One Torah for All

Cleaning our Slates

Repent and return

To do right we yearn

Not for things to possess

But for values egress

To our hearts and our souls

As compassion finds

A path to clarity

With such dear peace of mind…

Shabbat Shalom! Do we pursue true repentance and amends? At Beit Torah we strive to do so:

Shuvah, VaYeilech 5783 Return, Atone, Amend; Dvarim 31; Hosea 14:2-10; Joel 2:15-27

At one twenty, the Sumerian lifespan,

Moshe has gotten old and needs to retire.

He did feel that he had done all that he can;

As military leader, he had no fire.

So Joshua is charged to be HaShem’s hand,

To do HaShem’s will when Folk enter the Land,

Post-softening up those to be dispossessed,

Before the People move in and Josh can rest.

All the Law teachings to be kept with the Ark

Along with his poem to the Elders read

(This is for next week's parasha sharing here...)

Such witnessed by Heaven and Earth as Holy bread fed...

All to be read at Sukkot each Shmitah year

So then all Folk could be kept out of the dark:

Women, children, men, even strangers would hear!

Although now Torah’s read throughout the year

And completed every third or - each year…

At the Tent of Meeting the transfers occurred:

Leadership to Josh; the writings by the Ark;

Predictions to Levites and to each Elder:

Moish dies; Folk stiffnecked; forewarned in song so stark,

Taught to the People that evil comes to all

If they’re idolatrous or spurn the Brit Laws…

We now encourage all to write at least part

Of a Torah during their life if they’re smart...

Haftorah - Sephardic

No sacrificial bulls but with words lament,

Offered with amends so that we can repent

Healing for us, abandoned, astray,

As green Cypress blossoms, fruitful's righteous way...

On such a path we praise HaShem for keeping

Faith with our forbears and the oaths made to them

With forgiveness, compassion for our weeping,

Loving forbearance, accepting our prayers

Of penitence... forgiven! Gracious HaShem!

“Recognize now your guilt, repent, and be healed”,

Shuva Haftorah says, so life will be sealed.

Do not let a mockery be our Nation

With no sign of HaShem by others perceived…

Atone in truth so blessings can be received...

As in Tashlich, hurl all sins into the sea!

The predicting poem, come the next week will be...

Shabbat Shalom! Do we actually understand what we are told? At Beit Torah we strive to listen with critical, rational thought and compassion:

Shabbat HaAzinu 5783; Pay Attention!; Deuteronomy 32; 2 Samuel 22

Listen! Moshe and HaShem both now proclaim:

"HaShem is perfect, upright, just with true name,

Serving out Justice 'though with children perverse,

Unworthy, crooked, spurning Elders, and worse...

Those spurned Elders could teach them their history

That only by G!d surviving came to be

Through the desert to Promised bountiful Land...

Still, offspring will forget, unfortunately,

Their origins lost chasing idolatry,

And abominations that will vex HaShem

Causing abandonment, suffering... and then

Haters take credit, say: Their god's not with them!

The remnant, HaShem will judge in kind repay

Good and Evil - revenge on those gone astray

That they will repent or be cleansed from the Land!"

To the Folk all these writings were said aloud,

By Moshe and Josh who encouraged the crowd

To observe these teachings, endure in the Land!

From Mount Nebo's peak Moshe viewed Canaan's land.

It's said: G!d told Moshe he'd die there as planned

For imperfect loyalty, faith's broken hand...

Haftorah, 2 Samuel 22

David wrote in gratitude after being saved

From calamities, enemies, and King Shaul:

"Glorious HaShem delivered me! So I raved!

When in anguish I cried out: 'Please rule

That all manner of wonders will appear to me,

To save me, bring me to Freedom so I can do

Good works with leading the humble to victory,

With the strength and the light of HaShem holding true

Before those trembling to see my G!d: enemies,

Lawless, haughty, those engaged in internal strife,

Foreign nations' offspring losing courage and life...'

HaShem deals graciously with Appointed One, Me,

With my offspring forever to be, so I see!"

in the news:

May we forgive trespasses against us and be forgiven for ours!

Gmar Chatima Tova! [some say that the gates of forgiveness do not close until after the last sins are cast away on Hoshanah Raba(10/16)!]

And Shabbat Shalom!

======================================================================

Sukkot is 10/9 eve through 10/11. Come visit, shake the lulav, eat, enjoy and be merry! Please contact to arrange - 928-227-0582.

Sukkot A.Z.: Bees, Pollens, Breeze

Ah! The fresh air, cicadas’ sounds

as we shake lulav all around.

Noon time snoozing - A pollen sneeze!

Can you embrace that quite stiff breeze?

Still hanging walls flap quietly

while cool wind gusts discourage bees…

Love the chicken, squash and peas

with wind chimes, bright stars, shadow trees…

Challah, candles, read Torah too -

A week of Nature for me and you!

(Wheeeeze...)

Rabbi's update:

It has been a crazy busy season even with the luxury of zoom services, yummy meals [except when fasting], and help to get everything in order. With an aging congregation there have also been many Bikurei Cholim, visiting with the ill at home and in hospital, and working to meet their special needs attendant with aging.

Of course there were also hurricane concerns but fortunately everyone was out of the hurricane paths. So while we are enjoying an extended 'monsoon' [rainy season] and late fall making Sukkot easier, there are no predictions for the weather and no real relief for the drought. How have you all been doing?

Here's Hoping for all a Joyous, Healthy, Happy Season!

Blessings and Love, Rabbi Dr. Judi-Adele

=========================================================

Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot 5783. 10/15

Shabbat Shalom! It is a Season of Joys, May we have Holy Day celebrations and many joyous time forever! At Beit Torah we sit in our Sukkah and welcome everyone to join us!:

Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot 5783;

Exodus 33:12-34:26, Numbers 29:17-31; Ezekiel 38:18-39:16

Moish found favor with gracious HaShem

Who presented Tablets of Law, then

Told him to destroy idolatry

To avoid temptations, clearly see,

For ten gens to Righteous G!d'll be kind

Four gens punished for those who don't mind!

Special rules for Pesach note no sacrifice leavened

Nor left all night – days of Matzah are seven;

First fruits are for HaShem at Shavuot time,

As are first born livestock promised to HaShem’s might;

In-gathering for Sukkot’s third feast at least

With proper offerings so blessings increase!

To not be like the Pagan festival rites,

Never seethe a kid in its Mom’s milk [she’ll pine] -

But follow glowing Moshe to spirits’ heights,

Although veiled unless in talk with Folk day or night!

Haftorah:

The invasion of Gog from Magog made the Land bloody,

Needing months to bury well almost all of the bodies.

When remnants will be found, proper burial is needed

So the way to purify the Land will be totally heeded...

Zot HaBracha  finishing off Dvarim on Simchat Torah

Moshe, respected Leader, Prophet of HaShem,

Extends final blessings to the Tribes near his end:

Despite very small numbers, Reuven will survive.

Judah will need support against foes to save lives.

Levi will cling to task; With vision, Laws will teach,

Writings by Moshe of the Brit for all to reach

So that all enemies will fail, to homes retreat.

Binyamin's beloved and protected by HaShem.

Yosef with bounty will, as a Leader, be blessed -

He'll zealously protect his brothers through his sons.

Zevulun on journeys will rejoice... Travel's fun!

Issachar will draw their riches from sand and sea,

With celebrating good fortune at home on high.

Gad will prosper and grow, always poised to protect

And fulfill HaShem's Judgments; Laws and words respect.

Dan will expand territories, then relocate.

Naphtali will possess south and west estates,

Bountiful throughout showing Tribe's favored state.

Most favored of all will be Asher's olive oil -

A Tribe most secure as if bolted in by gates.

To all you unworthy Folk, I now say

ONE is HaShem each and every day!

Our refuge, our support, the One who keeps us safe,

Defending us in our bountiful, promised land

So that our enemies will cringe and face defeat!

At one hundred twenty years old, Moshe had eyes

With vision undimmed [strong was his vigor still]

So that he could see most clearly all the Promised Land

From the heights of Mount Nebo where he would then stand

Before death somewhere in Moav. Despite many tries

No one could find a sign of his burial site...

For thirty days the Folk bemoaned their loss and cried.

Then protege Josh rose to lead and do G!d's will.

Never again One like Moshe would come to lead,

One who showed wonders to Pharaoh and all Folk freed...

Bereishit – In the Beginning

Six epochs of time the Creation took.

After each one, HaShem took a good look.

Deciding that all what was seen was good…

For the seventh time frame: rest as one should…

Now man who was made, in a lush garden was placed.

Eden it was called, a location we’ve not traced.

To not be lonely, a helpmate for him was made.

The only rule: No eating from the knowledge tree!

Serpent was wily, enticed the gullible maid

To eat the fruit of the forbidden tree -

So when HaShem came a looking, what was to see?

Both children had eaten the fruit and were hid

As they knew they were naked and no longer kids…

HaShem was wroth, a price was to be paid:

So the Serpent crawled on belly then on

And People were expelled from garden fronds…

As children do, their Cain and Abel fought.

Cain killed Abel, then by HaShem was caught -

Left to procreate inventive offspring

While brother Seth and other sibs did bring

Adam’s and Eve’s genealogy line…

Mixed with Nephilim, half- E. T.’s,

The population grew less and less fine.

Cruelty, hatred, bigotry was seen;

Wickedness and perversions did abound -

But Hashem viewed Noach with favor found...

Haftorah in Sephardic tradition:

Isaiah 42:5-21

Isaiah spoke before the Israelite Folk.

Sternly he told them with pride: the Creator of all

Has opened your eyes and rescued you when needed.

Creator's never shadowed by idols' pall

Whereas promised outcomes always held true to be

Ever as described. So Glory be! All should see

That Praise to G!d from all places must be repeated

By every creature in all corners of Earth;

Proclaim G!d's silent protection for all their worth,

Keeping them from evil darkness, idolatry -

Helping the deaf to listen and the blind to see,

To understand HaShem's teaching all must embrace,

Glorify, magnify, light all corners, each place!

Noach 5783 Arrogance; Bereishit 6:9-11:32; Isaiah 54:1-10 [Sephard]

Noach was quite kind, honest, and fair.

He had three sons for whom to take care.

Still in a world so lawless and vile,

‘Twas hard to be cautious all the while…

So HaShem chose to start once again

By bringing on a flood with much rain.

Yet before ‘twas done, Noach was told

A three deck ark to build with roof hatch

For Folk and critters and food to hold,

Including family and his catch

Of two couples each impure critter,

Of seven couples of those ones pure,

And food enough to feed all aboard…

Then seven days later came rain tour

Continuous for forty long days…

For one hundred fifty full days more

Only water afar could be seen.

Then for forty days water recedes

Until Noach sent out a raven

That ate carrion but then came back

As did the dove sent also to look

For a place to roost along her track…

Seven more days once more dove sent out,

Returned with an olive leaf sprout!

Seven days more, dove sent out again

Not to return as rest spot was gained.

Fifty-six days more, all left the ark.

Noach built a sacrifice altar

In gratitude to HaShem and Hark!

HaShem promised him “never again”

With a covenant of no blood to eat,

No murder allowed, a Rainbow Brit!

Noach was farming vineyards and land.

In drunken sleep naked found by Ham.

His youngest son was rebuked quite hard…

Yet all in re-population starred

To spread to islands, lands and cities,

Mountains, nomads, beaches, folks of seas…

With all one language, arrogance came,

So they thought to build high to their fame

A tower on which would rest their name.

If left to succeed then thought HaShem:

Any goal they would have, they could do…

HaShem with others made speech garbled,

[Why?] Communications confounded…

The tower fell amidst the babble,

The dispersion of Folk compounded...

Shem’s line led to Nachor, then Tarach,

Dad of Avram, Haran, and Nachor.

In Ur they lived until Haran died

[In the Elamite invading war?].

So Tarach took Avram, Sarai, and Lot

Away West to Chauran where they stopped

Although en route to a Canaan spot.

Lot, son of Haran, was as a son

Won to “an exalted Dad”, Avram…

Together they’ll flee moon worship lands

For trips to Egypt and Canaan sands…

============================

my favorite:

Noach’s Journey

Afloat on a boat on waves unending -

How do forty days adrift passing feel?

A galley so large for to feed the crew

and varied critters to protect their weal…

Wind howling, G-d scowling with barf bags near…

Was there faith with trust – or perhaps just fear?

I think I would prefer a space ark rather than the sea

With cryogenic chambers of the critters yet to be.

Concentrated food and drink packs to feed those not asleep

As we all wait out the storms for the waters to recede…

====================

Isaiah told Israel to have trust,

That her numbers would grow to be greater

Than the nations yet to be dispossessed,

To be over-run by her then later,

Without embarrassment for her as loved

By HaShem who promised her no rebuke,

No more Mabuls – rather everlasting

Loyalty and friendship – Not just a fluke!

Shabbat Shalom! Can we avoid another mabul given our abuses of this planet? At Beit Torah we will discuss if and how we can do just that:

Noach 5783 Arrogance; Bereishit 6:9-11:32; Isaiah 54:1-10 [Sephard]

Noach was quite kind, honest, and fair.

He had three sons for whom to take care,

Each son with a wife, plus Noach's wife,

Totalled eight souls to protect in life.

Still in a world so lawless and vile,

‘Twas hard to be cautious all the while…

So HaShem chose to start once again

By bringing on a flood with much rain.

Yet before ‘twas done, Noach was told

A three deck ark to build with roof hatch

For Folk and critters and food to hold,

Including family and his catch

Of two couples each impure critter,

Of seven couples of those ones pure,

And food enough to feed all aboard…

Then seven days later came rain tour

Continuous for forty long days…

For one hundred fifty full days more

Only water afar could be seen.

Then for forty days water recedes

Until Noach sent out a raven

That ate carrion but then came back

As did the dove sent also to look

For a place to roost along her track…

Seven more days once more dove sent out,

Returned with an olive leaf sprout!

Seven days more, dove sent out again

Not to return as rest spot was gained.

Fifty-six days more, all left the ark.

Six hundred years old, no falter,

Noach built a sacrifice altar

In gratitude to HaShem and Hark!

HaShem promised him “never again”

With a covenant of no blood to eat,

No murder allowed, a Rainbow Brit!

Noach was farming vineyards and land.

In drunken sleep naked found by Ham.

His youngest son was rebuked quite hard…

Yet all in re-population starred

Ham [Canaan's, Sodom's, Gomorrah's Dad];

Japheth [Magog]; Cush [Nimrod, and more]

[Many more offspring whose names were bad

Or forgotten or lost evermore...]

Folk spread to islands, lands and cities,

Mountains, nomads, beaches, and high seas…

With all one language, arrogance came,

So they thought to build high to their fame

A tower on which would rest their name.

If left to succeed then thought HaShem:

Any goal they would have, they could do…

HaShem with others made speech garbled,

[Why?] Communications confounded…

The tower fell amidst the babble,

The dispersion of Folk compounded...

Shem’s line led to Nachor, then Terach,

Dad of Avram, Haran, and Nachor.

In Ur they lived until Haran died

[In the Elamite invading war?].

So Terach took Avram, Sarai, and Lot

Away West to Chauran where they stopped

Although en route to a Canaan spot.

Lot, son of Haran, was as a son

Won to “an exalted Dad”, Avram…

Together they’ll flee moon worship lands

For trips to Egypt and Canaan sands…

my favorite:

Noach’s Journey

Afloat on a boat on waves unending -

How do forty days adrift passing feel?

A galley so large for to feed the crew

and varied critters to protect their weal…

Wind howling, G-d scowling with barf bags near…

Was there faith with trust – or perhaps just fear?

I think I would prefer a space ark rather than the sea

With cryogenic chambers of the critters yet to be.

Concentrated food and drink packs to feed those not asleep

As we all wait out the storms for the waters to recede…

Haftorah:

Isaiah saw Yisrael as barren

Yet with a promise for numbers to show,

Hence needing a larger tent for cover

Richly adorned with no disgrace to know:

Materialism instead of Mitzvot

Will cause the Nation to fail and not grow.

Isaiah told Yisrael to have trust,

That her numbers would grow to be greater

Than the nations yet to be dispossessed,

To be over-run by her then later,

Without embarrassment for her as loved

By HaShem who promised her no rebuke,

No more Mabuls – rather everlasting

Loyalty and friendship – Not just a fluke!

Lech Lecha 5783 Wing and a Prayer; Bereishit 12:1-17:27; Isaiah 40:27-41:16

As was the intent of Terach to go to Canaan,

So now Avram, Sarai, and Lot decide to move on

At seventy-five years old, Avram with stealth,

With strong encouragement from HaShem and gathered wealth.

With HaShem’s promise of much offspring to take the Land,

They travelled bit by bit in Canaan, Negba south,

With famine following as they travelled on the sand

Until they had no choice but to go to Egypt’s house…

Now Sarai was of such beauty, she knew she had to plot

A way to save Avram from Pharaoh’s lust, ever hot.

So with both together, a sister ploy plan was got!

Yet with Sarai in harem, Pharaoh’s household, the lot,

Made ill… Per commenters, Lot revealed Sarai as wife!

So Pharaoh banished them with extra wealth and no strife…

The Negev was too crowded for both Avram’s and Lot’s

Considerable collected servants, wealth, and flocks.

So Lot: east to Zoar; Avram in Canaan did stay,

Praising HaShem in Hevron at an altar he prayed…

Being blessed again with many offspring, Promised Land

To be their forever home, by their numbers made grand.

Around where Lot settled there were five Kings in control.

Four other Kings invaded. All people and wealth they stole.

An escapee told Avram who with men rescued all,

Including Lot and his possessions, but took no gain…

Avram only asked that his men get their full booty share….

The Salem king blessed Avram for his courage and name -

HaShem blessed Avram with Land and offspring once again,

But warned of their long servitude in a foreign fare…

Sarai had no child. Hagar, her surrogate became.

Sarai was harsh with uppity Hagar who then fled

To be returned after promised her son’s future fame:

Ishmael, Father of twelve nations, the Holy said.

Avram with Sarai promised: parent many nations

If the covenant of circumcision they maintained,

To be parents of twelve Chieftains with Land to be claimed.

Hence Avram circumcised all his household, self, and son

So that male offspring with Sarai could still be won

Even though Avraham's ninety-nine - Sarah just laughed.

Yitzchak would be their son's name. He'ld follow their craft.

So with their names new, just changed: Sarah's and Avraham's

Lives were newly arranged to meet their future stations...

Haftorah:

While crafts folk take great pride in their own work that excels,

It is nowhere near as perfect as HaShem's glories:

The One who strengthens the Faithful, shame oppressors well,

At times with long stories about how far down they fell...

So the lowly, imperfect of Israel should not fear.

To always help and redeem you, HaShem will be near.

Hence you'll rejoice as Glories of HaShem become clear.

The Young need learn to follow, embracing wisdom’s way

That Yisrael is blessed, their eyes no longer tear...

That Israel is chosen and should no longer fear

For HaShem helps the Chosen trusting G!d all their days...

11/12, VaYera

Shabbat Shalom! At Beit Torah we will discuss whether and how prayers are answered: 

VaYera 5783 Answers to Prayers; Bereishit 18:1-22:24; II Kings 4:1-37

Near the terebinths of Mamre, some Hevron trees,

Came three strangers to Avraham in the day’s heat,

Messengers from HaShem come for Bikur Cholim

And to tell of what was yet to come, it seems.

Now hospitality reigns over pains of brit

With water, bread, milk, curds, and roasted meat complete.

Sarah would bear a son in a year it was said.

She heard and laughed in joy – at her age to be bred!

[Whom did G!d ask if with Avraham he should speak

On destroying Sodom and Gomorrah that week?

About checking out their reported evil ways?]

Two messengers sent to see if Lot should not stay

Were met by vicious folk... Lot welcomed them at night,

Tried to appease the mob, was saved by blinding light...

[Was the third messenger really G!d in disguise?

One left for Abraham with HaShem to discuss

The innocents who by razing might lose their lives?]

Despite Blessings, Avraham had to learn the fuss:

Plains of Sodom and Gomorrah to be wiped out

‘Twas told. Avraham bargained with HaShem – so bold!

Yet ten righteous men in those plains weren’t found about.

So HaShem prevailed to destroy those plains, their holds,

With brimstone cremating Lot’s wife after they fled

With their two daughters to Zoar, messenger led…

Still Zoar was not quiet, might yet be destroyed…

Therefor Lot and his daughters were more than annoyed…

They went up the hills to a cave, food and wine stocked.

With no others near them, the girls feared they were locked

Into celibacy in a new world without men.

So they plied Lot with wine until pregnant with sons:

Moab and Ben-Ammi, who then later become

Moabites and Ammonites. For Folk, erstwhile friends.

In Gerar the sister-wife ploy was used once more.

[Did Sarah herbal taint the water supply store?]

With an infertile household, Abimelech King

Heard from HaShem of the plot in a vivid dream.

He paid Avraham his household health to restore

Since the dream said he had Prophet magic galore!

Sarah bore her son, Yitzchak, in less than a year -

With an eighth day Brit and upon weaning, feast…

Ishmael could inherit, not her son, she feared.

So she expelled him and his mom - yet not deceased...

Then to stop inheritance rights, Hagar was freed

While promised many nations her son would lead!

Avraham, Abimelech got along indeed.

So when there was a well dispute’s settlement need,

King Abimelech said Avraham dug that well.

As well marker was planted a tamarisk tree…

Now perhaps most perplexing during Yitzchak’s youth

Was Avraham’s taking him and wood up to pray

On a mountain with an altar but no goose…

Was Yitzchak rebellious? To be shown the way,

Avraham bound him on altar as if to say

Our HaShem will save you yet on this very day!

Lo! A ram tangled or tied in brambles was seen,

Then ‘twas used for sacrifice. Yitchak got off clean

With respect for HaShem reinforced in his mind,

Yitzchak, in shock, left alone, his own path to find…

Some say he fled to his great by five Grandpa's home

For comfort and study, his lost youth to bemoan...

Lastly the family line of Nahor is told

Listing Rifka and other cousins in the fold…

Haftorah:

To Elisha, a widow her woes cried out:

In debt; destitute; facing slavery too…

So he said: gather vessels from all about

Which he caused to be filled with oil, brand new,

‘Til there was enough for all debts to be paid

And to live comfortably all of their days…

A Shunnamite gave Elisha a place to rest

And a room while bemoaning not having a son.

As promised by Elisha, next year she bore one

Who as a child did play in the hot fields and yet

Was stricken with heat exhaustion and seemed quite dead.

The Shunnamite hurried to Elisha in deep grief.

He quickly returned with her for the child to tend,

Reviving him mouth-to-mouth, body warmth to mend…

The child sneezed seven times to his mother’s relief!

Notes: 1- When Lot split from Avraham it was said he went towards Zoar however in this Parasha is when Zoar got its name!!!

2- As per earlier in Torah: The Dead Sea was formed [during the destruction of the Plains of Sodom and Gomorrah] from the Valley of Sidim.

Shabbat Shalom! How can we value all folk equally, especially seniors? At Beit Torah we we will discuss whether we do or not, and how to improve as needed:

Chayei Sarah 5783 Aging; Bereishit 23:1-25:18; I Kings 1:1-31

Now Sarah lived for one hundred twenty-seven years;

Died in Hevron. Yitzchak thirty-seven then would be,

A son with his own path; Ishmael about fifty:

Good life near Egypt another eighty-seven years…

So alone, Avraham, then bought a burial site

Near where he had settled, from a neighboring Hittite.

His Chief Servant a wife for Yitzchak would find, he swore,

From the Cousins in the northern city of Nahor…

Only to bring her back after bride price paid and more:

Gifts for the drooling family after she agreed.

So with ten camels laden with wealth he went to seek

A fair maiden who would care for himself and his beasts,

(Who gladly would leave her brother and his deep set greed.)

He returned Negba to Yitzchak, with Rifka in tow:

Yitzchak praying in sheep breeders' fields, baring his soul!

Grieving his Mom! Love at first sight! She would fill his nights!

Avraham was lonely, too. Wife Keturah he took

[Had she been his loved concubine for years at least?]

She bore six sons who with gifts went East

Towards Northern Arabia, Aramenian land.

So then inheriting all was his beloved Yitzchak

Who with brother Ishmael buried in fashion grand

Their Father with Mother Sarah when he aged and died

After a long life at one hundred seventy-five…

Haftorah:

Old King David kept warm by Abishag virgin

Was a bit out of it on matters of the days.

So second son Adonijah, spoiled, claimed the throne.

His narcissist ego would not leave him alone...

Most folk did not support him nor his corrupt ways

Which threatened to murder all those who opposed him.

Hence the Prophet Nathan told Bat-Sheva all what to say

To David: ‘You promised Solomon to be King one day!’

Nathan on cue entered to warn of Adonijah’s scare,

So King David then declared Solomon to be his heir!

11/26, Toldot

Shabbat Shalom! Does cultural assimilation always occur? To what extent? At Beit Torah we will discuss how to stay 'Jewish' in foreign cultures:

Toldot 5783 To be a Hurrite; Bereishit 25:19-28:9; Malachi 1:1-27

Yitzchak grieved fa full three years before Rivka came on the scene.

For many years more he begged HaShem to give him some offspring…

Twins took hold in Rivka’s womb. She asked HaShem to stop their fight.

HaShem promised her two mighty nations they would grow to be

With the older serving the younger, in future she would see.

Red Esau came first, then Yaacov holding his heel most tightly:

Red outdoor hunter to meet Dad’s palette with spiced meat just right;

Pensive Mama’s boy home-body, learning from all in his sight.

For Yaacov’s stew, hungry Esau, under oath, sold his birthright…

Famine made Gerar, Philistia, a welcome place to go.

Yitzchak did fear. So they tried another sister-wife show.

Yet Avimelech was wise to them, but understood fearful thoughts.

So he told all his countrymen: as to Yitzchak, your hands keep off!

Then Yitzchak settled near Gerar gaining herds and many folk,

But some Philistines were jealous and Avraham’s wells clogged up.

Avimelech was concerned, told Yitzchak it was no joke,

That he needed to leave town before skirmishes would erupt.

So to Wadi Gerar he moved, but was chased from two wells more

[Esek and Sitnah] until the third, Rehovot, was good score!

Yitzchak’s men dug a seventh well. Avimelech came to meet,

Along with his entourage, he sued for peace, a sworn Pact, Brit!

The well (Beer), called Sheva, gave water. Beer-Sheva the place was named.

[Note: Yitzchak's said gone to Beer Sheva before Sheva well dug through!]

This place was, too, where HaShem to Yitzchak Avraham's Brit renewed!

Yehudit and Basmat, Hittite wives of Esau, were his shame…

With Yitzchak’s eyes failing, he asked Esau to hunt, cook some game

To be blessed… Rivka prepared Yaacov to go in his stead

With Esau’s clothes, kid skin arms, savory goat favorite stew…

Yaacov was blessed with all brothers as servants the Hurrite way…

Esau swore to kill his brother once his Father died. Enraged,

He caused his Mom fear. She sent Yaacov to Laban as he fled,

But told Yitzchak it was for him to find cousin wives to woo -

At age forty with twenty years more or so 'fore returning, too.

Esau, to please them, took Ishmael’s child, Machalot, to wed.

Malachi Haftorah:

It seems HaShem preferred Yaacov’s over Esau’s ways

As a “Father” deserves honor and reverence through all days.

So why scorned? Altars defiled? Cursed are all folk and Priests who stray!

Still the Levite Brit stands if they follow truth, lead none astray...

Shabbat Shalom! At Beit Torah we will discuss how families get dispersed:

Vayetzei 5783 Escaping Family; Bereishit 28:10-32:3; Hosea 11:7-12:12 [Sephard]

On the way to Laban in Charan, Yaacov had a dream

About a passage up to HaShem, traffic going both ways.

Therein HaShem again promised land and numerous offspring,

Spread across many nations to be returned to the Land,

As promised before to Avraham and Yitzchak in their days -

Including saying that all other nations will bless their stand…

Yaacov bargained that if he returned home safely indeed,

He would embrace HaShem who there dwelt at Beth-El… thus vowed he

That this place known before as Luz, a most Holy site will be!

Continuing eastward, Yaacov found folk near a well who

Pointed to Cousin Rachel and all her flock – and Laban knew…

So Yaacov moved the well stone and watered so her’s could share...

Then they went home to be welcomed by Laban: his sister’s son

To his home and for his daughters – a potential groom had come!

With deceit he charged fourteen years labor for both daughters fare…

With twelve children in tow, Yaacov wanted to go on home

But Laban convinced him to stay.

For six more years of labor with speckled, spotted, dark, and roan

Goats and sheep given as his pay.

Laban gave him a flock to tend with none of these color tones.

Yet Yaacov bred many claiming HaShem said to use rods

Carved with desired patterns to gain

Some speckled, spotted, dark studs for breeding colors of the same…

A good story for the soo ignorant Laban and his sons…

Facts say Yaacov’s careful observations likely were done.

Laban’s sons were jealous. For Yaacov ‘twas time to go home.

So while Laban was out shearing, on camels with flocks they flee…

On third day Laban chased – a week to overtake them it took

And to accuse them of sneaking away with an idol crook…

Yaacov trusted that there was nothing amiss to be seen.

He let Laban search, naive to realities of deceit…

Not so with Rachel who understood well her Father:

To restrain violence he surely would not bother.

She knew she needed to interrupt his decisions

By removing his counselors, idols of visions...

So that claims to property and children became moot;

So that in local court he could never win a suit.

Thus Jacob, Leah, Rachel showed family unity

With fourteen plus years resisting Laban’s impunities.

Still discord and fear of Father Laban, his offspring,

Who were ready to fight for all flocks, lands, and well springs -

Until a treaty was agreed to amid a feast,

With boundary markers set and servitude released!

Pillar and stone mound: vows to each one's 'god' sealed the same...

Would Laban have agreed to such a complete defeat

Had HaShem not warned him to desist while in a dream?

So that place was called Gal-ed, later, Mitzpah’s the name…

Then HaShem’s folk met Yaacov near the Canaan border.

Mahanaim thence named to recall their return’s fame…

Sephardic Haftorah:

To give up on the unfaithful Folk, HaShem refused.

So the lands of Ephraim and Judah were beseeched

Repeatedly: return to HaShem, no Laws abused,

To avoid dishonesties, idolatries eschewed

Until forgiveness, repentance, and returns are reached…

The Ashkkenazi version ends on a more positive note:

Forgiveness, repentance and returns will be achieved.

Vayishlach 5783 Family Reconciliation; Bereishit 32:4-36:43; Ovadia 1:1-21

Yaacov struggled with his pain over fear of brotherly wrath.

One misstep done and he could go lame or even lose sons along his path.

Then in fierce struggle with his inner pain,

Yaacov pulled his hip… Was it a sprain?

With whom he struggled, would not give his name -

Although Yaacov’s name to Israel was changed.

Hard to overcome family discord

as when broken sib trust must be restored:

Language is cautious, actions even more so

as family unity’s where they must go:

‘I now won’t step on yours, please do not step on mine.

If together we do so, we both should be fine.’

Yet even that path was still fraught with danger

When Dinah was raped by a Princely stranger.

Shimon and Levi killed all the Shechem men,

Vengeance for their sister’s rape – and then

They fled: midwife Devorah did die;

Rachel, bereft, in childbirth did cry:

“By my suffering I am killed.”

Jacob’s sorrow could not be stilled…

[But Son Reuven did not flee, Clan leader he tried to be...]

Jacob buried Rachel on the way

to Father Yitzchak, where he could stay,

who lived one hundred eighty years we’ve heard:

By both Jacob and Esau was interred…

Both the twins went on to live long, fruitful lives.

Esau’s line in this parsha end is described...

Haftorah:

Ovadia believed that revenge on Esau should be taken,

So he predicted a war with Edom was in the making

From which all Edomites would end up removed,

The Land would be possessed and judged, all idolatry destroyed

With return of morality, the Torah Law re-deployed…

Shabbat Shalom! At Beit Torah we will discuss how families get reunited:

Vayishlach 5782 Family Reuniting; Bereishit 32:4-36:43; Ovadia 1:1-21

Yaacov struggled with his pain over fear of brotherly wrath.

One misstep done and he could go lame or even lose sons along his path.

Then in fierce struggle with his inner pain,

Yaacov pulled his hip… Was it a sprain?

With whom he struggled, would not give his name -

Although Yaacov’s name to Israel was changed.

Hard to overcome family discord

as when broken sib trust must be restored:

Language is cautious, actions even more so

as family unity’s where they must go:

‘I now won’t step on yours, please do not step on mine.

If together we do so, we both should be fine.’

Yet even that path was still fraught with danger

When Dinah was raped by a Princely stranger.

Shimon and Levi killed all the Shechem men,

Taking booty: livestock, kids, plus women...

Vengeance for their sister’s rape – and then

A rush to Beth-El to idols bury...

Blessed once more by G!d, Israel name to be;

Sanctified by pillar as Beth-El named

[For a second time? or two versions gained?]

As they fled: midwife Devorah died;

Interred under Beth-El's "weeping" oak tree...

Just shy of Ephrat, hard labor began

For Rachel, bereft, in childbirth cried:

“By my suffering I am killed

Bearing son of suffering, Ben-Oni..."

Jacob’s sorrow could not be stilled…

Yet son of my days name's Binyamin now;

Pillar's for Her Beit Lechem burial ground!

[But Son Reuven did not flee, Clan leader he tried to be

By bedding Bilhah, Dad's concubine, key

To gain leadership as per neighbors' ways.]

Jacob buried Rachel on the way

to Father Yitzchak, where he could stay,

who lived one hundred eighty years we’ve heard:

By both Jacob and Esau was interred…

Both the twins went on to live long, fruitful lives.

