A Collection of News Stories, of Jewish Interest, from around the World
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| Seeking vegan or vegetarian families |
We are a vegan family with one son, age 6, looking for other families to share an occasional vegan potluck dinner or Shabbat meal with. Please contact June Siegel-Hill at jes-h@cox.net. |
| Wanted gently used items for new Jewish Kindergarten |
A new Jewish Kindergarten, an extension of the wonderful Gan Israel Preschool in Fairfax, is looking for donations (tax-deductible) of gently used indoor toys (especially big ticket items such as kitchen sets, houses, etc.) We will also take books, puzzles, blocks, etc. Please no toys with commercial characters showcased (no Sponge Bob,
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| T O R A H F A X - Torah on the spot for people on the go |
Monday, Sivan 27, 5768 / June 30, 2008
During their 40 year travel through the Sinai desert, G-d provided the Jewish people with all their needs. Their food supply came in the form of Manna from heaven. Water came from a well which flowed from a rock that traveled with them wherever they went. Protective clouds surrounded the Jewish camp protecting them from the elements. The daily provision of Manna came in the merit of Moshe; the protection of the clouds was in the merit of Aaron; and the water from the well was in the merit of Miriam. In this week's Parsha, Chukat, we read about the passing of Miriam and later Aaron. After Miriam's passing, the well stopped giving water. As a result, the people argued against Moshe and Aaron. G-d then told Moshe to take Aaron and assemble the congregation; "Speak to the rock before their eyes and it will give forth its waters." But instead of speaking to the rock, the Torah tells us that, "Moshe lifted his hand and twice struck the rock with his staff and water came forth in abundance." G-d said to Moshe and Aaron, "Because you didn't sanctify My name in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." Because Moshe hit the rock instead of speaking to it, Moshe and Aaron were punished to die in the desert rather than lead the Jewish people into Israel. Question: What difference did it make how the water came from the rock, through speaking to it or hitting it? Answer: There are two ways of serving G-d: 1) One can serve G-d out of love, or 2) One may serve and obey G-d's commandments for fear of punishment. Serving G-d out of love is a greater level of service. Had the rock given water because Moshe had spoken to it, the people would have learned the lesson of observing the commandments for love of G-d, rather than observing the mitzvot only as a result of fear of punishment. In a village near Chernobyl, there was no Mikvah (ritual bath). The saintly Rabbi Nachum of Chernobyl approached a wealthy Jew and offered him the following deal: He would sell him his share in the World-to-Come for the sum needed to build the Mikvah. The man enthusiastically agreed. The deal was made and the Mikvah was constructed. The rich man was elated because he had acquired such a worthy share in the World-to-Come, while Rabbi Nachum was happy that the Mikvah was built. Later, Rabbi Nachum's children asked their father, "You have worked all your life serving G-d. Why did you give away your share in the World-to-Come?" Rabbi Nachum replied, "The Torah commands us to 'Love G-d with all your heart and with all your possessions.' As a poor man, I have no worldly possessions except my share in the World-to-Come. Now, I had the opportunity to love G-d with all my only possession, my share in the World-to-come. How could I pass it up?" HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY E-mail:torahfax613@gmail.com Web: |
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