This week's Torah reading, Parashat Teruma, contains G-d's command and promise, "Make for Me a Sanctuary and I will dwell among them".
The Sanctuary is a place where His presence is openly visible. No concealment.
Interestingly enough in the verse it is written that G-d says, ".....I will dwell among them." in the plural form. Meaning, I will dwell within each and every individual man or woman!
When G-d caused His presence to dwell in the midst of our people as a whole, He also invested Himself within the midst of every individual. Every person's heart became a sanctuary in microcosm.
The Sanctuary accompanied the Jewish people in their journey through the desert. Wherever they camped, G-d's presence accompanied them.
Similarly this applies with regards to every person as he goes through his journeys in life and to our people as a whole as they journey through time. G'd's presence accompanies us. As we proceed from one setting to another, His presence journeys with us.
The windows in the Temple were slanted outward. The Rabbis explain that was so that the Temple's light would radiate outwards, influencing the world outside.
The same is with the G-dly light that is present within each and everyone of us. The intent in making a person "a sanctuary in microcosm" is so that we should share and shine the light outwards and influence our environment.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
ADAR - Auspicious month.
We are presently in the Jewish month of Adar, in which we celebrate Purim. It says in the Talmud - "When the month of Adar enters, we increase in joy."
There are many joyous dates on the Jewish calendar, why does Purim affect the entire month, causing it to be auspicious and joyous?
Haman pinpointed the moment when the Jews were at their lowest point – historically as well as calendar-wise – to implement his nefarious plan...
Historically - the Jews did not have The Holy Temple. And their spiritual status was affected.
And calendar-wise - this was the month when Moses died. The demise of Moses, the head of the Jewish Nation, was surely a metaphor he believed, for the demise of the entire nation.
But his plan did not succeed.
We all have ups and downs, as is also true with our nation, both spiritually and materially, but our very identity, the fact that we are G-d's chosen nation, is never affected.
Our perpetual relationship with G-d may even be more evident when we are exiled and downtrodden due to our sins, and G-d still interferes on our behalf, as is demonstrated by the Purim miracle.
This phenomenon shows the durability of our relationship; the ability of our essential identity to survive no matter our external state.
The month of Adar, the month which Haman understood to be the most inauspicious month for the Jews, is the happiest month of the year—the month when we bear in mind that "inauspicious" has absolutely no bearing on our relationship with G-d.
There are many joyous dates on the Jewish calendar, why does Purim affect the entire month, causing it to be auspicious and joyous?
Haman pinpointed the moment when the Jews were at their lowest point – historically as well as calendar-wise – to implement his nefarious plan...
Historically - the Jews did not have The Holy Temple. And their spiritual status was affected.
And calendar-wise - this was the month when Moses died. The demise of Moses, the head of the Jewish Nation, was surely a metaphor he believed, for the demise of the entire nation.
But his plan did not succeed.
We all have ups and downs, as is also true with our nation, both spiritually and materially, but our very identity, the fact that we are G-d's chosen nation, is never affected.
Our perpetual relationship with G-d may even be more evident when we are exiled and downtrodden due to our sins, and G-d still interferes on our behalf, as is demonstrated by the Purim miracle.
This phenomenon shows the durability of our relationship; the ability of our essential identity to survive no matter our external state.
The month of Adar, the month which Haman understood to be the most inauspicious month for the Jews, is the happiest month of the year—the month when we bear in mind that "inauspicious" has absolutely no bearing on our relationship with G-d.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Hayom Yom: 2 Adar I
"...Avoda does not imply - as some think, altogether erroneously - that one must pulverize mountains and shatter boulders, turn the world upside down. The absolute truth is that any avoda, any act, whatever it may be, is perfectly satisfactory when performed with true kavana, intent: A b'racha pronounced with kavana; a word of davening as it should be, with a prepared heart and an awareness of "before Whom you stand"; a passage in Chumash said with an awareness that it is the word of G-d; a verse of Tehillim; a beneficent trait of character expressed in befriending another with affection and love."
Friday, February 12, 2010
PARSHA - Mishpotim
Our Rabbis teach us that the commandments that G-d asks us to do He Himself fulfills them as well.
This week's Torah portion, Mishpatim, has many commandments. We will take one of those commandments and see how G-d fulfills it. The mitzvah of "lending money to a person in need".
When we give someone a loan, it seems as if we are giving away something for nothing. That person is not giving us anything back immediately for the money we gave him, but of course, we expect to get it back one day. We trust him.