Esau’s line in this parsha end is described...

Haftorah:

Ovadia believed that revenge on Esau should be taken,

So he predicted a war with Edom was in the making

From which all Edomites would end up removed,

The Land would be possessed and judged, all idolatry destroyed

With return of morality, the Torah Law re-deployed…

Shabbat Shalom! How can we avoid family deceits? Such we’ll discuss at Beit Torah:

VaYeishev 5783, Family Deceptions; Bereishit 37-40; Amos 2:6 -3:8

Beloved Yosef grew up favored and spoiled

What with tattling on concubines’ offspring.

So of course they were jealous and quite roiled

When told of bowing to him in his dreams…

Yisrael sent Yosef to check on his bro’s

On a day they moved from Dothan to Shechem.

While plans to kill Yosef grew as hatred grows,

Brother Reuven said ‘no!’, ‘in a pit put him!’

Then they all sat to eat and talk about Joe

When Judah saw traders in a caravan

And said ‘sell him!’ to save him and change the plan…

Yet, tell Father with bloody coat that he was dead…

While traders to Egypt’s Potifar sold his head…

Midianites? Ishmaelites? Of both we read

In four scripture mentions: three the latter... So

Maybe two versions melded into one spot? -

Unless he changed hands more then once as they trod...

Potifar’s lustful wife tried for Yosef’s bod’

He refused. She lied that he had grabbed her, lewd…

Pharaoh’s guard took Yosef to jail where he grew

To be in charge of other inmates he knew.

So when they had weird odd dreams, they asked his view...

Told them true: baker dies, cupman’s job renewed

On Pharaoh’s birthday! ‘Yosef’ cupman forgot…

Yosef said traders took him out from the pit...

Was he shamed that brothers left him there to sit?

From Judah’s sons, Er and Onan, Tamar was widowed twice.

Third son Shelah was ‘too young’, so Tamar was told to wait.

Judah’s wife died. He cried, then went to Timnah for sheep to shear.

Tamar had upset friends who helped her plan how to be nice

To Judah along his way posing as a harlot dear.

His signet seal, staff and cord, he left as promise of pay…

But Tamar went on home. The harlot was not to be found.

Three months later, Tamar could be seen with child all around.

‘Burn her’ Judah said until stopped as Tamar spoke out loud:

‘This seal, staff and cord belong to the father in this case’

Judah thought and declared her most righteous, decree erased…

Come term were twins. Zerah’s hand first but Perez out ‘fore him.

Two babes for two dead mates… a twist of fair justice for them..

Great things are yet to occur for the house of Judah’s bairns.

From Judah’s sad losses were Israel’s glorious gains!

Said HaShem, as per Amos, there is a reason

You went down to Egypt and were brought out again.

Still, you have defiled our Brit in ev’ry season

For greed or lust, violating the pure for gain.

You've taken survival needs or folk to pay debts.

You corrupt nazarites, prophets, judges and yet

Still I destroyed the Amorites, brought you to their site!

So now I will make your every move hollow

Until you let the Prophets speak and them follow.

Then, the purpose of my works and acts will come to light!

Shabbat Shalom! Are family intrigues harmful? It is a topic we’ll discuss at Beit Torah:

Shabbat Chanukah/ Miketz 5783; Family Intrigues; Bereishit 41-44:17; Zechariah 2:14-4:7

Today Chanukah comes with this week’s portion together

When famine occurs and the tribes need to decide whether

To starve slowly or take the trek and risk Egyptian wrath

From the overseer of grains who so obscured their path.

First ask: How did he get there, this strange overseer guy?

He was in jail in charge of sleazeballs, murderers, and crooks.

He came to troubled Pharaoh’s attention and here’s the why:

Pharaoh’s dreams, advisers could not suss through their second looks!

Lo! The forgetful cupman got a swift memory boost.

He suddenly recalled Yosef and his odd weird dreams’ truths!

He said Joe was the Chief Steward's servant... It makes us think:

Was Joe jailed or transferred to a new master owner's rink?

Punished or fired? Let go over the marital stink?

Thence Yosef divined Pharaoh’s dreams’ portents and response needs:

HaShem speaks in dreams, foretells seven years of bounty win

For use to prepare for seven years of famine given...

So choose a wise man to oversee the food storage plan,

Proclaimed riding on cart as Abrek, overseer man

[As seen much later in Babylonian Haman days]...

Since thirty year old Yosef seemed quite able to understand

Hence Pharaoh a food store vizier of Yosef then did make,

He called him Zaphenath Paneah, sustainer of life.

So Joe became first in the family given two names!

He gave him On’s Poti-phar’s daughter, Asenath, as wife

(Was she Dinah’s daughter adopted as Poti-phar’s seed?);

And status and finery to wear, all he could take,

So that he could have two sons and a rich life

Safe from the famine and able to help others

Such as the Canaan strangers who in fact were his brothers.

Since Yosef could foresee the famine that was yet to be,

Pharaoh told him: Make some stores to last famine years and more.

Then when famine raged about, Josef’s bro’s came for food to seek

Not knowing their lost brother oversaw the food stock store…

Mixed emotions of anger, love and revenge engulfed him,

So at first Joe told no one of facing challenging kin.

Instead he barked at them to return only with their youngest.

As security, Shimon was detained, money restored...

Did Shimon have a clue about brother Yosef's guilt war?

The famine continued. Reuven swore sons forfeit for Ben...

As hunger worsened, Yaacov wanted to save all. Then

When famine raged harder, Yehudah to Yisrael swore

To protect Binyamin when they took him to Egypt, west.

[Again, a second version about who will protect Ben?]

Upon their arrival, Yosef treated his brothers well,

Reassured them ther was no need G!d's money to repay.

Shimon returned to his brothers [with a secret to tell?].

All seated at a meal as per their order of birth day

Led to wondering what this was about by the brothers!

Now Yosef, overcome, with his full sib’s time wanted more.

So he hid by Ben a double portion and his wine cup

To challenge his brothers to let Ben stay there, give him up

As 'slave' for, despite double share, being thief of wine cup...

------------------------------------

Haftorah, Zechariah

According to Zechariah, HaShem promised to dwell

Amongst the Chosen - Jerusalem first restored as well...

As if in a dream, Zechariah claimed to see

Joshua, the High Priest, standing in tattered clothes

Before the Holy Judge, Prosecutor on right.

The Prosecutor by the Judge rebuked sternly,

Told his attendants to dress Josh in Priestly Robes

As a guiltless servant crowned with diadem light,

Promising to be faithful to HaShem's Laws all nights

With reward to tend to HaShem, lead righteous Priests,

As marked on a seven eyed, engraved stone decree

To remove Judah's guilt, restore the righteous tree

So soon all sit together in shade of fig trees...

Zach thought he woke up, asked by the Angelic Judge:

What, at that point, was it he was able to see?

He then saw a golden lamp stand beneath a bowl;

Seven lamps below pipes; each side an olive tree;

Temple rubble mined flat by Zerubavel's path

With old Temple craft for new Temple cornerstone

With Priest vestments and crown to the Temple make whole...

Then the angel asked: "Prophet! What does it all mean?"

To Zerubavel HaShem said: Not by my might,

Nor by my power, but by my Spirit alone...

Chanukah Starts Sunday night 12/18...  So:

Chanukah: who’s righteous and who’s the dreamer?

Who clings to the Holy? Who’s just a schemer?

Will we, like Hannah coerced by tyrants, give up our lives and dreams?

Or let those of some other faiths impose their dogma upon us?

Chanukah proclaims that stand to reject religious oppression.

Tikun Olam is preferred to sin of omission confession!

Yet do we heed the call to not hide, to dream and teach for freedom?

Or are we in shadows not seeing those Civil Rights? We need some…

12/31/22

We at Beit Torah pray for all parts of this country to be able to unite in rebuilding after the many disasters in the world.. Benefits of such are shown in Parashat VaYiggash:

VaYiggash 5783; Rebuilding; Bereishit 44:18-47:27; Ezekiel 37:15-28

The Royal wine cup’s in Ben’s bag! How can they pain stave?

Judah’s promise spurred him on to offer self as slave.

So Judah spoke to defend his Father

From his youngest son also being lost.

Yosef sobbed, overcome with emotion,

In private told them what treachery cost:

Pharaoh treated Yosef as Father he had not had...

So with Pharaoh’s blessing, Yosef administered all

As Yad HaShem to a family guided his path.

Soon he had respect, honor, finery, and two sons

As well as the power to protect others at last:

An Egyptian family able to save all folk!

So to bring Jacob back to Egypt they went

With wagons and gifts from the Pharaoh were sent.

Now Jacob at one hundred thirty years old

Was wizened, depressed, cranky and prone to vent.

Clearly Jacob was very feeble and cold

When “Yosef, your son, is alive!” he was told:

Serah sang a sweet song to him so that he truly would believe... (Did she?)...

“Yosef is still alive” she said, “Go over to Egypt and you will see!”

So he packed up his flocks and folk to travel the long trek to his lost son,

To bless the Pharaoh before he died, knowing that safety now had been won.

En route at Beer Sheva he stopped to give sacrifices of gratitude.

There Hashem told him by divine hand they’ld return after an interlude...

It is said there were seventy tribe souls en route, but we need to recall

That not all of the women [wives and daughters] nor servants were counted at all!

When to Egypt Jacob finally arrived.

He happily wept that his Yosef was alive!

The brothers were told for Pharaoh to say

Their livelihoods were as livestock breeders.

Now those proud brothers followed their own way

And truthfully told Pharaoh: Shepherds are we;

In Goshen’s pastures for now let us stay

While our breeders do Pharaoh’s work by day.

Judah led them to Goshen to thrive and prosper.

Others, in famine, indentured themselves for food…

Some became serfs who paid fifth of produce for land,

Priests' lands were not taken. They were Pharaoh's land grants:

A plan that worked quite well with the Pharaoh at hand.

Pharaoh was then enriched with flocks and food payments…

Until another Pharaoh came and changed the mood…

Making serfs into slaves and their living so crude...

Haftorah:

Ezekiel foresaw two family branches united,

Ephraim and Yehudah, two nations into one in peace,

HaShem's Holy Sanctuary within that Land united

By righteous governing under Laws of HaShem, purified,

An extension of the Davidic Dynasty, sanctified -

Or did he mean it’s the ethical Solomonic line’s lease?

Daughters and Lights 5783

Oh listen up you so lucky girls: We are in for a treat

When Festivals of Daughters and Lights on Chanukah do meet!

With extra gifts and T.L.C., it becomes really quite neat

With caloric, oil rich foods and yummy concoctions so sweet -

If also we live in safe places with freedoms near complete...

If not, we face the challenge Mattetyahu fought so long ago

To bring Light to the oppressed, tyrannies yokes to overthrow

While we all seek the End of war, Love, Peace as forward we go!

Since no place has full freedoms, we're all together in this show!

We at Beit Torah pray to recognize and correct for our weaknesses. May we successfully learn to prosper as they did in this week’s portion of VaYechi:

VaYechi 5783; Ethical Inheritances; Bereishit 47:28-50:26; 1 Kings 2:1-12

Now Ya-acov lived seventeen years more with family all around.

Although carried by others to and fro, his deep joy and peace were found.

As he got older, he longed for home, all those years he’d missed.

So to bury him with his folks, Yosef he made promise;

Then he adopted Yosef’s two sons, Joe’s double portion,

By blessing younger Ephraim to be as the first born

But Menashe's blessed too, not forgotten nor left forlorn...

He gathered other sons to tell them their flaws and strengths.

Each gained a "blessing" * o’er what they had done or not done

Before he rested and came to his long journey’s length

He reminded all: HaShem promised return to the Land.

Forty days to embalm, with no Egyptian blessing to preserve…

Thirty days of national mourning and then they went on their way,

An entourage to Canaan, leaving children and livestock behind,

Brought Egyptian dignitaries, Israel’s household and sons away

With Yosef’s household to bury their Patriarch without reserve

In Avraham's, Sarah's, Yitzchak's, Rivka's, Leah's home plot -

But not with beloved Rachel buried alone in Ephrat.

The Peoples of both lands honored them well and to them were kind…

There were seven days of mourning held at the burial site…

Despite his brothers’ fears, Yosef forgave their earlier strife…

After all, HaShem planned it to preserve family life!

Yosef lived on to see three generations Ephraim’s spawn

And grandkids from his other son before ‘twas time to move on

Post-promise to be embalmed, returned with the tribes to Canaan...

Hence, too, another ending of one hundred and ten years of Yosef’s life,

Embalmed and in waiting to return home to Canaan with all of the tribes.

CHAZAK, CHAZAK, V'NITCHAZEK!

Kings haftorah:

King David on his death bed told Shlomo to be strong;

To follow all HaShem’s ways and the Laws all day long

In order to succeed as a wise Ruler and King,

Showing the righteous path to success for all offspring...

Then pettiness grabbed David with last requests given:

Take revenge on physical and verbal violence:

Shimei ben Gera and Yoab, peacetime murderer twice!

Reward the loyal who helped out to go on living:

Gilead's Barzillai protecting from evil vice...

Then David expired after being King in Hevron

Seven years and thirty-three years, Yerushalayim;

Firmly giving Solomon rule on the Royal Throne.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*The Death Bed Blessings Disgraced Reuven for bedding Leah's maid;

Shimon's and Levi's angers will scatter them throughout the Land;

Judah's rule will be praised; A haven for ships at Zevulun's shore;

Yissachar's tents hide away among the neighbors in their sand;

Independent Dan's self-protective to the extreme and more;

While Gad's in constant turmoil, Asher has Royal dainties made;

Then Naphtali's most fruitful, joining in Asher's quiet ways;

Binyamin's a predatory warrior unlike bro Joe

Who was facing challenges, steadfast, like the ancestors blessed,

Independent, unrestrained, willfully completing all tests...

We at Beit Torah will discuss contrasting individual and community leadership:

Shemot 5783; The rise of a leader; Shemot [Exodus] 1:1-6:1; Sephard: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3; Ashkenaz: Isaiah 27:6 - 28:13; 29:22 - 29:23

It is the Pesach story that starts the Book of Names,

Shemot, a saga with intrigue, harsh plagues, and games.

We start with the cruelty of a conquering Pharaoh

Enslaving some peoples unto hopelessness and woe,

Moaning and groaning under oppression e’re they go;

Decreeing death to newborn boys without a care – Oh

But for Shifra and Puah who refused to do so

By saying strong Hebrew women did not need their help

When a baby boy or girl by themselves they could whelp.

Then Yochevet’s baby in a closed cradle was placed

As Sis Miriam to the Princess swiftly did race.

“From water did I pull you,” the Princess exclaimed.

“As a result, henceforth, Moshe will be your name.”

When grown he saw an overseer vilely act.

He killed him. ‘Twas known to Hebrew Slaves as a fact,

Discovered when he stopped a Hebrew slaves’ fight with tact.

So he fled to Midian, to a Priest’s daughters was kind,

All seven as he sat by the well, shooed bullies away,

Watered flocks for the girls… They were home early that day...

Family friendship with Zipporah to wife he did find.

Soon a dear son came along for him to mind

Named Gershom, for stranger Moish was there to stay…

This story took off here when HaShem now did appear

In a burning bush that neither ashed nor disappeared!

Moish heard Hashem call: [He replied: "I am here".]

"Remove your shoes on Holy ground, do not fear

For I am HaShem who promised your forbears

Land of milk and honey; at my mountain: prayers."

"I've heard Israelites pleading for help you see,"

HaShem did proclaim, “To Egypt you must go:

From Horeb to Pharaoh for desert prayers to plead

For all Hebrews with elders, wives, and children in tow -

Just as was given to other folk when such was their need.”

Moshe declined as unworthy and unable to speak,

Unable to give HaShem’s name, overall too weak…

Then HaShem said to say, “G!d of Patriarchs, Ehyeh,”

To the Israelite elders, “will liberate us! Yeah!”

A snake rod, a hand with white scales, dry land blood water

Are grand signs for in Pharaoh’s court to be seen and heard.”

Moshe’s protest: ‘I’m not worthy! ‘Twill be a slaughter!”

“So let Aaron convince them with his eloquent words,”

Said HaSHem as he promised with their neighbors’ wealth

There later would be an exit at night in stealth…

So Moshe asked from Yitro, top Midian Priest, permission to go

While HaShem said, “Egyptian firstborn die if plea’s refused by Pharaoh.”

Some of this prediction Zipporah did hear

Hence for her Egyptian firstborn she clearly did fear.

So he would be a Hebrew, his small foreskin she took

To save his life when the Angel of Death came to look.

Yet when Moshe asked Pharaoh for wilderness prayers,

He and Aaron were laughed out of court, kicked down the stairs!

As life became harder with withdrawn straw for the bricks,

Hebrews could not meet quotas, could not use sticks…

Those Hebrews did curse them, causing them both such despair…

Still HaShem cautioned patience: “Moshe, we will get there!”

Sephardic Haftorah:

HaShem told Jeremiah: known before birth Prophet you’ll be.

Jeremiah then protested that he was unable to speak.

Hence HaShem in response reached out and touched the then young youth’s mouth

To give visions: almond tree branch, pot of steam;

To let HaShem’s divine words flow forth from above and on deep;

To predict disaster from idolatrous North for the South…

But Yerushalayim’s fortifications were able to hold

With the promise to give HaShem’s due by the faithful and bold…

Ashkenaz Haftorah:

“Suffering in the past purged the sins away

So Israel can blossom,” Isaiah did say,

“From a forsaken land to one filled with life.”

Still those people not in sync could find no grace,

No mercy to violators in that place.

Those drunkards with power were doomed soon to be lost.

As the dispersed gathered in, the strayed were the cost.

In fortified town, land protected from strife

The House of Jacob stood tall, no longer shamed

For they all in awe did hallow HaShem’s name!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We at Beit Torah will discuss difficulties in opposing tyrants:

VaEra 5783 ; Plaguing Tyrants; Shemot [Exodus] 6:2-9:35; Ezekiel 28:15-29:21

Is Exodus two accounts made one in meld

Of plague times when some of Semites were expelled?

Of slave times from many backgrounds who rebelled?

No details were given last week in our preview.

So now we embark on this version number two…

HaShem promised Moshe soon there would be release

Even though the Hebrews firmly refused to believe

In eighty year old Moshe, for HaShem a groaner;

In the Patriarchs’ Brits with the Tetragram owner:

To answer moans and deliver by unusual means

Possession of Canaan to folk without hope it seems...

Then Moshe, in fear, said he truly could not speak,

So HaShem spoke to Aaron, his spokesman to be.

Hence to prove his credentials: lineage revealed,

Both past and present men and sons Egyptian born

[Note Miriam’s not mentioned as of Yocheved's spawn].

Thus now with this info was his leadership sealed,

Moshe and Aaron returned to their task forlorn.

When going back to Pharaoh with his hardened heart,

Aaron’s snake rod swallowed the magicians’ - all parts.

Pharaoh still said ‘no’, your folk to pray can not go’ -

Despite other nations being allowed to do so!

Hence in the umbra of Thera, Egypt’s plagues did come

But lesser in Goshen, Thera’s penumbra, some plagues none…

Now blood was the first plague in water, wood, and stone

Since volcanic iron oxide paints all red roan;

[Pharaoh's magicians something similar could do...

Was it the same? Not likely as they had no clue!]

"Blood" poisoned water so that fish died, rotted, and smelled,

Let uneaten tadpoles escape to land as well

As frogs seeking food in all of Pharaoh's home places,

But not in Goshen were there of them any traces!

Pharaoh said, "go sacrifice" if first frogs get gone,

But when dead frogs piled up, he sang a different song...

Now toxic volcanic ash, like lice on skin cooking,

Will kill food sources, so hungry insects come looking...

Again promised to go pray should insects get gone

From Thera's umbra ['though Goshen's penumbra had none].

Again Pharaoh renegged with the insects away

Only to have all critters in fields fall dead next day.

Aaron's soot thrown in the air [? Or Thera's vast display?]

Did sicken the air so that all felt so ill until

The skin bubbled open as blisters or boils in pain

Only to be struck by fiery hail as again

More death until the inferno from brimstone was done:

Barley and flax both destroyed out in the open fields

Left later ripened wheats for the locusts yet to come...

Hail's seventh plague given Pharaoh was stubborn still…

All this since Pharaoh continued to refuse to yield...

Historical documentations by the Ipuwer papyri [circa 1500's BCE] support the occurrence of the biblical plagues and coincided with the first of the expulsion of Semites from Egypt and with the massive volcanic explosions of Thera that destroyed around half the island about 400 miles away from Egypt. This is consistent with the teachings of the Rambam, Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, and others that HaShem does not violate natural laws but uses them to cause what appears to some to be ‘miracles’.

Haftorah, Ezekiel:

Now when at first his prophecy did not occur,

In seventeen years Ezekiel tried once more

With adding that bounty to Babylon must go

From desolate Egypt and dispossessed Pharaoh -

Repaying Babylon for the abuse it showed...

Said about ten years post-Babylonian exile…

Then Israel gathered in to a secure land while

Despisers were punished; HaShem reclaimed the Nile...

Shabbat Shalom!

The focus of Beit Torah this week asks how and if we can return the world to world peace so all can escape to safe, free living:

Bo 5783; Escape; Shemot (Exodus) 10:1-13:16; Jeremiah 46:13-28

Now there wasn’t much left to drink or eat

After the bugs and the boils and the beasts,

So when hungry locusts then swarmed the land

Almost naught for people remained but sand.

Even when locusts to marshes were blown,

Pharaoh continued refusing to yield.

“So blind you are,” Aaron then told Pharaoh,

“A darkness plague will make your blindness real.”

Volcanic debris in Thera’s umbra

Made particle filled air quite touchable.

Nine Ipuwer days or three from Torah,

Both caused asthma or fear, so palpable

That the people were more than ready to go

If only okayed by the cruel Pharaoh…

Alas, he said ‘no’, no flocks could go…

Hence from the neighbors riches to “borrow”

Since Moish was esteemed [Yisraelites cheered]

They willingly gave - or was it their fear?

Post-firstborn deaths, Folk fled on the morrow.

From Ramses by Wadi to Sukkot huts

So they could regroup and rest weary butts.

So momentous a moment, Sages say,

That we must remember each year this day

With signs on our hands, also between our eyes,

To recall Egyptian servitude cries

Which led to freedom for all who did heed:

Blood on Lintels, lamb roast on which to feed

[Only given to those men circumcized],

Burn all the leftovers, flee at dawn’s break

With unleavened bread of no time to bake.

Further, to HaShem our firstborn belong

Recalling that last plague of dark horror.

That we were set free becomes now our song

Recalled each year in matzah and maror,

First and last days Holy, no work allowed;

Matzah's for all local folk and strangers...

With no leavening in all of the house,

With Exodus story told to kids and spouse…

[Ate leaven on those seven days? Danger!

Shunned would you be before folk of the crowd!]

Then, only circumcised have roast to eat

Though the Law's upheld for all folk to meet...

Since that restriction on lamb roast eating, some traditions no longer use lamb so that all can eat whether or not circumcised.

The Death of the Firstborn can also be tied to the toxic deposits of the volcanic debris and ash. Since all food sources were destroyed save the tar covered warehouse pits, all Egypt would have used them. However first portions always went to the firstborn - and they would have been the most toxic if not deadly from absorbed volcanic output. This would have been most toxic in the heaviest umbra deposits. Goshen to the East was in the penumbra and had lighter effects from plagues. How they avoided tainted grain is not clear. What would you do to save your firstborn? - or would you try to save all the people?

Haftorah:

Once more an Haftorah predicting Egypt’s fall

With its loudmouth Pharaoh of hubris fame in rule;

Once more laid barren wasteland, by Babylon’s hand

Of Nebuchadnezzar's King of Destructions' School…

So Jeremiah joined Ezekiel to call

To shame Egypt's god, Ammon Re, as though a fool;

For Israel to lay low while fights surround their Land

So that the dispersed Folk will return in full praise

After fully atoning for their wayward ways...

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom! Beit Torah wonders how to combat Amalekites now present:

Shabbat Shira, BeShallach 5783; Oppose Amalek; Shemot [Exodus] 13:17-17:16; Judges 4:4 - 5:31 Ashkenaz; 5:1-31 Sephard

What does one do when one suddenly becomes free

Without any experience as to what can be?

Quite unlike Moshe who was years Egyptian raised,

Also lived in Midian for many of days,

Remembered to take Yosef’s bones along the way,

Not sure how long in the wilderness they would stay...

What did those Hebrews do when they too became free?

They groaned and bemoaned o’er what for them could not be…

In shock at Sukkot, weary travelers’ waystop,

They could not guess what ahead would be still their lot.

Along that cool, spring wadi, so wet and so green,

Not realizing what travelling east would mean:

Chased by Pharaoh’s chariots and quite loyal troops,

Once more they fled with their flocks in very large groups

On to Eitam at the Wilderness edge they're sent

Following a fire pillar by night, cloud by day

Until northward turned their path, the cloud to their rear went...

Then they neared irrigation canals’ northernmost lake.

Now given that on the northern garrison road

Locals and sea refugees were coming to blows,

To the Sea of Reeds was where they needed to go,

Area known to Moshe from jobs with Pharaoh:

Camped then near the mouth of canals, Pi-HaHirot,

At the edge of wilderness by the Sea of Reeds,

Facing Baal-Zephon [the Northern Ballah Lake]

Between Migdol [garrison tower] and the sea...

To control water sluicing some work it would take

After a night of intense smog where none could see

With all night strong east wind making a dry land way,

Moish's arm held high through that night and lightened day...

So at dawn relatively dry land there would be

For all flocks and folk to walk over to the other side

Until Moshe’s arm went down, signal to let waters ride

And cover the pursuing army now trapped in the muck.

Chariots and horses and men could not flee. They were stuck.

While Moshe and Miriam and all the people were very glad,

HaShem was a bit cross as death of horses and men is so sad.

Still they sang with gratitude to HaShem in joyous voice;

Fearing HaShem gave Folk faith in both G!d and Moish.

Their Song at the Sea recounts their story so long

Which will be longer still with more events to come.

Moshe rejoiced that the people were delivered

While the Pharaoh’s host was buffetted and slivered

As they drowned in the rock filled flooding waters’ rush.

Both Moshe and Miriam to HaShem thanks gave.

Other nations of that time felt much terror such

That they feared Hashem for how HaShem freed the slaves.

Next Folk continued their long journey to the east:

Several wilderness days trek came to the brink

Of Marah bitter waters, dunked honeywood made them sweet

WIth HaShem's promise that if faithful and loyal,

Folks' bodies and spirits would have healings royal...

Elim Oasis was water with no parasites to drink;

The Wilderness of Sin had no food and no meat,

Hence the Folk grumbled more from hunger they felt - so

They're given six days of Mannah [weekday leftovers stink],

With double portions on the sixth day; [Shabbat did now show

A day of rest, no gathering of wood or food you know!]

Why did the Shabbat portion not spoil overnight?

'Cause it was baked or boiled in the day before's light!

Tamarisk sap lice product sounds like the Mannah that fell

And there were occasional quail provided to eat as well...

At Meribah, Massah, Refidim, more water lack woes-

A smacked Horeb rock cracked to provide water flows;

Then just as they approached Arabia’s narrow pass,

Amalekites appeared, striking down weak and the old,

So Joshua’s unexpecting folk had to fight, alas-

They succeeded to win as held high were Moish's hands.

An Altar of HaShem was built then to give thanks...

Still ever we must oppose all Amalek's ranks...

The use of ‘three days’ was not always meant to be specific but rather to indicate many days’ length of time. It also should be noted that the Nile River in Egypt, the major source of drinking water, was contaminated with several types of parasites. So the promise of no Egyptian illnesses was fulfilled by clean, parasite free water. The fulfilling of other promises is yet to come for the fleeing tribes have yet to learn what laws of HaShem they will need to uphold. Is keeping to the mitzvot a guarantee that we can hang onto freedom? If not, what else must we do? Amalekite tyrants and autocrats will be in every generation, challenging our freedoms and democracies. How best can we oppose them? Will we ever be safe from them – or must we always be on alert to fight? Are there now Amalekites we must fight?

Haftorah: Judges 4:4 - 5:31 Ashkenaz; 5:1-31 Sephard

Honored Devorah, prophetess; Lappidot’s wife;

Sought after Judge under her palm tree on a hill

Of Ephraim between Ramah and Beth-El;

Military leader; strategist to save lives...

D'vorah and Barak were to Kedesh go to meet

Gathering troops - such was the plan all ahould agree..

She told Barak of Naphtali: gather some men,

Ten K in all from Naphtali and Zevulun

To go on to Mount Tabor where he could snare then

Sisera’s troops and gear in Wadi Kishon

Where devious Devorah had plans to send them…

Barak said okay only if she too would show.

Then her spy told Sisera where Barak would go…

She went with him to slaughter the oncoming horde,

But Sisera fled to whom he thought was a friend…

Yael and Heber were Moshe’s kin, feared the Lord…

So Yael hid Sisera, gave him milk to sleep…

Then she drove a peg in his head and did not weep.

Barak, in pursuit, saw what good deed she had done.

He ended King Yavin’s reign. Forty years’ peace, won!

Devorah and Barak sang a song of great praise

For the reopening of travel and free trade,

With gratitude to HaShem and all those who helped:

Ephramites hailing from Amalek held city;

Machir and Zevulun officers; Binyamin;

Isachar for Devorah’s guard; and too some pity

For tribes who hesitated, on outskirts waited

As Sisera had bad weather, a Kishon flood

Which swept away many in the torrent of mud...

Meroz cursed as did not help. Yael was praised.

Sisera’s Mom dreamt of booty all her days,

Worried her son was late… No spoils! Just Peace slated

For forty years yet to come. Victory's song won!

Shabbat Shalom! We at Beit Torah wonder if we can get our Justice system to work without any effect from partisan politics...

Shabbat Yitro 5783; Justice; Shemot [Exodus] 18:1-20:23-;

Yeshayahu [Isaiah] 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6 Ashkenaz; 6:1-13 Sephard

Now journeying through desert sands is slow

When some people have kids and flocks in tow.

So Moshe sent his wife and sons ahead

To visit Grandfather Yitro’s homestead.

So, too, to not be distracted from the refugee woes,

Moshe tried to do everything by himself, alone,

Which led to some intense burnout and severe overload.

Still Moshe did all needed tasks with not even a groan!

Near Arabia, Yitro came with Zipporah and sons,

At once evaluating what Moshe’s efforts had done.

This Midian Priest first made a meal to improve the mood

Of Moshe and all the tribe elders as his pitch ensued:

“Moish can’t go on like this,” he said. “He’ll wear himself out.”

“Delegate to several levels of judges and laws!”

“Teach them how to do it themselves, what it is all about,

So that only the most major will come before his gaze,

Knowing that good, fairly done judgment did review each cause

And the People will decide for their own, have happier days.

Now the Judges you will choose must all be capable guys,

Fair minded, unbiased, rich so immune to bribes!”

Moshe’s People kept on their way while Yitro went on home.

Refidim to Mt. Sinai’s desert, from Egypt three moons.

Mt. Sinai’s South South East - ish of Midian in Arabia’s dunes,

A volcanic area with quakes, smoke, fire, and earth groans -

A place to rest with three days of purification tasks:

Do not touch the mountain nor your women; wash clothes;

Then listen to the words coming from behind the smoke cloud:

This is our covenant, ten terms to our Brit...

So said HaShem, “These covenant terms are ones you must meet”:

The only deity that you shall have must now be me!

No idols are allowed! By my name, no swearing falsely!

Keep the Sabbath day of rest with all livestock and folks -

Except wives are not on the list to not work for their blokes!

Honor your parents! No murder allowed! No adultery

With married women permitted! Stealing of spirits, souls,

Or the selves of others is forbidden! Dishonesty

In tales about neighbors also a very big no-no!

Yet was it only about neighbors or of any folk?

Just like don’t covet neighbors’ holdings – or others’ also?

The mountain of lightning, thick smoke, and thunder was so loud

The mountain trembled, horn blasts grew louder scaring the crowd.

Those very frightened People begged Moshe to intercede

So they themselves would not hear directly HaShem’s words.

Moshe did as they asked so HaSHem’s words only he heard:

“Build now an earthen altar, for sacrifices to be blessed -

No idols thereon nor ever should be built anywhere…

So use then un-hewn stone for an altar without steps.

No lewd dancing, modesty in worship, joy should be there...”

Unlike other nations, no nudity nor idols would be part of sacrifices and worship. One wonders if the Solomonic era compiler added a nudity on steps ban after David danced twirling on the palace steps revealing his manhood to all [no underwear]… What part of our Brit covers nudity and modesty? Be safe!!!

HAFTORAH:

The death of King Uzziah heartened Isaiah’s feeling

G!d protected Jerusalem while others were reeling:

Sitting on a Holy throne with skirt flowing Temple built,

Six-winged Seraphim in attendance, the Temple smoke filled…

With Isaiah standing there, a Seraph took a hot coal

To touch his two lips for purification of his soul

So that he could tell the People that the Law they must heed

Though only a tenth would survive as future Holy seeds...

Tu b'Shvat 5783, Timing

Adele Jay

Early spring leavees have started budding on the trees,

An earlier start before their trees' birthday! - Gee!

It is now ever more early each year of late...

Are we confused? or Did the blooms mix up their date?

Perhaps we should ask Mother Nature of her woes

As Global Warming sure is messing with her shows!

May we all enjoy and benefit from all four types of produce:

edible on the outside but not inside

edible on the inside but not outside

completely edible

only spiritually edible

Chag Sameach!

Shabbat Shalom! We at Beit Torah wonder if we can get people to really hear the Decalogue and delegate as needed for Tikun Olam...

