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All Torah Teachings Holiday Teachings Lag Baomer Written Teachings

Lag Baomer

Bahar- Lag Ba’Omer May 16, 2008 Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochay was one of the five surviving students of Rabbi Akiva that all died between Pesach and the Atzeret. It is brought down that these 24,000 students perished because of not honoring one another in the way of speech. Instead of saying good and encouraging things and finding good points in each other, they fell into disapprobation, criticism and condemnation. This was known as the “dark, dark time of dispute.” It was so dark that it was actually impossible to see one another, the core of the problem. The rectification for this was the teachings of Rabbi Shimon who is called the “Bootzina Kadisha”, the holy candle. Whatever he said, gave light. In the holy Zohar, Rabbi Shimon tells his talmidim, “Ana, bechavivuta taley-” “all of our success depends on an amiable attitude, and being pleasant.” This affects our relationships so that we can all become vessels that bring down Divine light and make the world a brighter place. This is why we light the bonfire on Lag Ba’omer, in the merit of Rabbi Shimon who brought a great light through his teachings. In Kabbalah, Da’at is the key tool needed to see and speak only good things. When a person is on the level of da’at, then he can transmit thought processes positively into speech. When a person looses his da’at, or has not attained it- he dips into foolishness- much of this is furnished by the negative side of his imagination. It is critical to know that what we say to people can either “Make them or break them.” What we say to our children builds them. What we say to our students, if not said with the utmost sensitivity can leave a blemish on them for the rest of their lives. What we say to our parents, and the Torah marks a special mitzvah in this- is one of the Ten Commandments! How we relate to our spouses, neighbors, communities and the world at large, but Rabbi Shimon says that it starts with what we say to ourselves. Dear Readers, After celebrating 60 years of independence I feel compelled in the wake of this Torah to say, hopefully from the place of da’at, a few comments on this country we have been living in for the last 23 years. It has become pretty commonplace to see people with a “thumbs down” attitude. In many conversations there’s a lot of ostracizing. Especially for those of us who hold the Land dear and can’t fathom why the State at large does not share these same values. Gush Katif, a thriving region of proud Jewish people was plowed down only to become the forefront of Katusha rockets aimed at urban centers. The north Shomron communities that were evacuated now stand empty, closed military zones that almost touch our major power plants. Why? Mistakes, terrible mistakes have been made. Corruption reeks from our Prime Minister’s office. There is no leadership, and no hasbara. Those that want to wipe out Israel have become the “negotiators” and the settlers are constantly being portrayed as the bad guys. What is up is down and what is down is up. (A sure sign of the redemptive process!) I believe that this is all a test. We certainly pray to Hashem not to test us anymore. Can we step out of this darkness and also see the above nature things that are happening here too? Eretz Yisrael is giving her fruit beayin yafa- the bounty is mesmerizing. It is expensive for sure- but what were people eating 60 years ago here? The fruits and vegetables from the good earth are larger, tastier and beshefa (in abundance)more than any other time in history. The variety of people that live here from very black to very white from every country of the 4 corners of the world sends chills of excitement down my spine. Prophesies are coming true every day. The Land is calling her people home to her. In the last 10 years one million olim chadashim (new immigrants) have been absorbed by 5 million. That’s like America absorbing 60 million people! Can this be fathomed?! Israel’s economy is growing in leaps and bounds. The superhighways, buildings, buildings, bridges and yes- the hilltops of the Shomron are all going up before our very eyes. We are not an oil rich country but our minds are our assets. High tech and satellite industries are flourishing. Our army is strong, and a wonderful melting pot of all young people who meet and bond patriotically. It has won many wars when all the odds were against them. The chesed (kindness committees) that have been set up and working are testimony to a true torah loving people. Speaking of Torah, Israel is today the largest Torah learning center of the entire world. Ki Mitzion tetzeh Torah! Israel is a beautiful country that continues to grow. Come and see it, come and join it and help make it a better place. Please help this process by shining your distinct light! Shabbat Shalom- Leah Goldsmith

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All Torah Teachings Teaching on Vayikra (Leviticus) Torah Portions Written Teachings

