Never Forget-Tzav/Zachor

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
March 17^th 2011 -Volume I, Issue 24–11^th of Adar 5771

Parshat Tzav/Zachor

Never Forget

It’s Purim time. As long as I have been writing this Weekly Insights Email it has been my week to let down my writer’s quasi humorous hair (that’s hair singular) and get into the cheer of things. This week however I just can’t. I’m still crying…

How could it happen? How does someone murder a baby? Lying in bed… next to his father. A young boy reading a book? From where does a 12 year old girl (the same age as my son) get the strength, after coming home on Friday night from a fun evening with her friends singing shabbat songs and finding her parents and siblings massacred bodies, where does she get the strength to stand up and say “I will be strong and succeed in overcoming this. I understand the task that stands before me, and I will be a mother to my siblings”. How can you stop crying…? How can we even think of Purim?

This week we read the supplemental Torah reading before Purim of Parshat Zachor. It is the only biblically mandated Torah reading that each individual has a Mitzvah to hear. We are obligated to remember our brutal first attack by enemies that came on a suicide mission to attack the Jewish people. They had no beef with the Jews. We were not a threat to them. They lived in the North of Israel we were coming from the South. We were powerful. We had just destroyed the world empire Egypt and were on the top of the world. Yet against all logic and without any strategic rationale Amalek attacked us. We destroyed them with our faith in God as we watched the hands of Moshe up on the mountain raised to the Almighty in prayer. We won. We survived for another day. Yet we are commanded never to forget. When Hashem finally relieves us of all our enemies we must destroy Amalek.

We have faced so many Amalekites in our history. The story of Purim is the story of a genocidal plot by Haman a descendant of Amalek. The Greeks, The Babylonians, the Romans, The Crusaders, The Cossacks, Stalin, Hitler. How many hundreds of millions of our ancestors have been massacred, tortured and destroyed by those who again and again come up against us. There are those that thought that with the establishment of the Jewish State and with our own government and army we could finally have peace, rest, perhaps even respect. Yet, it continues. How many tears have been shed? Blood spilled? When will it stop? How can we celebrate Purim?

The answer, I believe lies in the understanding the essence of this holiday; perhaps even more so in the understanding of its prelude, of Zachor. As we know the holiday of Purim is always preceded by the fast of Esther. Unlike all other fasts that relate to the destruction of the Temple and are considered days of mourning, the fast of Esther is unique. In fact, this year when we cannot observe the fast of Esther on the day before Purim, as it is Shabbos, we push the fast earlier to Thursday, contrary to the general rule of pushing off days of fasting and mourning to a later date. The reason, are sages tell us, is because the fast of Esther, which recalls the fasting and prayer the Jews engaged in on behalf of Esther’s mission to King Achashveirosh to plead for our people, is not one that is meant to evoke feelings of mourning and sadness, rather it is one that is meant to celebrate and commemorate the Jewish peoples response to the nations that seek to destroy us. In truth the entire holiday of Purim is exactly of the same nature.

“The Jews established and firmly accepted on themselves and on their descendants, and on anyone who might convert to Judaism, to faithfully observe these two days, as written, and at the right times, each and every year.  These days must be remembered and observed for every generation, every family, in every part of the world, in every city. The Holiday of Purim will never be abolished among the Jews, and their descendants will never cease to observe them …. the days of Purim be kept at their proper times, as established by Mordechai the Jew and Queen Esther, and as accepted by all Jews on themselves and their descendants, the fasts and the prayers as well.”. Esther 9:27-31

Purim is established as a day that celebrates the strength of the Jewish people through our collective memory.

“Remember what Amalek has done to you…..And when Hashem will give you rest from the enemies that in the land Hashem has given you for an inheritance,, wipe out the memory of Amalek…do not forget”.

What is the power of this memory? Why is it so celebrated? The answer is that the Jewish people have an inner strength as a result of all that we have been through. It is the strength of knowing that we have been through all this before. It is the strength of knowing that all the tears that we shed and suffer for ultimately have a function. There is a day of celebration, of Purim, that will follow. No matter how hard they will try to wipe us off the face of the Earth we have a Father in heaven that we can turn our eyes up to and who will never allow his children to be destroyed. Purim is a day of laughter because although we were in Exile in Persia and we were just facing our national demise, we miraculously overcame our enemy’s designs. We could laugh at them. We could laugh with the memory that this battle has happened before and that we are still standing. They could laugh with the knowledge that there lays within each of us that incredibly Divine eternal power to transcend and rebuild from tragedy and from the ashes a Temple for the Almighty.

When we remember Amalek, we also can bring to mind all the other remembrances of the Torah. We remember the uniqueness of the day of Shabbos; our covenant with God. We remember the day we left Egypt and were swept off our feet by our Father that chose as his nation. We remember the vows we took at Sinai and we remember both the communal and individual responsibilities we have and the consequences for our misdeeds as we recall the incidents of the golden calf and Miriam’s lashon harah on her brother Moshe. The battle of Amalek is the crescendo of all of these memories because it concludes with a promise and mandate of Lo Tishkach- we can overcome and will never forget. Our memories will destroy our enemy’s memory. We will find the strength to laugh and rejoice in the face of those who seek to destroy us because we know that Hashem has some eternal plan for his eternal nation that will make this all right. A plan that will avenge the murders of our innocents, a plan that see our people once again reunited and exalted by the nations of the world as the Nation of priests with our Temple in Jerusalem once again. A plan that will wipe away the tears of sadness and replace them with tears of joy as our orphaned nation once again celebrate the love and warmth of our Father’s holy caress.

 Have a truly happy Shabbat that you will remember forever!

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

**********************

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW YOUNG ISRAEL OF KARMIEL FACEBOOK PAGE

LIKE US LOVE US FRIEND US AND FORWARD IT TO YOUR FRIENDS!!!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Young-Israel-of-Karmiel/149518425108865

 ***************************

RABBI SCHWARTZ MOST INSPIRING JEWISH ISRAELI ANECDOTE OF THE WEEK

Rami Levi, the controlling owner of one of the country’s largest supermarket chains, not only joined thousands of others who visited the surviving members of the Fogel family to comfort them in mourning – he also stocked their shelves and refrigerator with food. You will have to get used to my face,” Levi told the mourners and friends.  I have committed myself that every week I will deliver food and stock your home until the youngest orphan turns 18 years old.

