Insights into the Havdalah prayer said when the Sabbath departs

BS”D

THE BEN ISH CHAI ON HAVDALAH




Today’s insight is posted in memory of my late Grandmother Shaina bas Jeruchem who has a Yortziet being the 15 Iyar, 5776 may her soul be elevated:


The Havdalah prayer is said at the departure of the Sabbath on Saturday night.  Man is unique in his ability to discern thereby separating between holy and mundane concepts.  Many claim the tradition of the Havdalah prayer was  handed down by G-d to Moses at Sinai.

We say this special prayer at the end of Sabbath in doing so Jews recite blessings using the faculties of the highest and most elevated part of a person,  that is our head.   I think this is why the head was created by our creator the cause of all causes placing it on the top of a human being, it is because the head houses the highest of our faculties.

The human being is potentially the greatest of G-d’s creations evident from being the only mammal that walks completely upright. Man is named Adam in Hebrew, not surprisingly in Hebrew Adama means ground,it is ground that holds the ultimate potential for growth within.

Background before the insights of the Ben Ish Chai of blessed memory:

Havadalah consist of 4 blessings:

The first is said over a cup of wine, or a beverage that is served to important guests.

The second blessing is said after smelling spices.

The third blessing is said looking at the fingernails or the shadow of the fingers under the light of the flames of a candle.

The fourth blessing praises G-D for separating holy and secular.

This week I was reading a book an Anthology of the challenges  of Wealth and Poverty which contains insights from the great Sage the Ben Ish Chai. 

The book tells of a time when this holy sage was a young boy, he and his sister were arguing at the end of the Sabbath over who would hold the candle while the blessings were being said.  Their holy father decided to resolve the matter by suggesting the child who understood this “mitzvah” (command) best would get to hold the candle.

Despite being a very young boy the Ben Ish Chai told his father that he understood there was a reason for the particular order of the blessings.  He explained at this tender age, that he saw in the blessing an ascending order of the highest human faculties bestowed on us by our creator.  We use our mouth, then our nose, after our eyes and finally our brain.

The blessing over wine or an important beverage is done using the mouth – we drink and taste.

The next moving up  is done using the nose  that is positioned above the mouth – we smell spices.

The third blessing is performed with our eyes seeing the shadow of our fingers under the candle light – sight.

The final blessing is said using the brain which is situated above the eyes and provides man  with the ability to distinguish between holy and mundane matters – intellect and thought.


What he also pointed out was the faculties used by the head become more delicate or abstract as you ascend the face, I interpret this to mean they move from the most physical to spiritual aspects.  Taste which involves substance, to smell which resides in the air, to sight less tangible and physical, to the  most intransient being thoughts which reside completely in the brain.

Amazing a young boy of Sephardic decent who was destined for greatness, was so in touch with his Creator, this boy became the renowned Ben Ish Chai, may his memory be for blessing. 

Today he is recognized as a great sage by all Orthodox Jewry.

Have a good week.


What I learnt at a wedding of my niece from a Talmud Scholar brought done by a famous Rabbi's Rabeinu is that the Four Brochas are an re-enactment of creation. 


Lets examine the second verse in the Torah describing creation:


The four blessings we say over:
1. Wine is from the vine which grows on Land.
2. Spices are smelt with a Ruach, a spirit(wind).
3. The candle or light we see.
4. The separation between holy and secular.

1In the beginning of God's creation of the heavens and the earth.   אבְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ: 2Now the earth was astonishingly empty, and darkness was on the face of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the water.   בוְהָאָרֶץ הָיְתָה תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ וְחשֶׁךְ עַל פְּנֵי תְהוֹם וְרוּחַ אֱלֹהִים מְרַחֶפֶת עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם: 3And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.   גוַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי אוֹר וַיְהִי אוֹר: 4And God saw the light that it was good, and God separated between the light and between the darkness.   דוַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים אֶת הָאוֹר כִּי טוֹב וַיַּבְדֵּל אֱלֹהִים בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחשֶׁךְ:

G-d Bless

Michael

Parsha Behaalotscha short insight- The signs to Bnei Yisrael to Journey.

BS"D

The Signs to travel a short Torah insight heard from Rabbi Aurbach this past Shabbos:

We Read in Numbers chapter 9 v 17
"And whenever the cloud was lifted from atop the Tent, afterwards the Children of Israel would journey..."

