Parashat Hashavua

Korah versus Aaron – What a (NOT) fight!

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Korah versus Aaron – What a (NOT) fight!

Why does the
portion of Korach start with the rebellion of
Korah and his followers and end with the
Almighty apportioning the tithes to the
children of Aaron (the High Priest)?

In the Mishna it says "be of the followers of Aaron
seeking peace and loving peace …"

and our teachers explained

he would go to two people who had an argument,
one at a time,
and tell the first one "You know how this argument makes your
friend feel so bad, that they really
wish they knew how to end the argument."

The n he would go say
the same thing to the other party -
And bring them together …

so the argument would end!

Korach was a "pragmatist" - saying
that Aaron made the golden calf - so
he must be disqualified from leading

BUT THE PRIESTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PEACEMAKERS
- NOT JUST LEADERS!

the Almighty knew that Aaron only got involved in
the golden calf thing to try to prevent
bloodshed when the people went wild

he WAS BRINGING PEACE - AND CERTAINLY NOT WORSHIPPING IDOLS

he was even willing NOT TO DEBATE Korach - for the sake of peace in
Israel-

Aaron didn't enter into the fight here - Moses represented his side.

That’s why we learn G-d's reward for
the staying out of this rebellion - was

The gifts of eating some of the
the sacrifices and redemption of the first born -

because when we give
offerings it is to bring peace - and when a child or a new
animal enters the world

IT IS ALL TO GIVE US A NEW CHANCE TO BRING PEACE TO THE
WORLD.

May we see more peace, and increase peace in the world

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion Shelach - The "BUT's" of the Spies

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Portion Shelach - The "BUT's" of the Spies

The Israelites in the desert sent 12 spies to check out Canaan before the people of Israel were to enter the land.

10 spies misled the whole 12 tribes to revolt against the Almighty's plan for them– while only 2 spies tried to convince the tribes how GOOD the land was and how it could be won.

The 10 were the fore-runners of today's negativity in social media!

The world admits Israel has given humankind morality medicine wisdom and hope.

"BUT", they say, that Israel has to … the Jews have to … BUT BUT BUT –

All of those "but"s today are the work of anti-semitism justifying evil.
THE PORTION OF THE TORAH IS TRYING TO WARN US TODAY!!!

The spies tricked the public by saying "yes the fruits of the land are great – see for yourself" and

then adding a big "BUT …." – which totally negated all the good words of all 12 "scouts".

I never heard Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (zatza"l) use the word "but". He was the most positive in public and in private.
He said "Before I say anything I ask the Almighty to help me speak in a holy way."

The spies might have waited a moment before speaking their "buts".

Today the social media and anti-Israel crowd might be honest
- and ask for the Almighty to inspire them with TRUTH – rather than negativity.

To paraphrase something Hanna Pearlberger wrote in a message from "United with Israel" – one negative half-statement after a "BUT" can destroy all the good of many positive statements!

If only the spies had said "the land was good enough for our fathers and mothers –
Abraham Isaac and Jacob and Sarah Rebecca Leah and Rachel!" they would have saved so much travail!

They might have avoided all the troubles which afflicted our people on the 9th of Av (like the punishment of those in the desert which happened on the 9th of AV).

They said " but there are giants … and a lot of funerals …" – and the people withered in their trust in the Almighty.

Can we all try to look at the positive in all the Almighty has given us – with no buts? That would be a great step for humankind.

It might be something to practice every Shabbat – and especially THIS Shabbat of Shelach!

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Buh Hah Ah Lowt Cha - The Ark and the Father in Law?

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Buh Hah Ah Lowt Cha - The Ark and the Father in Law?

This portion has many themes – and they don't SEEM connected.But let's see ...

When the Ark of the Tablets moves and indicates the Israelites have t o move on,
Moses prays "Oh L-rd – disperse our enemies before us"
Okay – so how is that related to the rest of the portion?

There's another small section – where Moses asks Yisro (Jethro) his father in law to stay with the Israelites. "You can be our eyes as we go through the desert "(on the way to Canaan).
Yisro answers "I need to go to my homeland" – meaning Midian.

How old was Moses' father-in-law if Moses was around 100? Pretty NOT YOUNG I would say.
Why travel alone in the desert at that advanced age?

Now remember – in a few weeks we read how Bilam the witch and Balak the hired war-king AND the Midianites – make trouble for the Israelites!
So if Jethro cares for his grandchildren – why would he go be with the source of those attacking his grandchildren?

