Torah Calendar
4-10 Nissan, 5786
March 22-28, 2026
For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE
Sunday March 22 / 4 Nissan
We are now in the count-down to Pesach. As we work to clean out the Chametz and make our other preparations for the festival, let's remember to cleanse ourselves inwardly and offer our personal prayers from the heart for all that we need personally and collectively.
The first ten days of Nissan correspond to the letter Yod of A-D-N-Y; the four days of checking the Paschal lamb from 11-14 Nissan correspond to the Dalet The fifty days from the first day of Pesach to the eve of Shavuot correspond to the Nun and Shavuot itself corresponds to the Aleph, signifying our complete acceptance of the kingship of G-d through our service in this period.
Please spare a thought for the many who cannot afford Matzot and other Pesach needs. In this period it is customary to give Kimcha d'Pischa -- special charity to the poor to cover their "flour" (kimcha) and other Pesach needs.
Wednesday March 25 / 7 Nissan
On this day in
the Wilderness, the Prince of the tribe
of Ephraim, Elishama
ben Amihud (grandfather of Joshua) brought
his inaugural sacrifices to the Sanctuary.
From 7 Nissan onwards it
is proper to avoid defilement from
the dead where possible so as
to be ritually pure to offer the Pesach
sacrifice when the Temple is rebuilt.
Friday night-Saturday
March 27-28 / 10 Nissan
Shabbat HaGadol, the "Great" Shabbat
Torah reading: TZAV (Leviticus
6:1-8:36), setting forth the laws of
the sacrificial rituals in the Temple.
Special Haftara for Shabbat
HaGadol, the last Shabbat
before Pesach: Malachi
3:4-24 prophesying G-d's coming
Day of Judgment.
It is customary for
the rabbi of the community to give
a special sermon on themes relating
to the coming festival of Pesach. It
is also customary to read the
main narrative portion of the Pesach
Haggadah on Shabbat afternoon
in preparation for the Pesach Seder
night.
Today, 10th Nissan, is the anniversary of (1) The taking of the paschal lamb by the Children of Israel in Egypt without the Egyptians daring to attack them even though the lamb was their god; (2) Death of Miriam in the 40th year of wandering in the Wilderness; (3) Miracle of the splitting of the River Jordan when the Israelites entered the Land under Joshua