Shabbat Shalom! We at Beit Torah ask what shall we sacrifice today?:

Shabbat Parashat VaYikra 5786; 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.

 

The English translation might cause us confusion

Saying that fat is always forbidden to eat,

But the Hebrew is more clear that heilev’s not fat!

It is internal organ fat in sacrifice meat!

 

So if all carrion, blood or such fat is eaten,

The consumer by Israel will ever shunned be!

A bonus in sacrifice of burning all fat

Is that a pleasing odor will come with all that!

(No mention’s made of sacrifice bird fat…)

 

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.

Plus, 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 selfish needs 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

Sacrifices to G!d. 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

Shabbat Shalom! Be safe!

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If it is also Shabbat Zachor, then add these two lines at the end:

 

We know Amalek comes in many forms. Hence this we must recall:

To oppose Amalek’s rise to power or else we all will fall…

 

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.

You brazenly sin with no thought of repenting…

You’ve burnt your bridges with no way for their mending.

 

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

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

For I’ve instilled my Spirit in generations to come

So they will follow Mitzvot until redemption is won.

Against me the works of your hands can not compete.

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

 

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

 

Shabbat HaGadol, Parashat Tzav 5786; Purifications and Rituals; VaYikra 6:1-8:36; Malachi 3:4-24 [usual haftorah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3, 9:22-23]

 

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,

Who claimed they were HaShem’s words he was passing on...

 

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

From offered livestock and birds for

Aaron’s offspring, but only males score

The remnant, unleavened grain offering

Not offered by Priests, what plain Folk bring...

 

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 to outside the camp’s plain were removed
By the Priests in linen breeches and vestments dressed,
Both to be all washed upon return to be blessed…

 

Should a person through food or touch impure become,

They are to be cut off away from kin and shunned.

 

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 hearts. 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...

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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!

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HAFTORAH when not a special day:

Prophet Jeremiah claimed with him HaShem spoke

That upon leaving Egypt there was no command

To do sacrifices; just to observe the Laws,

Follow them was the need: Mitzvot to be done and

Call out Folk who don’t listen but do their own thing,

Being very stiff-necked and much less civilized…

Yet even when you tell them, listen they will not.

They will seal their own fates and lose their promised lots.

 

So shave and lament those who have not realized

They’ve angered HaShem with Baal worship embraced…

Hence with death and ruin HaShem will silence them all.

In wrath their bones will be scattered and banished wide.

Folk in their riches, strength, or wisdom should take no pride,

But devote themselves to HaShem who’ll recall

To prefer to act with kind equity worldwide

And delight in Justice with Kindness to be chased…

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See also readings under Pesach tab...

For Freedom We Fight, 5786 Pesach!

 

This is a poem for Pesach in these anguishing times

When all around, threats to freedoms are seeming to climb…

“Need to reinforce resolve to fight them”, I opine

So we can celebrate full freedoms down the line!

Wishing you all yummy Pesach and a joyous time!

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So I have been asked to say a few words despite my anguish and confusion… Here goes:

 

From Purim through Pesach we find ourselves exhorted to oppose Amalek and preserve our freedoms. In these times it is confusing as to how to do so. I and some of the people I talk with certainly feel that way. We ask why the world’s nations have let terrorism against Israel grow and fester since 1948. We ask why ceasefires and peace agreements have never been fully implemented. We ask why no effective action has ever been taken to stop Iran’s dissemination of terrorism in several countries of the Middle East nor to prevent its pursuit of nuclear weaponry.

 

We note that the European countries and other nations are experts at “too little, too late” just like before WWII – although appeasement never works… So we have policies and laws to prevent acting against Amalekites without a group consensus such as of a union or a congress.

 

Hence when the needed action is started without a consensus, we ask if it is legal, whether it will endanger democratic freedoms, whether it threatens to become dictatorship or authoritarianism.

 

Nonetheless, we are enjoined to wipe out Amalek, despite ever increasing open anti-semitism, and are left with the question: how? - We are told to work tirelessly to protect freedoms, but how? Is the path we now are forced onto in the Middle East going to be the one that will get rid of this iteration of Amalek?

 

So we are left with questions that plague us all: What is the right thing for us to do at this time? What can we say to folk who share their anguish and confusion with us? My fall back is to sing – such as a Mi Shebeirach - and a hug… as inadequate as that seems. What do you think? Do you have any answers? Perhaps this: ...Let us sing Light One Candle...

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Shabbat Pesach Chol HaMoed, Shemot 33:12-34:26

Lewd folk coerced Aaron an idol to make -

A gold covered calf idol! - and altar to take...

When to Moshe the extent of sins was found,

He hurled the Law tablets to break on the ground.

 

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!

 

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

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

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:

HaShem who 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!

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Shabbat Pesach Chol HaMoed Haftorah; Ezekiel 37:1-14

 

Seeing the Valley of Bones Ezekiel asked: “Can these bones live again?”

HaShem replied: “Yes”, but details were not expressed how to do so then.

Today we know bone D.N.A. can be cloned – for humans we know not when…

E.T.’s would have equipment and the ways to be messengers of HaShem!

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For Seders: Pesach Freedom 5784... Adele Jay

How much space does a Seder plate have for people’s favorite additions?

Oranges for diversity, olives for Peace, cashews for troops at war.

Bananas for refugees, acorns for natives, test tubes for health choices galore!

These choices we make to call out hateful folk fill our plates, ceiling to floor.

Yet the focus should be: oppose forms of slavery, all; honor heroes of yore!

So a Pesach greeting this year is sent to you to freedoms protect evermore!

Chag Pesach Chazak!

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Torah Pesach Day 1 – Shemot 12:21-51

 

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!

~Maftir BaMidbar 28:16 - 28:25~

 

The Maftir leading to Haftorah of Pesach first days

Says the first and last days of Pesach are Holy rest days!

 

Haftorah Day 1, Yehoshua 3:5 - 3:7; 5:2 - 5:15; 6:1; 6:27

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!

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Pesach Day 2 -Torah, VaYikra 22:26 thru ch. 23

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...

 

Maftir for both days:

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… II Kings 23:1-5, 21-25

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...

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