Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

It is not very often that we read from three Torahs at one service. We are familiar with this on Simchat Torah. On that day, we finish Devarim from one Torah. We begin Bereishit from a second Torah. We read the Festival Maftir from a third Torah.

At times, we read from three Torahs on Shabbat Chanukah. This occurs when the weekly portion and the special reading for Chanukah coincide with Rosh Chodesh.

On this coming Shabbat, the weekly portion of Mishpatim, Rosh Chodesh, and Shabbat Shekalim all coincide. On this Shabbat, we usher in the month of Adar. With the reading of Shekalim, we are reminded to care for the less fortunate at all times and especially in preparation for Purim and Pesach.

A year ago, Purim was the last celebration which included hundreds of people in shul before the Covid shutdowns. This year, you will be invited to participate via Zoom or livestream. On Zoom, we will be able to see your costumes and hear your Haman noise. While the celebration of Purim will be affected by Covid, our tradition states that when Adar begins, we increase joy. For the last year, we have been a strong and resilient community. We must continue to do so in general and in particular to celebrate Purim appropriately in a couple of weeks.

Please look for details on line for scheduled times when you can pick up Megillah texts  and groggers outside the Wilmington entrance.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison