Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Vayikra and starts the Third Book of the Torah of Leviticus which discusses the Kohanim,the Priests from the Tribe of Levi.
Levi was one of Yaakov's Twelve sons and as a tithe of Yaakov,this tribe was to serve HaShem and to do HaShem's Bidding in Temple and Tabernacle Services as Kohanim - Priests .
In this Parsha, HaShem calls to Moshe from the Tent of Meeting and instructs him about the Korbanot,the offerings on the Altar.
The first word of this Parsha 'Vayikra' is spelt in a Torah Scroll with a small letter Aleph so that the word looks like 'Vayikar.'
Our Rabbis tell us that HaShem Instructed Moshe to write the word properly with a full size Hebrew Letter Aleph but Moshe felt that seeing as this same word 'Vayikar' without the Aleph, was used when HaShem addressed Bilaam, Moshe humbly did not want to acknowledge that he was higher than Bilaam and humbly did not feel worthy of being addressed in a way other than how HaShem had addressed Bilaam,further on in the Torah , so Moshe wrote the word with a small Hebrew Letter Aleph so as to not show he was higher than Bilaam. Moshe would not remove the Aleph completely,for HaShem had Instructed Moshe to write it with an Aleph at the end , so a compromise was reached between HaShem and Moshe,where HaShem would show Moshe's beautiful action of humility and so, Moshe wrote this word with a small Hebrew Letter Aleph so it would look as though it was the same word 'Vayikar,' that HaShem used to Bilaam, yet the full word with an Aleph spells 'Vayikra.How humble a man was Moshe even though he was so very holy beyond anyone before him or after him.
If we take the word 'Vayikra,' and look to it's root within the word, we get the word 'Va Yakar,' and for the Aleph,'Elokim,' which means ' And he (Moshe) was dear to Elokim - to HaShem .How true that is.Once the Tabernacle was in place and HaShem's Shechinah rested on the Ark Cover, it was to no one but Moshe, that HaShem Called at this time, but Moshe . How dear and truly deserving was Moshe.
Taking the word 'Vayikra,' in the order in which it is written, it can also denote ' And he (Moshe) called 'Vayikra' to HaShem (toward the Aleph) showing how Moshe was constantly in communication with His Creator and Moshe's soul was constantly cleaving to HaShem .
The Book of 'Vayikra' - 'Leviticus ' discusses the Korbanos, the offerings given for various reasons, whether as Guilt Offerings, Unintentional Sin Offerings (for an offering could not be brought for an Intentional Sin) , Burnt Offerings and Incense Offerings and all the other type of offerings that would be brought. The word 'Korbanot' - 'Offerings' has within it the word 'Karov,' which means ' To Come Close,' showing that it was a way to come close to HaShem.It was a pathway to cleave to HaShem .
We note that first the Kohanim had to purify themselves before others and this shows that before pointing a finger at others, we should first look to correct ourselves.
Aveirahs and Sins take us from HaShem and Korbanot bring us closer , back to HaShem . HaShem recognizes our imperfections and thus lets us have a way to come close to Him again. This is not the only way, for we can also offer the offering of our lips in prayer and fasting to atone for sins as was proven and accepted from the people of Nineveh in the Book of Jonah .
No mater how far we take ourselves away from HaShem,all we need to do is turn back around and return to HaShem . All we need to do is 'Vayikra,' - 'Call out' to HaShem and HaShem will respond.
The word 'Vayikra,' in Gematriah comes to 6+10+100+200+1=317 and 3+1+7=11 and 1+1 = 2, thus showing a partnership between HaShem and us, that if we come close to HaShem, HaShem will come close to us.If we call out to HaShem and show HaShem how 'Yakar,' - 'Dear ' HaShem is to us, HaShem will shower us with His Love and Closeness.
It is up to us. It always has been.
Let us work on always calling out to HaShem in closeness and look always and ever Heaven-ward to HaShem's ' Vayikra ' - 'Call .'
I wish HaShem with love , a Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love and to all, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love.
Friday, 31 March 2017
Friday, 24 March 2017
Parashas Vayakhel-Pekudei
Our Torah Portion this Shabbos is a double portion , Parashas Vayakhel - Pekudei , where in Parashas Vayakhel, Moshe 'Vayakhel' - 'Assembled' the Children of Israel and instructed them on the Shabbos and then has everyone contribute to the erecting of the Tabernacle. Betzalel son of Uri son of Hur from the Tribe of Yehudah is called upon by HaShem to make all that needs to be made with the assistance of Oholiav son of Ahisamach from the Tribe of Dan.Parashas Pekudei continues with the making of the Priestly Garments , where each article made, is 'Pekudei' - 'Reckoned' or tallied or accounted for the amounts of gold and silver and copper that is to go into the making.The abundance that Israel gave showed our great love for G-D .