RABBI SCHWARTZ ' S COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL TO CATCH TWO DAYS OF PURIM OF THE WEEK

PEOPLE ASKED ME BEFORE I MADE ALIYAH IF THE REASON I DID SO WAS SO I WOULD ONLY HAVE TO CELEBRATE ONE LESS DAY OF PASSOVER SHAVUOT AND SUKKOT (AS IN THE DIASPORA THEY MUST KEEP AN EXTRA DAY AS PER JEWISH CUSTOM- TO INSURE TIME FOR THE MESSENGERS TO ARRIVE TELLING THEM WETHER A NEW MONTH WAS ESTABLISHED OR NOT) I RESPONDED THAT I ACTUALLY DIDN’T COME TO ISRAEL FOR ONE LESS DAY BUT RATHER BECAUSE IT GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE AN EXTRA DAY OF PURIM J

SHUSHAN PURIM FALLS ON ADAR 15 AND IS THE DAY ON WHICH JEWS IN JERUSALEM CELEBRATE PURIM.  PURIM IS GENERALLY CELEBRATED ON THE ADAR 14 BECAUSE THE JEWS IN UNWALLED CITIES FOUGHT THEIR ENEMIES ON ADAR 13 AND RESTED THE FOLLOWING DAY. HOWEVER, IN SHUSHAN, THE WALLED CAPITAL CITY OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE, THE JEWS WERE INVOLVED IN DEFEATING THEIR ENEMIES ON ADAR 13-14 AND RESTED ON THE 15TH (ESTHER 9:20-22). IN COMMEMORATION OF THIS, IT WAS DECIDED THAT WHILE THE VICTORY WOULD BE CELEBRATED UNIVERSALLY ON ADAR 14, FOR JEWS LIVING IN SHUSHAN, THE HOLIDAY WOULD BE HELD ON ADAR 15. LATER, IN DEFERENCE TO JERUSALEM, THE SAGES DETERMINED THAT PURIM WOULD BE CELEBRATED ON ADAR 15 IN ALL CITIES WHICH HAD BEEN ENCLOSED BY A WALL AT THE TIME OF JOSHUA’S CONQUEST OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL. THIS CRITERION ALLOWED THE CITY OF JERUSALEM TO RETAIN ITS IMPORTANCE FOR JEWS, AND ALTHOUGH SHUSHAN WAS NOT WALLED AT THE TIME OF JOSHUA, IT WAS MADE AN EXCEPTION SINCE THE MIRACLE OCCURRED THERE.
TODAY, THERE IS MUCH DEBATE AS TO WHETHER OUTLYING NEIGHBORHOODS OF JERUSALEM ARE OBLIGED TO OBSERVE PURIM ON THE 14TH OR 15TH OF ADAR. FURTHER DOUBTS HAVE ARISEN AS TO WHETHER OTHER CITIES WERE SUFFICIENTLY WALLED IN JOSHUA’S ERA. IT IS THEREFORE CUSTOMARY IN CERTAIN TOWNS INCLUDING HEBRON, SAFED, TIBERIAS, ACRE, ASHDOD, ASHKELON, BEERSHEVA, BEIT SHE'AN, HAIFA, JAFFA, LOD AND RAMLAH TO CELEBRATE PURIM ON THE 14TH AND HOLD AN ADDITIONAL MEGILLAH READING ON THE 15TH.
(IN THE DIASPORA, JEWS IN BAGHDAD, DAMASCUS AND PRAGUE ALSO "CELEBRATE" SHUSHAN PURIM)

Vayikra-Your Calling

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
March  11^th  2011 -Volume I, Issue 23–5^th  of Adar 5771

Parshat Vayikra

Your Calling

“So what type of Jew are you?” I was asked this week. “Are you Chareidi (fervently religious) ? Ultra Orthodox? Daati-Leumi (religious Zionist)? Modern Orthodox? Traditional? How would you describe yourself? There is even a newer label, I am told, called Char’DaL- a hybrid of Chareidi and Daati Leumi which also happens to mean mustard, are you that?”

 “Frankly I am more of a ketchup person then mustard,” I responded “although if it was Gulden’s brown and spicy I could see being that.

Yet the inquirer was persistent. He really wanted to know. He was considering moving to Israel and he wanted to know what affiliation I was in order to decide if our community was the right one for him and his family. Reluctantly I shared with him the label that I hoped would satisfy him-I described myself as right wing, ultra Orthodox, Chareidi, super Chardal with all the best of Da’ati Leumi…. non practicing…. Meaning, I explained to him, I ideally like to label myself as the most religious possible. That is the goal that I aspire to reach. Unfortunately I’m not there yet. Not even close. But if I had to choose a label I believe that it is the most authentic. I want to aim to be the best but at the same time recognize how much I have to grow.

 Unfortunately though, most people find or choose a label that is based on their observance level and that becomes their stalling point. “I’m 90 percent observant so I must be ____” , “I am 75% so I’m______”, “I just like to do some commandments so I must be_____”, “I am more spiritual but I don’t observe so I must be______”. Particularly here in Israel where the religious affiliation is not just your calling card, but what party you will vote for, what schools and social network you will have, what restaraunts you will eat in and where you will make your child’s simchah. The Jewish country is full of little boxes that people try to put you in. I, for one, have gotten a little too big around the waist to fit into a box. And the truth is I think the country is a little too small to handle all these little boxes all as well.

