Parashat Hashavua

Portion Chukat in USA-Balak in Israel - on Donkeys and Death

Portion Chukat in USA-Balak in Israel - on Donkeys and Death
 
 
This week let's look at Traditional Laws and Traditions as Torah (in Judaism)
 
As I wrote in my book "Seeking Reb Shlomo" - everyone has complaints about something!
 
Sadly a majority of Jewish People outside Israel seem to blame the Almighty for EVERYTHING -
especially what happened many many years before!
 
Even those that acknowledge Jewish traditions find fault: How could the Almighty write such things in the Bible?
 
In Portion Chukat people worry about the concept of Tuma and Tahara - that is, laws of "ritually clean or not"
 
In Portion Balak everyone worries about the Talking Donkey - what's he doing there? Moses threw that one in?
 
Come on, now -
 
Why pick on our ancient traditions when there is so much joy to be found-
 
As well as ancient BUT ETERNAL wisdom-
 
By carefully reading the portions!
 
Don't get me wrong - I too have questions - but the JOY IS IN THE LEARNING FOR LIFE!
 
This world is so devoid of respect - and so full of abuses and bloodshed!
 
So here are just a couple of quick thoughts:
 
the "Tuma" wisdom shows how to respect life - not only after people participate in a funeral!
 
The donkey wisdom is so clear - Why does the donkey wait until he is hit three times?
  Every word is applicable to our lives today - and giving some thought to the Torah might give us a new perspective on
 
THE GENIUS OF THE TORAH!
 
If you read these portions with love of   G-dly wisdom
 
It might just give a holy perspective to us all


Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Portion Korach - did he Know his Left from his Right?

Portion Korach - did he Know his Left from his Right? 
 
The Kabalah uses the Torah sentences to implant DEEP MEANING into ALL of G-d's CREATION
 
The Talmud uses the same Torah sentences to implant WISE Daily Ritual into ALL of G-d's CREATION
 
The Medrash uses the same Torah sentences to create a Sweet AWARENESS of G-d's Torah Wisdom
 
all there are from about 2000 years ago - after 1000 years of Solomonic Wisdom and Davidic Spirituality,
ALL WRITTEN DOWN FOR US - and those who try to defame the simple truth above-
by "making up THEORIES" are basing their theories on on ego or need to deceive in order to further their on ambitions or economics
(like those who constantly claim to see UFO's - not starts - or the Loch Sea monsters - not fish ...)
 
so this week in Israel (where I started the week) is Portion Korach 
 
and here in New York (where I am now) is the Portion of Shelach
 
Both talking about COMPLAINING and using falsehoods - with
implications for many many years of troubles for Israel - and for the world.
 
Zohar has an interesting insight on Korach - the guy who wanted to replace Moshe and/or Aron
 
He was a Levite who wanted to be High Priest!
 
But in the "Zohar on Korach" it explains the strengths of:
 
Kohain vs Levi.
 
Not everyone has the "strength of the right"
 
But the world needs also the the strength of the left...
 
(kabbalistic concepts of "mercifulness " versus "powerful support of G-dliness")
 
In synchrony they work -
 
But with Korach's complaints he confused the
strength of those,
with others' strengths-
 
- and his Ego charged the Israelite Camp with dissent -
 
And the earth "swallowed up the rebels"! 
 
Because the earth follows the Laws of the Almighty!
 
Reb Elimelech on this Portion explains the mission that says
 
 ... b nakom sh ayn ish - hishtadel ...
 
If no one stands up to be a person -
in that instance- 
 
Try to STAND STRAIGHT -
 
 ... it means the WORLD and G-d  need you!
 
It's the same problem of Portion Shelach ... 
 
"anashim Roshei..."
 
The 12 Leaders All wanted to be leaders of the people,
to take away Moses' G-dliness from the Israelite Camp -
 
They just Didnt want to be Mentshen - People that Stand with G-d!
 
