Parashat Behaalotecha - Building a Cohesive Team

This week we're reading Parashat Behaalotecha. At the end of the parasha, there's an interesting story about Miriam, Moses' sister. She publicly criticizes her brother about his Cushite wife. She is dark-skinned, and not an Israelite. Aaron also criticizes his brother, Moses, with these words: "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us as well?" These sibling "discussions" were not done privately. No. They were in front of the entire Israelite Community, and Moses must have been pretty embarrassed. What happened to discussions, and family meetings?

But what happens, then, is something remarkable. Only Miriam is punished for criticizing Moses. Miriam was afflicted with leprosy for a week for her harsh words about her brother's wife. Perhaps her mistake was not seeing beyond the color of the person that was in front of her.

As for Aaron, there's nothing wrong with disagreeing with each other. All of those years in the desert together...someone's got to have another opinion. But, listening to those with other opinions is key. It's all in the timing. We all have the ability to share in the responsibility....its about sharing the same vision.

If we can look beyond the color of our skin, the country of our birth, our religion, physical disabilities, hopefully we can empower, guide, encourage and make space for everyone, and create great leaders that will lift us and inspire us to do great things.

Parashat Naso - The Priestly Benediction

This week in Parashat Naso, we read about the Priestly Benediction. Today, the Jewish Priests, the Kohanim, have no "Temple", but there is still a service that is available to them in today's synagogue, and that is blessing the members of the congregation with the Birkat ha-Kohanim (Numbers 6:24-26):

"The Eternal shall bless you and protect you!"

"The Eternal shall deal kindly and graciously with you!"

"The Eternal shall bestow his favor upon you, and grant you peace!"

The blessing is actually 3 separate ones. The first blessing, "The Eternal shall bless you and protect you", refers to material wealth and success. It's not just about gaining, it's also about being protected from loss. The second blessing, "The Eternal shall deal kindly and graciously with you", refers to spiritual development. Hopefully, you'll understand what the right path in life is, and, of course, an excellent Torah student. The third blessing is a blessing for peace. It's a hope that you're 'chosen' by God to live a life filled with peace. To live a blessed life, one that is filled with material growth, intellectual growth, and spiritual development, one would also need the gift of peace.

In the days of Moses and Aaron, the Priests were born.  It was a matter of inheritance. But, one of the most important changes over the years, was to remove rank by birth.  Leadership was attained through learning. 

But this blessing has come a long way. Jewish parents no longer needed Kohanim to bless their children. On Shabbat, especially, parents are now able to become like the Priests, and bestow the blessing on their own children.
Becoming closer to God doesn't require a special place or a special person. You can bless your children yourself, and make the experience an intimate one. Time to take charge of your own Jewish lives. 

We Are A Work In Progress - Parashat Bemidbar

"On the first day of the second month, in the second year following the exodus from the land of Egypt, the Eternal One spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai , in the Tent of Meeting, saying: Take a census of the whole Israelite company (of fighters) by the clans of its ancestral houses, listing the names, every male, head by head.  You and Aaron shall record them by their groups, from the age of 20 years up, all those in Israel, who are able to bear arms.  Associated with you shall be a representative of each tribe, each one the head of his ancestral house." (Numbers 1:1-4)

This week we begin the fourth of the books of the Torah.  This book, known as "Bemidbar", "in the desert", is a narrative of the wanderings of the Israelites. Instructions are given to take a census of the community, listing the names of every man over 20 who is able to bear arms.  Only the men were allowed to fight in battles, so, only they were counted.

But, things are different today. Who are the people in our Community? What are we concerned with? Today, we would count men and women, children and the elderly. We count those who work, and those who are unable to work, our loved ones who need care, and the ones who care for us. Today we also count those men, women and children who come to this country, that dream of a better future.

Our census is a work in progress. Parashat Bemidar shows us how our community once counted. We have come a long way. Today, we have the opportunity to dream, and we have the opportunity to count all people.

We are all the children and grandchildren of immigrants, and as a people that stands for compassion, we need to stand for immigration reform that is also compassionate and understanding. Let's never forget taking into account who we are, and who we can become.

Finding Hope - Parashat Behar Bechukotai

This week, we read the double portion of Behar-Bechukotai. In it, we read in Leviticus 26: 3-12

"If you follow my laws and faithfully observe My commandments, I will grant your rains in their season, so that the earth shall yield its produce and the trees of the field their fruit.  Your threshing shall overtake the vintage, and your vintage shall overtake the sowing; you shall eat your fill of bread and dwell securely in your land.  I will grant peace in the land, and you shall lie down untroubled by anyone; I will give the land respite from vicious beast, and no sword shall cross your land.  Your army shall give chase to your enemies and they shall fall before you by the sword.....I will be ever-present in your midst: I will be your God, and you shall be My people."