When all was constructed, HaShem chooses no one but Moshe, to put it all together.All the contributions found a place so that all of Israel would be a part of it.Even that which was left over,miraculously integrated itself into the finished beautiful Holy project.The mirrors too, that the women gave , which they had used to help adorn themselves for their husbands in Egypt, to ensure that Israel would increase, was also used as the Copper Laver for the Kohanim to wash their hands and feet,when they came to the Tent of Meeting and when approaching the Altar as HaShem Commanded Moshe.
When all was finished and put together,the Cloud covered the Tent of Meeting and HaShem's Glory filled the Tabernacle.
It was at the rising and lowering of the cloud, that Israel would know to journey or to wait.By day, the Cloud would be on the Tabernacle and the Fire by night. It is here where our Parshas for this week end and it is here that the Book of Shemos is completed.
This project of making and erecting these beautiful Holy articles , were done by those previously unskilled in such work, but who were Blessed Spiritually to Know, from HaShem .
It was mainly Betzalel, who was the main builder of all these Holy Articles.
How did such a young man know how.The secret to that is in his name .The name Betzalel has within it, the words ' Betzal' and 'El, which means, when put together, ' In the Spirit of G-D .' It was in the Spirit of G-D, that he worked. He totally allowed himself to let HaShem within him,flow outwards and so,all he did was in the Spirit of HaShem and this also allowed Him to see how HaShem Wanted each article and also a bit of its deeper purpose. He put his own feelings and wants aside, so that only HaShem counted and was 'Pekudei,' - 'Reckoned,' and the result,was that we all came together as a "Vayakhel'-' Single One Nation, 'Assembling' for The One And Only G-D HaShem HaKadosh Baruch Hu, The Holy One Blessed Be He.
It was in the Spirit of G-D that Betzalel worked.The result was, the return of HaShem among us.
This is a lesson for us all.When we do something for HaShem or for others, it must always be in the Spirit of HaShem and in His Good Ways.All we do, must not have a single tinge of selfishness, but we are to only work for HaShem.All actions and all thoughts must be geared to the greater good , for Hashem.
The result will be that HaShem Will Dwell among us and Creation will reach its destination and as HaShem filled the Tabernacle,so will HaShem again fill His Creation with us in closeness and we will 'Vayakhel,'come together as one to 'Pekudei,' - ' Reckon' our deeds for the Good.Also,within the word 'Pekudei,' is the word 'Pakod' which is the word that signifies HaShem 'Remembering'.our longing for Him and His Returning to us in Closeness and also HaShem Returning to us after the long exile.The words 'Pakod Pakadti,' were the words, that the redeemer who was to come and help bring us out of Egypt, was to say and these were the words Moshe told the people when he first came to bring the Children of Israel out of Mitzrayim, as HaShem had Instructed him to say and these are the words that Mashiach will say when he comes and again introduces us to the closeness of G-D, may this time be in our days.
Let us all go forward ,' Betzal El ' in the 'Spirit of G-D ' and forever keep HaShem before us.
With love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with love, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love and to all, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love.
When all was constructed, HaShem chooses no one but Moshe, to put it all together.All the contributions found a place so that all of Israel would be a part of it.Even that which was left over,miraculously integrated itself into the finished beautiful Holy project.The mirrors too, that the women gave , which they had used to help adorn themselves for their husbands in Egypt, to ensure that Israel would increase, was also used as the Copper Laver for the Kohanim to wash their hands and feet,when they came to the Tent of Meeting and when approaching the Altar as HaShem Commanded Moshe.
When all was finished and put together,the Cloud covered the Tent of Meeting and HaShem's Glory filled the Tabernacle.
It was at the rising and lowering of the cloud, that Israel would know to journey or to wait.By day, the Cloud would be on the Tabernacle and the Fire by night. It is here where our Parshas for this week end and it is here that the Book of Shemos is completed.
This project of making and erecting these beautiful Holy articles , were done by those previously unskilled in such work, but who were Blessed Spiritually to Know, from HaShem .
It was mainly Betzalel, who was the main builder of all these Holy Articles.
How did such a young man know how.The secret to that is in his name .The name Betzalel has within it, the words ' Betzal' and 'El, which means, when put together, ' In the Spirit of G-D .' It was in the Spirit of G-D, that he worked. He totally allowed himself to let HaShem within him,flow outwards and so,all he did was in the Spirit of HaShem and this also allowed Him to see how HaShem Wanted each article and also a bit of its deeper purpose. He put his own feelings and wants aside, so that only HaShem counted and was 'Pekudei,' - 'Reckoned,' and the result,was that we all came together as a "Vayakhel'-' Single One Nation, 'Assembling' for The One And Only G-D HaShem HaKadosh Baruch Hu, The Holy One Blessed Be He.
It was in the Spirit of G-D that Betzalel worked.The result was, the return of HaShem among us.
This is a lesson for us all.When we do something for HaShem or for others, it must always be in the Spirit of HaShem and in His Good Ways.All we do, must not have a single tinge of selfishness, but we are to only work for HaShem.All actions and all thoughts must be geared to the greater good , for Hashem.
The result will be that HaShem Will Dwell among us and Creation will reach its destination and as HaShem filled the Tabernacle,so will HaShem again fill His Creation with us in closeness and we will 'Vayakhel,'come together as one to 'Pekudei,' - ' Reckon' our deeds for the Good.Also,within the word 'Pekudei,' is the word 'Pakod' which is the word that signifies HaShem 'Remembering'.our longing for Him and His Returning to us in Closeness and also HaShem Returning to us after the long exile.The words 'Pakod Pakadti,' were the words, that the redeemer who was to come and help bring us out of Egypt, was to say and these were the words Moshe told the people when he first came to bring the Children of Israel out of Mitzrayim, as HaShem had Instructed him to say and these are the words that Mashiach will say when he comes and again introduces us to the closeness of G-D, may this time be in our days.
Let us all go forward ,' Betzal El ' in the 'Spirit of G-D ' and forever keep HaShem before us.
With love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with love, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love and to all, a beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love.
Friday, 17 March 2017
Parashas Ki Tisa - Shabbat Parah
Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Ki Tisa and is also one of the special Shabboses before Pesach called Shabbat Parah where also the section on the Parah Adumah , the Red Heifer is read in the Torah.
In this Parsha, Hashem asks Moshe to take a Census of the Children of Israel. HaShem asks that each person from twenty years and up should give half a Shekel . HaShem here is teaching us that no man is an Island and that when a man stands with his fellow, it makes a full one Shekel, thus showing that we are incomplete on our own and thus need others to become whole. HaShem didn't put us each here to be alone,but to be at one with the rest of our nation as a single Nation before HaShem .
Together we are strong but alone we are weakened.Together we can help and correct each other but alone we can't properly grow as we need others to show us what is needed within us to improve ,as we don't see ourselves. Alone we can be attacked, but together we stand strong .Even Shlomo HaMelech talked about standing together with others where a single string can be easily broken, but more strands stand strong.
Alone, going our own way, is the pathway away from HaShem,but together following Torah as one, we are one under HaShem .
It is interesting to note that HaShem used the term 'Ki Tisa, '. For 'When you take a Census, ' as the Hebrew word for Census is actually 'Mifkad.' So why use the word 'Tisa?' The root of this word refers to 'Taking,' - Taking a Census. This isn't a matter of choice,HaShem Knows best , for we are not to count Jews as it can bring upon people, an' Ein Horah' - 'An Evil Eye,' of Jealousy and there are negative forces just waiting for an opportunity to hurt others.Though all is under HaShem. So HaShem Commands that instead of counting directly, we must 'Take' a half Shekel,' per person and count via the coins, rather than directly. Evil Forces are there and when people make Aveirahs, they give power to these negative forces and this brings negativity into the World .HaShem thus Commands us that we must, when counting take coinage instead of counting directly and that only on the Command of HaShem, should the counting be done.
We see how Dovid Ha Melech's counting brought a problem and so, only on the Command of G-D may it be done.
Evil and Negativity sits in each generation and it is our duty to eradicate it where we can, by bringing HaShem into each moment. To do the opposite, is catastrophic.
We saw the result of not bringing HaShem into each moment ,in our Parsha, where the Chait Ha 'Eigel- the golden calf was built.
Here , the people miscalculated the day Moshe was to return and started to agitate. The Eirev Rav, the Mixed Multitude of Egyptians and others that were not part of the Nation of Israel started to create havoc and call on the building of an idol.
The two sons of Bilaam and also Micha , who had also come along made a lot of the trouble by rousing the people into a fervor. Aharon tried to delay their building by asking for the gold , hoping they wouldn't give it and thus by that time Moshe would return. Aharon even said, 'A Feast for HaShem Tomorrow.' But the people would not listen.
The man Micha, had watched Moshe in Egypt with a special scroll being read ,raising Yosef's bones from the Nile,so they could be taken out of Egypt and when Moshe left, Micha stole the scroll that said 'Aleh shor,' Arise O Bull,' in reference to Yosef's standing strong against Egyptian debauchery.
So when the gold was thrown into the furnace at the time of the golden calf, Micha read out the scroll 'Aleh Shor,' and a calf (as Aharon later said) emerged. The Eirev Rav said 'These be thy gods oh Israel,' in the plural, for it wasn't only one idol that came out, but twelve others besides the main one, for each of the tribes of Israel. The women and Levites did not get involved.
HaShem said to Moshe ' Get thee down for thy people have corrupted themselves,' in reference to the Eirev Rav, that HaShem would have preferred, not come along.
This incident is such a sad one, but one that is often repeated in various ways throughout History, when people want to go their own way and not follow G-D or His Torah . In Fact, each time a person turns away from G-D or His Laws, it is like this sin.
So many times did Moshe pray for the people, even asking that he be removed from the Book, which caused his name not to be mentioned in a certain Chapter in the Torah.
No one was as Holy a man as Moshe and so, when he requested to see HaShem's Glory so that he could understand how HaShem rules the World and deals with the righteous and the wicked, HaShem allowed Moshe to stand in a cave below many meters of rock and see the back essence of HaShem. Even through the rocks, HaShem's Essence shone through.
