Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"
February 14th 2013 -Volume 3, Issue 19 –5th of Adar
5773
Parshas
Teruma
(A
Re-Run Email from last year but in honor of me passing my final Exam and becoming
licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (and to give you a taste of what you're in
for when you book me on your next trip to Israel J I
share with you once again)
Rabbi Ephraim’s Tour
There is a rule about love.
The more that you love something, the more you should want to know and
understand the object of your affection. One, who loves, wants to understand
the little nuances; the things that make it tick. Things that to other people
may seem innocuous, dull or even annoying, but the lover is enthralled and
can’t wait to dig even deeper into the heart of their beloved.
I have a love that grows
every day. Actually I have quite a few. My wife, my family, my shul and of
course chulentJ.
But most recently the object of my affection of which I have been putting most
of my effort into understanding is my love of Eretz Yisrael; my new “old”
homeland. To further my love for the land and perhaps to be most capable of
sharing it with as many people as possible (and hopefully to make a living off
of soon as well), I was privileged to complete my tour guiding program at
Machon Lander/ Touro University in Jerusalem (Mazel Tov to me!!!). The
course is an amazing one. Subjects that never really interested me such as geology,
archeology, and even botany and zoology all become fascinating as we walk among
the places where all of these studies come alive.
The best part of course, is
the history of our country and people. There are not too many places that you
can go to here that do not have a story, a battle and perhaps even most
enchanting a lesson to be learned. Daily drives that I take as I pass by what
seems like innocuous rock formations and beautiful valleys now have new meaning
as I delved deeper and deeper into the story that is our country. One of the
most wonderful things about the course is the variety of tour guide “trainers”
that we get to spend time with. Each a professional in their own area of
expertise with a true love of the places and subjects that they share with us.
This evening though I was
privileged to take a different type of tour. It was on my 2 hour bus ride home
from a full day trip; a time whose quiet I cherish (before I get home to our
busy Erev Shabbos home), to pull out my Chumash, prepare the weekly portion and
review my day. This week's Torah portion, Parshat Terumah, is certainly one
that is on the slow side, following all the exciting Torah portions we have had
until now. The Exodus is over, the laws have been given and the portion begins
and tells us of the commandment to build a Tabernacle for the Divine presence
to reside amongst the Jewish people. The Torah tells us the dimensions of the
Ark, The Menorah, the Table the curtains and on and on and on. I will be
honest. Architecture ….I don’t love. A table is a table, a cubit is a cubit.
Dimensions don’t speak to me and neither do all the little bells and whistles
on each holy vessel. But that was until I found my tour guide. Deciding to dig
a little deeper into a text that I guiltily knew I should be loving a little
bit more, I came across the commentary of the Klei Yakar- Rabbi Ephraim
Lunshitz The 16th century Rabbi of Prague. (I liked his first nameJ).
And does he give a tour. Wow! The Mishkan-Tabernacle came alive. I don’t think
it will ever bore me again.
Here are a few snippets of
his tour with my paraphrasing. As you read it you can almost hear him guiding
you.
As we enter the Parsha the
Torah tells us that 15 different materials that were used to build the Mishkan.
These 15 each have tremendous spiritual significance. King David tells us Ki
B’ Yah Hashem Tzur Olamim. With Ya” H (an acronym of God’s name) the
universe was formed. Ya”H in Gematria Jewish numerology is 15 (yud
=10 and Heh=5) It with 15 the universe was formed and the Tabernacle
being a microcosm of the universe is also formed with 15 materials. This
explains as well, why in the temple King Solomon built (the 15th generation
from Abraham!), there were 15 steps into the Temple. In addition the gold,
silver, copper and red skins correspond to the four exiles of the Jewish people
Babylonia, Persia/Media, Greece and Edom/Rome as he quotes verses that show
this connection.
Moving on to the first of
the Temple vessels, we are introduced to the Ark. Interestingly enough we are
told that it is coated in gold inside and out, with wood as its core. This is
to show that the Torah is a tree of life and both those who support and study
it have an equal portion in it. We are told of the Badei Shitim- the
poles that carry the Ark. This, he notes one again through Gematria, represents
the 16 (the numerical value of Badei- Beis=2 Daled=4 and Yud=10)
individuals that are called to the Torah weekly for an Aliyah. When? Easy to
remember, he suggests. They are coated in Zahav-gold spelled Zayin-7=
Shabbos, Heh- 5 =Thursday, and Beis-2 Monday.
Finally we are told of the
covering of the Ark and the cherubs in the shape of angels with children’s
faces. This is to teach us of the importance of covering the secrets of the
Torah and the importance of having teachers who transmit the Torah who are
similar to angels and clean of sin as a child. The cherubs face one another in
loving embrace so that we learn that the Torah can only be studied when we are
at peace with our fellow man. Perhaps most fascinating, is that unlike other
dimensions the Ark’s are all not complete numbers 2 ½ x 1½ x 1½. This is so
that one who studies should know that he has never learned it all and still
needs to study more.
