Parashat Hashavua

Portion Passover - Counting Omer - and Matzas?

פרטים: קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם בשישי, 02 אפריל 2021 12:54; נכתב על ידי Super User; כניסות: 2615

Portion Passover - Counting Omer - and Matzas?

What a funny name for a holiday - Matza !

But that's what we use in the prayers!

Imagine if July 4 th was nicknamed Crackers (besides the cultural implications)!

So the Talmud explains a few meanings - look them up - but I propose another

Every Hebrew word has a 2 letter "root":

Matz is the basis of "found "

(2 letter root with no Alef)

On Passover we celebrate the holiday of finding -

ourselves

Jewish freedom

our peoplehood!

AND look at things this way-

Counting the Omer - and today is the 5th day

We ALWAYS count up - and tomorrow is the 6th...- and -

Not counting down means

Not just "looking forward" to Shavuote

The holiday of receiving Torah

But that we are Daily Doing our Best Prepare for

FINDING (Matz) the Holiness, G-dly meanings in the TORAH -

Torah, from the Almighty.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy and Healthy

Passover

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion Tzav and the Golden Monkey

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Portion Tzav and the Golden Monkey

It's actually very hard to deal with so much this week -

cleaning and preparations for Passover ...

so let's celebrate the ceremony of appointing the Priestly Family in the desert temple -

and remember the gold donations for building that "Mishkan" were to repent and remind-

about the Golden Calf sin (and so in our THIRD STORY IN PASSOVER PREPARATION)

We know the ceremony included

a smear of Blood and Oil on the big toe and thumb and ear of the annointed Priest-

Go in a righteous path

to Do the righteous things AND

not to be listening to those who would turn them aside from our path and our faith.

So this Rich Gentile Man has a pet Monkey he loves,

and a Jewish manager who he doesn't,

even though he does good work.

And he won't work on the Sabbath -

so he gets fired!

Rich Man Liked to count his golden profits - and have his pet monkey watch

So one day the replacement for the Jew knocks on the door during the counting and says -

The Jew wants his job back - or any job - so let's make him squirm a bit-

and get him back for half what he made before.

Nasty tricky replacement guy also tells the boss about how to squeeze other workers,

and the boss totally forgets about his gold for a while.

Later that night he remembers - and goes back to the counting room -

and is in shock!

The monkey is still there - but DEAD!

He's destraught and goes running out of the house.

Replacement guy doesn't want the boss to feel so bad - so he gets rid of the monkey.

Hey, he thinks - I'll throw it into the Jew's house and make a mess -

and then tell the boss the Jew killed his monkey to stuff it!

And he takes and tosses it into the Jew's window.

Next week replacement guy says - lets soo how cheap we can get the Jew back to work for us.

Lets go over to see him now. And they do -

But the Jew and his family are all celebrating Passover with silver goblets and beautifully-set table.

Where did you get the money for all this asked the replacement?

The boss said - yeah -I fired you!

And the Jew says -

The Almighty takes care of honest people!

I found a dead monkey here and gold pieces were coming out of his mouth - and we have all we need!

May we all find what we need

And use it to enjoy our Judaism and Jewish holidays

And the gift of the Shabbos

Shabbat Shalom - and a Happy and Healthy Passover

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion Vayikra : Second Story – and When Forgiveness MeansNothing

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Portion Vayikra : Second Story – and When Forgiveness MeansNothing

So – are we all getting ready for Passover / Paisach? Organizing things so you can "sell the Chometz" stuff in one corner and not all over?
Have some "break" time for a story? As we wrote last week – there are 3 stories which are suggested to be told over as preparation for Passover (and I hope t tell over another one at my ZOOm "ModelSeder" next week). We get to that soon…
But this week's portion Vayikra talks about animal sacrifices – which the world all did – during the first and second temple periods! How relevant is that to US?
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (of blessed memory) said (excerpted ideas here are from various teachings) " the problems of the world all stem from lack of respecting one another. In short (this is my abridged paraphrase), we let negativity and denigration degrade others – and then ourselves. He said about the Sin of the Golden Calf,
Imagine if you ask someone to show you a picture of their spouse, and they show you a picture of a calf and say "this looks like my spouse".
RESPECT – do you think this is respectful? The people in the desert made a Golden Calf and said "This is G-d". Was that a great honor to the Almighty?"
(And sadly, for a few hundred years, the evil kings (not the good ones) of the Israelites of the first temple period, had idols like calves set up for people to "worship". WHAT KIND OF WORSHIP AND RESPECT IS THAT?
So the portion teaches – sacrifice in Judaism is about atonement (like fasting on Yom Kippur). Rich people would bring a kosher animal, middleclass a bird, and poor people a flour offering – to the Temple.
The priests who were on shift to work there had some food – and the people who wanted to atone for some sin didn't eat – sort of like Yom Kippur. And it cost what it cost – AND IT WAS TO SERVE AS A LESSON to RESPECT and to FOLLOW A RIGHTEOUS PATH – and the Almighty.
In short – Why does Judaism not taut sacrifice today as a means f teaching respect?
Is it partly because of the SUPER NEGATIVITY AND LACK OF RESPECT
In this age of millions of murdered and missiles and mass shootings, of Russians maybe poisoning for politics, and Myanmar and China crackdowns (just lately) and and and…
Yes – the Torah is still valid – BUT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD NEEDS TO LEARN THE LESSONS
And so the second story is about a king who loved his Jewish citizens, but as always, there were plotting politicians who used the Jews to sew hatred. Every day there bad guys would make up lies to tell the King and make him turn against the Jews.
The favorite RING of the KING went missing – and he ordered EVERYONE in the LA ND to LOOK for it! FIND THE RING AND SATISFY THE KING was the order posted on every wall and tree in the capital city.
"Not found not found not found" reported all the precinct captains.
AND IT WAS PASSOVER TIME.
The vizier who hated the Jews more than anyone told the king –
And who KNEW they were searching for CHOMETZ the night before – and so he said
let's go out tonight and you will see that the Jews are NOT even searching for the RING but are CelebraTING –
And that is not a respectful THING!
So the two went out in disguise that evening (of course followed by some FBI agents to protect them?) – with Magnifying Glasses poking here and there as if they were searching for the ring … and got to the Jewish Quarter – where everyone was singing.
The wicked vizier said "See, I told you they don't care about your orders."
The Jews were all over singing DAYENU DAYENU and more DAYENU very loud – and the incensed King knocked on a door – turns out it was the Rabbi's house - and asked very LOUDly!
"What's that you are all singing? What does that mean?"
The local wise Rabbi just said "It means ENOUGH ENOUGH ENOUGH", and looked at the hated vizier, who always tormented the Jews.
The King turned and looked at the vizier and said – enough? Enough of what?
Tell me the truth - YOU stole ring to get me angry at my faithful-est citizens! Right? And shouted
"Police- FBI – grab him!" And sure enough, they found the ring in the vizier's home and – well – you know about sacrifices now from the portion …
So please Bless Me that I don't forget the third story before next Shabbat
And I bless you all to say over some RESPECTFUL stories on Passover, and have
Even a little seder –(which means organization) – a little one being at least better than none
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portions Vayakhel Pekuday ...and a New Month to All

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Portions Vayakhel Pekuday ...and a New Month to All

This Double Portion is perfect for architects and accountants ...

(Because Moshe gave an exact accounting of ALL the donations to the Temple in the Desert AND

then he and his helpers AND ALL THE ISRAELITES set it up -

quite a feat - if you look at the details in the portion!

But we mortals may get more satisfaction by looking at the spiritual side of - yes its coming in two weeks - Passover!

Practically speaking, crumbs are Chametz. SO

Why get rid of ALL crumbs?

Believe it or not, the Talmud says demons hide in crumbs. WHAT?

According to my teachers, the Talmud talking about demons in crumbs means germs and disease in rotting food...

from a time period with little knowledge of sanitary issues.

Sorry here. You need to get rid of the crumbs, BUT

No, dirt is not Chamets!

And we dont "sell the dirt" - only the bread-cookies-pasta stuff.

But the BIG question that stares us in the face (from the MAFTIR -

the last and SPECIAL Aliya this week -

is:

What did our ancestors do that fateful night waiting anxiously for "the signal" from Moses,

That

"Yes! We're Leaving Egypt"!

Were they sweeping out the crumbs? Vacuuming?

Eating the Passover BbQ?

Or telling over stories way back from the time of Abraham?

So I heard from Rav Levinger (the evening-before- maariv-class teacher here) that his Rebbes ordered:

That there are 3 stories we are ALL supposed to repeat this Shabbat before the New Moon (month) which comes on Sunday.

But I will not push my luck -

And will relate only one each week,

for everyone to tell over one story each of the next 3 Shabbatote.

But first - Some Passover Rules

New clothes -for the Emperor? No - for EVERYONE for PASSOVER!

Yes new clothes before and FOR Passover

Special charity - give to those needy - especially now there are so many

AND Clean out crumbs, but

you can SELL - save - the booze in a separate place...

But the STORY-

About 200 years ago - and maybe 200 years before that-

the booze runners had lots of ways to escape the "revenooers"

(the tax collectors)

But they were always afraid - and

Sometimes got caught!

So this Jewish liquor runner stored his stuff

(before Passover, to sell to the local Jews) - and

the Authorities found out

so he ran to the Rebbe - Rebbe Elimelech of Lizensk

What are you afraid of? askeed the Rebbe

The "merchant" answered

"But but they know I stored the wine in the shul/synagogue cellar!

And they are coming!"

"Dont be afraid ," said the Rebbe.

"ut but but," said the booze runner!

Only be afraid of ONE said the Rebbe

Huh? But then he got it - the ONE AND ONLY Almighty

The police Came to the Lizensker (Elimelech) Rebbe and said

We heard of the illegal wine you are storing!

Go taste it, said Reb Elimelech.

And they did - but it tasted like Just Fresh Water!

And there was a Great Passover Festival that year in Lizensk

Because the water turned back to wine!

How ?

.Faith in G-d

and

Maybe only a little faith in the holy Rebbe Elimelech

(And maybe because the wine smuggler was so thankful,

he was giving kosher wine discounts for pesach?

Lchaim

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion Key TeaSah - When and How to Threaten - G-d? Yes - it's in the Portion!

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Portion Key TeaSah - When and How to Threaten - G-d?

Yes - it's in the Portion!

But first -

Years ago on my first trip to Israel, I was privileged to visit a college buddy who took me one time to

Pray the afternoon prayer at his neighbor's house.

I didnt know how privileged I was until a few years later - when in yeshiva -

I realized the neighbor was Rabbi S.Y. Zevin

Editor of the encyclopedia talmudica!

He was also the Author of the book "SipooRay Hassidim" which has a story based on this week's Portion (I repeat it in short).

One time the holy BAl Shem Tov went for Shabbat to a little village -

but he wouldn't let the townfolk EAT their shabbat meal!

Until they all said Psalms until midnight - and then he let them go-

ON THE CONDITION THEY COME BACK IN AN HOUR AND PRAY ALL NIGHT!

More or less the next morning the local gentile town drunk came by and asked for a drink -

after which he blabbed -

The local LORD didn't let us eat or drink all night

He was just giving all the villagers guns and swords,

saying in the morning we would attack the Jews!

I myself, said the drunk, argued you are all nice people -

and always give me a drink when I ask!

But the lord there didn't listen until an old friend of his rode by

just before dawn - and told him the same thing -

So he told us Told us to Go Home.

The Bal Shem Tove told his students, that

the friend who rode by had passed on 4 years BEFORE -

BUT THE LOCAL LORD didn't know - and so I had everyone pray hard - and

the Almighty sent the old friend back as a messenger.

The Bal Shem Tov said he was a little "testing" the Almighty,

NOT THREATENING - just

being there with the people who might have been wiped out!

Like Moses after the Golden Calf told G-d -

if you want to destroy the Israelites - take ME TOO!

And Moses sort of calmed down things - and the Almighty wants us all to

BE TOGETHER (and pray together)

So maybe don't "test" G-d too much - and

NEVER threaten the Almighty -

and just lets pray a little - for each other and prepare for

the Almighty's holy Passover!

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion TeTzaVeh and Purim Joy

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Portion TeTzaVeh and Purim Joy

This is One Odd Portion for modern people to relate to - so I'll start with something FUN - Purim!

Here Are Two items quoted by the famous Rabbi Sholom mayer Valach

HE QUOTES the Saba of Kelm :

You know, Haman was constantly nudging the king to kill the Jews,

So the king ordered all his ministers for advice, and They all agreed and said :

Dont you know what happened to Pharoah?

But Haman told the King who "the G d of the Jjews is old ....who is afraid of ...

So see what happened to him and his sons ...

The Second story is from Talmud Taanis

There was a

Bad Drought ... with people dying of thirst.

The law is - you have to declare fast days and prayers.

Chief Rabbi Eliezer ordered prayers and fast days but no rain came.

Rabbi Akiva asked to lead the prayers... and said

Avinu Mal Kaiynu like Yom Kippur "ayn Lanu melech"

Almighty is our King,

And it rained!!

Not because Akiva was better-

Just got everyone to pray straight from the heart!