Moshe , having come so close to HaShem, was affected ,for his face shone beams of light that he had to cover when he went out to the people, for they could not look at him otherwise.
So here we have the difference between listening to HaShem and handling the Negative evil that exists, or being a slave to it, by following one's own ways.
HaShem Knows man's will and so, protected him by having him not show himself openly to be counted unless through a half shekel coin, so Samael, the negative force that tempted Chava and Adam in Gan Eiden, will not be able to call for the people's punishment ,for the giving of the coin would atone. HaShem says 'Ki Tisa,' - 'If you Take,' for HaShem takes into account man's will to not want to give and so instructs that man is to overcome his Yetzer Horah and 'Tisa' - 'Take' it anyway.
The root word within 'Tisa' is 'Tash' which means weak or feeble, suggesting the Yetzer Horah and so, HaShem Strengthens us by having us "Command' ourselves to do it this way and if we do, HaShem will protect us as if we are in the Era of Mashiach, for this point to is hidden in the word 'Tash,' which in Gematriah, adds up to 300+400 = 700 and 7 + 0 + 0 = 7 which is the Gematrical value of the word 'Mashiach.' The word 'Tisa' in Gematria comes to 8 and this is the number of the era we rise up to just after Mashiach comes, when Samael will no longer have any power of accusing us and so, HaShem, brings a little of that, into this Command, when He Says 'Ki Tisa,' - ' When you take,' for HaShem always Desires to forgive us.
To fight the Yetzer Horah, we need to take ourselves in hand and not wait or procrastinate, doing HaShem's Commandments as soon as the time comes for a Commandment to be done.
To come closer to G-D,' let us all,take ourselves in hand and follow, without question all that HaShem Asks of us and bring ourselves closer every day, to the Creator HaShem , Ha Kadosh Baruch Hu The Holy One Blessed be He.
I wish HaShem with love , a Blessed Sweet and Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love and to all, a blessed sweet and beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love.
In this Parsha, Hashem asks Moshe to take a Census of the Children of Israel. HaShem asks that each person from twenty years and up should give half a Shekel . HaShem here is teaching us that no man is an Island and that when a man stands with his fellow, it makes a full one Shekel, thus showing that we are incomplete on our own and thus need others to become whole. HaShem didn't put us each here to be alone,but to be at one with the rest of our nation as a single Nation before HaShem .
Together we are strong but alone we are weakened.Together we can help and correct each other but alone we can't properly grow as we need others to show us what is needed within us to improve ,as we don't see ourselves. Alone we can be attacked, but together we stand strong .Even Shlomo HaMelech talked about standing together with others where a single string can be easily broken, but more strands stand strong.
Alone, going our own way, is the pathway away from HaShem,but together following Torah as one, we are one under HaShem .
It is interesting to note that HaShem used the term 'Ki Tisa, '. For 'When you take a Census, ' as the Hebrew word for Census is actually 'Mifkad.' So why use the word 'Tisa?' The root of this word refers to 'Taking,' - Taking a Census. This isn't a matter of choice,HaShem Knows best , for we are not to count Jews as it can bring upon people, an' Ein Horah' - 'An Evil Eye,' of Jealousy and there are negative forces just waiting for an opportunity to hurt others.Though all is under HaShem. So HaShem Commands that instead of counting directly, we must 'Take' a half Shekel,' per person and count via the coins, rather than directly. Evil Forces are there and when people make Aveirahs, they give power to these negative forces and this brings negativity into the World .HaShem thus Commands us that we must, when counting take coinage instead of counting directly and that only on the Command of HaShem, should the counting be done.
We see how Dovid Ha Melech's counting brought a problem and so, only on the Command of G-D may it be done.
Evil and Negativity sits in each generation and it is our duty to eradicate it where we can, by bringing HaShem into each moment. To do the opposite, is catastrophic.
We saw the result of not bringing HaShem into each moment ,in our Parsha, where the Chait Ha 'Eigel- the golden calf was built.
Here , the people miscalculated the day Moshe was to return and started to agitate. The Eirev Rav, the Mixed Multitude of Egyptians and others that were not part of the Nation of Israel started to create havoc and call on the building of an idol.
The two sons of Bilaam and also Micha , who had also come along made a lot of the trouble by rousing the people into a fervor. Aharon tried to delay their building by asking for the gold , hoping they wouldn't give it and thus by that time Moshe would return. Aharon even said, 'A Feast for HaShem Tomorrow.' But the people would not listen.
The man Micha, had watched Moshe in Egypt with a special scroll being read ,raising Yosef's bones from the Nile,so they could be taken out of Egypt and when Moshe left, Micha stole the scroll that said 'Aleh shor,' Arise O Bull,' in reference to Yosef's standing strong against Egyptian debauchery.
So when the gold was thrown into the furnace at the time of the golden calf, Micha read out the scroll 'Aleh Shor,' and a calf (as Aharon later said) emerged. The Eirev Rav said 'These be thy gods oh Israel,' in the plural, for it wasn't only one idol that came out, but twelve others besides the main one, for each of the tribes of Israel. The women and Levites did not get involved.
