1)Tonight, Thursday is Yomtov ,as is Friday night.
On both nights we light candles to illumine our hearts and our homes. I encourage you to light candles and to recite the following sacred words. You might pause in the glow and consider how Jewish Time is different than ordinary time.
Ba-ruch a-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olom a-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tov ve-tzi-vo-nu le-had-lik ner shel (Shabbat) v’Yom Tov.
Translation: Blessed are you, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with the commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the light of the(Shabbat and) Festival Day.
2)On Friday night we add the words Shabbat and sabbath in our blessings.
The Shehecheyonu blessing:
Ba-ruch a-tah Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olom she-he-che-ya-nu vi-kee-yi-ma-nu vi-hi-gee-an-u liz-man ha-zeh.
Translation: Blessed are you, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has kept us alive and sustained us and let us reach this time.
3)Kiddush may be recited both nights as well. Here are the words . A link to the kiddish is available as well.
Ba-ruch a-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam borei pri hagafen.
(http://sidduraudio.com/
4. The Shul office is closed tomorrow. I will be available on my cell phone for emergencies only.
5. Friday services are from 6:00-7:00p.m.
Saturday morning services are from 10:00 a.m. to Noon AND INCLUDE YIZKOR (approximately 11:30).
****Chametz may be eaten on Saturday night starting about 8:00p.m.
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Yesterday our world marked the anniversary of a great diminution of light and hope. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered and his extraordinary presence was ripped away. Too many times we have all wondered how our world would be if only he had continued on with his life’s mission; a mission which we all came to realize we all equally share. Dignity for one only exists in a world where dignity for all is demanded and preserved. This precept is reminiscent of the teaching found in Ethics of the Fathers (Make the honor of another person as precious as your own honor -Pirke Avot 2:15). Dr. King changed our world and his exceptional prophetic power concerning the needs of ensuring liberty for all people persists in our world long after the hatred and fear of James Earl Ray stole him from us. Yet, still in our own day, as pernicious as the raw hatred of Ray, is the victimization of people who may look, appear or behave differently from a norm painted by those who think too small and care too little.
This day as we prepare for Shabbat’s conclusion of Pesach, we are challenged to remember the glory of the Exodus; the demand of being freed from slavery is the essential and sole element for everyone to live and breathe free. Only the Absolute Creator can be served and worshiped. No human, fallible and imperfect, can possibly be viewed as better than any other. It is no wonder that Dr. King built his life’s mission upon our ancestors’ departure from Mitzrayim and summoned all in America and the world to journey along with him to the Promised Land.
As we prepare to conclude the Yomtov of our freedom we embrace the humanity and compassion of this quintessential Jewish holiday and pledge to share its message until Saturday night and into the next week - a week bearing Yom HaShoah on Wednesday April 11. The community-wide service, held at the Temple will be held at 7:00p.m.and will feature artwork and poetry and prose from the hands and hearts of Mobile County Middle School and High School students. To see and hear students learning the lessons of compassion and justice reassures us all in these time during which often we hear strident cruelty and offensive incitement. Please join us all and bring two Shul friends along with you to Yom HaShoah. It is necessary.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,
Rabbi Steve Silberman
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