There is a story about a Chasidic Rebbe that had a student that once came to him despondently sharing with the Rebbe his personal grief. He told the Rebbe that he felt like he should just give up on trying to increase his devotion. “It’s useless” he said “I see how holy the Rebbe is and I know I will never reach that level so why should I even bother”. The Rebbe turned to his student, stroked his tear filled cheeks and said, “My dear Chasid you are looking at the difference of space between you and I and perhaps it looks great. But look at the distance between Hashem and I and between Hashem and you. God is so far from both of our comprehensions and human capabilities. When you fathom that difference and see it in that light, than the difference between you and I is really not so much in comparison to the greatness and holiness which we are trying to connect to.”

This week we begin the third book of the Torah. In Latin it is known as Leviticus, or Torat Kohanim-the laws of the priests in the language of the Medrash. Yet in common Jewish tradition we refer to the book that describes all of the sacrificial laws of the Tabernacle as” Va’Yikra”, after the first word of the book “And He Called to Moshe and Hashem to spoke to him from the tent of the meeting saying”. It is a strange name to call this book and it is certainly a strange verse structure. At first it does not saying who is doing the calling and then when it says Hashem spoke to “him” it does not say to whom. If my English teachers were marking this essay they would correct it and write “And Hashem called to Moshe and spoke to him…”.  What is the Torah trying to teach us?

The 19^th century Rebbe of Slonim sees in this statement an allusion to the calling that we are told goes out daily from Sinai to each soul that was there to return to Hashem. “And He called” refers to that personal voice that reaches out to each Jew. That was the voice that went out to Moshe. And then, after Moshe heard that voice and drew close to the tent, did Hashem first speak to him. In addition, the word Vayikra comes from the Hebrew word Mikreh- an occurrence. Here the word Vayikra is even written with a small Alef to allude to that definition. The voice that goes out can be perceived in our daily happenings. Hashem is calling to us. He wants us to come close and approach. We can hear that voice in all that goes on in our lives. It is upon us to then take the first steps home.

We call this book Va’Yikra because it is the book of us taking the steps to get close to Hashem. The sacrifices and offerings that we bring for the various occurrences in our lives are us responding to them as calls to come home. To bring a Korban/ offering-(from the word closeness)is to say that all of those things that in my life might label me- my sins, my experiences, my thoughts, my mistakes, my joys and my loves are all just homing signals that are meant to lead me back to you. Back to the core of my soul blessed by You so long ago at Sinai. Back to the place…where I know by the fact that You are still calling to me…that I belong.

We are getting closer to the holiday of Purim. One of everyone’s favorite customs of Purim is to dress up in costumes.A reason given for this tradition is because it is meant to be a day when we put all our labels behind us. We hide the externalities that so often define us and prevent us from hearing that inner call. For the voice can only be heard by someone who is still searching to connect, not one who is already satisfied with his self definition. The story of Purim itself shares with us that message. Hashem’s name is not written in the book of Esther. It is a hidden voice that is calling from under the guise of all the occurrences that take place within the story. We were saved in the merit that we answered that call. We changed our Persian garb for that of sackcloth and prayer. We asked to return to get close. To have the chance to be near our Father once more. And our call was answered.

It’s hard to avoid labels. We shouldn’t have to be put into a box. It’s even harder not to label others. The soul of the Jewish people is much bigger then a name tag or affiliation can ever describe. Purim allows us to step beyond all that to reach out to the common bond we all share with one another. To hear that call that wants all of us to come home. To be ourselves as we celebrate with our Creator. May the joy of this month of Adar once again see us filled with the Simcha Sason and prestige of feeling the specialness of being Yehudim united by the love and closeness we wish to feel with our Father in Heaven.

 Have an ultra super Shabbat experience,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

**********************

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW YOUNG ISRAEL OF KARMIEL FACEBOOK PAGE

LIKE US LOVE US FRIEND US AND FORWARD IT TO YOUR FRIENDS!!!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Young-Israel-of-Karmiel/149518425108865

RABBI SCHWARTZ “ RECCOMENDED FANTASTIC ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS THOUSANDS OF JEWS AROUND ISRAEL WITH THEIR BASIC FOOD NEEDS AND SUPPORT”.

WATCH A GREAT VIDEO OF A MAN WHO MADE HIS LIFE EXPERIENCES HIS CALLING AND MISSION I N LIFE. AND THEN CLICK ON THE PAY PAL LINK AND MAKE YOUR PURIM DONATION TO A VERY WORTHY CAUSE!!!

http://www.yadezra.net/videos_e.php?clip=21

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK

 KVISH 6 (HIGHWAY 6)-THE GREATEST AND FASTEST HIGHWAY IN ISRAEL THAT I TRAVEL ON QUITE REGULARLY TO GO FROM THE NORTH OF ISRAEL TO THE CENTER AND SOUTH. AFTER 10’S OF YEARS OF DISCUSSION OF THE NECESSITY OF SUCH A HIGHWAY THAT AVOIDS ALL THE TRAFFIC AND ROUNDABOUT OF THE COASTAL ROUTE AND TO CONNECT THE PERIPHERY WITH THE CENTER. THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL FINALLY CHOSE TO PRIVATIZE THE BUILDING OF THE HIGHWAY IN EXCHANGE FOR THE TOLLS THAT WOULD BE COLLECTED FOR ITS USAGE FOR A THIRTY YEAR PERIOD.