Parashat Vayikrah (connected to parashat Pikudey)

Pekudey- Vayikra March 14, 2008

Dedicated to the Kdoshim meMercaz Harav

The tabernacle was built and dismantled many times on the journey through the desert. Mainly, this is the theme of worship and our relationship with Hashem. Although the structure is taken apart, we- then too are marching forward and never giving up in hope and faith. Our wants and yearnings for faith start with a small step with each step we are adding on to the building of our spiritual world; Hashem is satisfied with each and every move forward because our effort is dear to him. Even today when the Temple is dismantled, just a broken physical remnant hidden with confusion under a golden husk- the main thing is never to give up hope in faith. Although we don’t see the building standing, (May it be rebuilt speedily in our days) Our efforts in worshiping Hashem that are a result of our inner will are the foundation that will with pave the way for its restoration. The Divine service that is the springboard for worship is ratzon(will). Ratzon is an extreme force. It is our spirit, soul and life force because nothing stands in the way of will. All of wants and yearnings we feel should all eventually stream to Hashems’s will. This means being be’shalom (at peace) in our hearts in our relationships, to feel goodness, to see the beautiful, to know that the clouds eventually clear away to reveal a blue sky and forward, forward, forward we march and strive to be better, more improved, happier with what we have in every realm of our lives.

After our holy Temple was destroyed 2,000 years ago, the great Rabbis of that time had the ability to pass over the knowledge and reality that we are never alone, even when the house is broken up. Hashem is always with us, whether the house is standing completely erect or not standing at all, and we are always on the way, even if we stop for a while and “dismantle”- it is only temporary. This is how it was in the desert, this is how it is.

Sacrificing was the main avoda (Divine service) in the tabernacle. Nefesh tachat nefesh. (a soul for a soul) When a person brought a sacrifice he would reach the level of deep teshuva (repentance) when he saw the animal being sacrificed instead of himself. This was an animal he bought with his own mamon-money. Since a person’s possessions are a major part of his nefesh(soul) and he has to give up a part in order to buy the sacrifice, this is called self sacrifice. When he reaches into his pocket and burns the sacrifice on the altar his yeitzer (evil inclination) is atoned for. The Levites in their holy garb playing the holy music and song would be the backdrop to the very mood of the teshuva transformation. A person has now become better, holier, and just like he cannot sacrifice an animal with a defect; he too cannot have any defect in his middot (character), seychel (intelligence), or nefesh. He deeply reflects into himself in order to achieve this spiritual achievement- it is by no means attained through a simple sacrifice. Now he reaches Tzelem Elokim (image of G-d).

Our prayers replace the sacrifices today. Hashem is was and always will be with us, listening to us, guiding us, helping us and bringing us ever so closer to a geula shlayma. (final redemption)

Shabbat Shalom- Leah Goldsmith

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All Torah Teachings Holiday Teachings Purim Written Teachings

Purim

Dear Readers, A few years ago, my husband and I and some of our children went to demonstrate against the disengagement from Gaza- what in essence was actualized in the dismantling of Gush Katif and handing over that exquisite place to Chamas. On the way we drove through Ashkelon amazed at the beautiful marina on the sea and the luxury apartment buildings that have sprouted up over the last 2 decades. There were dove shaped, blue signs everywhere – “Ashkelon is for peace”. It was the blues of “peace” and the oranges of “no Land for “peace” ” in those days. People still wear their symbolic orange strings. They hang in people’s cars, on pocketbooks, knapsacks, doorways….but the blue signs in Ashkelon have been replaced with emergency sirens and posters with instructions about what to do in case of bombs falling. What a spring! The struggle for the Land of Israel continues. It is so painful when you think about how all of this could have been prevented if only there had been enough foresight. The south of Israel is exploding , the north – always an imminent cloud hovering over its communities and their safety, terrorists in the form of “Israeli citizens” born and bred in Jerusalem, exploding in the country’s capital in our yeshivas. We say and continue to say that we only console ourselves with those healthy minded individuals like you that love the Land of Israel. We, here in Itamar, in the very heart of the country – the heart that provides life sustenance to the entire body, can’t emphasize how important it is to be involved in helping to change the situation. We have to spread the word as much as we can. Spring with Purim and Passover on the way is a time of birth. A nation is born and has a mission to accomplish. A person is also born into reality with a target destination, much like a person born into a ship at sea. Sometimes the sea is tranquil, sometimes stormy- we don’t know why the weather fluctuates or even when we will reach port. So, we can act in three ways- 1) some people decide to jump off the ship and swim away from it, avoiding their reality and destiny and their connection to their crew. 2) some will play chess, drink beer, wherever the ship sways – so be it, go with the flow, but avoid effort or strategic thinking 3) and some people will take “the bull by the horns” and grab the oars to help direct the ship to its destiny. Grab an oar – let’s work together, with Hashem’s help, for the future of nation, the Land, and dock at the final redemption!

