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