THE SOUND OF SILENCE There is a lot of complex information packed into the 1,673 words in this week’s parasha – more words than in any other parasha in the entire book of Vayikra. Even more significantly, the text is divided up into as many as 18 paragraphs, more than one would expect. Rashi, quoting the Midrash, explains that the text is broken into so many small sections to indicate that Moses needed to reflect on what G-d had said in one section before moving on to the next section. The Midrash adds: “And if this was necessary for Moses,...

THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT ISRAEL BUILT More verses are devoted to the description of the instructions and construction of the Mishkan than any other project in the entire Bible. After no less than five parashot of detail, the project finally comes to an end in this week’s parasha. We are told: “So, all the work on the Mishkan, the Tent of Meeting was completed. The Israelites did everything exactly as the L-d had commanded Moses.” (Exodus 39:32) Although the senior architect, Betzalel, and his assistant, Oholiav, were responsible for key components of construction, in the final description of the...

TAX PRIDE I once attended the shiva of a prominent member of our shul at which his grandson spoke and said that his grandfather used to say “it was a privilege to be able to pay income tax!” The grandfather had grown up in a home with very limited means. When he was eventually in a financial position to be to be able to give whole-heartedly to the tax system as well as the other charitable causes he was supporting, it was a source of great pride. I’m sure our Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, would be delighted if more people in...

THOUGHTFUL GIVING  This week, we were reminded of acts of outstanding generosity. Lord Jacob Rothschild passed away. His philanthropy was legendary. He supported many causes in this country and abroad. In particular, his foundation endowed the building of Israel’s Knesset, its Supreme Court and its National Library, the latter he did not merit to see. May his memory be a source of blessing for us all.  Ulehavdil bein chayim lachayim, Dr Ruth Gottesman in New York, announced that she would be donating one billion dollars to the Albert Einstein School of Medicine of Yeshiva University. Her endowment means that going...

A ST. JOHN’S WOOD CHEVRA KADDISHA Four years ago, at the height of the covid pandemic, the United Synagogue Burial Society was experiencing a very high volume of burials. At one point, the situation seemed so serious that we were worried we would not have enough tachrichin or shrouds for burials. Fortunately, we were able to procure them from another source and every person was prepared for burial in the correct manner. The shrouds we use for burial bear more than a passing resemblance to the white garments of the kohanim who served in the Temple or Tabernacle. Our current...