Torah Tidbit on Bo:
Moses and Aaron warned Pharoh about the next several plaugues. The plaugues of Locusts, to the death of the first born. Since the death of the first born would happen the Israliets would have to sacrifice a lamb. They would then have to take the lamb's blood and smear it around their door posts. This was to make sure their first borns would not die. When the first borns dies Pharoh told them to leave. When they left G-d ordered them to ask the Egyptians for their gold and silver. This portion remids me of the song "Who Says you can't go home" by Bon Jovi because Pharoh would continusly tell the Israliets they can not go "home". When he finally did it was after many punishments. Also when I think of this portion I think of being punished for something I did wrong. When I finally figure out what I did then the punishment seems to go aways.
Torah Tidbit on Shemot:
This portion is the start of the story of Moses. It begins with saying how Jacob's sons' had fruitful families, and that Pharaoh was getting scared of them, so he enslaved them. Eventually, Pharaoh got scared of how many Jews there were, so he ordered that all baby boys be thrown into the river. Moses's mother decided to save her son by putting him into a basket and floating him down the river. Pharaoh's daughter "drew" him from the river and raised him in the palace, as an Egyptian. When he was older he killed an Egyptian for assaulting a Jew and then chose to run away. This portion consists of the famous story of the burning bush. While Moses is herding sheep, God appears to him through a burning bush "that was not consumed." God tells him that Moses is going to go and lead B'nei Yisrael out of Egypt and out of slavery. Moses returns to Egypt and meets his brother Aaron, for the first time, and together the two go to request to Pharaoh to let the Jews leave Egypt. Thus, the beginning of the struggle of the Exodus begins...
Torah Tidbit Vayishlach:
Shabbat Vayishlach is about the end of my favorite story. Jacob decides to return to Cannaan, but is fearful about what is brother will do. Aren't we all after a huge fight with our brothers. Jacob wants to make peace but he is not sure Essau wants to. During the night Jacob wrestles with what some believe to be G-d, others an Angle, and some others belive it was himself. When daybreak happened Jacob's name was then and forever changed to Israel (JUST LIKE OUR HOMELAND)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When Jacob and Essau meet they are so happy that they start crying in an embracing hug. A little while after this Jacob's daughter Dinah is kidnapped by a prince of Shechem. Shimon and Levi destroy that city to liberate their sister. At the end of the portion Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin.
D'var on Sukkot:
"Reach for the Sky." This quote from Woody from Toy Story reminds me of Sukkot because you are supposed to look up out of your sukkah and see the stars in the sky. When I can see the stars in the sky I always want to reach up and touch them. If you look up now you should be able to see a few stars. When I think of stars I think of a few different thing. They are Sukkot, Nights at Encampment, Night at Crater Lake national park, and Night at the Bedouin tents. All of these different places and holiday have a unique experience to them. I personally love looking at stars and just dreaming of being close enough to hold one.
Looking through the roof of the sukkah every night is my favorite part of this holiday. It is the most peaceful place I find all year. What is your most peaceful spot to go to too think? There are several reasons to have a roof you can see through to the stars. My favorite one though is that if we have a closed roof then we are not trying to connect with G-d.
Lecha Dodi by the Maccabeats.mp3