Chapter 9 v 23
"According to the word of Hashem would they journey, the charge of Hashem they would safeguard, according to the word of Hashem through the hand of Moses."

Chapter 10 v 1
"Hashem spoke to Moses saying, Make for yourself two silver trumpets - make them hammered out, and they shall be yours for summoning of the assembly and to cause the camps to Journey" it goes on to say to be used in your generation an eternal decree.  The specific trumpets could only be used in that generation, the next generations leader would need their own trumpets.

Incredible  3 different signs were given to the children of Israel to let Bnei Yisrael know it was time to Journey but why do we need 3 signs what does each represent?

The answer told over by Rabbi Aurbach is insightful, the first sign was a cloud - this represents the G-d given Torah it is a sign from above, the second sign was through the Hand of Moses - it represents the charge and instructions taught to Moses and given over by him that were not written down but taught directly and verbally to his students and through the generations.  The last sign was from the trumpets which were hand made and blown by the leader to tell Bnei Israel to journey this sign was to teach us the way to go to follow the correct path by attaching ourselves to our Leaders those charged by Hashem to guide us through the various generations.  The trumpets represent the leader of the generation who understands the specific dynamics of the current generation and proficient in applying Hashem and Moses's teachings.

Fantastic I thought - have a good week
G-d Bless
Michael.

A lesson in humility, the reason we were created with channels and ducts?

BS”D

A lesson in humility, the reason we were created with channels and ducts?

This Sabbath my youngest daughter (recently turned 5) saw my father in law’s dog not well, with perpetual defecation due to a stomach problem he was having, she turned to me and sweetly asked "Abba (father) why did Hashem make creatures have to ... " I just smiled, not wanting to go into the finer details of the working human body, but later in the afternoon I realised this is actually a deep question worthy of exploration.  I sat in our synagogue library and opened the Chafetz Chaim’s (Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan’s z.t.l lived from 1838-1933) commentary on the siddur.  Low and behold I came across a passage where he spoke about the blessing the Jewish people make after relieving themselves in the bathroom and it spoke to my daughter’s question!

The blessing marvels at the wisdom of the human body an intricate and precise creation filled with systems of ducts, channels and openings that if closed or ruptured we mere flesh and blood could not survive and stand before the glory of the cause of all causes.  The blessing concludes acknowledging the wonders of creation i.e. the joining of the lowly animal soul to the holy G-dly soul,  that has the ability to acknowledge the greatness of the creation within which it dwells.

	Blessed are You Hashem our G-d the King of the Universe	May You be increasingly recognized in the world, that more people will live their lives according to Your will.
	Who fashioned man with wisdom	We are created with a physical body and a Holy Soul - therefor we have a double use of (Nekavim and Chalulim). That for every physical organ, we also have a spiritual organ. Hashem created man and gave him wisdom, and Hashem used wisdom to create man. This is demonstrated in the precise balance of man's organs and functions.
	He created within man many openings	For each physical opening there is a spiritual one. An example of an opening is our mouth, ears....
	And many cavities	For each physical cavity there is a spiritual one. The cavities are the inner hollows that contain such organs as the lungs, heart, stomach, and brain.
	It is openly known before Your Throne of Glory	The angels that bring sickness to the world know the potential dangers in the body. Our being able to exist, body (Guf) and soul (Neshama) together as a human being, shows G-d's wondrous acts.
	That if one of the organs which is closed should open	These are usually closed, should G-d forbid they open...
	Or if one of the open ones should close	These are usually open, such as the lungs.
	It would be impossible to exist and stand before you	From the time that man is born if what needs to open stays closed, or what needs to close stays open - one could not live. When one is sick and needs to constantly go to the bathroom - he is unable to stand before Hashem in Prayer, even though he can exist in the world.
	Blessed are You Hashem who heals all flesh	we thank Hashem for healthy working bodies that he gives to ALL his creatures.
	And acts wondrously	Here we talk only about man - That Hashem has attached the highest form of spirituality (Neshama) to the lowest level of physicality (Guf - one's physical needs). These two complete opposites stay together even though we have many openings in our body!

