TORAH READING FOR 1 IYAR 5786 April 17-18, 2026
SHAZOOM ONLY 6:30 PM April 17, 2026
Iyar: Ani Adonai Rofécha – I am the God who heals you.
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AND ALL THE VICTIMS OF CONFLICT
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur” CCAR, New York 2007, p.178
SHALOM RAV al Yisraël amcha tasim l’olam, v’al kol yoshvëi tëvël, v’imru. Amen.
GRANT ABUNDANT PEACE to Israel Your people forever, [and all who inhabit the earth. Amen.]
PARSHA
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/tazria-mtzora
Tazria – M’tzora (תַזְרִיעַ – מְצֹרָע — Bearing Seed / A Leper) – Leviticus 12:1-15:33
The Eternal One spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to the Israelite people thus: When a woman at childbirth bears a male, she shall be impure seven days; she shall be impure as at the time of her condition of menstrual separation.” – Leviticus 12:1-2
The Eternal One spoke to Moses, saying: “This shall be the ritual for a leper at the time of being purified .” – Leviticus 14:1-2
SUMMARY
- God describes the rituals of purification for a woman after childbirth. (12:1-8)
- God sets forth the methods for diagnosing and treating a variety of skin diseases, including tzara-at (a leprous affection), as well as those for purifying clothing. (13:1-59)
- Priestly rituals to cure tzara-at when it afflicts humans are described. (14:1-32)
- Rituals to rid dwelling places of tzara-at are presented. (14:33-57)
- The parashah denotes male impurities resulting from a penile discharge or seminal emission. (15:1-18)
- The parashah concludes with accounts of female impurities caused by a discharge of blood. (15:19-33)
HAFTARAH – Shabbat Rosh Chodesh
II Kings 7:3-20 [historic: Isaiah 66:1-24]
STRUGGLING WITH TORAH
Until further notice, we will meet on Fridays for Shazoom only. Please see the Shazoom and Observances schedule through June 2026 below. Read this week’s double Torah Portion at https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.12.1-15.33, and Haftarah at https://www.sefaria.org/II_Kings.7.3-20 or https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.66.1-24.
RECOMMENDED READING
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/tazria-mtzora
It’s Important to See The Whole Person, Not Just The Illness
By: Cantor David Berger
SEFIRAT HA’ÓMER (Counting of the Omer) – April 2-May 21
We are in the 49-day period of Counting the ‘Ómer, which this year started Thursday evening, April 2 and ends at nightfall on Thursday, 21 May 2026. [The ‘Ómer is counted each evening.]
Today, Friday, is day 15, and day 16 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 shishah ‘asar yom shehëm sh’nëi shavu’ot ushnëi yamim la‘Ómer/ba‘Ómer.”
“Today is 16 days, which is two weeks and two 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 some selections from the third chapter.
From Sefaria https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.3
1: Akabyah ben Mahalalel said: mark well three things and you will not come into the power of sin: Know from where you come, and where you are going, and before whom you are destined to give an account and reckoning.
2: Rabbi Hanina, the vice-high priest said: pray for the welfare of the government, for were it not for the fear it inspires, every man would swallow his neighbor alive.
12: Rabbi Ishmael said: be suppliant to a superior, submissive under compulsory service, and receive every [person] happily.
15: [Rabbi Akiva used to say:] Everything is foreseen yet freedom of choice is granted, And the world is judged with goodness; And everything is in accordance with the preponderance of works.
ROSH CHODESH IYYAR 2026 / רֹאשׁ חוֹדֶשׁ אִיָּיר 5786
Start of month of Iyyar on the Hebrew calendar
Rosh Chodesh Iyyar for Hebrew Year 5786 begins at sundown on Thursday, 16 April 2026 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, 18 April 2026.
