Table Talk

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!