Looking Your Very Best

Parshat Tetzaveh

Exodus 27:20 - 30:10

In this portion, Moses is further told to instruct the Israelites to bring olive oil for lighting the lamps of the Tabernacle. The lamps, which are to be the responsibility of Aaron and his sons, are to burn from evening to morning for all time. Moses is told to ordain Aaron and his sons as priests.

The priests are to be adorned in special clothes. All the priests are to wear four garments - linen breeches, tunics, sashes, and turbans. In addition to these four articles, the High Priest (Aaron) is to wear a special robe of pure blue decorated at the hem with pomegranates and golden bells. Over this robe, the ephod - an apron-like layer woven of gold, blue, purple, and crimson - is to be worn. The breastplate, inlaid with precious stones and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, is to be worn by the High Priest over the ephod. The eighth special item in the High Priest's dress is a gold plate engraved with the words "Kodesh LaYHVH" (Holy to Adonai) that is to be tied with a blue cord to the front of his turban.

The priests are to be ordained in a special ceremony which first involves washing, dressing, and anointing them with oil, and secondly, the offering of various sacrifices. These ceremonies are to be repeated for seven days.

The priests are to bring offerings twice daily to the altar in the Tabernacle. Further, they are to burn incense on an altar to be constructed especially for that purpose.

(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)

Questions for your Shabbat table:

• The word tetzaveh means to "instruct" or to "command" - why do you think the Torah is so specific in the descriptions of the Tabernacle (in last week's portion) and the dress code for the priests (in this week's portion)?
• In ancient days, being a Kohein - a priest - was a major Jewish job. What are some of today's Jewish jobs?
• According to the descriptions in the Torah (and this portion), the priests had very elaborate and fancy clothes to wear. What are some of your favorite outfits to wear when you want to dress up? For what special occasions do you wear those clothes?
• Read the descriptions of the priestly clothing. How are they similar to how we adorn our Torah scrolls?

This week's g-dcast version of the parsha:

Mission: Mishkan

Parshat Terumah
Exodus 25:1 - 27:19

In this portion, God instructs Moses to accept gifts from the Israelites. These are to be used in constructing a sanctuary so that God can dwell among the people. Acceptable gifts include precious metals and stones; tanned skins; blue, purple, and crimson yarns and linen; and special oils and spices.

God shows Moses the pattern according to which the mishkan (the Tabernacle) and its contents are to be made. First to be made is an Ark of acacia wood, overlaid both inside and out with gold. The Ark is to be fitted with gold rings and gold covered poles to make it portable. The tablets of the law (which God will give Moses) are to be kept in the Ark. Two gold cherubim are to be placed facing each other over the cover of the Ark.

The Ark is to be house in the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle, called the Holy of Holies.

God describes the construction of the Tabernacle to Moses in great detail. The entire structure is to b eportable, with a wooden framework, and walls of richly covered fabric.

Inside the Tabernacle, next to the Holy of Holies, is to be a second room called the Holy place, which will contain a table overlaid in gold with the bread of display (shrewbread) set on it, and a seven-branched menorah also wrought of gold work.

In the court of the Tabernacle, an altar is to be constructed with horns of copper at each corner, and the courtyard itself is to be 100 cubits long by 50 cubits wide, fenced in with fine twined linen on silver filleted poles with hooks of silver and sockets of brass.

(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)

Questions for your Shabbat table:

• Terumah, the name of this week's portion, means "gifts" that the Israelites were each supposed to contribute to the building of the Tabernacle. What is the best gift you ever received? What is the most important gift you have ever given? What made each gift so special?
• During the building of the ark, each person was supposed to contribute something to the project. Why do you think this was mandatory? How would the project be different if everyone could choose whether or not they wanted to participate?
• Do you have to be an active participant in the Jewish community in order to be considered a Jew? How do you contribute to your community?
• The mishkan, the Tabernacle, was the special worship place the Israelites built in the wilderness. What is your family's worship place? What makes it special? What is it like to go to synagogue?
• The mishkan is a special place for God to dwell, and it was decorated very beautifully in order to honor God. How would you design a beautiful synagogue today? What would you include? Are there elements found in the description of the mishkan that are reflected in the sanctuary in your synagogue?

