Naso Text message

Parashat Naso (Count)

This is the longest parasha of the whole Torah. A great part of its length is due to the repetition of the offerings and gifts of the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel at the dedication of the Mishkan.

The last verse of this section is extremely interesting. Numbers 7:89 "And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with him, then he heard the Voice speaking unto him from above the mercy-seat that was upon the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim: and he spoke unto him."

Hashem is speaking with... Himself... Hashem is thinking aloud. It seems Hashem is doing self reflection.

Only after that does G-d speak to Moses. Self reflection is a great idea, especially if you are about to say something meaningful.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Bamidvar Text message

Parashat Bamidvar (In the desert)

This section, which opens the fourth book of the Torah, deals with the structure of the camp and the position of the tribes when the Israelites were encamping in the desert.

The tabernacle was in the center surrounded by the tribe of Levi  and there were three tribes in the north, three in the south, three in the east, and three in the west.

Every machane (camp), N, S, W, E had a flag. The flag had a purpose. If you looked up, you knew where your camp was, where your tribe and your family were located.

But there is a deeper message in this description. If you are lost, if you lose your guidance, you need to know that always looking up, towards Avinu Shevashamai our G-d in heaven, helps us to find our place on earth.

So when you are lost, sometimes looking for Hashem is better than any GPS.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Behar Bechukotai Text Message

Parashiot Behar (at the mountain)  Bechukotai (If you follow my rules)      

These sections are the last two of the book of Leviticus.

The first one deals mainly with the rules of Shmita and Iovel, the seventh and the fiftieth year.

We read in chapter 26:20-21:  And if ye shall say, “What shall we eat the seventh year? Behold, we shall not sow nor gather in our increase. Then I will command My blessing upon you..."

Many times we ask and our kids ask: What are we going to eat today? And when we or they hear the answer... There is a complaint...

How should we react? How should we educate ourselves and our kids?

Hashem blesses us with the possibility of having food on our plates. Many times this is something we take for granted. It should not be that way.

Having a plate of food is a blessing that Hashem sends to us, hopefully every day.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Emor Text message

Parashat Emor (You shall tell)

This week's section starts with the following words: And the Lord said unto Moses, “Speak unto the priests sons of Aaron..."

There is another way to read this verse. (pay attention to the punctuation) And the Lord said unto Moses, “Speak unto the priests: sons of Aaron..."

Even though that is not the traditional way to read it, we can learn that the message the priests needed to hear was: you are the sons of Aaron.

Who was Aaron? He was Moses' oldest brother and even though he was the oldest, he respected, cared for, loved and esteemed his brother, the leader of the Jewish people.

We need to learn that following the leader with respect and admiration is also a great example for others.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Text message Acharei mot - Kedoshim

Parashiot Acharei Mot (After the death) and  Kedoshim (you shall be a holy nation)

The second section starts with a chapter that is among the richest in quantity and quality of laws. We read a very famous verse (we usually do not know how to quote its beginning and its end...)

Leviticus 19:18  ^"You must not take revenge nor hold a grudge against any of your people; instead, you must love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord."

Why do we only remember " you must love your neighbor as yourself" and not the rest of the verse?

Maybe because we forgot that we shall not take revenge with the people we love... and maybe because we forget who is the boss...

I hope that interpretation is incorrect and I am wrong.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L