So the portion Tetzaveh ...is about the Priesthood

But their role we learn in line with the previous ideas

The End (of the portion) says Only Burn Incense on the

Incense Alter -

But once a year sprinkle the blood of yom kipur sacrifices -For "atonement of Priests and Everyone

Why?

You need to relate to life and

The kohanim priests were needed tio light the incense-

But also to be aware

That some people out there are dying-

And dont get too carried away with yourself like wicked Haman

And Pray that we have blessed rains-

And blessed awareness-

And end to sufferings !!!

...

Purim Joy to the World and

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion Terumah - By the Dawn's Early Light

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The portion is about building the Tabernacle in the Sinai Desert

What's that go to do with pouring rain – and some snow in Jerusalem Wednesday night?

And why is the Almighty showing how to train a philanthropic soul the way to fix the world?

According to the Kabala view, each of us is on this planet to contribute something special.

The portion starts out with EVERYONE of the Israelites contributing something in the desert.

EVERYONE! Some gave gold some gave silver, some wove threads for the curtains.

So – knowing human nature – we need to ask - but were there some character just giving advice ?

Actually - almost yes! The Almighty? Wasn't he the planner and just telling Moshe what had to be done?

But the Medrash tells us, that when Moses did not know how to make something – the Almighty did it forUS-FORhim-FORtheWORLD.

Yes when it came to creating a lamp of pure gold, the great teacher Moshe couldn't figure out how to make it of "ONE BEATEN PIECE OF GOLD" so

G-d speaking "Throw it into the fire and it will come out as I told you," –

And the Almighty Himself created that beautiful Temple Menorah –

The symbol of light and wisdom and holiness FOR THE WORLD –

Which over a thousand years later, the Roman Legions carved onto the

Arch of Titus (the wicked destroyer) as if to say "we have defeated

light and wisdom and holiness FOR THE WORLD" – BUT HAVE THEY? COULD THEY?

NO! And every time our "giving nurturing volunteering" soul does ITS PART –

We fulfill the message of that menorah –

Bringing light and wisdom and holiness FOR THE WORLD.

Whether it is bringing soul to the desert, Torah to the corrupt Canaanites, creating

"The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave" (drop the revisionist detracting please)

Bringing water and healing to Africa, or volunteering for people with disabilities …

Neither snow nor rain nor … nuclear threats can stop the Israelite Vision of

The Menorah of the Almighty – from shining into the world.

Read the Portion to see how much work goes into that!

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz - from snow and slush covered Jerusalem!

Portion Mishpatim - the Girl and the Baby Carriage?

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Portion Mishpatim - the Girl and the Baby Carriage?

So here we are still with Challenges and Problems with Israeli Semi Lockdown - so what does the Torah portion say?
Let's Just take the busses in Israel:

Yesterday I thanked one driver that yelled at a couple of people who did not put their masks over their mouth and nose, which is required - But was I right?

I did not say a word about the obese person with the shopping cart who did not swipe her ravKav (like the NY metroCards),
But was I right? Was I doing what is right in the eyes of the Almighty?

So here, I wish to focus on 3 sentences/ideas in the portion

Enemy as.es (donkeys)
Dogs and Holiness
Shouting at G-d
(Which appear in reverse order in the fifth aliya of this week's portion)

But first hear this: yesterday in Bnei Brak (similar to Boro Park) I see a maybe 20 or 21 year old girl with 2 kids -
one in a baby carriage and the other a toddler under 2 -
and when I heard a mother scream - I stopped the toddler from running into the street...

But did I break "the code" about not seeing females?
Okay, so I helped them get into the crowded bus when no one else lent a hand -
But what about the "code of the "ultra" separation of males from females?

Maybe those people in Bnei Brak didnt read this weeks portion yet,
But it's written "even your enemy 's donkey you have to help!"

But crowded uncaring busses in RED zones during the Pandemic?
The portion points out here that we even reward dogs for not barking when we left Egypt ...
So ...Young kids having lots of kids - okay - an issue in itself -but young husbands not helping the Wife and kids go where- maybe to grandma 's?
Maybe even do a mitzvah for the reward?

Okay, maybe the father didn't know, and the people standing around were doing or planning other mitzvas...

But it also says the Almighty will not ignore the shouting of those abused ... -
is it because no one else really is listening? Or is it hard with all the noises from the street...?

In Israel there are so many hurt lately - why are all the politicians Doing their Regular Politicians Things?

