Rabbi's Blog

Dear OZ family,

In the 5 years between 2018-2022, we celebrate Pesach 4 times without a Shabbos Chol Hamoed, which is what happens when Pesach falls either on a Shabbos or a Sunday. That means that one of the most famous Haftarot of the year goes unsaid in shul. The Springtime renewal of nature is reminiscent of our renewal as a people in the wake of the freedom from Egyptian bondage.

That renewal is captured by Yechezkel (chapter 37) when he contemplated a renewal of his people after the Babylonian destruction. He envisioned a field of dry bones that grew flesh, sinews and tendons to live and breathe again.

The Haggadah reminds us that the Egyptian bondage and the Babylonian destruction were not our only challenges of survival as a nation. Yechezkel speaks of a people that had given up hope of return, but he, like his earlier contemporary Yirmiyahu (according to Radak they were father and son), imbued a sense of anticipation for the return of God’s graces that was realized in the rebuilding of Jerusalem in the time of Ezra and Nechemia, 70 years after the destruction.

Readers of Yechezkel 37 will be reminded of the inspirational lyrics of “Hatikva” where even dry bones can live and breathe again. The word “Hatikva” appears only once in the entire Bible and it describes the vision of Zechariah, in which a dried out well would spring forth water once again. (see Zechariah 9:11-12). Without God’s protective guidance we are hopeless, but with it, hope springs eternal.

As we count the days towards Shavuos, let us continue to look forward to each new day with a sense of hope and renewal.

Please join me in extending condolences to Renee Rothman on the passing of her husband Martin Rothman, a dear friend of Ohab Zedek for many years. Martin was a great supporter of Israel and continued a family heritage of phenomenal political and financial support of the Jewish State. May his memory be a blessing. Shiva information, beginning after Pesach, will follow.

Chag sameach.

Be safe. Be healthy. Be excellent.

Rabbi Allen Schwartz