IN 2002 THE HIGHWAY OPENED RATHER THEN THE TOLLS AND BOOTHS AMERICAN MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE HIGHWAY OPERATES ON A CAMERA SYSTEM WHERE PICTURES ARE TAKEN OF YOUR LICENSE AND YOU ARE CHARGED FOR THE PORTIONS THAT YOU TRAVEL ON WITH A BILL SENT TO YOUR HOME. THERE IS ALSO A PASSKAL (EZPASS) SYSTEM AS WELL THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE YOU TO STOP AND AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERS YOUR PLATE. THE HIGHWAY HAS GREAT REST STOPS ALONG THE WAY. PARTS OF IT TRAVEL RIGHT ALONG THE WEST BANK MAKING IT THE EASTERN MOST HIGHWAY IN ISRAEL. PLANS ARE ALSO CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON TO EXTEND IT ALL THE WAY TO KARMIEL. WHICH MAKES IT MY FAVORITE HIGHWAY J)

Pikudei- The End of a book

Insights and Inspiration
from the 
Holy Land
from 
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

"Your friend in Karmiel"

March 3^rd  2011 -Volume I, Issue 22–27^th  of Adar 5771

Parshat  Pikudei/Shekalim

The End of a Book

Are you the type to read the end of a book before you start? To fast forward to the end of the movie or to click on spoiler sites? I'm not and I never really understood that drive. Isn't the whole reason of engaging in those entertaining and relaxing pursuits to relish the anticipation of a fantastic ending? The twists, the justice meted out, or the romantic happily ever, can only be enjoyed if you've gone through the period of nail-biting anxiousness, or tear-jerking emotion that the process of being thoroughly engrossed in these engaging mediums can afford. I mean what fun would Star Wars have been if you know the "Luke…I am your Father" bit in the beginning?

This week we read the end of what had started off to be one of the more exciting Books of the Torah. The family of Jacob's descent to Egypt, the birth and rescue of Moshe, 10 Plagues, sea splitting, The Sinai revelation and the tragedy of the sin of the Golden Calf. You almost can't put the book down; it even might make you excited about coming back to Sunday school. Yet, the ending of the Book, unless you're architecturally inclined is not necessarily what I would describe as being the most gripping of Torah narratives. The past few Parshiyot have been replete with the seemingly repetitive description of the fundraising for and building of the Mishkan and the priestly garments and all the intricate details involved in the construction of what would be the resting place of the Divine presence, the Home of Hashem. What is the message of these details for us? What is the power of what might seem to be a somewhat un-dramatic ending?

It was 17 years ago this week that the Book of the Schwartz family began to be written. March 9^th 1994 (27^th of Adar) was the day that I wedded my bashert and soulmate. It was a day that was filled with much fanfare. Singing, dancing, love, glory, family and miracles, it was perhaps the greatest day of my life. The day was followed with the traditional seven days of feasting and celebration, those special moments of intimacy and closeness with the one you never want to be separated from, the one who you look forward to spending the rest of your life with. And then of course married life begins.

Maybe it was the first months or weeks when you have that first fight (my fault obviously), that silly argument that changes that almost too perfect imaginary world. You of course make-up, but it happens again (O.K. my fault againJ).You apologize. You atone, you forgive, you adjust, and you find your paths. You learn how to, at first, respect your differences and even begin to appreciate them. You have children, you build a family, a home and even a community or two (or three or four) along the way. There are those bumps, there are challenges, struggles, grief, and rejoicing. There are no more huge parties celebrating your relationship as there were 17 years ago. The band isn't playing, your friends aren't dancing on the tables anymore (most of them would probably break it if they tried). It would be kind of silly if they were. For there is no need for it anymore. You know you have the  a by now really perfect world. You know you have the most perfect partner for you that Hashem could ever provide. That sense that you have built a house of Hashem is so present as you walk through that doorway and see her sometimes strained and stressed but always loving face, that the fanfare would only detract from the incredible reality that has been built. That eternal special relationship is the song within itself. It is that un-dramatic but incredibly miraculous ending that leads to many more new beginnings of a unit joined and a family forever.

The last words of our Parsha and of that glorious Book of Shemos are

"For the Cloud of Hashem would be on the Tabernacle by day, and fire would be on it at night, before the eyes of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys"

It has been an experience journeying through this Book. There was those moments of explosions of love and declarations of commitment; the song at the Sea, the fervor filled "we will do and we will hear" at Sinai. There was also the terror of Amalek, the whining and fighting by the bitter waters of Meriva, and the almost incomprehensible and seemingly unforgivable treachery of the Golden Calf. But nothing is un-forgivable before our loving Father in Heaven. Nothing can stand in the way of a repentant nation whose sole desire is to build a house for their Creator. And nothing can ever separate a lover from their beloved. The drama and trials, the celebrations and fanfare, that may be how the Book needs to start. It gives you that foundation for which to build upon. But ultimately the true happy ending is when all that passes. When the two can sit in bask together in that Divine presence. When the knowledge of that cloud of God is before their eyes in all their journeys. There is no happier conclusion. And it is on that note that we can then begin our next Book of Vayikra- The Book that begins with the calling of Hashem. The call that will some day soon restore us to the Service and temple where our own homes and family will eventually be joined by His home, once again in Jerusalem in peace.

 Have a special Shabbos,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

This weeks insights is dedicated in grateful appreciation to my Bashert and partner who has helped make my dreams a reality in honor of  our 17 years and as we begin our chai year together here in the Holyland.. May Hashem bless you- us- with shalom, nachas, Simcha and may we continue to share in the best of times and life together. Thank you!!

***************************

RABBI SCHWARTZ “SILLY THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH A HALF SHEKEL VIDEO” IN HONOR OF PARSHAT SHEKALIM AND MY ANNIVERSARY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni-Haijah9c

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK

(OLD) GESHER-LOCATED IN THE NORTH OF ISRAEL IN THE BEIT SHEAN  VALLEY UNDER THE KINNERET A TRIP TO GESHER WILL DELIGHT YOU WITH A FASCINATING JOURNEY INTO ONE OF THE EARLY PRE-STATE YISHUVIM OF ISRAEL. THE OLD YISHUV HAS DEVELOPED A TRULY ENTERTAINING AND MOVING TOURIST ATTRACTION COMPLETE WITH A 3D AUDIO VISUAL (ALMOST DISNEY LIKE) PRESENTATION OF THE 1932 POWER WATER PLANT THAT WAS DEVELOPED AGAINST ALL ODDS AND WILDEST EXPECTAIONS AT THE MEETING PLACE OF THE YARMUK AND JPRDAN RIVER THAT POWERED THE WHOLE COUNTRY AND JORDAN TOO IN A JOINT AGREEMENT WITH EMIR ABDALLAH OF TRANSJORDAN.

