Friday, March 10, 2017

Parsha Tetzaveh, Zachor and Purim


This week I got two reminders that after Purim we have Pessach on the way. The first came from my Rebbetzin who told me that I had to start working on Pessach Cleaning. (I usually wait until Motzei Purim but she is holier that I.) I also go an e-mail about Pessach coming http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/course_cdo/aid/3266946/jewish/The-Seder-Explained.htm and soon the appeals for “flour for Passover” will start pouring in. I also expect soon some of my usual Roshei Yeshivos or Kollelim to come for finance for the institutions and I guess give enough that they come back in person for Rosh Hashanah and sometimes Chanucha.


Parsha Tetzaveh followed by Parsha Zachor


This week is a direct continuation of last week’s Parsha. Now the olive oil burning from in the Menorah and the replenishing of the oil will be in the future too. In fact, the clothing of the Cohanim will also be in the future. Unlike the curtains and boards of the Mishkan which we learn about today for the sake of heaven. In fact, this learning is on a higher level than other learning. For example, if I learn the Daf-Yomi because I want to know everything in the Talmud and do the Mitzvos what I can. Then I am on a higher level of somebody in the Daf-Yomi Kollel who might want to learn the same way but studies also for a test in order to get money for his learning. For there is an external factor called a test and another factor called money. His learning is very good and useful for helping protect Am Yisrael but lacking something.


Unfortunately, years of working have lowered my own prayer intent. However, on a rare occasion, I put on my pajamas exhausted and have made the nightly blessings on my bed when I suddenly realize that I had been stuck in traffic or a store at the usual prayer time and I jump out of bed and mumble the prayers as a duty. This level as weak as it is by a groggy person is also for the sake of heaven and as pure as the sacrifices and prayers of the Cohanim in this week’s Parsha.


While we are on the subject of for the sake of heaven. When one gives charity with regret or not happy when he gets bombarded with people, it is a Mitzvah. But if one hears or knows somebody really in need and gives something even though they know that they will get nothing physically out of it or even pleasure that is a very high level of Tzeduka and if one person gets a job for somebody else that is a great Mitzvah. 


27:20 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually.


This is what we call extra virgin Olive Oil. Rashi describes in the Talmud the various grades of Olive Oil. He explains there the first drops and the crushed and filtered drops. Am Yisrael are compared to Olive Oil for the more we are crushed, the more we show our purity which lights up the world. Now pay attention to the first drop(s) of oil from each olive.

Pure: Without sediment, as we learned in Men. (86a): “He allows it to ripen at the top of the olive tree, etc.” Crushed: He must crush the olives in a mortar, but he may not grind them in a mill, so that they will not contain sediment. After he has extracted the first drop [of oil], he places them [the olives] into a mill and grinds them. The [resulting] second oil is unfit for the menorah but is fit for meal offerings, as it is said: “crushed for lighting,” but not crushed for meal offerings. -[from Men. 86a] To kindle the lamps continually: Heb. לְהַעִלֹת, lit., to cause to rise. [The Kohen] shall light it until the flame rises by itself. -[from Shab. 21a] Continually: Heb. תָּמִיד. [Since it burns] every night, it is called תָּמִיד, as you say: “a continual burnt offering” (עֹלַת תָּמִיד)” (Exod. 29:42, Num. 28:6), [which is called “continual”] although it is [offered up] only from day to day. Similarly, concerning the flat pan meal offering [of the Kohen Gadol, the word] תָּמִיד is mentioned although it is [offered up] only half in the morning and [the other] half in the evening. [The word] תָּמִיד mentioned concerning the showbread (Exod. 25:30), however, [literally] means from Sabbath to Sabbath [i.e., continually].


21 In the tent of meeting, without the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall set it in order, to burn from evening to morning before the LORD; it shall be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.


As I stated, the Mitzvos such as the Menorah and the bread will return to us in the Temple in the future. Perhaps that is why this week’s Parsha is tricky as was last week for the Ephod and other parts of the garments of the Cohain will be and certain items were only for the Mishkan.

28:1 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. 2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, for splendor and for beauty.

A number of Cohanim have been fitted by the Temple Institute in Garments and they are being tailored and sold: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3564897,00.html advertisement: http://www.templeinstitute.org/garment_manufacture.htm
Since a picture is worth 1000 words I will cut my words short this week and move on to Parsha Zachor with a reminder of some of the material. I skip the sacrifices (Korbanos) mentioned.

3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to sanctify him, that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office. 4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a tunic of checker work, a mitre, and a girdle; and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office. 5 And they shall take the gold, and the blue, and the purple, and the scarlet, and the fine linen.

