https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wKoZHk0S624gGwCNHdrOTwsIrNHe5J34
Acharei Mos Kedoshim 5780
RETURNING TO NORMAL
All of us who are in this lockdown still remember what life was before the lockdown. We recognize that our current state is not normal and are convinced that life will certainly return to ‘normal’, hopefully soon. Imagine, if you will, that this current state remains the same for another 40 years, Heaven forbid! The children born into this new world will have no frame of reference to expect that things will return to ‘normal’ because this current state will be ‘normal’ to them.
In this week’s Parsha, Acharei Mos – Kedoshim, the Torah teaches us what ‘normal’ is. The Parsha of Kedoshim opens with HaShem’s instruction to Moshe to address the entire nation; the elders, the lay folk, the women and even the children. He tells Moshe to tell the entire nation that everyone in the nation is to strive to become kadosh, to become Holy, to achieve a level of Holiness similar to HaShem’s Holiness. HaShem adds a word of encouragement by telling them “because I, HaShem your G.D, am Kadosh.
Pesach – 5781
Pesach – 5781
Tzav – 5781
Tzav 5780
THE BURNING HEART
Everything in the Torah is eternally relevant. Although there are many details which are time sensitive, nevertheless, the principles of those details remain relevant for all time. One such example are the Korbanos (offerings) which are enumerated in this week’s Parsha, Tzav. Although Korbanos no longer apply today as there is no Bais Hamikdosh, nevertheless, the principles upon which Korbanos are based are timeless and relevant in every time.
Continue reading Tzav 5780Bo – 5780
Vayikra – 5781
Vayikra 5780
HARDWIRED
This week’s Parsha, Vayikra, opens with the laws of the offerings that are to be brought in the Mishkan. Right from the beginning the Torah indicates that every Jew can bring an offering, whether or not he is righteous. The only Jew who may not bring an offering is the one who totally rejects HaShem. In the very same verse, however, the Torah indicates that regarding a non-Jew there are no qualifications; every non-Jew may bring an offering, the non-Jew who accepts HaShem as well as the non-Jew who re-jects HaShem. The reason given why we accept the offering of the non-Jewish atheist is to bring him closer to HaShem.
Continue reading Vayikra 5780