Start of month of Iyyar on the Hebrew calendar. אִיָּיר (transliterated Iyyar or Iyar) is the 8th month of the civil Hebrew year (9th on leap years) and the 2nd month of the biblical Hebrew year. It 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
[Iyyar or Iyar (Aleph-Yod-Yod-Resh or Aleph-Yod-Resh) is seen as an acronym for Ani YHVH Rofécha, which translates as I am the Eternal who heals you. In the Tanach, before the Babylonian captivity, the month was called Ziv (זו, 1 Kings 6:1, 6:37). Ziv is a Hebrew word that means “light” or “glow”. Whereas the meaning of Iyyar or Iyar can be interpreted as “month of blossoming.”]
PRAYERS
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur”:
ROSH CHODESH – INSERT (on Shabbat) p.174
OUR GOD and God of our fathers and mothers, on this first day of the new month [of Iyar] be mindful of us and all Your people Israel, for good, for love, for compassion, life and peace.
Remember us for wellbeing. Amen.
Visit us with blessing. Amen.
Help us to a fuller life. Amen.
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.
A PRAYER FOR ISRAEL
Anat Hoffman – https://reformjudaism.org/beliefs-practices/prayers-blessings/prayer-israel
My God אלי
In this sacred moment, give us hope for Israel and her future.
Renew our wonder at the miracle of the Jewish State.
In the name of the pioneers who made the deserts bloom – give us the tools to cultivate a diversity of Jewish expression in Israel.
In the name of our fallen soldiers – give us courage to stand up to the words and ways of zealots. Those in our own midst and those among our neighbors.
In the name of Israeli inventors who have amazed the world with their innovations – help us apply the same ingenuity to finding a path to peace.
In the name of all these individuals – grant us the strength to conquer doubt and despair in Israel.
Replacing doubt with action.
Replacing despair with hope.
And let us say: 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, 1 Iyar through 7 Iyar, we lovingly remember:
Helene Malcherowitz
First Yahrzeit – Grandmother of Valeska, wife of Ben Caron
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 17, 2026. Please see the Shazoom and Observances schedule through June 2026 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 17, 2026 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 2026 / יוֹם הַזִּכָּרוֹן 5786
Israeli Memorial Day
Yom HaZikaron for Hebrew Year 5786 begins at sundown on Monday, 20 April 2026 and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, 21 April 2026.
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
YOM HAATZMA’UT 2026 / יוֹם הָעַצְמָאוּת 5786
Israeli Independence Day
Yom HaAtzma’ut for Hebrew Year 5786 begins at sundown on Tuesday, 21 April 2026 and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.
Israeli Independence Day. Commemorates the declaration of independence of Israel in 1948. Although Yom HaAtzma’ut is normally observed on the 5th of Iyyar, it may be moved earlier or postponed if observance of the holiday (or Yom HaZikaron, which always precedes it) would conflict with Shabbat.
Read more from Wikipedia
Shabbat Shalom – Buen Shabbat – Gut Shabbos
-Ruben
PS – Shazoom and Observances Schedule through June 2026 (Arizona Time Zone):
April 17, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[April 16-17, Rosh Chodesh Iyar]
[April 20-21, Yom HaZikaron – Israeli Memorial Day]
[April 21-22, Yom Ha’Atzma’ut – Israeli Independence Day]
April 24, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[April 30-May 1, Pesach Shëni (Second Passover)]
May 1, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[May 4-5, Lag Ba’Ómer – 33rd Day of Counting of the ‘Ómer]
[May 5-6, LaD B’Ómer – Sefardic 34th Day of the ‘Ómer]
May 8, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
May 15, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[May 14-15, Yom Yerushalayim – Jerusalem Day]
[May 16-17, Rosh Chodesh Sivan]
[May 21, Erev Shavuot]
May 22, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[May 22-23, Shavuot – Festival of Weeks]
May 29, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
June 5, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
June 12, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[June 14-16, Rosh Chodesh Tamuz]
June 19, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
June 26, 2026 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[July 2, Tzom Tamuz – Fast of Tamuz]