The Temple Institute put together this garment for the Cohain HaGadol: http://www.templeinstitute.org/vessels_gallery_16.htm


6 And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman.

Illustrations of various Priestly Garments: http://www.templeinstitute.org/beged/priestly_garments-4.htm


7 It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to the two ends thereof, that it may be joined together. 8 And the skillfully woven band, which is upon it, wherewith to gird it on, shall be like the work thereof and of the same piece: of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. 9 And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: 10 six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, according to their birth.

Remember that each inanimate stone has vibrations and certain powers per the Kabbalah. Stones and embroidery: http://www.templeinstitute.org/beged/priestly_garments-7.htm


11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel; thou shalt make them to be inclosed in settings of gold.

Note the names of the tribes are important for the Cohain Gadol who makes atonement but the ordinary priest issues the atonement via a sacrifice.

12 And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial. 13 And thou shalt make settings of gold; 14 and two chains of pure gold; of plaited thread shalt thou make them, of wreathen work; and thou shalt put the wreathen chains on the settings. 15 And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod thou shalt …31 And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 And it shall have a hole for the head in the midst thereof; it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of a coat of mail that it be not rent. 33 And upon the skirts of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the skirts thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the skirts of the robe round about.

One of the bells or more from the second Mikdash has been found on the Temple Mount. Rabbi B. Wein Shlita in his weekly Drasha at the Torah.org this week wrote about “The Clothes Make the Man”. It is fitting and proper to wear appropriate clothing in public and at work.

35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister; and the sound thereof shall be heard when he goes in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not. 36 And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and engrave upon it, like the engravings of a signet: HOLY TO THE LORD.

The Cohanim could not place their hands over their head for the DIVINE NAME: http://www.templeinstitute.org/vessels_gallery_15.htm

37 And thou shalt put it on a thread of blue, and it shall be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. 38 And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity committed in the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow, even in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD. 39 And thou shalt weave the tunic in checker work of fine linen, and thou shalt make a mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make a girdle, the work of the weaver in colors. 40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make tunics, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and head-tires shalt thou make for them, for splendor and for beauty.

I cut out the working that the Mizbayach shall not see nakedness. Therefore, contrary to the average man, instead of only a belted robe the Cohain had pants for even the inanimate Mizbayach had to be pure of nakedness.

…29:5 And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the tunic, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 6 And thou shalt set the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre. 7 Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him. 8 And thou shalt bring his sons, and put tunics upon them. 9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and bind head-tires on them; and they shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute; and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.




… 30:8 And when Aaron lights the lamps at dusk, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. 9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt-offering, nor meal-offering; and ye shall pour no drink-offering thereon.

Forgetting this two sons of Aaron were burnt.

10 And Aaron shall make atonement upon the horns of it once in the year; with the blood of the sin-offering of atonement once in the year shall he make atonement for it throughout your generations; it is most holy unto the LORD.'


Parsha Zachor


17 Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way as ye came forth out of Egypt;


This is one of the six remembrances mentioned in the Torah. Because Haman was from Agag King of Amalek, we read this before Purim. Look at their methods and the methods of Hamas and Hezballah do you see a similarity here. So what must we do?


18 how he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, all that were enfeebled in thy rear, when you were faint and weary; and he feared not God.


These are the methods of the terrorists. They do not attack directly the soldiers but try to send missiles and rockets at civilian targets or blow up school buses with women, children and the elderly. Their hatred is so wicked that they will commit suicide in order to bring about homicide of others.


19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given you rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God gives thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget.


This is what the people in Shushan and the rest of the Empire did was to kill off 75,000 anti-Semites on that first Purim and hung the ten sons of Haman. If one reads down the columns of the Megilla one sees the letters adding to 5707 and that is the year that the Nuremburg trial ended and the sentence was passed to hang Martin Goering and 10 other Nazis. Goering took his own life the night before and so 10 were hung that year.


Amalek challenged Am Yisrael after all the miracles. They brought Sofek into the land or uncertainty. Funny but it was Werner Heisenberg (Uncertainty Principle) that was the leader of the German Project for the Atomic Bomb. Casting doubt on the DIVINE Protection of Am Yisrael opened our forefathers and us to attacks.


Don't Be Afraid To Ask! Story from 5765                                                                          I published this but no source (Rabbi Shraga Simmons possibly or just from the net?)

