(dedicated to the couples whose weddings I will be attending in the next couple of weeks)

 

The portion starts off warning us Israelites against false prophets 

and against being led astray from our closeness ( to the L-rd and to EACH OTHER)

 

The Almighty brought us out of Egypt and does so many wonderous things - 

see the Blessings he has given us !!!

 

Then the portion sends us Mitzvas  ...  and tops it off with Holiday Celebration details!

 

The Great Commentator Rashi explains about one mitzva in this portion

 

"It is a special Mitzva to DECLARE a firstborn domesticated animal HOLY- Kadosh"

 

So too at a wedding we call the ceremony Kidushin and the groom DECLARES to the bride

"you are CONSECRATED to me (meKuDeshet)" - a HOLY woman

 

CONSECRATION says Rashi REQUIRES you to SAY IT OUT LOUD

 

MAKE a STATEMENT in this world that THERE IS HOLINESS

 

In a marriage 

and in every child 

even a newborn animal

there is a cause to celebrate-

and in everything we are blessed with -

which should give us reason to celebrate

 

Don't be led astray by those who may want to drain the holiness or the excitement from you

 

As Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach used to say

"Mr Devil says - yeah it's nice but it won't last ..."

 

But Rashi TEACHES US - declare how every little thing is Holy and how to

connect it to the Holy Shabbos

and MAKE it LAST

 

And you will ALWAYS have things to celebrate ...

 

Shabbat Shalom

 

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz