Terumah - The Gift is YOU Terumah, meaning, a gift, a contribution, an offering. This week's Torah Portion/Reading is telling us something very profound;giving confers dignity. Moses is asked to have the group offer gifts to adorn and dress up the Sanctuary and the Arc. I ask, is the blessing in giving the gift, or is the sincerity of the thought and action there of. AND BEING PRESENT..the blessing ? Yes, we all have been in absolutley beautiful & exquisite Temples, Synagogues, Shuls, but does the stained glass windows, the beautifully hand made Arc that is carved with the tree of life, the Bima (pulpit) adorned with an abundance of flowers make it more meaningful? It is indeed absolutley beautiful to look at, but does it change your feeling, your sincere thoughts, deepen your prayers, make you more in-tuned with the message and or service, or your personal commitment? When you light the Shabbat Candles, when you wrap/wear ...
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In this week’s Torah Portion, Mishpatim , we continue to see the introduction of Laws, and the building of a strong foundation based upon Ethics , a person’s Civil manner, and Moralistic values. The ethical, moral, and civil aspect are a great teaching in Judaism, in fact, a great foundation in all life, and it has given each person an important uniqueness and a possible proactive impact on him/herself, and to the group. To have a relationship, a healthy one at least, you must strive for that of being ethical, and very civil, and have moral DNA.. This is speaking of human dignity, preserving our own feelings and that of others, and understanding them, having self -worth, and continuing our own focus, as well as consideration for others that allows growth and accepts a proactive change. We must not be critical , so very, very critical of everything and so sensitive! It seems like we live in a society now that we ar...
In this week’s Torah Portion, we are introduced to Mose’s father in law, Yitro. Upon introduction, Moses approaches him, and kisses his father in law, and starts to share what has been going on w/ his people, "The Society". Yitro hears, and more importantly listens to his son in law with great intent, & starts to coach and advise his son in law, Moses, as not to bite off more than he can chew, and for the good of all of "The People": 18:14 So when Moses's father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you do this alone, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?" Or as most parents would say, "don't bite off more than you can chew." 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to inquire and have questions.” 16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me; 17 Yitro said to him, "...