This is such a powerful message of hope during a time that was so difficult for our ancestors. It was hard not to give in to despair. But through those difficult days in the desert, the Israelites gained strength from each other, and built a community that performed acts of kindness and faith.

And just a couple of weeks ago, at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, on a day that celebrates Spring and Freedom, resilience and hope were tested yet again.
Oklahoma City, Columbine, 9/11, Virginia Tech, Fort Hood, Gabby Giffords, Aurora Movie Theatre, Sandy Hook, the Boston Marathon
We will not give into despair. We are resilient.
"So if you want to know who we are, what America is, how we respond to evil--that's it." said President Obama. "Selflessly. Compassionately. Unafraid."

And just like in ancient days, we will gather strength from each other. The strength is in our gathering.

Countless lives have been changed forever, and life is certainly not perfect. But, hope and faith will forever lose its meaning unless we can really appreciate the blessings that we do have. And that is the only way that we can turn our attention to moving forward toward the future.

So, we reach the end of the Book of Leviticus.

Is There A Cohen In The House - Parashat Emor

Did you know that Jews have a kind of royalty?  Don't get too excited. There are no castles involved here, or even a title like "Your Majesty". The Jewish Royals are the Kohanim, the priests who once served in the Temple of Jerusalem.

Jacob had 12 sons. Each son was the leader of one of the Tribes of Israel. Each tribe had a separate territory, except the Tribe of Levi. During the Exodus, when the Israelites made the Golden Calf, the Levites refused to worship it. Because of their devotion, they were appointed as the servants to God. There were members from this tribe that were descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses. They were known as the Kohanim. Aaron was the first Kohen, the first High Priest. 

Parashat Emor begins with the laws restricting the Priests, the descendants of Aaron, from contact with the dead: "The Lord said to Moses: Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: None shall defile himself for any dead person among his kin." (Lev 21:1).

Even though the system of the High Priesthood no longer exists, some descendants of the Kohanim are extremely careful to adhere to the ancient restrictive rules. First and foremost, is the prohibition against coming into contact or even close proximity to dead bodies. (Mind you, the rules get a bit more lax when the deceased person wasn't Jewish, just as long as the Kohen doesn't touch the body)

There are also strict rules regarding where a Kohen can walk  around a cemetery. 

And, obviously from this article, there are strict rules where a Kohen can and can't fly.

 

 

‘Plastic Bag’ Airplane Passenger a Kohen Staying Pure?

Look up in the sky? Is It a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Plastic Man – the Orthodox Jew who wrapped himself in plastic on an airplane, apparently because he is a very scrupulous Kohen.

By: Tzvi Ben-Gedalyahu

Published: April 12th, 2013 (The Jewish Press)

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An Orthodox Jewish man, wrapped in a plastic bag in his airline seat, apparently did so because he was probably a Kohen who went to extreme lengths to make sure he would not be ritually impure if the plane flew over a Jewish cemetery.
Kohenim are prohibited from coming into contact with dead bodies, and many rabbis have taken the strict opinion that a Kohen may not ride in a plane if he knows ahead of time that it will fly directly over a Jewish cemetery. Many have ruled that if does not know of the flight plan, he may ride in the airplane.
El Al once agreed to change a fight trajectory to avoid flying over a cemetery.
The man wrapped in plastic, whose photograph first appeared on the Redditor site and later on the Gothamist site, apparently did not want to take any chances. By covering himself in plastic, he established a separation between him and impurities.
However, since he arrived at his destination safe and sound, it can be assumed there was a hole in the plastic bag so he could breathe.
Some readers of Redditor suggested that “plastic man” was making sure he would not come into contact with the woman sitting behind him, but that is doubtful since it is unlikely he carried a plastic covering “just in case.”
Or maybe he simply wanted some attention.




So, if your last name is Cohen, or Kahn or even Schwartz, you just might be a part of this priestly tribe, that are descendants of one man, Aaron the High Priest, who lived 3,500 years ago. 

The Holiness Code - Parashat Acharei Mot - Kedoshim

If you unrolled the Torah, and then rolled it back to the center, the 2 sides would meet just about here..at this Parashat, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim. It's the center of the Torah for a couple of reasons.

This section of Leviticus is called "The Holiness Code":

And God spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the whole Israelite Community, and say to them, " You shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy." (Leviticus 19:1-2)

                     How can we achieve holiness? Where do we start?
It's obvious that we can't be holy alone. We are a part of a community.

• Do not steal
• Do not place a stumbling block before the blind
• Love your neighbor
• Do not hate your fellow in your heart
• Leave the corners of the field for the poor and the stranger

This shows us that the Torah is not just a Book of laws, but it's also a lesson in righteousness. Judaism teaches us to love, and respect each other. The laws of Holiness are addressed to the entire Jewish community. The hope is to create a community of people that care about one another, and who show kindness to all. That is what Holiness is all about. There is Holiness when we care for our world, and make it a better place.

Acharei Mot-Kedoshim reminds us that at the center of the Torah there is Holiness. But, also, at the center of Community, there is Holiness, too.

From Sorrow To Joyousness - The Price of Freedom

This year Yom HaZikaron is on:
Apr 14-15
Yom HaAtzmaut is on:
Apr 15-16



It's amazing that when most of our parents were born, Israel was not yet a State. When they were born maps didn't even include a Jewish State on it. We think of the State of Israel always being there.We forget sometimes, just how young it really is. This week we celebrate Israel's 65th birthday. Quite an achievement, considering the threats that Israel has had to conquer in its short life. Israel has accomplished so much in its 65 years, a true light among the nations, but before we leap into celebration, we must stop and remember. The day before Yom Ha-atzmaut is Yom Hazikaron, the Day of Remembrance for Israel's fallen soldiers and Victims of Terror.

Sirens will sound across Israel to call the nation to a moment of reflection for Yom HaZikaron. When the State was established, Israel's leaders felt strongly about connecting Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut. Though this is the season of our freedom, we also mourn our people's tragedy, we remember the fallen soldiers and also celebrate the independence of the State of Israel. On Yom HaZikaron are lost sons, daughters, fathers, sons, mothers, brothers, and sisters. Whether it was during one of Israel's wars, or during a senseless act of terrorism, the loss in Israel is profound.

It is not by accident, then, that we go from this day of sorrow to the joy of Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel's Day of Independence. We go from "Yagon L' Simcha" - from Sorrow to Joyousness. In doing this, we can hopefully understand what a sacrifice it was for the generations past and present to build the Jewish State.
We're always reminded of life's highs and lows, and the price of freedom.

Special Yizkor Prayer Memorializing Israel's Fallen Heroes

"יִזְכֹּר אֱלֹהִים אֶת נִשְמוֹת בָּנָיו-גִּבּוֹרָיו, חַיָּלֵי צְבָא הֲגַנָּה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנָּפְלוּ בְּמִלְחֲמוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל, בִּפְעֻלּוֹת הֲגַנָּה, תַּגְמוּל וּבִטָּחוֹן וּבְעֵת מִלּוּי תַּפְקִידָם, וְנִשְׁמוֹת כָּל לוֹחֲמֵי הַמַּחְתֶּרֶת וַחֲטִיבוֹת הַלּוֹחֲמִים בְּמַעַרְכוֹת הָעָם, שֶׁחֵרְפוּ נַפְשָׁם לָמוּת עַל קְדֻשַּׁת הַשֵּׁם, וּבְעֶזְרַת אֱלֹהֵי מַעַרְכוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵבִיאוּ לִתְקוּמַת הָאֻמָּה וְהַמְּדִינָה וְלִגְאֻלַּת הָאָרֶץ וְעִיר הָאֱלֹהִים. מִנְּשָׁרִים קַלּוּ וּמֵאֲרָיוֹת גָּבֵרוּ, בְּהֵחָלְצָם לְעֶזְרַת הָעָם וְהִרְווּ בְּדָמָם הַטָּהוֹר אֶת רִגְבֵי אַדְמַת קָדְשֵׁנוּ. זֵכֶר עֲקֵדָתָם וּמַעֲשֵׂה גְבוּרָתָם לֹא יָסוּפוּ מֵאִתָּנוּ לְעוֹלָמִים. תִּהְיֶינָה נִשְׁמוֹתֵיהֶם צְרוּרוֹת בִּצְרוֹר הַחַיִּים עִם נִשְׁמוֹת אַבְרָהָם, יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב וְעִם שְׁאָר גִּבּוֹרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּקְדוֹשָׁיו שֶׁבְּגַן עֵדֶן עַד

עוֹלָם. אָמֵן".

May God remember the souls of His heroic children: The fighters of the Israel Defense Forces, who fell in the wars of Israel, in defensive, retaliative, and security actions and during the fulfillment of their duty, including the souls of the underground fighters and brigades who fought in the national struggle - all those who sacrificed their lives for the sanctification of God's Name.

And with the help of God, the Lord of Israel's campaigns, they brought about the revival of the nation and the state and the redemption of the land and the city of God.
They were quicker than eagles and stronger than lions as they volunteered to assist the nation, and they saturated our holy land with their pure blood.

The memory of their self-sacrifice and heroic deeds will never disappear from us. May their souls be bound in the Bond of Life with the souls of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and with the souls of the other heroes and martyrs of Israel who are in the Garden of Eden. Amen.