Shabbat Yitro 5783; Decalogue and Delegation; Shemot [Exodus] 18:1-20:23-; 

 Yeshayahu [Isaiah] 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6 Ashkenaz; 6:1-13 Sephard

Now journeying through desert sands is slow

When some people have kids and flocks in tow.

So Moshe sent his wife and sons ahead

To visit Grandfather Yitro’s homestead.

So, too, to not be distracted from the refugee woes,

Moshe tried to do everything by himself, alone,

Which led to some intense burnout and severe overload.

Still, Moshe did all needed tasks with not even a groan!

Near Arabia, Yitro came with Zipporah and sons,

At once evaluating what Moshe’s efforts had done.

This Midian Priest first made a meal to improve the mood

Of Moshe and all the tribe elders as his pitch ensued:

“Moish can’t go on like this,” he said. “He’ll wear himself out.”

“Delegate to several levels of judges and laws!”

“Teach them how to do it themselves, what it is all about,

So that only the most major will come before his gaze,

Knowing that good, fairly done judgment did review each cause

And the People will decide for their own, have happier days.

Now the Judges you will choose must all be capable guys,

Fair minded, unbiased, rich so immune to bribes!”

Moshe’s People kept on their way while Yitro went on home.

Refidim to Mt. Sinai’s desert, from Egypt three moons.

Mt. Sinai’s South South East - ish of Midian in Arabia’s dunes,

A volcanic area with quakes, smoke, fire, and earth groans -

A place to rest with three days of purification tasks

With Aaron and Moshe on the mountain before the crowd:

'Do not touch the mountain nor your women; wash clothes,'

So said Moshe, these are G!d' words: 'Hear the horn blast so loud;

Then listen to the words coming from behind the smoke cloud.

This is our covenant, ten terms to our Brit...'

So said HaShem, “These covenant terms are ones you must meet”:

The only deity that you shall have must now be me!

No idols are allowed! By my name, no swearing falsely!

Keep the Sabbath day of rest with all livestock and folks -

Except wives are not on the list to not work for their blokes!

Honor your parents! No murder allowed! No adultery

With married women permitted! Stealing of spirits, souls,

Or the selves of others is forbidden! Dishonesty

In tales about neighbors also a very big no-no!

Yet was it only about neighbors or of any folk?

Just like don’t covet neighbors’ holdings – or others’ also?

The mountain of lightning, thick smoke, and thunder was so loud

The mountain trembled, horn blasts grew louder scaring the crowd.

Those very frightened People begged Moshe to intercede

So they themselves would not hear directly HaShem’s words.

Moshe did as they asked so HaSHem’s words only he heard:

“Build now an earthen altar, for sacrifices to be blessed -

No idols thereon nor ever should be built anywhere…

So use then un-hewn stone for an altar without steps.

No lewd dancing, modesty in worship, joy should be there...”

Unlike other nations, no nudity nor idols would be part of sacrifices and worship. One wonders if the Solomonic era compiler added a nudity on steps ban after David danced twirling on the palace steps revealing his manhood to all [no underwear]… What part of our Brit covers nudity and modesty? Be safe!!!

HAFTORAH:

The death of King Uzziah heartened Isaiah’s feeling

G!d protected Jerusalem while others were reeling:

Sitting on a Holy throne with skirt flowing Temple built,

Six-winged Seraphim in attendance, the Temple smoke filled

As they called to each other: 'Holy is the Lord of Hosts!'

While Isaiah protested: ''My lips are impure at most!"

With Isaiah standing there, a Seraph took a hot coal

To touch his two lips for purification of his soul

So that he could tell the People that the Law they must heed

Though only a tenth would survive as future Holy seeds...

2/18/23, Shabbat Shekalim, Parashat Mishpatim - Shabbat Shalom!

We at Beit Torah wonder how do Courts of Law and Courts of Justice differ... and which do we have?

Shabbat Shekalim, Mishpatim 5783; Laws, Courts, Justice? Shemot [Exodus] 21-24:18 ; II Kings 11:17-20, 12:1-17; maftir Shemot 30:11-16 [Ashkenazim start at 12:1]

What do all the terms of our Brit Covenant Contract mean?

Details of laws and compensations heretofore unseen?

Intentional murder or manslaughter: How can one tell?

Strangers, widows, orphans, the oppressed stand equal as well

‘Ere they on guilt, restitution, compensation decide…

Witnesses must tell the truth, avoiding rumours and lies.

The Judges must decide without bias, frivolous suits, or bribes

While seeking to punish all wrongdoers for their crimes

Yet punishment of the innocent, they must not decide!

Don’t threaten leaders nor defame Hashem to disagree.

Accept then their fair justice so all the Folk can be free...

A manslaughter sanctuary needs to be set aside.

Is anyone property? While known all we must respect,

Which are ‘rights’ and behaviours of “owners” must we select

To evaluate and review, to condone or reject?

Universal slave practice was acceptable back then...

Despite compassion being taught, with servants having rights

Such that slave families should stay whole, maimed slaves released

Though some coerced slaves remain, unfortunately, today.

Now those most civilized demand slavery ban, they say,

Still all generations have slaves for some. Ban will be when?

The souls and spirits of all folk we are told to protect:

NO abuse of parents nor employees tolerated;

NO kidnapping regardless of class or status stated;

NO cursing Judges for being fair; No interest lending to the poor

Of Israelites...[but what of non-Jews who suffer for sure

And may also be in mortal danger: unfed, un-shoed?];

NO evil tongue speech, lashon haRah; No kid boiled in milk; NO blood in food;

Found property must be returned; help struggling animals in distress;

Road kill and carrion are for the dogs; Do all the mitzvot to be blessed;

NO bestiality; sorcery jobs must be suppressed;

NO idols; NO magic; NO sacrifice to a false ‘god’;

While self-defense is okay, a revenge murder is not.

Don't oppress strangers, orphans, widows; do not them mistreat!

For the poor, no interest loans; take not their basic needs!

Seduction, coercion, rape are theft of bride price and soul.

Forced marriage is the repayment if Dad and Daughter agree.

If not, the cost is the bride price as she can’t be made whole.

Such payment is said reasoned: valued eye for eye you see,

Medical treatment and time lost considered, too, in the cost…

Courts knew to calculate payment if a fetus was lost…

Or if the woman was injured as well, there was a cost,

So payment was made to compensate the man not his wife;

Or from other injuries such as from a brawl or a fight;

Or if a servant by vicious owned animal does die:

First offense to pay? Repeated: for owner, murder to try!

Fire starters, thieves of all kinds, animal borrowers pay

Restitution for their crimes as per what the Judge does say.

So too for compensating loose livestock damaged then caught…

Also for damaged fields or vines from neighbor’s flocks or fire

Found to be started by a known person’s desire…

It’s true as well for livestock or folk injured from open pits'

High risk or uncovered, unblocked structure pieces and bits…

It is hard to determine when restitution is sought

For damage from wild beasts, loose animals, or missing thieves…

There is no-one found to sue, no hidden wealth to retrieve!

Do not express or say the ‘names’ of other ‘deities’.

Pray each day! To all these laws the Folk again did agree...

Observe Shabbat each seven days; shmita each seven years

With fallow lands, vineyards, olive groves from which needy glean;

Post-seven shmitot: Jubilee! Males, first born, all for Priests!

First fruits and eight day old first born honest tithes must be true.

The People must learn to be decent to all, goy or Jew!

Celebrate three pilgrimage festivals every year

With harvests gathered Pesach, Sukkot, Shavuot it's clear;

With prayers and sacrifices, observances and feasts.

HaShem will soften nations up bit by bit, drive them out:

A guy sent ahead tells locals from forced troubles to flee,

No deals! Thus from their idols, corruption stopped would be!

To gain health and be fruitful, you must hold all our Laws near.

All these words of HaShem to the People, Moshe relayed.

Now seventy elders, Moish, and three Priests on sapphire floor

Made of blue lapis lazuli [?] in the Presence, we say,

Of HaShem up the mountain discussed the Law, feast, and more…

A pillar for each tribe’s sacrifice while they wait about

Forty days while Moshe went up the mountain for the Law.

He stood seven days near G!d's cloud before invited in

To get the Tablets of Laws from HaShem, our Covenant!

Now how far up did Joshua ascend? Where did he stay?

Aaron and Hur would be top judges while Moshe’s away...

We’ll learn more as we read later what else they did and saw!

Stay tuned… Shabbat Shalom!

Haftorah Shekalim:

[Sephardim start here:]

Yehoyada's true to HaShem with Brit renewed;

Baal's temple by HaShem's faithful was destroyed;

So too was Mattan, Baal's Priest, left dead, eschewed;

Ending Atalyahu's reign; true King redeployed.

[ashkenaz start here]

In the seventh year of Yehu came a small King,

Just seven years old, Yehoash, Zibiah’s son

Who followed HaShem per Yehoyada, his Priest

And told his Priests to get funds for Temple repair

While shrines were still open for offerings at least.

Yet twenty three years later, no repairs were there!

Yehoash was cross, told the Priests to forego funds

[except for purifying and guilt offerings]

And use the monies, honest repairmen to pay.

Yehoyada took charge to make repairs that way…

So this shekalim reading reminds us today

To support our shuls, give charity away:

Half shekels for Israel, the poor, those led astray...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shabbat Shalom! We at Beit Torah wonder where our Tabernacle is today:

Shabbat Terumah 5783; The Tabernacle within Us; 

Shemot [Exodus] 25-27:19 ;

1 Kings 5:26-32; 6:1-13

The Tabernacle needed to be built to plan

From freewill gifts, whatever to give people can.

Priestly garb [ephod and breast pieces] to adorn

From the Holy of Holies to each altar’s horn…

The innermost sanctum contained the Ark of Law,

Acacia wood, pure gold overlaid in and out;

The edges covered with gold molding all about;

Ornamental with carrying poles covered in gold;

Built with gold cherubim either side of the top,

Their wide wings spread for shielding the cover we’re told.

Nearby was a table overlaid with pure gold,

With a trim of hand’s breadth covered in a gold mold

Along with four corner gold rings for stand to grasp.

This gold table was for accouterments to hold:

Show bread, spice holders, jars, ladles, bowls for the dough,

[The last three used in the preparation of bread]...

Jugs for drinks or with water for cleaning instead-

All of gold pure, best they could do [but not for bread!]

Seven lamps close by to light the Ark of the Law,

Each with six branches on a central four light stalk,

Three lights per branch – tongs and fire pans keep light going

When helped by hands for eternal time’s light showing.

At the inner room entrance an embroidered screen

Separated from the bronzed altar a space.

With bronzed carry poles, bronzed corner horns, bronzed means

Of basins for blood, scraper shovels for trash trace,

Flesh hooks turn offerings atop a bronze sieve grate

To drain the waste from each sacrificial estate.

All utensils were bronze from sockets to clasps...

Outermost structure’s, like others: acacia wood;

For a frame to hold twisted linen coverings

Embroidered with Cherubim: crimson, purple, and blue;

Held in bronze or silver sockets with golden loops

And rings and clasps, silver hooks and bands according

To plan with bronze pegs and four layers on the roof,

Overlapped eleven goats’ hair cloths inner tent,

Under tanned ram skin tent, dolphin skin waterproofed.

All the details of building given as they went.

Haftorah:

Kings Solomon and Hiram of Tyre were good friends.

‘Twas sealed with a treaty and time together spent.

Sol was impressed with Hiram’s Tyre temple sell,

So he charged Adoniram with blueprints in hand

The huge task of pulling it all together well:

From draftees [each, four months of the year] for the work

Getting materials with which to build like sand,

Stone, gold, bronze and more during his fourth year of reign,

Four hundred eighty years since Egypt’s plagues’ fear,

In Ziv, second month of fourth year reign- And again

HaShem told him: IF you follow terms of our Brit,

ALL the rules and laws, then HaShem will never leave

Nor forsake Children of Israel, e’er will be near...

Shabbat Shalom! Be safe!

We at Beit Torah wonder how best we can define modesty and appropriate attire:

Shabbat Zachor, Parashat Tetzaveh 5783; Appropriate Attire; 

Shemot [Exodus] 27:20-30:10; I Samuel 15:1-34

Sunset to dawn pure olive oil did light the Law

With lamps outside the curtain separating Ark

Law from the rest of the Tabernacle confines.

Aaron and sons did this task but must dress for all

With all linen attire adorned as needed, unlined:

Pouched breast cover, ephod, tunic, turban, and sash

With poncho beneath ephod, inscribed forehead plate,

Knee length shorts - or breeches if you prefer to say -

To cover sudden nude exposures. No oops flash!

A floor length tunic, woven and fringed, tied at sleeves

With embroidered sash and headdress complete the chic,

Though the forehead plate is only for the High Priest’s leave,

So, too, the breast pouch to the High Priest was unique.

Still, all the Priests were so colourfully adorned;

Vestments by dedicated, skilled labour were worn...

Two pieces were joined at ends for the ephod shoulders:

Engraved onyx shoulder buttons in gold holders,

Each with six Israelite tribes named in birth order

With wreaths of plaited gold chains all on embroidered

Fine twisted linen; yarns of gold, purple, scarlet, blue;

With a wide woven belt of the same colours too.

Two ply Urim/ Thummim pouch over High Priest’s heart

Within a bejewelled breast cover of four square parts:

Signet engraved for each tribe four rows of precious gems,

Per row three gold set gems; gold rings at shoulders and hems

Secured by blue threads – Breast pouch for Judgment calls’ sight

When Priest decides issues with Perfection and Light.

A sleeveless blue poncho under the ephod did rest,

The neck reinforced with a woven collar, no vest -

At hem, coloured balls alternated with golden bells.

These pomegranate shaped balls swung with the tinkling bells

As all his work the High Priest did without pause as well.

The turban had a front plate, signet-like inscribed:

“HaShem’s Holy”; held with blue thread on forehead side;

To bear the Israelite sins and atone for them all

After Priests were consecrated to answer their call…

Priests were washed and dressed inside the Tabernacle tent

To be consecrated. This for seven days they went

With unleavened breads and sacrifices to share

‘Til they were ordained, saying: “HaShem’s dwelling there.”

Sacrifices made tents stink, a disrespect to the Law…

Built was a small, square ‘altar’ for incense burning, daily twice,

Next to the Holy of Holies’ veiled screen opening’s maw:

With gold moulding, gold rings for the golden carrying poles;

Save yearly re-consecrating blood, ‘twas used only with spice...

Sin offerings year’s atonement to be made for all souls!

---------------

Haftorah:

Shmuel* cautioned Saul HaShem’s commands to follow

For revenge war to wipe out Amalek’s city:

To kill all people, camels, asses, without pity,

As well as oxen and sheep by sword or arrow…

Two hundred ten K troops in siege of that city

Allowed Kenites to flee unharmed, evacuate…

Yet not all were killed. King Agog was kept alive

As were the best of livestock and high valued things…

HaShem was cross, regretted Saul’s royal estate

Since he failed to follow orders. Shmuel said “wait”.

Shmuel sought, by Saul’s monument to self, Saul King

At Carmel, but he was not there. Then to Gilgal, down,’

To tell King Saul that he did not deserve the crown

Given mission failure. Saul tried to justify…

“Obedience is worth more than burnt sacrifice,”

Said Shmuel. King Saul begged forgiveness, grovelled low,

Gave Agog to Shmuel who cut him down in twain…

Then Shmuel left the disgraced King for Ramah

While King Saul went on home to Gibeah in shame...

We at Beit Torah wonder how best we can define modesty and appropriate attire:

Shabbat Zachor, Parashat Tetzaveh 5783; Appropriate Attire;

Shemot [Exodus] 27:20-30:10; I Samuel 15:1-34

Sunset to dawn pure olive oil did light the Law

With lamps outside the curtain separating Ark

Law from the rest of the Tabernacle confines,

Tended to twice daily with incense burnings' spark...

Aaron and sons did this task but must dress for all

With all linen attire adorned as needed, unlined:

Pouched breast cover, ephod, tunic, turban, and sash

With poncho beneath ephod, inscribed forehead plate,

Knee length shorts - or breeches if you prefer to say -

To cover sudden nude exposures. No oops flash!

A floor length tunic, woven and fringed, tied at sleeves

With embroidered sash and headdress complete the chic,

Though the forehead plate is only for the High Priest’s leave,

So, too, the breast pouch to the High Priest was unique.

Still, all the Priests were so colourfully adorned;

Vestments by dedicated, skilled labour were worn...

Two pieces were joined at ends for the ephod shoulders:

Engraved onyx shoulder buttons in gold holders,

Each with six Israelite tribes named in birth order

With wreaths of plaited gold chains all on embroidered

Fine twisted linen; yarns of gold, purple, scarlet, blue;

With a wide woven belt of the same colours too.

Two ply Urim/ Thummim pouch over High Priest’s heart

Within a bejewelled breast cover of four square parts:

Signet engraved for each tribe four rows of precious gems,

Per row three gold set gems; gold rings at shoulders and hems

Secured by blue threads – Breast pouch for Judgment calls’ sight

When Priest decides issues with Perfection and Light.

