Because many of us are not able to attend shul in person, the Rabbi has agreed to share his shabbat morning drashah in advance. Here is the first half of it. To read the full drashah, click here and it will take you to what will become a rich archive of all of Rabbi Staller's drashot.
Parshah VaYakhel Pekudei
While recently, he’s been receiving mainly positive press due to a Golden Globe win, Aaron Sorkin’s screen writing was forever marred in my eyes after watching an eight minute super-clip on Youtube entitled “Sorkinisms.” Despite having a storied and successful career– or perhaps, part of the secret to said success– Sorkin is guilty of endless self-plagiarism as nearly every TV show and movie he’s ever worked on, from his early career until today, features one of a several oft repeated lines or chunks of dialogue that have since been dubbed Sorkinisms. For years I’ve wondered how Sorkin managed to develop such prestige and critical acclaim despite openly self-plagiarising, padding his works with repetitive filler. But when I look at Parashat VaYakhel Pekudei, and read for the second time this month a nearly word for word account of the construction of the Mishkan– itself only the second of four times (!) in the Torah we’re given an account of the Mishkan or its construction– I begin to understand how great works can get away with unapologetic repetition.
In addition to the lengthy and repetitive section detailing the Mishkan’s construction, Parashat VaYakhel also gives us a repetition of a Mitzvah that is itself commanded no less than four (and according to some even more) times in the Torah– namely, the Mitzvah of Shabbat. ּBefore detailing the fundraising successes of the Mishkan, Moshe tells the Jewish people (Exodus 35:3): “You shall not ignite a flame in all your dwellings on Shabbat.” Why is it necessary to command the Jewish people about Shabbat an additional time? And more specifically, why is the act of igniting a fire singled out, when we know there are at least 39 ways to violate Shabbat?
While many different explanations and interpretations are given, I want to focus on one presented by the Chazal in the Talmud on Sanhedrin 35b. The Rabbis pick up on the unnecessary repetition of this commandment, and– as is typical to their exegetical methodology– determine that the seemingly unnecessary repetition must be coming to teach a new aspect of the halakha. Acknowledging that we already know that we cannot light fires on Shabbat, the rabbis determine that it must be that this verse is being directed at the courts. We know that certain national interests– such as the service in the Temple– are built in as exceptions to the general prohibition of labor on Shabbat, and perhaps we would have thought that the court system should be similarly exempt. Therefore, the Torah comes and tells us that courts are not allowed to execute punishments on Shabbat– with the prohibition of igniting a flame serving as a stand-in for the fiery death penalty of Sreifah, ritual burning. ...continued
Click HERE to read the Rabbi's full Drasha
Rabbi Staller's Pesach Prep Resource List
In preparation for a particularly challenging Pesach, between COVID and the unusual schedule of a Saturday night Seder, I’m including some resources early to help get us prepared for Pesach: - I encourage everyone to please review this schedule of events surrounding Pesach. Managing the needs of Shabbat and Pesach are particularly challenging this year, so it is essential that everyone read this chart well in advanced of Pesach and reach out to me with any questions. We will have a Shiur the week of Pesach to prepare the speciifc details.
- Similarly, my colleague, Rabbanit Leah Sarna, has produced an extremely useful Minimalist Passover Guide that walks one through everything needed to host their own Passover. Highly recommended.
- Similarly, for those running a Seder for the first time, feel free to consult Jeff’s Pesach Essentials.
- For the sale of Chametz, there are a couple options. I will be selling Chametz with MTJ and the Lower East Side community. Here is a Chametz Sale Form. Don’t wait til last minute. This process takes some time, so don’t get caught right before Pesach. Alternatively, if that is too complicated, you can sell your Chametzonline through Chabad. Halakhically, that is not my preference, but if that is easier for people, it is acceptable.
- Please consult this guide for advice on how to Kasher your kitchen. If a particular question or circumstance arises, please reach out to me with any questions.
- Consult the OU Passover Guide for general questions, such as which items require special Passover certification and which don’t, or reach out to me.
- The Shul will be collecting charity for the Mitzvah of Ma’ot Chitim, the Passover commandment to ensure that the poor in your neighborhood are taken care of before engaging in your own Seder. Donations can be made to the Shul here, just specify that it is for Maot Chitim. The money will be dedicated specifically to causes focused on feeding the hungry locally in New York, such as the Bowery Mission and Masbia Soup Kitchen. Unless specified otherwise, we will assume the entire donation is intended for charity, so if you intend to also donate to the Shul, please specify.
- Stay tuned for Pesach Programming in the Shul! With the vaccine rollout being widened, we are hopeful that in addition to our usual services we will be able to provide some form of safe first night Seder for any who need in the community. Stay up to date with the announcements, and reach out if you need any help.
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