Bamid-Bar Parhsat Bamidbar 2011

Insights and Inspiration
from the 
Holy Land
from 
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

"Your friend in Karmiel"

May 27^th 2011 -Volume I, Issue 31–23^rd of Iyar 5771
Parshat Bamidbar

Bamid-Bar

        The kindergarten class were all seated around the little table in their finest Shabbat outfits. It was their favorite time of week. It was the last hour before their Gan was out on Friday afternoon and that meant that it was time for Shabbat party. Little “Chaim*(* name changed to protect the young and innocent) was the Shabbat Abba and Dina the Shabbat Ima. They looked so adorable in their Shabbat outfits. Chaim, wearing his black hat that covered his eyes and the tie that he was tripping on, and Dina in her white outfit and the tichel over her pigtails and eyes as she lit the make believe candles. The children all joined into sing Shalom Aleichem to welcome the Shabbat angels and then all eyes were on Chaim. It was his turn to make the blessing on wine but he seemed somewhat unsure of himself. The morah tried to prompt him.” So what comes next Chaim?” she asked patiently “what do we do after Shalom Aleichem?” All of a sudden Chaim remembered. He sits down in his big “Abba” chair and leans back and says in his most adult-like 6 year old voice….

“Oy it’s givein a shevere voch- wheew has it been rough week”.

This week we begin the 4^th book of the Torah; Sefer Bamidbar or as it’s referred to by our sages; Sefer Pikudim, the Book of Numbers. It is called that because this week’s portion begins with once again another command to count the Jewish people. What is interesting about this count and the verses that accompany it is that the Torah repeatedly notes that the count should be done

L’Mishpichosam L’Bais Avosam- according to their families and their father’s houses. The commentaries all note this and explain that for each Jew to be counted they would bring their “books of lineage” showing their parents home and with that understanding they can than be counted as part of the Jewish People.

 The message in short- you are what your parents have made you. For an individual to be able to stand and up and take their rightful role amongst the Jewish people they must understand that their particular upbringing will have a tremendous impact and who they can become, the challenges they might have to overcome and the core individual influences they have developed their psyche. For our Chaim in the above story, Friday night dinner was a ritual of a krechtz and sigh over a long hard week  that he had witnessed his father each Shabbos carrying out. For other children it may be the look of joy, exuberance and excitement in their fathers face as he sits down to Kiddush. The way the father treated and approached the holy day leaves an everlasting impact on the eyes of that innocent pure soul that looks up with great eyes trying to understand the world he is growing into.

This morning I looked into that little boy’s eyes…. My son Yonah was “bar Mitzvahed” today at the Kotel in Israel. As he recited the blessings of the Torah and read from our holy scroll, I wondered what he saw there. Was it just a job to do to impress all his relatives who have traveled so far to hear him “perform” or was it hopefully something more? Was I able to integrate in him a sense of awe and inspiration from those holy words that he might be able to find and see a personal message in them for his daily life? I hope so. What about the way he prays or puts on Tefiilin? Will they be something that he just takes for granted and does by rote, or will he appreciate that he can talk to the Creator of the World, our Father in Heaven. That Hashem wants to hear him- yes him, my little Bar mitzvah boy, personally each day? Was I able to convey that? I’m not sure… do I feel that way each time I daven?

It’s a scary moment for a father. The Zohar writes a story about Rav Shimon Bar Yochai (remember him from last weeks E-Mail) who on the day of his son Eliezer’s Bar mitzvah is described as having made a huge feast for all the leaders of his community. When asked what the feast was all about- this story could very possibly be the first Bar Mitzvah party- Rav Shimon told them that on this day his son is like a groom. He is entering a new phase, he can even receive a newer holier neshama/soul if he merits and thus just like any groom… he deserves a party to help him rejoice.

It is a powerful connection this groom of a Bar Mitzvah. In Marriage I believe most understand that one’s approach to marriage for better and for worse is highly dependent upon the marriage one witnesses in their own home and of their own parents. Rav Shimon is telling us that this is true in regards to the life of Torah one leads as well. Know your home. Know your family. They have set you a framework. Go out and develop that new neshoma utilizing the best of all you have seen and understanding the negative influences that you may have overcome. That is your pre-requisite to being a “counted” person amongst Klal Yisrael. That the only process by which you can become the man you wish to be.

