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D'var Torah From Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham

This Week's Torah Portion is

Pesach

Passover is a time that accentuates the importance of oneness and unity. On Seder night, we remember our historic roots and re-experience both the dark days in Egypt and our miraculous redemption from bondage. The Jewish people across the globe feel a sense of closeness and connectivity to one another as we share in common rituals, songs, and a unique conversation.
 
One of the first rituals we engage in at the Seder is Yachatz, the breaking of the Matzah into two halves. A beautiful explanation is offered by the Sages for this ritual, namely that the act of breaking the Matzah at our Seder table re-enacts the manner in which the Israelite slaves conducted themselves during their enslavement in Egypt. An Israelite slave who was fortunate to have had a bit more means would break off a piece of their bread and share it with a fellow slave who may have had less (The Night That Unites Haggadah, p. 64). The ritual of Yachatz highlights the remarkable bond of brotherhood and sisterhood that was never lost within the Jewish people even when they faced the direst and threatening of circumstances.
 
As we celebrate our Passover Seders this weekend, we are inspired to envision a world where true peace can be reality. Although we are living at a time of great uncertainty around the globe, it is important to remember that regardless of the many threats and various obstacles that we face, when we stand as one, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel, Ukraine, and around the world, we can achieve great things-perhaps even the serenity and peace we all long to realize.
 
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Kasher V'Sameach (Happy Passover)!

Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham
314-576-9990 x136
rabbi.abraham@bnaiamoona.com

Shabbat and Pesach Service Schedule
& Candle Lighting Times

Shabbat Candlelighting:

Friday, April 15, at 7:20 pm

Havdalah, Saturday, April 16 at 8:21 pm 

Friday, April 15 - Erev Pesach
7:00 am: Morning Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
7:45 am: Siyyum for the First Born with Rabbi Neal Rose in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
9:30 am: Chametz Happenings: join us for playtime, bagels and then we will burn our Chametz together. We'll also enjoy a special yo-yo show with Jackson Salasky.

• Online registration is requested but not required. Click HERE to register. 

1:30 pm: Minchah in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Kosher Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
6:00 pm: First Seder - Family Style at the St. Louis JCC Staenberg Family Complex with Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham and Rabbi Brad Horwitz
7:20 pm: Candle Lighting

Saturday, April 16 - 1st Day of Pesach
9:00 am: Shabbat & Passover Day 1 Services in the Main Sanctuary - In Person, Livestream, and FB Live 
10:00 am: Torah for Today in the Community Room - In Person, Kosher Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
12:00 pm: Shabbat Minchah in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Kosher Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 

Enjoy your Second Seder at home with you family
8:09 pm: Candle Lighting

Sunday, April 17 - 2nd Day of Pesach
9:00 am: 2nd Day of Passover Services in the Main Sanctuary - In Person, Livestream, and Facebook Live
7:15 pm: Minchah & Ma’ariv in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Kosher Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
8:10 pm: Havdalah

Monday, April 18 - 3rd Day of Pesach
7:00 am: Morning Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
6:15 pm: Afternoon & Evening Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 

Tuesday, April 19 - 4th Day of Pesach
7:00 am: Morning Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
4:00-6:00 pm: Matzah Pizza Making at Rabbi Abraham’s Home. This program is for preschoolers through middle schoolers and their families.

• Online registration is requested but not required. Click HERE to register. 

6:15 pm: Afternoon & Evening Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 

Wednesday, April 20 - 5th Day of Pesach
7:00 am: Morning Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
6:15 pm: Afternoon & Evening Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 

Thursday, April 21 - 6th Day of Pesach
7:00 am: Morning Minyan in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
6:15 pm: Afternoon & Evening Minyan as we welcome the 7th Day of Pesach in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Kosher Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live  
7:26 pm: Candle Lighting

Friday, April 22 - 7th Day of Pesach
9:00 am: 7th Day of Pesach Services in the Main Sanctuary - In Person, Livestream, and FB Live 
6:00 pm: Afternoon and Evening Services for Shabbat & the 8th Day of Pesach in the Guller Chapel -  In Person, Kosher Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
7:27 pm: Candle Lighting

Saturday, April 23 - 8th Day of Pesach
9:00 am: Shabbat and 8th Day of Pesach Services in the Main Sanctuary - In Person, Livestream, and FB Live 
10:15 am: Mini Minyan with Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham. This program is for you children and their families.
10:30 am: Yizkor in the Main Sanctuary - In Person, Livestream, and FB Live 
7:15 pm: Minchah & Ma’ariv in the Guller Chapel - In Person, Kosher Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
8:15 pm: Havdalah
8:17 pm: Chametz may be consumed

Additional Service Information and Virtual Options
Join us In-Person or on Zoom, BA Livestream or Facebook Live

Kosher Zoom Information:

Kosher Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/113973471?pwd=OThFbDdQcmI5UWpnc2pEaEJBV0lmUT09
Meeting ID: 113 973 471
Password: Shabbat

Regular Morning Minyanim

Sunday Morning Minyan: 9:00 am
Monday - Friday Morning Minyan: 7:00 am
In-Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/97189645201 
Meeting ID: 971 8964 5201
This Zoom link is for all morning Minyan Services

Regular Evening Minyanim

Sunday - Thursday Evening Minyan: 6:15 pm
via Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/97924715014
Meeting ID: 979 2471 5014
This Zoom link is for all evening Minyan Services

In Our Community

We Pray For Peace In Ukraine

Our hearts continue to be with the people of Ukraine and their loved ones. Please click the image below to be directed to our Ukraine Support Page where you will find tangible ways to support Ukraine, informative articles and webinars, and upcoming events.

Additional Torah Commentary Resources

Please click the links below for this week's Torah and Haftarah commentary
USCJ Torah and Haftarah Commentary, TORAH SPARKS
JTS Torah Commentary Podcast
AJU Ziegler School Rabbinic Studies Weekly Torah Portion Commentary