This week at Azamra
7 Shevat 5783 / 29 January 2023

Torah Calendar

7-20 Shevat 5783
January 29-February 11, 2023

For this week's study schedule & classes, CLICK HERE

Shevat is the eleventh month of Jewish year. Corresponding permutation of the Tetragrammaton: HYVH deriving from the initial Hebrew letters of Leviticus 27:33, Homer Yemirenu Vehayah Hu, "…if he shall surely change it, then it shall be…" Corresponding letter of Aleph-Beis: Tzadi; Constellation: D'li (Aquarius, the Water Carrier); Body part: Korkevan=Stomach (Sefer Yetzirah).

"Even though Israel has no MAZAL (constellation),
D'LI is Israel's Mazal!"

Tuesday January 31 / 9 Shevat

On Tuesday of the week of Shabbat Beshalach, it is propitious for one's livelihood to read the Torah portion about the Giving of the Manna in the Wilderness (Exodus 16:4-36) twice in Hebrew and once in the Aramaic Targum (Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Riminov d. 1815). Those without knowledge of Hebrew or access to the Aramaic may read the passage in their own language.

TU BISHVAT, New Year of the Trees
will be on Sunday night-Monday February 5-6.
Don't forget to prepare a selection of fruits
with which to celebrate Tu BiShvat
through the recital of many blessings!!!

In some communities it is customary to organize
a collection to provide fruits for Tu Bishvat
for those who cannot afford to buy their own.

Tuesday night-January 31-February 1 / 10 Shevat

Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Shalom Sharabi, the "RaShaSh" (1720-77), author of Siddur HaKavvanot Kabbalistic prayerbook, and of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, the "Frierdiker (=previous) Rebbe" of Lubavitch (1880-1950).

On 10 Shevat 1951 Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shneerson of Lubavitch formally became Rebbe in succession to his father-in-law,

"During the month of Shevat more than all of the rest of the year, one should strive to love peace and pursue peace between each person and his fellow and between each man and his wife"
(Mo-ed LeKol Chai)

Friday night-Saturday February 3-4 / 13 Shevat
Shabbat Parshat BESHALACH
SHABBAT SHIRAH

Torah Reading: Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) telling the story of the crossing of the Red Sea, the Song (Shirah) sung by Israel after the miracle, their entry into the Wilderness, receiving the first commandments, the Manna and the war with Amalek. Haftara: Judges 4:4-5:31 Song of Debora.
 One should pray with particular joy and song on this auspicious Shabbat. In the morning service, many communities sing the Song of the Sea together verse by verse. Some have the custom of eating cooked wheat or buckwheat kernels in memory of the Manna. Some have the custom of scattering breadcrumbs for the birds in reward for their singing.

Saturday night-Sunday February 4-5 / 14 Shevat

Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Daniel Frisch (d. 2005), author of the Matok Midvash ("Sweeter than Honey") Hebrew commentary on the Zohar and Tikkuney Zohar.

Sunday night-Monday February 5-6 / 15 Shevat
TU B'-SHVAT New Year of the Tree

In order to multiply blessings on Tu B'Shvat, it is customary to eat many different kinds of fruits, particularly, where possible, the seven fruits for which the land of Israel is praised in Deut. 8:8: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Many have the custom of setting a table laden with many varieties of fruits and other good foods, sitting with family and friends to make the appropriate blessings over bread, wine, cakes or crackers and various fruits. Some review and discuss the halachot relating to the different blessings, and some follow a printed "Seder" ("Order") of Tu BiShvat reciting Biblical, Mishnaic and Kabbalistic passages relating to the various fruits.

Please carefully check dried and other fruits to ensure there are no worms or bugs etc. in the food you eat and feed to your family and friends.

It is proper to pray today for a valid and beautiful Etrog (citron) with which to perform the mitzvah of the Four Kinds this coming Succoth. Some eat candied Etrog on Tu BiShvat and recite the prayer then.

Friday night-Saturday February 10-11 / 20 Shevat
Shabbat Parshat YITRO

Torah reading Parshat Yitro telling the story of how Jethro came to join the Children of Israel in the Wilderness, followed by the account of the Giving of the Torah at Sinai and the Ten Commandments. The Haftara is Isaiah 6:1-7:6 & 9:5-6. Every day, and particularly today, we should feel that we receive the Torah afresh. This Shabbat many sing melodies associated with the festival of Shavuot commemorating the Giving of the Torah, such as Rabbi Nachman's melody for "Atah Nigleisa" ("You were revealed.").
Today is the Yahrzeit of Asher son of Jacob.

"Even though Israel has no MAZAL (constellation), D'LI is Israel's Mazal!

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