Rabbi’s Update 3/28/2025

Dear Friends:

During the weeks leading up to Passover there are several Shabbatot when we read a special Maftir which contains a reading that in some way serves the purpose of helping us to prepare for the upcoming Festival.

This Shabbat we read “HaChodesh” which is from Chapter 12 of Exodus. We read it because this section contains the instructions for the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb. While we no longer perform such a sacrifice in the absence of the Jerusalem Temple, if the Temple were standing each family would be reminded by this special reading that we have to go about obtaining our lamb. Nowadays, I suppose it serves to remind us to start getting the house ready for Pesach, to make our Passover shopping lists, and take care of selling our chametz through the agency of the rabbi by using this form.

The commandment of the Paschal lamb is considered by the Sages to be the first commandment specifically addressed to the Jewish people. All the commandments prior to Exodus 12 were addressed either to an individual or to humanity as a whole; but from this point forward we will have mitzvot given to the people of Israel.

Rashi, in his very first comment to the Torah on Genesis 1:1, entertains the view of Rabbi Yitzhak that the Torah really should have begun with Exodus 12:1. Why would he say such a thing?

According to the view which Rashi is presenting, the purpose of the Torah is simply to serve as the rulebook of the Jewish people. Therefore, everything prior to “HaChodesh” is really superfluous, unnecessary.

Rashi of course rejects this view and brings a number of different viewpoints as to what the purpose of the Torah really is and why the Book of Genesis and the first 11 chapters of Exodus are not really a waste of time, ink and parchment.

 But this brings up an interesting question. What, exactly, is the purpose of the Torah? What’s it there for? What’s it trying to do? Maybe this might be a good topic of discussion over your Shabbat table this weekend.

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 or 301-977-0768 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