Thought Of The Week: Lynette Sunderland

Written by Writings & Sermons by others — 14 April 2016

Last Shabbat at Alyth we celebrated a bar mitzvah, the baby naming of twins (third generation Alyth!), an auf ruf, a recovery after a recent operation and two “special” birthdays.  It was truly a celebration of celebrations.  Here were several people recognizing special moments in their life, together with their community, enabling us to share and be swept along with the joy of celebrating happy times.

We also read from three Torah scrolls!   One of which reminded us that the new month of Nisan had arrived and the other that Pesach was fast looming – just in case we had missed this fact.

With the month of Nisan brings spring – a time of re-emergence for the plants and animals and perhaps for ourselves.  A time when spring cleaning both physically and metaphorically are uppermost in our mind.  A time when we think of the Pesach story and what it really means for us today, not only personally but for all peoples everywhere.

This Shabbat is Shabbat Ha-gadol and is the last of the special shabbatot before Pesach.  In the Shulchan Aruch (the Code of Jewish Law) several reasons are given as to why this Shabbat is named as such.  One of the reasons as will be explained by way of the Haftarah portion – which will be read by one of our members celebrating their “special” birthday – is that in the penultimate verse the prophet, Malachi, will send Elijah before the great and fearful day.  As the prophet speaks of this impending day as great, the Rabbis saw fit to attach this adjective to the Shabbat preceding Pesach.  The purpose of Elijah’s coming is mentioned in the last verse of the Haftarah when we are told that he will “reconcile parents with children and children with their parents..”.  Thereby creating a union between people, bringing closer the bond of friendship and understanding between the generations and each other.  And this is the message of Pesach.  It is a time when we come together – to relive our history, to strengthen our Jewish identity and to acknowledge each other – whatever our circumstance.  It is a time when we conscientiously fulfil the mitzvah of “welcoming the stranger” – hachnasat orchim.  Whether you have family or not with whom to celebrate, let Alyth be your family.  Come celebrate and commemorate, the happy and the not so happy times.  And at Pesach time, know that through our B’Yachad Alyth commundal seder and the welcoming by members of others into their home you can celebrate with your community now and in the future.  In the coming months, we look forward to sharing these times with you and if you would like to know more about how you can do this then please let us know – no previous experience necessary and a lot of support and teaching given if needed!

Shabbat shalom v’chag Pesach sameach.