“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”
Helen Keller
Yes it is getting to be that time. The first seder is 2 weeks from tonight. That also means that today marks 2 weeks until the fast of the first born.What's that you ask? Everyone, Jew and gentile alike knows Passover, however the same cannot be said about Ta'anit B'chorim....the Fast of the First Born.
This fast commemorates the salvation of the Israelite firstborns during the plague of the first born.It is a unique fast which usually falls on the day before Passover and requires only firstborns to fast.Usually, the fast is broken at a siyum celebration (typically made at the conclusion of the morning services), which, according to prevailing custom, creates an atmosphere of rejoicing that overrides the requirement to continue the fast .
It has been the Spiegel tradition,since 1967,first along with my dad and later by myself, to provide the celebratory meal at our synagogue.
In our community, as in many around the country, our shul is on lockdown. No services. No meetings. No gatherings.
So what does that mean for this 53 year long tradition? What does this mean for our families seder?
How will this affect our Passover celebration?
The last 2 questions are easy to answer. It won't.
We will begin our Seder at app. 8 p.m. 2 weeks from tonight.
As per our tradition, the entire family will be there as well as anyone else who wants to join us.And yes that was an open invitation to you!
There is nothing, no flu, war,civil unrest or governmental policy that will stop this from happening.
As for the siyum? That's another story.
I know how I feel about it. Then again, I have no real say in the matter.
I will wait for those with a much higher pay scale than I have to make the call on that. I am sure they know how I feel.,no matter how much or how little that will weigh on the final decision.
"In every generation they have sought to destroy us...................."
Hasn't worked yet and it won't happen now!
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