About 100 years ago in Europe, there was a wealthy man, named Rav Eisel Charif of Slonim. His daughter was ready to get married, so Rav Eisel sought the best young man. In those days, the best young man meant the top Yeshiva student. So Rav Eisel traveled to the town of Volozhin, which was brimming under the tutelage of its famous Rosh Yeshiva, the Netziv. (It is said that in the years the Netziv ran the Yeshiva, some 10,000 students passed through.) When Rav Eisel arrived, he walked into the study hall, made a loud klop on the table, and announced: I have a very difficult question on a passage in the Talmud. Whoever can supply the correct answer will have my daughter's hand in marriage.
A great buzz swept through the study hall. The chance to marry Rav Eisel's daughter! Soon a long line formed, and one by one the students were given their chance to provide the answer. And one by one, Rav Eisel rejected the answers as incorrect. This went on for days. Some students even stood in line 2, 3, 4 times. But still no one came up with the correct answer. When the students had all exhausted their options, Rav Eisel packed his bags and began to head out of town.
He had just reached the edge of the city, when he heard a voice shouting after him: Rav Eisel, Rav Eisel! He turned around to see a young Yeshiva student running in his direction. The student explained: Rav Eisel, I know I wasn't able to satisfy the condition for marriage, but just for my own sake, sir, could you please tell me what is the correct answer?
Aha! shouted Rav Eisel. You will be my son-in-law! In case you can’t figure out the Moral of the Story it is that the fellow had the quality of learning for the sake of heaven and the answer was important to him even if he did not deserve to marry the girl. He proved that he was worthy of learning Torah to become the son-in-law.

From my cousin Marc: The Righteous Among the Nations:


Jean Phillipe November 14, 1905 - March 1, 1944
Why you should know him: A police chief in occupied France during WWII, Phillipe's acts of resistance saved the lives of many Jews, but ultimately cost him his own.
Throughout his career, Jean Phillipe held positions in both the French army and police forces. But when the Vichy government aligned with the occupying Nazis, Phillipe stood up for what was right and joined the Resistance.
In 1942, he was named chief of police in Toulouse. This position of power allowed him to become a leading member of the Resistance movement. It also allowed him to do much good - he prevented the arrested of fellow Resistance fighters, while also providing false identification papers to fleeing Jews. These false papers, complete with authentic police seals, allowed young Jews to be smuggled into neutral Switzerland or hidden in France.
In 1943, the Nazis ordered Phillipe to submit a list of all Jews in his precinct. Instead of betraying those who relied on him, Phillipe refused the request and tendered his resignation. In his letter of resignation, Phillipe wrote:
I regret to inform you that in view of our government’s present policy not conforming to my ideals, I am unable to serve it with loyalty. I refuse to persecute the Jews who, according to my opinion, have the same right for happiness and life as Mr. Laval [Prime Minister of the collaborationist Vichy France] himself. I refuse to forcibly uproot French workers from their families: I believe that we have no right to deport our fellow citizens and that any Frenchman who becomes an accomplice to this infamy is a traitor, even if he is called Philippe Petain [the Head of State of collaborationist Vichy France]...
After resigning, Phillipe continued his acts of heroism as part of the Underground Resistance. He was later arrested by the Gestapo, after which he was interrogated, tortured, imprisoned, and executed.
Because of his selflessness that saved countless Jewish lives, Jean Phillipe was named Righteous Among the Nations in 1995.

Rich Dad Poor Dad my version. When Menashe came to me 2.5 years ago he was buying with his allowance books where you have to paste in stickers of Rabbis or Sports figures. So like with baseball cards in my day, so stickers are plenty aka duplicates and others are very rare so you buy and buy and it cost more than a regular printed book. Before you can finish the next collection or Rabbi is out.


I took Menashe aside about the end of the secular year two years ago. I told him that it was better to save his money or something of real value than squander it. I told him think of something and make yourself a goal. He told me that he wanted a Megilla. OK I told him, then save up 3,000 Shekels. I told him with his allowance, that in two years he would have 1,000 NIS and his father and grandmother(s) give him money from time to time. He also got prizes for his knowledge of Mishna and lo and behold about a month or two ago, he had managed to save 2,700 NIS so I told him that I would lend him the balance that he needed and I called up a Sofer to commission a Megilla for Menashe.


Well Tuesday late afternoon, this week before Purim, the Megilla arrived. I told Menashe how proud I was that he listened to me and saved up for a goal of something valuable. He also had some spare cash after that.


Infrared surgery in Haifa and this story in the USA it is not covered by the Health System and costs 40,000 NIS http://www.foxnews.com/health/2017/03/03/miracle-brain-surgery-helps-woman-control-her-tremors.html


Rabbi of the Kurdish Jews passes away at 117: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/226219


Feeling sad: Last bit of respect that I had for Conservative Judaism is waning quickly. They are sawing off the branch on which they sit. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/224038