HaShem said to Moshe ' Get thee down for thy people have corrupted themselves,' in reference to the Eirev Rav, that HaShem would have preferred, not come along.
This incident is such a sad one, but one that is often repeated in various ways throughout History, when people want to go their own way and not follow G-D or His Torah . In Fact, each time a person turns away from G-D or His Laws, it is like this sin.
So many times did Moshe pray for the people, even asking that he be removed from the Book, which caused his name not to be mentioned in a certain Chapter in the Torah.
No one was as Holy a man as Moshe and so, when he requested to see HaShem's Glory so that he could understand how HaShem rules the World and deals with the righteous and the wicked, HaShem allowed Moshe to stand in a cave below many meters of rock and see the back essence of HaShem. Even through the rocks, HaShem's Essence shone through.
Moshe , having come so close to HaShem, was affected ,for his face shone beams of light that he had to cover when he went out to the people, for they could not look at him otherwise.
So here we have the difference between listening to HaShem and handling the Negative evil that exists, or being a slave to it, by following one's own ways.
HaShem Knows man's will and so, protected him by having him not show himself openly to be counted unless through a half shekel coin, so Samael, the negative force that tempted Chava and Adam in Gan Eiden, will not be able to call for the people's punishment ,for the giving of the coin would atone. HaShem says 'Ki Tisa,' - 'If you Take,' for HaShem takes into account man's will to not want to give and so instructs that man is to overcome his Yetzer Horah and 'Tisa' - 'Take' it anyway.
The root word within 'Tisa' is 'Tash' which means weak or feeble, suggesting the Yetzer Horah and so, HaShem Strengthens us by having us "Command' ourselves to do it this way and if we do, HaShem will protect us as if we are in the Era of Mashiach, for this point to is hidden in the word 'Tash,' which in Gematriah, adds up to 300+400 = 700 and 7 + 0 + 0 = 7 which is the Gematrical value of the word 'Mashiach.' The word 'Tisa' in Gematria comes to 8 and this is the number of the era we rise up to just after Mashiach comes, when Samael will no longer have any power of accusing us and so, HaShem, brings a little of that, into this Command, when He Says 'Ki Tisa,' - ' When you take,' for HaShem always Desires to forgive us.
To fight the Yetzer Horah, we need to take ourselves in hand and not wait or procrastinate, doing HaShem's Commandments as soon as the time comes for a Commandment to be done.
To come closer to G-D,' let us all,take ourselves in hand and follow, without question all that HaShem Asks of us and bring ourselves closer every day, to the Creator HaShem , Ha Kadosh Baruch Hu The Holy One Blessed be He.
I wish HaShem with love , a Blessed Sweet and Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love and to all, a blessed sweet and beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love.
Friday, 10 March 2017
Parashas Tetzaveh
This Shabbos is Parashas Tetzaveh which also comes just before Purim and so is also called Parashas Zachor which calls upon us to remember what Amalek did to us when we left Egypt ,how they attacked our weakest who were hinder-most and this was the nation from which Haman came that we read of as our enemy in the Megillah of Purim.Thus we call the Shabbos before Purim , Shabbos Zachor.
Our Parsha is Parashas Tetzaveh,where HaShem Commands Moshe to Command the Children of Israel to take pure pressed Olive Oil for illumination,for Aharon and his sons to kindle the Menorah every day.This Holy Olive Oil came by pressing and not crushing the Olive to ensure that the most pure drop of Olive Oil was used without sediment,which might have come with crushing it.Only one pure drop came out of an Olive,showing us the effort we should make and the purity we should uphold for HaShem.This Parsha discusses the Kohanim and their Holy Vestments,the Ephod, the Breastplate and Settings,the Robe,the Tzitz which is the Head-Plate,the Tunic and the Vestments for ordinary Kohanim and then it goes onto the Seven Day Inauguration Ritual for the Kohanim starting on the 23rd of Adar and finishing on the 1st of Nissan.Then the Tamid offering is discussed and the Parsha ends with the Incense Altar of Gold.
The Command given in the word 'Tetzaveh' at the beginning of the Parsha is phrased with a Hebrew Letter 'Tet,' for this Command of lighting the Menorah is to be a future tense Command as well so that spiritually, we will always light our Neshomas toward HaShem.
The lighting of the Menorah is like the lighting of an eternal flame which is often compared to our soul, which is like the Light of HaShem that burns within us all. So when HaShem 'Tetzaveh' - 'Commands ' the Menorah to be lit, there is also a future Command to keep our Neshomas - Our Souls lit toward HaShem always, by working to bring ourselves to HaShem, by making ourselves Holy by following HaShem's Commandments.