A sleeveless blue poncho under the ephod did rest,

The neck reinforced with a woven collar, no vest -

At hem, coloured balls alternated with golden bells.

These pomegranate shaped balls swung with the tinkling bells

As all his work the High Priest did without pause as well.

The turban had a front plate, signet-like inscribed:

“HaShem’s Holy”; held with blue thread on forehead side;

To bear the Israelite sins and atone for them all

After Priests were consecrated to answer their call…

Priests were washed and dressed inside the Tabernacle tent

To be consecrated. This for seven days they went

With unleavened breads and sacrifices to share,

With unleavened oily cakes and wafers in oil,

Sprinkled with sacrifice blood and oil for their toil,

Followed by washing well the Priests to be ordained

So consecration and holiness can be gained...

Then they were ordained, saying: “HaShem’s dwelling there.”

Sacrifices made tents stink, a disrespect to the Law

From the sacrifices' blood and burnt organ fat.

Built was a small, square ‘altar’ for incense burning, daily twice,

Next to the Holy of Holies’ veiled screen opening’s maw:

With gold moulding, gold rings for the golden carrying poles;

Save yearly re-consecrating blood, ‘twas used only with spice

After altars' horns yearly purge of blood splat matt...

Sin offerings year’s atonement to be made for all souls!

---------------------------------

Haftorah:

Shmuel* cautioned Saul HaShem’s commands to follow

For revenge war to wipe out Amalek’s city:

To kill all people, camels, asses, without pity,

As well as oxen and sheep by sword or arrow…

Two hundred ten K troops in siege of that city

Allowed Kenites to flee unharmed, evacuate…

Yet not all were killed. King Agog was kept alive

As were the best of livestock and high valued things…

HaShem was cross, regretted Saul’s royal estate

Since he failed to follow orders. Shmuel said “wait”.

Shmuel sought, by Saul’s monument to self, Saul King

At Carmel, but he was not there. Then to Gilgal, down,’

To tell King Saul that he did not deserve the crown

Given mission failure. Saul tried to justify:

Livestock we took was for sacrifice to HaShem,

YOUR G!d, Shmuel! [Did Saul not embrace HaShem then?]

“Obedience is worth more than burnt sacrifice,”

Said Shmuel. King Saul begged forgiveness, grovelled low,

Gave Agog to Shmuel who cut him down in twain…

Then Shmuel left the disgraced King for Ramah

While King Saul went on home to Gibeah in shame...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rabbi Adele cautions: Be vigilant! Be kind! Be safe! Be well!

Purim 5783; Abolish Amalek

adele jay

Once more, each year, we remember Amalek as Haman.

Once more we see Amalek in world "leaders"... just name them!

Putin for sure heads up the list, but there are many more

Even among us: tyrants, liars, con folk wanting to score...

Are we yet again on that mad path that led to World War?

Did we forget to fight Amalek on every front?

Did we forgo a good chance to win? Did we instead punt?

We must now resolve with effort renewed once more

To abolish tyranny - Show Amalek out the door!

Chag Purim Sameach!

Shabbat Shalom! We at Beit Torah ask how to combat mythical beliefs:

Shabbat Parah, Ki Tisa 5783; Gold Plated Calves; Shemot [Exodus] 30:11-34:35;

Yehezkel 36:16-38, some Sephardim stop at 33 or 36; maftir: Numbers 19:1-22

A Mishkan Tabernacle we need to build,

But now, how can we pay the craftsmen so skilled?

A tax on each adult male for sins un-named

Claimed to ward off contagion, pandemic tamed!

For Priests’ hands and feet to wash at Mishkan’s door

Stood a bronzed washing bowl on the sandy floor…

An olive oil spice mix only for sacred use:

Myrrh, cassin twice the cane/cinnamon amount mixed

To anoint the Mishkan and all therein, Priests too,

And an incense altar sprinkled with incense mix

Just for sacred use, none else. All this and more was fixed

By skilled Betzalel and Ohaliab, his aide,

Including Mishkan, all therein, sacred vestments made...

Special incense for use only in the Pact Tent

Was a proprietary, sacred, powder blend:

Resins refined balsam, onyx, galbanum then

Added in secret ratio with frankincense...

While Moshe was up The Mountain the Law to get

With a promise by Folk to keep the Sabbath day,

The two stone tablets inscribed by HaShem, and yet

Lewd folk coerced Aaron an idol to make -

A gold covered calf idol! - and altar to take

For feasting and dancing, worship you bet!

Joshua part way up heard, told Moshe the fact…

Oops! Then HaShem wanted to destroy them all,

But Moshe stepped up, asking HaShem to recall

Promised Land to Avraham and the Brit Pact,

Hence stopping HaShem from such a violent act!

When to Moshe the extent of sins was found,

He hurled the Law tablets to break on the ground.

Three thousand idolaters Levites did slay;

Heavy metal water was forced drunk that day.

This water laden with gold calf ash caused then

A “plague” on all as punishment for sins when

Prayers to a gold idol were the mob’s goal…

A reminder to zealously guard each soul,

Modestly without finery and fine clothes!

With HaShem’s Presence in a cloud at the Tent

[Which was House of Judgment, not for the Ark you see] -

G!d: "One will drive out nations from your land to be,

But now I, no longer, will you stiff-necked folk lead!"

Cloud hovered when to give counsel Moshe went,

Though Yehoshua the Tent cloud needed to tend...

Yet Tablets were needed to make the Ark complete:

For forty days Moish carved Law, for all to see,

With no food nor drink and at HaShem’s back a peek;

While Moshe argued that HaShem with Folk should be,

With Chieftains all they said would be shared as agreed...

HaShem promised to drive out locals from the Land

While not showing self to the Folk so they’d stay safe,

Led not by HaShem’s angel but by HaShem’s hand:

Again promising to drive out nations, a Brit,

Only if no pact was made with the local priests...

HaShem then promised righteous ten gens to be kind

But four gens punished for those who laws did not mind...

Upon Moish’s return, all idols were destroyed.

All idolaters then we had to avoid,

Not even marry into idolater line,

So we could be pure for the Pilgrimage Feasts,

For Firstborn to redeem, for Shabbat to keep.

Special rules for Pesach note no sacrifice leavened

Nor left all night – days of Matzah are seven;

First fruits are for HaShem at Shavuot time,

As are first born livestock promised to HaShem’s might;

Ingathering for Sukkot’s third feast at least…

To not be like the Pagan festival rites,

Never seethe a kid in its Mom’s milk [she’ll pine] -

But follow glowing Moshe to spirits’ heights,

Although veiled unless in talk with Folk day or night!

---------------------------------

Haftorah:

As per Ezekiel: The Folk defiled the Land

With blood impurities. So they were sent away,

Dispersed, and punished. Nations saw HaShem disgraced -

So they perceived. G!d’s reputation to restore

Needed Land purified, People returned once more

With caring hearts, new spirits, compassionate stands;

With the Folk, repentant, in a purified Land

Dwelling there, living by mitzvot, rules and the Law

To bring fertility to the harvests, fruits, and Folk;

And kept in line by the shame of past sins recalled,

Those memories of humiliation-led fall...

Thereby the Nations did know: HaShem is no joke!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shabbat Shalom! We at Beit Torah ask how to get closer to Hashem...

Shabbat HaChodesh, Parashot VaYakhel/Pekudei 5783; New Beginnings; Shemot [Exodus] 35:1-40:38; VaYikra 12:1-13:59; Yehezkel Ch. 45: 18 -25; 46:1-15 Sephardim; some Ashkenazim 45:16-46:18

To be redeemed we're told to protect body and soul

By no fire on Shabbat, not of anger nor flame,

So death of spirit, self-esteem, body or name

Avoided could be to keep ourselves whole.

Half shekel head tax for all the men

Gave a complete census count and then

All the People assembled upon Moshe’s call.

When they were told they needed to give their all

In donations of property, skills, and time

To build the Tabernacle to be very fine…

Freely they gave enough for the Mishkan and more

Until stopping - ‘Twas no room for excess to store!

Yet their skills were still needed, men and women both.

So the best of their talents came forth – none was loathe.

There was one, so dedicated, who oversaw all

Following the plan given in his recent past.

Based on his experience, Bezalel did call

On craft mistresses and masters to fill his Cast.

Then with them he addressed all the various needs;

With Ohaliab, organized that Cast to heed

Making altars for burnt incense or offerings;

Coloured linens, cherub designed as ark cover,

With the outer linen edges of wool loops, blue;

Seven golden lamps, of purest gold that they could;

An embroidered screen door; planks of acacia wood;

The show bread table and accouterments therefor;

Most Important the Ark and cherub cover! More:

The Tent of Meeting needed to be done as should

With women attendants’ help, as much as they could,

Whose bronze mirrors made the washing bowl and wash stand

And who at the Tent with vestments could lend a hand…

Tanned skins of ram over the goat hair tent were laid

Covered by dolphin skin above. Mishkan parts made

Along with an embroidered screen enclosure gate;

Enclosure of bronze, silver, linen hangings, wood -

Mishkan and enclosure parts were then done, but wait:

If you truly want more details, go look and read

Descriptions in Parashat Terumah and score!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Itamar oversaw Mishkan ledger records.

This ben Aaron tracked costs of Judah’s Bezalel

And Ohaliab of Dan who led the craft work;

As carver, designer, embroiderer excelled.

This Egyptian style ledger gave metals’ account:

Gold worked in Egyptian style, copper and bronze use;

For Priestly garments, materials and jewels

Recorded and described as Tetzaveh recounts.

It is said: collectors, honest, to show revealed,

Had no long sleeves nor pockets for monies to steal.

Moshe blessed dedicated efforts and skilled tasks,

Instructed them on how to put it together.

The Tabernacle parts were cleaned and anointed.

Then Moshe saw that all tasks were performed to plan.

[Midrash] he blessed: G!d should rest on works of their hands!

Then Priests were washed, dressed, anointed as appointed.

Moshe could consult HaShem at entrance tether...

Breastplate justice and ephod worship as should be:

Together they displayed Israel unity.

Burnt incense and offerings, grain offered at last…

Shkina’s cloud filled Mishkan regardless of weather

Until Israelite journeys would need to resume.

When encamped were HaShem’s cloud by day, fire by night,

Two visible reminders that HaShem was nigh!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maftir

The Maftir says: Recall leaving Egypt in haste.

Prepare your food only for the Chag, leave no waste.

Don't use any leaven for the full seven days.

If you do, you will be shunned in so many ways...

Back then: roasted lamb for a family or two -

None left overnight, [observed by no work now too],

Dressed waiting to leave when Death of Firstborn was done,

Safe under bloody lintels 'til freedom was won.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haftorah HaChodesh [Sephardic]:

So Ezekiel said: Offerings given

By Israel’s ‘Leader’ at appointed times

With Nissan welcomed, first month of the year:

Purification, burnt, grain, libation,

Plus health offerings and expiation...

Sanctuary was purified just fine

Of unintentional violations

And ignorant impurities therein;

With first and seventh day blood purification

Prepared for fourteenth day Pesach's celebration;

To be ready for Pesach’s mid-month’s feast,

For the seven days of bread without yeast,

But with offerings and feasting stations.

[Just like our kashered Pesach homes are blessed?]

So, too, for the seven feast days of Booths

Starting the seventh month on the fifteenth day…

Now when the “Prince” to offerings did go

For Rosh Chodesh and Holy Days of rest,

Only open was the gate facing east

From the inner Temple court [work days closed]…

At entrance of that gate other Folk prayed …

To enter, these Folk on fixed occasions,

As did all, went in by north or south gates

And then they left by the opposite way…

Yet ‘Leader’ used the east facing gate

For his personal offerings, we hear…

The ‘Leader’s gifts, to reduce corruption,

Were only just from his own possessions,

In effect for all until Release Year

Except as inheritance for his sons.

Dispossessing others just was not done!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3/25 VaYikra

Shabbat Shalom! We at Beit Torah ask how to expiate and celebrate:

Shabbat VaYikra 5783; Today’s Sacrifices and Offerings;

VaYikra 1:1-5:26; Isaiah 43:21 - 44:23

VaYikra, Leviticus, the handbook for the Priests to study

Tells how to expiate or celebrate when learned with a buddy…

Details were given on how sacrifices were to be prepared...

Since offerings are no more, we will now give just a brief report:

No blood nor fat from organs nor any entrails were to be used;

Frankincensed fried, boiled or baked grain without leaven - part for Priests’ use;

For offerings of celebration, atonement, or gratitude.

Expiation was given for the sins and guilt of those who cared

But criminals gave no offerings unless compelled by the Court.

Maybe repayments were required although full forgiveness came up short…

How to prepare offerings specific to each reason was told

(Such as refusing to witness, contact with nidah* or death,

For well being, prayers for peace, words of thanks, betrayal of trust,

For blasphemous oaths, reparations after repayment as must.

While Priests were taught words to celebrate or expiate with each breath.

Considered about sins was whether in fault there was intent

[For if unwittingly the sin, reparations could be done

Then followed by forgiveness from HaShem that still could be won!]

Or whether it be to defraud, rob, or illegally take;

Whether it was individual sin or a community bent

On unethical practices for their gross selfishness to slake…

It is said all leaders cannot avoid sinning and must atone.

Forgiveness, atonement, whether as a group or being alone -

Hasidim says Gates of Heaven are closed to those who do not heed...

Sages such as Rambam or Abravanel said we do not feed

HaShem* sacrifices. So not to confuse folk, they are no more.

Rather, with prayers and good deeds, HaShem we honor and adore!

How can we separate the historical from the practical for use today?

*Nidah- impurity such as from a woman’s menses

HaShem – the Holy One, literally: the [Holy] Name; Shmuel = Samuel

Shabbat Shalom! Be safe!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haftorah from Isaiah 43:21-44:23

So said Isaiah of HaShem's view of his time

As he addressed the People who were out of line:

"Disdain of my ways has you abandoning me.

Your sins have mounted up. Deceitful are your pleas.

So I distance from you now, knowing you'll return

To be redeemed by me, none other, whom you spurned.

Against me the works of your hands can not compete.

When I redeem you, with thanks loudly you'll praise me!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4/1

Shabbat Shalom! We at Beit Torah ask how to light the fire of devotion to the mitzvot in our hearts?:

Shabbat Tzav 5783; Rituals and Devotions;

VaYikra 6:1-8:36; Malachai 3:4-24

Yitro told Moshe: ”Delegate”. That then was done

By giving the Priests all the spiritual tasks,

By anointing them with a seven day cleanse, won

With little suffering so that they then could bask

In the sweet adoration of the People’s trust

That all what Priests did would lift their spirits as must -

By the Priests in special vestments conducting all

As per commands from Moshe they all must recall...

Moshe consecrated accouterments and tools,

The tabernacle and altars as per the rules

Until Priests, washed, dressed, anointed, duties could do

Or later anointed Kings these duties could do too!

With more rules for Priests who are no more

To handle the People’s guilt and thanks;

To feed Moshe and Priests evermore

No organ fat, only breasts and shanks.

Tzav’s portion describing sacrifice rituals

Includes reference to a perpetual fire

Along with what can be used as Priests’ victuals

As well as offerings [burnt; of unleavened grain],

For elevation, gratitude, ordination,

Well being, purification, reparation;

No carrion ever to eat despite desire…

All ashes to be removed outside the camp’s plain…

Does altar fire all night in the heart of the camp

Mean such intense fire lit in our hearts will be stamped

There forever? So if blood on clothing is spilled,

We boil out impurities; cleanse our hearts as willed.

Now a person anointed, a Moshiach makes -

Hence a Messiah of regular human form…

Never a Moshiach was ever meant to take

On being a supernal redeemer reborn!

Haftorah HaGadol

Since some say [e.g. Mishnah]: Redemption will show

On Pesach in the future, so they Malachi chose

For accountability, Shabbat HaGadol…

He said: cursed are those giving offerings impure

With a fraudulent heart. To account they must go

Upon the time of Redemption for sullying

HaShem’s reputation. They’ve ability though

To be arrogant, unpunished, and happy now...

On Judgment Day they'll be the wicked trampled low;

While the honest, reverent and righteous will earn

Pest-free, fertile, prosperous fields, vines and folk

Remembered for all generations as good, pure,

Vindicated, and blessed when Elijah re-shows!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shabbat Shalom! We at Beit Torah ask how to light the fire of devotion to the mitzvot in our hearts?:

Shabbat Tzav 5783; Rituals and Devotions;

VaYikra 6:1-8:36; Malachai 3:4-24

Yitro told Moshe: ”Delegate”. That then was done

By giving the Priests all the spiritual tasks,

By anointing them with a seven day cleanse, won

With little suffering so that they could then bask

In the sweet adoration of the People’s trust

That all what Priests did would lift their spirits as must -

By the Priests in special vestments conducting all

As per commands from Moshe they all must recall...

Moshe consecrated accouterments and tools,

The tabernacle and altars as per the rules

Until Priests, washed, dressed, anointed, duties could do...