Maybe they really ARE all thinking of the general good - BUT WE SHOULD ALL HAVE STRENGTH TO
DO THE GENERAL GOOD, AND THINK WHAT THE PORTION TEACHES

AND maybe the politicians - and we - should all read the Torah too
And try to live by all the Good and Great ideas in this week's portion

Shabbat Shalom and Blessings from Jerusalem

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion Yitro: Honor and love for the great men wise souls and fighters for goodness

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Portion Yitro: Honor and love for the great men wise souls and fighters for goodness

I am taking this opportunity to connect Jewish Soul

With WorldWide soul (not web)

Yitro the Gentile deserves Honor and Glory -

He teaches Moses about administrring justice to a whole people!

(Okay he joins with the Jews too ...etc

Okay he is the father of Ziporah married to Moshe - etc

But was he an African as rhe torah says about Ziporah his daughter???)

And so the Almighty honors him with naming a portion in the Holy Torah - and what a portion!

None less than the portion of

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS!

If only the world would follow more of his wisdom....

So this week was a bit hard ... the world loosing So Many People... And

I want to connect two great souls to Yitro and to Justice

One Jewish and one Gentile

To Honor and express love for: arthur the great man wise soul and fighter for goodness

(And see below)

If anyone doesn't remember how for years

he stood up in court for simple justice for the Carlebach family and synagogue and community

And He defended that community from greed, and from "justices" (often Jewish) with no wisdom, who were ready to evict both family and synagogue

Until an African American judge called "set em loose Bruce"-

said to the Goldman Group

Attorney

"The Nerve of you trying to dislocate a whole community"!

Know all that I witnessed Arthur the great defender

bring a bit of sanity to the New York courts,

As the judge told the wealthy building owners

"Get out of my Court".

Arthur and Bruce will forever be remembered

before the Creator - as heroes from NY.

May Portion Yitro be a blessing for justice forever

Shabbat Shalom ... Health and Courage to All

Andy Eichenholz, Rabbi

Portion Beshalach - Holy Trees Holy Water Holy Women

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Portion Beshalach - Holy Trees Holy Water Holy Women

TOday Thursday is Tu Bishvat ... the Jewish New Year of the Trees

Yesterday behind my house the local kids planted 31 trees in our "park" - all the community could get in the local town budget

The trees symbolize renewal when the cycle of life seems coldest, when the least sun is shining

The Tree new Year symbolized the date of giving Holy Fruit Tithes to the Levites working for All Israel... in the Holy Temple and elsewhere. And the Almighty called for a celebration of the Fruits and Land of Israel.

A wonferful Dutch convert lady married to a Moroccan Israeli who studied archaelogy from the same wonderful American professor as me (the professor also later converted) initiated our "park" ... bless you Iris!

Continuing a theme from last week

Animals ... Why were Pharoah's and others' animals targeted in the ten Plagues ... And at the Dead sea?

These were the war-horses - and the Animals drowned with the cavalry.

Didn't those Israelite slaves feed and wash and walk the horses? Did they all forget tose kindnesses?

Holiness begets rewards and war mongers ... well

Participating in war begets punishment.

So ... didn't the holocaust (Rememberance Day was this week) happen because the world-especially the British Prime Minister- appeased Hitler?

Last week we saw that the Egyptians who trusted Moses protected their animals!

This week we have so many themes in the portion... and while

That of

Reward and punishnent is not always clear

... true Holiness will always shine...

So...

Miriam ...How did she get all the women to dance at the Red Sea?

Her holiness shined ...they all knew her and

Trusted her -

the faithful and fearless

Midwife who saved their babies

A Levite Leader of her family - who also saved Baby Moses ...

So at the Red Sea the men Sang and the women

Danced ...

and the Torah says right after:

They brought down the Shabbos

To The World

Shabat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

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עמוד 18 מתוך 58

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Parashat Hashavua

Portion Passover - Counting Omer - and Matzas?

Portion Tzav and the Golden Monkey

Portion Vayikra : Second Story – and When Forgiveness MeansNothing

Portions Vayakhel Pekuday ...and a New Month to All

Portion Key TeaSah - When and How to Threaten - G-d? Yes - it's in the Portion!

Portion TeTzaVeh and Purim Joy

Portion Terumah - By the Dawn's Early Light

Portion Mishpatim - the Girl and the Baby Carriage?

Portion Yitro: Honor and love for the great men wise souls and fighters for goodness

Portion Beshalach - Holy Trees Holy Water Holy Women

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