Parashat Hashavua

Shabbat CholHaMoed - Blessings for 8 (or 7 in Israel) Days of Matza‏

Almost Shabbat here in Israel - and I want to share these blessings that I heard from Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach

He reminded us that Matza is a healing - a simple food to take away all the complications of life.

I was at the Moshav (farm community) he founded yesterday -

for a day of music and dancing and seeing old friends from the US and Israel

(and their kids and grandchildren etc)

may sharing time with friends always be a blessing and a healing for us all.

Music is also a great healing - and may there be much music in all our lives.

I too want to bless us all we should know the greatness in each one of us -

that greatness that the Almighty sent with each of us to this earth when we were born

and I bless us all that our hearts and our minds not be separated in spirit or in action

and that we are able to act to do the right thing when we are confronted with the situations that test our resolve

Blessings of Shabbos and Matza and Music and healing

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

פרטים: נכתב על ידי Super User; קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם ב01 דצמבר 2020; כניסות: 1667

Pesach

Portion Tzav ...a conversation with Moses

So Moses, what did you eat at the seder?

Well, the Almighty said we should have a roast, and everything the Almighty says works out well.

And what did you discuss at the table?

Well, we wanted to be prepared for the greatest event in history, our leaving Egypt, so we talked about our holy fathers and mothers starting from the trials of Abraham and Sarah right down to my own fights with Pharoah until the very moment ...

Rabbi Shlomo Carlebah always said - the Seder Night is the time to get above crass comments and just

FOCUS ON THE MOST MOMENTOUS EVENT IN WORLD HISTORY -

the Exodus from Egypt

the end to enduring tyranny

the beginning of a NATION that is CLOSE TO G-dliness

and he taught

Almighty wants "forever" from us and for us - not to be stuck in the old ways of the political correct but to

Speak words of holiness, and reach out to family - and you will feel the holiness forever

And about the portion of Tzav this shabbat ...

Really think now - to whom did Mosesspeak those forty years?

And Who does President Trump speak with

And Netanyahu ?

And what will YOU discus with family and friends this Shabbat -and at he Seder Table?

I was having breakfast in a restaurant a couple of years ago and the peaople at the table said

Over there is Netanyahu having breakfast with some guy!

One of my friends went over and said hello and Netanyahu smiled and said hello and went on

talking with his friend

In our portion Almighty says to Moses to talk to Aron and his sons about How to Run the Temple

Board meetings are great but the Temple functions with tons of work not everyone sees

OK it also says that Moses and the Almighty spoke face to face- about a lot of TORAH stuff

But was it a relationship?

At he end of this portion it is clear how DEAR Moses was to the Almighty -

after being appointed High Priest for a Week as the

Tabernacle was getting under way

I AM SURE there were a lot of people telling Moses "You are setting it up the wrong way"

and the same about your Passover seder... and how to run the Temple

The important thing is to - have a fun and HOLY seder - worthy of

a conversation "and how was the seder"

and maybe having Elijah the Prophet drop in for a sip...

And let it be a Holy Tool for Getting us Each out of our own little Egypts

Love and Blesings and Prayers for a

safe happy kosher Pasover

AND SHABBAT SHALOM

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

פרטים: נכתב על ידי Super User; קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם ב01 דצמבר 2020; כניסות: 1839

portion of Tzav

Portion vaYikra :Leave your baggage (and your chametz) behind

Who wants to talk to a sour puss?

Sometimes I find myself after a year of dental work working hard to smile

But I try. So it was a JOY talking to my mechanic yesterday.

He heard that I was a student of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and said:

I was in Russia during the end of Communist riule I heard about that Rabbi so I bought some tapes.

After hearing the tapes I heard he was going to Poland - so I decided I must drive to Poland to meet him!

It didn't work out but after 20 hours or so of listening to those tapes I decided I must go to Israel-

and here I am years later.

His smile brought me great smile.

The portion starts with the Almighty calling out to Moses -

And the Almighty calls out to each of us!

So let's make the effort to reach out back to G-d - and leave the chometz and the sour-ness and the silliness in the world behind!

Love and Shabos

Almost Passover!

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

פרטים: נכתב על ידי Super User; קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם ב01 דצמבר 2020; כניסות: 1686

portion of Vayikra

Portion Vayakhel Pekudei Hachodesh

This Shabbat we bless the month of Nisan - may it see the revival of the spirit of our people Israel

and a renewal of all the Goodness the world has ever seen - rolled up into a Blessing of Passover!

The Hebrew word for month is CHODESH from the root CHADASH meaning new.

Passover can mean "passing over" but you can look at the word to

PASS ON INTO A NEW OUTLOOK - on LIFE on PEOPLE -

as we can every day learn new things even from old friends and what looked yesterday

like "the same old thing" really is NOT - but may be seen in a whole NEW LIGHT

May we bless each other as we bless the month - and all the gifts we have from the Almighty

Shabbat Shalom from Lakewood NJ

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

פרטים: נכתב על ידי Super User; קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם ב01 דצמבר 2020; כניסות: 1608

Portion Vayakhel Pekudei

Portion Keep tee Sah - The Challenge

Why a Challenge?

