Erev Pesach Siyyum for Bachorim and Bachorot
Erev Pesach Siyyum for Bachorim and Bachorot
Immediately following the Shacharit service, on Friday morning, March 30, 2018 at 9.00 am we will be holding a Siyyum for Bachorim and Bachorot, (First born children, male and female).
It is customary on Erev Pesach for the first born male and female (according to Sephardic tradition), to fast from sunrise until the beginning of the Seder. The fast is in recognition that the first born of the Israelites were ‘passed over’ while the first born of the Egyptians were subject to the plague of death of first borns, according to the Passover story.
Since Jewish tradition does not permit a fast on a joyous occasion such as the beginning of a Festival, the custom of participating in a Siyyum was created. The Siyyum consists of inviting all first borns to be present at a brief study session concluding a portion of a sacred text. Afterwards, all first borns are invited to a meal, called a seudat mitzvah (in honor of a commandment; in this case, sacred study). By participating in this mitzvah, the first born does not have to fast.
If you are a first born, you are welcome to attend, as are your first born children and grandchildren, even those who have not yet celebrated a Bat or Bar mitzvah.
Tzedakah collected will be donated to support our students who pack up Kosher l’Pesach food for local Jewish families in need. As Rabbi Splansky has written, “we can opt out of the Fast with sacred study, but many Canadians cannot.”
Mark Goodman will lead us in study.
Chag Pesach Sameach!
(As Friday is a statutory holiday, Shacharit begins at 9.00 am.)
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!