This morning we discuss the name for this Shabbat, the Shabbat before Passover: Shabbat HaGadol, the Great Shabbat. We present several reasons for this name, but focus on the surprising approach of Rabbi Shaul of Modzitz. The Great Shabbat is to diminish this Shabbat as only Great, not, as we say in the Retzei prayer (added on Shabbat to Birkat HaMazon, the grace after meals), Great and Holy. And it is the seeds of this lesser Shabbat that will lead us, after experiencing Passover, to the Great and Holy Shabbat forever after.

Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship.

Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on:

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/adathyoutube

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/

Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha:

Apple Podcasts - https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches1

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches3

Stitcher: https://tinyurl.com/miningtheriches4

Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions for feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.