Shabbat Gathering: Welcoming Adar.

Dear Chevrei, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:

Zoom
Meeting ID: 883 8469 4181
Password: 822665
Phone: +1 312 626 6799

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Here we go.

Rosh Chodesh Adar I. It’s a new month on the Jewish calendar. Rosh Chodesh (happy new month [think Rosh Hashanah, happy new year]) Adar I is the name of the month.

We’ve covered Jewish calendar skills before when we’ve reviewed the idea of some years in our calendars have leap months and Adar I is the first of two Adars in our calendar this year.

Adar is the twelfth month in the Jewish calendar and the expression associated with Adar is, “When Adar enters, joy increases.” It’s a month that’s associated with Purim, a joyful holiday. Lately, the weather in Madison has been springlike. A time of new beginnings.

I subscribe to a Substack titled My Musings by Rabbi Sandra Lawson and in the most current issue it says this about Rosh Chodesh Adar I:

Jewish tradition says that Adar has a unique power to transform sadness into joy and darkness into light. In the mosaic of Jewish months, Adar is the thread that weaves hope into the fabric of our lives, reminding us that no matter the darkness, light is just around the corner.

And may it be for all of us a blessing.

See you tonight!

Gut Shabbes!
All my love,
brian.

PS

I've referred to The Velveteen Rabbi, Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, several times in this newsletter and Rabbi Laurie has referred to her many times in her drashes. Our synagogue also uses her haggadah for our seders. In honor of this week's Reproductive Shabbat, here are The Velveteen Rabbi's thoughts.

And in honor of Valentine's day, here's an article about sex tips from the Talmud.

And in honor of 50 years of Blazing Saddles, there's this.

I've thought long and hard about sharing this clip from Blazing Saddles and even rejected it once. This scene from the movie caused my daughters to fall off the couch in gales of laughter when they "recognized" their Zayde as the Indian Chief.

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