As Yonah completed his blessing, I recited my customary blessing.

Baruch Shepatarani Monsho Shel Zeh- Blessed is He who has now exempted me from the punishments of this one. The commentaries explain that this blessing at this moment is there to praise Hashem who has given me the opportunity to framing this young man’s values. The mistakes that he made until now were all on my shoulders. I have lost that opportunity now to be the one who is solely responsible for Yonah’s actions. It was a privilege that is gone, and that each father hopes he did to his utmost to achieve and inspire. It is a blessing that is both sad and happy. It is a thanks and a prayer. It is a hope and a dream. But the time for the fulfillment of that blessing given to him by his Bris 13 years ago” Zeh Hakatan Gadol Yihiyeh- may this little one grow big one day” has finally come. The child has become a man and his father in that last and first moment conveys to him- that your new status is linked with the best and worst of what we have instilled in you. The Baruch’s and Onshim- the blessings and the punishments.

In less than two weeks we will all have the opportunity to become “Bar Mitzvahed”. We have been counting our Omer  since we left Egypt at our Pessach Seders so viscerally a month and a half ago, and we are moving closer each day to that moment at Sinai when we received the Torah enthusiastically. Like Bar mitzvah boys. Like a groom on their wedding day. The framework of the Jewish calendar and the glorious mitzvot of the holidays give the opportunity each year to go back to being that little boy once again with a world of mitzvot and Torah. God willing (and he certainly is)   we should all do as good of a job as Yonah did today as our Father looks down upons us and smiles.

Have an enthusiastic inspired Shabbos,Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

This weeks Insights and Inspiration is dedicated by Art and Rivky Huntly/Isseroff and family in honor of their cousin Yonah’s Bar Mitzvah. May Yonah continue to be the great source of Nachas he is to his parents, grandparents great-grandparent, friends and family. May he continue to light up the world with his love and joy and may he always be blessed with all that is good.

Mazel Tov!

Holyland Insights is now available for weekly sponsorships of the Insights & Inspiration E-mail, Our E-Mail is sent out weekly to close to 1000 subscribers. Your sponsorship is a great way to honor a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, family Simcha, yahrtzeit, friend, or any occasion while lending support to Rabbi Schwartzes efforts in furthering Jewish education and an appreciation of Eretz Yisrael. Please help us continue this weekly offering of inspiration through your generous dedication and sponsorship. To register as a sponsor or for more information, send an e-mail to this address, rabbschwartz@yahoo.com or call Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz at  050-597-0649 (from States it is 011-972-50-597-0649)

PS- Cool important news-if you enjoy this weekly Email please forward to your friends and family and now you can share your comments as well on our BLOG

http://holylandinsights.blogspot.com/

 Would love to get more hits and appreciate all your feedback! Thanks

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Rabbi Ephraim and Aliza Schwartz would like to invite you to join us and the entire Young Israel congregation for Yonah’s Bar mitzvah this Shabbos.

In honor of the Bar Mitzvah and die to the limeited space and the incredible amount of guests who have come from out-of-town and from abroad

SERVICES THIS WEEK WILL BE HELD AT A ULAM NA’AMAT WHICH IS ON THE CORNER OF NESIE YISRAEL AND HAVATAZELET

NOT IN THE USUAL BEIT MELI CENTER

Friday night mincha and kabbalat Shabbat – 7:20 PM

Shabbos morning -8:30 AM

FOLLOWED BY A GREAT BIG CHULENT KIDDUSH! MAZEL TOV!!

