STARS, SOIL AND SAND Shalom friends At the time I am writing this message, Israel is being bombarded with rockets. Our hearts go out to the families who have been bereaved; to the many who have been wounded and lost their homes; and the even more who are being traumatised by the events. May G-d bless them and protect them and send a refua shlema speedily. When we learn of casualties, it strikes us with deep shock. A precious soul has been struck down; A precious soul has been injured. Every person is special. Every person is unique. The particular...

AM YISRAEL CHAI In the 1960s, Jews in the Western world had become aware of the struggle faced by Jewish people in the Soviet Union living under communist oppression. The campaign for Soviet Jewry was initially spearheaded by students and was then taken up by the mainstream community. In April 1965, the student leader, Jacob Birnbaum asked Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, one of the twentieth century’s most influential Jewish folk singers, to compose a song that would give hope and strength to the Russian Jews and be an inspiration to those in the West seeking to help them. In response, Rabbi...

CREATING HOLINESS This week’s parasha deals with the three different types of holiness we find in Judaism: holiness of the person, holiness in time, and holiness in space. The first two portions of the sidra outline the special responsibilities on the Cohen. Whom may he marry? Under what circumstances may he go to the cemetery? What are additional responsibilities upon the Cohen Gadol, the High Priest? What could disqualify him from serving as a Priest? Holiness of the person is explored in this section. Much of the central section of the parasha will be familiar to some as the Torah...

THE RIGHT PLACE FOR A LECHAYIM! Nadav and Avihu, the two older sons of Aaron, tragically lose their lives in this week’s parasha. Why? They are accused of bringing Esh Zara or “strange fire” into the dedication service of the Tabernacle. What is this “strange fire?” One explanation is that it refers to the fire that was burning within them as a result of their drinking wine first. They entered the Sanctuary not completely sober. The succeeding verses make this absolutely clear: “And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, ‘Do not drink wine that will lead to intoxication, neither you...

WHY IS TODAY CALLED SHABBAT HAGADOL – ‘THE GREAT SHABBAT?’ The first reference to this name is found in Siddur Rashi (p.171.) The calculation is made that the Exodus took place on a Thursday. Hence, the 10th Nisan that year would have been a Shabbat. This was the time that the Israelites were commanded to take a lamb, the deity of the Egyptians, keep it in their homes for four days and slaughter it. Siddur Rashi cites Midrashim that the Egyptians were seething with rage at the action of the Israelites. However, they became smitten with sickness and afflictions and...