Archives - March 2022
Shemini שמיני
March 25, 2022
This week's parsha is Parashat Shemini.
In this parsha, after seven days of preparation, Aaron and his sons began the worship service of Hashem in the Mishkan.
Aaron, the Kohen Gadol, or High Priest, sacrificed animals and then blessed the people. Moses and Aaron then went inside the Ohel Moed, or Tent of Meeting, and when they came out of the tent a fire came forth and Hashem consumed everything on the altar. It was a sign that Hashem had accepted the offerings, and the People sang songs of joy.
Unfortunately, Aaron’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu, then brought a strange offering to Hashem without being asked or commanded. They did not follow the rules, and they were severely punished.
The second half of the parsha teaches us about Kashrut - the foods that we are allowed to eat and those that are forbidden.
Land animals can be eaten if they have split hooves and chew their own cud - this means that they slowly chew their food over and over again in their mouth before finally swallowing it. Fish must have fins and scales. Hashem also gave a list of non-kosher birds and insects.
It is clear to me that the reason Aaron’s sons were punished was because they broke the rules. Breaking the rules is so bad because if you don’t follow the rules the world will be a mess.
You should follow the rules even if you don't want to. In my house there is a rule that on weekends I can stay longer and watch TV, but not after midnight. Once, my parents told me to go to sleep, but I didn't listen and I went to sleep very late. The worst thing was that I had to wake up early the next day. Sure enough, I had such a bad day. I should have listened to my parents. Now I know to never doubt my parents and to always follow the rules.
Another time I should have followed the rules was once when I wanted to bake cookies. I decided to ignore the instructions and I just put in whatever ingredients I wanted. When it came time to eat them they tasted terrible. I tried again and I followed the instructions, and this time they came out amazing. This taught me that in life it is usually a wise decision to follow the rules.
Thank you and Shabbat Shalom.
Tzav צו
March 18, 2022
In this week's parsha Hashem instructs Moshe to command Aharon and his sons regarding the jobs of the Kohanim. The Kohanim were the priests who were in charge of the Mishkan in the desert and later became in charge of the Beit Hamikdash in Yerushalayim. For example, they were in charge of the daily korbanot, or sacrifices.
In this parsha we learn about many of the different korbanot the people would bring such as the daily meal-offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, and the thanksgiving offering. After the korban was offered to Hashem, Aharon, the High Priest, his sons, and the rest of the Kohanim would have meat to eat.
Other things were also brought as an offering to Hashem such as choice flour, oil and incense, which were mixed together as pleasing odors to Hashem.
Rabbi Josh taught us that the word for sacrifice - korban - comes from the Hebrew word karov, which means close. In ancient times, this is the way our ancestors would try to become close to Hashem. Today, we have different ways to become close to Hashem.
Today, one of the ways we get close to Hashem and connect to something bigger than us is through tefillah, or prayer.
Another way we can connect to Hashem today is by sacrificing - not with animals, but instead sacrificing our money and giving tzedakah.
Recently, I feel that I connected to Hashem when my great-grandmother got Covid and my entire family was very worried. We all prayed that she would recover, and a few days later she was feeling better. This made me believe that Hashem listens to our prayers.
Another time I connected to Hashem is when my family and I handed out food to people in need at a community center. This made me very happy and I was proud of myself for doing the right thing.
One time I felt connected to Hashem was when my little brother was bitten very badly by my Grandpa’s dog. I was so scared and worried for my brother, so I decided to pray to Hashem and ask for my brother's speedy recovery.
Even though my brother got 70 stitches I feel that God still listened to my prayers and my brother is alright now.
One time my family and I gave tzedakah was when there was a bad wildfire in Australia around a year ago. We donated to an organization that helps save animals like kangaroos, platypuses, and koalas.
In conclusion, this parsha teaches us that you should never give up on Hashem. Just like our ancestors tried to get close to Hashem through sacrifices, we should trust in Hashem and believe that He is close to us and always listening.
Thank you and Shabbat Shalom!
Vayikra ויקרא
March 11, 2022
This Shabbat we begin the third book of the Torah. In this parsha, G-d explains to Moshe all about the different sacrifices, or korbanot that the people could bring, and G-d asks him to teach these to Bnei Yisrael. There were many different reasons people would bring korbanot, such as asking for forgiveness or showing appreciation. Moshe told Bnei Yisrael when they should bring the different korbanot. For example, they could bring a sacrifice to say thank you, to ask for something important, or when someone sinned and needed to ask for forgiveness.
Back in the Biblical times, people used to go to the Mishkan, or later to Beit HaMikdash in Yerushalayim, to bring their sacrifices and show appreciation to G-d, but today we don’t bring sacrifices. Instead, we pray in the synagogue or do mitzvot like giving tzedakah and doing acts of kindness.
This Shabbat before Purim is also called “Shabbat Zachor”. According to the Midrash, Haman was a descendant of Amalek and we are commanded to always remember Amalek:
"זכור את אשר עשה לך עמלק בדרך בצאתכם ממצרים."
“Remember what Amalek did to you, on the way, when you were leaving Egypt”.
God had just performed great miracles for us like parting the Red Sea, and no nation dared to attack us, except for Amalek, who hit us from behind, where all the elderly, kids, tired, and weak were walking. In the end, G-d helped save the Israelites.
It is fitting that this Sunday is Super Sunday, when the Jewish Federation collects donations from the people in the community, because the parsha teaches us all about making sacrifices in order to give tzedakah
In our families, helping those in need is a very important part of our lives.
For example, just last week my family donated funds to the Caleb & Calder Sloan’s Awesome Foundation to help buy food and toiletries for kids in need. We also went to Muss Park and helped pack bags with the food and toiletries for 200 homeless students and their families. My family also takes me to contribute several times a year to the JCS Kosher Food Bank and other places where we can help those with food insecurities. In this small way, we try to make a difference in the lives of others.
Another mitzvah that I was fortunate enough to do was plant trees in Israel through the JNF (Jewish National Fund.) Performing that mitzvah was very important to me because planting trees there connects us to Eretz Yisrael by preserving the future of the land for generations to come.
A few months ago, I was very happy to go to a food bank and help give out food to people who couldn’t afford it. We gave out eggs, water, chicken, fruit, vegetables, and much more.
Also, a couple of days ago I volunteered to play basketball and other sports with kids who aren't as fortunate as us. We also gave them food, water, bracelets, and entertainment. I loved doing this because I got to remember that we have to be thankful for what we have. Sometimes it may feel like we are not lucky, but we are.
This parsha is about bringing sacrifices. Today, we are also taught to make sure we sacrifice our own things and our own time to try to help others. This is our own way of showing appreciation to G-d.
Thank you and Shabbat Shalom!
Pekudei פקודי
March 04, 2022
This week's parasha is Parashat Pekudei. Parshat Pekudei is the last parasha in the second book Shemot. This parasha talks about the setting up of the Mishkan, or the portable sanctuary in the desert.
Moshe tells Aaron and his sons to oversee the building of the Mishkan, and to use gold, silver, and copper to build items like the Menorah and the Holy Ark. Two men named Bezalel and Oholiav were the artists who designed the Mishkan. The gold for the Mishkan was donated by Bnei Yisrael and the silver was also donated as part of a census to count all the people.
After the sin of the Golden Calf, one of the first things Bnei Yisrael is told to do is to give tzedakah for the building of the Mishkan.
I think giving Tzedakah is important because some people aren’t as fortunate as others, and so, whenever I give tzedakah, I feel like I just helped someone in need.
I think Hashem commanded Bnei Yisrael to give Tzedakah right after the sin of the Golden Calf because he wanted to give them a second chance. He wanted them to use the same gold they used to build the Golden Calf but this time to use it for the mitzvah of giving tzedakah.
One day when I was six years old I bought a new toy with my mom at the toy store. I was going to bring it home to play with but while I was walking home, I saw a less fortunate girl and gave it to her. After I gave it to her, I felt a sense of accomplishment for helping someone.
In my own family we give lots of tzedakah. For example: whenever any of us have clothes that don’t fit, instead of throwing them out, we donate them to shelters. We also donate toys that we don’t need anymore.
Tzedakah is our way to stay connected with our community. The more fortunate among us help the less fortunate in solidarity to show that we all care about each other.
I think giving tzedakah is important because it's an opportunity to give to people who have less.
I think Hashem commanded Bnei Yisrael to give tzedakah right after the sin of the golden calf because He wanted them to fix their mistake by using their gold for tzedakah.
In my own family we also give lots of tzedakah. For example, sometimes on Sundays we raise money by making a lemonade stand and donating the money we make to the less fortunate. Also, a couple of times a year, we donate food, clothes, and toys to shelters. When I give tzedakah I feel really good about myself because I am making a difference by helping people in need.
Thank you and Shabbat Shalom!