ONE CAN ALSO SEE THE OLD BRITISH MANDATE INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY ALONG THE OLD ROMAN PERIOD ROADS. BUT PERHAPS MOST MOVING IS THE STORY AND VIDEO OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE YISHUV IN THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE AND THE FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS OF THE EVACUATION OF THE CHILDREN  YOU CAN HEAR AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE OLD BUNKERS THEY HID IN AND THROUGH THE MUSUEM THAT WAS DEVELOPED THERE.

Israel Store-ey-Parshat VaYakhel 2011

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

"Your friend in Karmiel"

February 25^th 2011 -Volume I, Issue 21–21^st  of Adar 5771

Parshat  Va’Yakhel

Israel Store-y

Being raised in America one gets used to a certain type of shopping experience Stores are there to serve you. Wal-Mart’s has its greeters with their little smiley stickers that cheerfully welcome you their store. The customer service desks are exactly that. There are refund policies. Soecial loyalty programs. It’s nice. We take it for granted. At least until you make Aliyah….

 Here in Israel the laws of the Shuk reign supreme. There are no prices on items. It’s not about how much it costs but how much you can pay. Convenience stores are generally inconvenient, opening and closing at their own whims and hours. Supermarkets expect you to bag your own items, pay for your shopping cart and buy what you need quick and get out of the way very fast, so that someone else can move along the line. Perhaps most frustrating to many is the tease you get when you call a company’s customer service line and are delighted to hear “Press 3 for English”, only to find out that it is really just a ploy to push you to the end of the line and delay your being answered another 10 minutes. Only then to be connected to an Israeli that doesn’t speak a word of English- although she could ask her friend who speaks Russian to help out.

But on the other hand, and of course you knew I would ask you to look at the other hand there are many special things that you experience here in your shopping that you don’t get other places as well. Most stores will extend you credit if you are a little.short. They’ll watch your kids while you run out for a second. Many times you can be lucky enough to catch a Minyan in your grocery store. It’s nice to see the man behind the counter learning a Jewish book, playing Jewish music or just even talking our ancient language.

Even more touching though, is that more often than not if they see you purchasing something they’ll recommend you buy a cheaper alternative or one on sale that may even be of a better quality. Many times I was even told don’t buy it today wait until tomorrow the prices are going down. It’s funny, how Israelis respond to you in this way. They aren’t –God forbid trying to offer you customer service- it’s just that their natural instinct of seeing you pay more than you should or being put in a bind for a silly reason overcomes their natural shuk instinct to take advantage of you. Whereas in America in general there is a concept of maintaining customer loyalty with good service excellent refund policies, and in general a helpful demeanor, here in Israel there is no long term vision or agenda about getting you to become a repeat customer; they feel that they’re doing you a favor selling to you in the first place. Rather the help and perks you get are more of a sincere family nature;  they are more about one Jew helping another.

I read a story this week that really encapsulates this attitude. There was an  older Yerushalmi carpenter who struggled daily to build bookcases for a living in a neighborhood where people barely had money to put food on their tables. One day an older American retiree came into his shop and asked him if he would build him a living room shelving unit that was comparable to the nice ones that he used to have in America. After taking the elaborate order for this rather ostentatious unit the carpenter asked who he was purchasing it for. When the American informed him that he had recently moved to Israel and wanted to retire and live his last years here in Israel similarly to the way he did in the States. The carpenter refused to build it for him. Though he was desperate for the business, he couldn’t bring himself to complete the order.

He explained to the would-be customer,

 

 “If a young couple comes to me and asks for a strong, sturdy, beautiful piece of furniture, I look at them and think that this young, happy couple is just starting out, with many years ahead of them. I am thus more than happy to build them the stuff of their dreams. But you are already older. You should know by now how temporary life is. How can you build yourself furniture like what you’re describing to me?”

  

Customer service? Not so much. An incredible shopping and learning experience that you can’t get anywhere else? Definitely.

This story sheds light on perhaps the greatest lesson of this weeks Torah portion. We have spent so many weeks discussing the building of the Mishkan. Yet once again the Torah recounts for us in full detail the donations of all the particular materials that each Jew gave to the building campaign. What is perhaps most remarkable is that this building is only meant to be a temporary structure. It should have lasted for a mere few weeks until the Jews arrived in Israel and built their permanent Temple. Yet the outpouring of money and donations was unparalleled to any other campaign since then, The Torah tells us that there was enough money and even extra. Does it make sense that for such a temporary structure, there should be such a huge campaign? Even more perplexing is that this Mishkan was meant to be atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf. Can it be that by merely donating money to the “synagogue coffers” the Jews can rectify perhaps the most grievous sin of all of Jewish history? How does one thing fix the sin of the other?

  

The answer is that it was precisely the process of donating as much as they could for a temporary dwelling, that they were able to begin the process of undoing the roots of the problem of the Golden Calf. The Calf was created because the Jewish people took a long look at their future. How will we make it in the Wilderness without Moshe our guide and our leader? Who will provide for us? What will become of us down the road? We need a long term plan and the Golden Calf was created to provide and fill that role. What Hashem was telling the Jewish people was, don’t worry about the big picture. Rather you put your all into doing the right thing for the here and now. Build me a home that is temporary, with all youcan and I will reside in it. You need not fear or worry about what will come tomorrow. Your jobs is to make sure that everything is being done right and to the utmost for today.

Interestingly enough, that “temporary” Mishkan and its vessels lasted longer than each of the Batei Mikdash Temples. The Tabernacle was with them their entire sojourn in the Wilderness. It was in Gilo, Shiloh and rebuilt in Nov and Givon and lasted about 480 years. The temporary merited longevity. The building that was donated with a mindset of doing the right thing in the here and now ended up being the place that they called the home of Hashem for the longest period of time.