So look at what some people do to pervert the truth
 
 
On the News " Iranian TV fabricates 
occer legend Cristiano Ronaldo declaring his hatred of Israeli “assassins.” (Pure lies and Photoshop)
 

By The Algemeiner

 

Iran’s state TV has falsely "quoted" Portuguese soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo as saying that he dislikes Israeli soccer fans and calls them “assassins.”

In a report that aired on June 15, Iranian state television showed a video clip of the Manchester United striker speaking, falsely translating him as saying: 
 
“Israeli football fans, for me, are the most hated. I cannot tolerate them. I won’t exchange my shirts with assassins.”
 
However, Ronaldo never made those remarks, news outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on Monday. 
 
Iran’s official broadcaster used footage from a 2016 video 
that Ronaldo recorded for Save The Children, the London-based humanitarian organization, 
Radio Free Europe reported. 
 
In the original English-language video, Ronaldo drew attention to the struggle Syrian children faced during that country’s brutal civil war.
 
The TORAH portrays the TRUTH
while Depraved Tyrants prefer PROPAGANDA and LIES.
 
We Jews must stand for:
 
PEACE LOVE HEALTH TRUTH WISDOM AND GOODNESS -
which shall prevail - we just need to teach the world to prioritize that!
 
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
תשובההעברה

Portion Shlach but the Spies didnt hit the Beaches!


Portion Shlach but the Spies didnt hit the Beaches!

Moshe sent the spies to "check out the land".


Go to the South he said. Check out the grapes. Dry wine or sweet?

Why didn't Moses tell our people there would be NATURAL GAS off the coast?

Funny, but the Lubavitcher Rebbe did 50 years ago!

WHAT ABOUT fishing rights?
The people complained that fish were "free" in Egypt (as if really...).

There was no Canaanite sea trade the Israelites could deal with (nothing I know was ever discovered).

My theory is that the Phoenicians from Greece and the Syrian Hittites dumped people they didnt like - criminals and abusers -into Canaan,

Like Egypt did 100 years ago - dump CRIMINALS into Gaza!

Ancient Egypt did sea patrols - but did they do commerce besides fishing the Nile? I don't know of any.

Greeks and Romans did commerce ...while conquering and destroying - and the Iraqis and Chinese ... silk trades...etc?

Africa - not likely they did sea trade ... maybe a little with Arabs -
so the spies were sent to see if the agriculture would support the Israelites.

So why were only 2 of the 12 spies smart? Why did 10 fear leaving the Sinai for the land of Israel?

Combining ideas and bringing innovation is a Jewish thing...

Was there ever a Scottish navy? Or a Pakistani people (just tribes like in Afghanistan)? (And why did Bangla Desh split off from them, anyway?)

America was founded on individuals trying to get by.

Israel was founded because one of 2 reasons
1 The Almighty loved our ancestors
2 the worl needs a place where holiness can reach out to the world
and get the world off the vicious cycle

Fake Socialism
Greed
Ego
False gods


How many nations just want to develop and help others like Israeli doctors volunteering in Africa whom I have met?

And bring Shabbos to the world!


Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion BehHahAhLoatCha. Not What you Complain about to your Attorney?

Portion BehHahAhLoatCha. Not What you Complain about to your Attorney?
 
In the portion (in Israel) we read about the Almighty's bounty feeding the Israelites in the desert with Manna-
Some light healthy fruit blown in by the wind.
 
So I heard an interesting talk on the radio here about why the Israelites complained and demanded food they were used to.
 
WHAT? Manna From Heaven was not what they or you expected? You Wanted Meat? And - 
 
Really now, also .. Onions and watermelon that don't always work well together ?
 
So they got meat, and gluttonized - and got sick...
 
The radio talk spoke to WHAT They were missing in their lives - not about the Manna! And they were WORRIED!
 
They just couldn't express it to Moses - and didn't try to deal with feelings by "Talking to G-d" (and
that's the name of a movie maybe we can order and show in Staten Island ...)
 
So at my lawyer's office this week - the said "Do you know the Answer to Everything"?
 
What's that, I asked.
 
Are you Worried about an issue fromToday or tomorrow?
If it's for tomorrow -Why worry?
 
If it's for today - deal with it.
 
