An entourage of oxen with horns plated with gold and heads coronated with crowns of olive wreaths escort the pilgrims from around Israel as they journey together to Jerusalem bringing their first fruits as a gift to the Temple. Flutists lead the entire procession. As the group approaches Jerusalem, pilgrims adorn their baskets for presentation in the Temple. As the Mishnah (Bikkurim Chapter 3) paints the dramatic image of the parade, it also describes the artisans of Jerusalem who pour out into the street to greet the pilgrims with blessings, ‘Welcome our brothers from place X. Come in peace.’
Not only does this description help us sense the revelry of the moment, it also emphasizes the values that are reflected. As the new crop of the land is celebrated, the oxen, the ‘workhorses of the field’ are included in the parade to Jerusalem, not only as the
shleppers of the gifts, but dressed up and adorned majestically. As the craftspeople of Jerusalem open their streets to the crowds of country-folk, they do so with honor and go out to greet their visitors acknowledging where they have come from and offering blessings of peace.
As a healthy society, we are made up of diverse people who assume a variety of societal roles. Perhaps more than any fruit nestled in the baskets being brought forth, the mutual appreciation for each contributing element is what makes the process of bringing the first fruits most profound.
As the pilgrims enter the Temple with their baskets upon their shoulders, the flutists stop playing and the Levites welcome the pilgrims with song “Praise God for He has lifted me up” (Psalms 30). May this capacity to look up and appreciate those around us serve as the greatest path towards celebrating all of our shared blessings.
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Shabbat Parshat Bamidbar, Erev Chag Shavuot 5th of Sivan May 18-19 / 49 days of the Omer
Plag hamincha (earliest time to light candles)…6:06 pm
Note: Before a Shabbat going in to Chag one should light an extra-large yahrzeit candle that will burn until after the end of Shabbat that you can then use to light Yom Tov candles
Candle Lighting..................7:04 pm
Shkiya/Sunset....................7:34 pm
Shacharit..............................8:45 am
Sof Zman Kriyat Shema....... 9:08 am
Candle Lighting for Yom Tov (with Shehechiyanu) from a pre-existing flame AFTER…..8:16 pm (We don’t prepare from Shabbat to Yom Tov on Shabbat. After the conclusion of Shabbat we say “ברוך המבדיל בין קודש לקודש” before lighting candles or doing Yom Tov preparation
For Kiddush Talmudic suggests mnemonic regarding odrer of Brachot Wine, Kiddush, candle, and Shehechiyanu, - YaKeNHaZ.
Tikun starting at 10:00 pm at the Gil Paz “Tishbi House” house (Learning in English, and Hebrew )
See the full schedule here
Shavuot day Sunday, May 20th
Sunrise..............................................5:39 am
Regular Shacharit at Moed……......8:45 am
Yizkor (not before)..........................10:15 am
Megilat Ruth...................................10:45 am
After Lunch MK Elazar Stern - Topic: Is the Book of Ruth a Model for Conversion Today (in Hebrew)
Havdalah (no candle or spices) after ............ 8:16 pm
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Save the date:
If you are interested in sharing a Dvar Tora or reading from the Tora or Haftara send an email to
off...@moed.org.il
If you would like to make a celebratory Kiddush with the Kehilla noting a birthday, exam success, recovery from ill-health or anniversary - or to mark the Yahrzeit of a family member who was dear to you
- or a gesture to the kehilla , please do email me your preferred date at:
oster...@gmail.com
