B"H
Thursday, Adar1- 13, 5784 / February 22, 2024
In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Tetzaveh, G-d commands Moshe about the lighting of the Menorah (candelabra) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later in the Holy Temple.
The Menorah had seven lights - one in the center and three on each side. The entire Menorah was made of one piece of pure gold. Although G-d told Moshe how the Menorah should look, Moshe couldn’t do it. It had so much detail and it all had to be carved out of one piece of gold. G-d then told Moshe to take the gold and throw it into the fire. He did this and out came a beautiful Menorah.
Q.What is the significance that the Menorah had to be from one piece?
A. The Neshama (soul) is compared to a candle, as it is written; “The candle of G-d is the soul of man” (Proverbs 20). The seven lights of the Menorah in the Holy Temple represent the souls of the Jewish nation. Just as the Menorah had to be from one piece, so too, the entire Jewish people have to feel as one entity.
The Torah is also compared to light. The Torah tells us that when the Jewish people came to Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, they were like one person. Unity amongst the Jewish people was a pre-condition for getting the Torah.
Q. Why is the soul compared to the light of a candle?
A. Just as the light of a candle continuously moves upward striving to go higher, so too, the soul continuously strives, and as a result each Jew attempts to go higher and connect with G-d.
Q. In synagogue, in front of the ark, there is a light called, “Ner Tamid” – “Permanent light.” Why?
A. In this week’s Parsha, G-d commands Moshe that the light in the Menorah should be a “Ner Tamid” – a constant light. The lights in the Holy Temple were lit each day and burned throughout the night. The “Ner Tamid” in the synagogue is in remembrance of the Ner Tamid in the Temple.
Q. Why are mitzvot, especially the mitzvah of Tzedakah (charity) compared to a candle?
A. The Midrash explains the similarity and its lesson to us, as follows: "When a person wants to give charity, the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) comes to him and says, 'Why give away of your possession to others, leaving less for yourself?
"The truth is," says the Midrash, "Mitzvot are like candles. One candle can share its fire and light many candles, yet, its own light doesn't diminish in the least." The same applies to performing Mitzvot, especially the mitzvah of charity. Helping others doesn't diminish one's own wealth. In fact, the opposite is true, by giving Tzedakah one merits G-d's blessings and receives much more in return.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND IN PRAYER FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
& FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CAPTIVES. MAY THEY BE RETURNED NOW.
B"H
Tuesday, Adar1- 11, 5784 / February 20, 2024
In last week’s Parsha, Terumah, G-d instructed Moshe on the building of the Tabernacle, its measurements, its contents, and which materials to use for each of the items in the Tabernacle.
This week’s Parsha, Tetzaveh, continues with G-d’s instructions for the Mishkan (Tabernacle). In the beginning half of Parshat Tetzaveh, G-d instructs Moshe about the oil to be used in the Menorah (candelabra) and the clothing of the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) and the regular Kohen when performing the service in the Temple. At the end of the Parsha G-d commands Moshe about the golden altar which served to for the incense spices, which were burnt on it twice daily.
From when Moshe is first mentioned in the Torah, in the beginning of Parshat Shmot, through the Books of Leviticus and Numbers, Moshe’s name is mentioned in every Parsha. The only exception is this week’s Parsha, Tetzaveh, in which Moshe is not mentioned by name at all.
Q. Why is Moshe’s name not mentioned in this Parsha?
A. After the Jewish people sinned by worshipping the Golden Calf, Moshe, as their true caring leader, pleaded with G-d to forgive them. He said to G-d, “Please, the people have committed a terrible sin. They have made for themselves a god of gold. Now, if You forgive their sin then good, but if not, please erase me from your Book [the Torah] which You have written.” Although G-d did in the end forgive their sin, yet, part of Moshe’s wish came true. His name was withheld (erased) from this Parsha in the Torah.
Q. Why was this Parsha, Tetzaveh, selected for Moshe’s name to be omitted?
A. Moshe passed away on the 7th of the month Adar. The 7th of Adar falls during the week of Parshat Tetzaveh. Not mentioning Moshe’s name in this Parsha also hints to Moshe’s passing at this time.
Also, one of the items described in Parshat Tetzaveh are the clothing which the High Priest had to don during his service in the Temple. Moshe was originally supposed to be the High Priest, but it was taken from him and given to his brother, Aaron. Not mentioning Moshe’s name in this Parsha alludes to the fact that the High Priesthood was denied him.