The lessons of that campaign 3000 years ago still ring true for us today. Are we focused on long term projects at the expense of missing out on opportunities to do chesed and achieve spiritual goals today? Are we too focused on our “permanent” homes in our temporary existence and forgetting our eternal lives and our connection to the transcendent? Maybe we spend too much time checking out prices and finding the best deals and worrying about how we’re being treated. The Israeli shopper is certainly not looking for the “shopping experience”.  They are more focused on the living experience. Maybe it is because the people here feel life and time are more fragile and precious. Perhaps it is the lessons engrained so long ago in psyche of that temporary Mishkan. We all have our “Golden Calf” weaknesses fears and projects that hold us back. That may be preventing us from contributing, from growing  or from becoming as great as we could be. May Hashem give us the wisdom and strength of faith to let us move beyond them and create an Eternal life..

 Have a special Shabbos,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

 

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK

\
NEOT KEDUMIM-  AN INCREDIBLE BIBLICAL BOTANICAL WONDERLAND RIGHT IN BETWEEN JERUSALEM AND TEL AVIV. FOUNDED BY NOGA HAREUVEINI IN THE 60’STHE VISION WAS TO CREATE A PLACE WHERE JEWS CAN CONNECT AND LEARN ABOUT THEIR HERITAGE FROM THE LAND ITSELF. THE 2400 DUNAM PARK HAS HUNDREDS OF PLANTS TREES AND FLOWERS ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR BIBLICAL SOURCES. THERE IS ARCHEOLOGICAL DIGS, BIBLICAL THRESHING PLANTING BAKING EXPERIENCES. THERE ARE ALSO WILDLIFE AND SHEPHERDING AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES THAT WANT TO FEEL WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN THE TIMES OF OUR ANCESTORS.

   

THERE ARE SPECIAL BAR MITZVAH TOURS AND A WONDERFUL WEDDING HALL THERE AS WELL THAT IS USUALLY QUITE BOOKED. TRULY AN AMAZING PLACE TO GO BACK IN TIME AND FEEL THE REBIRTH OF OUR ANCIENT HOMELAND FLOURISHING THE SAME WAY IT DID THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO.

Never on a Sunday- Ki Tisa

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

"Your friend in Karmiel"

February 18^th 2011 -Volume I, Issue 20–14^th of Adar 5771

Parshat  Ki  Tisa

Never on a Sunday

There are no Sundays in Israel. No day to wind down from the Shabbos excitement in the Schwartz home. No day to relax a little with the kids, get your non-necessity pleasure shopping done or just kick back and “chill”. No, in Israel the day after Shabbos is just like Monday Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s the regular rind and grind with school, work and getting ready for the next Shabbos. It is a huge adjustment for an American, perhaps one of the biggest ones. In a way it really changes your week. As Americans we are used to the “weekend”. But here in Israel, the country of the Jewish people, we have something different. And perhaps something that we are forced to re-examine and make better. We have Shabbos.

Now don’t get me wrong. America has Shabbos too. But it is Shabbos and Sunday. It’s a weekend. It’s not the same thing. Whereas Shabbos in the States feels holy, in Israel it feels like the holy of holies. When I walk to Shul Friday night and I see the glowing red sky and sun setting over the Galilee Mountains I think of the generations of Jews that lived here and stood where I stand and felt that same sense of serenity that infuses the plains. It is truly otherworldly. One feels attached to the sounds of the shuls singing and welcoming in the Shabbos Queen. The hills are truly alive with the sound of ….praise to Hashem. You don’t get that in the States- Although West Seattle wasn’t a bad, however distant second place. An Israeli friend of mine once suggested to me that perhaps that is why in Israel we don’t need a Sunday off. The power of a Shabbos here can last you a full 6 days of work. An American Shabbos…. Only 5. A cute idea-only an Israeli could suggest- but also only one that someone who has tasted a Shabbos here can relate to.

This week’s Torah portion sheds a little light into the special nature of this Shabbos. The Torah portion begins with the collection for the service of the Mishkan- the place where Hashem’s presence will dwell and the final vessels that needed to be built. It then once again introduces the Mitzvah of Shabbos that we had already heard about in the Ten Commandments.

And the Children of Israel shall guard the Shabbos to make Shabbos for generations as an eternal covenant. Between Me and The Children of Israel it is an eternal sign that for six days Hashem created the heaven and earth and on the seventh he ceased and was refreshed.

 Our sages derive from the placement of the mitzvah of Shabbos here once again in midst of the commandments of the building of the Mishkan that the “work” that is prohibited on Shabbos is all of the various forms of work that were used in the building of the Tabernacle. Hr created the universe and stepped back from all Divine forms of Creation on Shabbos. Our covenant is that we will commemorate His Creation by refraining from the acts that are required to build His home here on the day that he rested.

But there is a deeper lesson here as well. For Shabbos is not just a commandment to refrain from work. We are obligated La’asos Es HaShabbos- to make Shabbos. We must guard and create something with it in the process of not working. Something eternal. It’s not just a day off and was never meant to be. It’s a day to put all that work of the week behind and focus on the essence of Creation and all that we do. It is the climax and pinnacle of the Mishkan- home for God. It is spending the day together in His Palace.

One of the most amazing things here in Israel, particularly I believe because there is no Sunday, is that the day of Shabbos becomes the center point of ones week. It is a day that one knows they have to make into something. It is remarkable to me how even secular Israelis that were raised without much Jewish observance or background know that there is something holy and special about this day. Stores are closed for the majority of the country. Streets are for the large part empty of cars- It’s like a Sunday morning in the States but for all day Shabbos. The country overwhelmingly chooses this day not to wind down and catch up on all those things they couldn’t get to during the week, rather to make it into a day that brings focus to their whole upcoming 6 day week. To hear the music in the air and feel the presence and sanctity of its Creator.

Maybe it is the fact that we live so close to the House of Hashem and his Temple and that we feel His Creation so much more, that makes Shabbos so special here. Perhaps it is because there is a greater appreciation of the miracle of our continued existence here in our ancient homeland. There certainly is no place else where we can feel so much like an Eternal Nation and in turn one appreciates even more our Eternal covenant. Maybe it’s just the generations of Jews since we first became a nation that have infused the air with the joyous weekly call of Shabbat Shalom. I’m not sure why it is that the day feels so much more powerful here. I just notice that the more that I am making it into Shabbos the less and less I am missing my Sundays.

Have a glorious  Shabbos

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

***************************

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S VERY INSPIRING JEWISH MOTHER YOUTUBE CLIP OF THE WEEK

MY SON RUINED MY LIFE J CLICK AND WATCH TILL THE END

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRbL46mWx9w

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK
NAHARIYA- THE NORTHERNMOST COASTAL CITY IN ISRAEL IT WAS FOUNDED BY GERMAN (YEKI) JEWS IN 1935. ALTHOUGH INITIALLY IT WAS FOUNDED AS AN AGRICULTURAL CITY THE GERMAN JEWS WERE NOT NECESSARILY CUT OUR FOR THE FARM LIFE AND INSTEAD DEVELOPED THE TOWN INTO ONE OF THE LARGEST TOURIST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY INTRODUCING EUROPEAN STYLE STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM TO ISRAEL FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THE CITY’S MOST PROMINENT FEATURE (BESIDES ITS BEAUTIFUL BEACHES) IS THE RIVER (NAHAR) GA’ATON THAT FLOWS THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY. ITS MOST PROMINENT PERSONAGE ACCORDING TO THE HUNDREDS THAT FLOCK TO HIM DAILY FOR BLESSINGS IS THE NOTED KABBALIST RABBI DAVID ABUCHATZEIRA WHOSE ADVICE AND GUIDANCE AND INSIGHT IS SOUGHT BY JEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

Tetzaveh- I Used To...

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

"Your friend in Karmiel"

February 11^th 2011 -Volume I, Issue 19–6^th of Adar 5771

Parshat Tetzaveh

I used to…

I used to drive a big, white, gas guzzling, 9 passenger 2001 GMC Suburban. It had tons of room. I could take all my kids and enough food and luggage to last for three weeks on our annual camping road trips back in the States. It only cost me $1100 and it was super reliable. Today in our very small country of Israel, I drive a 1988 hatchback Suzuki Swift. It costs me twice as much to fill up with gas, I can barely fit the groceries for the week and two kids with a stroller in it. I paid more for the car. And after I squeeze myself into the drivers seat (generally after sucking in my breath and emptying my pockets) I can feel the holy terrain of our ancestral home land every bump  of the way. But you know what? I wouldn’t trade places for the world. I’ll take my Israeli bumps over my American leather cushioned seats and well paved roads any day.

Recently I saw a blog  that surveyed a group of Olim and put together a list of things that people should bring from America to Israel; “Important things” that they could not get here. Some of the highlights of the list include-Advil, American cheese, Band-aids, Cotton swabs (True confession of author of this blog: I made Aliyah with a lifetime supply of Q-Tips :-), Foil - pre-cut foil, heavy duty foil and heavy foil pans, Kitchen garbage bags, Liquor, Onion powder, Splenda, White tuna and vanilla - the real stuff,. Although the above items are available in Israel it seems that they are very expensive here.

The List continues with products that they don’t have in Israel-Crystal light, Hot cocoa mix, Candy (especially M&M's, Reese's, Hershey's, Jelly Belly), Condensed cream of mushroom and tomato soup, Crisco, Salad dressing mixes, especially ranch, Good Seasons and Pfeiffer's Italian dressing, Spices:  Mrs. Dash, taco seasoning, chili seasoning, chili powder, garlic salt, celery seed, dried sage, Lawry’s season salt, pumpkin pie spice, cream of tartar, poultry seasoning, dried onion, Italian seasoning mix and the essential Wilton cake decorating items.

Finally the list concludes tragically with items people miss that can’t be imported: such as the always necessary for Kosher Sushi-Fake crab, cans of pie filling, Pam baking spray, Starbucks coffee, Tom’s deodorants and toothpastes, maple syrup, Croydon House Matzo Ball and Soup Mix, Barkeeper's Friend (?), La Choy soy sauce, soft corn tortillas, egg roll wrappers, Morningstar farms bacon and sausages, Baker's Chocolate - 100% cacao with NO added sugar, Luna bars, Jif peanut butter, instant hot cereal, "Red Hot" hot pepper sauce, Thomas' English muffins, almond milk, Planter's peanuts and Lactaid milk. Isn’t your heart moved by the deprivation that we poor Olim suffer from? I can’t imagine anyone wanting to make Aliyah after reading such a list. To be fair there is a follow up list of things in Israel that are better here then there. But that list is primarily for you (or your relatives coming from the States) to have things to put in your empty bags after you bring us all the lactaid, fake crab and Jif peanut butter after your done shlepping all those basic necessities that we lack here.

Yet is it really so bad to miss, what some might consider to be, the basic comforts of the States?  Isn’t it only natural? I imagine most Olim are like me. They wouldn’t go back to the States or take that life with Reese’s peanut butter cups or even cheaper gas instead of the blessed one that they have here. But is there harm in a little reminiscing of luxuries long gone?  There is a beautiful insight from the Chasam Sofer in this weeks portion that- excuse the the pun- “sheds light” on the question.

The Torah begins this week with the Mitzvah of lighting the Eternal lamp of the Menorah. The Torah proscribes that the oil that is used for the Menorah is unique from other oil used in the temple service and offerings.

“And they shall take clear olive oil, crushed for illumination”

Rashi, quoting the Talmud, explains that this oil must be crushed by a mortar, rather then a mill, and only the first drops are used for the Menorah. All drops that follow are permissible to be used for the flour offerings but not to light the Menorah with. The Medrash points out that this is contrary to human practice. Normally we would use the best oil for our food and the cheaper “Israeli brand” stuff to light our homes with. (The way my children feel about American ketchup- it should never be used to cook with, god forbid, it is exclusively for French fries, hamburgers and Hot Dogs). Hashem though tells us precisely the opposite in this Mitzvah.

The Chasam Sofer explaining this anomaly sees in it an important life lesson. The menorah which is the spiritual channel through which wisdom and Godly knowledge flows in this world, requires the most perfect, clearest and best oil. The offerings which bring material sustenance, food on our tables and blessings on our plate- for that we should understand that any oil is good enough. We don’t need the name brands or the REAL, 100%, no added… to fill our physical needs. W need to be focused more on making sure that are spiritual needs are being filled in the first rate place and way. That is the message of the Menorah.

We have entered into the month of Adar. A month we are told is one when we are meant to increase our level of Simcha- Happiness. There is none that is as happy as he who feels that he has everything that he possibly needs. It’s natural to wish for something better, But the Torah tells us we should use that instinct to further our relationship with Hashem. To wish for a little better in that area first. When most of us think about our needs and the things we lack or that could improve our lifestyle and thus our happiness we tend to think of the material and physical. The better____ and the tastier_____ ,the fancier ______  or more comfortable_______. Yet how often are we focusing on the other needs as well. How much better do we want to make our spiritual lives? How far are we willing to go to “upgrade” them? Are we ready to use a lower brand “oil” in our physical pleasures in exchange for the enormous delight of the spiritual? Whether you are an Oleh looking back or a Chutznik looking home, these are questions that it pays to put at the top of your shopping list. Because there are some items in your spiritual life that you really can’t get somewhere else.

Have a  Brilliant Shabbos

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S FAVORITE LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF AN EGYPTIAN NEWSPAPER THIS WEEK

Dear Egyptian demonstrators,
Please do not damage the pyramids.

We will not rebuild.

Sincerely,
 The Jews

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK
BEIT HADASSAH in HEBRON- THIS FORMER HOSPITAL FOUNDED IN 1893 IN THE CITY OF HEBRON UNITED BOTH JEWS AND ARABS IN THEIR PEACEFUL EXISTENCE. THEY WORKED SIDE BY SIDE AND TREATED EACH OTHERS PATIENTS. IN 1929 THE ARAB MOB WAS INCITED BY THE MUFTI OF JERUSALEM AND MASSACRED OVER 70 RESIDENTS OF HEBRON AND THE JEWS WERE EVACUATED BY THE BRITISH. THEY WERE NOT REALLY ABLE TO COME BACK IN ANY STRONG WAY UNTIL AFTER 1967 WHEN THE JEWS RECLAIMED HEBRON AND BUILT THE CITY OF KIRYAT ARBA .ALTHOUGH THE CITY OF HEBRON ITSELF DID NOT HAVE ANY JEWISH RESIDENTS.

 IN 1979 10 WOMEN AND CHILDREN BARRICADED THEMSELVES IN THE FORMER BEIT HADASSAH BUILDING AND REFUSED TO LEAVE UNTIL THEY WERE GUARANTEED ITS RETURN TO JEWISH HANDS. MENACHEM BEGIN, THE PRIME MINISTER, GAVE ORDERS NOT TO GIVE IN TO THEIR DEMANDS, HOWEVER HE SAID THAT THE WOMEN WOULD NOT BE PHYSICALLY REMOVED BUT IF THEY LEFT THEY WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO BACK IN. FOR 10 MONTHS THE WOMEN STAYED THERE, FOOD WOULD BE SENT IN AND THEIR HUSBANDS WOULD COME EACH FRIDAY NIGHT TO MAKE KIDDUSH AND SING AISHET CHAYIL BY THEIR WINDOWS. AFTER TEN MONTHS WHEN SOME ARABS ATTACKED AND KILLED 6 MEN AND STUDENTS THAT WERE SINGING THE GOVERNMENT ALLOWED THE JEWS TO RETURN TO HEBRON.

Rabbi Ephraim's Tour- Terumah 2011

Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

"Your friend in Karmiel"

February 4^th 2011 -Volume I, Issue 18–30^th of Shvat 5771

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 chulent J. 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 have been privileged to join a Tour guiding program at Machon Lander/ Touro University in Jerusalem.  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 begun new meaning as I delve 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 weeks 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 to 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 16^th century Rabbi of Prague. (I liked his first name J). 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 hearing him guiding you.

As we enter the Parsha the Torah tells us 15 different materials that were used to build the Mishkan with. 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 (the 15^th generation from Abraham!) built 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 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 the 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. This there to remind us that ones success is like a circle that and cycle that goes around. There a 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 ones 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 it’s 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 through the offerings upon the Altar man will be protected from all four elements- fire water, wind and earth. In addition it will protect a man from all four capitol punishments; stoning, fire, sword and strangulation (water). All three of these vessels 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 one 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 Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph Tov ,

Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz

RABBI SCHWARTZ’S FOR ALL THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SITUATION IN EGYPT FUNNY INTERVEIW OF THE WEEK

http://www.aish.com/j/mm/SNLs_Mubarak_Interview.html   

RABBI SCHWARTZ'S COOL PLACES IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK

TEL BEIT SHEMESH- MOST OF YOU MIGHT NOW THE VERY POPULAR AMERICAN SETTLEMENT AND CITY OF BEIT SHEMESH. BUT DI YOU KNOW THAT ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY THERE IS A ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG THAT DATES BACK TO 700 BCE AT THE TIME OF THE CONQUEST OF SANCHEIREV OF ASSYRIA. THERE IS AN REMARKABLY HUGE UNDERGROUND WATER CISTERN AND WELL WITH PLASTERED WALLS WHICH WE HAVE BEEN ABALE TO DATE TO THAT AREA AS WELL AS HOMES FROM THAT TIME PERIOD. WHAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE FASCINATING IS THAT IT IS IN THIS SAME SPOT THAT THE ARK OF HASHEM WAS RETURNED BY THE PHILLISTINES (THEY PUT IT ON A WAGON PULLED BY COWS AND SENT IT BY ITSELF) UNFORTUNATLY THE PEOPLE OF BEIT SHEMESH DID NOT TREAT IT WITH THE PROPER RESPECT AND OVER 50,000 WERE PUNISHED IN A GREAT PLAGUE. NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY PASSED THE ARK ON TO ANOTHER PLACE.