Our Torah Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Shelach and starts by telling the sad story of the Spies who were sent to spy out the Land of K'na'an and brought back an evil slanderous report of the Land . Our Haftorah also talks of Spies being sent in the time of Yehoshua Joshua, to spy on Yericho , but this time his spies were of a holier moral caliber . In fact , the two spies sent to Yericho were Pinchas , son of Eleazar who was the son of Aharon Ha Kohein and the Mother of Pinchas was the Putiel, daughter of Yisro . The other spy Yehoshuah sent was Kaleiv , the same Kaleiv who was one of the Spies sent by Moshe to spy out K'na'an , who stood up with Yehoshuah , for HaShem and the Land of Israel .
The Sedra starts out with a " Va " which is an " And " showing that there is a link between the previous Parsha ending and this one . This link is of Loshon Horah , for the previous Parsha ended on the note of Loshon Horah with regards to Miriam and here , the Twelve Spies that were sent , Loshoned the beautiful land of Eretz Yisroel that HaShem Wanted To Give us . Thus HaShem Wanted us to take note of the bad Sin of Loshon Horah and so , act as a deterrent for the Spies , who unfortunately still Loshoned , sadly enough .
At no time Did HaShem Want To Send Meraglim Spies . This is why HaShem In the the Hebrew Says ' " Shelach Lecha , " - " Send for you , " ' not for Me for I Don't Want Spies as I Am Giving you a beautiful fertile Land of Milk and Honey , ' which also refers to Torah .
The people approached Moshe and insisted Spies get sent . Moshe was against it , telling them to trust in HaShem and the Land HaShem Was Giving us , but the people insisted that Moshe must ask HaShem for them , referring to Moshe as ' Ben Amram ' ( son of Amram Moshe's Father ) . The people did not let it go using all forms of persuasion and making out this Land wasn't as HaShem Said until Moshe approached HaShem and the name of the Sedra was HaShem's Answer .
HaShem Said " Shelach Lecha - Send for you ," not for Me .
Moshe returned back to the people and told them HaShem's Answer and they continued to berate HaShem and the land , making out the land wasn't what HaShem Said , so Moshe , to prove to them the beauty of HaShem's Gift of the land relented and allowed Spies to be sent . HaShem thus said " Shelach Lecha , " - " Send for you , " as I Don't Want them sent , but if you do , make sure they " Anashim , " - " Men of Renown , " that are of higher positions , are chosen , so they will have a start at some moral standing and respect . Moshe surmised the Spies would try to act wrong and so , added a 'Yud ' letter to Hoshea's name , to protect him from the slander of the Spies . Moshe hoped that when they saw the land , they would appreciate the Beauty of HaShem's Gift .
The Twelve Spies were chosen including holy Yehoshua and Kaleiv and they were sent to spy out K'na'an .
As soon as they entered the land , HaShem Protected them , by ensuring that the inhabitants were hit with a plague that would keep them too ill to fight the twelve Spies . Also , HaShem ensured that the people in Canaan would not in any way be protected by any spiritual merit , and so , Iyov Job passed away straight as the Spies entered the land . As the Spies passed Chevron , Kaleiv wanted to gain spiritual strength to withstand and stand against the evil of the planned Loshoning Spies , and so , thinking that he needed extra spiritual help , as Yehoshuah had been given an extra Blessing by Moshe of having a letter of HaShem's Name added to him , so Kaleiv stopped off at the Cave of the Forefathers to ask for HaShem's Help and their strength and HaShem's Guidance and Strength .
The Spies also met up Achiman , Sheshai and Talmai , the three giants , descendants of the Nephilim spoken of in Bereishis , and the Spies tried to pronounce HaShem's Name to protect themselves as the Giants approached them , but only when Kaleiv pronounced HaShem's Name , did the Giants fall. The Giants awoke and verbally chased the Spies away and told them that the time for conquering Israel is not yet here .
The Spies picked a massive vine cluster of grapes from the Valley of Eshkol, planning to mock the land with it .
After Forty days , the Spies returned to Moshe and started out speaking positively , but very soon , their intentions showed , as they slandered viciously the Land of HaShem . Everything they saw , they wisted around evily . Kaleiv first started queitly to question them and then stood up for HaShem and HaShem's Land . The Insults they gave HaShem's Land , was deeply offensive , turning HaShem's striking at the inhabitants of Canaan , for our benefit while the Spies traveled around , into something it was not , thus twisting HaShem's Actions , that were meant to protect the Spies . The way they referred to themselves in comparison to the Giants as the ' Spies being like grasshoppers in their own eyes , ' shows that this report was purely from the Spies own personal negative point of view , for they spoke not as themselves being as grasshoppers in the Giant's eyes , but as appearing like grasshoppers in their own ( Spies ) eyes . How often we make this mistake ourselves , when we judge other people's opinions of us by our own personal incorrect imaginations .
Their loud slander in earshot of the people, caused an uproar .
Evil negative news spreads like wild fire and soon , the people were all crying and hysterical with worry in their tents . This night was the night of the Ninth of Av , that the people cried for nothing , for had they trusted HaShem , they would have entered the land without a single fight wih the enemy .
HaShem Said ," They cried this night and day for no reason . This Night and Day in the future will be a Night and Day that they will now cry for reason throughout the generations . It was this date of the Ninth of Av , that we Jews have suffered the most tragic of Events , like the loss on this date of Tisha B' Av of both our Temples , the signing of Expulsion of Jews from Spain in the Spanish Inquisition , the start of World War One , the use of Tzyklon B Gas and the date of the Final Solution by the nazis in Germany in the Holocaust , the Bogdan Chmielnitzky Massacres near Poland in the Ukraine just over 400 years ago and the attack of Jews in the Crusades among many other tragic events in our History . HaShem Said that this Night they cried for Nothing . " I Will Thus Give them a reason to cry on this night . " The Spies died Instantly ( except Yehoshuah and Kaleiv ), with their tongues extending , worms coming out and eating their naval and then back at their tongues that slandered the Land .
HaShem Ordained that for every day the Spies walked the land , the people would be punished a day for a year , to remain in the Wilderness until that generation died out .So that generation would never see the Land . The Women never slandered the Land at all and thus they entered it .
Every Tisha B ' Av , the men had to throughout the 39 years , in the Wilderness , at this time date , dig their own graves and lie in them , not to be alive in the morning . This continued the full period of the 39 years before they finally entered , when on that last year , when the men dug their graves and found they were still alive the next morning , thought they had miscalculated the date and continued lying in their graves every night for the next 6 -7 nights , yet still found that they had not died , and now realizing that it was mid month by the full moon, saw that HaShem Had Lifted this decree of 15 000 dying and so , this date of the decree being lifted caused on Tuv Be ' Av 15th of Av to become a day of celebration .
There was a group of those who wanted to show their remorse by trying to defiantly enter the Land , and Moshe warned them not to , but they didn't listen and were come upon by the Amelekites .
Moshe and the people became very despondent , where the people started to wonder if they will ever enter the land , in case they might make any more Aveirahs , so HaShem in His Mercy Gave them the Mitzvah of the Libations , which had to include Wine gotten when entering the Land of Israel , so they would know that the time would come when they would enter the Land .
HaShem Also Taught them of the Law of Taking Challah from baking from the Five species of grain of the Land of Israel , which included that made of Wheat , Spelt , Rye , Barley and Oats , again letting the peole know they would enter the land . This was originally only a Miztvah to be performed in the Holy Land , and it was extended to Jews Worldwide so we keep up the memory of this Mitzvah that it not be forgotten . Here , a portion of the dough was to be taken and given to a Kohein . Today , we are to take this portion and burn it .
The Midrash tells us that this Mitzvah is an atonement for humanity, where the Bread of the Earth represented Adam , who was persuaded to take from the Tree in Gan Eiden , which some of our sources say it was a fruit of Lechem , where , when this Mitzvah is done Lehafrish Challah , it atones for humanity and Adam and Chavah's Aveirah .
The Sedra then Teaches about Atonement for a pulic error of Idol Worship Chas Ve Shalom , if it was an unintentional error and also about intentional idol worship Chas Ve Shalom .
Torah mentions the incident then of the Shabbos desecrator who went out and gathered wood on the day of Shabbos . The Rabbis discuss opinions on this and who it was , a man who died of his own sin . He was warned and continued to do this , some say on his own wish to show others the result of not Keeping HaShem's Shabbos . HaShem Sentenced this man to death by stoning . It is better not to mention the name of this man though we know it , as HaShem Chose Not To Mention it in the Sedra , to keep from shaming him .
HaShem Teaches of the beautiful garment we Jewish males wear , called Tzitzis . This garment is to be worn during light hours and thus , being a Time-Bound Mitzvah , is not worn by Women , who are not obligated to Time-bound Mitzvot .
The Tzitzis strings are to be worn on a four cornered garment . They are to remind us of the Mitzvos , all 613 of them , where the word Tzitzis in Hebrew comes to 600 in Gematriah , and the 5 knots and 8 strings add up to 613 , thus when we look at them , we are reminded of the Mitzvos . The 5 knots , can represent the 5 Books of the Torah , and the 8 strings , the number and Olam Habah holy time after Mashiach's coming , as well as the 8 , like the 8 days and lights of Chanukah as well as the number 8 between Pesach and Shavuot where we count 7 weeks and the next day ( 8 ) is Shavuos when we experienced HaShem and when we received the Ten Commandments . We also circumcise on the eighth day .
The four sets of strings Show how which ever direction we turn , we serve HaShem wherever we are , also the two sets of strings in front and the two at the back, as the Midrash Says Rabbi Weissman , is like the two witnesses before us and behind us , that warns us to keep HaShem's Mitzvos . Today , we don't use the Blue String , coloured from the Chillazon , but a longer white string of purity .
The depth of holiness of the Tzitzis is so beyond our understanding , but we are shown some of the beautiful reasons for this Mitzvah and on this Holy Note , our Sedra ends .
The Sedra is called " Shelach " which is in reference to " Sending " the Spies .
But looking at this deeper , the word " Shelach , " also means ' to stretch out or step out or away from , ' and in a deeper sense , refers to ' stepping away ' from HaShem and His Laws , Chas Ve Shalom . Whenever we arrogantly do that , although HaShem Made all things in Making Creation , we thus step away , Chas Ve Shalom , from HaShem's Intended direction of Creation and thus affect HaShem's Wish . In doing so , we step away from HaShem and thus affect Creation around us .
The path to HaShem , is the Road HaShem Commands . To step out of that , is to go against HaShem . HaShem Made Creation and Knows the right way it is to go and that we are to go . To go against that , is to tell HaShem , we think we know better , Chas Ve Shalom . How impossible that is , for HaShem Created all things and Knows Tomorrow and Eternity and beyond .
Who are we to claim to Know better , Chas Ve Shalom . When we ' stretch ' our selves outside HaShem's Commandments , we figuratively step away from HaShem , Chas Ve Shalom , and affect Creation . Who are we, to dare doubt HaShem Who Is All Knowing . This Creation , Is A Gift From HaShem . We are a Gift From HaShem . Our Neshomas and Bodies , are to work as one , in climbing up to HaShem . When we try extend our bodies , " Sending " our bodies away from our Neshomas , that are connected to HaShem's Wish , we go against Creation . We go against HaShem . Each one of the Spies had within his name words of rebellion , but they also had words of trust and faith in HaShem . The choice is our own, how we act .
If we choose wisely according to the pull of our souls towards HaShem , we enter Heaven . If we do not , and let our bodies pull us apart , we end up in Nothingness . We are to work to Emulate HaShem's Oneness . As we know , if two forces pull apart or away from each other , one gets nowhere . In Emulating HaShem's Oneness , we are to work to keep our body in oneness with our soul , both working together as one , in following our Creator , Who Is All Knowing , and so , results in us entering Heaven in oneness with HaShem's Oneness .
Instead of " Shelach " - " Sending " ourselves away from our Neshoma's Intended Path towards HaShem's Commandments , we must always rather be a " Shaliach " - " Messenger , " ( same root as the word " Shelach " ) for HaShem's Oneness , where we emulate HaShem's Oneness by being at one with our body and soul , always traveling in the direction of HaShem with love . A World at One with itself , with people at one with their souls connected to HaShem , is a World at one with HaShem and a ' World of HaShem ' - The Way Creation is Intended to be .
I wish HaShem with Love , an Ever Sweet and Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with Deepest Love Always and to all my fellow Jews , a sweet and beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love .
Friday, 28 June 2019
Friday, 21 June 2019
Parashas Beha'aloscha
Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Beha'aloscha which starts out the Commandment for the Menorah . This is like the Haftorah for this Parsha in Zechariah 2:14-4:7 which ends with words about the Menorah .
This Parsha continues after the previous Parsha where the Tribal leaders brought their contributions , and the Tribal Leader of Levi had not yet brought theirs, for Aharon felt HaShem Had not wanted his contribution , thinking that HaShem May Still Be Angry at him . But HaShem Had a Bigger Kavod in store for him , for HaShem Instructed Moshe to tell him to Kindle the Menorah . This would be a continuing Mitzvah, unlike the one-time giving of the Tribal contributions and also this Mitzvah of Kindling the Lamps , would be a future special Mitzvah that would also bring about later in history by the Levites , the beautiful Festival of Chanukah . Aharon was to kindle the 6 lamps on either side , to lean toward the face of the Menorah . The Menorah doesn't literally have a face , so this referred to the central seventh stem , reminiscent of HaShem , and this showed , like all of us and our Neshomas , that we must always lean toward HaShem and His Mitzvos . The word Menorah , comes to 295 Gematrically , which is 2+9+5=16 and 1+6=7 , the number of Moshiach , in whose time , HaShem's Light Will Openly Shine Forth to us all and we can be at one with HaShem .
HaShem Then Instructs on the Consecration of the Levites , which included Aharon lifting and waving 22 000 Levites in the same directions we wave the Lulav and Esrog , all done by Aharon in a single day .This shows the immense strength of Aharon and Moshe , where Moshe later on , defeated the giant Og . The Levite was to start at the age of 25 his apprenticeship and enter into active Avodah service from 30 years of age until the age of 50 , when he would stop his usual duties and continue lighter work and Service .
HaShem Then Instructed on the Pesach Offering , and at that time , on the second year from the Exodus , there were certain men who were contaminated Tamei from a corpse and could thus not offer the Pesach Offering at the appointed time. Our Rabbis say that this was because they were carrying the coffin of Yosef and so , HaShem Instituted Pesach Sheni , for those who were contaminated , not through fault of their own , and Pesach Sheni , would be their opportunity a month later in Iyar , to offer the Pesach Offering and eat it with Maror Bitter Herbs and Matzos .
HaShem Let Sit The Cloud of Glory on the Tabernacle , which would roll itself up to indicate to the Children of Israel when they were to journey . This would take on an Appearance of Fire at Night . When the Cloud would rest , so would we encamp . Thus , we would journey in faith with and trust in HaShem . This is the way at all times to live , to go only by HaShem , trusting that we are to follow Him only , putting our lives totally in His Hands , to never turn away from Him , for He Knows best . HaShem Knows when to go and when to stay . We need only have total faith and trust in Him to Lead us always and go , only by His Word and Command .
HaShem Also had Moshe make two silver trumpets , that were to be blown to signal the different Tribal camps to journey , to wage war against enemies who oppress us Chas Ve Shalom and also when making offerings on our Yomim Tovim and Rosh Chodesh . After 10 days short of a year of being in the vicinity of Har Sinai , HaShem Had us start to journey and the Ark of the Covenant , travelled three days ahead ,to clear our path for safety , like for example ,to protect us from a giant snake that lived in the Wilderness. The Tribal Camps journeyed in their positions and banners . Moshe's Father-in-Law Chovav chose not to journey with us , but to return home , to promote HaShem there and to also fix up certain loans made before . His children remained with us and members of his descendants grew to become Torah Scholars .
Bamidbar 10:35-36 were the words Moshe would say when we were to journey and when we were to encamp, as a command to the Clouds of Glory to either roll up and lift when we were to journey at the Command of HaShem , or when we were to encamp , at the Command of HaShem . These verses in a Torah scroll are put before and after , with inverted Hebrew Letter Nuns. The reason for this is that these verses are actually classed as a separate book of the Torah , for within them , are many Torah Concepts . Our Rabbis Say these verses were put here in this place , to separate the Aveiras made , so the sins wouldn't be put one after the other . The two inverted Nuns have a Gematrical value of 100 , which gives a reference point of how many sections of a specific type of spaces are from the beginning of Bamidbar . The last word of these two verses is also the last word of the Torah .
The Eirev Rav started Complaining " Mit'on'nim " that they want to return to Egypt . HaShem's Anger flared and He sent a fire which burnt them .
