ASK THE RABBI
Rabbi Lipskar's weekly d'var torah
NASO
In this weeks portion the Torah articulates in great detail, the protocols of offerings that each leader of each tribe brought to the Tabernacle initiating the formal dedication of God Almighty’s dwelling Place among the Jewish people.
Each day beginning on the first of Nisan until the 12th day this ritual was followed by all 12 tribes one tribe at a time.
Each tribe brought the exact, same gifts consisting of a variety of elements, including a silver tray weighing 130 silver Shekels, a silver fork like tool weighing 70 shekels filled with fine flour and oil, a gold spoon weighing 10 shekels filled with incense, one ox, one ram, one sheep,and one goat, two oxen ,5 rams, five goats and five sheep.
In explaining the meaning of this very interesting combination of gifts, Rashi the classical commentator of the Torah text quotes from one of his sources that these offerings represent all of the history of humanity.
In the Hebrew text every letter has a numerical value used as a means of interpretation called Gemetria.
The silver platter has the numerical value of 930 referencing the age of the first human,Adam; the 130 weight represents the 130th year after which Adam and Eve begot children establishing the continuity of human existence; one silver fork like tool has the numerical value of 520 representing the 500 years when Noah had his children and 20 years referencing the time when God informed Noah in regards to the flood; weighing 70 shekels represent the 70 Nations of the world the progeny of Noah; one gold spoon weighing 10 shekels represents the 10 Commandments given by the One Hand of God; incense has the numerical value 613 which are the 613 Mitzvot of the Torah; one ox one ram one sheep represents our patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; one goat alludes to the expiation of the sin of the brothers selling Joseph:
The two oxen represent Moses and Aaron, and the three series of five animals represent the five commandments on each side of the two tablets, and the five books of the Torah.
While we include every single human in the universe we culminate with the Jewish People entrusted and chosen to serve as the custodians and management of the House of God.
It included every single human from the beginning of time, every nation of the world, the critical moments of the worlds evolution culminating with the Jewish People represented by the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob , Moses and Aaron, and the absolute non-negotiable Divine laws of how to live in Gods world,
It is important to know, and recognize that we are not isolated people from the rest of the world but have a significant purpose serving as Almighty God’s representatives in forging the path and illuminating the journey for all peoples and all nations to be successful, productive, participants in Gods world, and preparing the world to be the most welcoming place for His majestic presence.
Then we will have fulfilled our holy purpose and mission.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and a great week.
Sholom D. Lipskar
The Shul Pushka Campaign
It's the little things in life that count. G-d fills the world every moment with His divine energy. Tzedakah is one of the special and significant ways to create an all-encompassing Mitzvah, and in today's world, we need more Mitzvot than ever. It doesn't matter where or how much you give, just make Tzedakah part of your day.
The Shul provides beautiful Pushkas (charity boxes) to the community and to all those that would like to participate in the important Mitzvah of Tzedakah. To request a Shul Pushka please call The Shul Office at 305-868-1411 or fill out the form below.
To Learn More About The Meaning of Tzedakah Click Here
Jewish Holidays
All Jewish holidays begin the evening before the date specified on most calendars. This is because a Jewish "day" begins and ends at sunset, rather than at midnight. If you read the story of creation in Genesis Ch. 1, you will notice that it says, "And there was evening, and there was morning, one day."
From this, we infer that a day begins with evening, that is, sunset. Holidays end at nightfall of the date specified on most calendars; that is, at the time when it becomes dark out, about an hour after sunset.
UPCOMING JEWISH HOLIDAY
For more information Click here
Project 33154
Project 33154 is a community wide program to create a neighbor to neighbor Jewish experience. The initial case study started Chanuka 2002 where 10 young Yeshiva boys visited every home in Bay Harbor to identify which ones were Jewish and give them the necessary items (Menorah, Candles, Guides etc.) for the Holiday of Chanuka.
Over 250 Jewish Homes were identified together with a color coded map of Members, Non-Members and Unaffiliated Jews. Over the next Purim and Passover the same idea was used in the Surfside and Bal Harbour area and over 800 new Jewish homes were contacted and had a taste of The Shul.
Block Shluchim
Together with color coded map each neighborhood was split up into different areas that include a lay leader from The Shul.
Before each Yom Tov The Shul prepares a special food package which promotes holiday awareness.
Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Succot, Chanukah, Purim, Pesach andShavout
Every newly identified Jewish household in the Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands and Surfside areas has been contacted with thousands of Apples and Honey packages, Chanukah kits and Purim Mishloach Manos and food packages distributed this year.
Over 350 pounds of hand-made Shemurah Matzo (that’s about 2,450 pieces of matzah) has been distributed throughout 33154. If you are new on the 33154 area, please let us know so you can be included in this amazing and inspiring Jewish Program.
Send a letter to the Rebbe זי"ע
Throughout his lifetime, the Rebbe received hundreds of letters every day, from people of every conceivable background, occupation and faith. Today people continue to send letters to be placed at the Ohel for the Rebbe's guidance and intervention On High, in the age-old tradition of written prayer petitions at our holiest sites
Whether referring to one's own self or mentioning someone else's name in a letter, one should always include the name and mother's name (e.g. Isaac the son of Sarah) of both the one(s) who are in need of blessing and the signer.
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/761128/jewish/Why-Use-the-Mothers-Name-When-Praying-for-Someone.html
http://www.ohelchabad.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/78445It is preferable to use one's Jewish name. (Customarily gentiles use their father's name.) Letters can be written in any language. You can fax directly to the Ohel at: (718) 723-4444 Or you can use the form below to have the rabbis at Ohel Chabad Lubavitch http://www.ohelchabad.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/78445personally bring your prayers to the Rebbe’s resting place.
The Rebbe
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of righteous memory, the seventh leader in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty, is considered to have been the most phenomenal Jewish personality of modern times. To hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of sympathizers and admirers around the world, he was -- and still is, despite his passing -- "the Rebbe."
Whether referring to one's own self or mentioning someone else's name in a letter, one should always include the name and mother's name (e.g. Isaac the son of Sarah) of both the one(s) who are in need of blessing and the signer.
Click Here to Know More Click Here.
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