(Adapted from - Rav Scwab on Prayer and other Seforim based on the importance of this Beracha, Rav Paysach Khron audio recording, Artscroll Siddur, Erachim)

Ezekiel ch 28 is a Prophecy against the King of Tyre

It starts…

“In the pride of your heart
you say, “I am a god;
I sit on the throne of a god
in the heart of the seas.”
But you are a mere mortal and not a god…”

Rabbi Israel Meir of blessed memory points out a word from the blessing said after using the toilet a word in common with one used by the prophet Ezekiel Ch 28 v 13 reads

“the workmanship of thy instruments and of thy cavities and openings was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created”

Note the word in red is the same one as used in the blessing said after relieving oneself highlighted in red on the table above.

An extract of the prophecy from v13:

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of G-d; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy instruments and of thy openings and cavities was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub (meaning guardian over a kingdom) that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of G-d; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of G-d: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.”

We see from above King of Tyre became full of himself due to his power and status, allowing himself to become haughty and full of pride.  The Chofetz Chaim thus explains that now we can understand why Hashem (G-d) made man that he would need to relieve himself, it is as a regular reminder for one who reflects that he is a mere man.  We see also from here the regularity of the need would not occur once a month or even twice a month, or even once a week, but that we need a regular reminder, that our bodies are but mere flesh and blood similar to an animal, so no matter what we achieve in life or how high we climb on the ladder of success and achieve status and glory amongst our fellow men, there is no place for pride, not at all we are reminded daily let not pride enter into your hearts:  The Chafez Chaim states we need a regular reminder so man should not come to pride, or let pride enter into his heart for even an instant!

Have a good week  and Shabbos

G-d Bless

Michael.

Parasha Vayeishev - Faith is understanding we cant always understand!

I have obtained permission to publish the weekly parashah addition of Rabbi Shloime Mannes on my Blog should you wish to subscribe directly please email him directly Shloime Mannes email: <mannes.sh@gmail.com>

Enjoy I love his insights!

BSD                                                                                                                                                                                                       Vayeishev 5775

Tzadik V'Rah Lo

 

    Two travelers each prepared themselves a rucksack with food and then set out on their trek to the next town. After walking for a few hours they decided to stop for a lunch. One of them had taken along three loaves of bread for the journey while the other one was only carrying two loaves of bread with him. While they were about to eat they were joined by a third person who explained that he didn’t have any food with him and enquired whether it would be possible to partake from their food. They readily agreed to share their bread with the stranger, and they cut up the loaves and ate. After the guest had finished eating his share, he stood up, thanked them for allowing him to partake from their meal and handed them five coins to pay for his share and before they had a chance to ask his intentions he disappeared. They started arguing how much money each one of them should receive. The one that brought along the three loaves felt that he should get three of the coins and his partner only two; while the other one claimed that they had divided up their food therefore they should divide up the money equally. As they were unable to come to any sort of agreement, the only thing left to agree about was to take their case to a judge and accept his ruling. They stood before the judge and each party laid out their claim to the money. The judge listened carefully to both sides, questioned them and then handed down his verdict. They looked at each other in dismay not believing what they had just heard, sure that either he had misunderstood the situation or maybe he was showing early signs of senility or alzheimer. The judge ruled that the person that had three loaves should receive four of the coins while the other person will receive the remaining coin. They tried explaining, arguing, cajoling, but to no avail, the judge wasn’t willing to budge even a centimeter. Seeing no way forward with their saga and positive that this judge lacked common sense or understanding of the law they turned to the Ibn Ezra for help. They started berating the judge, and began to question how had Hashem had allowed such a stupid illogical person to achieve such an important position. After the Ibn Ezra had heard both sides he turned the parties and asked them one simple question "Did you all eat an equal share of the loaves?", to which they answered "Yes". He then exclaimed loudly, "You think you understand Divine calculations and therefore have the authority to question Hashem's decisions when you can't even work out simple equations. The judge was 100 percent correct in his judgment; the fault lies with you two. Now let me explain to you the verdict. You told me that you all ate an equal portion of the loaves. The only way to achieve this is if each of the loaves were divided into three equal pieces. Therefore the person that brought along the three loaves ended up with nine pieces, while the one who brought two breads has six pieces, together making it 15 pieces of bread. We can therefore conclude that each one of you must have eaten five pieces of bread. The person that had three loaves ate five of his pieces and gave the stranger the four remaining pieces, while his friend ate five of his own pieces giving the remaining piece to the stranger, thus the person who gave away four pieces deserves to be rewarded with four coins and the other one deserves only one coin, and that is what my dear friend the judge awarded to each of you". They both left the Ibn Ezra with the mouths hanging wide open after coming to the realisation that what sometimes might seem unfair, illogical and sometimes even cruel, often there is a very simple explanation and more to the matter than meets the naked eye.   

    We often wonder to ourselves why is it that righteous and pious people seem to experience much suffering and hardships during their lives, while on the other hand some of the wicked and evil people seem to lead happy, content and successful lives. Yacov wished to live out his days in peace after so many years of tribulation, first being persecuted by his brother Esau and then his father-in-law Lavan swindling him, and then the abduction of his daughter Dinah. He now desired to settle down in tranquility but the anguish of Yosef's kidnapping pounced upon him. Though the righteous seek serenity, Hashem says "Are the righteous not satisfied with what awaits them in the World to Come that they expect to live at ease in This World too. We can reasonably assume that Yacov didn’t wish to sit on his laurels, lounging in the sun with a cocktail in his hands, rather he wanted to use his days for the service of Hashem, however we are not able to fathom nor understand Divine calculations; we have to realise that what we see isn’t always the entire picture and we shouldn’t question it nor try to comprehend it because it is all above our grasp as we are mere mortals.

    Yosef was taken down to Egypt and sold as a slave to Potiphar. After being in the household for a year and becoming successful in his work, the lady of the house set eyes on him and tried to entice him in every possible way to sin with her; using threats, humiliation, varying her dress and offering money but to no avail as Yosef had no intention to commit adultery. Then there came an opportune day, a festival where all the members of the family went to give gratitude to their idol and she feigned illness in order to stay at home and subdue Yosef to consort with her. Yosef overcame the temptation and escaped. Yosef was sure that by not yielding to the Evil Inclination and escaping from the clutches of his master's wife, Hashem would compensate him accordingly and hopefully this saga will come to an end and he will now be allowed to return home to his father's open arms. However a surprise lay in store for him and instead of being sent to his freedom he descended to an even lower ranking and he ended up residing in the local jail which was no more than a pit under the ground. He had to wait for any sort of reward for 12 years, however once the reward came it was definitely worth waiting for because being thrown in the prison is eventually what led to him being appointed viceroy of Egypt. A person will always receive the remuneration that he deserves in spite of the situation looking as though it will only get worse, but it might just take time to reach the person; sometimes we imagine the righteous person and his future looks bleak, let us not forget the lesson that Yosef himself learnt from this episode; nobody is ever denied their reward, he might only receive it far into the future or only in the World to Come.

    We don’t understand the Heavenly calculations; however we must have belief and faith that all our acts are recorded in Heaven and we will be rewarded greatly for them, however we mustn’t allow ourselves to become disheartened if we see others suffering as their reward in the World to Come will now become even more substantial due to their hardships.

Good Shabbos,

Shloime Mannes.     

A beautiful inspiring story

B"SD

IN MEMORY OF THE LATE RABBI MOSHE SHER ZTL

I went to the funeral of Rabbi Moshe Sher before Rosh Ha Shana, during the burial his grave was circled by large birds flying extremely high above the burial plot.   He was a Mohel he did over 6000 milas in his life time. The Rabbi said while we are alive we do what we can but the crown of life is death as this is the time when Hashem calls for our return to bask in the light we have created in this human existence, i just needed to share one of the stories he tells which convinced him of this fact below:

 

 

My help is from Hashem. An extract from Rabbi Moshe Sher's book

 

We were all very excited about our December holiday home in the Wilderness overlooking the sea. Before we left, my mother of blessed memory, kept on reminding me to be careful with my son Ezra in the sea. Ezra was about nine years old and although we had given him many swimming lessons, he still could not swim. I told my mother that we would take every care in the sea.   The fist time we went to swim on one of the Wilderness beaches, we realised that the swimming was very dangerous because there were strong currents even in the shallow water which made swimming uncomfortable. We enquired if there was a safer beach nearby and we were told the swimming at Vicoria Bay was safe and pleasant.    There was a scenic drive from the main road down to Victoria Bay which was surrounded on both sides by high rising mountains which protected the bay from currents. Our children enjoyed their visits to Victoria Bay where the swimming was safe.  One afternoon,  returning from a visit to the Cango Caves, we stopped at Victoria Bay to swim and cool off from the hot day. It was already late in the afternoon and the life savers had left. The beach was deserted and so we had the Bay to ourselves.   Our son Avi was 19 years old at the time and his younger brother Ron was 16. Avi and Ron dashed into the sea. They were quite good swimmers and were able to hold their own. I came down to the edge of the water with Ezra who enjoyed playing in the small waves. After a while, I decided to join Avi and Ron who were swimming further out. I made a terrible mistake when I said to Ezra, "You carry on playing in the shallow water while I swim with your brothers. " it was totally irresponsible to leave Ezra on his own, but I did not realise it at the time.    As I approached Avi and Ron, I turned around to see if Ezra was safe on his own.  It was only a minute later and I could not believe that the child had disappeared! I looked to the left of the Bay and there was no one to be seen.  I then looked to the right and I got the fright of my life! There was Ezra, floating out to sea on the high waves.  When he took swimming lessons,  his teacher taught him that if he ever got into trouble in the water he should raise his hand in the hope that someone would see him.  I saw a raised hand and I understood that the child was being swept out to sea.   I did my best to run, swim and jump as fast as I could to intercept the child. As I came very close to Ezra, he held out his hand to me and I put out my hand to him. Unfortunately he passed me and continued to drift out to sea.   Avi also tried to intercept him but once again the high waves pushed the child even further out to sea.  I will never forget Avi's courage as he started swimming out to sea to try and catch his younger brother.  Hereby, he was endangering his own life and it was quite obvious that his attitude was the same as the attitude of Sampson in the bible.    Before Sampson pulled down the pillars of the Philistine temple he said, "Tamut nafshi im Plishtim" - If I have to die I will take the Philistines with me."  This is precisely what Avi's actions declared, "if my brother has to go, I will do my best to save him even if it means that I have to go with him!" His courage and determination to save his brother were unbelievable!     

 

Avi succeeded in reaching Ezra and put him on his back.  Ezra held Avi around his neck with such desperation that he almost chocked Avi. Both of them disappeared under the water and a short while later they resurfaced.  Avi swallowed so much water that the water was just pouring out of his mouth.   At that point the currents pulled me under the water and I knew that there was no way that I could ever come up. I was fully aware that I was about to die by drowning.   How long can an exhausted person hold his breath under water? I thought, "What a terrible death to die by drowning.  Just imagine the trauma,  pain and suffering..."  The moment had arrived for me to die and I was most surprised that there was no pain and suffering.  A miraculous transformation took place and I just slipped into the Next World.  This was the most sacred moment of my life, because Hashem gave me a glimpse of the life of the World to Come. The atmosphere was so spiritually uplifting and there was a wonderful brightness all around. It was a special privilege to have such a rare experience.   I truly felt that I was so close to Hashems Divine Presence.   I do not know how long I was there but all of a sudden,  in a flash,  everthing changed and I was walking out of the sea with the water below my knees.

 

As I mentioned above, Avi and Ezra were swept considerably further out to sea than myself.  However,  they were walking out of the water in front of me. I could not understand how they got out of such an impossible  situation.  As I walked out of the sea, I could still feel a very special atmosphere around me which I can only describe as part of Hashem's Divine Presence.  This special atmosphere subsided as I walked onto the beach and once again I felt a normal atmosphere around me.

 

We returned to the house where we were staying   I looked at the calander and noted that the day was 6 Kislev.  The numerical value of 6 is 'Vav' which means hook. This is exactly how we felt we had been hooked out of the sea.  I seated the children around the table. I asked Ezra, "How did you get swept out to sea?

He replied, "I also wanted to get a little more wet and therefore I took a few steps forward.  Suddenly, a wave lifted me up and I began to drift out to sea."

 

"How did you keep afloat above the high waves if you cannot swim?" I continued.

 

He answered,  "I felt as if there was a tube around my waist which prevented me from sinking! "

 

Ezra had no such tube and it was only the hand of Hashem that had kept him afloat. 

 

I asked Avi how he got back to the beach, considering that he had been swept so far out to sea. He replied, Aba, I did not know you were so strong. I will never forget how you came and put your hand behind me and then, with Ezra on my back,  you pushed both of us to the edge of the sea!"

 

I explained to Avi that his suggestion was impossible because I myself was drowning at the same time.  Once again the miracle was that Hashem's Mighty Hand had rested upon the children and saved them.

 

I then asked Ron what he had seen and he replied, "Aba, you disappeared under the water and then Avi and Ezra also disappeared.  I became so afraid that I started running out of the water and then all of a sudden I saw the three of you walking out and I could not understand how you got there "

 

This was our own personal 'Kri-at Yam-Suf- Splitting of the Sea.'  

 

There is no logical explaination as to how we were saved.  The only explaination is that we were privileged to experience an open miracle which reminds us that Kevodo Malei Olam- Hashem's Divine Presence fills every tiny corner of the world and that Hashem is constantly aware of all our thoughts and actions. 

 

That experience taught me that the moment of death is the crown of life because death is the call of the King and what greater honour could be bestowed upon any human being? As long as we have life, we must utilise every moment to the maximum, but when we are called by our Creator, we must be ready to go with happiness and gratitude for all the blessings that were bestowed upon us in this world. 

 

A few years later,  I happened to spend a Shabbos at the Kensington Shul in Johannesburg where I grew up as a child.  My Rabbi was the late Rabbi Baruch Rabinowitz who instilled in me a deep love of Torah and Juadaism.  I happened to notice a plaque on the wall in the foyer which was a tribute to his 25years of devoted service to the congregation.  I read on and was suddenly deeply moved when I saw that the plaque indicated that he passed away on 6 Kislev, precisely the same day as our experience in the sea!  It occurred to me that perhaps in Gan Eden, each soul is given an additional strength on the day of its Yahrzeit.  There was a very strong feeling within me that my Rebbe said to Hashem, " My children are drowning in the sea on the day of my Yahrzeit- please save them!"

 

This idea highlights the saying of the Rabbis in Pirkei Avot - Asei Lecha Rav.  Each person must have his own Rabbi who will guide and protect him both in this world and in the World to Come. 

The Apple insights from Rabbi Avigdor Miller

 

 

Have you ever considered the thought in the creation of an apple, the attractive colour, the sweet taste … the waterproof skin that as soon as cut the inside of the apple begins to rot, the fact that once eaten you arrive at the seeds, which when planted coded to grow into new trees –,  A baby protected by a crib, thinks the crib is just there, and does not recognise it was manufactured to protect him by a carpenter.  This self-sustaining world is testimony to a creator… is it not? 

Do you know why a baby teeths, it is to teach us that this is often a world of pain, a baby was made to start experiencing suffering from a young age to prepare him for the challenges that will present themselves later in life.

 

Make sense

Parasha Tetzaveh - Short insight around the garments of thought!

BS"D

I heard from Rabbi Taback that  Aron (Ark of testimony) in Hebrew has within it the word Or (Means light in Hebrew).  It was the source of knowledge of G-ds will (Torah), the Menorah was the means to spread this light, the instruction around the written law (the Mishna and Oral Law) and thus the Menorah was kept in the holy area, just outside the holy of holies where the Ark of testimony was kept. We see the instruction (light) has to be lit with only the purest of olive oil, the lesson is be careful where you get you knowledge from, if it is not coming from the purest of places it may lead you astray.

Did you know about garments of thought?

Two of the Kohen Gadol’s (High priest’s) garments were made to Atone for the sinful thoughts of the nation,  these were the Ephod –Exodus 28 v5-7  (Apron - atoned for thoughts about Idol Worship) and the Choshen Exodus 28:v15-29  (Breastplate – atoned for having a bad eye, jealousy and corruption).  I saw a short vort brought down by Benjamin Rose who quotes the Kli Yakar bringing down an interesting and beautiful insight, you see in the instruction for making these two items the Torah uses the term “Maase Choshev” this means made by experts, but the Kli Yakar points out that a thought in Hebrew is “Machshava” we see within the Torah the words used in making the 2 items that Atone for thoughts against G-d, need to be made by experts or actually the translation could mean made with Thought in the service of G-d.

Have a Good week

G-d Bless.

Michael