PE Progressive Jewish Congregation

✡️ This week’s Parshat: Ki Teitzei is read on 22 August, from Deuteronomy 21:10 - 24:19

In Hebrew it means “When you go out”. This portion always falls during the final month of the Jewish year

It outlines ethical laws for daily living, focuses on family welfare, societal justice, safety, and kindness to all humans, including animals

TWO WORLDS: One Broken and One Whole

In Deuteronomy 22:6, the commandment of Shiluach Haken (sending away the mother bird before taking her eggs or young chicks), connects to a boy climbing a tree and the tragedy which befalls this boy and his family when obeying his father, and resulting in his death

Ha’Shem commands us to obey our parents and promises “that our days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you”

✡️ Even though the boy has honored his parents and the commandment of sending away the “mother bird” and has fulfilled the only two mitzvots in the Torah, which promises a long and good life, he slips and dies instantly

✡️ This story violently breaks all beliefs in our world, and has been used to define how we look at Ha’Shem, ourselves and the very purpose of life

✡️ “ A famous passage in the Talmud highlights the problem of suffering through the story of a boy who tragically dies while honoring his father and sending away a mother bird

Rabbi Yaakov resolved this paradox by explaining that divine rewards are not paid out in physical and worldly benefits, but are preserved for the spiritual eternity of the world to come”

✡️ This portion has been debated for eternity, some Rabbis, have come to opposite conclusions, and have lost their faith in Ha’shem and their beliefs in the teachings of Torah

So how can it be, when we believe in doing good through deeds and actions, we obey laws and commandments, and the moment we are hit with bad luck, illness, financial problems and tragedies, we lose our faith ?

Rabbi Yaakov explains to us “ There is no reward for commandments in this physical world” S’char mitzvah be’hai alma leika

✡️ Our physical world is fragmented, it is filled with drama, chaos, light, darkness, accidents and gravity (the boy falling from the tree)

The world was created with a mixture of good and bad, and despite any brokenness, problems, poor health, it is a world of action, where we learn to work, to build and we choose to do good by our actions

✡️ The spiritual world is different, here we are whole, and it is in this world, that our good deeds and actions are realized

✡️ The study of Torah is good for our soul and to follow the path of good, being righteous and following the ways of Ha’shem, builds credit in the world to come

✡️ Shabbat Shalom ❤️

✡️ Parashat Shoftim in Hebrew means “Judges” and is read on 15 August, from Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9

The central theme is one of justice and perfect judgement - “Justice, justice you shall pursue, so that you may live and inherit the land” (16:20)

The Revealed versus The Secret

✡️ “Shivim Panim la’Torah” is a classic rabbinic phase which interprets as - The Torah has 70 faces and applies to every single paragraph, every chapter and every single verse in the Torah

The number 70 in Torah and in Jewish tradition symbolizes: totality, completeness, wholeness with a multi-dimensional depth

✡️ Compare the Torah to a diamond, tilt the diamond, and see how each facet reflects the light and how it differs with each movement

When we read Shoftim (or any Parashat) we may look at the surface and here we read about the judges, courts, borders, rules of war, and look at this as history, versus reading it as living wisdom and how it applies when we bring our own personal human experiences into the text

✡️ In the spiritual universe, we are whole and our souls are taken care of. In the physical world we have unfulfilled desires, anxiety and uncertainties

✡️ In Deuteronomy 18:10 - 11, the Torah sets a boundary and forbids engaging in occult practices and consulting the dead to influence the physical world

✡️ “ You Shall Be Wholehearted (Tamin) with the Lord, your G-d” (18:13). Rashi explains that being Tamin means walking with Ha’shem and trusting Him, and by not investigating the future means “Whatever Ha’shem brings my way, I will accept and handle it with the tools I have”

✡️ “There are some things we know and many things we do not know and have no need to know them”

This is defined by the word, Temimut, which is the intentional choice to embrace the limits of human knowledge because you trust the One who runs the entire universe

✡️ Torah belongs to everyone, it remains the same and as we change, Torah reveals a new face to us each time

✡️ Shabbat Shalom ❤️

✡️ Parshat “Re’eh” is read on 8 August from Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17

It means to “See” and opens with Moses telling the people of Israel: “ I place before you today a blessing and a curse”

Moses tells the Israelites that the blessings will come when they fulfill Ha’shem’s commandments and the curses if they abandon them

Moses continues speaking and tells them to remember his words when they cross over into the Promised Land

✡️ In this Parashat, we learn about free choice as being the central principle, dietary laws, keeping kosher, destruction of idols, offering of sacrifices and tithes, the cancelling of debts every seven years and a designated home of study and prayer

✡️ Living a life filled with Blessings or Curses

Itkafia is an ancient word used in Chassidic philosophy and means “ subduing or forcing into submission “

We are taught that Avodah, a word which refers to ‘spiritual labor and service’ to Ha’shem; that whenever any negative thoughts, desires or temptations enter into our thinking, we are to actively fight it, and force ourselves to choose the right path in life

✡️ Jewish mysticism says that Ha’shem finds the greatest joy and comfort; not in us being perfect but how we struggle and overcome and choose a blessing rather than a curse

✡️ Avodah requires sweat and consistency in retraining our brain in transforming negative thoughts to positive thoughts and actions which builds upon our spirituality

✡️ Shabbat Shalom ❤️

Parshat Eikev is read on 1 July from Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25. Eikev means “because” or “as a consequence of”

✡️ In this portion, Moses continues addressing the Israelites and reminds them of their travels in the wilderness and the principals of the covenant made with Ha’shem. He further tells the Israelites to learn from the lessons of the wilderness, and reminds them that “Man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord”

✡️ Moses promises the Israelites material and spiritual blessings when they obey Ha’shem’s commandments and in chapter 10:12 says to them “ and now, Israel, what does G-d require of you, but to fear the Lord your G-d, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your G-d with all your heart and all your soul”

From Blessings to Responsibility

✡️ May it be your will, Ha’shem, to open my eyes to the blessings which surround me, to quiet my ego, banish the thoughts or illusion that my success is my own, and to remind me, what I have is from you alone

✡️ Help me turn my blessings into action which will care for Your world, by being aware of the environment and our consumption which have real and ethical consequences

✡️ To help the stranger as we were strangers in the wilderness, to honour your commandments and reflect light unto the nations and let our good actions serve as a moral compass to the entire world

❤️ Shabbat Shalom ❤️

✡️ This weeks Parshat: Va’etchanan is read from Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11 on 25th July, and means “and I implore you“ or “I beseeched”

From Grief to Grace

Hundreds of years earlier, Jacob, son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham fled Canaan
( the Promised Land ) to Haran, to escape the wrath of his brother Esau where he lived in exile for 20 years

Jacob returned to Canaan and lived there for another 30 years, and during this time, his son Joseph was sold into slavery. Eventually Jacob moved to Egypt when he was 130 years old and was reunited with his son Joseph. This journey turned into 400 years of exile and slavery for the Israelites, until Moses led the Israelites for 40 years across the wilderness till they reached the Plains of Moab

✡️ In this portion, we read how Moses pleaded with Ha’shem to enter the Promised Land. Moses came before Ha’shem as a beggar and pleaded with Ha’shem to allow him just a few steps into the Promised Land

✡️ In the Midrash, we read that Moses prayed 515 different, unique and separate pleas, which were based on, his past efforts, the holiness of the Promised Land and even begged to be able to enter the land as an animal or as a regular Israelite rather than as a leader

✡️ Ha’shem replied to Moses: “ it is enough for you, speak no more to me of this matter “
Moses was destroyed with grief, however in this portion, he recovers and at this point he he turns his grief into grace and love for the Israelites

✡️ Moses spoke to the Israelites telling them : “Only take heed to yourself, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen”

It was here on the Plains of Moab that Moses gave his final speeches which include the Shema and the Ten Commandments

✡️ After this Moses made his solitary climb up to Mount Pisgah where he was able to get a glimpse of the Promised Land from across the Jordan River

✡️ It was here that Moses passed away with peace in his heart and was buried by Ha’shem in an unmarked valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth - Peor, and till today no man knows the burial place of Moses

✡️ When Moses publicly addressed the Israelites, he encouraged Joshua “ Be strong and courageous, for you shall go forth with this people into the land. The Lord is the One who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you and nor forsake you. Do not fear and do not be dismayed “

✡️ We learn from this portion:
By practicing grace, and our refusal to let personal disappointments grievances and heartbreak turn into bitterness, we need to direct our energies into more conscious and meaningful ways, so that pain is not our final legacy or chapter of our live

Baruch Ha’shem
Shabbat Shalom ❤️

✡️ Parshat Devarim is read on 18 July from the book of Deuteronomy, verses 1:1 - 3:22. This is the fifth and final book of the Torah

Devarim means “Words” and in this Parshat, Moses gives his farewell speeches and final words of instructions to the Israelites before his passing

✡️ In every Parshat, there are always hidden meanings, these are found in the Talmud and in the Book of the Prophets (Nevi’im) which reveals to us what is hidden in the Torah texts

✡️ Between the verses of Devarim, we read about a history of mythology, of the prehistoric giants

Moses spoke to the Israelites about these giants who lived in fortified cities, and told them these giants were not invincible and reminded the Israelites, that with the divine intervention of Ha’shem, these giants would be defeated

✡️ Once the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land, Joshua led military campaigns against these giants and centuries later, we read in the Book of Prophets, the story of King David and Goliath

✡️ This Parshat also deals with how laws need to be implemented by the judges Moses appointed and where he detailed the ethics, judges needed to follow:

“Hear the causes between brethren”
“Hear the small as well as the great”
“You shall not be afraid of the face of any man”

✡️ Today, these laws should provide us with: absolute equality and intellectual humility in our courts and without fear or favour

Shabbat Shalom ❤️

This week on the 11 July we read ✡️ Parshat Matot - Masei, this is the final reading from the Book of Numbers: 30:2 - 36:13

✡️ Matot means “Tribes“ and focuses on the Laws and Oaths which the Israelites were to keep and promise to remain committed to these vows made to Ha’shem

By verbally committing to these Laws and Vows, the Israelites committed themselves to justice, their community and national responsibility

✡️ Masei means “Journey”. In this last portion, the Israelites moved from being wanderers in the wilderness to settlers. They recounted their 42 stops over 40 years, since escaping from Egypt

In this portion, Ha’shem gives Moses precise instructions as to the borders and boundary lines stretching from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River, and commands the total removal of all idols, and laws designed to keep the land within the families of the settlers

✡️ Matot - Masei teaches us to honour our vows and promises, which build trust and integrity in our relationships

We need to look back at our lives and our struggles, which have been the stops in our lives and how it has defined us today

Each of these 42 stops in the wilderness represent an oasis, a place where the Israelites could stop and rest

When we read Torah, we are given time to learn and to reflect upon the stops we have made in our lives

In this Parshat, we can reflect on promises kept and those unfulfilled and remember this is a journey, and any failures and successes along our path, prepare us for our destinations ahead

Shabbat Shalom ❤️

✡️ On the 4 July, we read Parshat Pinchas which is found in the Book of Numbers, read from 25:10 - 30:1; which is the 41st weekly Torah portion

There are a number of key events which occur during this time whilst the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, then known as Sh*ttin, which was located on the eastern border of the Jordan River

Laws of Inheritance

The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and were now on the plains of Moab when the laws of inheritance where permanently changed

✡️ Ha’shem commanded Moses to take a census, which excluded woman and only counted males above 20 years old and who were fit for military service

Zelophehad who had died in the wilderness, had five daughters and no sons and when the land rights were assigned exclusively to the men; his daughters petitioned Moses as they felt it was unjust under the existing rules and their family line would lose its portion of land

✡️ As Moses, himself was not able to render a judgement, he brought this matter to Ha’shem, and it was decreed that the daughter’s concern where legitimate, and they would be allocated their share in the Promised Land

“Like sheep without a shepherd”
This is read in Numbers: 27:17

Moses requested a leader who would care for the community ‘like a shepherd’ and Ha’shem told Moses that Joshua was “a man of spirit” and he had shown empathy, humility and had served Ha’shem, by accompanying Moses to Mount Sinai and his dedication to the Tabernacle

✡️ A thought for today: the daughters of Zelophehad did not riot and nor did they insult the inheritance system, they gave a logical case based upon justice and fairness

They also acted in faith with forward thinking of the future, whilst living in tents, to determine not only their lives but those that followed them

✡️ Joshua did not simply become a leader overnight, it took years of serving, dedication and learning to become a leader who could lead the Israelites finally into the Promised Land

Plan for your future, have the strength and patience to achieve all the good the world has to offer and give back to others. There are always others who have less and struggle with battles that we may never encounter

Shabbat Shalom ❤️

✡️ This week’s Parashat is read on 27 June

✡️ Parashat Balak is read from Numbers: 22:2 - 25:9. Balak means “ devastate ” or
“ to lay to waste “

The Israelites were now in the last stage of their journey in entering the Promised Land

Balak who was the king of the Moab, was frightened by what happened to the Amorites so he sent his advisors to obtain the services of Balaam, who was a great magician and a pagan prophet, living in the city of Pethor in Mesopotamia to come and curse the Israelites

Balak’s advisors pleaded with Balaam to please come and curse this people, who had reached his borders

The speaking donkey

✡️ Initially Balaam refused the request of King Balak, as Ha’shem had told him not to go. However his greed got the better of him, as he was overwhelmed with the thought and lure of great wealth and ambition

Balaam set out on his donkey and travelled to the Plains of Moab and was instructed by Balak to curse the Israelites from three specific vantage, giving Balaam a clear line of sight to make the curses more potent

Three times the donkey turned aside and three times Balaam beat his donkey. The donkey had seen the Angel of the Lord standing directly in the road and blocking the path

Ha’shem had miraculously given the donkey the ability to speak and the donkey asked Balaam why he was beating her.

Balaam repeatedly argued back to the donkey until his eyes were opened and he saw the Angel of the Lord

Why a female donkey ? Female animals are considered to be more nuturing and protective and using a female donkey was more reliable and because of the cautious nature and perception of danger, the donkey saw what Balaam could not see

✡️ Ha’shem had opened the eyes of Balaam when he saw the Angel, and he was humbled and instead of cursing the Israelites, Balaam blessed them “ How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwelling places, O Israel “

✡️ In a modern context, we know the differences between right and wrong, don’t compromise your values and kindness to look successful to others, don’t be blinded by social status and financial gain which can harm others or goes against good values

✡️ Pause before you react, don’t shout and belittle those you think are lower or easier to manipulate. Stop and think, be cautious and hold the thought that a rage of anger makes it impossible to see the bigger picture

These delays may actually be protecting you from a bigger problem you cannot see

Shabbat Shalom ❤️

✡️ This week we read Parashat Chukat, which is the 39th weekly portion and is read from Numbers 19:1 - 22:1

The key points in this Parsha opens with the laws of the Red Heifer, the passing of Miriam, Moses striking the rock rather than speaking to it, the passing of Aaron and the Bronze Serpent

✡️ Chukat means Statute or Decree. This parsha is one of the most challenging portions to understand as it is deeply paradoxical

✡️ We read in the Torah where the process of purification is described and for these purposes a “ pure red cow “ must be found and killed. The ashes of the Red Heifer are mixed with water and used to purify someone who has been defiled by a co**se

In the Talmud, the sages point out that the Red Heifer is the only ritual in the Torah which is both totally pure and totally defiling at the same time, as the pure person preparing and sprinkling the ashes becomes ritually impure in the process

✡️ In modern times today, we can view the Red Heifer as representing the paradox of “getting dirty” in order to help someone else, and mirrors that when we step in to support someone going through grief, trauma, problems and battling through life we absorb their feelings and leave feeling drained

Shabbat Shalom ❤️