The Eirev Rav cultivated a craving for meat and fish and the five specific vegetables mentioned ( which were stopped as they were unhealthy for travelling women who would have a baby ) . They were dissatisfied with the Holy Mannah , HaShem Gave every day except Shabbos , where a double portion would be given the day before . The Mannah would have the taste of anything a person would think of and the holier a person was , the less they needed to prepare it , for they would delight in its Holy Spirituality . The Mannah had no waste in the body and HaShem Gave it to us With Such Love , on a tray of soft dew . At first we didn't know what it was and thus called it ' Man Hu ,' which meant ' What is this .' Thus it became known as Mannah ( Mann ).
Moshe heard the complaints spreading and came to HaShem , pleading for help. HaShem Told Moshe to choose 70 elders , who happened to be the Jewish overseers in Egypt who took beatings for their own people in trying to constantly protect them and HaShem assured Moshe that HaShem Would Take some of the spirit form Moshe and put it on the people and
Moshe's power would not be diminished , just like a candle can carry on lighting other candles , whilst its own light doesn't diminish , such is the case of teaching Torah , where holy light increases .
HaShem Also Said That they will have their meat to satiety until it comes out of their nostrils .
The 70 men chosen , were brought near to the Tent of Meeting and HaShem Came Down in the Cloud , and afterwards when the Cloud lifted , they prophesied . Two of the men Eldad and Medad , were more humble than the others and so remained humbly in their tents , not feeling themselves worthy,and they prophesied even more than the others , never losing their ability to prophesy unlike the others , prophesying Moshe's passing to be replaced by Yehoshuah and also prophesying the End of Days war of Gog and Magog coming to Yerushalaim and being defeated . Yehoshuah , for his Rebbe ( Moshe's) honour , commented that they shouldn't be prophesying in front of their Rebbe Moshe , but beautiful humble Moshe , sweetly commented if only all Israel were prophets . A wind went forth from HaShem and the Slav Quail descended on the camp up to people's chests . The more greedy people were , the more they suffered , even suffering the bursting stomach of the Sotah punishment . Different punishments hit different people depending on their Aveirahs in this issue . The place got named " Kibrot Ha Ta'avah , " - " The Grave of the Lusters ."
After this , Moshe's Wife Tzipporah was talking to Miriam , Moshe's Sister and it came out in the conversation , when Miriam asked how come Tzipporah never dresses up , she answered that there is no purpose , as Moshe wouldn't look much at her anyway , for Moshe had halted being with his wife , in order to keep himself pure for at any time he could receive prophecy from HaShem .
Miriam started to mention to her brother Aharon , why should Moshe separate from his wife if she and Aharon and the elders didn't . This conversation took place in earshot of Moshe specifically , her intention not being a bad one , but one to get Moshe to return to his wife . Moshe humbly kept quiet .
Instantly HaShem Summoned Miriam and Aharon and called them separately . HaShem Put straight her error and when the Cloud lifted,Miriam was full of Tzaraas . Aharon begged Moshe , who already was pleading with HaShem To Heal her . Miriam was to be quarantined for seven days outside the camp and the whole nation , out of respect for her waited and didn't move . Such is every action we do , repaid . When Miriam was young and waited for Moshe just 15 minutes , watching over him on the Nile , when he was a baby , now , the whole nation waited for her for seven days .When Miriam was healed and brought in , her skin was renewed completely and so was her health . The people journeyed from Hazeroth and camped in the Wilderness of Paran and it is here that the Parsha ends .
The Parsha is called " Beha'aloscha ," which means " When you Kindle , " and refers to kindling the lamps of the Menorah . HaShem Doesn't need our light , which is minute in comparison to HaShem's Light , yet Asks us to Light the Menorah , for our contribution to HaShem is very Beloved . HaShem Wants us to Contribute to Creation , by building a holy World with His Mitzvos . The way to make the World holy is to bring up and uplift every part of Creation . The word " Beha'aloscha , " has within it the word ' Aleh , ' which means ' To Go Up , ' or ' To Rise , ' in reference to rising spiritually .The idea of lamps or Candles of a Menorah , is representative of the Neshoma , the soul . So HaShem Is Also Telling us to keep uplifting our Souls toward Him . We do this by Keeping His Mitzvos in Tanach and Torah . We are to also bring up in Spiritual Level , every part and corner of Creation . We do this by making Brochas on things or using things for Holy Purposes . Each time we make a Brocha , we say HaShem's Name , which automatically connects that thing with it's Creator HaShem . HaShem Created all things at the beginning of Creation , even things that only appear thousands of years later . Thus everything we Bless today , waited thousands of years to finally fulfill their purpose , so when we make a Brocha , we actually Bless that thing to get an Aliyah back to HaShem . The same goes for ourselves . Everytime we do a Commandment , when the time comes to do that Commandment , we are actually elevating our Neshoma closer and closer to HaShem . We must always " Beha'aloscha , " - " Kindle " our souls towards HaShem in all we do , for by uplifting ourselves and all things around us , we are helping to complete Creation . We see this in one of the words in the Brochas we say , which is the word ' Borei , ' for this word appears within the first word of Creation " Bereishis , " which means that each time we say a Brocha , we are bringing to a result that article's reason for being , returning it to HaShem , Who Made it at the beginning of Bereishis Creation . We must kindle our souls at all times , to uplift ourselves to HaShem . We use the body as a tool to follow Mitzvos , thus the physical body is the tool by which we interact with the Physical World in doing Mitzvos . By putting down our Yetzer Horahs , our Evil Inclinations and temptations , and doing HaShem's Torah , not just in learning but in the fulfillment of actions , we are uplifting our Physicalities to grow closer to HaShem . As Pirkei Avos refers to this World being the banquet hall into the World To Come, so is our Physicality , the tool to use to get us there , to Olam Habah . By getting our Physicality to keep all HaShem's Mitzvos , we end up " Beha'aloscha , " - " Kindling " our soul , to raise us up to HaShem . The middle stem of the Menorah , the Face of the Menorah , representative of HaShem, to Whom we must always turn and face , is how we must be - upright and forever reaching for HaShem . Only we can uplift ourselves by our actions . No one can do it for us . This is our personal path to upliftment and holiness . HaShem Presents us with many opportunities to do this - to uplift ourselves . Thus we must never walk away from a Mitzvah . We must never walk a way from an opportunity to be kind and good and giving . These opportunities are all stepping stones to Heaven . Never tire to uplift the souls of those around you. We are not just in this World alone . We are also here to assist others too . Wherever HaShem Puts us at any given moment , has its purpose and reason . HaShem Wants us to uplift that moment in time , Kindling its essence , to holiness . Look around you wherever you are , for every instant HaShem Gives you , is another instant HaShem Created , for you to do good . Be HaShem's partner and " Beha'aloscha " - " Kindle " your soul and the souls you meet that are around you , and uplift Creation to Heaven .
I wish HaShem with Eternal Love , a Very Beautiful and Joyful Shabbos Kodesh with Love , and to all my fellow Jews , a very beautiful and joyful Shabbos Kodesh with love .
This Parsha continues after the previous Parsha where the Tribal leaders brought their contributions , and the Tribal Leader of Levi had not yet brought theirs, for Aharon felt HaShem Had not wanted his contribution , thinking that HaShem May Still Be Angry at him . But HaShem Had a Bigger Kavod in store for him , for HaShem Instructed Moshe to tell him to Kindle the Menorah . This would be a continuing Mitzvah, unlike the one-time giving of the Tribal contributions and also this Mitzvah of Kindling the Lamps , would be a future special Mitzvah that would also bring about later in history by the Levites , the beautiful Festival of Chanukah . Aharon was to kindle the 6 lamps on either side , to lean toward the face of the Menorah . The Menorah doesn't literally have a face , so this referred to the central seventh stem , reminiscent of HaShem , and this showed , like all of us and our Neshomas , that we must always lean toward HaShem and His Mitzvos . The word Menorah , comes to 295 Gematrically , which is 2+9+5=16 and 1+6=7 , the number of Moshiach , in whose time , HaShem's Light Will Openly Shine Forth to us all and we can be at one with HaShem .
HaShem Then Instructs on the Consecration of the Levites , which included Aharon lifting and waving 22 000 Levites in the same directions we wave the Lulav and Esrog , all done by Aharon in a single day .This shows the immense strength of Aharon and Moshe , where Moshe later on , defeated the giant Og . The Levite was to start at the age of 25 his apprenticeship and enter into active Avodah service from 30 years of age until the age of 50 , when he would stop his usual duties and continue lighter work and Service .
HaShem Then Instructed on the Pesach Offering , and at that time , on the second year from the Exodus , there were certain men who were contaminated Tamei from a corpse and could thus not offer the Pesach Offering at the appointed time. Our Rabbis say that this was because they were carrying the coffin of Yosef and so , HaShem Instituted Pesach Sheni , for those who were contaminated , not through fault of their own , and Pesach Sheni , would be their opportunity a month later in Iyar , to offer the Pesach Offering and eat it with Maror Bitter Herbs and Matzos .
