Beit HaLev
Today, Thursday, is the last day of the eight-day Passover Festival. Readings for the Eighth Day of Passover morning services are: Deuteronomy 15:19-16:17 / Maftir: Numbers 28:19-25 Beit HaLev will have Passover services this morning in the “Zoomagogue” at 10:00am PDT on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 9152434704?pwd=THJGTE 1OUXI5VXFDTWtuZHF4 K3VxUT09. The meeting ID is 915 243 4704, and the passcode is RavGalit. People can also view on Facebook at www.facebook. com/galityomtov or YouTube at www.youtube.com/beithalev8816.
Beit HaLev Zoomagogue also holds a Shabbat evening at 5 p.m. at the above links.
Shabbat Ma’ariv services are Friday, April 14, at 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 15, at 10 a.m. and include the counting of Omer. The Omer is literally a measurement of barley but it serves as a method of counting the 49 days needed to arrive at Mt. Sinai. Beit HaLev counts each day until the holiday of Shavuot, giving each day a virtuous attribute so that souls may ascend and purify before celebrating the Giving of the Torah.
The regular First Triennial Cycle Shabbat Torah reading is from “Sh’mini,” (Eighth Day) from Leviticus 9:1-10:11. Following the seven day ordination ritual for the new priests, Aaron, his sons and their families, undergo a purification process before they can begin conducting services and performing the ritual sacrifices. Tragedy strikes when Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, bring “alien fire” into the Holy of Holies; the young men are literally vaporized by HaShem. And their father, Aaron, remains silent.
All Beit HaLev services, including Festival services, use special prayerbooks, “Lev L’Lev,” which include excerpts from the Reform Siddur, “Mishkan HaT’filah.”
Beit HaLev and Rabbi Galit-Shirah are a part of the Union of Jewish Universalist Clergy and Communities. It is progressive in thought and traditional in liturgy. The services are joyous, meaningful and musical. Beit HaLev welcomes everyone who seeks a path to the divine and doesn’t believe in labels. It considers all religions holy and valid. To join Beit HaLev, call Rabbi Galit-Shirah at 562-715-0888 or email duets@icloud.com.
Contributions to Beit HaLev are welcome and may be sent to: Beit HaLev, P.O. Box 2279, Seal Beach, CA 90740.