Or later anointed Kings these duties could do too!

With more rules for Priests who are no more

To handle the People’s guilt and thanks;

To feed Moshe and Priests evermore

No organ fat, only breasts and shanks.

Tzav’s portion describing sacrifice rituals

Includes reference to a perpetual fire

Fed firewood by attending Priest to blaze all night;

Along with what can be used as Priests’ victuals

As well as offerings [burnt; of unleavened grain]

For elevation, gratitude, ordination,

Well being, purification, reparation;

No carrion ever to eat despite desire

Although carrion fat for the tasks could be used…

All ashes were removed to outside the camp’s plain…

Does altar fire all night in the heart of the camp

Mean such intense fire lit in our hearts will be stamped

There forever? So if blood on clothing is spilled,

We boil out impurities; cleanse our hearts as willed.

Now a person anointed, a Moshiach makes -

Hence a Messiah of regular human form…

Never a Moshiach was ever meant to take

On being a supernal redeemer reborn!

Haftorah HaGadol

Since some say [e.g. Mishnah]: Redemption will show

On Pesach in the future, so Malachi they chose

For accountability, Shabbat HaGadol…

He said: cursed are those giving offerings impure.

Ignoring their curse they continue their vileness:

Cheating employees and the needy, sorcery,

False swearing, no support of strangers, adultery

All with fraudulent heart. To account they must go

Upon the time of Redemption for sullying

HaShem’s reputation. They’ve ability though

To be arrogant, unpunished, and happy now...

On Judgment Day they'll be the wicked trampled low;

And yet while those who Moshe's teachings do not spurn -

Those, the honest, reverent and righteous will earn

Pest-free, fertile, prosperous fields, vines and folk

Remembered for all generations as good, pure,

Vindicated, and blessed when Elijah re-shows

To reconcile generations with each other!

4/5 first Seder-4/13

Shabbat Pesach I 5783 ;

So many unanswered questions abound.

So few of answers are coming around.

How can we get the plague under control?

How can we return Ukraine to be whole?

How can Judges be impartial and fair?

Can violence be eschewed everywhere?

Still some survived the Torah plagues of yore,

Achieving freedoms they had not before.

We now recall that joy, yearly embraced,

And resolve to constantly fight for all,

To have freedoms and democracies call

Met with strong courage, all challenges faced...

So presently we wish all Peoples well,

Hoping they will hear the story we tell

Celebrating our Feast of Freedom's joy

And praying for Peace for each girl and boy!

Torah Day 1

Now the Torah picks for Pesach start with Moshe detailing

Procedures to be observed upon entering the Land.

Then the People did so, recalling Angel of Death's hand

In Death of Firstborn crown prince [and other Folk's lives failing]

Followed by Folk and all theirs out of Egypt being sent

By a grieving Pharaoh whose mind could wobble and be bent...

Hence the People left with unrisen bread and "borrowed" wealth

[Perhaps the neighbors gave them plunder to insure their health?]

Quickly they left, with speed, at the end of the Hyksos reign,

Some two hundred years plus in Egypt 'til this expulsion

When Pharaoh Kamose invaded with chariots and war -

[Given chauvinistic, patriarchal revulsion

Removed the evidence of the female Pharaohs as well...]

But that Torah Folk went from Ramses to Sukkot is the story we tell,

Which describes when the remaining Folk were expelled once more

After four hundred years plus of Egypt's harshening chores...

We close this reading with a Pesach reminder to eat,

Only with circumcised men, the Paschal offering meat

And that Torah is for all Folk and strangers equally!

The Maftir leading to Haftorah of Pesach first days

Says the first and last days of Pesach are Holy rest days!

Haftorah Day 1

Joshua took over the task as leader of the Folk,

Needing to be exalted by HaSHem just as Moshe was too.

Hence a divine herald stopped him over by Jericho,

Said, so Josh told: "Remove sandals. On Holy ground bow low!"

Upon entering the Promised Land there were tasks to do:

All People came in following the Ark, a new world to greet;

For all males after the exodus born: circumcision

With Gilgal healing wiping away taints from Egypt's time -

Or perhaps instead it was from a clear Hyksos defeat

With expulsion of multitudes... historic revision?

Then it was the season to observe Passover, drink wine,

Eat unleavened bread made from the Promised Land's new wheat grain,

And at the same time, upon entry, no more manna came!

Pesach Day 2 -Torah

The second day Torah pick recalls how it was deemed right

That the eight day old lamb offered was all eaten at night;

That the Folk agreed to observe the Laws such as not to

Profane the Holy Name and observe all Holy Days, too,

At the appointed times: Shabbat; Pesach; and Shavuot;

Days of Assembly, Remembrance, Atonement and Sukkot -

Pesach first and seventh day of no work, rest with Matzot

Of the new wheat harvest; from day two count fifty days

To arrive at Shavuot offerings, burnt and sheaf waves

For a Day of Assembly after barley grain gleanings;

For the poor and proselytes allow field corners' leavings.

Shofar blasts herald Day of Remembrance rest... work? no way!

Self-denial for Atonement, no work a full day!

Shabbat Shabbaton, Yom HaKippurim: observe or die!

Next comes Sukkot, no work first and Assembly eighth days,

With lulav and etrog, willow and myrtle - them we shake;

With Assembly offerings, vows, and free-will gift bequests;

In celebration of where's Israel after Egypt left:

In Sukkot dwelling well with offerings and good living kept...

The Maftir leading to Haftorah of Pesach first days

Says the first and last days of Pesach are Holy rest days!

Pesach Day 2 - Haftorah

To teach the People, King Josiah read the Brit out loud

So that all could hear, learn to observe the rules...

Then as per High Priest Hilkiah, he told the Priestly crowd

To cleanse all idolatrous objects from the Temple too...

They were burnt outside Jerusalem, the Holy City...

Then he suppressed the idolatrous priests without pity

As well as male prostitutes, necromancers, and the like

Such as mediums and fetishes... their shrines destroyed...

All Pesach rituals and offerings were re-deployed.

He was King most close to HaShem, in the Brit took delight...

Chag Pesach Sameach!

Shabbat Shalom! 

 We at Beit Torah share:

Shabbat Shemini 5783; Fire Safety;VaYikra 9:1-11:47; 2 Shmuel 6:1-7:17

Impurities, impunities, sincerity, immunities

All pertain now to this week’s readings

Of sincere heeding or not heedings…

Moshe taught Aaron how offerings must be done.

The unblemished offerings, burnt ones or grain ones

Are to purify the People, sins wiped away.

In Tent’s heavy smoke, by Shechinah, guilt assuaged…

Were the Golden Calf Sins for Priest Aaron absolved?

He felt shame, did sacrifices... was all resolved?

Aaron was to teach all processes to his sons,

But Nadav and Abihu, heady with power and drink,

Did not follow those ways when they entered the Holy rink.

A strange fire flash-over left their tunics untouched

Burning alcohol and anointing oils with such

Ferocity that Moshe decreed: no loose hair,

No torn clothes, no drinks, no oils, face the ark when there!

Then Aaron’s cousins pulled bodies outside camp grounds

By their unburnt tunics. Grief among the Folk found

Mourning outside where Aaron and sons stayed in Tent

Entrance with no death rites, letting the Folk lament…

Touching death makes all impure, need to wash away

That impurity… Then wait, see if all’s okay...

Sons Elazar and Ithamar ate burnt sin offerings

That Dad Aaron wrongly had done. Hence he was inferring

That the tragic fire was punishment for his not heeding.

Then more laws did follow on what foods we should be eating...

How to tell if a critter was kosher to eat:

Fins and scales; cloven hooves; no predators; - replete

With locusts and grasshoppers and crickets as added treats…

Later revoked as identities weren’t recalled complete.

No impure intake allowed, like carrion meat.

It is said: Hence impure words from mouth do retreat...

However if impure 'til eve from carcass touch,

Are cooks handling meat becoming impure as much?

Haftorah:

At Nachon on the threshing floor, the oxen slipped.

Loyal Uzzah touched the Ark to stop it as it tipped.

It crushed him so that David was filled with such fear,

Enough to store away the Ark three months before

He brought it to the City of David, so Dear,

To remain mobile with no fixed building nor floor.

Then in joy King David danced. So wildly he twirled

That his private parts were seen by all as he swirled...

When his wife, Mical, loudly decried his manhood display,

David did not heed her. Hence they went their separate ways.

Thus Saul's line through childless Mical withered away...

So stories this week have impure impunities to suss.

Sincerity did not prevent consequences. Discuss!

4/22:

Shabbat Shalom! We at Beit Torah ask how now do we move forward?

Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Parashot Tazria/Metzora 5783 ; Account, Judge, Purify; VaYikra 12:1-15:33; usually 2 Kings 7:3-20; Rosh Chodesh: maftir BaMidbar 28:9-15 and Isaiah 66:1-24

If it looks off, call Cohanim Priests

For priestly triage with some quarantines.

It may be fungal, allergic, or yeasts

On skin, on clothes, or inside stones unseen…

If it looks wrong presume contagion risk

That must be quarantined until proven not.

For people: bathing and purifying mix

After shaving hair off, tainted clothes thrown out;

By the Tent of Meeting, blood and incense sprinkle

(Yuk! Gross!) to ‘purify’ every wrinkle…

If purification does not work well

And symptoms do not clear, the Priest will tell

The afflicted to live outside the camp

With torn clothes, shaved head, crying out “impure”,

Mouth cover [upper lip down], so secure...

Now discharges make both genders impure they said

Even if natural upon the sex bed.

By the Talmudic times though men were excused

From needing to bathe after every act.

Yet for natural women’s monthly discharge:

Quarantine then bathing was the needed track…

What of childbirth and the blood therefrom?

Quarantine Mother until the brit for boys

Or even longer when a girl babe was born

Who can’t carry on the name? Or brings less joy?

Or do Mom’s hormonal changes differ some?

Unnatural discharges made all impure.

Hence all involved seven days respite received

Followed by washing the bedding and people

Returning to life’s activities relieved,

‘Til the next discharge starts the cycle once more.

Wash tainted fabrics, then see: if improved

Post seven day wait, bad section removed

While rest okay. If not, burn the thing whole!

Completely burn if taint spreading too,

But if totally clean, re-wash and use!

Thus fabrics used were pure to save the soul…

Metzora continues this week’s lurid account

Of purification of eruptions and taints:

Skin afflictions outside camp had weekly recount

By Priests as to whether must those outcasts remain

Or, to return, could do purifying eight days

With giving offerings; clothes and folk to bathe...

Then too impoverished could be given a break

With needing less to offer before they could stay…

For all types of discharge, detailed purifying rites

Are given in this Metzora Torah reading:

For semen, blood, or impure discharges that might

Touch bedding, clothes, folk; causing all to be needing

Bathing and washing. Plus to make pure all contact

With a tainted house: wash all - but pottery cracked!

For those structures with blight, rot, mildew, or mold:

Quarantine seven days, like people, we’re told.

After cleaning out the places of wrong hue,

If rot returns, structures are demolished too.

If not, the place must be splashed with mix

Of blood, incense, and so on to complete the fix.

Now if in a such closed structure folk slept or ate,

Impure are they and their clothes, must be washed, first rate!

Hence Mishkan’s prevented from becoming impure

As quarantined and unwashed do not near for sure!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Usual haftorah:

A Haftorah word: describes siege of a town.

With the people starving, the Prophet proclaimed:

This bitter challenge they would soon overcome…

While four outcasts were convinced to surrender

To the invaders, but they arrived too late -

For gallopings were heard echoing around

(?pounding in water cisterns and pipes in the ground?)

Chasing the troops away! Their riches were found,

Shared by all save the King, trampled asunder…

[It was common that towns were built near a water source. Often they built pipelines to transfer the water into the town. It would be reasonable for the invaders to camp by a water source - but were likely unaware of the water channels below. The King doubted the Prophet…]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rosh Chodesh Haftorah:

So said Isaiah, "HaShem has now spoken these words:

From my abode, the poor and heartbroken I have heard;

Yet wanton killing and abominations abound;

Those who heed and follow my words, I have not found...

Still some will shun evil despite hatred from others

Knowing that it is all their shame, their's and their brothers...

Now my chosen nation was born from pain and travail.

Rejoice in Jerusalem with our losses bewailed!

While you are consoled as needed, glory in delight

That you will prosper and be comforted in my light!

So too, I'll rage fiercely against idolatrous foes!

You will endure. My words all Nations will come to know.

They will worship Me Sabbath to Sabbath, and too,

From Moon to Moon, Month to Month, every day anew!"

Shabbat Acharei Mot/ Kedoshim Shalom! We at Beit Torah ask how can we heal given so much continuing death and destruction in the world?

Shabbat Acharei Mot/ Kedoshim 5783 Relations; VaYikra 16:1-20:27; Amos 9:7-15

In Torah, the do’s and don’ts we often find

If only we bother to open our minds…

First was told how to stay well safe to the Priests

Focussed on the High Priest to the Ark’s nearing...

Aaron's now first to approach the Ark 'twas seen

(Then High Priests were lone sons who were G!d fearing...)

With a week of cleansing, linen garments cleaned,

To atone for sins: first his, then all others.

To remind us of Aaron’s wrongly burnt feast

Of the sin offering? Or for lost brothers?

On the tenth day of the seventh month, Tishrei,

For all Peoples is the Spirit’s New Year’s Day…

Incense burnt for gossip, slander, sins unseen;

Blood pure ark in incense cloud for sin goat’s roast

Atones for Priest’s sins. Sins of folk on second goat

Sent to the wilderness to disperse our sins…

Only Mishkan’s offering of two goats wins

As sacrifices elsewhere were banned we note.

When all tasks were done, Folk must bathe to be clean.

The Laws said clearly to us all: Blood don’t eat;

NO carrion; NO mutilated nor live!

If you touch the dead, impure ‘til eve, then bathe.

NO blood sports; NO practices of Canaanites

Nor of Egyptians; NO idolatrous ways...

Sacrifice only if proper way you meet

With proper altar and place not outside camp;

Not for demons of goats - or shunned you'll be stamped...

Don’t violate Torah 'xcept for folk to save

From idolatry or killing with intent,

Adultery, incest… though your life be spent…

NO close relative sex (marriage included).

Such inbreeding leads to few and sickly kids

Who don’t mature to marry and make more yids…

Sex acts with animals also excluded...

NO child sacrifice, NO sodomy we’re told.

Don't defile the Land with acts our Laws abhor -

Acts done before by heathens in times of yore.

Exile from the Land if these Laws you don't hold!

Follow these Laws for to HaShem’s path to pave,

Surrounded by good folk, other Laws embraced.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don’t be a scoundrel in Torah, a shrewd con

Who can’t be prosecuted on worldly shores;

Deference to elderly; revere Dad and Mom;

Have honest property claims and pay all wages

With accurate measures and accounting pages...

Be Holy! Keep Shabbat! Leave gleanings for poor

Whom we should help (so they won’t steal) even more.

If no left gleanings, are we by greed stealing?

If we then defraud with dishonest dealings,

Is it stealing as robbers of others’ rights?

Kinfolk are kinfolk - love them as yourself we are told.

Now all people are kinfolk - so all are part of the fold!

So since we must not condone others' improper actions,

We punish not harshly, just reproach, counsel such factions...

Do not act on omens. Blood, never to eat!

But tree fruit, fifth year or later, are your treat!

Watch our tongues to not profane the Holy Name;

NO grudge nor vengeance sought; NO species mixes:

Sometimes limited in plants to grains, but note

Grown corn, bean, squash mix nutrition for native folk!

NO bestial mates; NO plant/ critter yarns in clothes;

NO plowing the field with two species you know!

NO pimping; NO self-mutilation fixes;

No idols; Keep kids from idolatrous ways;

Eat only proper sacrifices all days;

NO shaving like Egyptians; NO seance acts;

Nor soothsaying, divination days or nights;

Don’t abuse others who are disabled – PAUSE,

And think it could be you, too, with just the same…

Or you could be blind, unaware of the laws…

Best reaching blind judgments with using just facts…

Do not adopt non-Torah ways of others in the Land.

For if you do misbehave, you’ll have naught on which to stand.

Punishments of old no longer are in use

Such as those who hear or see ghosts are to die -

So mentally ill hearing words were killed... why?

Death to oracles, mediums, raped betrothed

Sex partners if investigation says so;

Or for forbidden sex: shunned, barren, or shamed...

Such may now appear in subtle ways, obtuse.

Yet payment for sex with marriage promised slave

Was practiced, then of old but not now in use…

Proselytes all welcomed should be, if behaved.

To keep the Land, all these Laws we must follow,

Else our prayers to Hashem will be hollow.

To reap the promised blessings that ours could be,

We must love each other and justice seek…

Haftorah, Amos

All children of the world are the children of G!d

Who sees Israel and all other nations

As wayward offspring who must be punished hard

With sinful kingdoms destroyed. Then with patience

The righteous will be gathered in to Holy Town

To rebuild the Mishkan and reclaim the Land,

To bring forth good produce of all crops at hand,

Ever settled thereafter in the jewelled crown...

