GHA Weekly Parsha Blog

Shelach Lecha

2010-06-01T06:32:00.001-07:00

This week's parsha is Shelach Lecha. Shelach Lecha tells the story of the twelve spies who went to spy out the land and to give a report back to Moshe and the people. Ten spies gave negative reports and two spies, Joshua and Calev, gave positive reports.

Joshua and Calev swam against the tide of popular Israelite opinion. They gave a report that was different from everyone else's. In the face of opposition, is it difficult to express your views if they are different from everyone else's? Have you ever been in a situation where your opinion was different or unpopular? Describe what happened. Were you able to state your feelings? Did you change your views? Did other people change theirs?

Behalotcha

2010-05-24T16:53:00.001-07:00

This week's parsha, Behalotcha, describes how Aaron, the Kohen Gadol, lights the Menorah in the mishkan daily. According to this parasha, Aaron lights the Menorah every day exactly according to the directions that God relays through Moses. The Rabbis noted that it was remarkable for Aaron to do this task repeatedly with enthusiasm, day after day, in the precise and correct manner and never tire of it. Menachem Mendl of Kosk said that Aaron's service was directed from his innermost heart, which made Aaron perfect for the job he held as high priest.

As Jews, we are required to do many religious tasks on a daily basis. Every morning at GHA we begin with tefillot. We say the same prayers every day. On a weekly basis we observe Shabbat and every year we celebrate the same cycle of Jewish holidays.

How do you and your family perform these Jewish rituals with enthusiasm? How do you make them fell fresh and exciting?

Bamidbar

2010-05-11T16:21:00.001-07:00

This week we begin the fourth book of the Torah, Sefer Bamidbar, which means "in the wilderness." While reading Sefer Bamidbar we learn about B'nai Yisrael's travels on the way to Canaan. One of the most important events during this time was the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. It is interesting to note that God chose to give the Torah in the wilderness.
Why do you think that God didn't bring the people into Canaan and tell them the rules there? Why didn't He choose another setting such as a forest or beside the ocean? What made the Sinai Desert the perfect environment for God's revelation?

Behar-Bechukotai

2010-05-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

This week we read the double portion of Behar-Bechukotai which ends the book of Vayikra. Behar continues the telling of rules including the rules for the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, rules for owning property in the Land of Israel and rules about how to do business. Parashat Bechukotai is also known as the "Tochechah," the "warning" or "reproof," because it contains a list of the consequences Israel would face if the people disobeyed God's laws. The Israelites are reminded repeatedly in the book of Vayikra to be holy. To be holy, the people must obey and observe the laws. The closing portion of Vayikra contains consequences for disregarding the commandments. Whereas the blessings for observing the commandments are described in just ten verses (Vayikra 26:3-13), the curses cover 28 verses (Vayikra 26:14-42).

Ibn Ezra, a Jewish scholar of the 10th century, explained that the curses were spelled out in greater detail so that they would frighten the listeners.

Do you believe that someone would be more likely to obey the commandments because s/he was frightened into doing so? Why do you follow rules and regulations? If you know the consequences in advance, does it prevent you from breaking the rules? What would life be like if our society did not have rules or consequences?

Parshat Emor

2010-04-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

In this week's parsha, Emor, we read, "You shall not profane My holy name, that I may be sanctified in the midst of the Israelite people--I the Lord who sanctify you." (Lev. 22:32)

From this verse, and a couple of others, the rabbis suggest that we can make God's name holy, and we can dishonor God's name too. Making God's name holy is called Kiddush HaShem. The opposite, profaning God's name is called Hillul HaShem.

One of the best-known examples of Kiddush HaShem that is mentioned in the Talmud concerns an incident in the life of Shimon ben Shetach who found a valuable gem hanging around the neck of a camel he had bought from a non-Jew. His students urged him to keep the treasure that God had given him. However, Shimon ben Shetach quickly returned the stone saying, "I purchased an animal, not a precious stone." When the man was given back the stone he exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shimon ben Shetach; blessed be the God of Israel." Shimon Ben Shetach's honesty caused the non-Jewish man to praise God which is a Kiddush HaShem.

Discuss with your family other examples of Kiddush HaShem and Hillul HaShem. What can we do to make God's name holy? What things that people do dishonor God's name?

Parshat Achrey Mot - Kedoshim

2010-04-20T09:24:00.001-07:00

This week we read the double portion of Achrey Mot and Kedoshim. These two portions are filled with laws including laws about eating meat, observing Yom Kippur, tzedakah and loving your neighbor as yourself. Included among these laws is the command: "You shall each fear your mother and your father." Earlier, in the ten commandments, the Torah says, "Honor your father and your mother."

What is the difference between fearing and honoring your parents? Why are they both important? Why is the order of the mother and father different in the two verses?

Parshat Tazriya and Parshat Metzora

2010-04-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

This week we read the double portion of Tazriya and Metzora. Among other topics, the parsha includes the command to have a brit milah (circumcision) for all baby boys on the eighth day. A beautiful midrash asks why the brit is done on the eighth day. It answers that the brit is performed on the eighth day to make sure that the baby has experienced the holiness of a complete Shabbat before his brit. From this midrash we see how important Shabbat is in the life of the Jewish people.

Why is it so important for the baby to experience Shabbat? What aspects of Shabbat are the most important to you? If you were describing Shabbat to a person who knew nothing about it, what would you most want to tell him?

Parshat Tzav

2010-03-23T08:21:00.001-07:00

This Shabbat is Shabbat Hagadol which is the Shabbat before Pesach. This week we read parshat Tzav which describes what the kohanim, priests, have to do in the Mishkan. Then the kohanim are taught how to offer the sacrifices. Finally, we are given the rules for eating meat.

Instead of giving you a discussion question on the parasha this week, we would like to recommend that you use your Shabbat table as a place to begin planning your seder. Are there some special topics that you would like to discuss? Are there any questions that you would like to try to answer at the seder? Maybe a few family members want to prepare a short skit about Pesach or write a funny song that you could perform during the seder.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Kasher V'Sameach

Parshat Vayikra

2010-03-17T06:42:00.001-07:00

This week we begin reading the third book of the Torah, the book of Vayikra. Vayikra deals primarily with the laws pertaining to the Mishkan and the priests. In this week's parsha, God speaks to Moshe about a variety of offenses. God tells Moshe that when a person sins against another person, the sinner also sins against God. Four offenses are mentioned in this verse: dealing deceitfully in the matter of a deposit, a pledge, robbery, and fraud. The next verse details two other offenses: finding a lost item and failing to restore it to its owner and swearing falsely.

One can readily see that taking something from another person is a sin, but why does the Torah teach that a theft is also a sin against God?

Parshiyot Vayakhel and Pekudei

2010-03-09T07:54:00.001-08:00

This week we read the double portion of Vayakhel and Pekudei. These parshiyot discuss the building of the mishkan, the tabernacle, in the desert. After the mishkan is built, Moshe gives a detailed accounting of all of the materials that were used in the building of the mishkan. The Rabbis ask, "Why did Moshe feel that he needed to account for all of the donations that were given to him?"

A Midrash says that some of the Israelites knew that if they had been given all of the gold and silver, they would have taken some of it. They suspected that Moshe was just like them and that he might have taken some. He then has to show them that he has not taken any.

The Midrash emphasizes that leaders of the community have to not only be honest, but show everyone that they are honest. The Talmud tells us that the family that made the incense for the Temple never let their relatives wear perfume because they didn't want people to think that they used some of the incense for their own benefit. The person who collected the money for the Temple wore special clothes that had no pockets in them so no one could say that he stole the money that was for the Temple by putting it in his pockets.

What advice would you give to our leaders to make sure that they not only were honest but appeared honest?

Parshat Ki Tisa

2010-03-03T06:51:00.000-08:00

In this week's parsha, Ki Tisa, Moshe finishes speaking with God on Mt. Sinai. While he is still on the mountain, the people of Israel get worried because Moshe is gone for so long and they think that he might not come back. They decide to make an idol, the golden calf. God sees this and tells Moshe what the people have done. God is very angry with them and He wants to destroy them. Moshe convinces God not to destroy them but to remember His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and to have mercy on them. God agrees and Moshe goes down the mountain to the people.

Moshe then comes down the mountain with the tablets in his hands. When he comes near to the camp he sees the calf and the people dancing around it. He becomes very angry and throws the tablets to the ground shattering them.

In your opinion, is Moshe justified in getting angry with the people and smashing the tablets that God gave to him to give to the Jewish people? Why?

Parshat Tetzaveh

2010-02-24T12:27:00.001-08:00

This week's parsha, Tetzaveh, deals almost exclusively with the Kohanim. One of the topics that the parsha discusses is the special clothing that the Kohanim wear during the Temple service.

Why do you think that it was so important for the Kohanim to wear special clothing while they served in the Temple? We wear different types of clothing for different situations. How does our clothing impact on our behavior? Think about what we wear to school, to shul, when we're playing sports and on Purim.

