Three Scrolls

A bit of a pop-quiz, for those who like that sort of thing and partic for those for whom sight of even one Torah Scroll would be a treat.

 

There are four times in the Jewish year when it’s necessary to read from three Torah scrolls.

 

And one is this week. It’s the first of the special extra readings that path the way towards Pesach (darkness to freedom, everyone, it is coming). The first of this is Parashat Shekalim – get your census payment ready, we all need to demonstrate we are still here. So we read that together with the weekly portion, Mishpatim – a collection of rules opening with a section inspiring us to take the brave step out of confinement into freedom. Shekalim is read on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh Adar, or on Rosh Chodesh Adar if Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbat, as it does this year. So a third scroll. And Rosh Chodesh? A celebration of the light of the moon re-emerging, even if its glow has been in retreat for a while.

 

What a Shabbat for looking forward with a gentle optimism. I know, not ‘there’ yet, but, there is hope, there is a three-fold chord of Torah to sustain us. As it says in Proverbs, the three fold chord is not easily undone. We can do this.

 

In our streamed service this Shabbat, bit of Mishpatim, bit of Shekalim and Hallel with Rabbi Natasha and I and special guest Angela Gluck.

 

10:30am www.newlondon.org.uk/digital

(Bonus points – don’t cheat now 😊) when are the other occasions we read from three scrolls.