Shabbat Emor Shalom! We at Beit Torah ask how can we find ethical leaders to guide us through the continuing death and destruction in the world?

Shabbat Emor 5783 Priests; VaYikra [Leviticus] 21:1-24:23; Ezekiel 44:15-31

Is each Levite and Cohain just like us all?

Or do they have some special duties and rights?

This Cohanim’s handbook part limits its call

To Priests striving to be in the Holy Light:

They don't self-mutilate nor wear goyim hair,

Nor marry a whore or brother's widow share...

If physically deformed can't do service there

Even if they are not visibly impaired.

Such was the disabled Priests’ leadership ban

Causing rejection of a disabled man…

It is a dilemma for us all today:

Defining who’s disabled we need to say…

Yet during war time drafts some young boys were maimed

So the Russian draft would not take them away.

For close relatives burial touch is got

When they pass, though for a married sister not

Unless a childless divorced or widowed lass…

Then Rabbinic law added rites for a wife,

But High Priest must not mourn nor touch death for life!

Not one pagan mourning rite can be done.

Yet a touch of death makes Priests not pure

Until end of day – then water cleansed and splashed…

Or if from eruption or discharge impure,

Eight days wait, recheck until wash need is won.

So virgin marriage was the restriction then,

(Cohain widows later added as okay.)

Else sons grown up to be Priests can not so be.

The High Priest was restricted even more when

Marriage just to virgin Kohenet decreed,

Else a grown son could never be a High Priest.

And... We don’t burn up Kohenet whores today!

Without a Temple, sacred foods matter not.

So, too, physical offerings are forgot.

Yet the times to celebrate remain with us:

A weekly Shabbat of rest, no work, no fuss;

Chag Pesach the fourteenth; Chag Matzot next day

(With start of Omer count) for seven days long

With the last day of rest as Omer counts on;

Until Shavuot is reached with gleaning left

So all could rejoice and none left food bereft;

Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot in Fall

Welcomed by shofar blasts, self-denials all;

Followed by festive booth living for a week

Shaking etrog, lulav: willow, myrtle, palm;

Closed by an assembly day for all to speak

Of the joys and success in post-harvest calm.

Such are the set sacred times for Holy Days!

Mishkan Menorah lit evening to morn

Became the eternal lighting of our Law.

The twelve Shabbat loaves with frankincense adorned

Now are two for our table without any flaw.

None now know HaShem's name, so no blaspheme danger.

Blasphemer stoned dead is no longer in use.

Saadia said ‘eye for eye’ means pay for abuse.

Be it beast or man, restitution’s needed.

Yet too, for each murderer, death is meted.

Such is the Law be they citizen or stranger!

Haftorah, Ezekiel

To Solomon, Zadok HaKohain was loyal.

So when Yisrael went astray, it seemed to be

That Zadokites needed to care for the Royals

Plus fully restore and tend to the Temple See -

Thus this, as Ezekiel said, was Hashem's need...

Then in suitable linen garb they will be dressed,

Following the hair care rules; not drunk when at work;

Married just to virgins or widows of Priests blessed...

They will act as Judges to meet challenges' tests:

Of whether or not pure, laws broken, or just quirks...

Holy Days and Laws they will preserve and teach.

Holy work's their portion with offerings to eat

Of only specific kinds: purification;

Guilt; grain - and first fruits - no carrion or dead meat!

They must not touch the dead unless they are brother,

Unmarried sister, offspring, father or mother.

If so, seven days to purify for work,

Returned to Temple to help lead the Nation...

Shabbat Shalom! Beit Torah asks what ethical treatment of the world will insure the survival of all? What consequences are there to our potential actions?

Shabbat B'Har/ B'Chukotai 5783 Preserving the Earth and all its Denizens Ethically; VaYikra [Leviticus] 25:1-27:34; Jeremiah 16:19-17:14

Seven years until Shmita leaving lands untilled

To reverse nutrient depletion, health losses refilled.

Yet maintaining for health: vines and trees could be hewed!

To prepare for Shmita, store three years worth of food

Collected to last until ninth year's harvest's through.

Help kinfolk survive Shmita if you're well to do...

Seven by seven years then led to Jubilee.

Let all be redeemed at the time of Jubilee

Or by given tasks to work off what's due...

T’was often never followed unfortunately.

All was to be re-balanced, out of poverty to be.

Poor and rich made equal, clear at least in theory,

For a fresh, clean start, energized and not weary.

Except Levite unenclosed lands were never to be sold;

Walled city homes redeemed within year, no Jubilee hold;

Clan redeemers don't own, helped keep properties in the Clan;

And others not redeemed were with Jubilee release plan...

Foreclosures to be reversed, so too servitude…

For all is HaShem’s, hence no folk owning, just lease.

Servants are just temps until Jubilee release.

'Though only the servants serving HaShem are true...

Yet some renegged on contracts saying what should be:

Refusing to return servants, lands, properties.

Despite equal Jubilee food uncertainties

Somehow the rich stayed rich, the poor poor were not pleased,

And the Priests had their hands filled with Spiritual disease!

Make sure all keep Holy Days sans idolatry!

Threats, promised rewards in the next parsha will be:

If you truly embrace HaShem and do behave

You will be able to live life free, not a slave.

Peace, rain, and crops – fertile life all around

In people, in flocks, and throughout the ground.

With the working Mishkan within the Land,

The One who saved us Folk from Egypt's hand

Will always be there, and everywhere...

Yet if you misbehave, all will be lost: your battles fought,

Wars, illnesses, barren fields, wild beast attacks, famine, drought,

Infighting, pestilence, hunger given minimal food,

Despair unto cannibalism, destroyed cult sites and folk,

National identity lost, towns ruined, no fuel to coke,

Land abused without Shmitot laid fallow with health renewed...

Destroyed by their sworn enemies with People's pain unheard,

The Folk will be scattered far and wide around the world...

When in the Land unfaithful are no more,

The Land will be revived, rebuilt, restored

By those who survived in great grief then taught

To return to the Law for which we have fought:

Mitzvot and Land to abundance returned

By good living and righteousness not spurned...

Still HaShem welcomes vows of repentance – T’shuva -

So people are valued as to costs of their vows

From one month old babe up, save for offspring first born.

Male and female alike offered vows of values Priests formed.

For tithes taxes and vows on holdings, flocks or land,

The Priests assessed the values according to plan:

Values per life sixty years down to one month old

Were written, but Priests could change them if hardship told...

We all finish now this murky handbook for Priests.

Gone on to desert stories as this book does cease!

Chazak! Chazak! V’Nitchazek!

Haftorah, Jeremiah

Jeremiah was heartily hoping

That HaShem his refuge always would be...

That Nation's generations were doping

With making gods, falsehoods; then controlling

With smoke and myths, magic and make-believe...

Needing their eyes opened, so hearts could see

That to HaSHem, they all must go to thrive...

Judah was filled with guilt, hardened on hearts

And on their altars among hills and trees.

Their children weren't taught, saw only misdeeds...

Hence G!d's wrath then should dispossess their lives...

In people's strength just did they give their trusts

With a barren existence for their pain...

The wealthy through fraud should penury gain,

Shame and doom for forsaking G!d's ways...

Yet those who trust in HaShem are like trees

Just in fair weather along waterways;

Always bountiful and fruitful each day;

A respite like Jeremiah did say

Was his: glory and healing to be saved...

5/20

Shabbat B'Midbar Shalom! We at Beit Torah ask what expectations should we have of our leaders?

Shabbat B'Midbar 5783; Leaders, Protectors, Obligations, Responsibilities;

BaMidbar 1:1-4:20; Hosea 2:1-22

Why ‘Numbers’ when ‘in the desert’ the Hebrew says

For this next Book of Torah we now embrace?

Perhaps since it starts with many a census counts:

Of elected tribal Chiefs (for just dealings – a fount);

Of draft aged men; of one month old males and older;

(Giving a basis for assessing taxes due;)

Of all Levites en toto and by each clan’s case -

Not once but twice to assign tasks each must shoulder

Ages thirty to fifty, light tasks for older base

When post-fifty wisdom is the skill used best:

How to dismantle and assemble Mishkan parts;

How to organize the camp, all facing the ark,

By each unit of each tribe at Moshe’s behest.

In charge of Priestly functions were Aaron and sons

For some of tasks needed they were the only ones!

Now when the counts and task appointing were all through,

Aaron's family line and Moshe's were described -

Too for other clans, later leading to much strife...

If elef is one thousand, the census seems wrong.

Yet if elef is a unit of six or five,

The numbers to camp for forty years and survive

Are reasonable in a desert clime to belong.

Since Reuven’s misbehaviours it possibly seemed

That the Levites were viewed like first born by HaShem…

Hence first born sons for the Priests could then be redeemed

At five shekels a head by the Pidyon HaBen.

Haftorah, Hosea

Of a spiritual desert Hosea wrote

In our Haftorah portion for this week’s readings.

By temptations refused, the Exodus recalled,

Our bond with HaShem restored by Mitzvot heeding;

To HaShem our Nation espoused in faithfulness

With Children of the Living G!d in righteousness;

To our Brit: mercied devotion through just goodness...

How then was it a spiritual desert place?

The chasing of wealth and gods did goodness erase,

Bounty from G!d misused in unethical pursuits,

Like a 'wife' engaged in harlotry gave G!d the boot...

Israel's the wife, mother to be rebuked

Until enticed to return to the Law once more

So that full bounty and mitzvot can be restored

Without harlots, idolatry, hate emoted -

So that a Brit of safety's made with the devoted

To HaShem's Laws and Mitzvot so as to become

HaShem's "my people", a Nation acting as one

With an end to strife for all that lives - war no more!

==========================================

Shavuot Chaos 82-3

The Feast of Weeks has come amid such chaos

From War in the East to massacres in schools.

With horrid wars still raging throughout the world,

It's as if People no longer follow rules

Of common decency, respect for others,

Accepting we all are sisters and brothers...

No Peace can we reach in this Shavuot time.

Study and Prayers just can not tow the line...

===================================================

Chag Shavuot Sameach and Shabbat Shavuot Shalom! We at Beit Torah ask how can we study to best understand our liturgy?

Shabbat Shavuot 5783; First Fruits, Converts, Equality of All; Torah 1= Shemot

ch. 19-20, B'MIdbar 28:26-31; 2= Dvarim 14:22-16:17, B'Midbar 28:26-31

Haftorot: 1= Ezekiel 1:1-28, 3:12; 2= Chavakuk 2:20, 3:1-19

==================================================

Day 1 Shavuot Torah:

Moshe’s People kept on their way while Yitro went on home.

Refidim to Mt. Sinai’s desert, from Egypt three moons.

A volcanic area with quakes, smoke, fire, and earth groans -

Mt. Sinai’s South South East - ish of Midian in Arabia’s dunes...

There HaShem promised if to the Brit you do adhere,

You will be my Special Treasure, Holy Nation I will near

With a kingdom of Priests... Folk replied: We'll follow the laws

And we'll study to understand, too, their why's and because...

There's a rest place with three days of purification tasks:

Do not touch the mountain nor your women; wash clothes;

Then listen to the words coming from behind the smoke cloud:

This is our covenant, ten terms to our Brit...

So said HaShem, “These covenant terms are ones you must meet”:

The only deity that you shall have must now be me!

No idols are allowed! By my name, no swearing falsely!

Keep the Sabbath day of rest with all livestock and folks -

Except wives are not on the list to not work for their blokes!

Honor your parents! No murder allowed! No adultery

With married women permitted! Stealing of spirits, souls,

Or the selves of others is forbidden! Dishonesty

In tales about neighbors also a very big no-no!

Yet was it only about neighbors or of any folk?

Just like don’t covet neighbors’ holdings – or others’ also?

The mountain of lightning, thick smoke, and thunder was so loud

The mountain trembled, horn blasts grew louder scaring the crowd.

Those very frightened People begged Moshe to intercede

So they themselves would not hear directly HaShem’s words.

Moshe did as they asked so HaShem’s words only he heard:

“Build now an earthen altar, for sacrifices to be blessed -

No idols thereon nor ever should be built anywhere…

So use then un-hewn stone for an altar without steps.

No lewd dancing, modesty in worship, joy should be there...”

Haftorah: Ezekiel and the ET

After thirty years a captive, Ezekiel saw

A vision of a most unexplainable awe!

A whirlwind from the north brought a fiery cloud

From which emerged four strange, sparkling robotic probes

Each with four faces and four wings and noise very loud

From a man in a bridge window above light strobes

Pulsing rainbow colors within the cloud cover.

While the probes raced about like lightning, he hovered...

Each probe stood on tripod: two legs and a gyro wheel

Which kept the probes stable as upper whirling wings

[Rotor] and lower wings [rudders] could then reveal.

When stopped, the soft cloven footed, straight legs could bring

A view of the four faces: eagle, ox, lion, man;

And the claws under each wing; rudder wings closed tight;

And a rim full of eyes, - all burning bronze, sparkling with light...

Above, the amber colored man, on throne of flame

Engulfing a crystal base, was heard to exclaim:

Blessed be! Glory to HaShem from HaShem's stand!

==========================================

Day 2 Shabbat Shavuot Torah

All offerings should be at the designated place,

Although must be observed even if too far away -

So if tithes the trip to the Holy Site won’t survive

Then they are to be sold with all funds hence to be used

On many goods at the designated Holy See

Of the Levites’ refuge, to boost the economy,

While making sure strangers, orphans, widows, and needy

Are always provided for not just on all feasts!

Now each seventh year remission of debts for the poor

Expected to default yet still given loans before…

Further release of indentured servants if they want

So all released plus the poor can get a new start…

Compassion’s the lesson for generations to flaunt…

We’re told the first born are consecrated to the Priests.

No repeat mention is made of the Pidyon HaBen…

Of importance it is said to celebrate all Feasts

With no work for all folk on Shabbatot Holy Days

(includes strangers and servants despite all their strange ways-)

Pascal offering, seven unleavened days, and then

The Feast of Weeks and of Booths the whole household rejoices

At pilgrimage times with Feast special rites until when

First fruits or harvests' produce appear on our tables

And each person will offer as much as one's able:

Sephard unblemished offered; Ashkenaz other choices…

Haftorah:

Chavakuk's prayer is our Haftorah today.

He witnessed HaShem's glory in controlling all

Heaven and Earth with both mercy and wrath in play,

With afflictions and salvations bad and good did call...

Seeing this he declared: In HaShem I'll rejoice

For the strong uplifting strength that gives me his voice!

======================================================

Shavuot 5783

Seven weeks we have counted since Seder times,

Even less since Lab B'Omer bar-b-q time...

So now we are ready our first fruits to eat;

Boaz's Ruth to study as converts we greet;

Our Loved Ones to recall with Yiskor prayers

After staying up all night for soul repairs...

We embrace with open hearts this Feast of Weeks

And fervent pleadings that our World soon finds Peace!

Shabbat Nasso 5783; Vows, Priestly Duties, Nazarites, Gifts vs. Bribes;

BaMidbar 4:21-7:89; Judges 13:2 -13:25

Now we learn more of how Levites special were made:

Merarites stood to protect Mishkan contents all

Which were sacred to HaShem and the Tribes it’s said;

Gershonites transported Mishkan parts without falls;

Kohathites maintained the Tent of Meeting quite well

While each clan performed its tasks, too many to tell…

With the Mishkan fully anointed and all therein,

With appointed duties to different Levite clans,

Daily offerings each by another Chieftain,

Twelve came to dedicate the Altar as per plan.

Above the Ark of the Pact in the Meeting Tent

Moshe spoke with, heard from HaShem when there he went.

One said to be impure outside the camp was placed

While those who had stolen were then given a break

At a hundred twenty percent repayment take,

Not two hundred... [ Was it guilty conscience based?]-

Yet since perishable gifts to named Priests were okay,

One wonders: were there bribes to limit costs that day?

Communal non-perishable gifts to coffers saved

Allowed Mishkan functioning in every case

Such as for women accused of being unchaste,

Then given floor dirt and cursed ink flavored water

To cause childlessness if an unfaithful daughter,

But not death, just shaming, from the cursed bitter ink

Or bitterness when falsely accused one might think…

Yet no consequence for a false accuser was made…

[Paranoid misogynistic men on parade?]

Now the Nazarite vows were not taken lightly,

Required no takes of grapes or ferments in any form,

No hair cuts, no nearing the dead. So was the norm.

If someone present died, vows restarted once more

After seven days impure shaved rightly,

With purifying rites for spirit to restore.

Speaking of Nazarites, it’s good to know

That the Haftorah for this week, as Judges goes,

Is of the birth of Samson with his Mother’s vows

Of no grapes nor ferments nor wines nor nearing death

To finally have a child to raise with each breath,

Nazarite child to suppress Philistines somehow,

A male child who grew to be by HaShem quite blessed

Like our portion ending with three Priest blessings blessed...