Shabbat and Candle Lighting for Friday, May 17, 2019 / 13 Iyar 5779
Light Shabbat candles at 7:05 p.m
.
Dear Co
ngregation Kehillah and Friends,
Parashat Emorcontains the 'festival calendar' of the Jewish people. You might be surprised to learnwhich of our holidays and festivals are mentioned in the Torah, along with the names by which theywere originally known:
the weekly Shabbat;
the bringing of the Passover offering on 14 Nisan;
the seven-day Passover starting on 15 Nisan;
the Omer offering from the first barley harvest on the second day of Passover and the commencement,that day, of the 49-day counting of the Omer, culminating in the festival of Shavuot on the 50th day;
a day of remembrance marked by shofar blasts on 1 Tishrei*;
a solemn fast day on 10 Tishrei**;
Sukkot, during which we are to "dwell in huts for seven days and take the Four Kinds"*** beginning on15 Tishrei; and
a holiday immediately following (the '8th day' of Sukkot) = Shemini Atzeret.
Instruction is offered as to the purpose and observance of these special days along with commandingthekohanim/priests to replace the 12 loaves of showbread each week that sat on a special table in thesanctuary.
* Rosh Hashanah
** Yom Kippur
*** Lulav (containing the willow, palm and myrtle branches) and Etrog (the citron)
A kavannah for candle lighting for Shabbat Emor
As those serving in the Temple renewed and refreshed the loaves each week, may my candle lighting thisweek help me to learn more about and practice my Judaism in ways that renew and refresh my heart andsoul, contributing to the strength and well-being of our people, the community and the world.