How does G-d fulfill this commandment?
Well, just like a person lends another some money, G-d "lends" each and every soul the special strength and ability to fulfill G-d's will.
As with a loan, the soul gets its strength "for free." But G-d expects that, in return, our soul will pay back the loan by using this strength to fulfill His (G-d's) will.
When we lend money, we do not tell the borrower how to use that money. It becomes his, and he can use it for whatever he wants. When G-d gives us a "loan," it also becomes ours. We can use the strength and power He gives our soul, for anything we choose. We hopefully will do our best to make the right choices though.
We must show G-d that we are worthy of this loan, and "pay it back" by using the strength He gives us - to fulfill His will.
Candle lighting time in Los Angeles is 5:16 pm
This week's Torah portion, Mishpatim, has many commandments. We will take one of those commandments and see how G-d fulfills it. The mitzvah of "lending money to a person in need".
When we give someone a loan, it seems as if we are giving away something for nothing. That person is not giving us anything back immediately for the money we gave him, but of course, we expect to get it back one day. We trust him.
How does G-d fulfill this commandment?
Well, just like a person lends another some money, G-d "lends" each and every soul the special strength and ability to fulfill G-d's will.
As with a loan, the soul gets its strength "for free." But G-d expects that, in return, our soul will pay back the loan by using this strength to fulfill His (G-d's) will.
When we lend money, we do not tell the borrower how to use that money. It becomes his, and he can use it for whatever he wants. When G-d gives us a "loan," it also becomes ours. We can use the strength and power He gives our soul, for anything we choose. We hopefully will do our best to make the right choices though.
We must show G-d that we are worthy of this loan, and "pay it back" by using the strength He gives us - to fulfill His will.
Candle lighting time in Los Angeles is 5:16 pm
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Be Happy!
The Baal shem tov said, that joy leads one to the greatest heights, it is a foundation for all Mitzvot.
A person will always be happy if he realizes and is aware that everything is Hashgocho Protis, meaning, that everything that happens comes as a direct result of G-d's Will. Everything that happens to us, even difficulties and undesirable events, are controlled by Hashem. And we must trust that there is a good reason for everything in our life.
When we are sad or depressed, our energy is drained, we are weak and it is possible that the evil inclination will overpower us.(chsv)
Experiences that appear negative, undesirable, are really disguised good and it is only a test for us.
G-d is testing us to see how committed we are to the Torah and Mitzvos.
Chassidus gives a deeper explanation for the purpose of these tests and challenges.
It explains that the word, "test" - Nisayon, comes from the word "l'nasos", which means - "to test", and it also means "to raise high".
The tests and challenges we face are intended to enable us to reach a higher spiritual level.
G-d chose to allow us to reach a higher spiritual level thru tests and challenges.
When we realize that there is G-dliness contained in these challenging experiences it helps us become aware that they are in essence hidden good.
When we realize and believe that everything is really good then that will cause us to be truly happy.
Wishing you all a very joyous day!
A person will always be happy if he realizes and is aware that everything is Hashgocho Protis, meaning, that everything that happens comes as a direct result of G-d's Will. Everything that happens to us, even difficulties and undesirable events, are controlled by Hashem. And we must trust that there is a good reason for everything in our life.
When we are sad or depressed, our energy is drained, we are weak and it is possible that the evil inclination will overpower us.(chsv)
Experiences that appear negative, undesirable, are really disguised good and it is only a test for us.
G-d is testing us to see how committed we are to the Torah and Mitzvos.
Chassidus gives a deeper explanation for the purpose of these tests and challenges.
It explains that the word, "test" - Nisayon, comes from the word "l'nasos", which means - "to test", and it also means "to raise high".
The tests and challenges we face are intended to enable us to reach a higher spiritual level.
G-d chose to allow us to reach a higher spiritual level thru tests and challenges.
When we realize that there is G-dliness contained in these challenging experiences it helps us become aware that they are in essence hidden good.
When we realize and believe that everything is really good then that will cause us to be truly happy.
Wishing you all a very joyous day!
Monday, February 8, 2010
The power of Tehillim
If you've ever felt that in addition to your daily prayers, you find that reading Psalms helps you feel close to G-d and you'd like to say them every day, here is a small guide to help you.
Psalms is certainly a powerful book.
