Adas Israel - Mason City, IA

Torah Thoughts 25 February Parsha Vayakhel

Torah Thoughts is from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City since 1910. Before we begin it is simply awful what is going on in Ukraine.  The fact that the Russian dictator said that he was going to march into that nation to "denazify" the county when, in fact, the elected president is a Jew is repugnant.  End of rant....

Each week we bring you some thoughts about the Torah Portion of the week.  This week it is Parsha Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1 - 38:20) the word "vayakhel" means "he assembled" in Hebrew, "Moses (he) assembled the entire assembly of the Children of Israel and said to them: These are the things that Hashem commanded to do them." 

The Sabbath

The day before all of this happens it was Yom Kippur. Moses had come down from the mountain with the second set of commandments which signified G-d's forgiveness and His renewed love for His people.  It is then, just ahead of the call to build the tabernacle that Moses reminds the people about the Sabbath. And underscores the importance of it.  Even building the holy tabernacle was not to take place on Shabbat. How critical is it that we observe the Sabbath...part of that lesson is right here.

Wise Hearts

Then we, once again, get into the details of building the Tabernacle. Much of this is repetition of earlier parts of the Torah but there is something unique here.  Several times in this parsha we are reminded of people having "wise hearts".

    "Every wise-hearted person among you shall come and make everything that God has commanded (Exodus 35:10); Every wise-hearted     woman... (Exodus 35:25); He (G-d) filled them with a wise heart to do...every craft (Exodus 35:35) and The wise-hearted among those     doing the work made the Tabernacle (Exodus 36:8)

What is going on?

If we pay attention to what the Ramban tells us in the notes that none of the Israelites had learned the skills necessary for the work of the Sanctuary and the vestments. However, because they were intensely motivated to do the Divine will, they discovered that they were in fact able to do the skilled craftsmanship. This might be interpreted as a miraculous endowment of skills they had not had. However, the words of Ramban indicate that it was not an endowment of something new. Rather, it was a discovery that they had these skills within them.

You Are a Miracle

Have you ever been tasked with a project and think to yourself, "Why, I know nothing about this. There is no way I can complete this task." But, how do you know?  True I can not do brain surgery but so many tasks can be learned. If our hearts are wise.

According to Ramban, this is what happened with the Israelites. Many people did not have an inkling that they had the requisite skills for the intricate work in crafting the vessels, vestments and curtains of the Sanctuary. But their devotion to G-d and their desire to do His will resulted in “their hearts being elevated in the ways of G-d” (II Chronicles 17:6). Their spirits soared, and the emotional fervor enabled them to discover the skills within them.

The Lesson

The great Rabbi Twersky writes, "We usually think of wisdom as associated with the mind and brain rather than with the heart. We associate the heart with emotions rather than with wisdom. The Torah repeatedly refers to the “wise-hearted” to indicate the overriding influence of emotion over intellect, and that only when one's emotions permit can one implement the powers of the intellect.

We have untouched reserves of both physical and mental abilities. Under conditions of stress, people have been known to perform physical feats that they never thought were within their capacities. There is reason to believe that some geniuses were not of such superior intellect, but rather that their emotional investment allowed them to fully utilize their potential.

This is an important principle in education. If we can stimulate interest and desire for knowledge in children, they are likely to excel in their studies. A good teacher is, therefore, one who can reach the students in a way that they become “wise-hearted.”

Midrash

We have been able to set service dates in March. We'll gather at the shul on Friday the 11th at 7:00PM and then for our Midrash (Study Session) on Shabbat the 12th of March starting at 10:00AM.  We'll be discussing not only the Torah Portion but also Purim which begins after sundown on March 16.

See you in shul and Shabbat Shalom! 

 

 

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 18 February 2022 - Parsha Ki Tisa

Welcome back to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. We're glad you clicked through to learn a bit. This week we read Parsha Ki Tisa Exodus 30:11 - 34:35. Ki Tisa is Hebrew for "When you take..." as we read at the very beginning of this Parsha: "Hashem spoke to Moses, saying; When you take a census of the Children of Israel, according to their numbers, every man will shall give Hashem an atonement..."  And what was that "atonement"? "...everyone who passes through the census shall give a half shekel..."

Contributions

Here we learn that we are not to actually "count" the Jewish People using just numbers. In fact when we "count" how many people we have to make a minyan (at least ten men in Orthodox circles or in Conservative circles it is ten people) we "count" by saying, "Not one, not two, not three..."  There is also an interesting reason why "10" is the correct number but we'll leave that for another time.

So, if we are not to actually "count" the Children of Israel how do we know how many there were?  The answer is, by counting the contributions of the half shekel. Everybody gave that half shekel for the upkeep of the Tabernacle. It was their...contribution to the good of the entire assembly. 

The rabbis say that the status of Israel is elevated by its contributions to charitable causes. Just like you and I happily give contributions to charity is not an accident. Here we learn the biblical rational to contribute. 

(May I make a plug now for contributions to Adas Israel and share with you that every dollar you send to our shul it is matched dollar for dollar. So five dollars becomes ten and ten dollars becomes twenty and so on. Your gift of "chai" or $18 becomes "double chai" or $36.)

Chai? So What is Chai?

Wait a minute...let's back up. The Hebrew word for "life" is chai. When we say "l'chaim" we are saying "To life!". Go ahead and channel your best Tevye and launch into a great rendition "To life..."  Because every Hebrew word has a corresponding number attached to it the word "chai" has the numerical equivalent of 18.  So to "give chai" is to give $18 and a "double chai" is $36 and so on.  See what you get to learn here?

The Two Great Sins

Also in this Parsha we read about the "great sin" of the Jewish people. The rabbis tell us there are two great sins in the Torah. The first is when Adam and Eve ate from the "Tree of Knowledge".  It is said that they, feeling they were already important, desired to become more like G-d and have all the wisdom.  And, so they defied G-d and ate from the Tree.

The other great sin is the "Golden Calf". The people, in this case, had misjudged the return of Moses from Mt. Sinai and they, unlike Adam and Eve, felt so very alone and unimportant. They needed their "middle man" Moses and so they created a stand in, if you will, the Golden Calf.

Does G-d Hear Prayer?

I came across this story that has to deal with both the Tree of Knowledge and the Golden Calf.  Again, in the Adam and Eve story they thought they were pretty special and wanted more so they ate from the tree. In the Golden Calf story the people felt as if they were nothing without Moses and so they created a substitute.

How does prayer work into this?

First of all you need to know that G-d does hear your prayer. He hears the prayers of each of his children no matter their stature in life. The very religious person might think that because he/she is righteous that G-d will hear their prayer before any other.  Likewise those who are not religious but who, from time to time pray, need to know that G-d also hears that prayer. In other words all prayers are...equal.

True, the answer to your prayer may be a "Yes!" or it could be a "No!" or it could be a "Wait, I have something even better..." The important lesson here is that G-d is listening...to each of us. Every time we open our mouth and utter that prayer be it for food or for drink or for health or for a concern about another Hashem is there...listening.

Pay to Play?

You may have seen this pop up. There might be an ad in social media or on a website that says, "Donate to this cause and a mighty rabbi will pray for you..." Then you are encouraged to cough up some cash for this endorsement prayer.  Save your shekels. It doesn't work that way. Just because you, like the Children of Israel, may feel unworthy you need to know that truly G-d hears your prayer just as he hears the prayer of the righteous. 

So, it's never to late to...pray.

Shabbat Shalom!

 

Torah Thoughts 11 February 2022 - Parsha Tetzaveh

Take a few minutes for Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. Great to have you here.  This week we read Parsha Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20 - 30:10). The word Tetzaveh means "you" in Hebrew as we read: "Now you shall command the Children of Israel that they shall take for you pure olive oil pressed for illumination, to kindle a lamp continually." What we are about to learn is truly a life lesson.

Not Just Olive Oil

The rabbis tell us that the oil that was pressed from olives had to be the best of the best. "Pure Olive Oil" must be used. We are told that this oil was to be so special that only the first two drops could be collected for the oil that was used in the Menorah.  Two drops.  And then that olive was put aside and another two drops would come from the next olive and so on.

That's not only a bunch of work but there is an amazing meaning behind what we learn here if we read on.

The Flour Offering

Later in this parsha we are told how to make the "flour offering". (Ex. 29:40): "...and a tenth-ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter-hin of beaten oil..." Yes, those are measurements. Notice there is no mention about the purity of the olive oil as there is when describing the oil used in the Menorah. This olive oil now comes from a second pressing of those olives that were set aside after collecting just two drops of the precious liquid for the light.

What's Going On?

There is a great lesson here about priorities. The first drops of pure olive oil go into the Menorah to create light. It is a holy light and because it is holy, and represents the light of the Torah, the oil must be of the finest quality.

Meanwhile the oil used in the flour offering is not as pure.  Important but not as "pure".

The rabbis tease out an amazing lesson here about our religious life and where our priorities lie. 

The Lesson

When we consider our relationship with G-d does it take priority or is it something that we simply do or think about only when we "need" it? 

You see, if we allow our faith to guide us throughout the day it will have an amazing impact on our lives and the lives of those around us.

I heard a wonderful example of this. Let's say you book a hotel stay at a great hotel. You've gone to the trouble of looking at the ratings of the hotel. It might be a four star venue. It might have a fantastic ocean view or a view of some majestic mountains. The reviews of the property are over the top so you make your reservation. You might even ask for an "upgrade" because it's your anniversary or your birthday or some other major milestone. And because this is so special you're going to be at this fabulous place from Thursday to Sunday. You are all set.

But then you remember you'll be there through Shabbat...the Sabbath. So then you start looking for the closest shul because praying with other Jews is important to you. However, your search indicates the synagogue is over an hour away from your hotel. And, you think, "Well, that's too far away. I'll likely not make it."

Your faith priority took second fiddle. Perhaps you should have looked for the shul...first?

But There Is More

There are other things that have or should have a religious priority. Let's consider your tallis. Sure, you can find an inexpensive nylon prayer shawl.  It will do but consider what you are doing with it. You wear it to...pray. I remember being in Israel and going to a shop that sold only tallit. No, really! There are shops that sell only hats and only tefillin. It's amazing. I was surrounded by prayer shawls of every variety. I could have gone cheap but did not. I selected the best they had and then a silver tallit atarah (neckband) to go on top. Yes, it set me back but...

And then my rabbi, who watched all of this unfold, asked to purchase a tallis bag and a matching tefillin bag...and to my amazement he instructed the shop owner to have my Hebrew name inscribed on both.

Those of you who daven at Adas Israel have seen it many times...and that is the back story.

So, the lesson of the oil is really about making choices. Will we choose to have a family Shabbat Dinner? Will we choose to daven with others? Will we observe the holidays in earnest or...not?  Will we sneak a cheeseburger when nobody is looking? 

Priorities my friends.

Shabbat Shalom! 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 3 February 2022 - Parsha Trumah

Hello Friends and welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. Before we get into this week's portion a reminder that services will be held at the Shul this Friday evening at 7:00PM and our Torah Study will take place on Shabbat at 10:00AM also at the shul.  The Board has directed that attendees must be fully vaccinated and wear masks and socially distance. Hope to see you.

Parsha Trumah

This week we read from Exodus 25:1 to 27:18. It is called Parsha Trumah which means "gifts" in Hebrew: "Hashem spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to the Children of Israel and let them take for me a gift, from every man whose heart motivates him you shall take My portion."

There is a great lesson in that opening verse. The motivation must come from the heart. The desire to become closer to G-d is an emotional decision. Sure, some of us use our head but it is the heart G-d desires. In this way the bond between us grows and becomes a fondness. G-d is already fond of us. We are told that often. But, the question remains are we also fond of G-d? Do we desire a deep relationship or do we only think of G-d when we need something?  It is a great question to ponder.

The Mishkan

And what are those gifts for?  The building of the Mishkan or the "Tabernacle". "They shall make a Sanctuary for me - so that I may dwell among them." Once again we see where G-d wants to have that deep and personal relationship with his people. He wishes to "dwell among them". 

And, now G-d describes everything that will go into the Mishkan. The Ark, The Cover, The Table and The Menorah.  When describing how to create the Menorah G-d says, You shall make a Menorah of pure gold, hammered out shall the Menorah be made, its base, its shaft, its cups, its knobs and its blossoms shall be [hammered] from it." (Exodus 25:31)

The Menorah

What are we to make of that? First of all how do you create a menorah by hammering out the gold. Note that Rashi calls our attention to the wording of this verse, which begins with “You shall make a Menorah,” but closes with “shall the Menorah be made.” The intricate elements of the Menorah were not to be made separately and then attached to it. Everything had to be hammered out from a single piece of gold.

Inasmuch as this was beyond human ability, G-d instructed Moses to put the gold ingots into the fire, and the Menorah emerged, fashioned by G-d.

The Lesson

Here we have another valuable lesson. Rabbi Twerski z"l writes, "We are obligated to do what is right and proper and demanded of us, but we are not always able to bring things to completion. But this does not give us permission to sit back and do nothing. We must do whatever is within our ability to do and trust in G-d for a favorable outcome."

This is a delicate balance which is often ignored. Some people insist on doing everything themselves, refusing to accept the limitations of reality. They become frustrated when they cannot control everything, even when clear thinking indicates that there are things beyond one's control. On the other hand, some people who realize that they cannot control the outcome may sit back and do nothing. “What's the use?” they say. “I cannot make things turn out the way I want anyway.”

The Menorah teaches us the proper balance. We must do what we can. When we have made a sincere effort, it is then that G-d will help us bring it to completion. “G-d will bless you in all that you do” (Deut 15:18)

“You shall make” and “it shall be made.” The Menorah was a source of light. This lesson illuminates for us a proper path in life.

The Midrash

That is only one of the lessons from this fantastic parsha. When we meet on Shabbat we'll tackle a host of other issues one of which deals with the question, "When do you think about...G-d?" I promise you the answer is powerful.

Hope to see you Friday the 4th at 7:00PM and then on Shabbat at 10:00AM for our study session.  If there is anything I can do for you please feel free to call. My Cell Phone is 515-570-2220.

Shabbat Shalom and thank you for reading!