This week's g-dcast cartoon:

Laying Down the Law

Parshat Mishpatim
Exodus 21:1 - 24:18

In this portion, Moses sets before the Israelites the following groups of rules:

1. The rules concerning slaves: The Israelites are permitted to retain slaves, but they must always bear the dignity of the slave in mind. Hebrew slaves are to be freed after six years of service, or immediately if their owner willfully injures them. A slave who does not wish to leave a master shall have an ear pierced and remain a slave for life.
2. Certain crimes are punishable by death: Among these are murder, kidnapping, and insulting one's parents.
3. The laws detailing the responsibilities incurred by the owner of an ox: The owner of an ox which is known to have previously injured or killed another person or animal is to be punished along with the animal. The owner of an ox which causes death or injury just once does not incur punishment, although the ox must be stoned or sold in restitution for its actions.
4. Rules and penalties for theft and lending.
5. Certain laws pertaining to the Israelites remaining a holy people are presented. Among these are reminders not to curse God and to dedicate to God firstborn sons and cattle and the first fruits of a tree. Other laws pertaining to holiness including prohibitions against eating flesh torn by wild beasts and against boiling a kid in its mother's milk.
6. In the Sabbatical year, the land is to lie fallow or rest. The commandment to rest on the seventh day follows.
7. The observance of the three festivals - the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover), the Feast of the Harvest (Shavuot), and the Feast of the Ingathering (Sukkot) - is prescribed. All males are commanded to present themselves before God at those times.

In addition, the principle of just restitution for damages is stated (lex talionis, an "eye for an eye," etc.). The slavery of the Israelites in Egypt is recalled to remind the people not to mistreat strangers, widows, and orphans in their midst.

God tells Moses than an angel will lead the Israelites through the desert to Canaan. God promises to destroy all the peoples whose path the Israelites cross, so that the Israelites will not be tempted to worship the gods of other nations.

Moses repeats all the rules to the people and then writes them all down. Offerings are made to seal the covenant with God and the people accept the law saying, "All the things the Lord has commanded we will do."

The mountain is covered by the presence of God (the cloud) for six days. On the seventh day, God calls Moses to ascend and Moses goes up the mountain and remains there for 40 days and nights.
(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)

For your Shabbat table:

• This portion describes many different laws that the Israelites should follow. One of them tells us to behave for our parents and not insult them. Have you ever used mean or cruel words towards your parents? Why? Were you punished? How did you make it up to them? Why do you think the Torah includes a law that says one must be punished for insulting his/her parents?
• Some of the laws described in Parshat Mishpatim have to do with the responsibilities we have over ourselves and our belongings. What are some of the responsibilities you have?
• Towards the end of this week's portion, it says that the mountain is covered by the presence of God, which is described as a cloud. How do you picture God? If you were in God's presence, what would that be like?
• There are 613 commandments found in the Torah (in addition to the Ten Commandments we read in last week's Torah portion) - of those 613, 248 are "positive" (which means they tell you what to do - Keep the Shabbat...) and 365 are "negative" (which tell you what NOT to do - Do not murder, do not covet...). Which do you think are more effective - positive or negative commandments? Are one type easier to obey than others?

This week's g-dcast:

Making the Most of the Snow - Purim Edition

Here in the Washington DC metro area, we are once again set upon by horribly nasty winter weather that is causing many to be held hostage in their homes while snow falls and winds howl. It is usually a few weeks from now that I realize that Purim is upon us and I've forgotten to spend time preparing for this festive holiday, so instead of bemoaning the arrival of yet another massive winter storm, I am taking the opportunity to be thankful that it has given me the opportunity to take time and get ready.

Purim, which celebrates the events written in the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther), part of the Ketuvim, or Writings, the third section of the Torah, is a fun, merry holiday celebrating the Jews' triumph over evil Haman. There are a number of traditions associated with the holiday, including going to synagogue to hear the megillah read, using noisemakers (graggers) to drown out Haman's name during the reading, giving gifts to the poor (matanot l'evyonim), preparing costumes and masks for young and old, and giving gifts (mishloach manot) to friends and family.

With Purim just over two weeks ago, take some time now (during the snow or otherwise) to start planning your Purim celebration. Some possibilities:

Mishloach Manot
Mishloach Manot, sometimes shortened to Shlach Manot, is a custom that is found first in the Scroll of Esther, Megillat Esther. When recording the events that led to the deliverance of the Jews of Persia, Mordechai wrote that the 14th and 15th days of the Hebrew month of Adar were to be observed "... as days of feasting and merrymaking and as an occasion of sending gifts to one another and gifts to the poor (Esther 9:22). These gifts, which can take all shapes and sizes, are a fun way of extending the joy and happiness of Adar and Purim to your friends and family. Usually the gifts contain Purim delicacies, such as homemade hamentashen, nuts, wine or juice, fruit, or other food items. Some ideas for making your own Mishloach Manot:

