Near the end of parshat Tetzaveh in the description of the daily service of the ketoret (incense), I noticed the Hebrew phrase "b'haiteevo et-hanerot" is used. The literal translation is "in his improving of the lights". It is usually understood that the incense ceremony takes place after cleaning out five of the burnt-out wicks of the lights of the menora and before the remaining two (unlike the order quoted in the daily prayers which follows Abba Shaul, but is not the halacha).
It occurred to me that the Torah wasn't just telling us when this avoda was to happen, but also at a deeper level why and how to make it part of our daily lives. These two tasks are among the tasks that only the cohen can do -- cleaning the wicks and bringing the incense. Remember (in Bamidbar parshat Naso) that Aharon was feeling left out at the time of the dedication of the Mishkan until he was given the task of "lifting up the lights" (b'haalotecha). While this is a physical action in the mikdash, it is also a perfect description of the cohen's job within Am Yisroel -- the cohen lifts up the light of each neshama and helps it shine brighter. It is during the act of improving the lights of the neshamot of his fellow Jews that the Cohen now brings the ketoret. One connection I know of (and I am sure there are many more) for ketoret is that it atones for lashon hara. In the midst of making each of us shine brighter in G-d's eyes, our own eyes and each other's eyes, we atone for any lashon hara that may have occured. So the ketoret and the improving of the lights are truly avodahs that go hand in hand -- one must be done during the time of the other.
If anyone knows of a source for this, I'ld appreciate it. Right now this is just my own musings.
This is really not my style. Someone somewhere must be organizing protests at the Israel Embassy in DC. If you hear about such a thing being organized, please let me know.
I am no longer able to support the government of Israel. A government that displays such sinat chinom for it's citizens relinquishes it's legitimacy. My love for the Jewish People, and for Eretz Yisrael is stronger than ever, and I yearn for the time that this self-serving, Jew-hating government collapses under the weight of it's own cynicism.
I urge everyone to email the Israel Embassy in DC with your protests. info@israelemb.org
Like lemons?? Well, here's a great recipe for lemon tart filling for a torte, pre formed tarts, or a pie. Makes 10-12 little tarts. GET READY TO PUCKER!!
I just wanted to point out that Gush Katif was never a viable entity. The Torah clearly says, and practicality would tell you anyway that you cannot have a viable Jewish presence anywhere where Jews are in the minority. The Arabs from that region should have been forced out to Egypt. Since we didn't do that, you cannot just step in later and say this will work because I say so.
A FAR more important problem is that of non Jews being citizens of Israel. Does anyone in this shul realized that the Galil is over 90% Arab? To me that is a far larger problem then Gush Katif.
We wring our hands over Gush Katif when the heart of the country is in no better shape. Just remember, Israel was always defeated from the North.
Shalom Bayit
How to Move from Me to Me
By Mort Fertel
Excerpt from Marriage Fitness
There was one part of our wedding that was extraordinary. It’s called the bedekin. The bedekin is an ancient ceremony performed at some Jewish weddings moments before the marriage ceremony. The bedekin symbolizes one of the keys to creating a lasting core connection and deep love. Allow me to explain.