Purim Sameach Leah Goldsmith Itamar

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Tu B’Shvat

Tu B’Shvat January 24, 2008

On Tu B’Shvat the source of potential growth in all spheres of life awakens. The tree in the field stands bare exposed to cold, wind, and rain. The prospect of sprouting buds and flowering blossoms seems far from possible but it is on this wintry and dormant day that a new life force is surging forth. We celebrate Tu B’Shvat for the first day of this process that is under way. Soon the trees will be adorned with leaves and fruit. It a day of blessings on the bounty of the Land and when blessing this abundance, Hashem in return pours down the plenty and blesses us back.

When we sow, till plant and reap (not on a shmita year), we can easily get mixed up and say, “I have worked so hard! This is my doing- my accomplishment!” One must know that man is a vessel through which Hashem brings down and bestows upon the world all of its affluence. Tu B’shvat is also an analogy to the redemptive process that begins at the darkest hour of Jewish History. The trees have shredded their leaves and everything is dormant which creates an atmosphere of hopelessness. Suddenly spring bursts forth with all of its splendor. Our generation has had the amazing merit to witness the Hatchalta Hageula(beginning of redemption) From the ashes of the Holocaust we have returned home and are eating from the fruits of the land. May Hashem open up our eyes to see and focus on the goodness of the Israel and may it continue to grow and prosper!

Shabbat Shalom,

Leah Goldsmith Itamar

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All Torah Teachings Teachings on Shemot (Exodus) Torah Portions Written Teachings

Parashat Beshalach

Parashat Beshalach January 18, 2008

When reaching the pinnacle of the Exodus, the splitting of the Red Sea, we can’t help but ask how did Bnei Yisrael continue to complain after witnessing 10 marvelous miracles brought about through the plagues performed just for them. If all of Egypt “knew Hashem” already, what was missing here in the realm of faith for Am Yisrael?

Moshe Rabbeinu turns to his people and says:” Al Tirau!” – Do not fear! The Machilta medrash discusses how it looked on the shores of the Red Sea when Egypt raced on chariots after Bnei Yisrael. The origin of Israeli politics began then when the young Jewish nation decided to break into 4 groups, or political parties. 1) The first group said- ” Leepol layam!”- Let’s jump into the sea (and commit suicide) 2) the second group said- ” Lashuv LeMitzrayim!” – Let’s go back to Egypt where at least we had what to eat and where to be buried. 3) The third group said – ” La-asot milchama negdam!” Let’s fight them 4) the fourth group simply said –”Ve’anachnu nitzak!” we will scream (what else can we do!?!) They didn’t see “current events” with a spiritual eye yet. Even after all that was done for them, they lived in a realm of the husk of imagination. Fear came out of it. Yes, they had climbed many steps on the ladder to faith, but they were only on the level of “what you see is what you get.” Only after the Egyptians were annihilated on the sea did the culture of “achizat einayim” (creating a false impression) – pass over.

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov says that a person cannot really know and believe that Hashem wants only goodness for him until he reaches the level of clarity in faith (behirut be’emunah). This is like saying, “Seeing is believing”. We have been taught that what a person sees is open to interpretation. Rav Nachman says no- Even if there are direct miracles, if there is no clarity in faith- you won’t see them. This has nothing to do with knowing the Torah and keeping all of its laws. This is only about holding the heavenly yoke of heaven in your heart. When a person roots faith in his emotions and constantly refreshes the feeling of faith, the energy that comes out of this enables him to see miracles. Then when Hashem tests us, we are able to elevate ourselves above the nisayon(test) by serving Him, like a successful worker who never gets used to his job, but loves his work passionately. He accepts every challenge that Hashem brings his way with a clear understanding that everything that Hashem does is for the best!

Dear Readers, Here in Israel today nothing really makes sense. Sderot and the Western Negev are barely on the agenda of our government. Instead, they prefer to place our precious home land on the negotiating table as if it was their own personal possession. The lessons of throwing thousands of Jews out of their homes in Gaza were not at all learnt. The world remained silent and encouraged this immoral act. Instead of admitting to their terrible folly which brought about the creation of another terror state they prefer to stubbornly continue in a similar path of destruction.

As we again stand on the shores of the sea divided in our ideas about what to do let Hashem open our eyes and hearts and help us to see His salvation.

Shabbat Shalom,

Leah Goldsmith Itamar

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Parashat Bo

Parashat Bo Thursday, January 10, 2008

In the tractate of Sanhedrin 111A our Rabbis criticize the behavior of Moshe Rabeynu and praise the actions of our forefathers. The Talmud explains that the fact that Moshe Rabeynu wasn’t able to lead the Jewish nation in battle against the 31 kings was his punishment. Instead of Moshe Rabeynu being the one to merit in the Mitzvah of capturing the land of Israel, it was given to his student Joshua. The Talmud explains that Moshe Rabeynu was punished because unlike our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who never complained about their difficult situation, Moshe Rabeynu on the other hand complained. The Talmud is referring to Moshe Rabeynu’s response to Hashem after the situation in Egypt worsened for the Jewish nation, “Why have you brought this trouble on your people? Why did you send me?”

The Talmud sites three examples of difficulties that our forefathers had to face. The first example is with Abraham Hashem says “Go! Walk back and forth across the entire land because I will give it to you.” Despite Hashem’s promise to give Avraham the land, he could not find a place to bury his wife without purchasing the cave of Machpela for a huge sum of money. The second example is of Isaac, “Live here in this land and I will be with you and bless you. I will give all these lands to you and your descendants. I will keep the oath that I swore to your father Abraham.” Nevertheless, Isaac’s servants couldn’t find water to drink and they had to fight with the shepherds of Grarr over the water pits. The third example mentioned is with Jacob. “I will give the land on which you are lying to you and your descendants” Yet Jacob could not find a place to pitch his tent until he purchased a portion of land in Shechem.

Despite these difficulties, our forefathers never complained and quietly paid the price for settling the land of Israel. Obviously, Moshe Rabeynu, the greatest prophet that ever lived, did not complain because of personal difficulty; he was broken because of the tremendous suffering his people were experiencing. On the other hand, our forefathers’ difficulties seemed to be on the personal level.

Why then does the Talmud make a comparison between them and criticize Moshe Rabeynu? Apparently, the sages were teaching us that Abraham’s search for a grave and Jacob’s search for a place to set up his tent, and Isaac’s struggle over water weren’t in the least personal issues. These were all prototypes of situations that their decedents would have to face when trying to settle the land of Israel. Hashem was preparing them for the great difficulties that would lie ahead in inheriting the land.

The lesson is that we mustn’t focus on the difficulties but rather remain steadfast in our faith as we continue to move forward. Today more than ever we can identify with this message. We never seem to be able to sit back and relax. It is amazing how the building of Jerusalem and the communities of Yehuda and Shomron capture the attention of the whole world. It is absolutely mind-boggling.

The words of Moshe Rabeynu to Pharaoh are still echoing today, “Let my people go”.

Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith Itamar

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Parashat Vaerah

Parashat Vaerah January 3, 2008

Redemption from Egypt did not happen overnight as we know, but stage by stage. The curtain is raised as Bnei Yisrael, Moshe Rabbeinu, Pharoh and the Egyptians are about to enter a new scene- Hashem hardening Pharoh’s heart. Bnei Yisrael are in a complete state of exile in their bodies, spirits and souls. The form of enslavement that Pharoh inflicted on them did not leave any time or space for them to tap into the life force of their souls. At this point they were hanging onto the second to the lowest rung of the ladder of idolatry and impurity, the 49th level. They were drowning in the fleshpots of Egypt. In this state they were not able to unfasten the shackles of their persecution which directly affected their spirit.

In order to move things along, Hashem decided to harden Pharoh’s heart. In turn, He performed miracles through the vehicle of Moshe Rabbeinu. Every time this happened, a link on the slave chain became unfastened and another vertebra in their backs straightened and added life force to their spirits. With every hardening of Pharoh’s heart, they experienced the Shechinah and grew closer to Him. They reached the top of the ladder when they discovered their true identity, their great spirit (Nefesh). This new spiritual height gave them the strength needed to slay the Egyptian god and turn it into the Pascal sacrifice. Bnei Yisrael reached internal salvation and were raised to a level of a redemptive spirit. They were ready to leave. Right now!

The Kabbalah describes this as the level where the body and soul function as one unit. The soul perceives the spirit transmits and body acts. Our Rabbis teach us that there are four different descriptive words referring to redemption in the Torah. In essence each of these words represents one of the stages of redemption outlined above. 1) Hotzeyti- He took us out (body) 2) Hitzalti- He saved us (nefesh-spirit) 3) Ga’alti- He redeemed us (neshama-soul) and finally 4) Heveyti- He brought us- referring to the bringing together the above levels.

This shiur was based upon the Torah teachings of Harav Hakadosh, Reb Chaim HaCohen (Hachalban) zechuto Yagen Aleynu

Shabbat Shalom,

Leah Goldsmith Itamar

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Parashat Vayigash

Parashat Vayigash December 14, 2007

Determining leadership for the Jewish people has never been an easy thing for any age in our long history. But when a leader’s time comes to reveal himself, he can no longer stand beside and hide. Our first encounter with “hide and seek” is when our first King, Saul, described as good looking and tall, hides amongst the barrels and he can’t be found. And they could not find him. ולא מצאו “ואין “”והנה הוא נחבא עם הכלים (Samuel one, chapter 10 verse 22)

The search for King David was not done simple either, even for our prophet (Samuel one chapter 16 verse 11) He sifts through all of Yishay’s sons and asks, “Hatamu hanearim?” “Is there not another son to be found?” “Oh him!” they are practically rolling their eyes and point to the young David out pasturing the sheep.

Up until now, Yosef displays, on an obvious level, emotional indifference as well as hides his true identity. He has been thrown into the pit 2 times, looses his brothers and suffers at the hands of Eshet Potiphar. Yehudah faces personal tragedy in his own family loosing 2 sons to death, not to mention his ordeal with Tamar and his coming to terms with the his own truth. His tikkun reaches a climax when he is ready to sacrifice himself as a guarantor for his brother, Binyamin. This devotion is what brings Yosef to finally reveal himself.

If passion and desire and overcoming these tests were the theme of the previous parshas, now we are focused on heart and soul emotion. Feelings are brought up afresh by thoughts of home, family standing up for brotherhood. Yosef, who rules half the world but in one second is again taken into the fold of the family, and Yehudah who is almost crowned king of the House of Israel have both “learned on their own skins” what responsibility and accountability mean.

The slander, pits, and dreams zenith as Yosef, the lifesaver emancipates himself as he cries, “ANI YOSEF!”(I am Joseph) This he only does when he sees the brother’s sin rectified. כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה” All of Israel is responsible for one another. This is the key of redemption. May it arrive speedily in our days, Amen.

Shabbat Shalom,

Leah Goldsmith Itamar

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Parashat Vayeshev

Parashat Vayeshev November 29, 2007 In these last parshiyot, through the examples of Dina and Yoseph, the substance of Shechem is revealed into 2 separate streams of consciousness. First, in its character of turning the active into the passive. Dina went out TO SEE the Land of Shechem, but what really happened was that Shechem SAW her; Dina was taken and ruined. When Yoseph goes out to SEEK his brothers in Shechem, a man ( the angel Gabriel) finds Yoseph there and soon afterwards the brothers RECOGNIZE HIM from afar. From that point he is taken and thrown into the pit. From the pit he revolves and revolves until he reaches the lowest point- prison in Egypt. He reaches the bottom rung of Olam Tachton (the lower worlds) but never asks why. His job is to take out the holy sparks from that place. In an almost full swing of events, despite not being able to turn the clock back, Yoseph is ordained second to the king. He marries Pharoh’s adopted daughter, Asnat, who in fact is the daughter of Dina and Shechem who Y’akov sent down to Egypt. Together they raise the future generations of Ephraim and Menashe who eventually inherit the portion of Shechem and her vast environs. The tikkun (rectification) of the positive side of Shechem is when all the tribes unite in position to receive the Torah- renewal of the covenant when they enter the Land after wandering the desert for 40 years. This is done in Shechem echad (one united Shechem). Hashem tells us ” SEE, I gave you (lecha- as one unit) the blessings and the curse..” In the act of buying the Land of Shechem way before all of this transpired, Ya’akov made a kinyan for nachalat Yoseph in buying the chelkat hasadeh for 100 k’sita from Shechem ben Chamor, a legacy for Yoseph (who is later laid to rest there) and all of Am Yisrael FOREVER. Dear Readers, When we ever go up to Har Gerrizim and look down into Shechem we are well aware that we are being watched. Despite the heartbreaking view of a destroyed Kever Yoseph, we can perceive that Yoseph is drawing out the last of the sparks of Edom. Only he can do this.

Shabbat Shalom, Leah Goldsmith Itamar

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Parashat Chayeh Sarah

Parashat Chayeh Sarah November 1, 2007

Abraham and Sarah, the founding “parents” of the Jewish people are the first in the world to sanctify G-d’s name. Living a complete life of chesed, loving kindness, doing goodness, their home being the source of happiness and warmth and bounty; they are constantly tested. Many obstacles in faith come up, whether it being told to leave their comfortable and familiar surroundings to a land that they did not know, or negotiating their release from captivity by various rulers, including the hardest trial of all- the offering up of their son as a sacrifice. Their steadfast belief, however, enables them to overcome all of their obstacles. Wherever they go, they galvanize the masses, and give the service of a five star hotel in their tent. Sarah laughs and Abraham waits upon his guests with a twinkle in his eye. “There is no despair in the world.” “ein yeush ba’olam” – as Rabbi Nachman of Breslov stresses.

Sodom and Amora are the illustration of societies that are steeped in wickedness. Not only do they not attend to wayfarers, are wicked to strangers, but they are an antithesis to any norms of the good of Abraham and Sarah. They are punished and nothing remains of them but fire, salt and brimstone, barely no continuity.

Chesed, loving kindness, is the life giving force that finally rewards Abraham and Sarah with a son, an heir and second stepping stone on the family tree of the Jewish people. Sarah passes on and Rivka is then brought to the tent. Again, the smell of bread baking, the sight of the candle burning and the light of G-d is in the world. In pairs, each partner in her/his distinct way transmits their unique heavenly message and purpose. They have a mission. They are taking hold of the Land.

While Abraham is more associated to movement and motion- “Go up to a Land that I will show you.”, “Go up to the Land of Moriah”, “and he ran to meet the guests”…while Sarah is linked to permanence, not moving from her place in the tent where she kneads the dough, prepares and laughs. Abraham buys her an “Achuzat Kever”- a permanent place of rest for her (where he later joins her).

The Land of Israel is acquired through two functions, each done by the role models in their line of duty. Abraham, “Koom lehithalech ba’aretz”, acquisition by walking the land, making contracts, buying places, while his analogous “co-worker, co-owner”, sits, or rather lays down and claims the land in her right, as it says, “Tzaddikim bemitatam nikraim chayim”- the righteous even after passing away are considered alive-. Chayeh Sarah, the LIFE of Sarah is the name of our chapter, She is buried in a permanent place in the Land of Israel, Chevron. But she lives on.

Shabbat Shalom,

Leah Goldsmith Itamar