Keep our eyes open to the wonders of creation, and alert to the care of the earth. May we never be lazy in the work of peace; may we honor those who have [served, suffered or] died in defense of our ideals. Grant our leaders wisdom and forbearance. May they govern with justice and compassion. Help us all to appreciate one another, and to respect the many ways that we may serve You. May our homes be safe from affliction and strife, and our country be sound in body and spirit. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL p.552
O HEAVENLY ONE, Protector and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel which marks the dawning of hope for all who seek peace. Shield it beneath the wings of your love; spread over it the canopy of Your peace; send Your light and truth to all who lead and advise, guiding them with Your good counsel. Establish peace in the land and fullness of joy for all who dwell there. Amen.
FOR HEALING – El Na R’fa Na Lah!
We recite MI SHEBËRACH for the victims of abuse, brutality, conflicts, fear, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence of all kinds especially directed at individuals and specific communities including us, and war; for all those at home alone or lonely; for all those in need of physical, emotional, and mental healing. “R’fuah sh’lëmah” – a complete recovery!
YAHRZEITS/ANYOS
We say KADDISH YATOM for those of our friends and families who have died and been buried this last week; those in the period of Sh’loshim (30 days since burial); those who have died in the last year; and those whose Yahrzeits/Anyos occur at this time; as well as the victims of brutality, conflict, disease, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence of all kinds, and war.
This coming week, 28 Nisan through 4 Iyar, we lovingly remember:
Mark Krastoff
Cousin of Dr. Sam Caron
Those victims of the Sho’ah (Holocaust) who died at this time of year.
“ZICHRONAM LIV’RACHAH” – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE FOR BLESSING.
SHAZOOM ONLY
We will meet for Shazoom ONLY this evening, Friday, April 25, 2025. Please see the Shazoom and Observances schedule through June 2025 below.
Zoom regularly updates its security and performance features. If a screen pops up when you first join Shazoom asking permission for the Host to unmute you during the meeting, for everyone’s ease and comfort, click on Allow. Making sure you have the latest version of Zoom, please join us online this evening with wine/grape juice for Kiddush and Challah for Motzi.
Shazoom – Erev Shabbat Service
Time: Apr 25, 2025 06:30 PM Arizona
To join Shazoom click on the following link [you may need to copy it into your browser]: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/72510500854?pwd=Z3VQZWF4U1BBZytNYmh3aHFTWkFDZz09
Meeting ID: 725 1050 0854
Passcode: 4NrMk0
Hint: The last character of the password is the number zero.
YOM HAZIKARON 2025 / יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן 5785
Israeli Memorial Day
Yom HaZikaron for Hebrew Year 5785 begins at sundown on Tuesday, 29 April 2025 and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, 30 April 2025.
Israeli Memorial Day. Remembers those who died in the War of Independence and other wars in Israel. The full name of the holiday is Yom HaZikaron LeHalalei Ma’arakhot Yisrael ul’Nifge’ei Pe’ulot HaEivah (Hebrew: יוֹם הזִּכָּרוֹן לְחַלְלֵי מַעֲרָכוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל וּלְנִפְגְעֵי פְּעֻלּוֹת הָאֵיבָה), Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism. Although Yom Hazikaron is normally observed on the 4th of Iyyar, it may be moved earlier or postponed if observance of the holiday (or Yom HaAtzma’ut, which always follows it) would conflict with Shabbat.
Read more from Wikipedia
Shabbat Shalom – Buen Shabbat – Gut Shabbos
-Ruben
PS – Shazoom and Observances schedule through June 2025 (Arizona Time Zone):
April 25, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[April 27-29, Rosh Chodesh Iyar]
[April 29-30, Yom HaZikaron – Israeli Memorial Day]
[April 30-May 1, Yom Ha’Atzma’ut – Israeli Independence Day]
May 2, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
May 9, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[May 11-12, Pesach Shëni (Second Passover)]
May 16, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[May 15-16, Lag Ba’Ómer]
[May 16-17, LaD B’Ómer – Sefardic]
May 23, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[May 25-26, Yom Yerushalayim]
[May 27-28, Rosh Chodesh Sivan]
May 30, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[June 1, Erev Shavuot]
[June 2-3, Shavuot]
June 6, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
June 13, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
June 20, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[June 25-27, Rosh Chodesh Tamuz]
June 27, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm