OUR KETORET

    In life there are valleys and mountains that must be climbed if we are to successfully reach our goals. One of the most difficult obstacles in life that can cause many problems is "change".  Change happens to everyone. Whether it is good or bad, we have to adjust and what matters most is how we adjust to that change. Fighting the change or pretending it did not happen usually creates more drama and conflict. Adjusting to change and finding a “new normal” is more productive and makes one feel much better. 
   We have seen, many times, how our behavior has brought us to emotional and psychological breakdowns, destroying all that is good in our lives. It is then we rhetorically ask, "Isn't it time for change?" The question we need to ask, "Are we capable, honest and determined enough to look at our past, to see where our actions and thought patterns have led us, to do something completely different in order to restore balance to our lives?"
   This may be the hour when we pursue change and look for a 'new normal' to lead us on a more joyous and successful life's journey. "Where do we start?" you may ask. For that answer we are encouraged to look in this week’s Sedrah of Acharei. Herein, is discussed the role of a Kohen and how he is involved in the many diversified Korbanot.
My interest is the Katoret. The Torah states,
ונתן את הקטרת על האש לפני הי״. "And the Kohen shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord".
The incense was prepared by the mixture of a variety of spices in definite proportions. The midrash Tanchumah asks, "מהו קטורת?" "What does the incense connote?" For me,  the question has even greater meaning since we do not have Korbanot in our time and equally there is no Ketoret. Therefore, what enduring lesson does this law of Ketoret impress upon us in a meaningful and spiritual way, for our modern day Jew in our modern day Jewish society? 
   The answer that the Tanchuma gives is a magnificent one, reflecting upon, the Hebrew word קטרת. 
   The first letter of the word קטרת is ק, which stands for קדושה,Holiness, instructing us to imbue our lives with holiness. A holiness, that does not isolate us from the rest of the world, but a holiness that encourages us to be part of our society. In doing so our actions are lifted to a higher G-Dly and holy experience. 
   The next letter, ט, stands for טהרה, Purity, advising us, that though we live in a sordid society, in face of much debauchery we must maintain our Taharah, our purity, and act always with pure intentions. Hashem will help those who will lead a pure and good life. At all times we must be in control of our actions and live a life of Taharah . 
   The next letter, ר, stands for רחמים, mercy and compassion. The essence of a Jew is his moral character that bespeaks acts of kindness and mercy to his fellowman. These acts of Rachamim, are not only realized by the financial assistance we give to others, but more so in our acts of empathy and friendship to our fellow Jews. With acts of Rachamim we will forge a greater sense of fellowship, and benevolence that will herald a truly unified people. 
   The last letter of the word קטרת, is ת, which the midrash states, stand for תקוה, Hope, emphasizing, that as long as the Jewish People live with hope for a life of peace and security than that hope will turn into a reality. How meaningful it is that the anthem of our Jewish State is the " Tikvah", which comes from the word קוה, to bind , to expect, to tarry and wait. For the Jewish People hope has always meant to wait for the proper time for their full redemption. 
   The Jewish People hope for a better tomorrow because they are קוה אל הי, and we have promises from Hashem that He will always be there to protect us and lead us to the road of salvation. 
   Real Hope is waiting for Hashem to provide the way, and all we have to do is walk as He leads us. 
This is our Ketoret, a Ketoret of קדושה,a Ketoret of טהרה, a Ketoret of רחמים, and a Ketoret of תקוה. 
May our personal and collective Ketoret reach heavenward and bring the Brachot of  Hashem upon Klal Yisrael. 

HOLINESS AND WHOLENESS

   This Shabbat we will read two Parshiot from the Torah אחרי מות  קדושים . I would like to focus on the second Parsha of Kedoshim. Kedoshim is a word that is truly fascinating and at the same time very perplexing. What does Kedusha mean in the context of our life existence?

  The meaning of Kedusha, for me, is not what a person does, but how he does it and that will determine if his actions are profane or sacred.

   In a similar light I recall the words of Rav Kook 

 "הקדש צריך שיבנה על החל" " Holiness should be built on a foundation of the secular". 

   Most commentaries define the word קודש as פרושים, set apart. Therefore, to be Holy means to be detached, separated from others and to live a life as an individual, removed from the ills of society. I refer to this type of existence as,'Living as a part of the society and at the same time living a-part from that self same society.'  This may seem confusing , but to maintain our true Kedusha, as loyal Jews, we must endeavor to be selective; 'How and when we are to be part of our world and when it is necessary for our Judaic survival to disengage from the world around us.'

   These are times when we and our children and our grandchildren need not be swept up by the current events that surround us and grab onto every new fad that entices us, but to be selective on how we will ride on the 'modern day' bandwagon that is sweeping through our modern age.   

    The Ramban said it well "You are not  קדוש by rejecting forbidden foods, that is no more than how it should be. To be Holy does not mean to be an isolationist, as we learn from  Chazal, פרשה זו בהקהל נאמרה, but rather live with society, mix with society, be community minded, but never submerge your identity, and do not deny your individuality". 

  The call to us is "Be G-D like." Imitate Hashem. Just as G-D always maintains his identity, even when He is with everybody, He is always a part of our lives, and is always a-part from the world.  We must emulate this attribute of G-D, never to be submerged by the society we live in. 

  Most important is,קדש עצמך המותר לך, "Holiness is to be maintained in the things that are permissible to us, and to enjoy the pleasures of life, but not to wallow in them in a profane way." 

   It is wonderful to live like a Jew in a Torah oriented way - to bring Holiness into our homes - to bring Holiness into our professions and workplaces - and to live domesticity with purity and Kedusha. 

   והייתם קדושים, be an individualist in your loyalty and in your behavior. Remain staunch to your values. Live by them and continue to transmit this message of Kedusha to our next generations. 

   These thoughts come to mind as we celebrate the State of Israel's 70th anniversary, our glorious 

יום העצמאות. 

       Rabbi Soloveitchikזצ״ל said, "The glory of the State of Israel, showed the entire world the stubbornness of the Jew, and his insistence on being different." The Rav pondered, "Why does American Jewry raise millions of dollars to support Israel? Why does the heart of every Jew pound with trepidation when he picks up a newspaper to read about events in Israel?" The Rav answers these rhetorical questions simply but profoundly, "Because we are united with Israel at all times.  We are one with the people of Israel. We are an Am Echad." The Rav reflected on the answer that G-D gave to Moshe, when He denied him entrance to the land of Israel and, yet, permitted Joseph's remains to be buried there. 

   G-D's answer was, "When Joseph identified himself he did so with great pride and no trepidation, acknowledging that he belonged to the Land of the Hebrews", which Moshe did not, at the outset."

   The Rav poignantly suggested that, "Providence has, similarly, allowed American and world Jewry to acknowledge the Land and to identify strongly with our modern State of Israel." 

   Yes, indeed, we remain loyal citizens of this country.  We participate in all its institutions.  But, at the same time, we assert with great passion to identify with a mysterious compulsion with our Jewish State, that has been bequeathed to us by Almighty G-D, displaying, always and proudly, our commitment and our strong support for our Jewish State.  

  יום העצמאות, is our day to show our pride and our loyalty to Israel and to recognize that 

קדושת ארץ ישראל, is an everlasting one and we will continue with all our spiritual strength to intone our prayer beseeching the almighty, 

  עושה שלום במרומיו הוא יעשה שלום עלינו ועל כל ישראל. 

               

 

BLESSING AND NACHAS

   Mimi and I are truly blessed as we celebrate with our children Beth and Yitzchak, the Bar Mitzvah of their wonderful and loving son Akiva. It is a blessing of Hashem, for grandparents to participate in the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson.  It is a blessing that we do not take for granted, and one that we cherish daily. 

   To our Bar Mizvah boy whom we love very dearly, please remember these words of blessing, words that will bring you much success as you grow into manhood;

 "Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses 

  Focus on your character, not your reputation.

  Focus on your blessings, not your misfortunes.
  At all times embrace your blessings, and make every today worth remembering.” 

   These words are so important to assure life is worth living and gives life a meaningful direction, that will bring honor to mankind and honor to G-D. 

   It is in this light, that this week's Parsha Shimini, speaks of the dedication of the Mishkan, wherein the Torah states,וישא אהרון את ידיו אל העם ויברכם,"And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them".  

  Rashi explains, "This Blessing was the Birkas Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing."

  The Birkas Kohanim has a very special meaning for the Jewish People, as a nation. It is a blessing that is to be absolute and unconditional. As we study the Hebrew words of the Bracha, we notice that even though the blessing is for the entire nation, the words are in the singular form. This expresses an amazing idea in Judaism. Though we are a nation of many, we must see ourselves as one integrated whole, as "One Persona". 

  Achieving this unity we can then be confident that the last part of the Bracha וישם לך שלום, Hashem will bless our nation with peace, will be forthcoming.              Peace can only prosper if we see our nation as one integrated whole, with brotherly love extended to each other, leading us on the path of becoming a true עם אחד, under the rubric of our strong belief of הי אחד ושמו אחד. 

   With this אחדות, we can face any adversary that may step in the path of our nations success, and thereby assuring a brighter future for our Jewish Nation. 

   This is our lesson for our Akiva, but it is even more so a message for our people's survival. Our future is a glorious one if we continue to have love in our hearts and compassion in our deeds. 

    These attributes are to be transmitted to our children and grandchildren, as the Torah states;

 " והודעתם לבניך ולבני בניך" "Teach and make known the ways of our Torah to your children and to your grandchildren." This is truly one of the most important  Mitzvot of the Torah, a Mitzvah of והודעתם, of transmitting our Ways of Torah to the next generation. Our survival depends on the success and the strength of our Mesorah's  influence on our next generation. 

    Let us continue to emulate G-D's ways of 

אהבת עולם ואהבה רבה,which will then herald the time of the coming of our Mashiach in our time. 

    

Mazal Tov to our children and to all our grandchildren and to all our Machatanim, and may we always celebrate S'machot in our family and for K'lal Yisrael, for many years to come.