Moving along to the next
vessel we reach the Table. The table is of course symbolic of ones livelihood
and the Table he eats on. Its dimensions are partially whole numbers and
partially fractions 2x1x 1½ to teach you that one should feel that on one hand
he has all the blessings that he needs and is satisfied with his portion (the
width and length), however on the other hand the height is a broken number and
he should never be haughty about it. The table, if you notice, has rings upon
it. They are there to remind us that one’s success is like a circle and cycle
that goes around. There are times that are good and times that are bad. One
should use our good times to support the needy and merit an eternal world that
has no end (like a circular ring). In fact, the functions of these rings are to
be “homes for the L’Badim-poles” the word L’Badim switching around the
letters spells B’Dalim- for the poor. The Table also as you notice on
our tour has a rim around it called a Misgeret. This is to symbolize
that one should close and fence in ones desires and not let them run rampant.
The last I will share with
you is as we exit into the Courtyard we see the Copper Sacrificial Altar. Its
dimensions are all complete numbers 5x5x3. This is to show that through ones
remorse and the atonement of the Altar one can become fully complete. The Altar
has copper netting around it to symbolize the net of sin that one’s evil
inclination has wrapped around him that has brought him to this state. We also
find miracles that were present with the Altar. The fire never scorched it, the
water never damaged it and the wind never blew its constant pillar of smoke
(although it was outside in the open air) and it was formed out of stone and
earth upon which no blade ever cut. This is to teach us that through the
offerings upon the Altar man will be protected from all four elements- fire,
water, wind and earth. (For those of you who have toured with me what are the
four holy cities in Israel and which element does each one represent-E-mail your
answer for a discount on your next tourJ) In addition it will protect a man from all
four capitol punishments; stoning, fire, sword and strangulation (water). All
three of these vessels (Table, Ark and Altar) have a crown upon them which
symbolize the three crowns of our existence the crown of Torah the crown of
Kingship and the Crown of the priesthood.
He
continues on for each of the vessels, and next week as well in the lengthy
description of the clothing of the priesthood (I was never into style or
clothing much either… but who knows with the right guide?) but I don’t want to
spoil your own personal tour with the Klei Yakar. The Torah is perhaps the
greatest place to start your tour of life. We recite each day that its words
should be the ones that we carry when walk on our paths. The more one studies
the more one can fall in love. May the sweetness of Rabbi Ephraim’s tour give
you inspiration as you take a new look at the beautiful world of the Mishkan.
Have
a joy filled Shabbat and can't wait to see you here soon,
Rabbi
Ephraim Schwartz
***********************************************
RABBI SCHWARTZ FAVORITE YOUTUBE CLIPS OF THE WEEK
http://begincenter.org.il/en/Clips.aspx?CID=8161&ID=1333
in Hebrew but beautiful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0thtdWvP0to
Begin and The Rebbe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPQuAQH7uKA&feature=endscreen
and funny Begin joke story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vobupy1K_2s
************************************
RABBI
SCHWARTZES TOUR GUIDE COURSE QUESTION OF THE WEEK
(answer below)
A workshop belonging to the
Legio X Fretensis (10th Roman Legion) was uncovered at
(a) The northwestern corner of the Temple Mt
(b) The Tower of David
(c) Underneath the International Convention center at Binyanei
Ha'Umah
(d) Abu Ghosh
RABBI SCHWARTZ COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK-
Jerusalem-
Begin Heritage Center/ Museum– This past week was the
Yartzeit of our 6th Prime Minister (the 4th of Adar). Arguably of
Israel's most loved Prime Minister the Begin Center is really a great place to
learn about the life of this great man. You can follow his life from room to
room watching films and clippings from his life in Poland, as head of the
Irgun, (even hiding from the British in Tzefat as a Chasidic jew, and as Prime
minister. The museum is located across from the Old city in Katef Hinnom.
Behind the museum one can check out the 1st Temple grave site where
a amulet with Brikat Cohanim was found. For someone who loves Israel history
this is certainly a great enjoyable well done museum to get a feel for Menachem
Begin.
******************************
RABBI SCHWARTZ QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"Israel is still the only country in the world against which there is a written document to the effect that it must disappear." – Menachem Begin in a speech in Washington DC
“What kind of expression is this – “punishing Israel”? Are we a vassal state of yours? Are we a banana republic? Are we youths of fourteen who, if they don’t behave properly, are slapped across the fingers? Let me tell you who this government is composed of. It is composed of people whose lives were spent in resistance, in fighting and in suffering. You will not frighten us with “punishments.” He who threatens us will find us deaf to his threats. We are only prepared to listen to rational arguments. You have no right to “punish” Israel – and I protest at the very use of this term.”-- In response to words from the U.S. Government condemning and “punishing” Israel-Menachem Begin
**********************
Answer
Answer
is C- The Roman X
legion was brought in by Hadrian after the Bar Kochva revolt to build the
Aeilia Capotelina of Jerusalem. The Har Ha'Bayis was plowed a temple for Jupiter
was built in its stead and Jews were prohibited from living in Yerushalayim.
Jewish life then moved to the Galile for the next 800 years for the large part
with small numbers of jews living in the center. Under the Binyanei HaUmah a
pottery factory was found that was seemingly used to make vessels and roofs for
the Romans. Today that site hosts concerts and conventions and is across from
the central bus station in the jewish capital of Israel in Jerusalem. And the
Romans… are just a question on my exam J
*************************************
No comments:
Post a Comment