Friday, May 4, 2012

The Temple Institute: I Shall be Sanctified

Can we do תפילות prayers for:

The Temple Institute?

So that through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

"I shall be sanctified amidst the children of Israel."
(Leviticus 22:32)
Iyar 11, 5772/May 3, 2012
Twenty seventh day of the Omer

Do you remember how the book of Leviticus opened? "And He called to Moses..."(Leviticus 1:1) We are not told who "He" is until the second half of the verse, "...and HaShem spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting... " (ibid) The great sage Rashi notes the unusual Hebrew wording in the verse, in which the word "called" is used instead of the standard "spoke" which Torah commonly employs when G-d is speaking to Moshe. Rashiunderstood this unique phrasing as suggesting that G-d spoke in a voice that only Moshe, and no one else, could hear. These few words create an atmosphere of intimacy which remains throughout the entire book and best describes the unique quality of Leviticus. G-d is relating to His people that in addition to His other expectations, (but not in their stead), He seeks a more intimate correspondence with Israel, via the Tabernacle, (and later Temple), service of the offerings. This, for G-d, constitutes the "sweet savor" of His relationship with Israel - His delight in Israel's devotion.

In this light we understand that Leviticus, the third of the five books of the Pentateuch, is truly the heart of the Torah, not merely by virtue of it's chronological placement in the center of the five books, but by its very nature. It is an intimate missive of love, spoken by G-d and delivered to His people. And so it is throughout the book of Leviticus. When addressing or describing the offerings, (in Hebrew korbanot, from the word to come near, again suggesting intimacy), the Torah always invokes the four letter ineffable name of G-d, which is associated with His attribute of chesed - loving kindness. Concerning the one tragedy which occurs in the book, the death of Aharon's sons, Nadav and Avihu, theZohar teaches that their error was in attempting to serve G-d solely from the aspect of love, to the exclusion of fear, (awe). For as we know, even in the most intimate and pure of relationships, borders exist and rules must be obeyed. How natural that in their youthful enthusiasm, the two boys would fall victims to their own ardent desire to serveG-d. Indeed, the rules and regulations and ritual which make up the book of Leviticus are nothing less than an elaborate choreography of love and holiness between G-d and Israel.

The intimate dialogue continues throughout Leviticus, but it is in this week's parasha, Emor, that the description of the offerings comes to a close. Two weekly Torah readings shy of the conclusion of Leviticus, why is the book's most intimate tone so abruptly diminished?

"And the son of the Israelite woman pronounced the [Divine] Name and cursed." (ibid 24:11) It seems that an argument broke out and one of the protagonists blasphemed G-d's name, thus breaking the spell. And what was the disagreement over? Midrash teaches us that the blasphemer ridiculed the service of the showbread, which had just been described in the verses proceeding this incident. He opined that the showbread which was placed on the golden table in the Sanctuary would grow stale before G-d. His cynical words were no less than an indictment and betrayal of the very intimacy that G-d sought with Israel. He in effect spurned G-d's love and his words shattered the sanctified reverie of Leviticus. There are still many important messages that G-d wants to impart to Israel before Leviticus' conclusion, but the intense intimacy that has characterized the book up till now, is gone.

Some people believe that "the G-d of the Old Testament" is an angry vengeful G-d. How wrong they are! The G-d of Israel is a G-d of boundless love for His creation and for His people. It is never G-d that breaks off or draws back from His people, but it is His people who err and in doing so damage the fabric of their sacred relationship. G-d brought Israel near to Him at Sinai, and Israel stumbled with the golden calf. But despite G-d's "anger" the covenant was not broken and soon G-d was creating for Israel new opportunities for intimacy. This is a pattern that repeats itself throughout our history. G-d is G-d and His love for us is undisturbed and eternal. We are human, and like all human beings involved in real relationships, we make mistakes. Ultimately, when we weather the storm and repair the breech, our love is the stronger for it.

