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Parshat Behar-Bechukotai

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בס״ד Torah A Leader with greatness to be a gift from be like a mountain—and Humility? The two G-d. Moreover, his elevate ourselves with a Weekly humility did not contradict strong identity. Still, we Parshahs of Behar his ability to lead his must retain a sense of (Leviticus 25) and May 10-16, 2020 people. On the contrary, as humility: we must be a Bechukotai (ibid. 26–27), 16-22 Iyar, 5780 a result of his lack of mountain, but a low Torah: Behar-Bechukotai: which on many years are arrogance and self-pride, he mountain. Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34 joined into a Haftorah: gave himself over to G-d single Shabbat, share a Like Letters in Stone This Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14 and His mission. All that PARSHAT BEHAR- very common theme, and ties into the theme of Moses did was a reflection BECHUKOTAI actually reinforce each the Parshah of Bechukotai. of the divine will; he We have Jewish other. Behar, which means The Hebrew word chukim, dedicated every ounce of from which the name of Calendars. If you “on the mountain,” refers to energy to that purpose. This would like one, Mount Sinai, “known as the portion is derived, is often harmony between humility please send us a smallest of all mountains.” translated as “statutes,” and strong conviction is letter and we will It is interesting to note that referring to those hinted at in the names of send you one, or the Torah describes Moses commandments whose ask the this week’s Parshahs. Calendars as “the most humble one on explanations defy mortal Rabbi/Chaplain to earth.” As the 40-year The Paradox of the Low logic. Chassidic thought contact us. Mountain The Talmud tells explains that the word is leader of the Jewish nation, Do you have family Moses obviously had many us that when G-d gave the related to chakikah, which on the outside outstanding and stellar Torah to the Jewish people, means “engraving.” Our struggling? qualities, but his humility there was a debate among relationship to G-d’s Please contact or merited his receiving the the mountains, each one commandments cannot be have them contact Torah and transferring it to vying for the coveted spot like words that are written our office to learn the Jewish people. How from which the Torah on parchment, as the more about our was Moses so humble? would be given. Mount parchment and ink are two family programs. Sinai was chosen because it separate entities. Our goal You and they are Wasn’t he cognizant of his incredible status relative to was smallest of all has to be to relate to G-d’s Family Programs Family not alone, we are mountains. But if G-d will like letters etched in here to help. the Jewish people and G-d? wanted to emphasize stone: the lettering and How could an individual as humility, why did he give stone are one unified entity. We offer free Grape powerful and influential as he feel himself to be of the Torah on a mountain? When we sense this unity, Juice and Matzoh He should have given it in a and truly bond with G-d, we for you to be able to lesser value than anyone make the blessings else around? Being a leader valley, or on the plains. cannot help but be every Shabbos. of the entire Jewish nation This teaches us about humbled. By Rabbi Shraga Please have your requires forcefulness and a modesty and pride: A very Sherman chaplain / Rabbi commanding nature— strong personality can have Perspective A man once an unassuming nature only contact us to enroll qualities seemingly came to Rabbi DovBer, the (available to all by realizing that talents, incompatible with famed "Maggid of Grape Juice & Matzah & Juice Grape prisons). humility. The genius and skill come Mezeritch," with a directly from G-d. As the commentaries explain that question. Hyman & Martha Rogal Center first paragraph in the Code 5804 Beacon Street Moses did recognize the "The Talmud tells us," of Jewish Law tells us, “Do Pittsburgh, PA 15217 great attributes that made asked the man, "that 'A 412-421-0111 not be embarrassed by him the intermediary who person is supposed to Fax: 412-521-5948 those who mock you.” We, www.alephne.org connected G-d with the bless G-d for the bad just as as Jews, do not have the [email protected] Jewish people. However, he blesses Him for the luxury of being like a he did not recognize them good.' How is this humanly valley or a plain—of as his personal possible? Had our sages having our height and pride accomplishments; rather, said that one must accept sapped from us. We should he considered all of his without complaint or IN JEWISH HISTORY bitterness whatever is ordained from Sunday: May 10, 2020 --- 16 Iyar, 5780 Heaven —this I can understand. I can even The Manna (1313 BCE) Manna, the "bread from heaven" which sustained the Children of Israel accept that, ultimately, everything is for the during their 40 years of wandering through the desert, began to fall on the good, and that we are to bless and thank 16th of Iyar of the year 2448 from creation--one month after the Exodus. G-d also for the seemingly negative developments in our lives. But how can a Monday: May 11, 2020 --- 17 Iyar, 5780 human being possibly react to what he Passing of “Noda B’Yehudah” (1793) th experiences as bad in exactly the same The 17 of Iyar marks the passing of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau (1713-1793), way he responds to what he experiences as author of the Talmudic-Halachic work Noda B’Yehuda and Chief Rabbi of Prague. His famous “Letter of Peace” helped to heal the rift between the great good? How can a person be as grateful for sages Rabbi Yaakov Emden and Rabbi Yonasan Eibeshutz, which threatened his troubles as he is for his joys?" Rabbi to irreparably divide the Jewish people. DovBer replied: "To find an answer to your question, you must go see my Tuesday: May 12, 2020 --- 18 Iyar, 5780 disciple, Reb Zusha of Anipoli. Only he Plague among R. Akiva's Disciples Ends (circa 120 CE) can help you in this matter." Reb Zusha In the weeks between Passover and Shavuot, a plague decimated 24,000 received his guest warmly, and invited him students of the great sage Rabbi Akiva--a result, says the Talmud, of the fact that they "did not respect one another." The plague's cessation on Iyar 18-- to make himself at home. The visitor the 33rd day of the Omer Count or "Lag BaOmer"--is one of the reasons that decided to observe Reb Zusha's conduct the day is celebrated each year. before posing his question. Before long, he Passing of R. Shimon bar Yochai (2nd century CE) concluded that his host truly exemplified Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai ("Rashbi"), was a leading disciple of Rabbi Akiva the Talmudic dictum which so puzzled him. and one of the most important tana'im whose teachings of Torah law are He couldn't think of anyone who suffered collected in the Mishnah. He was also the first to publicly teach the mystical more hardship in his life than did Reb dimension of the Torah known as the "Kabbalah", and is the author of the Zusha: a frightful pauper, there was never basic work of Kabbalah, the Zohar. For 13 years Rabbi Shimon hid in a cave to escape the wrath of the Romans whose government he criticized. On the enough to eat in Reb Zusha's home, and his day of his passing--Iyar 18, the 33rd day of the Omer Count--Rabbi Shimon family was beset with all sorts of afflictions gathered his disciples and revealed many of the deepest secrets of the divine and illnesses. Yet Reb Zusha was always wisdom, and instructed them to mark the date as "the day of my joy." good-humored and cheerful, and constantly expressing his gratitude to the Almighty for Wednesday: May 13, 2020 --- 19 Iyar 5780 all His kindness. But what was is his secret? Passing of Maharam (1293) How does he do it? The visitor finally Renowned Talmudist Rabbi Meir ("Maharam") of Rothenburg (1215?-1293) died in his cell in the Ensisheim fortress, where he had been imprisoned for decided to pose his question. So one day, he ten years in an attempt to exact a huge ransom from the Jewish community. said to his host: "I wish to ask you The money had been raised, but Rabbi Meir refused to have himself something. In fact, this is the purpose of my redeemed, lest this encourage the hostage taking of other Jewish leaders. visit to you—our Rebbe advised me that you can provide me with the answer." Thursday: May 14, 2020 --- 20 Iyar, 5780 "What is your question?" asked Reb Zusha. Journey From Sinai (1312 BCE) On the 20th of Iyar 2449 (1312 BCE)--nearly a year after the Giving of the The visitor repeated what he had asked of Torah on Mount Sinai--the Children of Israel departed their encampment near the Maggid. "You raise a good point," said the Mountain. They resumed their journey when the pillar of cloud rose for Reb Zusha, after thinking the matter the first time from over the "Tabernacle--the divine sign that would signal the through. "But why did our Rebbe send you resumption of their travels throughout their encampments and journeys over to me? How would I know? He should have the next 38 years, until they reached the eastern bank of the Jordan River on sent you to someone who has experienced the eve of their entry into the Holy Land.
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