Yitro, Now Seeking Qualified Men!
President Obama had the opportunity to unite this country like no other". Seeing that he was our first black president, he could have brought together all races and erased diversity.
The Song of the Women
As a woman in today’s world of “equal rights”, I do believe we are fighting for the wrong issues. We can learn so much from Miriam. Rabbi Isaac Luria writes, “the last generation before the coming of the Messiah is the reincarnation of the generation of the Exodus.” I have salon clients who have sat in my chair over the last few months that truly believe that we are living in the “end times”. If we are standing at the brink of the Ultimate Redemption and we are looking at stories like this one to guide us through, do we look anything like Miriam?
Read moreA Thought For Shabbat
by instructing Moses to “come to Pharaoh,” G‑d was inviting Moses to confront the essence of the Egyptian ruler. G‑d tells Moses to enter into Pharaoh, in the sense of entering deep within the mind and character of Egypt’s arch-idol.
Read moreA Kingdom Of Priests
‘Keep your lifestyle free from the love of money, and be content with what you have. For G-d Himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” so that with confidence we say,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What will man do to me?”’ ~Hebrews 13:5-6
Hebrews 13:5-21 warns us against covetousness. These words urge us not to seek after or pursue what our pagan neighbors seek after and pursue. The text reminds us to focus on what The Holy One has called us to be and do. We are called to be a kingdom of Kohanim (priests) and a Holy Nation.
“And bring thou near unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that they may minister unto Me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.” ~Exodus 28:1
Read moreA Dwelling Place
Redemption, the dictionary defines redemption as the act of purchasing back something that was previously sold or the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil. As we enter in to this week’s portion Terumah we see that Moses and the Children of Israel have been redeemed by the strong hand of the Holy One. He bought back His People from the bondage of Egypt, led them through the sea on dry land, gave them victory over their enemies, gave manna from heaven and water from a rock. As if that wasn’t enough, he brought them to himself and gave them a ketubah (wedding contract). The bride is receiving her makeover!
After we have been redeemed, it’s time to understand what is to happen next. The opening verses of this week’s portion speak of what is to happen after we’ve been given this wonderful salvation.
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