Many years ago (I was 15) a friend of mine asked me to read this
Torah portion in two synagogues where he was employed as
Bal Koreh - the Torah Reader

I had read in public small portions but never one as long
and as diverse as this portion

I have to thank you Karl once again for throwing down
the gauntlet and challenging me with this portion

Moses the Master Teacher was challenged as well -

With All  the Goings On in this portion

AND WE ARE ALL TOO - that is, challenged by the events
and the opportunities in this portion

The Golden Calf - and we all have to deal with various
money issues

And the Sabbath - we are challenged to bring PEACE into
our   lives

And how did Moshe Rabeinu deal with

teaching and reaching  the hearts and souls of the people?


Rabbi Salomon Carlebach taught us that the Almighty gave us arms to be able to Reach Above our Limitations

And gave us Hearts to Reach out to Others

And we see in this portion that

Moshe and Aron were the Greatest Examples of these principles

And we are reminded of the rewards of the sweet smelling incense and the joy of Service

May we all realize the potential in the challenges we face

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

פרטים: נכתב על ידי Super User; קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם ב01 דצמבר 2020; כניסות: 1681

portion of Key Teesah

Portion Tetzaveh - Remember (Zachor) and PURIM - Jewish Time Travel

For 3000 years we Israelites are all Time Travelers – we are eternal -and we are told this Shabbat REMEMBER!

Remember the good – leaving Egypt is a part of us – and remember the scary –

Like being attacked by Amalek and the threat of Haman in the Megilla which we

will read Saturday night

There is SO MUCH that connects us through these generations and these themes this Shabbat! But here is one thought:

Installation of Aron as the High Priest forever for Israel –described at the end of the Portion where the ceremony is described that ordains

his children are to be priests forever; and bring sacrifice when they join the priestly ranks – and to offer incense …

So then the Torah says it will be like Yom KipuRIM … FOR YOUR generatons …

To make it short and sweet - here is the connection to today because

The end of the portion uses the phrase Kipurim – Ki Purim Meaniing "Like Purim") and says

the customs mentioned are "for the generations to remember" –

and like the Rabbis have taught

"the people fulfilled on Purim what they received at Sinai"

It reads like a prophecy that PURIM will happen –

and will be REMEMBERED by us FOR GENERATONS (the Almighty saving the Jews in a stream of hidden miracles)

So much will be with us forever – so much to celebrate this Shabbat and Purim right after!

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

פרטים: נכתב על ידי Super User; קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם ב01 דצמבר 2020; כניסות: 1776

Purim

Portion Teruma -Trump and the TaRaRump

NEXT WEEK IS PURIM and the sages teach WHAT WE HEARD AT MT SINAI WE UNDERSTOOD AFTER PURIM

In the megilla it says that messengers were sent to the Jews all over

to tell them that Esther had save them from Haman-

But that the messengers were "sad and confused"!

How is that related to this week's portion?

AND WHAT ABOUT TRUMP? (Huh?) so many so sad and so confused?

How come right after the spiritual and civil laws we heard at mount sinai in last weeks porttion -

Now the Almighty says they have to build a temple -

WHERE -in the desert? The Egyptians built great temples all over - using slaves -

but WE built everything BY VOLUNTEERS!

So what?

How they gonna take a building to israel? G-d promised them the promised land! Not the Sinai!

Who needs a building (except for Bar and Bat Mitzvas?)

And whats that got to do with Trump and Purim?

Okay so they got gold and vessels after 200 years of slavery from the egyptiams
But

Where did they get all that oil for the Menora for next 38 years in the desert?

Its all about Purim!

Sad and confused messengers - but doing the Will of the Almighty

Thats the story -

A temple in the desert? All new vessels crafted in the desert?

Why didn't they take some of the stuff from the Egyptian priests?

The Hebrews NEVER take any stuff from Idols or Idol Priests!

Haman wrote "kill the Jews and take their stuff!"

Mordechai and Esther wrote "No Taking STUFF" (like in the desert!)

Oil for the Lamps? Maybe They brought some with them -

and Maybe BOUGHT some from the desert tribes and

Maybe found some olive trees that Jacob planted along they way down to Egypt!

All these are Plans of the Almighty - NEVER BE SAD!

Get ready for a Happy Purrrrrim!

Gutt Shabbos...

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

פרטים: נכתב על ידי Super User; קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם ב01 דצמבר 2020; כניסות: 1779

portion of Teruma

Portion Mishpatim: Who Cares if there are laws AND there are Jewish Laws?

Whats the difference? AND TO ME?

What country has laws DEMANDING you be HAPPY at least SOME times?

What country or town has laws that YOU MUST HELP OTHERS?

OK - Morality? WHERE DO YOU SEE MORALITY TAUGHT TODAY?

Moscow?

Iraq?

Washington?

South Africa? Saudi Arabia? FRANCE? the UN?

Do not oppress the widow or the orphan!

DO NOT BRIBE (and to judges - do not decide based on the politically correct!)

And G-d sent Moses into the clouds above Mount Sinai ... while the elders were put on hold ...

no more "that's how it has always been done" - BUT HOLY LAWS

There are laws with feeling and there is wisdom in how to apply them

NOBODY IS PERFECT - BUT STRIVE FOR PERFECTION

AND no one may hide behind the ALTAR OF HASHEM - if they commit perfidy!
(May Im Mizbe hee tekach - a murderer ... ISIS ... the UN ... the League of Nations and those who try to steal ISRAEL

by claiming YUDENREIN - the peoples who conquerred the Middle East by murder and forced conversions -

and still aspire to continue ...)

NOBODY IS PERFECT - BUT STRIVE FOR JUSTICE our portion shouts to us.

(and tells us to get ready for PURIM in 2 weeks with JOY!)

May the Almighty guude our actions and spread love of justice to the world -

and the Almighty love of JOY and THANKS

Love and Shabbos and PURIM WISHES

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

פרטים: נכתב על ידי Super User; קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם ב01 דצמבר 2020; כניסות: 1689

portion of Mishpatim

Portion Yitro – Jethro the Judge – how Smart was he?

The portion of Mount Sinai (actually described in a few places) starts with Jethro the Convert to Judaism hearing about the miracles which the Almighty did for the people of Israel.

He brings to Moses the boys and the wife he left in Midian with Jethro (Yitro – the grandpa) for safety lest Pharoah punish Moses by hurting his family.

Was Jethro a smart guy? He had 7 daughters – and it seems they and their husbands joined the Israelites and helped them during the 40 years in the desert! Did that make him smart?

After getting to know Moses and Aron – Yitro starts GIVING ADVICE. Is that smart?

Why does the portion start "and Yitro heard …" – and the portion is NOT called after the first word – "Shama" (hearing) which is so important to us all?

The portion is called after the SECOND word "Yitro" (or YISRO in Ashkenazi Hebrew).

Jethro is called "the (high) priest of Midian" – and yet he gives advice to the Israelites on how to organize the 12 tribes – judicially – but also for daily functions – through the warfare needed to return Israel-Canaan to the Abrahamic peoples after 210 years of slavery!

How to pick (honest) leaders! How to bring an end to quarrels! How to bring organization to 12 tribes about to wander in the desert 40 years. AND IT WAS ACCEPTED AND IT WORKED.

Smart – and holy – and helpful. Why did he bring his family to Israelite life? Why did he help Moses and the tribes?

The Rabbis who knew his great grandchildren were to become Jewish Judges in Jerusalem said of him:

Jethro had a bit of prophecy – a great degree of holiness that he yearned for and struggled to achieve.

He was Moses' father on law – and the two achieved their greatest achievements for Israel with the help of each other.

May we be blessed to know such people, recognize such people, and may such people be among those sharing paradise in the world of the eternal Almighty.

And don't forget to study the portion and the 10 Commandments this Shabbat!

Love and Shabbos

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

פרטים: נכתב על ידי Super User; קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם ב01 דצמבר 2020; כניסות: 1618

portion of Yitro

Beshalach - My Grandchildren Said: Don't Get Wet Moses!

The Torah is ALL MODELS OF LIFE - as

Every week we can gleam a G-dly model of existence -

planned to bring the world together into a state of light holiness and loving kindness -

Last night my 3-year-old granddaughter Tamar said "We went to a hotel and I stayed in the kiddie pool

but Sari (8) can swim so she went in the deeper water."

The Israelites got out of Egypt - but were chased by the army until they were facing the Red Sea -

REALLY DEEPER WATER!

and the Almighty said "why scream at me, Moses ? Tell them to just go forward!"

What a MODEL FOR LIFE

Okay - you were happy to get out of trouble (Egypt)

And now there is a NEW STEP TO TAKE

We make decisions - and sometimes scream "G-d why this? why now?"

And the wisdom of the Almighty says "JUST GO FORWARD" - to ISRAEL to JERUSALEM.

AND THE WISDOM OF THE LITTLE KIDS SAYS

LEARN TO SWIM

and we will all get to the Holy Jerusalem

and the Temple of the Almighty can be rebuilt-

one stroke at a time.

WHAT A MODEL FOR LIFE

SHABBAT SHALOM

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

פרטים: נכתב על ידי Super User; קטגוריה: Parashat Hashavua; פורסם ב01 דצמבר 2020; כניסות: 1832

Portion of Beshalach

עמוד 38 מתוך 60