Diary Week of 28 March-5 April / 22-29 Adar II

(Courtesy of AZAMRA)

Sunday 30 March / 23 Adar II
On this date Moses in the wilderness began the seven days of inauguration of the Sanctuary and the Priests prior to the dedication of the Sanctuary on 1 Nissan. In our time, the coming seven days are auspicious for preparing ourselves for the coming New Year of 1st of Nissan a week from today, a time of spiritual and physical renewal.

Tuesday 1 April / 25 Adar II
According to the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua that the sixth day of creation was on 1 Nissan, today corresponds to the first of the six days of creation, enhancing the potential for spiritual growth in preparation for the coming festival of Pesach.

Thursday 3 April / 27 Adar II
Since Rosh Chodesh Nissan falls on Sunday, the preceding Yom Kippur Katan ("the small Day of Atonement"), which cannot be held on Shabbat, is brought forward to today. Many fast from dawn until nightfall and/or engage in self-examination and repentance, reciting special prayers, and where possible journeying to pray at the graves of the Tzaddikim.Today is a particularly auspicious day for offering prayers for one's livelihood (SheLaH).

Friday night-Saturday 4-5 April / 29 Adar II
Shabbat HA-CHODESH, "The Month": Torah reading TZARIA setting forth the laws of "leprous" marks on the skin of the body and the head. Special additional reading: Exodus 12:1-20 giving the laws of the month of Nissan and the festival of Passover in preparation for the coming season of our Redemption. Special Haftara from Ezekiel 45:17-46:18 about the inauguration of the Future Temple. After the synagogue Torah reading we bless the coming month of Nissan.

Rosh Chodesh will be on Sunday 6 April. The Molad (junction of the sun and the moon) will be on Saturday night at 10:34 p.m.

Shavua tov!