Hakhel v Rosh Ha Shana

“Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu, Melech ha-‘Olam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim, v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah Adonai, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

I didn’t start out to be a theological/political writer. Actually I began writing as a self induced therapy for my troubled soul. Well it seemed to work. My soul feels so much better. My point is that I didn’t intend to become a writer. It has been a path that just evolved at the hands of G-d. Which brings me to a point. That I feel this piece is probably the most important article I have ever had the privilege to write for HaShem. When He began revealing this vision to me I think I was no longer scared of whether or not it would be well received by my readers. But if they would really take the time to read it. Why? Because the message …

Emerson said: that Shallow men believe in luck.
Strong men believe in cause and effect
STRONG MEN MUST BE BY NATURE A KABBALIST.
Not only is Cause and Effect a fact, it assumes responsibility for One’s Own Life.

PARASHAH: Ki Tavo (When you come)

TORAH: D’varim (Deuteronomy) 26:1-29:8

“Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu, Melech ha-‘Olam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah Adonai, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

Chapter 26 verses 16-19 of this parashah is where we see that truly God and Israel are an inseparable covenant pair.  Moshe informs his listeners that it is HaShem’s desire to have his covenant people intimately identify with him by becoming his “’Am S’gulah” (Treasured People), and by carefully upholding and establishing his commandments.  Moshe describes in no uncertain terms, the condition in which the mitzvot are to be carried out: with all your heart and with all your soul (verse17).  Moshe continues by stating that …

August 19, 2008

Bill Richardson, Governor, &
The Leadership of the House and Senate
State of New Mexico
Round House of the People
Santa Fe, New Mexico

RE: Gasoline Price Gouging in Ruidoso

Dear Governor and Servants of the People:

This morning as I prepare to make another trip to Santa Fe from Alto, New Mexico to follow the Special Session, I have one thing on my mind. It seems simple enough to me. Gasoline in Las Cruces is $3.55 a gallon, Tularosa, New Mexico is $3.67 a gallon, in Carrizozo, it is near $3.80, at the Smiths on Cerrillos Road it is $3.60. But in Ruidoso it is $3.93-$3.95 a gallon. Why? Well the answer is simple for us who live here. It is horse racing season and the town is full of millionaires who don’t care what the price of gasoline is. But for the working folks of Ruidoso a 30-40 cent per gallon price …

PARASHAH: Emor (Speak)
Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1-24:23

“Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu, Melech ha-‘Olam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim, v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah Adonai, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

HOW MOSES GOT THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

God went to the Arabs and said, ‘I have Commandments for you that will make your lives better.’ The Arabs asked, ‘What are Commandments?’ And the Lord said, ‘They are rules for living.’ ‘Can you give us an example?’ ‘Thou shall not kill.’ ‘Not kill? We’re not interested.’

So He went to the Africans and said, ‘I have Commandments.’ The Africans wanted an example, and the Lord said, ‘Honor thy Father and Mother.’ ‘Father? We don’t know who our fathers are. We’re not interested.’

Then He went to the Mexicans and said, ‘I have Commandments.’ The Mexicans also wanted an example, and the Lord said ‘Thou shall not steal.’ ‘Not steal? We’re …

PARASHAH: Kedoshim (Holy Ones)
TORAH Vayikra (Leviticus) 19:1-20-27

“Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu, Melech ha-’Olam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah Adonai, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

A Knoxville , TN policeman had a perfect spot to watch for speeders, but wasn’t getting many. Upon further investigation based upon his police training. He then discovered the problem. A twelve-year-old boy was standing up the road with a hand-painted sign, which read ‘RADAR TRAP AHEAD’. The officer then found a young accomplice down the road with a sign reading ‘TIPS’ . . . and a bucket full of money. (And I used to just sell lemonade and deliver the newspaper!) Economic opportunity is everywhere you choose to create the energies to find it.

AMERICA’S SPOILED CHILD SYNDROME

Kedoshim, …

PARASHAH: Acharei Mot (After the death)
TORAH Vayikra (Leviticus)16:1-18:30
“Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu, Melech ha-’Olam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah Adonai, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

When we want to connect to the Light of Torah, we can. All it takes is desire. But the world is confusing - we don’t see clearly. The Zohar says that the way we live is to keep ourselves busy with the 1% physical world in order to fulfill lacks that are actually spiritual. If we’re lonely or are feeling bad about ourselves, what do we do? We try to make ourselves feel good by finding a better job, finding new friends, making plans to do something fun, etc. But the lack we feel is in the spiritual world; not here! Feeling a lack of friendship or lack of …

Mezora

Torah: Vayikra/Leviticus 14 - 15:33;
Bemidbar / Numbers 28:9-15
Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24

The Dependable One
“‘Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?’ says the LORD. ‘Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?’” says your God. (Isaiah 66:9)

Throughout human history, people have tried to gain an understanding of the forces around us. The unpredictable nature of life is not something most of us are comfortable with. We may not be aware of it, but how we live is made up of innumerable safety devices designed for our protection. Obvious ones are things such as shelter and clothing. Less obvious might be the ways we relate to one another, whether in our close personal relationships or how we deal with strangers.

For much of human existence, we have also strived after getting a handle on the workings of the spiritual realm. While people may appear …

Tazria

Torah: Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:1 through 13:59

Haftorah: 2 Kings 4:42-5:19

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu, Melech ha-‘Olam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amin,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah Adonai, noteyn ha-Torah.

I want to start this week’s lesson with sharing a short seven minute video with you that I feel is of great importance to the lessons we can learn from this week’s Torah and Haftorah portions. I am asking you to take the time to click on the weblink below, or copy and paste it into you address window and spend, no invest seven minutes of your day watching it. I think it is a good opening to grasping the significance of this week’s parasha and how important Torah is in our lives. Thank you and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnxEY4gIEVo

You know I get asked a lot of questions from both Jews and Christians about dietary laws, and other tenets and precepts of …

Parasha Shemini
Torah: Leviticus Chapter 9 through 11:47
Haftorah: Second Samuel 6:1-7:17

“Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu, Melech ha-‘Olam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah Adonai, noteyn ha-Torah.
Ameyn.”

Wow what an amazing set of events in this week’s Torah portion. We have the seven days [another menorah] of the consecration of the priests and then on the eighth day came the offering. I like the Hebrew better. Vayehe bayom Hashemini chara Moshe l’aharon vu l’baniv vu l’ziknai Israel. The reason I like it better is not just the flow and rhythm which is great, but the symbolism it represents with the nine words or a Chanukiah [Chanukah menorah] of words. I try to see things relating to the Temple in Menorahs and the like. The priests are all consecrated, and it is the eighth day a new beginning and our first sentence is another menorah of …

PARASHAH: Tzav (Give an order)
Vayikra (Leviticus)6:1 (8)-8:36

“Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu, Melech ha-‘Olam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah Adonai, noteyn ha-Torah.
Ameyn.”

Our parashah this week is called Tzav, which means to “command,” or “give an order.” This Hebrew word is related to the familiar word “mitzvah,” which means commandment.” In fact, one of the previous parash’ot (Tetzaveh) also used the same root word. Our Hebrew understanding of this is , when HaShem “commanded” something
to be done, it was always for the good of the individual who would perform it! Here we find no exception. Moshe was commanded to instruct his brother Aharon, the first Cohen HaGadol (High Priest), on the ordinances concerning the “olah,” which is the burnt
offering.

Tzav and Vayikra seem to be teaching us the same things: Laws pertaining to the various Korbanot. But there are essential differences between the two …