Have you Got a plan? - no need to worry!
 
Have you Got no plan? - what do you have to worry for?
 
So about my latest lawsuit against guys I have to sue over and over to get back cash each time because they keep moving things from one court to another (but I AM NOT WORRIED)
 
And here  an hour LATER - i GO FOR MY every 6 month blood test
 
Where The nurse asks me why am I in Petach Tikva, and I answer - to meet with my Lawyer
 
Why? Because we are Sueing some crooks. 
Who are they ?
And I mention the name of the company and she says"
:
My husband too! Sueing the same company! (about their project having construction problems like mine).
 
So if EVERYBODY is going after the right group - WHY WORRY?
 
AND IF THE ALMIGHTY SENDS YOU THE MANNA THAT YOU NEED TO GET ACROSS THE DESERT -
 
WHY WORRY???
 
Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Shabbat and Shavuot

 Shabbat and Shavuot Women...Ruth, Yevamot, Naso and Sotah Jealousy
 
First of all - A Happy and Healthy (despite the cheesecake theme) ShaVooOat Holiday!
(And leftover Memorial Day USA)
 
And remember - it's all about:
 
 
Women Women Women Women!
 
G-d Bless our Jewish Women!
 
We are instructed that Reading the 
Book of Ruth is IMPORTANT!
 
As much as the Torah Portion?
What did Ruth ever do for us, Anyway?
 
Well, the ToraH could be viewed as "a spider web" ... growing, to try (like Spiderman?)
To save the world from itself!
 
Was the web started at Sinai?
We read the Ten Commandments on Sunday.
 
Or only when the Israelites entered Israel, in
the time period of Judges - and of Ruth?
 
The portion of Bamidbar read in the diaspora does not mention women
But
  it deals with
Defending the camp (families) in the desert
 
Starting this week - Portio Naso read
In Israel-
Deals with family issues like
 
Couples and jealousy
 
The Talmud anecdotally talks about 
 
 couples in trouble, talking about court,
 
But requiring them to go to the Temple
In Jerusalem,
 
Those on ths way to the court might
Decide to enjoy the physical benefits of Israel
 
 and Reconcile!
 
So Ruth and her sister OrpA 
 
Separately deal with
MotherInLaw issues
 
And eventually both
have boys
 
Orpa's son is called Goliath (yes, that guy)
 
While Ruth's son is called you guessed it
 
DAVID the King of Israel.
 
Whats the difference?
 
Sometimes it's up to us
 
 
Enjoy Shabbat and ShavuOat - the Gifts of G-d
 
Shabbat Shalom 
Chag Samayach
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz
 
 

Portion Bamidbar ... these numbers don't lie

 
Portion Bamidbar ... these numbers don't lie
So this Shabbat we read Torah Portions
Bechukotai in the Diaspora
and Bamidbar in Israel
Murders in Texas have a "Bchukotai" ring to them ...
Liars on CNN - lead us to need a BAMIDBAR - desert protection formation!
CNN quoting an Arab politician claimed Israeli soldiers killed a journalist -
But this is totally not fact-based -
It is used to inflame anti-semitism and Israel hatred -
to help Arabs steal more and more of Israel. while politicians debate -
CNN'd claim disputs 3000 years of history-
So let's take a look at the Bamidbar story:
Moses and our Leaders in the desert
Are Counting "the troops",
and organizing lines of defense in the desert
- and lines of command...
Similar to the Israel Defense Force (IDF) today - our Army -
whose purpose and functioning is to DEFEND Israelis - Jews and Arabs alike!
Someone in Shul suggested the Bamidbar Counting is to show
Individual Responsibily ... and for the Torah and the Almighty - everyone "counts" -
But remember - the People of Israel get promises "to the People" -
and while individuals all count -
The Torah Binds Us Together
To teach the WORLD that G-d's purpose is for us to LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER
Blessings of Love Frendship Sharing and Health
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion Beh Choo Koa Tai in Israel - Blessing or Curse

Portion Beh Choo Koa Tai in Israel - Blessing or Curse
 
It's Lag B'Omer in Israel -  today Thursday And
 
instead of  250,000 visitors in Rebbe Shimon's (Meron ) tomb - only 16000 at one time are allowed - switching every 4 hours, 
because of the tragedy last year when many people were crushed.
It was necessary ... and enforced by the police.
 
So today reminds me of visiting there with my friend Rabbi Itzik (so long ago)... 
and he was mostly in a wheelchair, and I pushed him up the hill (BIG HILL)
To pray at the tomb, 
Of the Rebbe Shimon of the Kabala (Zohar).
 
So how does hardship or tragedy or disability play a role in our lives?
It depends how we choose-
So why do people complain individually about "the world" ?
 G-d's promises are always to the Whole People of Israel-
not to Harry
Not to Gwen!
 
For lots of reasons Harry and Gwen should pray to the Almighty - it's positive to the soul.
but BLAME - it's always a negative to the spirit -
 
AND THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS EACH OF US CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND
 
Life is a cycle - sometimes up sometimes down - no matter what the Portion teaches us.
 
I often took a subway and went to visit him . He was a very upbeat person.
He loved his grandchildren.
He helped many people and holocaust survivors - even without having much money -
Collecting charity from the rich and delivering food to poor families
( a few times I helped him Thursday night leave packages outside poor peoples' homes).
 
I am thinking of dovening at the kotel now 
- the Western Wall tonight, and to say kaddish there - for friends,
For family,
For the victims of last year,
the victimes of Putin's war... and
For all those victims of the ancient tragedies foretold in the Torah Portion this week!
 
But also for the living - because Kaddish is a prayer of Hope and Renewal
 for a better, holier world.
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz

Portion COUNTING COUNTS (Behar in Israel/Emor in the vast diaspora)

 Portion COUNTING COUNTS (Behar in Israel/Emor in the vast diaspora)
 
 
So are we really far apart? In time - in space - in our hearts?
 
First - get a Mitzva by simply reciting "today is the 27th day of counting the omer"
and tonight after dark say 
 "today is the 28th day of counting the omer"
 
(it's good to recite and add a day until Shavu-Oat - early June - would be the 50th day) 
WHY DOES THE ALMIGHTY TELL OUR PEOPLE TO KEEP COUNTING?
 
Emor (read last week in Israel) includes the Mitzva of Counting 7 Weeks (49 days)
from Passover to Sha-Vu-Oat
while
Behar (reading tomorrow in synagogues all over Israel) - includes the Mitzva of counting 7 year cycles 7 times (totalling 49 YEARS) - until the 50th year - Yovel / Jubilee
 
MAYBE BECAUSE SOME THINGS TAKE TIME TO SINK IN?
For me I know that's true!
 
Is that enough?
 
There's LOTS in both portions - like
 
what's incribed on the LIBERTY BELL in Philadelphia
and
Even a review of ALL the holidays (so we don't forget...?)
 
But I will just add one piece of NEW HISTORY
 
Many Arab leaders (forget about Putin today) spread lies about Israel
(and some "Jewish Leftists" -  like pro-Russian leftists in the world
also feel a need to keep pushing lies against Israel)
 
Why?
 
Let's just start with what I just wrote: 
 
what's incribed on the LIBERTY BELL in Philadelphia?
"Proclaim Liberty throughout the Land"
that is scary to dictators and their thugs
and
Who gave the world a day off every week? -
Just
See the "review of ALL the holidays (so we don't forget...?)"
including the Sabbaths!
That is scary to workaholic bosses - and tyrants all over
 
Are they JEALOUS to the Point of Hatred?
 
Or just want to STEAL our little land and Kill all the Jews -
who built up in 100 years a desert that lay WASTE  
since the Roman Destruction 2000 years ago? - 
 
the only people that really has no interest in controlling the world?
 
Stealing Lies and Hatred are non-Jewish
Anti-Jews rely on all those things
 
Enjoy and be proud of being (counted) Jewish
 
Lag B'Omer Samayach (happy 33rd counting day next week!)

AND
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz
 
 
 
 

Portion Emor in Israel - Big Things are Happening

 Portion Emor in Israel - Big Things are Happening
 
 
Israel Independence, Holocaust Rememberance Day, and Putin makes new threats, and is it all connected?
 
In the Torah portion Emor-which is read on Shabbat - it
 continues with Jewish Rules of Holiness from last week - 
which are read this week -In The Diaspora -outside of Israel
 
Whats that got to do with a story about a boy built from diamonds -
 written by Rebbe Nachman of Breslav 200 years ago?
 
In short thrre are rules about men women and marriages in both portions
 
And in the story there is a very smart but jealous sister who gets a magician to curse the Diamond boy (son of the King), and in short...
 
The sister in cahoots with the devil
 is found out by the Holy Man,
 who figures iut how to end the curse, thank G-d
 
One theme is that a kind Queen is better than a Jealous princess ...
 
Is putin jealous of Zelinsky? Or of Israel -
or of Stalin?
 
On Israel Independence Day today:
 
Celbrations last night were fireworks, and 
Today BarBques are customary ....
 
So the portion gives some rules of behavior -
and tries to get us towards more family values
 
 Like positive occasions
 
Attached please see a short clip from the celebration at 
The Old Railway Statio  in Jerusalem last night
 
So don't fall for the lies about Israel and Judaism
 
Just celebrate the miracles we are living through!
 
Yom HaAtzMaUt Samayach (happy Israel Independence Day)
Shabbat Shabbat
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz
 

Portion Kedoshim (Part 2 with Holocaust and the Bus Drivers) Kedoshim (HOLY PEOPLE) in Israel

 
 Portion Kedoshim (Part 2 with Holocaust and the Bus Drivers) Kedoshim (HOLY PEOPLE) in Israel
 
Remember : In Israel Passover ended Friday
But OUTSIDE ISRAEL Passover continued Saturday until nuightfall
 
So this week I  present THE SECOND HALF  of AchrayMoess -( related to the End of Kedoshim)
 
Which we also read on Yom Kippur afternoon (SO It must be Super Important if we read it then)
 
 
But first - today is Holocausr Remembrance day in Israel (So next week is Independence Day here)
 
Sadly 15000 holocaust survivors died last year! Last Night on the radio 6 people told their stories
 
One each from Hungary Holland and Libya etc ...
 
And I heard this from a Frenchman elder survivor in the Great Synagogue Senior Learning Center
 
The Holy Bus Driver...? The French guy speaks Arabic and asked an Arab bus driver why he looked so angry
 
He said "I work 12 hours a day and just got my paycheck for only 19000 shekels (about $6000)
 
So - my French friend asked him "How much would you make in Syria" - and the driver laughed-
 
You are right - my brother drives a bus in Damascus and makes $1000 a month for working harder and 7 days a week
 
So - my French friend asked him "why are all the drivers for this company Arabs?
The driver laughed again and said- the company is owned by a Saudi Arabian Sheikh!
 
You are right - ONLY IN ISRAEL CAN ARABS WORK AND INVEST FREELY!
 
SO WHY ARE THEY DAILY THROWING FIREWORKS AT US FROM ABOVE THE ESTERN WALL?
 
WHY ARE THEIR PREACHERS SAYING DEATH TO THE JEWS?
 
Holocaust Rememberance means NOTHING to most of the world - not even the laughing bus driver.
 
Remember - he works for Saudi Arabia!
 
How soon the world has kearned to ignore the holocaust as well as the History of the Torah!
 
Where is the sense - in Putin and the Iranians and North Korea?
Did they lose their senses or just gave into animal acts?
 
G-d created us with senses - and some  "horse sense"
 
But when it gets lost - the "devil" comes out.
 
Remember - the word Devil is "Do Evil" - in so many ways!
 
So the portion adds a level of punishment to last week's warnings about losing humanity in the rush for ego excitement.
 
Wake  Up World!
 
Too many tragedies await if we forget how we got here!
 
Shabbat Shalom from pIsrael
 
 
Rabbi Andy Eichenholz