The Midrash tells us that when King David compiled the Psalms, he had in mind himself, every Jew, and every circumstance. No matter who you are and what the situation, the words of the Psalms speak the words of your heart and are heard on high.
If you only knew - The 3rd Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek said - the power of verses of Tehillim and their effect in the highest Heavens, you would recite them constantly. Know that the chapters of Tehillim shatter allbarriers, they ascend higher and still higher with no interference.
In the standard books of Psalms, the 150 chapters are grouped into seven portions, so that they can be completed every week, and into thirty portions, so that they can be completed every Jewish month. Some people recite Psalms according to the weekly cycle, while others follow the monthly cycle.
If you are considering starting to say Psalms daily, start with the monthly cycle. With the monthly cycle, you'll be committing to an average of five chapters a day.
The Rebbe requested that in all synagogues, Psalms be recited according to monthly cycle after the morning prayers and this custom is applicable to everyone.
He would suggest this as a conduit through which blessings enter into virtually all areas of life, ranging from health and wealth to spiritual wellbeing and harmony.
Psalms is certainly a powerful book.
The Midrash tells us that when King David compiled the Psalms, he had in mind himself, every Jew, and every circumstance. No matter who you are and what the situation, the words of the Psalms speak the words of your heart and are heard on high.
If you only knew - The 3rd Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek said - the power of verses of Tehillim and their effect in the highest Heavens, you would recite them constantly. Know that the chapters of Tehillim shatter allbarriers, they ascend higher and still higher with no interference.
In the standard books of Psalms, the 150 chapters are grouped into seven portions, so that they can be completed every week, and into thirty portions, so that they can be completed every Jewish month. Some people recite Psalms according to the weekly cycle, while others follow the monthly cycle.
If you are considering starting to say Psalms daily, start with the monthly cycle. With the monthly cycle, you'll be committing to an average of five chapters a day.
The Rebbe requested that in all synagogues, Psalms be recited according to monthly cycle after the morning prayers and this custom is applicable to everyone.
He would suggest this as a conduit through which blessings enter into virtually all areas of life, ranging from health and wealth to spiritual wellbeing and harmony.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Yisro - 22 Shvat, Rebetzin Chaya Mushka...
In this week's Parasha, Parashat Yisro, G-d gives the Torah to the Jewish People on Mount Sinai.
Standing at the foot of Mount Sinai in readiness to receive the Torah, the Jewish people proclaimed that they would first observe all its commandments and then attempt to understand them. We declared first "we will do" and then "we will understand."
Some people maintain that they will begin to observe mitzvot when they understand them.
The irrationality of this attitude may be understood from the example of the body. The body requires a daily intake of food and air. No amount of thinking, speaking or studying about food and nutrition can substitute for actual consumption.
Obviously the correct and healthy approach is not to study nutrition and then practice them, but the reverse. And while the person is eating and drinking -- though he may not fully understand the process involved -- he is strengthened.
The same applies to the soul. At Mount Sinai G-d informed us that the "air" and "food" vital to our spiritual existence are HisTorah and mitzvot.
Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson.
She was the daughter of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, and wife of the Rebbe.
The Rebbetzin exerted a powerful influence on Chabad-Lubavitch, but remained outside of the limelight.
An intelligent and educated wise woman, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka carried the mantle of her exalted position in a most humble and unpretentious way.
Yet despite her extraordinary role – as unknown as it was to the public – and her regal upbringing and bearing, it seems that she always found common ground with those who came to her and helped each one feel comfortable and heard.
In the days and months following her passing, the Rebbe spoke frequently on the theme, "And the living shall take to heart"—how the passing of a person close to oneself should prompt one to positive action, in the form of lessons derived from that person's life and G-dly deeds undertaken to perpetuate his or her memory, then the death itself becomes a form of life.
Therefore, for her sake and in memory of her soul we should increase and make good resolutions in the areas of Prayer, Torah Study and Tzedaka/good deeds.
Candle lighting time for LA is 5:09
Standing at the foot of Mount Sinai in readiness to receive the Torah, the Jewish people proclaimed that they would first observe all its commandments and then attempt to understand them. We declared first "we will do" and then "we will understand."
Some people maintain that they will begin to observe mitzvot when they understand them.
The irrationality of this attitude may be understood from the example of the body. The body requires a daily intake of food and air. No amount of thinking, speaking or studying about food and nutrition can substitute for actual consumption.