Parshat Terumah

2010-02-17T06:24:00.001-08:00

In this week's parsha, Terumah, God tells Moshe to build a mishkan so that He can dwell among the people. God gives detailed instructions for the building of the mishkan and all of the vessels that will go in it. The instructions for the ark say, "You shall cover it with pure gold, from within and from without shall you cover it." (Shemot 25:11)

It is easy to understand why the outside of the ark should be covered with gold. The gold covering will make the ark look beautiful to those who see it. The inside of the ark, though, won't be seen. Why does God require the inside of the ark to also be covered in gold? How could the golden ark be a metaphor for people?

Parshat Mishpatim

2010-02-10T05:43:00.001-08:00

Among the many laws in this week's parsha Mishpatim, several deal with the issue of theft (Exodus 22:1-2). If a thief is caught breaking into a place at night, the penalty is more severe than if the thief is caught during the day. There is a story about Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai in the Talmud that can help us understand why this is so.

When Rabbi Yochanan was dying, his students came to him and asked him to give them a blessing. Rabbi Yochanan gave them the following blessing. "May you fear God as much as you fear other people." HIs students were baffled by this blessing. "Only that much?" they asked. The Rabbi explained, "You fear the disapproval of other people so much that you refrain from doing in public that which you readily do in private. Yet God sees you in private as well as in public places." (Adapted from Berakhot 28b.)

How does Rabbi Yochanan's blessing apply to the penalties for a thief who steals at night instead of day?

What do you think about Rabbi Yochanan's blessing? Do you agree with him about our relationship to other people and our relationship with God?

Parshat Yitro

2010-02-03T07:05:00.001-08:00

This week's parsha, Yitro, includes the Ten Commandments. Other portions of the Torah have been included in our daily prayers. The Shema is recited twice a day and Shirat Hayam, the Song at the Sea, is part of the Shacharit service.

Why do you think that the Ten Commandments ares not a part of our daily prayers?

Parshat Beshalach

2010-01-26T11:48:00.001-08:00

This week’s Torah portion, Beshalach, is filled with stories of miracles that God did for us. We are told of the miracle of the splitting of the sea, the miracle of manna, the miracle of plentiful water in the desert and the miracle of the defeat of Amalek.

What is a miracle? Do you believe in miracles? Do you only believe in miracles “l’avoteinu - for our ancestors” or do you think that miracles occur even in our times? Can you think of a modern day miracle? Has a miracle ever happened to you?

Parshat Bo

2010-01-20T10:54:00.001-08:00

In this week's Torah portion, Pharaoh stubbornly refuses to listen to God and free the Jewish slaves. Even without the slaves he still would have been the most powerful king in the world. But rather than give in, he was willing to destroy himself and his whole empire. We can learn from here how destructive it can be to behave stubbornly over relatively small things.

What is the difference between being principled and being stubborn? When is it important to hold firm in what we believe and when is it better to be flexible and listen to the ideas of others?

Parshat Va’eira

2010-01-11T08:10:00.001-08:00

This week’s parsha begins the story of the ten plagues. The first seven plagues are described this week and the last three are in next week’s parsha.

In last week’s parsha Shemot, God told Moshe at the burning bush that Pharaoh will only let the Israelites go because of the “wonders” that God will bring. These wonders are the ten plagues.

If God knew that He would have to send ten plagues in order to get Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave, why didn’t He just send the tenth plague first and save the Egyptians from the other nine?

Parshat Shemot

2010-01-04T11:12:00.001-08:00

This week we begin reading from the second book of the Torah, the book of Shemot. Shemot tells the story of our slavery in Egypt and the beginning of our freedom with the birth of Moshe and his encounter with God at the burning bush.

The Rabbis wondered what the Children of Israel did to be worthy of being saved by God. In the midrash on the book of Song of Songs, one Rabbi answers in the following way.

“Rabbi Huna said in the name of Bar Kappara: As a reward for four practices the Jews were redeemed from Egypt: (a) they did not change their Hebrew names, (b) they continued speaking Hebrew as their language, (c) they did not inform one on the other, and (d) they did not intermarry with the Egyptians.”

From this we learn that it is important for Jews to learn Hebrew and to have Hebrew names. What do you know about your Hebrew name? What does it mean? Who were you named after? Why did your parents give you the name that they did?

Miketz

2009-12-16T11:11:00.001-08:00

This week’s parsha, Miketz, always coincides with the holiday of Chanukah. A common theme in both the Joseph story and the Chanukah story is miracles. Joseph, who was sitting in a prison in Egypt, was able to save himself, the Egyptian people and his family. The Macabees also experienced a miracle when they were able to defeat the more powerful Syrian-Greek army and save the Jewish people.

