Weekly Message 05.01.2026 Parashat Emor

Parashat Emor (speak) Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23

HafTorah Ezekiel 44:15 - 31

EMOR

Dear friends,

After an active week where we co-sponsored and attended the annual scholarship dinner of the African American Club of Pasco, the stirring interfaith program and luncheon at Beth David, and spending a day volunteering at Metropolitan Ministries to help feed and clothe those in need and to spread hope.

And today is a special day in our Hebrew calendar, that of Pesach Sheni or the second Passover. This day is described in the Torah in Bamidbar 9:6-14 as a day (exactly one month after Passover) where those who were unable to observe Passover in its set time due to illness, distant travel, or simply forgetting it are given the opportunity to "make up for it" by observing one day rather than an entire week. In modern times, this has become a festive occasion and as a reminder of the second Pesach offering, we eat matzah on this day. Of course, it is rarely observed in a serious manner because in this modern era with our instant communication tools, it is nearly impossible to "forget" Passover, but my family and I and others have experienced it personally. Nine years ago, as Chris was undergoing a bone marrow transplant and hospitalized for over a month, she was naturally unable to attend a seder and otherwise observe Passover. So, thanks to Hashem and a great attitude, she was able to sufficiently recover and return home while in remission from her multiple myeloma and has remained so for all these subsequent years. And she returned home just in time for Pesach Sheni! We were able to celebrate that joyous day with a seder and to give thanks for her recovery. So, let's eat a piece of matzah and/or gefilte fish in honor of this special day!

We now look forward to a very special Shabbat weekend when on Sunday, we honor our "woman of distinction", Ana Calderon together with the "women of distinction" from congregations and other Jewish organizations from throughout our region with a program and luncheon at Congregation B'nai Israel in St. Petersburg. Ana is a regular at all of our services and events and a stalwart volunteer in our activities as well as in the community at Metropolitan Ministries and other venues. We will carpool from the synagogue parking lot leaving at 11:30 am.

And on Monday, we celebrate Lag B'Omer. We have been counting the Omer

for an entire month and will continue to do so until Erev Shavuot. This is generally a serious time in our Hebrew calendar and observant Jews generally do not hold weddings and similar celebrations or get haircuts and other "beauty treatments" so as to concentrate on the reflective nature of this period. However, one day is chosen to suspend this seriousness and celebrate a day of outdoor spring activities, weddings, haircuts, and other festivities. So please celebrate this day by doing something that makes you happy!

And of course, please join us for our regular Shabbat services this evening at 7:30 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) at 9:30 am when we continue our reading and study of the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus). Our triennial reading cycle will cover 21:1-22:16, a portion that includes the commandments for the duties of the Cohanim (priests). This Sedrah (Emor) is also chanted during our festival services (Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot) because it contains the instructions for observing those holidays as well as Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. A modern equivalent of our reading of the duties of the Cohanim in Leviticus is best stated by Rabbi David Lyon of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston:

Just as the priests in the Temple were obligated to uphold high standards of purity and piety for the sake of the community, parents were seen as bearers of this obligation for the sake of their children. Priests and parents alike were held to higher standards of behavior and ethics. They were role models and exemplars to those who depended on them for access to Hashem's greatest blessings.

So, let us all be role models for the generations that come after us just as our parents and grandparents were for us!

And please continue to join us and support our many spring and summer activities.

Shabbat Shalom!

Ron Becker,

Spiritual Leader

Sunday, May 3 Please plan to attend the gala Jewish Federation of Florida's Gulf Coast Women of Distinction celebration. This year we honor Ana Calderon for all that she has done for our synagogue and the community. The event will begin at 1 pm. Please register at Women of Distinction - Reaching New Summits | Jewish Federation of Florida's Gulf Coast The cost is $36/person for the program and reception, and we will carpool from the synagogue parking lot at 11:30 am.

Thursday, May 21 We will gather on Zoom for our Annual Erev Shavuot study night held jointly with Temple Beth David at 7 pm. Each presenter will speak for 10-15 minutes followed by discussion. Please consider leading a session on any religious, historical, or cultural topic. Zoom link to be provided.

Friday, May 22 We will observe the first day of Shavuot with Yom Tov services at 9:30 am including the chanting of the poem Akdamut followed by the reading of the Ten Commandments.

Friday, May 22 We will observe the evening of the holiday of Shavuot with Shabbat/Yom Tov services at 6:30 pm (note the earlier starting time) including excerpts from the Book of Ruth followed by a wonderful Shabbat/Yom Tov dinner. Stay tuned for further details!

Saturday, May 23 We will observe the second day of the holiday of Shavuot with Shabbat/Yom Tov services at 9:30 am including the Yizkor Memorial Service, the last one before Yom Kippur.

Tuesday, May 26 We will volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries bringing sustenance, clothing, and hope to those in need at the headquarters at 3216 US-19, Holiday, FL 34691, at 11am-2 pm. Please sign up to help at this link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK

Friday, June 19 We will have a Shabbat "Juneteenth" dinner after services which will begin at 6:30 pm (note the earlier starting time). Stay tuned for further details!

Wednesday, July 8 We will be participating in Jewish Heritage Night at Tropicana Field when the Rays take on the New York Yankees at 6:40 pm. We will be carpooling from the synagogue parking lot at 4:30 pm. In addition to the game and sitting with our Jewish friends from throughout our region, each participant will receive a commemorative jersey. Please let us know ASAP if you will be joining us so that we can purchase the tickets.