Q. Why was the high Priesthood denied him?
A. When G-d commanded Moshe to go to Pharaoh to tell him to let the Jewish people go, Moshe argued with G-d, claiming that he wasn’t qualified. He asked G-d to send someone else instead. After refusing for a week, G-d sent his brother, Aaron to accompany Moshe. Moshe’s refusal was considered a sin and he lost the high priesthood, and it was given to his brother, Aaron, and Aaron’s descendants.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND IN PRAYER FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
& FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CAPTIVES. MAY THEY BE RELEASED NOW
B"H
Monday, Adar1- 10, 5784 / February 19, 2024
In this week's Parsha, Tetzaveh, the Torah continues describing the articles required for the service of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
Last week's Parsha, Terumah, dealt with the items needed to construct the Mishkan and its contents. This week’s Parsha deals with the oil required for the Menorah (candelabra) and the clothing that the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) and the regular Priest (Kohen) wore while serving in the Mishkan and Holy Temple. These clothing were an essential part of the service. If the Kohen didn’t wear his proper clothing his service was disqualified.
Parshat Tetzaveh begins; "And you [Moshe] shall command the children of Israel that bring to you pure olive oil, beaten for the light [of the menorah]."
Our sages explain that only the finest quality oil could be used for the seven lamps of the menorah. Therefore, only the first drop of oil squeezed out of each olive was used for the menorah.
The prophet Jeremiah compares the people of Israel to an olive; "A fresh olive, a fruit of beautiful shape did G-d call your name" (Jeremiah 11:15).
Q.Why are the Jewish people compared to an olive?
A.Our sages explain the parallel between the olive and the people of Israel as follows: The olive produces its oil only after being squeezed and pressed. The same with the Jewish people. Although we have continuously been exiled from place to place, suffered ill treatment, been squeezed, and beaten at the hands of other nations, we have produced outstanding Torah scholars and great intellectual minds in every field. Thus, the menorah, its oil and its lights represent the Jewish people who have illuminated and brough tight to the world.
Another comparison: Mixed with other liquids, oil will eventually separate and rise to the top. So too, the Jewish people. No matter how hard the nations have tried to make us assimilate, the Jewish people have survived as a nation and as a people. No matter how low we felt at times, in the end, we rise to the top.
Also, the lights of the Menorah which were kindled each day represent the Torah, as it is stated, "Torah is light". The Torah illuminates the darkness of the world and guides a person in the right path. Just as the seven lights in the Menorah had to be lit every day, so, too, must every Jew light up each of the seven days of the week with the study of Torah, observance of mitzvot and good deeds.
"Even a little light," say our sages, "pushes away much darkness." Our mission in life is to accomplish and illuminate our sphere of influence with the light of G-dliness.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
UNITED WE STAND IN PRAYER FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
& FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CAPTIVES. MAY THEY BE RELEASED NOW
B"H
Friday, Adar1- 7, 5784 / February 16, 2024
This week's Parsha, Terumah, is about the building of the Mishkan and its contents; the Aron (ark), the Kaporet (ark cover), the Shulchan (table), the Menorah (candelabra) and the Mizbe'ach (altar). The Torah details the materials, measurements, and construction of each component of the sanctuary.
The Torah states, "And they shall make an ark…and you shall overlay it with pure gold from within and from without… And you shall put into the ark the testimony (two Tablets). And you shall make an ark-cover of pure gold... And you shall make two Cherubim of gold at the two ends of the ark-cover... And the Cherubim shall be spreading their wings on high covering with their wings over the ark-cover and their faces one toward the other..."
The Aron (ark) contained both sets of Tablets; the first Tablets, which were given to him in heaven and Moshe broke when he saw the Jewish people worshipping the Golden Calf. The broken pieces were in the ark, as well as the second set of Tablets.
Each of the two golden "Cherubim" on the ark cover had the face of a child –one face of a boy and the other of a girl. Each had wings which extended upwards, as the Torah states, "And the Cherubim shall be spreading out their wings on high, screening with their wings the ark-cover, with their faces one toward the other."
The Cherubim teach us two very important lessons. First, the guardians of the Torah are the children. Teaching our boys and girls Torah, and teaching them the practice of mitzvot, when they are still young, is the only way to guarantee our continuity as Jews.
Another lesson is that we must face and see each other. There must be love and harmony between us. These two factors were in fact the pre-conditions for G-d's giving the Torah to the Jewish people.
Also, the “Cherubim shall be spreading out their wings on high… with their faces one toward the other, teaches us that our commitment toward G-d (on high) and our commitment towards each other go hand in hand. One cannot accomplish one without the other.
Today, the 7th of Adar, is the Yartzeit (day of passing) of Moshe Rabeinu (Moses). On this date, Moshe was born and on the same day, 120 years later, Moshe passed away. The Torah tells us that there never was, nor will there ever be, a prophet like Moshe, who saw G-d "face to face" (Deut. 34:10).
Moshe's greatness is also expressed in his humility. As the Torah says, "Moshe was the most humble person upon the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). Indeed, true greatness goes hand-in-hand with great humility. May his merit bring blessings to all. Amen.
UNITED WE STAND IN PRAYER FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
& FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CAPTIVES. MAY THEY BE RELEASED NOW.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 5:04 / Shabbat ends: 6:09
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