It MAY be possible that Moses said Oh L-rd – disperse our enemies before us while Jethro was still with the Israelites, and Jethro felt "a calling".

Maybe Jethro acted publicly PURPOSELY going on alone through the Sinai desert
so he and his family in Midian (from his other 6 daughters he had more grandchildren)
could spy out the territory and help Israel –
as it says later in the prophets (Judges) that many of Jethro's descendants were at peace with Israel

So these two items can be related – and the rest of the portion – I suggest a lot of study for the long summer Shabbat afternoon.

Love and Shabbos from Israel

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion of Bamidbar

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Portion of Bamidbar

Thanks for a seed of an idea shlomo ressler - and thanks for the power of the Torah from Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach

Where does the Torah say "raise up"?

In this week's portion the Almighty tells Moses to "Raise (all) the heads " of the Israelites - by counting them.

Where else does it use that word? IN THE PRIESTLY BLESSING

"yi sa hashem panav ailecha" which Rabbi Carlebach explained meaning

Hashem will raise you up so he can bless you face to face!

So in Bamidbar we see that EVERYONE COUNTS

and in the priestly blessinsg we see that the Almighty wants to LIFT EVERYONE UP

TO BE ON A SPIRITUAL LEVEL TO COMMUNE WITH Hashem.

As Rebbe Nachman says - that's why we're all here.

At Sinai we received the gift of MAJESTY - now we

(ALL OF US) need to use that majesty

TO UPLIFT THE WORLD.

Shabbat Shalom - Chag Samayach - have a Happy Shavuote

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion Bechukotai – What's that? A "holocaust-syndrome"!

פרטים: קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם בשני, 30 נובמבר 2020 18:51; נכתב על ידי Super User; כניסות: 818

Portion Bechukotai – What's that? A "holocaust-syndrome"!

Actually we've written before how great spiritual masters like the Hassidic Rebbes found Blessings even in the warnings and dire punishments in the Torah – like in the Toe-Chay-cha in this week's portion.

So SEE HOW THE PORTION BEGINS

Chapter 26 Verse 13 (of Vayikra – THE Third Book of the Five) -

"I have broken the bars of your yoke – and made you to go upright" (Soncino Translation- Hertz Chumash).

The Almighty does NOT want us ro be chained and tortured like in Egypt!

The Almighty wants Israel and the world (nature and people) to be in harmony –

like it says: "the Land will give of it's bounty … "

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach would say "look into the deepest depths of your heart to understand this portion with Moshiach – Messianic – seeing" –

It becomes clear that BEFORE the Almighty talks about the punishments -

he tells us how NOT to experience them - by appreciating the gifts of the Almighty in this world -

And then it states the horrible things that happen when we denigrate the blessings and the bounty of our connection with the nature of Israel – the People and the Land

But then AFTER the "curses" – AGAIN – the Almighty indicates the SOLUTION and the PREVENTION

of "holocaust-syndrome" – that if we will only dedicate and consecrate things –

to enforce The Link Between Life and Nature and Humanity

( thanks Rav Neria zatza"l and thanks Lynn P. for interesting thoughts on this aspect of this portion)

Man and Nature – never the twain shall be connected – except in a SPIRITUAL way! Not an abusive way!

And if they DO – then the world does not suffer the horrors described in the Toe-Chay-Cha.

The Shabbos is the weekly blessing to get us to put balance back in the world.

Gutt Shabbos

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion of Behar In Israel Emor in America

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Portion of Behar In Israel Emor in America

I have to admit I am studying the Behar this week in New York because I heard Emor last Shabbat in Israel. So what's the difference? Listen to "Behar".

Our teachers taught us that Shabbat in the Exile is only as holy as a regular weekday in Israel. They also said Yom Kippur's holiness in the Exile is only as high as a regular Shabbat in Israel.

How can that be?

Well there is a surprise interpreting the Portion of Behar – RIGHT IN THE FIRST SENTENCE!

The Almighty says to Moses on Mount Sinai "Tell the Israelites – Daber Vuh-aMarta -

In NO UNCERTAIN TERMS - that when they come to the Land I give to you

THE LAND WILL "REST" A G-DLY SHABBAT (REST)!

Israel ITSELF will be a G-dly Shabbat!

Israel ITSELF proclaims Shabbat to the WORLD every day! If only they would get it!

May we all be connected to the Shabbat that is the seventh day, the seventh year –

And EXPERIENCE the HOLINESS of the fiftieth year (YOVEL) – as the portion continues

"Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land" – THE LAND DECLARES THE SABBATH!

