Rabbi Howard Morrison

It is coming soon, Shabbat Ha'Gadol, the Great Sabbath, which precedes Pesach.

On this Shabbat, we read about the coming of the GREAT and awesome day of the Lord. The heart of the parents will be restored to the children, and the heart of the children will be restored to the parents (Haftarah on Shabbat Ha'Gadol).

The Great Shabbat harkens back to a time when our people prepared the Paschal lamb a few days before the Festival.

The Hebrew for "great - gadol" refers to an adult Jew who is obligated to perform mitzvot. The preparations before Pesach also prepared our people to enter a life of performing mitzvot.

It is said by some that Shabbat Ha'Gadol was originally called Shabbat Haggadah. It is customary to review the Haggadah on the Shabbat before Pesach so that the Seder experience will be meaningful and relevant to all attendees.

I wish us all "Shabbat Ha'Gadol - Shabbat Haggadah Shalom." Make it a GREAT Shabbat.

Sincerely, 

Rabbi Howard Morrison