Rabbi’s Update 3/27/2026
- rabbi423
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Dear Friends:
Since next Friday, April 3, is the second day of Pesach, I won’t be posting a “Rabbi’s Update” that day.
In the class I am teaching on Pirkei Avot, we have been looking at materials which deal with how judges and courts should conduct themselves. For example, a court should always consist of three judges (because we learn and understand best through discussion with others who may see something that we miss, and so that there not be a tie when the judges come to vote). And the senior judge may not pressure the other two judges to agree with him if he finds himself in the minority. I pointed out that classically the function of a rabbi is to teach and rule in matters of halacha and that the current function of rabbis as ritual functionaries, pastoral counselors, and so on is a relatively modern phenomenon.
While the weeks leading up to Pesach are extremely busy, I also enjoy them because I get to function in the way rabbis did in the pre-modern world. I get a lot of questions about what foods are permitted and forbidden on Passover, how to kasher year-round utensils for Pesach use, and so on.
I have found that many members of Conservative congregations are fairly strict about Pesach even if they are more “flexible” in their kashrut observance the rest of the year. This extra level of strictness about Passover is not unusual; while I will eat vegetarian food in non-kosher restaurants the rest of the year, during Pesach I don’t consume anything not certified for Passover outside my home or the shul except for bottled water or fresh fruit.
But it is important that our food and kitchen concerns not prevent us from dealing with the more philosophical and existential questions of Passover. What is freedom? What does it mean to be free and how do we achieve that freedom? Chametz is not just about food -- our Sages and the Hassidic masters tell us that chametz is symbolic of pride, arrogance, and the sins or character traits which prevent us from living life as we should. What is the chametz in your life and how can you get rid of it?
A few reminders repeated from last week:
With the change to Daylight Saving Time, our Zoom havdalah will no longer be at 7 pm weekly but will change as sunset gets later. Havdalah on Saturday night March 28 will be held at 8:15 pm.
As a reminder, we “reset” our MiSheberach list every year at Pesach and Rosh Hashanah. If you have asked for a name to be added to our list and want it to remain, please contact the office before Pesach to ask that it be kept. Names not “renewed” will be removed from the list. And as always, if you have given a name and it no longer needs to be on the list, please let us know.
Forms for the sale of chametz as well as Passover guidance are available:
If you or someone you know is in need because of having been laid off, or has lost benefits of some type and needs immediate help, please let me know. I can access limited funds through the Jewish Federation almost immediately. For longer-term help, the Hebrew Free Loan Society will loan up to $18,000 interest-free and the Jewish Federation has set up a hotline to access assistance at 703-JCARING.
As a reminder, I am having drop-in hours on Thursday afternoons from 2 to 4 at the shul. For my drop-in hours, you do not need to make an appointment -- that would negate the whole point of drop-in hours -- but I’d urge you to check and make sure I am there regardless as sometimes there are unavoidable pastoral or other emergencies which might take me away from the building.
As always, if I can do anything for you or you need to talk, please contact me at rabbi@kehilatshalom.org rather than through the synagogue office. I am happy to meet you at the synagogue by appointment; if you want to speak with me it’s best to make an appointment rather than assuming I will be there when you stop by.
Additionally, if you know of a Kehilat Shalom congregant or another member of our Jewish community who could use a phone call, please let me know.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Charles L. Arian