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion of Emor – What a Feeling!

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Portion of Emor – What a Feeling!

How do you feel when you celebrate Lag B'Omer –
The holiday of Rabbi Shimon – and of the Zohar – the mystical torah?

How do you feel staying up to midnight or dawn studying Torah on Shavuos?

I have been at Meron all night on Lag B'Omer,
and have been studying all night on Shavuos for many years,

and the feelings of elation, heavenliness, and being One with the World
are hard to beat.

In Emor we have a portion packed with Temple Rules and Holidays-
Like counting the OMER and celebrating Shavuos -
Including Temple Kohain rules, Holiday ceremonies, donating to the poor-

So with all these Mitzvot described,
How is it that at the end of the portion – someone curses the Almighty?

Now with Shavuos coming up it's good to remember what Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach quoted from Rebbe Nachman

"Better the Tikun said on Shavuos to midnight than the– Kinot on Tisha Bav!"

(In Gematria Tikun (fixing) and Kinot (lamentation) have the same spelling – but are opposites! )
You say prayers so you don't have to lament …!

The person who cursed G-d was the son of an Egyptian,
He got into fights with Israelites - and it seems he
Did not want to be a part of Jewish Ritual.
Maybe it was too hard for him.

So let's learn from Rav Chaim Vital – Kabbalist of the 16th century:

All souls are charged with rewards and punishments according to their deeds.
And as I understand Rav Vital, that
if that person got into trouble – his forebear MAY have been one of the Egyptian guards who carried Sarah to the harem away from Abraham in Egypt!

The punishment - even in this later generation - would fit the purpose of CLEANSING THE SOUL since his Mother was Jewish and he COULD
Be a part of the People of Israel – but needed a "TIKUN" (fixing)
to make it a part of the total dynamic of the Jewish People's soul!

Let's all celebrate Lag B'Omer and Shavuos
As a vehicle of purifying our souls and being One with the Almighty
And the purpose of Israel!

Shabbat Shalom and Love from Israel

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz
Who counted "27 Days of the Omer" last night – and tonight hoping
To add one more – AS WE CAN ALL DO THAT MITZVA EASILY!

So many Mitzvot in this Double Portion - and they ALL point to how to be "holy" TODAY

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So many Mitzvot in this Double Portion - and they ALL point to how to be "holy" TODAY

Rabbi Carlebach often said:

What would we give to know what G-d wants of us THIS MOMENT?

How happy the Almighty is when we do his work in this world!

And it's written so clearly that it's easy to start:

Just remember the 2 EASIEST MITVOT for today -

say before sundown

"today is the 20th Day of countining the Omer - 2 weeks and 6 days"

and TONIGHT after dark say

"today is the 21st Day of countining the Omer - 3 whole weeks"!

Join the millions around the world counting UP to the "Torah of Sinai" on Shavuote!

Let's get holy by counting up to holiness!

We need to beome a Holy Example to a world - full of

GREEDY nations, WARRING nations, and some SCARY nations!

The Almighty said - the world is composed of many peoples -

Rav Kook wrote nations are not EVIL but they need to

all learn HOW to be Holy to G-d - from Israel!

This portion called Kedoshim has a lot of rules,

but want as Rabbi Carlebach always said:

start with a little bit

a little bit of Torah,

a little bit of shabbos,

a little bit of Holiness...

even an hour

and it will be SO SWEET

you'll want a few more hours

and then even a whole day of holiness and

that's what Shabbos is all about!

And paraphrasing Rabbi SHLOMO CARLEBACH-

HAVE A LITTLE HOLINESS - AND BE FOREVER YOUNG

Shabbat Shalom from Israel - now 67 years young!

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Leprosy and Health? Double Portion Tazria Metzora

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Leprosy and Health? Double Portion Tazria Metzora

In America they're still reading Shemini – which we read in Israel Last Shabbat

The healing and "normalizing" discussed in these portions usually end with:

"the one who brings the Offerings stands at the entrance to the Tabernacle ..."

What's so "normalizing" about that?

Should all these items - of leprosy or personal "tumah" ( spiritual impurity)

Be brought to the front of the Temple – AREN'T THEY ALL PERSONAL?

So here we should TUNE INTO the TORAH!

We are individuals –

And also part of a Social Order of Israelites – the children of G-d.

The Kohains (with help from everyone else)

are supposed to maintain the Temple to create JOY –

the JOY of BEING CONNECTED – even if

SOMETIMES we are FAR AWAY – but are ALWAYS CONNECTED!

To the TOTALITY OF ISRAEL AND THE THEME OF THE ALMIGHTY

On Passover we learned how to BECOME free

At the crossing of the Red Sea (or Black Sea) we learned how to REMAIN free

But we were given a Temple and Ceremonies to BE HAPPY TO BE FREE!

The portions say: when we have kids – we bring offerings to the temple –

and SHARE

And when we were impure or sick – we bring offerings and stand before the temple –

and we rejoice in G-d's eternity and the eternal commandments

Like: the 49 Days of Counting and Anticipation: SO

today count "the 13th day of the counting of the Omer,a week and 6 days"

And tomorrow

You just say (tonight after dark or tomorrow on SHABBAT – it's 14 days ...

And you learn to thank G-d FOR EVERY DAY

For every NEW DAY

For every chance to DO GOOD, do some Mitzvas – easy ones like counting

And some that are harder – BUT ALL ARE PART OF THE ALMIGHTY'S PLAN

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion of Shmini in Israel - Crossing the BLACK Sea? Not the RED sea?

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Passover 7th Day Torah, and

Portion of Shmini in Israel - Crossing the BLACK Sea? Not the RED sea?

Just to remind everyone – In Israel the 7 days of Pasosver end tomorrow Friday – while in the Diaspora the EIGHT days of Passover end after sundown Saturday night.

In Israel we read the Portion Shemini on Saturday while in the Diaspora the Torah reading is for the Eighth Day of Passover!

So why the difference? I won't answer it directly but I paraphrase a "vort" – Torah explanation - from Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, and a part of recent Jewish History.

What's with the Russian Jews – in Israel and the Diaspora? Liked? Disliked? Successful tycoons and/or thousands of people who took assistance years ago?

The 7^th day of Passover is the anniversary of Israelites' crossing the RED Sea.

You know how the lakes in Yosemite are drying up?

Other big water reserves are also drying up!

And what about Tsunamis that hange things?

Do you want to believe that Israel escaped across the Red Sea from Pharoah?

Can you sea (not a spelling mistake) today

how the Russian Jews who fled the modern Pahroahs-

Across the BLACK Sea – are another MIRACLE?

Don't want to believe in miracles?

Don't want to believe in history?

Find it hard to believe in G-d?

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach explained a Rashi commentary according to the Ishbitzer Hassidic tradition:

JETHRO (Moses' father in law) came to the desert to meet with Moses –

and CONVERTED to Judaism – when he heard that the RED Sea split

and the Israelites were SAVED from his former buddy-and-boss Pharoah.

And later on his descendants (who became part of us) helped save the Israelites

(remember Moses married one of Jethros 7 daughters – so

The at least some of the others also probably converted …)

Here's another thing.

Many of the Russian immigrants (in Israel and elsewhere) are half-Jews –

With one parent Jewish by Halacha (Jewish Law) and the other not-

Yet many are officially converting.

The Israeli papers had a story last week of a Russian immigrant married to a Jewish woman who was ill – and all his past 30 years here in Israel he wanted to become an official Jew – but the trouble of making a living made the effort of going through the course with the Israeli Rabbinate too lengthy.

So he decided to convert officially – and the Rabbinate here helped him.

In the portion of Shemini 2 pf the 4 sons of Aron "offered a strange fire" on the altar – and expired. There are many possible explanations given –

But maybe (according to a Kabbalistic Explanation) they thought "it was done"-

There would be no more changes no more miracles and no more trials for Israel

So they just brought fire to the altar –

but the REAL fire had to come from HEAVEN

like all the miracles come to the world.

So may we be blessed to believe in miracles to sea miracles to love miracles –

And to be a part of the miracle of Israel Judaism and the Jewish People.

Happy Holiday and Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

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עמוד 43 מתוך 58

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Parashat Hashavua

Korah versus Aaron – What a (NOT) fight!

Portion Shelach - The "BUT's" of the Spies

Buh Hah Ah Lowt Cha - The Ark and the Father in Law?

Portion of Bamidbar

Portion Bechukotai – What's that? A "holocaust-syndrome"!

Portion of Behar In Israel Emor in America

Portion of Emor – What a Feeling!

So many Mitzvot in this Double Portion - and they ALL point to how to be "holy" TODAY

Leprosy and Health? Double Portion Tazria Metzora

Portion of Shmini in Israel - Crossing the BLACK Sea? Not the RED sea?

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