HaShem Let Sit The Cloud of Glory on the Tabernacle , which would roll itself up to indicate to the Children of Israel when they were to journey . This would take on an Appearance of Fire at Night . When the Cloud would rest , so would we encamp . Thus , we would journey in faith with and trust in HaShem . This is the way at all times to live , to go only by HaShem , trusting that we are to follow Him only , putting our lives totally in His Hands , to never turn away from Him , for He Knows best . HaShem Knows when to go and when to stay . We need only have total faith and trust in Him to Lead us always and go , only by His Word and Command .
HaShem Also had Moshe make two silver trumpets , that were to be blown to signal the different Tribal camps to journey , to wage war against enemies who oppress us Chas Ve Shalom and also when making offerings on our Yomim Tovim and Rosh Chodesh . After 10 days short of a year of being in the vicinity of Har Sinai , HaShem Had us start to journey and the Ark of the Covenant , travelled three days ahead ,to clear our path for safety , like for example ,to protect us from a giant snake that lived in the Wilderness. The Tribal Camps journeyed in their positions and banners . Moshe's Father-in-Law Chovav chose not to journey with us , but to return home , to promote HaShem there and to also fix up certain loans made before . His children remained with us and members of his descendants grew to become Torah Scholars .
Bamidbar 10:35-36 were the words Moshe would say when we were to journey and when we were to encamp, as a command to the Clouds of Glory to either roll up and lift when we were to journey at the Command of HaShem , or when we were to encamp , at the Command of HaShem . These verses in a Torah scroll are put before and after , with inverted Hebrew Letter Nuns. The reason for this is that these verses are actually classed as a separate book of the Torah , for within them , are many Torah Concepts . Our Rabbis Say these verses were put here in this place , to separate the Aveiras made , so the sins wouldn't be put one after the other . The two inverted Nuns have a Gematrical value of 100 , which gives a reference point of how many sections of a specific type of spaces are from the beginning of Bamidbar . The last word of these two verses is also the last word of the Torah .
The Eirev Rav started Complaining " Mit'on'nim " that they want to return to Egypt . HaShem's Anger flared and He sent a fire which burnt them .
The Eirev Rav cultivated a craving for meat and fish and the five specific vegetables mentioned ( which were stopped as they were unhealthy for travelling women who would have a baby ) . They were dissatisfied with the Holy Mannah , HaShem Gave every day except Shabbos , where a double portion would be given the day before . The Mannah would have the taste of anything a person would think of and the holier a person was , the less they needed to prepare it , for they would delight in its Holy Spirituality . The Mannah had no waste in the body and HaShem Gave it to us With Such Love , on a tray of soft dew . At first we didn't know what it was and thus called it ' Man Hu ,' which meant ' What is this .' Thus it became known as Mannah ( Mann ).
Moshe heard the complaints spreading and came to HaShem , pleading for help. HaShem Told Moshe to choose 70 elders , who happened to be the Jewish overseers in Egypt who took beatings for their own people in trying to constantly protect them and HaShem assured Moshe that HaShem Would Take some of the spirit form Moshe and put it on the people and
Moshe's power would not be diminished , just like a candle can carry on lighting other candles , whilst its own light doesn't diminish , such is the case of teaching Torah , where holy light increases .
HaShem Also Said That they will have their meat to satiety until it comes out of their nostrils .
The 70 men chosen , were brought near to the Tent of Meeting and HaShem Came Down in the Cloud , and afterwards when the Cloud lifted , they prophesied . Two of the men Eldad and Medad , were more humble than the others and so remained humbly in their tents , not feeling themselves worthy,and they prophesied even more than the others , never losing their ability to prophesy unlike the others , prophesying Moshe's passing to be replaced by Yehoshuah and also prophesying the End of Days war of Gog and Magog coming to Yerushalaim and being defeated . Yehoshuah , for his Rebbe ( Moshe's) honour , commented that they shouldn't be prophesying in front of their Rebbe Moshe , but beautiful humble Moshe , sweetly commented if only all Israel were prophets . A wind went forth from HaShem and the Slav Quail descended on the camp up to people's chests . The more greedy people were , the more they suffered , even suffering the bursting stomach of the Sotah punishment . Different punishments hit different people depending on their Aveirahs in this issue . The place got named " Kibrot Ha Ta'avah , " - " The Grave of the Lusters ."
After this , Moshe's Wife Tzipporah was talking to Miriam , Moshe's Sister and it came out in the conversation , when Miriam asked how come Tzipporah never dresses up , she answered that there is no purpose , as Moshe wouldn't look much at her anyway , for Moshe had halted being with his wife , in order to keep himself pure for at any time he could receive prophecy from HaShem .
Miriam started to mention to her brother Aharon , why should Moshe separate from his wife if she and Aharon and the elders didn't . This conversation took place in earshot of Moshe specifically , her intention not being a bad one , but one to get Moshe to return to his wife . Moshe humbly kept quiet .
Instantly HaShem Summoned Miriam and Aharon and called them separately . HaShem Put straight her error and when the Cloud lifted,Miriam was full of Tzaraas . Aharon begged Moshe , who already was pleading with HaShem To Heal her . Miriam was to be quarantined for seven days outside the camp and the whole nation , out of respect for her waited and didn't move . Such is every action we do , repaid . When Miriam was young and waited for Moshe just 15 minutes , watching over him on the Nile , when he was a baby , now , the whole nation waited for her for seven days .When Miriam was healed and brought in , her skin was renewed completely and so was her health . The people journeyed from Hazeroth and camped in the Wilderness of Paran and it is here that the Parsha ends .
The Parsha is called " Beha'aloscha ," which means " When you Kindle , " and refers to kindling the lamps of the Menorah . HaShem Doesn't need our light , which is minute in comparison to HaShem's Light , yet Asks us to Light the Menorah , for our contribution to HaShem is very Beloved . HaShem Wants us to Contribute to Creation , by building a holy World with His Mitzvos . The way to make the World holy is to bring up and uplift every part of Creation . The word " Beha'aloscha , " has within it the word ' Aleh , ' which means ' To Go Up , ' or ' To Rise , ' in reference to rising spiritually .The idea of lamps or Candles of a Menorah , is representative of the Neshoma , the soul . So HaShem Is Also Telling us to keep uplifting our Souls toward Him . We do this by Keeping His Mitzvos in Tanach and Torah . We are to also bring up in Spiritual Level , every part and corner of Creation . We do this by making Brochas on things or using things for Holy Purposes . Each time we make a Brocha , we say HaShem's Name , which automatically connects that thing with it's Creator HaShem . HaShem Created all things at the beginning of Creation , even things that only appear thousands of years later . Thus everything we Bless today , waited thousands of years to finally fulfill their purpose , so when we make a Brocha , we actually Bless that thing to get an Aliyah back to HaShem . The same goes for ourselves . Everytime we do a Commandment , when the time comes to do that Commandment , we are actually elevating our Neshoma closer and closer to HaShem . We must always " Beha'aloscha , " - " Kindle " our souls towards HaShem in all we do , for by uplifting ourselves and all things around us , we are helping to complete Creation . We see this in one of the words in the Brochas we say , which is the word ' Borei , ' for this word appears within the first word of Creation " Bereishis , " which means that each time we say a Brocha , we are bringing to a result that article's reason for being , returning it to HaShem , Who Made it at the beginning of Bereishis Creation . We must kindle our souls at all times , to uplift ourselves to HaShem . We use the body as a tool to follow Mitzvos , thus the physical body is the tool by which we interact with the Physical World in doing Mitzvos . By putting down our Yetzer Horahs , our Evil Inclinations and temptations , and doing HaShem's Torah , not just in learning but in the fulfillment of actions , we are uplifting our Physicalities to grow closer to HaShem . As Pirkei Avos refers to this World being the banquet hall into the World To Come, so is our Physicality , the tool to use to get us there , to Olam Habah . By getting our Physicality to keep all HaShem's Mitzvos , we end up " Beha'aloscha , " - " Kindling " our soul , to raise us up to HaShem . The middle stem of the Menorah , the Face of the Menorah , representative of HaShem, to Whom we must always turn and face , is how we must be - upright and forever reaching for HaShem . Only we can uplift ourselves by our actions . No one can do it for us . This is our personal path to upliftment and holiness . HaShem Presents us with many opportunities to do this - to uplift ourselves . Thus we must never walk away from a Mitzvah . We must never walk a way from an opportunity to be kind and good and giving . These opportunities are all stepping stones to Heaven . Never tire to uplift the souls of those around you. We are not just in this World alone . We are also here to assist others too . Wherever HaShem Puts us at any given moment , has its purpose and reason . HaShem Wants us to uplift that moment in time , Kindling its essence , to holiness . Look around you wherever you are , for every instant HaShem Gives you , is another instant HaShem Created , for you to do good . Be HaShem's partner and " Beha'aloscha " - " Kindle " your soul and the souls you meet that are around you , and uplift Creation to Heaven .
I wish HaShem with Eternal Love , a Very Beautiful and Joyful Shabbos Kodesh with Love , and to all my fellow Jews , a very beautiful and joyful Shabbos Kodesh with love .
Friday, 14 June 2019
Parashas Naso
Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Naso .
In this Parsha , we continue with the responsibilities of the sons of Gershon .
Their work is laid out and then HaShem Tells us of the work of Merari, who were both Levite families . The Levite families are then totaled .
HaShem Then Discusses the purity of the Camp , that all who have Tzaraas , or a Zav emission or those contaminated by a human corpse are to be outside the Camp , for ritual contamination is not to be in the Presence of HaShem's Shechinah , according to Ramban .
HaShem Teaches what to do with theft and how to make restitution , by giving the principal amount and a fifth extra . But a sin needs to have a confession .
The Sotah is then discussed , which refers to a wife who was warned not to be alone with a certain man and witnesses attest to her infidelity . Our Jewish people are not to take on the immodest ways that reflect the Physical World of desire , and so , we are to be a people of Tznius Modest Purity . We must always remember that HaShem Is In our midst , and so act accordingly , with purity and modesty and holy spirituality . The Wife who goes astray , is totally the opposite of what HaShem Wants in a union between husband and wife , who are to be faithful to each other as HaShem Is Faithful to us . In fact , Fidelity and Sholom Bait - peace in the home between husband and wife , is so important to HaShem , that as a test to the Sotah , HaShem Allows His Name to be written and dissolved in the waters that the Sotah is to drink . The Gemorrah on this subject from the verses of Torah about the Sotah , describe the full ceremony that the Sotah has to go through , where she is taken to the Gate of Nikanor near the Temple and is made to drink the Bitter Waters that cause curse if she did commit Adultery . She is given plenty of time to confess and the Kohanim who do the process , try their utmost to get her to confess, for if she does , she avoids the test of the Sotah and its consequences . The Curse she suffers , hits at the very areas she used to sin with . Of course the husband must not be in any way responsible for her lack of trust in him . The man she committed the adultery with , also gets the same result of the curse . An offering is made too , with barley flower , an animal food , as she acted as a base animal , wanting to fulfill her physical needs . No Incense or oil is used for the offering as her action does not deserve any beautifying in the offering . HaShem Looks upon Adultery with the same view as unfaithfulness to Him and this is totally abhorrent to HaShem . The Water she drinks is taken from the Laver in the Temple , which was originally made from the mirrors that the Jewish women used in Egypt to beautify themselves for their husbands so that their tired overworked husbands would be attracted to them so our people could multiply. She is given water from this Laver , to point out that her motives were totally opposite from the holy actions of the Jewish women in Egypt . The water is put in an earthenware vessel to signify the baseness of her act that deserves no beautifying , for as she served her lover in wine glasses, now she faces the opposite, with the baseless physicality of her sin . Earth was taken from the floor of he Temple to put in the water .Her head was uncovered as she uncovered her hair and herself for her lover . The Kohanim wrote out the Oath from the Torah on a scroll with HaShem's Name and it is erased in the water which she drinks . If she is guilty , the curses in these verses take affect , but if she was not guilty, she is given a Blessing to bare Torah scholars of holiness . The fact is that she should either way , have known to be modest and not seclude herself with strange men that are not her husband . There was a story of two women who were twins and the one who was married was unfaithful to her husband . She was ordered to take the test of the Sotah , so she thought she could fool the Test and trick HaShem Chas Ve Shalom , so she sent her sister instead who looked like her , and her sister passed the test . When that sister , overjoyed, came running up to the sister who had been unfaithful and they embraced in happiness and kissed , the waters passed from mouth to mouth , and at that instant , the Waters that Curse took affect on the guilty unfaithful sister and she died the way the Test says she will . HaShem Hates Unfaithfulness , to Himself and between Husband and Wife and wants us as a Jewish people to lift ourselves above the ways of the impure world and remain totally faithful to our spouse . We are to be , as Torah Tells us , a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation and so , we are to value most highly , Modesty , Purity and Tznius and Faithfulness .
The Torah then discusses the choice to take the Nazarite vow , for those who want to become more holy , by putting down their physical Yetzer Horah and avoid wine or anything that has grapes in it . This is put after the Sotah , to show the link between wine and temptations of sin . Those who wish to curb a physical desire for that which is wrong , or for that which can lead to a physical drop in holiness , so a vow is taken to abstain from wine and grape products . Obviously , after the period of being a Nazarite , the person is to try keep up a holy way . Two offerings are brought at the end , one an elevation offering to elevate him and another a sin offering , for he is still counselled for depriving himself of things HaShem mean him to have in reason, for we are to learn to control ourselves to moderation . The Haftorah for this Sedra is in Judges Shoftim 13:2-25 , and talks about the upcoming birth of Shimshon Samson , who was to be a Nazarite from birth , which is one of the subjects of our Torah reading .
The Torah Parsha then discusses the Priestly Blessing , said by the Kohanim when they are to bless Israel .
We note that there are Sixty letters in the Priestly Blessing , like the Sixty men that surrounded Shlomo Hamelech while he slept , all versed in Torah , to protect him against negative forces . The First verse has three words in it , like our three ForeFathers . The Second verse has five words in it , like the five books of the Torah . The Third verse has Seven words in it , representative of the Shabbos , the Seventh day , the Shemittah Seventh Year and into the future , the holy time of Mashiach . The Kohanim , when standing and Blessing the Congregation , stand with their fingers up and open , for when we heard that we would be Blessed through the Kohanim , we requested that HaShem Bless us directly , so HaShem Said That He Will Stand behind the Kohanim , and the Light of His Shechinah will shine through the fingers of the Kohanim . If we take the first word and last word of this Priestly Blessing , it forms " Yevarechecha Shalom , " which means " May you be Blessed with Peace , " for all Blessings can only be enjoyed in a state of peace . HaShem Wants us to have peace and we have have to keep HaShem's Commandments to warrant peace . The reason that Shlomo HaMelech had to have Sixty men around him while he slept was because of Ashmedai and his Mazikim . When Shlomo Ha Melech built the Temple , he had his friend Benayahu catch and bring Ashmedai to tell of where the Shamir Worm was so that it could split the rocks for building as no iron implement was to be used in the building of the Temple . While Ashmedai ( prince of mazikim ) , was there , he tricked Shlomo Ha Melech into untying him , and suddenly Ashmedai transported Shlomo Ha Melech many parasangs distant out of the castle and took over the kingship pretending to be Solomon .HaShem Had Given Ashmedai , son of Samael ( the angel that tempted Chava ) and Lilith , power to go at Solomon , because of Solomon's foreign wives bringing Avodah Zorah in , and so King Solomon suddenly found himself out of his kingship . He knocked on many doors trying to persuade people he was the real Solomon , but was not believed , for Ashmedai had taken the form of the king . Finally Solomon came before the Sanhedrin pleading with them that he was the real king and they made a test and asked his wives if they had ever seen his feet , for the feet of a demon is unlike a human for it is like an chicken's feet. They found out hos he hid himself away in his chambers a lot of the time and never exposed his feet . It was found that it was Ashmedai , and Solomon was restored to his kingship . Since then , Solomon had an open door to attacks from mazikin and a they were always around . Yet when Shlomo HaMelech wore a ring and chain with HaShem's Name on it , Ashmedai was powerless .So this is why the Sixty men around Shlomo while he slept . So the Priestly Blessing is also one of purity and peace . Our Kohanim of today , say it on Yomim Tovim and in the Temple , it was said every day . It teaches us HaShem's Deep Desire to Bless us .
The Parsha ends with all the tribal leaders bringing the exact same offerings miraculously without prior discussion between them . HaShem Puts each of their offerings in Torah , even though each is repeated , for HaShem Wants To Show His Love and Appreciation for their offerings . The Tribal leaders did not get the opportunity to contribute before , as the contributions had to be stopped because of over abundance , and so now they took the opportunity to also contribute . Even though they each brought the same things , each different Tribe had deep spiritual reasons allied to what they brought that had meaning either to a specific holy event , or to something past of still to come and so , HaShem Valued each of their offerings .Even within each Tribal Leader's Name , were deep hints to events in our history and other deep meanings . The Totals too , also have deep significance . The Parsha ends with Moshe coming to the Tent of Meeting to speak with HaShem , and hearing the Voice of HaShem Speaking from the Ark Cover , between the two Keruvim , from where HaShem Spoke to Moshe there . So ends our Sedra .
This Parsha is called Naso , which means " Take ," and refers to HaShem Telling Moshe to take a census of the sons of Gershon.
The usual word for ' Take ' is ' Kach .' Yet here , HaShem uses the word " Naso ." This word actually means to " Lift or Rise up . " So HaShem Is Telling us again , that when we stand up to be counted for HaShem's Service , we actually ' Rise up ' and Bring ourselves higher toward HaShem .
Every time we stand up as a member of K'lal Yisroel , to fulfill HaShem's Mitzvos , we " Lift " Ourselves higher in Holiness to HaShem . Also within the word " Naso ," is the word ' Nasi ' which refers to a Tribal leader , discussed near the end of the Parsha . This shows us that we are to rise up as Hillel says , in Pirkei Avos , and where there are no leaders , to strive to be a leader in bringing people to HaShem . The word " Naso ," also has the root ' Neis , ' which refers to a ' Miracle .' HaShem , In His Humility , Performs His Natural Miracles of Creation every day , Taking Stock of All HaShem Creates .In every moment of existence , HaShem Creates Miracles . We are so busy going around our own day to day lives , that we seldom , if ever , actually take the time to appreciate HaShem's Miracles .Our very act of breathing is a miracle , for the air that remains within us , could find its way out through the pores in the organs, yet HaShem Keeps it in us , for each and every one of the billions of people that exist . The sweet song of the birds , the fragrant soft colourful beauty of the flowers. The epic grandeur of the mountains and the vast expanse of the seas , all contribute to HaShem's Created Miracles every moment of existence . That baby that looks upward toward HaShem's Light , as it gets reared my HaShem and its parents . The Miracle of HaShem of the human body is beyond our understanding . All things on Earth grow upward , all growing up toward HaShem . As Shlomo Ha Melech used to often say , we can learn so many things and how to be , just by observing the Miracles of HaShem that surround us all the time , for as I said all things grow upward toward HaShem , so can we learn to do the same thing , but constantly working our way upward toward HaShem . The vastness of Space and time , the Universe and possibly Universes , are so far beyond our imagination , with their millions of Galaxies , Stars , Pulsars and Nebulae , all singing the chorus of love to HaShem . It has been shown that the Universe has a moving sound that sound like music , all , the Miracle of HaShem , as all things Praise our Creator . We could do very well , in learning from all things around us , that we are to praise HaShem Always and Look Up toward Him Always , learning how to Serve Him with love , as all of His Creation Looks up toward Him . Yet HaShem Remains totally Humble , wanting us to find Him , in all He Makes . Isn't that a sweet Miracle on its own . Thus , in looking for Him in all things , we thus " Naso " - " Raise ," the level of all things in Creation , by Letting out His Light within all He Creates . By doing that , we " Naso " - " Take " His Essence out of the physical and expose It .The more we do this , the more HaShem Will Rest Within us and all around us , and then Creation can finally reach its destination , in every part of it , being filled with HaShem's Light . Let us bring the Light of HaShem and Hos Torah , to Creation , and Make this World , a World that , with Love for HaShem , can be a World of Torah Mitzvos and where all Creation obeys HaShem's Laws with Love .
I wish HaShem With Deep Love , a Very Sweet and Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with Love , and to all my fellow Yidden , a sweet and beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love .
In this Parsha , we continue with the responsibilities of the sons of Gershon .
Their work is laid out and then HaShem Tells us of the work of Merari, who were both Levite families . The Levite families are then totaled .
HaShem Then Discusses the purity of the Camp , that all who have Tzaraas , or a Zav emission or those contaminated by a human corpse are to be outside the Camp , for ritual contamination is not to be in the Presence of HaShem's Shechinah , according to Ramban .
HaShem Teaches what to do with theft and how to make restitution , by giving the principal amount and a fifth extra . But a sin needs to have a confession .
The Sotah is then discussed , which refers to a wife who was warned not to be alone with a certain man and witnesses attest to her infidelity . Our Jewish people are not to take on the immodest ways that reflect the Physical World of desire , and so , we are to be a people of Tznius Modest Purity . We must always remember that HaShem Is In our midst , and so act accordingly , with purity and modesty and holy spirituality . The Wife who goes astray , is totally the opposite of what HaShem Wants in a union between husband and wife , who are to be faithful to each other as HaShem Is Faithful to us . In fact , Fidelity and Sholom Bait - peace in the home between husband and wife , is so important to HaShem , that as a test to the Sotah , HaShem Allows His Name to be written and dissolved in the waters that the Sotah is to drink . The Gemorrah on this subject from the verses of Torah about the Sotah , describe the full ceremony that the Sotah has to go through , where she is taken to the Gate of Nikanor near the Temple and is made to drink the Bitter Waters that cause curse if she did commit Adultery . She is given plenty of time to confess and the Kohanim who do the process , try their utmost to get her to confess, for if she does , she avoids the test of the Sotah and its consequences . The Curse she suffers , hits at the very areas she used to sin with . Of course the husband must not be in any way responsible for her lack of trust in him . The man she committed the adultery with , also gets the same result of the curse . An offering is made too , with barley flower , an animal food , as she acted as a base animal , wanting to fulfill her physical needs . No Incense or oil is used for the offering as her action does not deserve any beautifying in the offering . HaShem Looks upon Adultery with the same view as unfaithfulness to Him and this is totally abhorrent to HaShem . The Water she drinks is taken from the Laver in the Temple , which was originally made from the mirrors that the Jewish women used in Egypt to beautify themselves for their husbands so that their tired overworked husbands would be attracted to them so our people could multiply. She is given water from this Laver , to point out that her motives were totally opposite from the holy actions of the Jewish women in Egypt . The water is put in an earthenware vessel to signify the baseness of her act that deserves no beautifying , for as she served her lover in wine glasses, now she faces the opposite, with the baseless physicality of her sin . Earth was taken from the floor of he Temple to put in the water .Her head was uncovered as she uncovered her hair and herself for her lover . The Kohanim wrote out the Oath from the Torah on a scroll with HaShem's Name and it is erased in the water which she drinks . If she is guilty , the curses in these verses take affect , but if she was not guilty, she is given a Blessing to bare Torah scholars of holiness . The fact is that she should either way , have known to be modest and not seclude herself with strange men that are not her husband . There was a story of two women who were twins and the one who was married was unfaithful to her husband . She was ordered to take the test of the Sotah , so she thought she could fool the Test and trick HaShem Chas Ve Shalom , so she sent her sister instead who looked like her , and her sister passed the test . When that sister , overjoyed, came running up to the sister who had been unfaithful and they embraced in happiness and kissed , the waters passed from mouth to mouth , and at that instant , the Waters that Curse took affect on the guilty unfaithful sister and she died the way the Test says she will . HaShem Hates Unfaithfulness , to Himself and between Husband and Wife and wants us as a Jewish people to lift ourselves above the ways of the impure world and remain totally faithful to our spouse . We are to be , as Torah Tells us , a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation and so , we are to value most highly , Modesty , Purity and Tznius and Faithfulness .
The Torah then discusses the choice to take the Nazarite vow , for those who want to become more holy , by putting down their physical Yetzer Horah and avoid wine or anything that has grapes in it . This is put after the Sotah , to show the link between wine and temptations of sin . Those who wish to curb a physical desire for that which is wrong , or for that which can lead to a physical drop in holiness , so a vow is taken to abstain from wine and grape products . Obviously , after the period of being a Nazarite , the person is to try keep up a holy way . Two offerings are brought at the end , one an elevation offering to elevate him and another a sin offering , for he is still counselled for depriving himself of things HaShem mean him to have in reason, for we are to learn to control ourselves to moderation . The Haftorah for this Sedra is in Judges Shoftim 13:2-25 , and talks about the upcoming birth of Shimshon Samson , who was to be a Nazarite from birth , which is one of the subjects of our Torah reading .
The Torah Parsha then discusses the Priestly Blessing , said by the Kohanim when they are to bless Israel .
We note that there are Sixty letters in the Priestly Blessing , like the Sixty men that surrounded Shlomo Hamelech while he slept , all versed in Torah , to protect him against negative forces . The First verse has three words in it , like our three ForeFathers . The Second verse has five words in it , like the five books of the Torah . The Third verse has Seven words in it , representative of the Shabbos , the Seventh day , the Shemittah Seventh Year and into the future , the holy time of Mashiach . The Kohanim , when standing and Blessing the Congregation , stand with their fingers up and open , for when we heard that we would be Blessed through the Kohanim , we requested that HaShem Bless us directly , so HaShem Said That He Will Stand behind the Kohanim , and the Light of His Shechinah will shine through the fingers of the Kohanim . If we take the first word and last word of this Priestly Blessing , it forms " Yevarechecha Shalom , " which means " May you be Blessed with Peace , " for all Blessings can only be enjoyed in a state of peace . HaShem Wants us to have peace and we have have to keep HaShem's Commandments to warrant peace . The reason that Shlomo HaMelech had to have Sixty men around him while he slept was because of Ashmedai and his Mazikim . When Shlomo Ha Melech built the Temple , he had his friend Benayahu catch and bring Ashmedai to tell of where the Shamir Worm was so that it could split the rocks for building as no iron implement was to be used in the building of the Temple . While Ashmedai ( prince of mazikim ) , was there , he tricked Shlomo Ha Melech into untying him , and suddenly Ashmedai transported Shlomo Ha Melech many parasangs distant out of the castle and took over the kingship pretending to be Solomon .HaShem Had Given Ashmedai , son of Samael ( the angel that tempted Chava ) and Lilith , power to go at Solomon , because of Solomon's foreign wives bringing Avodah Zorah in , and so King Solomon suddenly found himself out of his kingship . He knocked on many doors trying to persuade people he was the real Solomon , but was not believed , for Ashmedai had taken the form of the king . Finally Solomon came before the Sanhedrin pleading with them that he was the real king and they made a test and asked his wives if they had ever seen his feet , for the feet of a demon is unlike a human for it is like an chicken's feet. They found out hos he hid himself away in his chambers a lot of the time and never exposed his feet . It was found that it was Ashmedai , and Solomon was restored to his kingship . Since then , Solomon had an open door to attacks from mazikin and a they were always around . Yet when Shlomo HaMelech wore a ring and chain with HaShem's Name on it , Ashmedai was powerless .So this is why the Sixty men around Shlomo while he slept . So the Priestly Blessing is also one of purity and peace . Our Kohanim of today , say it on Yomim Tovim and in the Temple , it was said every day . It teaches us HaShem's Deep Desire to Bless us .
The Parsha ends with all the tribal leaders bringing the exact same offerings miraculously without prior discussion between them . HaShem Puts each of their offerings in Torah , even though each is repeated , for HaShem Wants To Show His Love and Appreciation for their offerings . The Tribal leaders did not get the opportunity to contribute before , as the contributions had to be stopped because of over abundance , and so now they took the opportunity to also contribute . Even though they each brought the same things , each different Tribe had deep spiritual reasons allied to what they brought that had meaning either to a specific holy event , or to something past of still to come and so , HaShem Valued each of their offerings .Even within each Tribal Leader's Name , were deep hints to events in our history and other deep meanings . The Totals too , also have deep significance . The Parsha ends with Moshe coming to the Tent of Meeting to speak with HaShem , and hearing the Voice of HaShem Speaking from the Ark Cover , between the two Keruvim , from where HaShem Spoke to Moshe there . So ends our Sedra .
This Parsha is called Naso , which means " Take ," and refers to HaShem Telling Moshe to take a census of the sons of Gershon.
The usual word for ' Take ' is ' Kach .' Yet here , HaShem uses the word " Naso ." This word actually means to " Lift or Rise up . " So HaShem Is Telling us again , that when we stand up to be counted for HaShem's Service , we actually ' Rise up ' and Bring ourselves higher toward HaShem .
Every time we stand up as a member of K'lal Yisroel , to fulfill HaShem's Mitzvos , we " Lift " Ourselves higher in Holiness to HaShem . Also within the word " Naso ," is the word ' Nasi ' which refers to a Tribal leader , discussed near the end of the Parsha . This shows us that we are to rise up as Hillel says , in Pirkei Avos , and where there are no leaders , to strive to be a leader in bringing people to HaShem . The word " Naso ," also has the root ' Neis , ' which refers to a ' Miracle .' HaShem , In His Humility , Performs His Natural Miracles of Creation every day , Taking Stock of All HaShem Creates .In every moment of existence , HaShem Creates Miracles . We are so busy going around our own day to day lives , that we seldom , if ever , actually take the time to appreciate HaShem's Miracles .Our very act of breathing is a miracle , for the air that remains within us , could find its way out through the pores in the organs, yet HaShem Keeps it in us , for each and every one of the billions of people that exist . The sweet song of the birds , the fragrant soft colourful beauty of the flowers. The epic grandeur of the mountains and the vast expanse of the seas , all contribute to HaShem's Created Miracles every moment of existence . That baby that looks upward toward HaShem's Light , as it gets reared my HaShem and its parents . The Miracle of HaShem of the human body is beyond our understanding . All things on Earth grow upward , all growing up toward HaShem . As Shlomo Ha Melech used to often say , we can learn so many things and how to be , just by observing the Miracles of HaShem that surround us all the time , for as I said all things grow upward toward HaShem , so can we learn to do the same thing , but constantly working our way upward toward HaShem . The vastness of Space and time , the Universe and possibly Universes , are so far beyond our imagination , with their millions of Galaxies , Stars , Pulsars and Nebulae , all singing the chorus of love to HaShem . It has been shown that the Universe has a moving sound that sound like music , all , the Miracle of HaShem , as all things Praise our Creator . We could do very well , in learning from all things around us , that we are to praise HaShem Always and Look Up toward Him Always , learning how to Serve Him with love , as all of His Creation Looks up toward Him . Yet HaShem Remains totally Humble , wanting us to find Him , in all He Makes . Isn't that a sweet Miracle on its own . Thus , in looking for Him in all things , we thus " Naso " - " Raise ," the level of all things in Creation , by Letting out His Light within all He Creates . By doing that , we " Naso " - " Take " His Essence out of the physical and expose It .The more we do this , the more HaShem Will Rest Within us and all around us , and then Creation can finally reach its destination , in every part of it , being filled with HaShem's Light . Let us bring the Light of HaShem and Hos Torah , to Creation , and Make this World , a World that , with Love for HaShem , can be a World of Torah Mitzvos and where all Creation obeys HaShem's Laws with Love .
I wish HaShem With Deep Love , a Very Sweet and Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with Love , and to all my fellow Yidden , a sweet and beautiful Shabbos Kodesh with love .
Friday, 7 June 2019
Parashas Bamidbar
Our Parsha this Shabbos just before Shavuos is Parashas Bamidbar, the first chapter in the fourth book of the Torah .
In this Parsha , HaShem tells Moshe to take a Census of the the Children of Israel . HaShem Had each person come before Moshe and Aharon in order to be counted , so they could be especially Blessed . Seeing as we are not to count our people directly so as not to entice the Ayin Harah the Evil Eye , which looks to judge and punish and even remove our people , each one brought a half shekel as a count . HaShem likes to count us jist as we like to count that which is very special to us .
The Haftorah is Hosea 2:1-22 and also starts by comparing our numbers to the sand of the sea that cannot be measured .
The Parsha discusses how each Tribe was counted according to its Tribe and how each Tribe had its special position around the Mishkan as they traveled , divided into three tribes in each direction of the four directions North South East and West around the Mishkan . The Levites were positioned within , around and closest to the Mishkan . The positions of the Tribes were set in Yaakov's time , when his sons traveled back to Canaan , when they went to bury their Father in the Cave of Machpelah near Mamre .
The set positions as well as their Flags and Degalim Banners were set from Shamaim , each having its Holy Deep significance and banner colour as well as insignia and picture on their flag , being an Earthly representation of how the Angels surround the Kissey HaKavod , HaShem's Holy Throne of Glory Above and also according to the blessing Yaakov gave his sons for each tribe .
The Tribe of Levi was counted separately from a younger age of one month and their numbers compared to the numbers of the first-born , who were removed from their holy position after the sin of the Chait Ha Eigel , the golden calf , and the count came to 273 more first borns who were redeemed with five shekels each .
The Parsha teaches how the three Levite families of Gershon , Merari and Kehat each had different tasks to perform , and Moshe setting up 8 Mishmarot , groups revolving their duties over 8 weeks at a time . King David increased the number of Mishmarot later on in History .The Parsha also explains how they traveled and the taking down and covering and setting up took place. Whike the Aron was covered , it could not be looked upon .
We note that the Parsha says about the Census , " S'u Et Rosh ," - " Take a Census ," but these words actually mean ' Lift up the head ,' which shows that the counting had a deeper meaning in the form of lifting oneself up spiritually , in also making an accounting of oneself and bettering oneself, working toward Torah Mitzvos to rise toward HaShem .
The Parsha is called " Bamidbar ," - " Wilderness ," which shows that HaShem is reveals himself when we are in a humble setting . We gain knowledge if we are humble . We need to humble ourselves to hear HaShem Speak , and this word speak actually appears in the word " Bamidbar ," for the word ' Medaber ,' means ' Speak .' To hear HaShem , we need to empty ourselves like an empty Wilderness Bamidbar and make ourselves humble and small and lessen our physical and material desires . This is the way to HaShem And His Torah .
If we take the word " Bamidbar ," and find its Gematriah , it comes to 2+40+4+2+200 = 248 , which is the exact amount of positive Mitzvos out of 613 Mitzvos a Jew has to keep . Thus in humbling ourselves , we take within us HaShem's Wisdom and do HaShem's Mitzvos and this leads us to HaShem .
Pirkei Avos teaches a few times how we ought to be humble . In Pirkei Avos 2:6 , Hillel says ," the bashful person cannot learn. Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai used to say ," If you have studied much Torah , do not take credit for yourself , because that is what you were Created to do ," Pirkei Avos 2:9 .Rabbi Levitas of Yavneh said ," Be exceedingly humble in spirit , " Pirkei Avos 4:4 . Rabbi Meir said , " Be of humble spirit before every person ," Pirkei Avos 4:12 ." Those who have a good eye, a humble spirit and a meek soul are among the disciples of our forefather Avraham ," Pirkei Avos 5:22 . " This is the way of Torah - Eat bread with salt , drink water in small measure , sleep on the ground , live a life of deprivation - but toil in the Torah , " Pirkei Avos 6:4 . ( Artscroll Siddur )
So the way to HaShem , is to make ourselves open like a Bamidbar - Wilderness , and be humble and open to HaShem's Medaber - Speech and Speaking . To climb high , we need to be physically humble and remove the Yetzer Horah from ourselves by making ourselves meek and humble and empty of physical and material desires .
Our only desire should be for HaShem . Our only destiny , should be for HaShem . Our only want , should be for HaShem . Our every action and though , should be for HaShem . To do that , we need to make ourselves like an empty Wilderness , ready to always take in HaShem's Wisdom and Torah Mitzvos ,
We are on the verge of Shavuos , when we received the Torah on Har Sinai , the most humble of Mountains . We have , the last 49 days , been counting the Omer , purifying ourselves for this Wonderful Beautiful Holy Moment , counting toward the 50th day when we can meet HaShem .This is how we must live our lives . Each day , each moment in time , must be a moment that we yearn and work toward HaShem , so we can be with HaShem again , in Gan Eiden . May This Time come soon in our days . May we humble ourselves so we can hear the Beautiful Medaber Speaking of HaShem's Words to each one of us , so that we are Engulfed and Surrounded totally , By HaShem's Loving Essence and may we all , like Bamidbar , be Vessels for HaShem's Light , so that we can make ourselves , each one of us , the Place within each one of us , where HaShem Can Dwell Within .
I wish HaShem with Beautiful Love , a Very Sweet And Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh and Chag Shavuos Sameach with Love , and to all my fellow Jews , a very sweet and beautiful Shabbos Kodesh and Chag Shavuos Sameach with love .
In this Parsha , HaShem tells Moshe to take a Census of the the Children of Israel . HaShem Had each person come before Moshe and Aharon in order to be counted , so they could be especially Blessed . Seeing as we are not to count our people directly so as not to entice the Ayin Harah the Evil Eye , which looks to judge and punish and even remove our people , each one brought a half shekel as a count . HaShem likes to count us jist as we like to count that which is very special to us .
The Haftorah is Hosea 2:1-22 and also starts by comparing our numbers to the sand of the sea that cannot be measured .
The Parsha discusses how each Tribe was counted according to its Tribe and how each Tribe had its special position around the Mishkan as they traveled , divided into three tribes in each direction of the four directions North South East and West around the Mishkan . The Levites were positioned within , around and closest to the Mishkan . The positions of the Tribes were set in Yaakov's time , when his sons traveled back to Canaan , when they went to bury their Father in the Cave of Machpelah near Mamre .
The set positions as well as their Flags and Degalim Banners were set from Shamaim , each having its Holy Deep significance and banner colour as well as insignia and picture on their flag , being an Earthly representation of how the Angels surround the Kissey HaKavod , HaShem's Holy Throne of Glory Above and also according to the blessing Yaakov gave his sons for each tribe .
The Tribe of Levi was counted separately from a younger age of one month and their numbers compared to the numbers of the first-born , who were removed from their holy position after the sin of the Chait Ha Eigel , the golden calf , and the count came to 273 more first borns who were redeemed with five shekels each .
The Parsha teaches how the three Levite families of Gershon , Merari and Kehat each had different tasks to perform , and Moshe setting up 8 Mishmarot , groups revolving their duties over 8 weeks at a time . King David increased the number of Mishmarot later on in History .The Parsha also explains how they traveled and the taking down and covering and setting up took place. Whike the Aron was covered , it could not be looked upon .
We note that the Parsha says about the Census , " S'u Et Rosh ," - " Take a Census ," but these words actually mean ' Lift up the head ,' which shows that the counting had a deeper meaning in the form of lifting oneself up spiritually , in also making an accounting of oneself and bettering oneself, working toward Torah Mitzvos to rise toward HaShem .
The Parsha is called " Bamidbar ," - " Wilderness ," which shows that HaShem is reveals himself when we are in a humble setting . We gain knowledge if we are humble . We need to humble ourselves to hear HaShem Speak , and this word speak actually appears in the word " Bamidbar ," for the word ' Medaber ,' means ' Speak .' To hear HaShem , we need to empty ourselves like an empty Wilderness Bamidbar and make ourselves humble and small and lessen our physical and material desires . This is the way to HaShem And His Torah .
If we take the word " Bamidbar ," and find its Gematriah , it comes to 2+40+4+2+200 = 248 , which is the exact amount of positive Mitzvos out of 613 Mitzvos a Jew has to keep . Thus in humbling ourselves , we take within us HaShem's Wisdom and do HaShem's Mitzvos and this leads us to HaShem .
Pirkei Avos teaches a few times how we ought to be humble . In Pirkei Avos 2:6 , Hillel says ," the bashful person cannot learn. Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai used to say ," If you have studied much Torah , do not take credit for yourself , because that is what you were Created to do ," Pirkei Avos 2:9 .Rabbi Levitas of Yavneh said ," Be exceedingly humble in spirit , " Pirkei Avos 4:4 . Rabbi Meir said , " Be of humble spirit before every person ," Pirkei Avos 4:12 ." Those who have a good eye, a humble spirit and a meek soul are among the disciples of our forefather Avraham ," Pirkei Avos 5:22 . " This is the way of Torah - Eat bread with salt , drink water in small measure , sleep on the ground , live a life of deprivation - but toil in the Torah , " Pirkei Avos 6:4 . ( Artscroll Siddur )
So the way to HaShem , is to make ourselves open like a Bamidbar - Wilderness , and be humble and open to HaShem's Medaber - Speech and Speaking . To climb high , we need to be physically humble and remove the Yetzer Horah from ourselves by making ourselves meek and humble and empty of physical and material desires .
Our only desire should be for HaShem . Our only destiny , should be for HaShem . Our only want , should be for HaShem . Our every action and though , should be for HaShem . To do that , we need to make ourselves like an empty Wilderness , ready to always take in HaShem's Wisdom and Torah Mitzvos ,
We are on the verge of Shavuos , when we received the Torah on Har Sinai , the most humble of Mountains . We have , the last 49 days , been counting the Omer , purifying ourselves for this Wonderful Beautiful Holy Moment , counting toward the 50th day when we can meet HaShem .This is how we must live our lives . Each day , each moment in time , must be a moment that we yearn and work toward HaShem , so we can be with HaShem again , in Gan Eiden . May This Time come soon in our days . May we humble ourselves so we can hear the Beautiful Medaber Speaking of HaShem's Words to each one of us , so that we are Engulfed and Surrounded totally , By HaShem's Loving Essence and may we all , like Bamidbar , be Vessels for HaShem's Light , so that we can make ourselves , each one of us , the Place within each one of us , where HaShem Can Dwell Within .
I wish HaShem with Beautiful Love , a Very Sweet And Beautiful Shabbos Kodesh and Chag Shavuos Sameach with Love , and to all my fellow Jews , a very sweet and beautiful Shabbos Kodesh and Chag Shavuos Sameach with love .
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