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. 

RENDEZVOUS WITH G-D

   As we prepare  to celebrate the Yom Tov of Pesach with our families and friends at our Seder, it will be an excellent time to reassess our total commitment to our גאולה שלמה. 

  It is said that religion ought to be our steering 

wheel , but, too often, many treat it as a spare tire, useful only in a blowout.

  Pesach is our time to change this attitude and to live Judaism in a most pristine and majestic fashion. 

   Pesach is our time to achieve the ultimate goal of expressing our הכרת הטוב to Hashem and to look forward to our glorious and successful future. In thinking of the direction of life that we must take, I am inclined to use our Seder reflecting, specifically, one very popular song, Dayenu, for my message this Pesach. My interest focuses on the the statement, "Had He brought us before Mount Sinai and not given us the Torah, Dayenu, it would have been enough". 

   The Rav asks and analyzes the question, "What purpose was there in coming to Sinai, if we were not to receive the Torah?"

    The Rav explained that, "Even had we not received the Torah, the encounter with the Shechinah, G-D's presence, as He descended the mountain amidst thunder and lightning, would have left its impact on our souls forever."

   The Rav would often speak of the "Encounter of man with the Shechinah." In describing the goals of Torah study, we are taught that there are two aspects to the experience of a Jew studying G-D's wisdom.  The first aspect is "intellectual", attaining understanding and wisdom by accumulating knowledge and deepening insight. However, there is a second aspect which is as important - the "experiential" feeling that one is in G-D's presence. 

  The Rav, would refer to this aspect as a "Rendezvous with the Holy One". He would speak of the exalted feeling of sensing the Divine. This experience of encountering G-D and feeling His presence is not only found through Torah study but should extend to a Jew's whole existence. 

    The Seder is truly an exhilarating experience, for this night is a true time of ליל שמורים, a time when our closeness to Hashem, inspires and elevates our state of Kedusha.  

   On this night our Jewish hearts are overflowing with feelings of joy and thanksgiving. It is a night of great romance between G-D and the Jewish People. It is for this reason, that after the Seder, for many, to recite the 

שיר השירים. 

   This Song of Songs states אני לדודי ודודי לי, I am my beloved and my beloved is mine. 

    This is the most glorious message that we can receive from the Seder and from the Yom Tov  of Pesach.  A message of hope; a message of love; a message of unity;  that can carry us forward into the weeks and months ahead leading us, vibrantly, to the Yom Tov of Shavuot, when the Revelation of  Hashem took place inspiring 

עם ישראל to greater heights of Spirituality. 

   With such an outlook, we will say with confidence, that the time of ביאת גואל צדק, has arrived. 

    Wishing every one a  

. חג כשר ושמח ושבת שלום ומבורך. 

   

SEDER OF LIFE

    The countdown has begun.  The frenzy is in the air.  My wife has lists and the lists have lists.  The conversations on the phone go like this, "Are you ready? Did you start cleaning? When are you turning over?" And last but not least, "What are you serving at the Seder? Are you hosting the seder? How many people are coming to the seder? Do you find it difficult to organize the seder? How do you know how much to buy for the seder? What are your menus for the seder?"  

   The word SEDER has become the mantra these days because it is the most important part of our Pesach celebration. The true meaning of the word Seder, as observed in our homes, is to emphasize the orderly fashion in which the rituals and symbolic foods are partaken during the course of the meal, as we retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt.  

    With this thought in mind, I begin to envision how magnificent life would be, if we could create a life for ourselves that diligently reflects a Seder of Life. Living life in a Seder, in an orderly fashion,  emphasizes a more generous nature to others, 

a life of honesty and a life where ethics reigns supreme. 

     I am sure we will all remove the Chametz from our homes and similarly, it may be an opportune time to remove the Chametz from our hearts and from our lives - the Chametz that clogs our lives with disrespect, with anger and, especially, the Chametz that is in our eyes, that does not 'Fargin' what our neighbors posses. 

  As the Rav so often said, that the ליל הסדר,is a special night emphasizing that the Jewish people are a קהילת חסד, a people of mercy,a people  of kindness, a people of selflessness. This Chesed is based on the feeling of Jewish solidarity. In fact the Rav spoke of the redemption as a time when the Jewish People  became an עם, a term derived from the word "IM", "being with".  With the Exodus, the Jews became an עם, expressive of a readiness to share and show an extreme sense of compassion. What an amazing transformation took place at יציאת מצרים, and one that always needs to be emulated. 

   With all the dehumanizing influences at work in our society, it is all the more vital that we remember the teachings of our tradition, which underscores the uniqueness of each of us. Everyone  deserves the respect and the recognition that comes with being the צלם אלוקים, a unique human being.  It is well to realize that "There has been nothing like us, ever, nor will there ever be."

  Each individual person is a new entity in the world and is called upon to fulfill his particularity and no one has the right to get in the way while each one fulfills their personal destiny. 

  As we will read in our Hagadah, בכול דור ודור, in each of us, all past centuries coalesce. In each of us all the future centuries have their beginnings. In each of us are found very special endowments. 

   As I continue this trend of thought I remember reading of the Great Ishbitz Rebbe, Reb Yaakov Leiner who asked, "Why does the search for Chametz take place at night? Why not in the morning which is a more obvious time to search for something?"  He continued, "Why are we instructed to use a candle not a lamp?"

  The Rebbe answered, "When we search, we are really doing more than just searching for Chametz, we are really searching for our place and for our purpose in this world." In this state of Galut, we often feel that we are in the dark and we cannot easily find our way. However, in the future, the time will come when it will be revealed that even when life appeared  dark and we felt lost we were always being guided by Hashem. 

   In searching for Chametz with a candle at night, we are, both, literally and figuratively providing a glimmer of light amidst the darkness for ourselves. The light reminds us that we are to have a direction in life and that we will always have the light of Hashem showing us the way.

  The Yom Tov of Pesach is a time when we can discover more about who we are and what our place is in this world.

   With this realization and traveling the road together we will achieve an enriched Seder Of Life. 

     

    

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

   The rise of the internet, mobile phones and a life of texting has changed the way we relate to one another.  We have truly lost the art of human interactive communication. 

   I recall a blog I wrote some time  ago where I spoke of the lack of communication amongst our friends and  especially within our families. 

   Though we are benefiting, greatly, from many new advances in technology, there are many setbacks resulting in the lack of personal communication between one another. We seem to be losing the benefit of facing each other, denying us the opportunity of seeing facial expressions and the innuendos that are apparent when we speak face-to-face. 

    Even our phone calls have been discarded, again denying us to hear other people's voices and their inflections that usually accompany conversations . Life has become texting which denies us of this part of our relationships.

   It is in this context that I would like to share with you an important message from this week's Parsha  of  Vayikrah. We read in the opening Pasuk ; ויקרא הי אל משה, " Hashem calls to Moshe."  He called him and wanted to speak with him directly. No texting, no emails, no social media, just plain talking.  This is  life's lesson about the need to speak and  to listen. Herein, we get the important message of human interaction and the quality of interpersonal relationships. 

   Please know that  I question not  the technological achievements  that enhance our lives.   But I do question how this technology impacts on our personal relationships.

    For our inspiration, let us, once again, turn to the time when Hashem created man and made the clear distinction between the human being and the animal kingdom. He did so with blessing man with the capability to speak and this Bracha must not fall into disuse. This gift of speech makes man into a true צלם אלוקים, and let us not relegate it to a texting message.  

   I am seeing families where children are texting their parents from the upstairs bedroom rather than walking downstairs to talk with them. This is not what  I think family is all about. We are losing  valuable opportunities to come closer to one another, especially, within the family.

   I heard a teacher speaking to his student saying  “Look at me, I’m speakin to you." It sounds ominous, but true.  We are losing the art of communication that is associated with feelings that come from hearing the word and seeing the communicator. I am searching for a positive way to elevate our relationships. I am searching to elevate our lives from the transactional to the relational. 

   Talking, calling, verbalizing our feelings, can bring greater respect and affection into our lives, giving us the power to humanize and elevate our interactions and our relationships. 

  Let us take to heart the way Hashem addresses Moshe, and to use that lesson in our noisy world of multimedia overload and online communication and begin to increase our personal relationships facing each other with the glow of holiness.

   I do recognize  that very often distance may not permit one to one communication. Then  we begin to appreciate the technological advancements of Skype and Facebook that gives us some semblance of this commmunication that I am searching for. However,  I still crave greater feelings that comes with a hug and an embrace that often says more than words.  This  can only be realized with a one to one encounter.  

    Social media is an amazing tool, but it's really face to face interaction that makes a long term impact. 

Too much exclusive use of electronic information dehumanizes what is a very large part of community life and living together. Judaism is the "call" that is instrumental in preserving a way of life that projects a loving human bond.

   Our human race prospers when we make a safer world for those who will follow and this can only be achieved when we are facing each other with spiritual warmth and personal empathy. 

  So, I invite you to join me on this journey into the real world, a world of seeing, a world of hearing and a world of human interaction.

      "Can you hear and see me now?"

   

             

  

PASSOVER 5778

   The glaring news report "Anti-Semitic Crimes Spike", brings shivers to my being. This sharp rise is due to a significant increase in incidents in schools and on college campuses. These expressions of hatred begin to affect our relationships with others and very often fosters greater disrespect and distrust resulting in communities becoming more and more secluded and isolated. 

   Leo Tolstoy once wrote "Anti-Semitism is a mad passion akin to the lowest perversion of diseased human nature. It is the will to hate". 

  With such an attitude spreading through our society, we begin to experience, misplaced anger, and simply a lack of common decency in our relationship with one another. 

  As Jews, we must always raise our voices against these ugly taunts.  We must never permit these acts to undermine nor interfere in our strong traditional observances. Our lives must never be determined by the vile of others. 

        My greatest fear is that our youth are not prepared to face these challenges on a daily basis - be it in our schools and/or in our work places.   It is interesting that we, all, can learn from the story of Purim how to face these challenges.   

   Purim  is a day dedicated to remembering  how two great Heroes, with indomitable strength, were able to foil the intentions of a Jew hater who planned  to, physically, annihilate the entire Jewish population of Shushan.

   It is no accident that the modern day Shushan is Iran, who, with distorted minds, think that they have the ability to finish the job that Haman started. They fail to realize that with G-D's help and the State of Israel, our Jewish State, in all its glory, will always protect our Jewish brethren. 

  With these thoughts in mind, I return to Megillat Esther for guidance, and to relive the way Esther and Mordechai acted at that historical crucial hour. 

   The Midrash relates a discussion between Moshe and Hashem.  Moshe believed that he is was not capable of leading the Jews to freedom, G-D admonishes him and says,  עד מתי אתה משפיל עצמך,"How long will you continue to make yourself small?"  In essence, this statement is saying to all of us as it did to Moshe, "How long will we be little ourselves, and continue to fear these people.  It is time to remove these fears and stand with great pride as we face this bigotry and hatred head on.  We must regain our pride and hear the words of Hashem, “We have been  selected to be the "light unto the nations of the world" and nothing must stand in the way of this achievement.” 

   It is sad to see that many people feel "superfluous" and insecure and unimportant and insignificant.  I would encourage them to turn to the Megillah for inspiration and Chizuk. 

   Remember, well, what Chazal say, אין השעה מצפה אלא לך, "The hour waits for no one, but you." 

  This is the most important message that we need to take away from the story of Purim.

   When things became serious and the Jewish People were threatened, Mordechai approaches Esther to go immediately to Achashverosh, to plead for the Jews survival.  At that point, for whatever reason, she hesitates, and Mordechai utters, what, I think, are the most dynamic words of the entire Megillah, "כי אם החרש תחרישי כעת הזאת רוח והצלה יעמד ליהודים ממקום אחר ואת ובית אביך תאבדו, "For if you insist in keeping silent at a time like this, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews, from some other place, while you and your father's house will perish."  And then Mordechai says to Esther the most enigmatic words for all of us to hear,

  ומי יודע אם לעת כזאת הגעת למלכות, "And who knows whether it was just for such a time that you were sent forth on this journey?"

    What powerful words for all of us to digest.  Esther and everyone are being told that there is a job to be done in life and there is no one else who can do it but us.

    There is a place in our society which is reserved just for us and only we can fulfill that mission. No one else can stand in that place.  No one else can do that particular job. So we need to hone up to it, or else our failure to do so will be our demise. 

    We need to invest all of our strength to achieve the betterment of our society and not to relegate it to someone else. “The hour waits for no one but you". Hatred cannot and must not rule our lives. We are enjoined to face up to it and to defeat it, wherever and whenever it raises its ugly head. 

    As we celebrate Purim, with our families and friends, let us always act with confidence, that there is a Divine Providential design that will bring our salvation and the salvation of all Jews throughout the world. 

   Let us dedicate ourselves to a greater allegiance and commitment to Judaism.  In doing so we will reap the blessing as recorded in the Megillah, 

" ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה, For the Jews there was light and joy, gladness and honor". 

May this holiday of Purim inspires greater loyalty to our Judaic way of life and may we be Zocheh, to experience the ביאת גואל צדק במהרה בימנו.  

 

 Freilichin Purim