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Lecture Series 2000

even as the "long Sabbath." A 13th
century rabbi declared that the
Sabbath before Pesach is designated as
Shabbat HaGadol because on that
Sabbath, the Gadol, the great rabbi or
scholar of the community, held forth
his traditional annual discourse deal-
ing with the meaning of Pesach and its
detailed laws. It is thus known as the
Sabbath of the Great.
There are many more explanations
to the greatness of this Sabbath. The

The Great
Sabbath marks
the beginning
of liberation
from slavery.

most plausible, however, suggests that
Shabbat HaGadol is thus called
because of its Haftorah, the chapter
from the prophets read on this
Sabbath. We find other Sabbaths dur-
ing the year named for their Haftorah
readings, e.g., Shabbat Shuva, when
the Haftorah declares, "Shuva Yisraet'
(Return, oh Israel).
So, also, the Sabbath before Pesach
is named for its Haftorah taken from
Malachi, chapter 3, which concludes
with the words, "Yom HaShem
haGadol v'hallora," (the great and
dreadful day of the Lord). Avoiding
the word nora, dreadful, the rabbis
were left with haGadol, the great.
Hence the name of Shabbat HaGadol.
The Haftorah for Shabbat
HaGadol is thus linked with the story
of Pesach, which is commemorated
the following week. The redemption
of old foreshadows the future redemp-
tion, and Moses is also a forerunner of
Elijah; the herald of the forthcoming
Messianic redemption.
"Remember ye the Torah of Moses
... behold I will send you Elijah the
prophet before the coming of the great
and dreadful day of the Lord ... And
he shall turn the hearts of the fathers
to the children and the hearts of the
children to their fathers." (Malachi
3:22-24)
The Haftorah of Shabbat HaGadol,
dealing with the great and awesome
day, thus makes Elijah an integral part
of the Pesach seder. A special cup of
wine, the fifth, is poured for him in
yearning and anticipation.

❑

Thursday, April 20 & 27 at 1 pm

April 27th
LINDA ORBACH-SHEAR
Shear Inspiration
"Attitude is Everything"

April 20th
VELVA BURLEY
Motivation Speaker
"Honoring Yourself"

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