Shabbos Parshas Terumah

In this week's Parsha HaShem lays out the exact specifications of the Sanctuary to be built by the Jews in the desert.  "They shall make Me a sanctuary and I shall dwell amidst them."

HaShem demands the best of everything; precious metals, vividly colored wool, flax, goat hair, wood, pure olive oil, rich spices and precious gems.  HaShem also asked for the skins of animals both mundane and exotic.

The contributions came from everyone in the camp.  We all gave the best of what we had to honor HaShem and bring Him to dwell with us.

Today living in Golus, we no longer have HaShem's Sanctuary.  We pray every day that Moshiach should come and rebuild it.  In the meantime, each of us has a Mikdash Me'at -  a small sanctuary.  A person's home is his own Mikdash Me'at.  Today it is our responsibility to give HaShem the best of what we have to bring Him to dwell with us.

Does that mean that we should have a roof made of animal skins, goat hair and wool? Should we have gold-plated walls?  No.  The gold that HaShem wants from us today is our Mitzvos.  A door with a Mezuzah, a Kosher Kitchen, a home revolving around Taharas HaMishpocha - theses are the adornments of a Mikdash Me'at. 

Make this Shabbos Shiny!

Give it the best you've got!  The Shabbos table is like the altar in the Beis HaMikdash - dressed finely and equipped with Challah and salt and wine in a special cup.  We are also commanded to eat the most delicious food on Shabbos.  If you discover a special delicacy during the week, you should save it for Shabbos. 

This Shabbos, make an effort to have something special and delicious at your table.  Enjoy it and realize that in doing so, you are serving HaShem with joy and pleasure.  Share your Shabbos treat with a friend!

Leave me a comment with your special Shabbos recipe! 

Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim This week's Parsha is a doozy! HaShem gives us fifty three commandments. Some of them are Mishpatim - Commandments that make logical sense, like the penalties for certain crimes against other people. Some of them are Chukim - Commandments that don't make logical sense, like not eating meat and milk together. This week we commitment we made last week - "We will do and we will listen," is put to the test.  Will we continue to follow HaShem's laws even if we can't explain them?  Will we restrict our diets?  Will we celebrate our G-d with seasonal festivals and daily prayer?  Will worship Him faithfully even as those around us do not?Again, the people answer, "We will do and we will listen." Yes.  Yes we will.  There, standing at Sinai, thousands of years ago, we told HaShem that we would commit ourselves to so many of the things that define Jewish life today; Kashrus, Daily Prayer, the Holy Days.  A promise made long ago and kept today; every day.  After giving us these new Commandments, HaShem warns us - do not take on the ways of the current inhabitants of the Promised Land.  Stay true to the laws that I have given you, stay true to Me.  Don't let them take you away from Me.  Is that a promise we still keep today?  Sometimes, it's easy to let "them," take us away from Him.  To worship their values over His.  We live in Golus - in Exile, surrounded by influences that directly contradict the Commandments we were given this week.  It's easier to find non-Kosher food than Kosher food.  Most of our employers are open on the Jewish Holy days and they certainly don't all break for Mincha in the afternoon.  We have to make the choice every day to serve HaShem.What's your choice?Make this Shabbos Shiny!Learn more about the Commandments we are given this week.  Brush up on the laws of Kashrus or the Holy Days.  Let HaShem Shine through you by passing on what you learn.Have a WONDERFUL Shabbos.

Shabbos Parshas Yitro

This week's Parsha is a Very Big Deal.  The essence of everything we are supposed to learn from HaShem's teachings is in this week's Parsha.  If you were to boil down the Torah, Yitro is what you would get.  Yitro is Torah buillion (for those of you who don't make soup from scratch. Ahem.)

And what do you think that essence is?  Totally obvious to anyone who's read the Parsha, right?

The Ten Commandments!

Wrong.  Well, in my humble opinion, you're wrong.

What do *I* think the very buillion of belief is?

Na'aseh V'Nishma - We will DO and we will listen.

That little phrase is the cornerstone of my faith.  It defines the motivation for why I dress, eat, speak, worship and live the way I do.  There are days that it is my sustenance.  Declaring "Na'aseh V'Nishma," is telling HaShem, "In everything I will put You first.  I will serve Your will without question.  I have greater faith in You than I do myself."

Now isn't *that* a doozy of a concept in today's day and age?  Look at your life and ask yourself, "Who is the ultimate authority? Who's glory am I living for?"  Is your answer "Me!  Mine!"?  Are there Commandments you don't follow because they aren't logical?  Things you don't do because they "just don't make sense," to you?  We're living in a "We will listen and then we will (maybe) do," time.  In everything, we consider our options, see what fits and choose our path accordingly.  There are some situations for which that is absolutely the right course of action.

There are some situations for which it is not.  In this Parsha, HaShem gives us Ten Commandments.  Before that, we accept them, sight unseen.  In two (Hebrew) words (six in English), we tell Him that whatever he tells us to do, we'll do it.  Every Jewish soul was at Sinai.  Every Jewish soul told HaShem, "I will do, and I will listen."  Even yours.

To me, believing, truly believing that G-d's is the ultimate wisdom is the greatest comfort in my life.  It is a sweet, relieving freedom to know that He is in control and has a plan.

Make this Shabbos Shiny

Do.  Then listen.  Humble yourself before G-d this week and recognize the gift He has given you in Torah.  Concentrate on recognizing His authority and wisdom.

I'm sure you're all itching to hear what I have to say after last week's break.  I hope not to let my adoring public down...all two of you.

Shabbos Parshas Beshalach - Shabbos Shira

This Shabbos is called Shabbos Shira because the Parsha recounts the splitting of the Red Sea and the song the Children of Israel sang in Praise of HaShem.

The entire Parshah talks about the amazing things HaShem did for us - split the sea, bring us through it, provide us with food and water in the desert.

HaShem is still doing amazing things every day, though they may not be accompanied with such special effects as food from nowhere and water from rocks.  But we know that He's still involved in our lives, otherwise, we wouldn't say Brachas.  There's a bracha for everything you ingest - even  a glass of water.  Every day, all day we thank G-d for the gifts He gives us and the things He does.

Make this Shabbos Shiny!

Make an extra Bracha and thank HaShem in a way you may have been lacking in before.  Recognize the amazing things He's doing in your life every day.  Did you know there's a prayer for when you hear lightening?  Next time there's a storm, get under cover and grab a siddur!