• Get small paper gift bags (you can find them at any craft store or Target-type establishment, sometimes in bulk quantities), perhaps even in a variety of colors. Decorating the bag adds an easy embellishment - if you have children, they can decorate the bags with images from the Purim story, Jewish symbols, or anything else that they like. Stickers are another possibility.
• Another option - use large, sturdy paper plates - if you choose blank ones, they can also be illustrated with scenes from Purim. Brainstorm as a family some of the important scenes from the holiday story - the banishment of Vashti, the beauty pageant that lands Esther her regal gig, Haman plotting against the Jews, etc.
• Once you've decided upon the vehicle for your gifts, brainstorm ideas of what can be placed inside - will you make hamentashen together (and, more importantly, which fillings will you use!?), any candy, nuts, hot chocolate/tea/coffee mixes?

Matanot L'evyonim
Another Purim tradition, found in the same verse above, is to give gifts to the needy. This can be done in a variety of ways - perhaps you go through your pantry to find those canned and non-perishable items that can be donated to a food bank, or perhaps you send baskets of food to those who are sick or needy to help them enjoy the holiday. Some synagogues sell and deliver mishloach manot as a fundraiser, the proceeds of which are given to a worthwhile organization.

Hamentashen
These triangular cookies, originally called mohn taschen, a German term meaning "poppy seed pockets," are one of the quintessential treats for Purim. Triangular shaped in honor of Haman's hat, these cookies now wrap around a wide variety of fruit and sweet fillings - some favorites among children are cherry, chocolate chip, raspberry, and sometimes even a Reese's Peanut Butter cup (mini, of course, and only for those without the dreaded peanut allergy!). Some great recipes on the web are The Best Ever Cherry Hamentashen (which, of course, can be filled with ingredients other than cherry if you so desire) and Joan Nathan's famous recipe from her The Jewish Holiday Kitchen - the first cookbook my mother ever gave me.

Other Possibile Activities

• For younger children, make sock puppets for each of the characters in the Purim story. They can act out all or parts of the story using their puppets.
• Make your own graggers that you can bring with you to the Megillah reading at your local synagogue - they can be made out of anything, including a paper plate folded in half and stapled shut to contain dried beans or something similar that will rattle about when shaken. Something similar can be achieved (and using recycled materials!) with left over plastic bottles and canisters. All can be decorated with ribbon, marker, or anything else to heighten the festivity of your noisemaker.
• Make masks! These can be done in a variety of ways with a variety of media - from something simple as from a paper plate to a more sophisticated paper mache mask. Here are three from holidays.net that can be printed onto sturdy paper and colored by your artist. Here is a mask that is a little more involved from Babaganewz.

All in all, Purim is a festive, happy time of year. Enjoy!

Jewish Activities for a Snow Day

Here in the metro Washington DC area, we are expecting quite a bit of snow over the coming weekend. The Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning has created some resources for families to keep Jewish learning going even as the snow falls.

Check out The Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning (www.pjll.org) for their Snow Day Learning Packet as well as a guide for reading Jewish books with your children.

Stay warm and safe!

God's Top Ten

Parshat Yitro
Exodus 18:1 - 20:23

Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, brings Moses' wife and two sons to Moses in the desert. After observing how Moses settles disputes among the Israelites, Jethro advises him to delegate chiefs to judge all except the most difficult of cases. Moses follows Jethro's advice, and Jethro returns to his own land in Midian.

On the third new moon after the Exodus, the people enter the wilderness of Sinai and encamp by Mount Sinai. God tells the people through Moses that if they obey God's teachings, they will be for God a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation." The people respond as one, saying, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do."

After the Israelites wait a period of three days for purification, God appears to them in a cloud of smoke and fire on the mountain and proclaims the Ten Commandments.

The people fear that they will die if they hear God speak or if they speak to God themslelves; so they ask Moses to be God's spokesperson in the future. God tells Moses to remind the Israelites that they themselves had heard God speak. Therefore they are to hold fast in their resolve to worship no idols. God commands them to build an altar of earth and to bring sacrifices.
(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kaden)

For your Shabbat table:

• Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, suggets that he set up a system for judging disputes so that Moses does not have to decide everything. How do you resolve a problem you might have with a friend or classmate? Is it easier to find a solution when there is a third person helping you resolve a difference?
• Through Moses, God tells the Israelites that if they obey his laws, they will become a "holy nation." Why is it important to follow rules? What does it mean to be holy?
• The Israelites receive the Ten Commandments during Parshat Yitro - why do you think we have a set of ten when there are a total of 613 commandments? Does this mean those ten are the most important?
• One of the Ten Commandments is to "honor your father and mother" - what does this mean to you? How do you honor your parents?

This week's g-dcast: