The Benoni

DIARY
12-25 Av 5769
2-15 August 2009

Tuesday night-Wednesday 4-5 August / 15 Av
TU B’AV
The Fifteen of Av (Tu B’Av) is one of the holiest, albeit hidden festivals of the Torah calendar, possessing the same sanctity as Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). It marks the day when decree of death for the generation of the wilderness was seen to have come to an end, and also the reconciliation of the Tribes of Israel with the Tribe of Benjamin after the incident of the Concubine of Giv’ah, preventing the extinction of that tribe by enabling members to marry women of other tribes (Judges 19-20, 21:19; Ta’anit 30b). Under Hoshea ben Elah, king of the Ten Tribes, the roadblocks set up by Yeravaam (Jeraboam) preventing pilgrimage to the Jerusalem Temple were removed, and under the Roman occupation, the slain of Beitar were brought to burial. Today is particularly propitious for prayers to find one’s soulmate.

From this point in the year onwards, the nights are becoming noticeably longer in the northern hemisphere, and we should add to our Torah studies during the night-time hours because "a man learns most of his Torah wisdom only at night" (Rambam, Laws of Torah Study 3:13).

Friday night-Saturday 7-8 August / 18 Av
Shabbat Parshat EIKEV
Torah Reading: EIKEV, Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25. Haftara: Isaiah 49:14-51:3.
Today marks the eightieth anniversary of the 1929 Arab attacks on Jews in Jerusalem, Hebron, Safed and other parts of Israel with the brutal murder of 113 martyrs.

Monday night-Tuesday 10-11 August / 21 Av
Yahrzeit of Rabbi Aharon Rokeach, the Belzer Rebbe (1877-1957).

Tuesday night-Wednesday 11-12 August / 22 Av
Anniversary of the murderous Arab bomb attack on the crowded Number 2 Bus going to the Kotel (Western Wall) in 2003.

Wednesday night-Thursday 12-13 August / 23 Av
Yahrzeit of R. Yaakov Yisrael Kanyevski the "Steipler Rav" (1899-1985).

Friday night-Saturday 14-15 August / 25 Av

Shabbat Parshat RE’EH
Shabbat Mevarchin ELUL
Torah Reading: RE-EH, Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17. Haftara: Isaiah 54:11-55:5.
Shabbat Mevarchin blessing the coming month of Elul. The Molad (junction of the sun and the moon) will be on the night of Thursday 20 August at 11:03 and 6 chalakim.

DIARY
5-11 Av 5769
25 July-1 August 2009

Saturday night-Sunday 25-26 July / 5 Av
Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the "ARI" (1534-72), outstanding Safed kabbalist and source of all the teachings in Eitz Chayim, "The Tree of Life", and numerous other volumes written down by his student Rabbi Chaim Vital. People in Israel flock to the ARI’s gravesite in the old cemetery of Safed.
Today is also the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Michel Dorfman (1913-2006), guardian of Rabbi Nachman’s grave during the post-World War II Communist regime, leading elder of the Breslover Chassidim and builder of the new Kloyz (synagogue) in Uman.

Wednesday 29 July / 8 Av
Eve of Tisha B’Av
The mourning for the Temple during the Nine Days intensifies on the afternoon of the eve of the fast of Tisha B’Av. Only those areas of Torah that are permitted on Tisha B’Av may be studied this afternoon, i.e. the laws of mourning, passages of reproof in Jeremiah, Job, etc. and works of Mussar and Chassidut that arouse us to Teshuvah.
The fast of Tisha B’Av commences with the setting of the sun this afternoon. Shortly before the commencement of the fast, it is customary to eat the somber Seudah Hamafseket, "separation meal", with bread dipped in ashes and no more than one cooked dish, usually a hard boiled egg (that may be supplemented by uncooked fruits, vegetables, etc.). No meat or wine are consumed. All the stringencies of the fast of Tisha B’Av are observed from sunset, when leather footwear is removed as one of the signs of mourning.

Full information about Tisha B’Av observances and historical background is available here.

Wednesday night-Thursday 29-30 July / 9 Av
Fast of Tisha B’Av
The Fast of Tisha B’Av commemorates (1-2) The destruction of the First and Second Temples; (3) The decree that the generation of the wilderness who listened to the evil report of the spies would not enter the Land of Israel; (4) Capture of the city of Beitar after the failure of Bar Kochba’s rebellion; (5) Plowing of Jerusalem by the Romans. The expulsions of the Jews from England (1290) and Spain in 1492 as well as many other tragedies also took place on Tisha B’Av.

Besides abstaining from eating and drinking, full mourning is observed today, including sitting on low chairs or mats on the floor and abstaining from washing, annointing, wearing leather shoes and marital relations.
After the evening service, Megillat Eichah (Lamentations) is read, followed by the recital of Kinot, mournful dirges about the destruction of the Temple and other tragedies in the history of the people of Israel.
Following the morning Torah reading, lengthy Kinot are recited followed by the reading of Eichah. This takes up most of the morning until midday. Many visit Jewish cemeteries on Tisha B’Av to stir the souls of the dead to entreat for mercy for us.

The fast ends after nightfall (Tzeit Hakochavim, appearance of the stars) on Thursday night. It is customary to recite Kiddush Levanah, "Sanctification of the Moon" after the evening service after end of the fast.

Friday 31 July / 10 Av
Because today is the eve of Shabbat, the prohibitions against laundering, washing and haircuts that normally apply until midday on 10 Av (since the fire that engulfed the Temple on 9 Av continued burning until the 10th) are lifted this morning to enable us to make our preparations for Shabbat.
Today is the anniversary of the birth and death of Issachar, son of Jacob and Leah.

Friday night-Saturday 31 July-1 August / 11 Av
Shabbat NACHAMU, the Shabbat of Comfort
Parshat VE-ETCHANAN
Torah reading: Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11; Haftara: Isaiah 40:1–26, "Comfort ye (nachamu), my people…", first of the Seven Haftarot of Consolation read between Tisha BeAv and Rosh Hashanah.

On Saturday night, after the end of Shabbat Nachamu — announcing the coming redemption — it is customary for those in the environs of Haifa, Israel to visit the Cave of Elijah on Mount Carmel.

DIARY
27 Tammuz – 4 Av 5769
19-25 July 2009

Monday night-Tuesday 20-21 July / 29 Tammuz
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rashi — Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040-1105) prince of the Biblical and Talmudic commentators.

Tuesday 21 July / 29 Tammuz
Yom Kippur Katan is observed today as an optional fast (from dawn to nightfall) and day of repentance in preparation for the coming Rosh Chodesh.

Tuesday night-Wednesday 22 July / 1 Av
Rosh Chodesh / New Moon Menachem Av

Attributes of the month of Av: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH: KEH VAV YOD KEH, contained in the initial Hebrew letters of Haskeis Ushmo’a Yisrael Hayom… "…take heed and listen, O Israel, this day…" (Deut 27:9). The month’s corresponding letter is: TET; Human attribute: HEARING; Body Part: LEFT KIDNEY ; Tribe: SHIMON; Constellation: ARYEH (Leo, the Lion).

The first day of the fifth month — Av — is the Yahrzeit of Aaron the High Priest (Numbers 33:38).

Today marks the beginning of the observance of the stringencies of The Nine Days, which culminate on Wednesday night-Thursday 29-30 July with the fast of Tisha b’Av commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples. The prevailing custom during the Nine Days is to abstain from meat and wine (except on Shabbat), not to change, wash and launder clothes (except essential underwear), not to wash one’s whole body even in cold water except where washing is necessary for hygiene, and to minimize business and pleasure activities, in order to keep our minds focussed on the Temple and our yearning to regain it.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged people to conclude the study of Talmudic tractates (siyum masechta) during this period in order to provide occasions for a mitzvah-feast, where meat and wine are permitted. The goal at this time is not to be depressed but to focus our minds joyously on the Torah and the coming Redemption.

Friday 24 July / 3 Av
Eve of Shabbat
Although some observe the prohibition of washing the entire body even on the eve of Shabbat during the Nine Days, many wash in warm water in honor of the Shabbat and put on their customary Shabbat clothes.

Friday night-Saturday 24-25 July / 4 Av
Shabbat CHAZON, Parshat DEVARIM
Torah reading: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22; Haftara: Isaiah 1:1–27 "The vision (Chazon) of Isaiah…" after which this Shabbat preceding the Fast of Tisha B’Av is named.

"Intent, focussed prayer on this Shabbat elevates the prayers of all the year, because the prayer of a poor person elevates all prayers to favor" (R. Uri of Strelisk). "This is the greatest Shabbat of the year" (the Oihev Yisrael of Apta). "On Shabbat Chazon every Jew is granted a vision of the Holy Temple" (Lubavitcher Rebbe).

DIARY
12-18 July 2009
20-26 Tammuz 5769

Tuesday night-Wednesday 14-15 July / 23 Tammuz
Yahrzeit of Rabbi Moshe ben Yaakov Cordovero ("RaMaK") (1522-1570), author of the kabbalistic classic Pardes Rimonim and head of the Safed Mekubalim until the arrival of the ARI. Today is also the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Gedaliah Koenig (1921-80), who established the present-day Breslov community in the Old City of Safed.

Friday night & Saturday 17-18 July / 26 Tammuz
Shabbat Parshat MATOS-MAS’EI
Shabbat Mevarachin
Torah reading: Numbers 30:2-32:42 (Matos) and Numbers 33:1-36:13 (Mas’ei) completing the book of Numbers ("Chazak"); Haftara: Second of the Hafarot of reproof — Ashkenazim: Jeremiah 2:4–28 & 3:4; Sefardim: Jeremiah 2:4–28 & 4:1–2.

After the Shabbat morning Torah reading, we bless the coming month of Av (Rosh Chodesh will be on Wednesday 22 July. The Molad (junction of the sun and moon) will be on Wednesday morning July 22 at 10:19 a.m. and 5 chalakim.

On this day in the year 1187 Saladdin’s army defeated the crusaders near Tiberias, signaling the destruction of the crusader kingdom in the Holy Land. In 1759 the Baal Shem Tov together with R. Chaim Rapoport of Lvov defeated the Frankists in an open disputation and the day was established as an annual festival for all who follow the path of the Baal Shem Tov in all generations.

DIARY
28 June-4 July 2009
6-12 Tammuz 5769

Wednesday 1 July / 9 Tammuz
On this day at the end of the First Temple period, the wall of Jerusalem was breached by Nebuchadnezzar’s armies and King Tzedekiah and his ministers tried to escape.

Friday night-Saturday 3-4 July / 12 Tammuz
After five Shabbatot on which the Torah readings in Diaspora communities have been out of sync with those read in Israel, Diaspora communities today catch up with Israel by reading two parshahs together:

Israel Torah Reading BALAK Numbers 22:2-25:9 telling the story of Bilaam’s abortive efforts to curse Israel at the behest of Balak king of Moab; Haftara: Micah 5:6-6:8.

Diaspora Torah Reading CHUKAS Numbers 19:1-22:1 giving the laws of the Red Heiffer and recounting the closing stages of the Children of Israel’s journey to their Land and their miraculous conquests of the Emorites and Bashan; and BALAK Numbers 22:2-25:9 telling the story of Bilaam’s abortive efforts to curse Israel at the behest of Balak king of Moab; Haftara: Micah 5:6-6:8.

Attributes of the month of Tammuz: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH: KEH VAV KEH YOD, contained in the concluding Hebrew letters of zeH einenU shoveH lI, "…this is not of worth to me…" (Esther 5:13). The month’s corresponding letter is: CHET; Human attribute: VISION; Body Part: RIGHT HAND; Tribe: REUVEN; Constellation: SARTAN (Cancer, the Crab).

Today is the Yahrzeit of Yosef HaTzaddik (the biblical Joseph).

Wednesday night-Thursday 24-25 June / 3 Tammuz

On this day Joshua caused the sun to stop in Giv’on and the moon in Emek Ayalon in his war against the kings of Canaan.
The three day massacre of Jews in Uman, Uikraine commenced in 1768.
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe (1902-1994).

Friday night-Saturday 26-27 June / 5 Tammuz
Israel Shabbat Parshat Chukas

Shabbat Parshat CHUKAS:
Torah Reading: Numbers 19:1-22:1 giving the laws of the Red Heiffer and recounting the closing stages of the Children of Israel’s journey to their Land and their miraculous conquests of the Emorites and Bashan; Haftara: Judges 11:1-33.
Diaspora Shabbat Parshat KORACH:
Torah Reading: Numbers 16:1-18:32 telling of Korach’s conspiracy against Moses and Aaron and giving the laws of the priestly and Levitical gifts. Haftara: I Samuel 11:14-12:22

DIARY
31 May-27 June 2009
8 Sivan-5 Tammuz 5769

Sunday 31 May / 8 Sivan
Diaspora: Issru Chag
On Issru Chag, the day after the conclusion of the festival, it is customary to wear festive clothing and eat a festive meal to allow the joy of Yom Tov to linger with and strengthen us as we return to our weekday lives.

Friday night-Saturday 5-6 June / 14 Sivan
Important Note: For the coming weeks until Saturday July 4 the Shabbat Diaspora Torah readings are out of sync with those in Israel because the weekly Parshah was not read in Diaspora on Shabbat 30 May since it was observed as the second day of the festival of Shavuot, whereas in Israel, where only one day of Yom Tov is observed, the weekly Parshah was read on that Shabbat.

Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Chayim of Volozhyn (1749-1821, outstanding student of the Gaon of Vilna).

Saturday night-Sunday 6-7 June / 15 Sivan
Yahrzeit of Judah son of Jacob.

Thursday night-Friday 11-12 June / 20 Sivan:
The violent massacres of Jews in France and Germany by the Crusaders reached their climax on this day in 1171, and likewise the Chmielnitzki massacres in Poland-Ukraine reached their climax in 1648-9. Thereafter the Polish communities observed an annual commemorative fast on this day with the recital of special Selichot.

Friday night-Saturday 12-13 June / 21 Sivan
Israel: Shabbat Parshat SHELACH LECHA:
Torah Reading: Numbers 13:1-15:41 giving the account of the journey of the 12 Spies to the Land of Israel and the sin of the people in accepting the slanderous report of the 10 sinful spies. Haftara: Joshua 2:1-24.
Diaspora: Shabbat Parshat BEHA’ALOSCHA

Torah Reading: Numbers 8:1-12:16 describing the Sanctuary Menorah and narrating how the Israelites began their journey in the Wilderness; Haftara: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 describing Zechariah’s vision of the heavenly Menorah.

Tuesday night-Wednesday 16-17 June / 25 Sivan
Under the Roman occupation of Israel, three of the ten Harugey Malchut, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, Rabbi Yishmael the High Priest and Rabbi Chaninah, the deputy High Priest, were martyred on this day.

Friday night-Saturday 19-20 June / 28 Sivan
Shabbat Mevorachin TAMMUZ
Israel: Shabbat Parshat KORACH
Torah Reading: Numbers 16:1-18:32 telling of Korach’s conspiracy against Moses and Aaron and giving the laws of the priestly and Levitical gifts. Haftara: I Samuel 11:14-12:22
Diaspora Shabbat Parshat SHELACH LECHA:

Torah Reading: Numbers 13:1-15:41 giving the account of the journey of the 12 Spies to the Land of Israel and the sin of the people in accepting the slanderous report of the 10 sinful spies. Haftara: Joshua 2:1-24
Shabbat Mevorachin TAMMUZ: Blessing the coming month of Tammuz. The Molad will be on the night of Monday 22 June at 21:35 and 4 chalakim.

Sunday June 21 / 29 Sivan
Today is observed as Yom Kippur Katan, with optional fasting from dawn to nightfall and penitential prayers for self-purification in preparation for the coming month of Tammuz.

Sunday night-Monday 21-22 June / 30 Sivan
First day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz.

Attributes of the month of Tammuz: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH: KEH VAV KEH YOD, contained in the concluding Hebrew letters of zeH einenU shoveH lI, "…this is not of worth to me…" (Esther 5:13). The month’s corresponding letter is: CHET; Human attribute: VISION; Body Part: RIGHT HAND; Tribe: REUVEN; Constellation: SARTAN (Cancer, the Crab).

Monday night-Tuesday 23 June / 1 Tammuz
Second day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz
Today is the Yahrzeit of Yosef HaTzaddik (the biblical Joseph).

Wednesday night-Thursday 24-25 June / 3 Tammuz

On this day Joshua caused the sun to stop in Giv’on and the moon in Emek Ayalon in his war against the kings of Canaan.
The three day massacre of Jews in Uman, Uikraine commenced in 1768.
Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe (1902-1994).

Friday night-Saturday 26-27 June / 5 Tammuz
Israel Shabbat Parshat Chukas

Shabbat Parshat CHUKAS:
Torah Reading: Numbers 19:1-22:1 giving the laws of the Red Heiffer and recounting the closing stages of the Children of Israel’s journey to their Land and their miraculous conquests of the Emorites and Bashan; Haftara: Judges 11:1-33.
Diaspora Shabbat Parshat KORACH:
Torah Reading: Numbers 16:1-18:32 telling of Korach’s conspiracy against Moses and Aaron and giving the laws of the priestly and Levitical gifts. Haftara: I Samuel 11:14-12:22

DIARY
22-31 May 2009
29 Iyar-8 Sivan 5769

Saturday night-Sunday 23-24 May / 1 Sivan
Rosh Chodesh Sivan:
3320 years ago on this day the Children of Israel encamped before Mount Sinai in preparation for receiving the Torah.

Attributes of the month of Sivan: Ruling permutation of the letters of HAVAYAH: YOD VAV KEH KEH, contained in the initial Hebrew letters of Yedotav U-letzela Hamiskan Hasheinit — "…for its tenons and for the second side of the tabernacle…" (Exodus 26:19-20). The month’s corresponding letter is: ZAYIN; Human attribute: MOTION; Body Part: LEFT FOOT; Tribe: ZEVULUN; Constellation: TEOMIM (Gemini, the Twins).

Monday 25 May / 2 Sivan
On this day G-d invited the Children of Israel to be His treasured nation.

Tuesday 26 May / 3 Sivan
Today is the first of the "three days of separation" (purification) prior to the Giving of the Torah on the coming festival of Shavuot. "During the three days of separation there is a radiation of that same purity that shone in the days before the giving of the Torah" (Shevet HaLevy).

Thursday 28 May / 5 Sivan
Eve of Shavuot:
It is customary to bedeck the synagogue with flowers and greenery in commemoration of the Giving of the Torah at Sinai, and to prepare milk and cheese dishes for one or more of the festival meals.
Eiruv Tavshilin: Since first day Yom Tov of Shavuot (Friday 29 May) is followed immediately by Shabbat, in order to cook on Yom Tov day for the coming Shabbat, it is necessary to prepare Eiruv Tavshilin on Thursday afternoon prior to the commencement of Yom Tov. For further information on the mitzva of Eiruv Tavshilin click here.

Thursday night-Friday 28-29 May / 6 Sivan
Festival of Shavuot, First Day
For full information about the Festival of Shavuot click here.
It is customary for those who can do so to remain awake studying Torah for all or most of the night in preparation for receiving the Torah anew on Shavuot. It is customary to eat a meal of milk and cheese on Shavuot morning. Those who follow this with a meal of meat should take care to observe all the laws relating to the separation of milk and meat (reciting Birkhat HaMazon after the milk/cheese meal, rinsing/cleansing the mouth, then eating the meat meal on a separate tablecloth).

The festival of Shavuot is the Yahrzeit of King David and of R. Israel Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760, founder of Chassidism).

Friday night-Saturday 29-30 May / 7 Sivan
Israel: Isru Chag, Shabbat Parshat NASO
In Israel, where only one day Yom Tov is observed, the synagogue Torah Reading this Shabbat follows the normal order of the weekly Parshiyot: NASO, Numbers 4:21 -7:89 — the longest parshah in the Torah — completing the account of the duties of the Levites, giving certain commandments including the law of the Sotah (unfaithful wife) and Nazirite, and describing the inauguration of the Wilderness sanctuary. Haftara: Judges 13:2-25.telling the story of the birth of Samson, who was a Nazirite.

Diaspora: Second day of Festival of Shavuot

Since today is observed in Diaspora as Second Day Yom Tov, the Torah reading is the Yom Tov reading of Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17, and the Parshah read today in Israel will be read in Diaspora communities next Shabbat, June 5-6.

Sunday 31 May / 8 Sivan
Diaspora: Issru Chag
On Issru Chag, the day after the conclusion of the festival, it is customary to continue wearing festive clothing and to eat a festive meal to allow the Shavuot joy to linger with and strengthen us as we return to our weekday lives.

DIARY
10-16 May 2009
16-22 Iyar 5769

Monday 11 May / 17 Iyar:
Today is the third of the three optional fasts of BeHaB following the Pesach festival. The fast is observed from dawn until nightfall, and Selichot (penitential prayers) are recited in the synagogue. Great spiritual gains are available for those who are able to observe these fasts.
Today is the Yarhzeit of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Ephraim of Sudilkov (1748-1800), son of Udil (daughter of the Baal Shem Tov) and author of Degel Machaneh Ephraim.

Monday night-Tuesday 11-12 May / 18 Iyar

Lag BaOmer
This is the 33rd day of the Omer count (Lamed=30; Gimmel=3), exactly two thirds of the way from Pesach to Shavuot, famous as the day when the plague that had struck Rabbi Akiva’s students ceased in the merit of his foremost disciple, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, known as RaShBI, author of the kabbalistic teachings of the Zohar. While the other students failed to show each other due respect, R. Shimon said, "For me, everything depends on friendship" (Zohar).

Lag BaOmer is the Yahrzeit of R. Shimon, and hundreds of thousands flock to the site of his burial cave on Mt Meiron in the northern Galilee. All over the world Jews light bonfires and rejoice in honor of RaShBI. This is a propitious day for binding ourselves to all the true Tzaddikim and for the study of the secrets of the Torah.

Lag BaOmer is also the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Moshe Isserles (1520-72) author of the Mappah, glosses on the normative Torah law code Shulchan Aruch which give the Ashknezi legal rulings where they differ from those of the main work.

Tuesday night-Wednesday 12-13 May / 19 Iyar
Yahrzeit of Today is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Riminov, (?-1815), an important Hassidic leader who emphasized the benefit of daily recital of Parshat HaMann (Exodus 16:4-36 about the Manna) accompanied by prayers for livelihood.

Friday night-Saturday 15-16 May / 22 Iyar
Shabbat Parshat BEHAR-BECHUKOSAI:
Torah Reading: BEHAR, Leviticus 25:1-26:2 giving the laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years and the laws of sale of property, joined with BECHUKOSAI, Leviticus 26:3-27:34, detailing the rewards for keeping the Torah and the punishments for failure to do so. With today’s reading we conclude the book of Leviticus — Hazak Hazak Venit-Hazek!!! Haftara: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14. On Shabbat afternoon we read chapter 4 of Pirkey Avot.

DIARY
3-9 May 2009
8-15 Iyar 5769

Monday 4 May / 10 Iyar:
Today is the first of the three optional daytime fasts of BeHaB (signifying days 2, 5 & 2 of the coming 2 weeks, i.e. "Monday-Thursday-Monday") that follow the Pesach festival after the end of Nissan. The practice is based on Job 1:5, where Job sacrificed to atone for possible inappropriate behavior on the part of his children during their feasting. Great spiritual gains are available for those who are able to observe these fasts.

Thursday 7 May / 13 Iyar:
Second of the fastdays of "BeHaB".

Friday 8 May / 14 Iyar
Pesach Sheni
In Temple times those who had been ritually impure or far from Jerusalem at the time of the Pesach sacrifice on 14 Nissan had a second opportunity to bring their paschal sacrifice on Pesach Sheni, "the second Pesach" (see Numbers 9:1-22). Today is a semi-festival and the usual Tachanun supplications are not recited in the Synagogue services. Some celebrate Pesach Sheni by eating Matzot. The most appropriate time to eat the Matzot would be on Friday evening as the Pesach Sheni sacrifice was offered by day and eaten that night at a "Seder" together with Matzot.

Today is the Yahrzeit of the holy Tanna, Rabbi Meir "Baal HaNess" ("Master of the miracle"), familiar from his teachings throughout the Mishneh. He is buried in Tiberias, Israel.

Friday night-Saturday 8-9 May / 15 Iyar
Shabbat parshat EMOR:
Torah reading: Leviticus 21:1-24:23, including laws relating to the priesthood and the annual cycle of festivals; Haftara: Ezekiel 44:15–31 on the laws relating to the priests of the Future Temple. Pirkey Avot Chapter Four is read after the Minchah service on Shabbat afternoon.

On this day the 30-day supply of Matzot which the Children of Israel took with them out of Egypt came to an end, and when they cried out for food, HaShem sent them the Manna. This is a day to focus on the miracles with which the Almighty provides us with our livelihood, physical and spiritual, and to develop our trust that He will always supply us with everything we need. The practical expression of this trust is when we pray to Him for what we need.