Rabbi's Blog

Dear OZ family,

This morning, we recited Tachanun for the last time until the middle of April. Tachanun is recited after the Amidah and is comprised mainly of Tehillim chapter 6, and it beseeches God to find our service pleasing. Last year, after a full month of Nissan in veritable quarantine form our normal lives, I wrote a message about the return to recite this very special prayer. At the time, we could not imagine that a year later, Covid would still be with us, but here we are, on the cusp of another Nissan. Nissan is a month that is filled with so many joyful commemorations, including the seven day celebration of the completion of the Mishkan, 4 or 5 Shabbatot and the days of Pesach. Since that comprises the majority of the month of Nissan, the recitation of Tachanun is omitted for the entire month.

This time, we really do see the light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not an oncoming train. Last year, many people were resigned to making Seder alone, and hopefully this year will be different. We are offering an outdoor option for those who wish, and I ask anyone who wishes to have guests or to be a guest to come forward. CDC guidelines have been relaxed for those who have been vaccinated to the full effect. New vaccines are available that require only one shot. We must still be vigilant to protect the most vulnerable among us, and may the month of Nissan herald a swift turn back to normal life as we remember it. May God find our service and the incredible Chesed so many have shown, pleasing. May our omission of Tachanun out of the sheer joy of the historical completion of God’s sanctuary, and the observance of His Shabbatot and Festivals, be as pleasing to God as our recitation of Tachanun itself.

Chodesh Tov. May our strength and health be renewed with the new moon, as it waxes to its fullness for the night of the first Seder.  Shabbat Shalom.

Stay well.  Be healthy.  Be excellent.

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Rabbi Allen Schwartz

Congregation Ohab Zedek

118 West 95^th Street | New York, NY  10025-6604

Phone 212.749-5150, ext 200 | Fax 212.663-3635

E-mail ras@ozny.org

Website:  www.ozny.org