Mirror - Mirror the good side of evil by Rabbi Pinchas Winston Shlita


I wonder how many people are watching what is going on in the US these days and feel that the whole thing is becoming incredibly moronic. 
When Trump first began to run for President, the sides were not as pronounced, and everything still seemed somewhat civilized. Once it became clear that he would become the Republican candidate, then the accusations and attacks were stepped up, as to be expected. Since being elected, all of the anti-Trump sentiment seems to have come unhinged. The subtly is completely gone, making me wonder, “Don’t these guys care what they sound like?”
The Vilna Gaon said that evil, at the End-of-Days, will become so extreme that many will see it for what it is, and leave it. Sensing its end is near, spiritually-speaking, evil will go for broke, and in doing so, act over the top. This will allow people to realize that it is not for them, and they will begin to move in the opposite direction, the RIGHT direction. Given what is going on in the world today, if we haven’t reached that stage in history yet, we must be very close.
An example of this is the recent decision by the Conservative Movement to accept gentile members into their shuls, a VERY radical move. So radical, in fact, that some Conservative Jews might just find themselves moving to more “Orthodox” shuls because they will not go that far. Some will embrace the decision, but others will reject it and return to a more traditional form of Judaism as a result.
Even more extreme is the Reform Movement’s decision to accept not-halachic conversions to increase their numbers. But, as the Talmud warns, “Grab too much and you end up with nothing.” They have watered down Judaism so much that eventually it can only evaporate, and become a different religion altogether. They themselves have built in their own obsolescence. 
After all, Torah comes from God. He made the rules. He set the guidelines. He wants it to last forever, so built into Torah is the means to survive. Break the Divine rules and overturn the Divine guidelines and a person disconnects himself from the eternity of Torah. His religion becomes transient.
We have been watching the polarization of society now for the last 10 years at least. Moral opinions become increasingly more extreme with each passing year, and as they do, some of of their members of the Left leave. They go in the opposite direction as they become clearer about what they belonged to. When they look at themselves in the “mirror,” they do not like what is reflected back to them.
This, the GR”A says, is the “good” side of evil. Never satisfied with past “accomplishments,” it always tries to do more, and in doing so, reveals its true self to the world. It forces people to decide who they really are, and to move further in one direction or the other. This readies the world for the next phase . . .


Sorry no Purim Fun this year it takes a lot to be a good clown and crack a good joke so go out and enjoy among friends and other Rabbis. As I say on Purim, “I’ll drink to that also!”




Remember Hank Greenberg the US spy ballplayer, Sandy Koufax well Jews for Baseball: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/226469


Get refuser put under pressure as picture is published: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4931612,00.html



Inyanay Diyoma


The latest Disney Movie of Beauty and the Beast as a Homosexual Character in it and according to Russian Child Porno Laws will be banned in Russia. Parents in the "Free USA" should know what they are exposing their children to!


Ed-Op no leadership at the end of the tunnel: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4929233,00.html










Starting up about Jeff Sessions? Well look at Nancy and Chuck is not far behind: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/nancy-pelosi-sergey-kislyak-meeting-235653




Ed-Op by Dr. Martin Sherman the trouble with tunnels: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/226060






Huffington Post – AOL Trump Campaign Promises Tracker: https://www.aol.com/news/trump-campaign-promises/






NYPD looked into vandalism at Jewish Cemetery BUT CONCLUDES IT IS WEATHER DAMAGE – POOR UPKEEP: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4930732,00.html






Ben Dror Yemeni what the Judges do not know: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4930796,00.html






Finally, an Obama Care Replacement Bill it is not on the level of Israeli Care but give it a chance. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/05/text-obamacare-replacement-bill-coming-this-week-source-says.html



Terrorist offered surrender fights to the death: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/226172



Iran uses N. Korean Missiles and both are testing: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4931189,00.html









Close Encounter of the Iranian Kind: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/226248


As Hamas uses rebuilding cement for tunnels, the population turns to being drugged and now they have a major problem on their hands. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4932210,00.html


NY Times first reported Trump wiretap by Obama in Jan. now contradicts it. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/226311




Two explosive devices against the IDF found by the border Tuesday. http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=40923

US military Column halts Russian advance in Syria: http://debka.com/article/25953/US-armored-column-at-Manbij-to-block-Russians



Dividing Military Influence to prevent “friendly” fire: http://debka.com/article/25954/Epic-US-Russian-Turkish-military-summit-on-Syria






Wednesday night, Hannity had two former Washington Times Reporter on about the warrant that was granted to get into the Trump Org. Server: http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/03/03/mark-levin-obama-used-police-state-tactics-undermine-trump/


The leak will be plugged and somebody’s head in manpower or security will also roll. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/03/09/outside-contractors-for-cia-reportedly-eyed-in-wikileaks-dump-probe.html


Remember the Apps that ask to use your camera? Well Wikileaks has revealed what I told my wife – that even with the phone off they can see you so when in the shower room cover it.


ISIS takes back Gov. Buildings in Mosul: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/226430




NYPD believe most of the over a hundred phone threats made to Jewish Organizations was the work of one man: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4933429,00.html




Dr. Martin Sherman Ed-Op Lieberman a Dove in Hawk Feathers: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/20262


Good Shabbos, Purim Samayach remember it is a big Mitzvah of the Rabbis to be joyous on Purim. So eat, drink and be merry and forget about the real world for a few hours. Laughter is the best medicine.

Rachamim Pauli