Congregation Mogen David

Wishing you Chag Kasher V'Sameach, Rabbi Michael Abraham Executive Director/Associate Rabbi

Dear Kehilat Mogen David, We are certainly living in strange times. It almost seems as if our current situation is more suited for Purim than for Pesach where circumstances are supposed to be backwards and opposite from the normal happenings of life. In the month of Nissan we make berachot on the new trees, we abstain from saying tachanun because this is the month of Geulah, redemption and under normal conditions, we would be gathering with our extended families and friends t...o retell the story of how our glorious Nation began. On the surface, it certainly seems we have been forgotten and left to remain quarantined within our own homes. If any people on Earth knows the difficulty of isolation, it is the Jewish People--we are an 'Am Levadad Yishkon,'--we have been dwelling alone and separate throughout our entire existence. In the second Perek of Masechet Megillah, the Mishnah tells us an important Halacha: HaKoreh et HaMegillah L'Mafreia, Lo Yatza. If we were to read Megillat Esther out of order or backwards, we would not fulfill our obligation of Kriat HaMegillah on Purim. The Holy founder of Chassidut, the Ba'al Shem Tov, understands this phrase on a deeper level. He comments that if we were to read the story of Esther and Mordechai in a 'backwards' way; if we were to say, 'this is an ancient story with no relevance to me, with no message for my times and day,' we would not fulfill the basic obligation and we would be missing the point. This applies to all stories at all times. We must, together but apart, internalize the messages of our days and 'read between the lines' of what is happening. I hope we all discuss the tragedy of the Corona Virus at our Pesach Sedarim with the ones we love and with HaKadosh Baruch Hu. The Shechina will be present at each of our Sedarim, whether we are alone, two people, or a family of ten. Eliyau HaNavi will make an appearance at each of our Sedarim. The Four Sons will visit each of us. We will all relive the Makkot and then Cross the Yam Suf together as we once did a few thousand years before, as we proclaim in the Haggah: Chayav Adam Lir'ot et [Le-Har'ot] Atzmo K'ilu Hu Yatza MiMitzrayim. It is also crucial to remember what Hashem told Moshe Rabbeinu: "HaYad Hashem Tiktzar"?--Is the hand of G-d limited? We will remain with our Emunah and Bitachon by our sides, with our obligation to celebrate Yamim Tovim B'Simcha and Shabbat B'Ta'anug! Chag Pesach Kasher V'Sameach!!! Be’Ahavah, Rabbi Yehuda and Dina Moses

Dear Fellow Community Members, Over the last several days we have been hearing urgent messages from our elected officials and Department of Health representatives asking us to eliminate communal gatherings and to minimize in-person contact to the greatest degree possible. This is the best and surest way to slow down the spread of the coronavirus in our city. It will literally save lives and will prevent our local hospitals from becoming overwhelmed to the point of having to t...Continue reading

Dear Friends, After lengthy conversations with a number of medical advisers both locally and nationally as well as local hospital officials, we have decided that at the moment the most prudent approach to help stem the tide of the Coronavirus in our community is to take the drastic action of closing our Shuls beginning Friday afternoon through Monday evening March 16th, at which time we will re-evaluate our decision and decide how to proceed. What has been made abundantly cle...ar to us in all our conversations is that this virus is highly contagious and spreads quickly via social interaction. In order to reduce the possibility of people being infected we are strongly recommending that everyone refrain from any public gathering, including home Minyanim, and limit your social interactions to only the most essential situations like grocery shopping. Due to our Shul closings we recommend the following: a) Try to daven at the same time when your Minyan would have met. b) Although Kriat HaTorah requires a Minyan and reading from a kosher Sefer Torah scroll, one should still read Parshat HaShavuah and Parshat Parah from a Chumash. If you wish to pick up your Talit and Tefillin from Shul, please do so either today or Friday morning. Although no Minyanim and Shiurim will be taking place in our Shuls, each rabbi will communicate with his members about online learning opportunities. Please note that it is with a very heavy heart that we are taking this unprecedented action. We are doing this only because of the compelling nature of the circumstances and the Halakhic mandate to protect our health as our most important priority. While we will not have Tefilah B’Tzibur, we encourage you to utilize this time for introspection and reflection. Please intensify your Tefilot and pray that all those who are ill will be healed and that our community will be shielded from any harm. Sincerely, Rabbi Pini Dunner, Young Israel of North Beverly Hills Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky, Bnai David Judea Rabbi Yehuda Moses, Kehilat Mogen David Rabbi Elazar Muskin, Young Israel of Century City Rabbi Kalman Topp, Beth Jacob Congregation Rabbi Jason Weiner, Knesset Israel

Please join us on March 9 here at KMD. https://www.mogen-david.org/payment.php