Shabbos HaGadol

This portion is read the Sabbath before Passover. In English this is translated to mean Great Sabbath! This was the Sabbath that the Jewish people were asked by G-d to take the Egyptian God that was tied to their bed post and sacrifice it. This Sabbath the Jewish people left Egypt and sacrificed the lamb. (The god of the Egyptians). The fact that the Jewish people were not killed in this process shows that we had faith.

The Haftorah is read after the Torah reading. This portion is read from the Prophet Malachi. The portion explains that sacrifices that were offered to G-d were considered pleasant. The Jewish people at this time period of Malachi the prophet were not acting correctly. They were not giving their required dedications/sacrificial offerings to the temple. The temple didn't just serve as a place for sacrifices. Jewish people were asked to give a certain portion of their fruits and harvest to the priests. The sins of man were acknowledged in the bringing of a sacrifice eg. Sin offering. The temple meant much more than just the bringing of sacrifices.

During that time period such portions were not being brought in conjunction with the lack of concern for various commandments eg., adultery. G-d mentioned that he would be a swift witness against the sorcerers, adulterers and false swearers. This was a time period that G-d had also seen injustices to those who were oppressed. He held himself as a witness to those that were oppressed eg., workers who didn't receive their adequate wages. G-d served as a witness to the way the community acted toward the widows, orphans and strangers.

The laws G-d commanded to the Jewish people should always be upheld. Those that do evil (and continue in these ways) will burn and those that do good will be saved. The wicked people will become like ashes. The above actions are considered evil. Man is given the opportunity to do good or bad. We have to choose good things to occupy our time with. There are times that we may do something incorrectly. Once you acknowledge your ways than a step in the right direction has taken place. Write down your habits and see where your negative characteristics or actions take place in your life. The Prophet Elijah will be sent before the coming of the great and dreadful day of God. A cup of Elijah is placed on the Passover Table. On the holiday of Passover Elijah travels to the Passover Sedar to be apart of our holiday.
On the way out of Egypt (Story of Passover: Russian and English) the Jewish people were given the commandments. We all retell the story of Passover through out the holiday. We invite every one to our community Sedar. We discuss how we were slaves and the injustices/oppression that we had undergone in Egypt. We must not forget how we were treated. The way we should treat others is the way we treat ourselves. The Passover holiday reminds us of our previous role in society and how we left with great miracles. G-d is angry at us when we forget where we came from and treat others with injustices.
Please join us this Passover for a free Joyous Passover Sedar. Call us at 718-449-1397 to make reservations.
Have a Happy and Healthy Sabbath and Passover!