Parshas Emor -- 3 Iyar, 5771 / May 7, 2011 -- Vol. 2, Issue 14
This week’s parsha, Emor, discusses the shalosh regalim, the three pilgrimage festivals: Pesach, Sukkos, and Shavuos. Each of these holidays celebrates a pivotal time in Jewish history.
Pesach commemorates our liberation, when we as a nation broke free from slavery and left Egypt. Sukkos reminds us of our travels through the desert on our journey to the land of Israel, and Shavuos, when Hashem chose us from all other nations to entrust with His Torah.
In our own day to day living, we have certain occasions which mark a time of growth and are considered momentous. An upshernish (haircutting) for a three year old boy, when a girl starts lighting Shabbos candles at 3, a bat mitzvahs at 12 for girls and bar mitzvah at 13 for boys, marriage, children, grandchildren, retirement, just to name a few.
While most people would not consider, or even remember, their 1st birthday as a time of utmost significance, I must say that my daughter Bayla’s first birthday, which we celebrated this past week has left an indelible mark on me. The truth is, that it isn’t the day itself which was so remarkable, but the past year as a whole.
Watching Bayla grow has been an incredible experience, however even more amazing is that she managed to take her parents along for the ride as well. Though Bayla may be completely unaware of the change and growth she has inspired, but she is directly responsible nonetheless. Bayla has unknowingly encouraged me to be consistent in my Torah learning, scrupulous in my davening, and more outgoing in my mitzvah seeking.
I began being more careful in these aspects for Bayla’s education; however, as a result I find myself reaching new heights and setting new challenges.
The holy Reb Yisrael of Rizhin’s father used to say, “People will know from my sons who I am”. I would say that I have become who I am, because of who my daughter needs me to be.
My blessing to Bayla is that she should continue to have a zest for life and always embrace change as she has done over the past year. May she give her family, community, and all of Klal Yisrael much yiddishe nachas!
Pesach commemorates our liberation, when we as a nation broke free from slavery and left Egypt. Sukkos reminds us of our travels through the desert on our journey to the land of Israel, and Shavuos, when Hashem chose us from all other nations to entrust with His Torah.
In our own day to day living, we have certain occasions which mark a time of growth and are considered momentous. An upshernish (haircutting) for a three year old boy, when a girl starts lighting Shabbos candles at 3, a bat mitzvahs at 12 for girls and bar mitzvah at 13 for boys, marriage, children, grandchildren, retirement, just to name a few.
While most people would not consider, or even remember, their 1st birthday as a time of utmost significance, I must say that my daughter Bayla’s first birthday, which we celebrated this past week has left an indelible mark on me. The truth is, that it isn’t the day itself which was so remarkable, but the past year as a whole.
Watching Bayla grow has been an incredible experience, however even more amazing is that she managed to take her parents along for the ride as well. Though Bayla may be completely unaware of the change and growth she has inspired, but she is directly responsible nonetheless. Bayla has unknowingly encouraged me to be consistent in my Torah learning, scrupulous in my davening, and more outgoing in my mitzvah seeking.
I began being more careful in these aspects for Bayla’s education; however, as a result I find myself reaching new heights and setting new challenges.
The holy Reb Yisrael of Rizhin’s father used to say, “People will know from my sons who I am”. I would say that I have become who I am, because of who my daughter needs me to be.
My blessing to Bayla is that she should continue to have a zest for life and always embrace change as she has done over the past year. May she give her family, community, and all of Klal Yisrael much yiddishe nachas!
Parshas Emor: Ner Tamid, An Everlasting Flame
“Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying: Command the Children of Israel that they take to you clear olive oil, pressed for lighting, to kindle a continue lamp,” (Vayikra, 24:1)
The weather this past week has been particularly beautiful, and so on Sunday my wife and I took our daughter Bayla for a fun-filled afternoon at the park. We packed the stroller with plenty of fruit, water, sun hats, and of course our beloved bocce ball set.
We spent some time on the playground which was absolutely packed with children of all ages. Bayla went on the swing, down the slide and even on some kind of spring wobble toy in the sand that I’m not quite sure has a specific name. Eventually we found a nice quiet spot on the side and set up our bocce game. Bocce ball is a really great game and if you’ve never tried it, I really suggest that you do.
Bayla, of course, is too young to play bocce and so she played on the grass beside us. She had an unbelievable time crawling around and playing with her own bouncy ball. After a few games, we took a break and sat down to a snack.
The dilemma: where to sit. In our planning we had somehow neglected to bring along a picnic blanket. “Hmmm…” I thought to myself, “Should I sit on the ground? The grass is slightly wet and looks a little bit dirty. I’m wearing one of favourite pairs of pants; do I really want to risk getting grass stains on them?”
While these thoughts ran through my mind, I glanced over at Bayla to see her lying down in the grass staring back at me with a huge smile on her face as if to say, “Tatty, it’s okay, just sit down and enjoy yourself, don’t worry so much!” Well, with that, I sat right down next to her, open to grass stains and all, and gave her a hug.
How is it that Bayla was able to sit on the grass so comfortably without worry? Of course, I realize that the last thing on Bayla’s mind is damp knees and a few specks of dirt, but I think it’s more than that. Children have specific qualities that as they become older often slowly fade as the worries of the world gradually become part of their life.
One of the most extraordinary virtues which permeates a young child is their simpleness; their ability to live in the present without worry of “what if.” This simpleness, or rather completeness, translates into their emunah (faith) in Hashem. Thus, children have what’s called emunah peshuta,a simple and complete faith in Hashem.
This is what it means that the Jewish people should kindle an everlasting lamp. On the one hand, it refers to the lamp that was inside of the Beis HaMikdash, while on the other hand it refers to the Beis HaMikdash that is inside each and every one of us. As it says in parshas Terumah, 25:8, “They shall make a Sanctuary for Me – so that I may dwell among them.”
Each of us must continually cultivate our faith and trust in Hashem the way that a child does. As we grow older we need to ensure that our intellectuality never overrides our engraved sense of belief in G-d. Reb. Mechel of Zlotchov used to say, “I have but one request. May I never use my reason against truth.”
The weather this past week has been particularly beautiful, and so on Sunday my wife and I took our daughter Bayla for a fun-filled afternoon at the park. We packed the stroller with plenty of fruit, water, sun hats, and of course our beloved bocce ball set.
We spent some time on the playground which was absolutely packed with children of all ages. Bayla went on the swing, down the slide and even on some kind of spring wobble toy in the sand that I’m not quite sure has a specific name. Eventually we found a nice quiet spot on the side and set up our bocce game. Bocce ball is a really great game and if you’ve never tried it, I really suggest that you do.
Bayla, of course, is too young to play bocce and so she played on the grass beside us. She had an unbelievable time crawling around and playing with her own bouncy ball. After a few games, we took a break and sat down to a snack.
The dilemma: where to sit. In our planning we had somehow neglected to bring along a picnic blanket. “Hmmm…” I thought to myself, “Should I sit on the ground? The grass is slightly wet and looks a little bit dirty. I’m wearing one of favourite pairs of pants; do I really want to risk getting grass stains on them?”
While these thoughts ran through my mind, I glanced over at Bayla to see her lying down in the grass staring back at me with a huge smile on her face as if to say, “Tatty, it’s okay, just sit down and enjoy yourself, don’t worry so much!” Well, with that, I sat right down next to her, open to grass stains and all, and gave her a hug.
How is it that Bayla was able to sit on the grass so comfortably without worry? Of course, I realize that the last thing on Bayla’s mind is damp knees and a few specks of dirt, but I think it’s more than that. Children have specific qualities that as they become older often slowly fade as the worries of the world gradually become part of their life.
One of the most extraordinary virtues which permeates a young child is their simpleness; their ability to live in the present without worry of “what if.” This simpleness, or rather completeness, translates into their emunah (faith) in Hashem. Thus, children have what’s called emunah peshuta,a simple and complete faith in Hashem.
This is what it means that the Jewish people should kindle an everlasting lamp. On the one hand, it refers to the lamp that was inside of the Beis HaMikdash, while on the other hand it refers to the Beis HaMikdash that is inside each and every one of us. As it says in parshas Terumah, 25:8, “They shall make a Sanctuary for Me – so that I may dwell among them.”
Each of us must continually cultivate our faith and trust in Hashem the way that a child does. As we grow older we need to ensure that our intellectuality never overrides our engraved sense of belief in G-d. Reb. Mechel of Zlotchov used to say, “I have but one request. May I never use my reason against truth.”