Mincha followed by Shalosh Seudos- 6:45 PM

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RABBI SCHWARTZ FUNNY SHAVUOT VIDEO  OF THE WEEK- COOL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFG_2iT-Lm4

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Great Blazes- Bechukosai Lag Ba'Omer 2011

Insights and Inspiration
from the 
Holy Land
from 
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"

May 21st 2011 -Volume I, Issue 30–17^th of Iyar 5771Parshat Bechokosai/ Lag Ba'OmerGreat Blazes

        One of the most memorable experiences that any student spending a year of study in Israel has is the thrilling and unique celebration of that lesser known mystical holiday Lag B’Omer. First, however a little background. The holiday is the 33^rd day of the Omer count between Passover and Shavuot (Lag being the numerological/gematriah value of Lamed =30 and Gimel =3). It is significanct in that it brings to a halt the mourning period of the Omer for the death of the 24,000 students of the Talmudic sage Rabbi Akiva who died during this period. Their deaths, the Talmud tells us, came as a result of them not treating one another with the respect and love their Rebbe had so much personified in his famous dictum

 

“And you shall love your neighbor as yourself - this is a fundamental principal of the Torah."

 

The day of Lag B’Omer, Rabbi Akiva traveled to the South and started instructing five of his remaining students and her ordained them and charged them with the mission that would restore the light of Torah that had been so diminished with the passing of his
students. One of those students was the great sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Many years later on the/ Lag B’omer day that he passed away, our tradition has it that a great light was revealed to the world. On that day he uncovered many of the hidden secrets of the Torah which were later written down in the Holy mystical book of the Zohar literally “Shining”.

 

Now for the memorable Israeli experience that will take place only about 20 minutes form my house this Saturday night and Sunday. For the past three weks or so  before Lag B’Omer through out Israel you begin to feel something strange is going on. There are these huge pyres of wood slowly growing in empty lots around the neighborhood. Sticks, logs, beds, trees, houses are all being hauled, creating these immense edifices for something that can only resemble something out of  an ancient Greek funeral ritual. Even stranger yet, these soon to be towering structures are being shlepped together and constructed by children, most under the age of ten. Then the evening of Lag B’omer comes. You know something is up when everyone begins to take in all their hanging laundry and shutters are closing tightly around the neighborhood. The “Night of Fire- Burning Children” has begun. Huge torches are lit and WOOOSHHH- the skies are lit with bonfires, as the festivities which include singing, barbecuing animals, dancing and three year old children’s haircuts (that’s another email) begin.

 

As an American who has attended many campfires in his youth where there were lectures on the finer details of fire safety for an hour beforehand. My memories of campfires consist of being ordered to stand about at least thirty feet away, as the supervising adult would allow us to peek at the flames from a distance. This was always done of course under the protection of three fire extinguishers and five park wardens.  From that rather overly cautious perspective, the Israeli carefree attitude was definitely one that raises (razes?) hairs on ones head. As a religious person who looks to our time honored ancient traditions for the spiritual inspiration that its timely symbolic rituals bring however, one can find some enlightening ones in the flames of Lag B’Omer.

 

As one looks and gazes into the fire there is an incredible sense of awe. The unbelievable power contained in its brilliant flames. The light it provides, the warmth it gives, and the stirring it brings forth. The Jewish soul is compared to a flame and reflects the heat of the passion that drives it. We live in a world too often where that flame isn’t felt. Where the spirit has become cold. From the times of the death of Rabbi Akivas’s students when the brilliant life giving force of the Torah seemed vanquished, through every dark era of our long and painful exile that our embers burned low, we were challenged to relight the fires of our souls. And miraculously we have. For our loving Father in heaven has assured us that in the darkness there will always be that brilliant flame that will never be extinguished, that will reach forth and burst out in blazing glory.

 

The Zohar, that sacred mystical work of Kabbalah which contains the secrets of the Torah, is premised on the principal of the love and kindness in which Hashem created the world. Rav Tzadok of Lublin writes that when one truly loves someone then all their secrets are shared. For a secret is but the inner depths of the recesses of the soul. On Lag B’Omer the Almighty shared with mankind those loving secrets that his presence will continue to illuminate our lives. We need merely to scoop ourselves up from the mourning and celebrate the eternal flame we possess.

