Immediately following the Shacharit service, this coming Friday morning, April 22, 2016 @ 7.30 a.m., we will be holding a Siyyum for B’Chorim and B’Chorot.

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 Torah. Afterwards, all first borns are invited to a meal, considered a seudat mitzvah (in honor of a commandment; in this case, studying the Torah). By participating in this mitzvah, the first born does not have to fast.

You are welcome to attend with your first born children and grandchildren, even those who have not yet celebrated their bat or bar mitzvah.

Mark Goodman will teach the portion of Torah.

The tzedakah collected that morning will go to support our  Third Night Social Justice Seder that is being co-sponsored by Holy Blossom and Ve’ahavta, on Sunday April 24, 2016 at 5.30 p.m. at Holy Blossom.