Obviously the correct and healthy approach is not to study nutrition and then practice them, but the reverse. And while the person is eating and drinking -- though he may not fully understand the process involved -- he is strengthened.
The same applies to the soul. At Mount Sinai G-d informed us that the "air" and "food" vital to our spiritual existence are HisTorah and mitzvot.
Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson.
She was the daughter of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, and wife of the Rebbe.
The Rebbetzin exerted a powerful influence on Chabad-Lubavitch, but remained outside of the limelight.
An intelligent and educated wise woman, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka carried the mantle of her exalted position in a most humble and unpretentious way.
Yet despite her extraordinary role – as unknown as it was to the public – and her regal upbringing and bearing, it seems that she always found common ground with those who came to her and helped each one feel comfortable and heard.
In the days and months following her passing, the Rebbe spoke frequently on the theme, "And the living shall take to heart"—how the passing of a person close to oneself should prompt one to positive action, in the form of lessons derived from that person's life and G-dly deeds undertaken to perpetuate his or her memory, then the death itself becomes a form of life.
Therefore, for her sake and in memory of her soul we should increase and make good resolutions in the areas of Prayer, Torah Study and Tzedaka/good deeds.
Candle lighting time for LA is 5:09
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Parshas Yisro - when Heavens and Earth joined....
In this Parsha - G-d gives us the Torah.
Before the giving of the Torah, the spiritual status of the world could be described by the verse, "The heavens are the heavens of G-d, but the earth He gave to man." The heavens, the spiritual realms, were self-contained, meaning, they had no influence on the material realm. And mankind, living as we do in the earthly realm, had no way of tapping into the spiritual.
At the giving of the Torah, all this changed. G-d allowed for communication between these two realms. As it is written: "And G-d descended on Mt. Sinai." G-d made Himself accessible to mankind. It is also written: "And Moses ascended unto G-d," meaning, we were given the opportunity to elevate ourselves and our surrounding environment and provide it with spiritual content.
Sinai is not a one-time event, or only a story of history but rather the establishment of a channel that continues to enable man and G-d to relate to each other and has relevance to our lives today.
The Torah contains teachings that brings G-d within reach of our understanding. When a person studies a law from the Talmud, he is understanding G-d's essence. And thus the Torah gives us an opportunity to relate to G-d thru our minds. And through performing His Mitzvot, also our deeds can be brought into connection with Him.
Before the giving of the Torah, the spiritual status of the world could be described by the verse, "The heavens are the heavens of G-d, but the earth He gave to man." The heavens, the spiritual realms, were self-contained, meaning, they had no influence on the material realm. And mankind, living as we do in the earthly realm, had no way of tapping into the spiritual.
At the giving of the Torah, all this changed. G-d allowed for communication between these two realms. As it is written: "And G-d descended on Mt. Sinai." G-d made Himself accessible to mankind. It is also written: "And Moses ascended unto G-d," meaning, we were given the opportunity to elevate ourselves and our surrounding environment and provide it with spiritual content.
Sinai is not a one-time event, or only a story of history but rather the establishment of a channel that continues to enable man and G-d to relate to each other and has relevance to our lives today.
The Torah contains teachings that brings G-d within reach of our understanding. When a person studies a law from the Talmud, he is understanding G-d's essence. And thus the Torah gives us an opportunity to relate to G-d thru our minds. And through performing His Mitzvot, also our deeds can be brought into connection with Him.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tu B'shvat
The 15th day of Shevat on the Jewish calendar. It is the day that marks the beginning of a "New Year for Trees."
This is the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle.
On this day we remember that "Man is {like} a tree of the field" (Deuteronomy 20:19) and reflect on the lessons we can derive from our tree-metaphor.
Trees, are continually growing and rise heavenward to great heights. This should likewise be true of us. Though our physical growth may cease, we should strive to continue growing intellectually and spiritually, never ceasing to develop.
We are nurtured by deep roots, as far back as Abraham and Sarah; we reach upwards to the heavens while standing firmly on the ground; and when we do all this right, we produce fruits that benefit the world—namely our good deeds.
We celebrate this day of Tu B'Shevat by eating fruit, particularly from the kinds that are from the seven species of produce for which Israel is praised: grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.
This is the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle.
On this day we remember that "Man is {like} a tree of the field" (Deuteronomy 20:19) and reflect on the lessons we can derive from our tree-metaphor.
Trees, are continually growing and rise heavenward to great heights. This should likewise be true of us. Though our physical growth may cease, we should strive to continue growing intellectually and spiritually, never ceasing to develop.
We are nurtured by deep roots, as far back as Abraham and Sarah; we reach upwards to the heavens while standing firmly on the ground; and when we do all this right, we produce fruits that benefit the world—namely our good deeds.
We celebrate this day of Tu B'Shevat by eating fruit, particularly from the kinds that are from the seven species of produce for which Israel is praised: grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.
Monday, January 25, 2010
YUD SHVAT. Mamor- Bosi l'gani...
Sixty years ago, upon the passing of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory, leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement passed on to his illustrious son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory.
The Rebbe revolutionized, inspired and guided the post-holocaust transformation of the Jewish people that continues to this day.
The new Rebbe's discourse entitled Basi L'gani was in fact based upon the very discourse that his father-in-law had submitted a year earlier. He started off where his predecessor left off...
The words Basi l'gani are taken from Solomon's Song of Songs.
The garden is our world. Announcing His arrival here in this garden is G-d Himself—who refers to it not as "a garden," but as "My garden." All that He created belongs to Him, but of all the myriad spiritual emanations and worlds, there's only one that He refers to as "My"; because it is only here – in the very lowest realm – that He wants to call home. The divine light shines ever brightly in the supernal worlds, but only in this physical world does G-d wish to manifest His very essence.
His Shechinah (presence) was here when He created this world. But it was driven away by a series of sins, starting with Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge. Subsequent sinful generations drove the Shechinah further away, as it ascended from one heaven to the next.
This was no glitch in the plan, it was anything but.
G-d envisioned a world characterized by frightful spiritual blackness wherein creations – possessors of free choice, capable of embracing the darkness or rejecting it – would repress the darkness, and ultimately transform it into light.
Through the difficult work of banishing and transforming the darkness, it becomes a beautiful "garden." A place that G-d is delighted to inhabit.
Abraham started the process of bringing the Shechinah back down here. The next generations continued the process that was completed by Moses, the seventh generation from Abraham—for, as the Midrash tells us, "All sevenths are precious."
At the giving of the Torah, G-d returned in full grandeur—"And G-d descended.upon Mt. Sinai" (Exodus 19:20). A few months later, G-d's presence graced the newly-constructed Tabernacle. This time the Shechinah was here to stay.
And G-d exclaimed, "I've come to My garden."
This day, so relevant to every Jew in our generation, is surely a day for reflection, learning, prayer, positive resolutions and acts of loving-kindness.
The Rebbe revolutionized, inspired and guided the post-holocaust transformation of the Jewish people that continues to this day.
The new Rebbe's discourse entitled Basi L'gani was in fact based upon the very discourse that his father-in-law had submitted a year earlier. He started off where his predecessor left off...
The words Basi l'gani are taken from Solomon's Song of Songs.
The garden is our world. Announcing His arrival here in this garden is G-d Himself—who refers to it not as "a garden," but as "My garden." All that He created belongs to Him, but of all the myriad spiritual emanations and worlds, there's only one that He refers to as "My"; because it is only here – in the very lowest realm – that He wants to call home. The divine light shines ever brightly in the supernal worlds, but only in this physical world does G-d wish to manifest His very essence.
His Shechinah (presence) was here when He created this world. But it was driven away by a series of sins, starting with Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge. Subsequent sinful generations drove the Shechinah further away, as it ascended from one heaven to the next.
This was no glitch in the plan, it was anything but.
G-d envisioned a world characterized by frightful spiritual blackness wherein creations – possessors of free choice, capable of embracing the darkness or rejecting it – would repress the darkness, and ultimately transform it into light.
Through the difficult work of banishing and transforming the darkness, it becomes a beautiful "garden." A place that G-d is delighted to inhabit.
Abraham started the process of bringing the Shechinah back down here. The next generations continued the process that was completed by Moses, the seventh generation from Abraham—for, as the Midrash tells us, "All sevenths are precious."
At the giving of the Torah, G-d returned in full grandeur—"And G-d descended.upon Mt. Sinai" (Exodus 19:20). A few months later, G-d's presence graced the newly-constructed Tabernacle. This time the Shechinah was here to stay.
And G-d exclaimed, "I've come to My garden."
This day, so relevant to every Jew in our generation, is surely a day for reflection, learning, prayer, positive resolutions and acts of loving-kindness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)