Rabbi Sidney Greenberg has written, “Yes, miracles sometimes happen but we have to work hard to make them happen...People often say they don’t believe in miracles, and yet their behavior, or lack of it, indicates that they believe in miracles too much. They expect good things to happen without any effort on their part...Long ago our Sages, who surely could not be accused of lacking faith in God, warned us: “We may not rely on miracles.” They knew that wishing will not make it so unless we are prepared to work with God to translate those wishes into reality, those desires into deeds.” (Lessons for Living: Reflections on the Weekly Bible Readings and on the Festivals by Sidney Greenberg, p. 41)

Both Joseph and the Macabees could have waited for miracles to happen, and maybe they did, but it was also their desire, ability to plan and to problem solve that made them successful.
1. In the Talmud it says, “miracles occur, but food is rarely provided by them.” (Talmud, Shabbat 53b) What do you think this means? How do Joseph and his actions connect to this teaching?
2. Why can’t we rely on miracles? Why do you think we need to use our own talents, abilities and dedication to solve problems?

Vayeshev

2009-12-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

This week’s parsha Vayeshev begins the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph is Jacob’s favorite son and he makes Joseph a coat of many colors.

Joseph then has two dreams in which his family bows down to him. He tells these dreams to his father and brothers which makes them very angry.

The brothers are jealous and Jacob says, “What kind of dream have you dreamt? Do you really expect us to come-I and your mother and your brothers-to bow down to you?” (Bereishit 37:10)

If you were one of Joseph’s brothers or one of his parents, how would you feel about this dream? What would you say to Joseph?

This story raises the question of what it means to honor and respect one’s father and mother. Keeping this important mitzvah in mind, we can ask the following question. Even though this dream will come true, should Joseph have told it to his family? Why or why not?

Vayishlach

2009-12-02T13:14:00.001-08:00

In this week's parsha, Vayishlach, Ya'akov wrestles with a mysterious attacker at night. The attacker asks Ya'akov for his name and then gives him a new name. "No longer will you be called Ya'akov, but Yisrael, for you wrestled with God and with people and you triumphed" (Genesis 32:29).

What does it mean to wrestle with God?

Vayetze

2009-11-23T08:36:00.001-08:00

Parshat Vayetze

This week’s parasha begins with Yaakov running away from Esav. On his way, he has a dream of angels going up and down a ladder.

The rabbis taught that the ladder that Yaakov saw in his dream, the one with God’s angels going up and coming down, was a symbol of prayer.

How is prayer like the ladder that Yaakov saw in his dream?

If you would like to discuss prayer in general (not necessarily related to the ladder), below are two comments that might be helpful. You might read them and discuss what you think the purpose of prayer is and how it is important in your life.

“Prayer cannot mend a broken bridge, rebuild a ruined city or bring water to parched fields. Prayer can mend a broken heart, lift up a discouraged soul, and strengthen a weakened will.”
Rabbi Ferdinand M. Isserman

“Prayer in Judaism…is bound up with the human needs, wants, drives, and urges…Prayer is the doctrine of human needs. Prayer tells the individual as well as the community what his/her or its genuine needs are, what s/he should, or should not, petition God about.” Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik

Toldot

2009-11-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

This week’s parsha, Toldot, tells about the birth of the twins, Jacob and Esau. The Torah says that even before they were born, Jacob and Esau were fighting. We read that they had very different personalities and see the difficulties that they have with each other.

They are not the first pair of siblings in the Torah that have problems with each other. Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Leah and Rachel, Joseph and his brothers all have problems getting along.

In our parsha, Rebecca expresses the pain she feels when her children struggle with each other before they are born. It is the pain all parents feel when their children do not get along.

What can be done to prevent sibling rivalry? What can be parents do to prevent their children from fighting? What can brothers and sisters do to try to get along? Why does the Torah focus on this theme throughout Sefer Bereishit?

Chaye Sarah

2009-11-11T05:26:00.001-08:00

It is often noted that although this week’s parasha, Chaye Sarah, is called the “life of Sarah,” it speaks about the death of Sarah.
In Judaism, after someone dies, it is traditional to remember him or her on the yahrzeit (the anniversary of the death), not on the birthday.
Why?
In America we celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday and George Washington’s birthday. On the Jewish calendar we remember Moshe’s yahrzeit (7 Adar) and Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai’s yahrzeit (18 Iyar – lag b’omer).
Why do we celebrate the end of life instead of its beginning?