This Command is put just before the Commands about the Kohanim and their Holy Garments, for a number of reasons.One reason is that Hashem is Teaching us something. With the magnificence of the Holy Garments of the High Priest Kohein Gadol and the Kohanim, the Priests and their Laws of inner purity, HaShem also wants to Teach us that to reach for HaShem and be Holy, we must be Holy ourselves,not just on the outside,but on the inside as well.The construction of the Ark of the Covenant also shows us this,for HaShem Instructed us to cover it with Gold on the outside and on the inside.
The true Holy Kohein and the true holy person, is not just one who shows they are righteous to all on the outside,just for show, but is truly Holy inside as well.Sadly with some ,this point becomes an issue with,for example, many who come to high positions,for they make a show outside that they are holy but inside,are the exact opposite.Even some people are sadly this way. This is not how HaShem wants us to be. Dressing well and looking good to others,is all fine and well, but the inner 'us' is what HaShem Looks at as well.One shouldn't just dress for others and pretend to be good to others on the outside. Remember that HaShem Looks to the heart.One mustn't look down on others because one thinks others are not on one's level. Who are we to judge.Be always humble.Only HaShem Knows all and more. Remember that HaShem looks at the Heart.
The beauty of the Garments the Kohein Gadol and Kohanim wore,were truly spectacular and pure ,showing that we mist be openly Good and Pure.What also counts is the purity of heart and soul that shines out from within.This same thought is also in the Commandment of the kindling of the Menorah, which shines outwards and upwards. The same thought was shown in the Windows of our Two Holy Temples, where they were constructed smaller within and wider on the outside, showing how the Light of Holiness stretches outwards toward the World from within.
This same thought is shown in the Inauguration Ceremony of the Kohein Gadol and Kohanim , where , before they seek atonement for others, they must first clean and purify themselves. It is easy to look at the wrongs of others,but before looking at others,one should first look to correcting oneself. It is easy to look at and find fault with other people , in their manner and dress, but before doing that, one should look within oneself and correct oneself, for one often notices the faults in others that one actually has within oneself.
So our Parsha teaches here a very important thing. Before looking down on others and thinking one is holy and wonderful because of some outward appearance, first look within oneself and see oneself as HaShem sees us truly for who we really are. Start within and let the Holiness shine out from within and fill this world with the Beautiful Holy Light of HaShem.
With love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with Love, a Very Sweet and Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh and Chag Purim Sameach with Love and to all fellow Yidden, a beautiful and Sweet Shabbos Kodesh and Chag Sameach Purim with love.
Our Parsha is Parashas Tetzaveh,where HaShem Commands Moshe to Command the Children of Israel to take pure pressed Olive Oil for illumination,for Aharon and his sons to kindle the Menorah every day.This Holy Olive Oil came by pressing and not crushing the Olive to ensure that the most pure drop of Olive Oil was used without sediment,which might have come with crushing it.Only one pure drop came out of an Olive,showing us the effort we should make and the purity we should uphold for HaShem.This Parsha discusses the Kohanim and their Holy Vestments,the Ephod, the Breastplate and Settings,the Robe,the Tzitz which is the Head-Plate,the Tunic and the Vestments for ordinary Kohanim and then it goes onto the Seven Day Inauguration Ritual for the Kohanim starting on the 23rd of Adar and finishing on the 1st of Nissan.Then the Tamid offering is discussed and the Parsha ends with the Incense Altar of Gold.
The Command given in the word 'Tetzaveh' at the beginning of the Parsha is phrased with a Hebrew Letter 'Tet,' for this Command of lighting the Menorah is to be a future tense Command as well so that spiritually, we will always light our Neshomas toward HaShem.
The lighting of the Menorah is like the lighting of an eternal flame which is often compared to our soul, which is like the Light of HaShem that burns within us all. So when HaShem 'Tetzaveh' - 'Commands ' the Menorah to be lit, there is also a future Command to keep our Neshomas - Our Souls lit toward HaShem always, by working to bring ourselves to HaShem, by making ourselves Holy by following HaShem's Commandments.
This Command is put just before the Commands about the Kohanim and their Holy Garments, for a number of reasons.One reason is that Hashem is Teaching us something. With the magnificence of the Holy Garments of the High Priest Kohein Gadol and the Kohanim, the Priests and their Laws of inner purity, HaShem also wants to Teach us that to reach for HaShem and be Holy, we must be Holy ourselves,not just on the outside,but on the inside as well.The construction of the Ark of the Covenant also shows us this,for HaShem Instructed us to cover it with Gold on the outside and on the inside.
The true Holy Kohein and the true holy person, is not just one who shows they are righteous to all on the outside,just for show, but is truly Holy inside as well.Sadly with some ,this point becomes an issue with,for example, many who come to high positions,for they make a show outside that they are holy but inside,are the exact opposite.Even some people are sadly this way. This is not how HaShem wants us to be. Dressing well and looking good to others,is all fine and well, but the inner 'us' is what HaShem Looks at as well.One shouldn't just dress for others and pretend to be good to others on the outside. Remember that HaShem Looks to the heart.One mustn't look down on others because one thinks others are not on one's level. Who are we to judge.Be always humble.Only HaShem Knows all and more. Remember that HaShem looks at the Heart.
The beauty of the Garments the Kohein Gadol and Kohanim wore,were truly spectacular and pure ,showing that we mist be openly Good and Pure.What also counts is the purity of heart and soul that shines out from within.This same thought is also in the Commandment of the kindling of the Menorah, which shines outwards and upwards. The same thought was shown in the Windows of our Two Holy Temples, where they were constructed smaller within and wider on the outside, showing how the Light of Holiness stretches outwards toward the World from within.
This same thought is shown in the Inauguration Ceremony of the Kohein Gadol and Kohanim , where , before they seek atonement for others, they must first clean and purify themselves. It is easy to look at the wrongs of others,but before looking at others,one should first look to correcting oneself. It is easy to look at and find fault with other people , in their manner and dress, but before doing that, one should look within oneself and correct oneself, for one often notices the faults in others that one actually has within oneself.
So our Parsha teaches here a very important thing. Before looking down on others and thinking one is holy and wonderful because of some outward appearance, first look within oneself and see oneself as HaShem sees us truly for who we really are. Start within and let the Holiness shine out from within and fill this world with the Beautiful Holy Light of HaShem.
With love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with Love, a Very Sweet and Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh and Chag Purim Sameach with Love and to all fellow Yidden, a beautiful and Sweet Shabbos Kodesh and Chag Sameach Purim with love.
Friday, 3 March 2017
Parashas Terumah
Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Terumah.
This Parsha discusses the beautiful instructions given for the construction of the Tabernacle,the Ark,the Cover,the. Table and the Menorah,the covers of the Tabernacle and it's Walls,the Paroches (The Partition),the Altar and the Courtyard.
All these,given in strict detail with strict measurements.
One wonders at the beauty of these Holy Articles and one wonders at the exactness of detail of all that HaShem Instructed to make.
Every single measurement has a Deeper Reason and Purpose.Every Holy Article to be made, has a Holy Purpose.The true depth of meaning,only HaShem can Fathom ,though Moshe and the one who led the making of it ,Betzalel and his helper Oholiav, understood some of its deeper meaning so they could fulfill their roles with this Mitzvah.
The Tabernacle and all these Holy Articles,when completed,looked, from inside,as though one were looking out at a part of Heaven.Its shining magnificence ,was certainly a reminder of Shamaim.
Our Rabbis have given us a few sparks of wisdom, on the reasons for each measurement of each Holy Article ,to help us understand a little more of its finished Holy Product, a representation of a Part of Heaven on Earth.
Our Parsha is called 'Terumah.' Here HaShem asks Moshe to speak to the Children of Israel and 'Request' of them (not order them) to take a 'Terumah,' a 'Portion from every man whose heart motivates him ,to take HaShem's Portion , to build these beautiful Holy Articles.
We note that HaShem doesn't order this, but requests it from our personal motivation to give.
So much more will then be our kindness, given not by order, but by the love within our hearts that we bear HaShem.Isn't this what a Mitzvah needs to be from us, not just fulfilling an order, but doing it out of the love we bear our Creator.HaShem says that we must give by how our heart motivates us and so, we should give totally of ourselves. But then HaShem says, that this will be Hashem's Portion. Doesn't this sound opposite,as first we are told to take it purely from within ourselves and then we are told that this is HaShem's Portion.This is not opposite at all, as HaShem is within us all,very deeply, and when we truly reach down to our inner depth and core in kindness, we are reaching HaShem.The Children of Israel, when prompted to give for this cause,proved beyond worthy, for the Children of Israel gave in abundance.
The name of our Parsha is Parashas Terumah.The word Terumah reveals a deeper meaning than just meaning 'Portion.'The word 'Terumah,' also means 'Separation.' Thus HaShem is asking us to Separate our being from the physicality of our Yetzer Horah, (which wants to find reasons not to be giving) and to climb above that and 'Separate ' ourselves from that part of Negativity, rising above it , to give and then we will truly be giving from the portion that touches HaShem .HaShem also Wants us to rise above the physical and enter the realm spiritually of the World To Come and bring that part down into this World and work to make this World Holy. This is what each Miztvah is also to do,to help us rise above the Physical and bring down the Holiness from Above , to make this World a place in which HaShem can Dwell with us. Thus HaShem Requests that we are to 'Terumah' - 'Separate ,' ourselves from this present physicality and bring down that which is on a much higher level, and join it to our present World and so, make this present world one that is filled with HaShem . So must be one of the motives of our giving and the doing of every Mitzvah and Commandment,that HaShem Gives us.
This is how we are to be.We need to constantly separate ourselves from our Yetzer Horah that wants to bring us down and so, rise above it and do all HaShem's Commandments.This must be the attitude with which we fulfill the Laws of HaShem,doing each Law, with total faith and love in HaShem and with the knowledge that with each Mitzvah we do, we separate that part of the physical World and bring it higher , so that we can join it with the spiritual Holiness of the Higher World and so , make a place for HaShem to dwell among us.
Every Mitzvah we do,must be done with utmost care like the special care that was taken in making sure each article's measurements were exact. This is how we must treat HaShem.We must not just take HaShem for granted and all He does for us in Giving us life and Making a World around us with all our needs.We must do everything we can for HaShem with love and care, going to as much effort as we can.
In 'Terumah,' , 'Separating' ourselves from the physical, we rise above this World's Physicality and join with HaShem .In the way all the Holy Articles were made,with care, so must we make each action we do for HaShem and for others, an action done with care ,so that we can bring on the End of Days, where HaShem will Dwell among us and this World will rise to Shamaim.
With love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with love a Beautiful Sweet Shabbos Kodesh with love and to all, a beautiful sweet Shabbos Kodesh with love.
This Parsha discusses the beautiful instructions given for the construction of the Tabernacle,the Ark,the Cover,the. Table and the Menorah,the covers of the Tabernacle and it's Walls,the Paroches (The Partition),the Altar and the Courtyard.
All these,given in strict detail with strict measurements.
One wonders at the beauty of these Holy Articles and one wonders at the exactness of detail of all that HaShem Instructed to make.
Every single measurement has a Deeper Reason and Purpose.Every Holy Article to be made, has a Holy Purpose.The true depth of meaning,only HaShem can Fathom ,though Moshe and the one who led the making of it ,Betzalel and his helper Oholiav, understood some of its deeper meaning so they could fulfill their roles with this Mitzvah.
The Tabernacle and all these Holy Articles,when completed,looked, from inside,as though one were looking out at a part of Heaven.Its shining magnificence ,was certainly a reminder of Shamaim.
Our Rabbis have given us a few sparks of wisdom, on the reasons for each measurement of each Holy Article ,to help us understand a little more of its finished Holy Product, a representation of a Part of Heaven on Earth.
Our Parsha is called 'Terumah.' Here HaShem asks Moshe to speak to the Children of Israel and 'Request' of them (not order them) to take a 'Terumah,' a 'Portion from every man whose heart motivates him ,to take HaShem's Portion , to build these beautiful Holy Articles.
We note that HaShem doesn't order this, but requests it from our personal motivation to give.
So much more will then be our kindness, given not by order, but by the love within our hearts that we bear HaShem.Isn't this what a Mitzvah needs to be from us, not just fulfilling an order, but doing it out of the love we bear our Creator.HaShem says that we must give by how our heart motivates us and so, we should give totally of ourselves. But then HaShem says, that this will be Hashem's Portion. Doesn't this sound opposite,as first we are told to take it purely from within ourselves and then we are told that this is HaShem's Portion.This is not opposite at all, as HaShem is within us all,very deeply, and when we truly reach down to our inner depth and core in kindness, we are reaching HaShem.The Children of Israel, when prompted to give for this cause,proved beyond worthy, for the Children of Israel gave in abundance.
The name of our Parsha is Parashas Terumah.The word Terumah reveals a deeper meaning than just meaning 'Portion.'The word 'Terumah,' also means 'Separation.' Thus HaShem is asking us to Separate our being from the physicality of our Yetzer Horah, (which wants to find reasons not to be giving) and to climb above that and 'Separate ' ourselves from that part of Negativity, rising above it , to give and then we will truly be giving from the portion that touches HaShem .HaShem also Wants us to rise above the physical and enter the realm spiritually of the World To Come and bring that part down into this World and work to make this World Holy. This is what each Miztvah is also to do,to help us rise above the Physical and bring down the Holiness from Above , to make this World a place in which HaShem can Dwell with us. Thus HaShem Requests that we are to 'Terumah' - 'Separate ,' ourselves from this present physicality and bring down that which is on a much higher level, and join it to our present World and so, make this present world one that is filled with HaShem . So must be one of the motives of our giving and the doing of every Mitzvah and Commandment,that HaShem Gives us.
This is how we are to be.We need to constantly separate ourselves from our Yetzer Horah that wants to bring us down and so, rise above it and do all HaShem's Commandments.This must be the attitude with which we fulfill the Laws of HaShem,doing each Law, with total faith and love in HaShem and with the knowledge that with each Mitzvah we do, we separate that part of the physical World and bring it higher , so that we can join it with the spiritual Holiness of the Higher World and so , make a place for HaShem to dwell among us.
Every Mitzvah we do,must be done with utmost care like the special care that was taken in making sure each article's measurements were exact. This is how we must treat HaShem.We must not just take HaShem for granted and all He does for us in Giving us life and Making a World around us with all our needs.We must do everything we can for HaShem with love and care, going to as much effort as we can.
In 'Terumah,' , 'Separating' ourselves from the physical, we rise above this World's Physicality and join with HaShem .In the way all the Holy Articles were made,with care, so must we make each action we do for HaShem and for others, an action done with care ,so that we can bring on the End of Days, where HaShem will Dwell among us and this World will rise to Shamaim.
With love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with love a Beautiful Sweet Shabbos Kodesh with love and to all, a beautiful sweet Shabbos Kodesh with love.
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