What inspired the blasphemer in this week's reading to utter his contemptuous words? His words have no basis in truth. Where did they come from? Perhaps he was suffering from an intimacy anxiety. Modern psychology has discovered that certain people may be irrationally fearful of an intimate relationship. When confronted with the potential for intimacy they will, knowingly or unknowingly, pull back or lash out against the perceived threat of intimacy. Could it be that this is the source of modern man's dismissal of and scorn for the Holy Temple service of the offerings? For sure, skeptics and critics will call the offerings "primitive" and "cruel" and many other things. But maybe their words are hiding a deep inner fear that even they do not understand? Deep within the heart of all mankind is a longing for a direct and intimate relationship with G-d. Yet the very thing that G-d prescribes to fulfill this longing, man, in his fear, rejects. Could it be that there are even those among us who are so conflicted that they both pray for the renewal of the Divine service and yet back away from being part of the historical process which is taking place today, leading to the renewal of the Divine service?

The rebirth of Israel, the ingathering of the exiles, the liberation of Jerusalem, these are all undeniable signs that, contrary to the claims of rival suitors, the love between G-dand Israel has never dimmed. To the contrary, our courtship has been renewed, as G-d, through His prophets, always said it would. With the rebuilding of the Holy Temple and the renewal of the Divine service, our relationship with G-d will rekindle the intimacy described in the book of Leviticus. Intimidating? Yes, of course - all true love is! But we mustn't shy away from G-d's love. After all, His true love makes the world go 'round. And His true love is why He placed us in the world, and has commanded us to build a Sanctuary so that He can dwell among us.

Tune in to this week's Temple Talk, as Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven ponder the tale of the blasphemer and the showbread, and wax enthusiastically over Pesach Sheni and defeating the confusion and doubt of Amalek. Who believes in second chances? Evidently, Hashem does! That's why He applauded the initiative of those individuals from the Children of Israel who could not bring the Passover offering on its appointed date, and established the "minor" festival of the Second Passover, which comes out this year this Sunday, May 6th. Those people just wouldn't be denied the opportunity of proving their mettle and coming close to G-d, which is exactly how we feel about the State of Israel! However, as in this week's Torah portion of Emor, there will always be those who blaspheme, and doubt that G-d even cares about this world - the worst blasphemy of all.

The 3rd Annual Temple Mount Awareness Day Happening: Part 3: Yisrael Medad, Temple Mount activist and media expert discusses the current role of the mass media concerning the struggle for religious freedom on the Temple Mount, and what can be done to effect a change for the good. With Lorelai Lehrer and Yitzchak Reuven. Click here to view.

Part 2, featuring Rabbi Nachman Kahana, beloved and highly esteemed Kohen, Torah scholar and author, (Jewish Leadership), Faction, is also available. Click hereto view.

Part 1, featuring Moshe Feiglin, head of the Likud's Manhigut Yehudit, (Jewish Leadership), Faction, is also available. Click here to view.

This week's all-new Return of Prophecy teaching by Rabbi Avraham Sutton, is entitled, "Chapter 23: Finite People in a Divine World: Space and time are set to open their gates and allow a direct interface between man and heaven. The Torah narrative of Moses shows us how this is possible." Click here to view.

Spending time with G-d in space, and sharing space withG-d in time. The Tabernacle is the appointed place and the three pilgrimage festivals the appointed times whichG-d has commanded us, and by which we can walk through life with G-d. Click here to view Rabbi Richman's teaching on parashat Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23).

Planning a trip to Israel? Make sure to include the Temple Institute's Jerusalem Exhibition in your itinerary. Click here to see a short video introduction!

Counting The Omer: Some Classics From The Vault!We just can't say enough about the counting of theOmer, its source in the service of the Holy Temple, and its transformative effect on us today. Without further ado, here are three of our classic video treatments ofSefirat Ha'Omer - the Counting of the Omer:

Up For The Count! Every day counts, if we count every day! The seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot provide for us ideal time for introspection and spiritual progress. Reflect upon your own soul and burnish your Divine image.

Hanging In The Balance: The great illumination of 'instant' freedom that we experience on the Seder night so often seems to pass us by. Slaves yesterday, free men today, we simply haven't the vessels to be able to absorb the great chesed - loving kindness - and enlightenment that G-d had blessed us with. For this we have Sefirat HaOmer – the counting of the days of the Omer, that prepares us gradually for the great re-illumination of G-d's light - receiving Torah on Mount Sinai.

Sefirat Ha'omer - Count For Yourselves! Forty-nine days that can change your world: The forty-nine days between Passover and Shavuot, (between leaving Egypt and receiving Torah at Sinai), are days laden with awesome spiritual potential. The opportunity for growth is ours for the taking. We must count our days and make our days count! The Temple Institute celebrates the 49 days.