By Gila Ross, Family Experience Co-Director I wasn’t expecting my declaration of ‘it’s time to clean the car for Pesach’ to be met with delight from my 4 year old. It stood out to me, in stark contrast to what I had been hearing from some of the women that I teach about how much…
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This Week in Pictures 
From a deliciously sweet Chocolate Seder, to big moments at the JNF Conference, to welcoming our new Office Manager, Mara Eisenstein, it’s been a week full of energy, connection, and community. Check out the highlights! Sweet Moments from Our Chocolate SederOur Sunday school students had a blast at this year’s Chocolate…
Ahron and his sons were commanded to bring the Olah sacrifice which was totally consumed upon the altar. The Midrash explains that the language used in this verse, ‘Tzav’ is emphasizing the need for alacrity involving this mitzvah not only for the present but for all future generations. Of course, this message from our Sages necessitates an explanation.
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Vayikra discusses many variations of sin offerings. The first scenario is that of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. In contrast to the sin offering of a regular individual, he offers his atonement by sprinkling the blood towards the curtain separating the most inner chamber of the Mishkan from the outer area. Then more blood is dashed upon the inner altar and finally, the sacrifice is burnt outside the camp.
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After the recap of the entire handiwork of the Mishkan the Torah states that the people did as Hashem commanded, so did they do. Maharal Diskin questions the end of the verse that is repetitive that they indeed followed as they were directed to do. His explanation offers a tremendous insight into the caliber of the prominence of the people involved and into the eminence of the Mishkan itself.
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The Mishkan was the central point of Hashem’s ‘concentration’ in the desert. The professionalism that was present in its construction was nothing short of amazing. A nation of former slaves without any skilled training produced a beautiful edifice with remarkable talent.
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The Shabbos preceding Purim which falls out at the end of next week, Friday is auspicious. Although in the Haftarah we remind ourselves of King Saul’s failure to eradicate Amalek, we read the special parsha urging and motivating us to fulfill the obligation to destroy any remnant of that evil nation.
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We had an incredible time crafting beautiful resin Mezuzahs with the talented Sarah Leah Golombek of Poured Decor! From swirling colors to stunning finishes, each piece was a unique work of art. And, of course, the martinis and snacks made the evening even sweeter.
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This Shabbos we read the parsha dealing with the half-shekels that each person gave with which to purchase the animals for sacrificial purposes in the Mishkan, and later in the Beis Hamikdash, during the year. Of course, the obvious question is why wasn’t the donor base fashioned upon each person’s willingness to give just like the accumulation for the building of the Mishkan?
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We are prohibited to offer sacrifices to other ‘gods,’ only to Hashem Himself. The terminology invoked to stress that we should serve exclusively Hashem is somewhat lengthy and furthermore, since one involved in idol worship deserves the death penalty, doesn’t that automatically denote that we should only serve Hashem?
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