Have a superior Shabbos,
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

RABBI SCHWARTZ COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK-
HAR BENTALHIGH UP IN THE GOLAN HAR BENTAL 1700 METERS ABOVE SEA LEVEL. MT BENTAL STANDS OUT AS A BEAUTIFUL AND HISTORIC PLACE IN ISRAEL. IT HAS INCREDIBLE OVERLOOKS OF SYRIA THE GOLAN AND THE HERMON AND WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED THE "VALLEY OF TEARS-EMEK HABACHA" UNDERNEATH IT. THE VALLEY IS CALLED THAT AFTER A FIERCE BATTLE IN THE YOM KIPPUR WAR WHEN WE WERE OUTNUMBERED BY ATTACKING SYRIANS 10 TO 1. YET HEROICALLY OUR SOLDIERS STAYED THEIR GROUND FIGHTING BLINDLY IN THE NIGHT, JUMPING FROM BURNING TANK TO BURNING TANK, IN WHAT CAN ONLY BE REFERRED TO AS A MIRACULOUS BATTLE UNTIL WE REGAINED THIS HIGHLY STRATEGIC SITE.
THE MOUNTAIN IS CALLED BENTAL WHICH IS TRANSLATED AS THE SON OF DEW BECAUSE IT IS SMALLER THEN ITS COUNTERPART IN THE NEGEV CALLED AVITAL- FATHER OF DEW. "DEW" TO THE 60 MM OF DEW THAT FALLS A YEAR THERE. THERE IS A NICE CAFE AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN HUMOUROUSLY CALLED COFFEE ANAN AFTER THE FORMER UN GENERAL. THERE ARE ALL TYPES OF BUNKERS THAT YOU CAN WALK THROUGH AS YOU GET A FEEL FOR WHAT THE EXPERIENCE MUST HAVE BEEN.

RABBI SCHWARTZ LAG BA'OMER IN MIRON VIDEO  OF THE WEEK- COOL!

http://et.ratepoint.com/3db315333d5369fff3b974fb85214d79/47ca3ef5a06df2eca1111bf37e72fa7e

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The Mother Land- Behar 2011

Insights and Inspiration
from the 
Holy Land
from 
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"

May 13^th 2011 -Volume I, Issue 29–9^th of Iyar 5771

Parshat Behar

The Mother Land

It was Mother’s day last week in the States... I forgot to call Mom. Here in Israel as far as I’m aware there is no Mother’s day. Here instead the entire country was preparing instead for Yom Ha’Atzmaut-Israel Independence Day. I know that it is not a legitimate excuse and the “every day is Mother’s day for me, Mom” certainly would never fly (been there- tried that J). So instead I figured I would dedicate this E-mail to my forgiving Mother, who loves her recalcitrant son who moved far away (with her grandchildren) and who truly appreciates her for the endless love, caring, concern and support she continues to shower upon me and our family. Anything I have ever accomplished is due to you and who knows perhaps one day there may even be some merit to that statement in addition to my undying gratitude.

The truth is although the Mother’s day does not have any religious or even Jewish significance, there is certainly something to be said for a day to be set aside when one should step back and think about how much we need to be grateful to our mothers or for that matter anyone who has given us perhaps the most essential tools for life. Jewish mothers more than any other raise their children with the greatest of expectations. You may have heard the joke of the Jewish grandmother who was who was showing off pictures of her grandchildren when her friend commented “Oh, what beautiful children, how old are they?"Well, she kvelled, the lawyer is 6 months, and the doctor is 2 years old”. Although it’s a joke about grandmothers-as Jewish mothers usually wait until their children have achieved their milestones before they allow themselves to kvell,-the aspiration for their children to achieve greatness is certainly engrained in every Jewish child by their mothers.

Here in Israel as well, the day of Yom Ha’atzmaut is always preceded by Yom Hazikaron. The idea being, that if Israel is meant to celebrate its accomplishments and the birthday of its independence, it must do so by recognizing all those that sacrificed and gave their lives to pave the way for our existence here. So much has been built in this country. So much vitality has returned to its desolate mountains, valleys and cities. So many Yeshivas, Torah schools, and organizations dedicated to kindness, peace and the well-being of mankind continue to proliferate. Much of this is due to those who had the vision, faith, dedication and determination to return here against seemingly insurmountable odds and bring their dream to fruition. My years in Yeshiva have given me an appreciation of the great Torah giants who have inspired tremendous spiritual goals for the Jewish people. My living in Israel and studies here have given me an appreciation of all those who have sacrificed, fought and died so that I and my family as well as the entire Jewish people could have a place once again that they might call home and that hopefully soon will see the final return and redemption of our people.

This week’s Torah portion discusses that special connection the Jewish people have to the land of Israel, particularly as it is reflected in two Mitzvos that stand out as a Divine symbol of the special relationship and destiny we share. The portion begins with the mitzvah of Shemitta- the Sabbatical year. For 6 years we are told that we should work the land and the in the seventh it is meant to remain fallow; a year of rest…of Shabbos. Following this mitzvah we are told of the mitzvah of Yovel- the Jubilee year by which we have an additional year after the 49^th year which shall be holy as well. In this 50^th year as well, all land that has been sold returns to its original owner, all slaves are meant to be set free and it is heralded in with a great shofar blast.

These Mitzvos are introduced in the Torah portion as commandments that were given on Mt. Sinai. Although all mitzvos were given to the Jewish people on Shavuot when we stood as a Nation for the first time at the foot of that Mountain, these are particularly noted as having being given to us at that time. Seemingly that Shofar blast as well is meant for us to recall that moment at Sinai when the Torah itself was preceded by the blast of the Shofar. The Torah continues and promises us that if we abide by these commandments, which demand a tremendous amount of faith, than we will merit to stay in the land of Israel and it will flourish. If however we do not adhere to the laws of Shemitta- we are not able to sacrifice and put our faith in the Almighty and recognize that it is He who has provided us with this incredible country, we will not be allowed to stay in the land rather it will spit us out. In fact the Talmud tells us that the years of Exile correspond to the years of Shemitta that were not observed.

The great commentator Rav Ephraim Lunschitz in his work the Klei Yakar discusses the relationship these Mitzvos and the Jewish people have. He suggests that these Mitzvos were given by our loving Father as symbols and reminders of what we are meant to accomplish with our lives. The Land of Israel has a special draw to it. It is like a magnet to the Jewish people. We come here and we want to work. We want to build. It calls us to plant and to prosper. Yet at the same time the land serves as a reminder that our lives are meant to be about much more than that as well. As our bodies and our drive to accomplish need to be satiated and fulfilled, so do our souls. The land tells us that there is a Shabbos for Hashem. The building of Eretz Yisrael must be one that is giving the land its spiritual sanctity and its infusion of our faith. If we dwell and develop it with that faith, than it in turn will produce its spiritual bounty that will fill us with the inspiration to grow.

The mitzvah of Yovel, as well, is meant to remind us of our ultimate goals. Our lives consist of the first 20 years of maturity and development until we are able to accomplish, and then we have 50 years until the age of seventy to achieve our spiritual goals. 50 years to develop our souls and then as the law of the Jubilee teaches us, symbolically, it all goes back. The land that calls to us to work and create is merely there to serve our spiritual needs as we fulfill our true eternal destiny. The physical land will return to its original owner as our bodies will return to the earth from which it was formed. “Plant” “Work” “Prune” and “Harvest” it calls out to us. But always remember that in doing so we have a higher calling, a greater mandate and an eternal, more everlasting mission; a mission, as the parsha began, that started on Sinai 3,443 years ago.

We are blessed to have Mothers that inspire us, help us set our goals and who can never seem to aspire for enough greatness for their Jewish children. We are perhaps even as blessed that we were given a land to live in that until today breathes the spirit of greatness into the Jewish people as we continuously strive to bring it to its ultimate fulfillment. But most of all we should feel fortunate that we were Chosen as the Nation of Hashem that was given His special gift of Torah that teaches us how to live our lives to their fullest and to  experience all of the goodness that there is to achieve in our lives. As we count towards that day of Shavuot it is worthwhile to take the time to appreciate all our special gifts and dedicate ourselves once again to becoming all that we are capable of being.

Have a very uplifiting Shabbos

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

RABBI SCHWARTZ COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK-
EIN HAROD- THE SPRING OF HAROD
WHAT AN EXCITING SPOT IN ISRAEL! THE SPRING OF HAROD IS A NATIONAL PARK AT THE FOOT OF MT. GILBOA AT THE NORTH EDGE OF THE SHOMRON BY THE JEZREEL VALLY. IT IS THE LOCATION OF THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF GIDEON WHO BATTLED THE PHILISTINES WITH AN ARMY OF 300 MEN IN THE BOOK OF JUDGES. HE CHOSE THESE MEN FROM A GROUP OF 10,000 BY BRINGING THEM TO THIS SPRING (WHICH YOU CAN DRINK FROM ON YOUR VISIT) AND SEEING WHO WOULD BEND DOWN AND LAP IT UP- A SIGN THEY WERE USED TO PROSTRATING TO IDOLS AND WHO WOULD RATHER CUP THE WATER IN THEIR HANDS AND DRINK “LIKE A MENTCH”!

THE SAME SITE WAS THE BATTLEGROUND OF THE GREAT BEIBERS WAR THAT CHASED THE MONGOLIANS OUT ISRAEL. AS WELL AS BEING ONE OF THE MOST CENTERAL SETTLEMENT AND ACTUALLY FIRST KIBBUTZ MOVEMENTS IN ISRAEL. THERE IS ALSO AT THE SITE THE HOME OF YEHOSHUAH AND OLGA HANKIN “THE REDEEMER OF THE LAND” WHO PURCHASED MUCH OF THE LANDS OF ISRAEL AS WELL AS A MEMORIAL FOR PALMACH SOLIDERS WHO PERISHED IN THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE. A GREAT PLACE TO CAMP OUT WITH A SUPER SWIMMING POOL AS WELL EIN HAROD IS DEFINITLY A COOL PLACE TO VISIT.

RABBI SCHWARTZ REMARKABLE ISRAEL STORY OF THE WEEK

ABE WAS VISITING ISRAEL FOR THE FIRST TIME. AS SOON AS HIS PLANE LANDED, HE GOT A TAXI TO TAKE HIM TO HIS HOTEL. THE TAXI DRIVER WAS VERY FRIENDLY AND TOLD ABE ALL KINDS OF USEFUL INFORMATION.
THEN ABE ASKS THE DRIVER,

"SAY, IS ISRAEL A HEALTHY PLACE?"

"OH, YES, IT REALLY IS," THE DRIVER ANSWERED, "WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE, I COULDN'T SAY EVEN ONE SIMPLE WORD, I HAD HARDLY ANY HAIR ON MY HEAD, I DIDN'T HAVE THE ENERGY TO WALK ACROSS A SMALL ROOM AND I EVEN HAD TO BE HELPED OUT OF BED EVERY DAY."

"THAT'S A REMARKABLE STORY, TRULY AMAZING," ABE SAID, "SO HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE IN ISRAEL?"

"I WAS BORN HERE."

Moments- Parshat Emor 2011

Insights and Inspiration
from the 
Holy Land
from 
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"

May 6^th 2011 -Volume I, Issue 28–2^nd of Iyar 5771

Parshat Emor

Moments

It was my first Yom Ha’Shoah as a citizen of the State of Israel. I had heard that the law was that at 10:00 AM there would be a siren sounded throughout the country and everything was meant to come to a stop, as the country engaged in a moment of silence- or as many religious schools do recite psalms or study Torah- in memory of all of the martyrs that perished in the Holocaust. I was on a bus to Jerusalem when the siren went off. At 9:57 I had pulled out my Tehillim already and was thinking about the horrific tragedy that was perpetrated against our grandparents and family. The siren went off. I saw cars pull to the side and people get out and stand up. But our bus kept on moving. I tried to concentrate on my Psalms but I was disturbed. Why weren’t we pulling over? I saw others looking around. No one seemed to say anything. There were other cars as well on the highway that had not pulled over. Some shrugged their shoulders and then the moment was over. Life went on. The ‘Holocaust minute” was done and now we can get back to our ipods, our cell phone calls and our shopping lists. As for me? I’ve been perturbed and troubled since then, waiting until I could write this E-Mail.

