As of today about 31000 Americans have recently died in the throes of the Corona Virus.

Nazis murdered Six million Jewish people along with many others, and millions by Stalin.

We know of the African civil wars and of the Pol Pot murders. Millions. Incomprehensible! Unacceptable!

Why is there so much murder by governments? How does that color our view of today's pandemic?

Hatred is a perverse human emotion. Haters cannot understand love or kindness.

The Torah taught us that Pharoah had children tossed into the river - while HIS DAUGHTER PULLED ONE OUT! Moshe!

Why does the Almighty have to keep reminding us about incomprehensible deaths - and try to teach us about Human Capacity for Kidness?

There is so much hatred in the world. Yet people have stopped praying for the world! Are people "lost in space"? Or just into their "virtual reality"?!

The portion Shemini (meaning 8^th)– kabbalistically implying “this portion is BEYOND nature”! 

Does that mean it Is "outside our nature"? I think the opposite - 

THAT THE TORAH SHOWS US  IT IS OUR NATURE TO OVERCOME CRUELTY.

The Portion ends – after describing KOSHER laws, BY SAYING: 

“You must be HOLY; Al Teshaktzu et Nafshoteichem – don’t defile your souls” .

Would that a little holiness might creep back into the world. It could even improve the “Corona-recovery” everyone is waiting for!.

Shabat Shalom and Health and Love ( and SOME HUMOR, Please, this Shabbat)

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz