Welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. Thank you for coming by. This week we read Parsha Emor which is in the book of Vayikra (Leviticus) Chapter 21 - 24. Let's go!
Lag B' Omer
As you might remember we are counting up the 49 days until Shavout or the giving of the Torah. This Shabbat is the 28th day of the Omer. The Omer was a barley offering from the first harvest that the Jews would bring to the Temple in Jerusalem. Omer is actually a measurement of volume roughly equating to three quarts.
Forty-nine days are counted from the second day of Passover until the fiftieth day, which is Shavuot – the holiday celebrating the receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. There is actually a mitzvah to count each specific day, which is done at the completion of Ma’ariv, the evening service.
This coming Thursday is Lag B' Omer which means the 33rd day of the Omer. It is historically significant for multiple reasons. On this day, the plague that was killing Rabbi Akiva’s disciples stopped. It is also the yahrzeit (yearly anniversary of the death) of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, reputed author of the Zohar, the book of Jewish mysticism. Tradition has it that the day of his demise was filled with a great light of endless joy through the secret wisdom that he revealed to his students in the Zohar.
In Israel, there are huge bonfires across the country. From Pesach onwards, the children gather fallen branches and build pyres often 20 or 30 feet high. Then, as it grows dark, they are lit and the sky is filled with flames (and smoke). The fires are symbolic both of the light of wisdom Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai brought into the world and as a “yahrzeit candle” in memory of his passing. Haircuts and weddings take place on this date and there is much festivity including dancing, singing, and music. See what you learn here?
Parsha Emor
This week's portion sets forth the standards of purity and perfection for a Cohen; specifies the physical requirements of sacrifices and what is to be done with blemished offerings; proclaims as holidays the Shabbat, Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Yes, each one of our holidays are set out in the Torah.
It reminds the Jewish people to provide pure olive oil for the Menorah and designates the details of the Showbread (two stacks of 6 loaves each, which were placed on the table in the portable sanctuary and later in the Temple once a week upon Shabbat). The portion ends with the interesting story of a man who blasphemed G-d’s name with a curse. What should be the penalty for this transgression? Curious? Leviticus 24:14.
What is Kosher?
You might remember that during the recent Midrash we started talking about this interview with Rabbi Levi Goldstein who works with the Orthodox Union to inspect food manufacturers to insure they are kosher or helps them become kosher. It is a fascinating conversation and I hope you'll click the player and give it a listen. There is so much to learn and myths to dispel and my friend does a great job explaining so many things. Oh, and, he's been traveling the roads of Iowa for the past 18 years doing this amazing work. Take some time and give it a listen.
Partly Personal
I'm writing this from a hotel in Washington, D.C. I've been here on assignment over the past several days. It's always an amazing journey. The days have been spent in meetings with congressional staff and our Iowa delegation. I'm here with nearly 200 business, non-profit and elected leaders from Central Iowa discussing a variety of items that are of great importance to not only the Des Moines Metro but the entire state. While we are in polarizing times you need to know that, often behind the scenes, there is an amazing amount of work being done on a bipartisan level. It may not always seem that way but I can tell you, with the exception of a few partisan "jabs" there is a commitment to become much more civil in, at least, the dialog with those of us who are here. Just thought you should know.
Have a wonderful Shabbat and thanks for reading!
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