In truth the day of Yom Ha’Shoah itself is obviously one that is a newer innovation in the “memorial days” of Israel. It joins Yom Ha’Zikaron, Yom Ha’Atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim  (Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers, its Independence Day and the day of the recapturing of Jerusalem respectively) as being holidays instituted by the Rabbinate of Israel that are meant to be celebrated or commemorated each year. For some people these days have religious significance with recitations of Hallel and special prayers, blessings and memorials. For others they are more secular, celebrated with picnics or visits to commemorative museums. And like all good things in this country, there are those individual as well that disagree with the innovation of any new additions to Jewish ritual and holidays as they have traditionally been practiced; particularly practices which are associated with the establishment of a State that was not founded on their religious ideals.  Additional Memorial days are also problematic to some, as they fear it  detracts from the tradition we have that  Tishah B’Av is meant to be our national commemoration day, thus connecting all our millennia of persecution with the destruction our Temple. Our bus driver didn’t seem to be someone who would have religious objection (although the lack of a Kippa is not necessarily conclusive-or as a friend of mine said- he might not have been Jewish) and I’m not sure why he didn’t stop or even more so why no one protested, but that feeling that I had of an ambivalence towards the question or commemoration of a day or even a minute of time to contemplate what happened to us a nation a little more than a half century ago, was perhaps just as great a tragedy and most troubling of all.

This week’s Torah portion interestingly enough discusses the various Jewish holidays. Yet this discussion of the Biblical holidays finds itself Divinely placed in between other seemingly un-related Mitzvot. The Parsha begins with a special admonition to the Kohanim about the laws of purity and impurity, whom they are permitted to marry, and what blemishes invalidate them from doing the service. The Torah utilizes the word Emor- V’Amarta-

Say to them- and you shall Tell them which Rashi comments is a special admonition that they should warn and caution their children about these special laws. The commentators note that it is specifically by these Mitzvot of Priesthood, when the children of the Kohanim are being taught that they are different than everyone else, that the Torah cautions the parents to speak to their children with the softer tone of Emor-Say rather than Daber- speak in order impart the importance of inspiring them in their special role.

The Torah continues with the laws of various sacrifices as well. It describes the various blemishes that invalidate offerings, the rule of an animal having to undergo a Shabbat before being offered and how it is prohibited to slaughter it on the same day as its mother. These laws seem to show that the even the offerings that we are meant to bring have a certain uniqueness to them. They must be cared for so they don’t blemish, they are meant to be “Tachas Imo-with their Mother” for their first Shabbos, and the day that they are offered cannot be the same as the day when their mother is. The Torah then continues with our obligation to thank Hashem. We are warned not push it off. The Thanksgiving offering should be eaten the day it is prepared. The lesson once again is that a person’s who underwent a lifesaving incident should appreciate the moment and channel it to Hashem. Don’t write it off as just another coincidence that can wait and be eaten over time. Rather invite over friends (for otherwise it would be impossible to finish it all in one night) and share that unique connection you have with the Almighty. Appreciate that the Kohein that brings your offering before God is unique, that the animal that is being brought is unique, and your moment of thanksgiving is unique.

Finally as the last introduction to the laws of the holidays Hashem commands that we must sanctify his name-even give up our own lives-in order that His never be desecrated. This commandment is a national commandment to the Jewish people. The obligation to give up one’s life rather than violate any commandment (besides the big three) is only B’Toch Bnai Yisrael- when there is a congregation of Israel present. The reason for this mitzvah the Torah tells us is because we are unique- Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim. As a nation the Jewish people have a special role and a special relationship with our Father in heaven. Each moment we have is meant to be special and meaningful. Each act that we do should be directed to connecting with Him. We are unique and His chosen nation.

It is with this introduction that we are meant to appreciate our holidays. Shabbos, Pessach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. These are not merely commemoratives days but times during the year when we commune and rededicate ourselves to our special mandate and mission. We celebrate these times. They are days which we call holy- Mikraei Kodesh and days which Hashem joins us to celebrate our holiness, because we have broken free from the regular constancy of time and elevated it and ourselves to sanctity.

Our ancestors and martyrs whom we recall throughout the year, whether it be at Yizkor services on these holidays, on Yom Ha’Shoah, Yom Ha’Zikaron, or on their Yahrtzeits all had moments when they sanctified Hashem’s name. Many of them were murdered because they refused to give up their Jewish identity. Some of them heroically fought and died in order that other Jews may live or have a homeland to come to. In those moments and throughout their lives they have left a legacy that is not only one that is meant to be remembered, rather it is one that should be a guiding light in our lives. There is perhaps no greater time than during this period of the counting of the Omer, when we count each and every day as we move closer to holiday of Shavuot and the day that we received the Torah, that should be utilized to remembering and rededicating ourselves to the ideals that our loved ones gave their lives and for. It is the time of year when Hashem has given us a mitzvah each day that we count- teaching us that each day is unique, special and should be uplifted. It is also during this period of time when we mourn and remember the death of the students of Rabbi Akiva who died during this period.   If we are able to do this than we can be certain that not only will the holy souls of all our Kedoshim be sharing in our joy but our loving Father in heaven as well will surely be sharing in all of our special moments.

Have a Momentous Shabbos

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

This weeks insight is dedicated in loving memory of my grandparents Naftali Hertzka and Rivkah Klein who’s Yahrtzeits are in the coming weeks. They were both Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives and their family after the atrocity and horrors of the Nazis. They serve as role models to their children who miss them every day and to their grandchildren and great grandchildren who live to carry forward their memory and legacy. May their memory be blessed.

RABBI SCHWARTZ COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK-
MARESHA/ BEIT GUVRIN-
A FANTASTIC EXCAVATED CITY IN THE FOOTHILLS OF JUDEA MARESHA/ BEIT GUVRIN IS A CITY THAT WAS GIVEN TO CALEV IN BIBLICAL TIMES THIS WAS HIS REWARD (LIKE JOSHUA’S LAST WEEK COOL PLACE OF THE WEEK) FOR NOT SPEAKING EVIL BY THE SIN OF THE SPIES. THE CITY WAS EVENTUALLY DESTROYED BY THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FIRST TEMPLE. YET IT WAS LATER RELOCATED ON A NEIGHBORING HILL AND BUILT UP AS AN EDOMITE CITY(IDUMEANS). THEY WERE EVENTUALLY CONQUERED BY THE CHASHMONAIM KINGS AND FORCIBLY CONVERTED TO JUDAISM-(THE ONLY TIME IN JEWISH HISTORY THIS OCCURRED WHICH LED TO TRAGIC RESULTS-WHICH CULMINATED IN THE DESCENDANTS OF ONE OF THESE CONVERTS BECOMING THE KING OF ISRAEL-HEROD- WHO WAS NOT SUCH A NICE GUY…

TODAY BEIT GUVRIN IS A FANTASTIC SITE WHERE ONE CAN EXPLORE ANCIENT UNDERGROUND CAVES, QUARRIES AND COLUMBARIUMS-WHICH ARE PIGEON RAISING NESTING AREAS UNDERGROUND WHERE THEY WERE USED TO HELP FERTILIZE THE LAND FOR PLANTING. THERES ALSO A GREAT AMPITHEATER WHERE GALDIATORS FOUGHT (AND MANY PEOPLE WERE KILLED) AS WELL AS OIL AND WINE PRESSES AND THE FORMER GREAT CITY RUINS.

RABBI SCHWARTZES WORLD NEWS RECAP OF THE WEEK1 A BIRTH CERTIFICATE

2 A WEDDING CERTIFICATE

3 A DEATH CERTIFICATE !!!!

JJJJ