פרשת בחקתי

Mishnah Update: PIZZA LUNCH SIYUM ON JUNE 5!!!!

Dvar Torah

“Act” like you are leaning

ויקרא כו:ג אִם־בְּחֻקֹּתַי תֵּלֵכוּ וְאֶת־מִצְוֹתַי תִּשְׁמְרוּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם:

“If you go in My ways, and My Mitzvot you will guard, and you will do them.” Vayikra 26:3)

This weeks Parsha begins by telling that if we will keep all of the Mitzvot in the Torah then Hashem will give us blessings. We will have enough rain and foods and all of our needs will be fulfilled. 

If we look at the Pasuk, however, it seems to have three words that are action words, go, guard, and do. Are these not all the same?  

Rashi states that one might think that this Pasuk it talking about keeping of Mitzvot. However, the Torah repeats itself using 3 action words to include the learning of the Torah, not just keeping its commandants. 

Why does the Torah choose to tell us about learning Torah with words of action, learning is just sitting and studying? 

If we look at the B’racha that we say each morning regarding learning Torah we will see that the word for learning is “La’Asok” meaning to be involved. Learning of the Torah is not just about sitting, reading and speaking, but it takes physical work! 

The Mishna tells us that the world is upheld by three things; learning of Torah, Davening, and acts of kindness. When we learn Torah we should view ourselves as one who is doing a job since it is helping to hold up the world.

With this in mind, how should we approach our learning? How much effort should we put into it? Should we make time when we are off to learn also???

Actively learn!!!

Shabbat Shalom! 

Parsha Questions

1) To what do the words בְּחֻקֹּתַ֖י תֵּלֵ֑כוּ (walk in My statutes) refer? (ויקרא כו:ג)

2) What is the difference between a חוק and a משפט? (ויקרא כו:ג)

3) What is the meaning of the redundancy of the  of אִם־בְּחֻקֹּתַי תֵּלֵכוּ וְאֶת־מִצְוֹתַי תִּשְׁמְרוּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם? (רש"י ויקרא כו:ג)

4) Why is this the natural consequence for observing the מצוות? (ויקרא כו:ד-יג)

5) What are the seven עברות which lead one to the other? (רש"י ויקרא כו:יד)

6) What can we see from the way that the תורה presents both the ברכות and the קללות?

7) List all of the פרשיות in ספר ויקרא

8) What is another name for ספר ויקרא? 

9) What overall message is there for us to internalize from ספר ויקרא? 

 FOOD Section!

Can you guess what this recipe connects to this week’s Parsha?

CRUST

·         1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (9 to 10 whole graham crackers, crushed)

·         1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

·         5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon (1/3 cup) melted butter

·         1/8 teaspoon salt

FILLING

·         2 cups (2 large packages) cream cheese, at room temperature

·         2 large eggs

·         2/3 cup granulated sugar

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1.    Select a pie pan whose inside top dimension is at least 9", and whose height is at least 1 1/4". Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2.    Make the crust by stirring together all of the crust ingredients, mixing until thoroughly combined.

3.    Press the crumbs into the bottom and up the sides of the pie pan, making a thicker layer on the bottom than on the sides.

4.    Make the filling by mixing together the room-temperature cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Mix in the eggs and vanilla, again mixing until smooth. To avoid beating too much air into the batter, use a mixer set at low-medium speed. To avoid lumps, make sure the cream cheese is softened, and/or at room temperature.

5.    Set the pie pan onto a baking sheet, if desired; this makes it easier to transport in and out of the oven, and also protects the bottom of the crust from any potential scorching. Pour the filling into the crust.

6.    Place the cheesecake in the oven. Bake it for 20 minutes, then add a crust shield; or shield the crust with strips of aluminum foil. Bake for an additional 10 minutes (for a total of about 30 minutes). A digital thermometer inserted into the crust 1" from the edge should read between 165°F and 170°F; the filling won't look entirely set in the center.

7.    Remove the cheesecake from the oven, and set it on a rack to cool. Once the cake is cool, refrigerate it, covered, until you're ready to serve it.

8.    Serve cheesecake in wedges, with fresh fruit if desired. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for several days; freeze for longer storage.

פרשת בהר

Dvar Torah

In this week’s Parsha, the Torah tells us: "Do not wrong your friend, and fear God, because I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 25:17)

ויקרא כה:יז-  וְלֹא תוֹנוּ אִישׁ אֶת־עֲמִיתוֹ וְיָרֵאתָ מֵאֱלֹקיךָ כִּי אֲנִי ה' אֱלֹקיכֶם:

Mitzvot can be sorted into two categories, one between man and God, and one between man and their fellow man. However, it is obvious that there is not a real difference between the two. The same One who commanded us to observe the Shabbat commanded, "Love your neighbor like yourself." (Leviticus 19:18) A person is obligated to be careful about the honor, respect, and the property of our friends because God commanded us to behave in that way, not only because it is a noble or nice way to be.

Rashi explains that the pasuk, "Do not wrong your friend, and fear God, because I am the Lord your God," is referring to the act of harming a person with words. He explains that this pasuk teaches us the laws of speech. It includes a warning not to belittle another person with words, and not to advise them to do something that is not really for their benefit. A person should not use his or her power of speech to cause pain or embarrassment to anyone. Even a word that hints at something that will cause sorrow to another person is a transgression of this prohibition.

Sometimes, it can be difficult for us to relate to harming another person with the same sense of holy awe and fear before God that is aroused when we are relating to God Himself. Lag Ba'Omer is a day commemorating the end of a tragic time in our history that unfortunately was exacerbated by the scholars of the great Rabbi Akiva seeming to struggle with the idea of positive speech and using their words to honor or respect others.

Throughout the Sefira in the Lower School, we have been working on improving our own speech. Our Lower School Chessed and Middot Committees have launched an end-of-year Lashon Tov program. Lashon Tov is the use of positive speech. This program inspires us to think before we talk and to give real compliments. We are excited for the learning and positive developments that will be the results of our students’ efforts with this program.

Shabbat Shalom!

Parsha Questions

1) Where were the בני ישראל when they were taught the מצות of שמיטה and יובל? (ויקרא כה:א)

2) Why does the תורה specify that the laws of שמיטה were taught on הר סיני? (רש"י ויקרא כה:א)

3) How often is there a שמיטה year? (ויקרא כה:ב-ד)

4) What is שמיטה? (ויקרא כה:ב-ז)

6) What lesson can we learn from the fact that the land was allowed to rest for one year?

(רש"י ויקרא כה:ב)

7) What was every fiftieth year called? (ויקרא כה:ח-יח)

8) What shall be sounded to symbolize the beginning of a יובל year? (רש"י ויקרא כה:ט)

9) How did יובל effect land ownership? (רש"י ויקרא כה:י)

10) Explain the מצוה of וְלֹא תוֹנוּ אִישׁ אֶת־עֲמִיתוֹ. (רש"י ויקרא כה:יז עיין רש"י)

 FOOD Section!

Can you guess what this recipe connects to this week’s Parsha?

7 Layer Cake! 

Ingredients
Steps to Make It
Make the Sponge Cake
Make the Cocoa Buttercream Filling
Make the Cocoa Glaze
Assemble the Cake

·         For the Sponge Cake:

·         1/2 pound butter (unsalted, softened)

·         1 cup sugar (granulated)

·         4 large eggs (lightly beaten)

·         1 1/2 cups flour (all-purpose)

·         1 pinch salt

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         For the Cocoa Buttercream Filling:

·         1/2 pound butter (unsalted, softened)

·         2 1/2 cups sugar (powdered, sifted)

·         1 large egg (pasteurized, or 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream)

·         1/3 cup cocoa powder (sifted)

·         For the Cocoa Glaze:

·         4 tablespoons butter (unsalted, melted)

·         4 tablespoons cocoa powder (sifted)

·         4 tablespoons water (hot)

·         2 cups sugar (powdered)

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Note: while there are multiple steps to this recipe, this cake recipe is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and cooking.

1.   Gather the ingredients.

2.   Heat the oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, cream 1/2 pound butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 4 eggs, then flour, salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Lightly coat the bottom of seven (8-by-4-inch) disposable aluminum loaf pans with cooking spray.

3.   Weigh the batter (remembering to subtract for the weight of the bowl). Divide that number by 7 and that's how many ounces you will need for each pan in order to create even layers.

4.      Bake for 7 minutes or until the edges are very lightly brown. Don't overbake. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of the pans and invert onto a cake rack to cool completely.

1.      Gather the ingredients.

2.      In a medium bowl, beat the 1/2 pound butter until light and fluffy. Add the 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, mixing until well incorporated, and then beat for 3 minutes.

3.      Add 1 pasteurized egg or whipping cream and beat for 2 more minutes. Stir in the 1/3 cup cocoa powder and then beat until well combined.

1.      Gather the ingredients.

2.      In a medium bowl, combine the 4 tablespoons melted butter, 4 tablespoons cocoa powder and hot water.

3.      Blend in 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.

1.      Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate and spread with 1/7 of the cocoa buttercream filling. Continue in this manner until all 7 sponge layers have been stacked. Leave the top and sides of the cake bare.

2.      Pour the cocoa glaze over the top of the cake and, using a cake spatula, spread the overflow around the sides of the cake to cover it completely. The chocolate glaze will harden, which is what you want. Chill until set.

3.      Serve thin slices of this rich cake and enjoy!

פרשת אמור

Dvar Torah

Who to care for

(ויקרא כא:א) וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל מֹשֶׁה אֱמֹר אֶל הַכֹּהֲנִים בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם לְנֶפֶשׁ לֹא יִטַּמָּא בְּעַמָּיו:

“Say to the Kohanim… and you shall say to them…” (21:1)

When the Torah begins to address the topic of purity, it begins in an awkward manner; “tell them and tell them”, two times.  The Torah, which is always so careful about every word it uses, there seems to be redundant. 

Rashi explains that this Pasuk is telling us;” so that the elders should warn the youth”.  Each person had a great responsibility to look out for and help other people. We should not think to ourselves that “if it is not me, then I don’t need to care about it,” rather, that “it is our problem”.

The Mishnah tells us “all of the Jews are responsible for each other”.  This works in both ways.  We are responsible to teach each other by way of our actions.  The same is true that we learn from other peoples behaviors.  Not every action which we see others do may be appropriate for us to do. 

Overall, the Pasuk is teaching us how important it is for us to help each other and guide each other since every problem that our friend has is ours as well.

 Shabbat Shalom!!!

Parsha Questions

1) To whom may a כהן become טמא for a מת? (ויקרא כא:א-ג)

2) In what case can a כהן not become טמא for his sister? (ויקרא כא:ג)

3) What may בני ישראל not do when mourning? (ויקרא כא:א-ה עיין רש"י)

4) Who may not marry a אלמנה (a widow)? (ויקרא כא:יד)

5) When is a כהן disqualified for doing the service in the בית המקדש? (ויקרא כא:טז-כד)

6) What does this verse, וְלֹא תְחַלְּלוּ אֶת־שֵׁם קָדְשִׁי וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲנִי ה' מְקַדִּשְׁכֶם teach us? (ויקרא כב:לב ועוד עיין ברש"י)

7) When was the קרבן פסח brought? (ויקרא כג:ח)

8) When must we eat מצה? (ויקרא כג:ו)

9) What was the קרבן עומר? (ויקרא כג:טו-כב for the next 4 questions)

10) What may not be eaten before bringing the עומר?

11) Please translate ספירה.

12) Please translate בכורים.

13) What date is ראש השנה? (ויקרא כג:כג-כה)

14) Based on these פסוקים, what specific מצוה do we have on ראש השנה? (ויקרא כג:כד)

   

15) What date is יום הכיפורים? (ויקרא כג:כז)

16) What specific מצוה do we have on יום הכיפורים? (ויקרא כג:כז)

17) What is SO unique about this מצוה? (Thinking questions)

18) What date is סוכות? (ויקרא כג:לד)

19) What specific מצות do we have on סוכות? (ויקרא כג:לג-מג)

20) מדאורייתא, how many days long is סוכות? (ויקרא כג:לד)

21) What is the main point of taking the ארבע מינים on סוכות according to the words of the תורה? (ויקרא כג:מ)

22) Based on the words of the תורה, what is the reason for living in a סוכה on סוכות?

(ויקרא כג:מג ועוד עיין ברש"י)

23) What type of oil should be used in the מהורה? (ויקרא כד:ב)

24) How long should the light of the מהורה burn? (ויקרא כד:ב)

25) How many loaves of bread were put on the שלחן? (ויקרא כד:ה)

26) When was the לחם הפנים switched for new ones? (ויקרא כד:ח)

27) What connection do the מצות of מנורה and לחם הפנים have to do to with the previous מצות of ימים טובים?

28) Who was the מקלל‘s mother? (ויקרא כד:יא)

29) What did the מקלל do wrong? (ויקרא כד:י-יב)

30) What punishment did the מקלל receive? (ויקרא כד:יד)

 FOOD Section!

Can you guess what this recipe connects to this week’s Parsha?

Challah French Toast

Ingredients

6 extra-large eggs

1 1/2 cups half-and-half or milk

1 sprinkle of ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 large loaf challah or brioche bread

Unsalted butter

Vegetable oil

To serve:

Pure maple syrup

Good raspberry preserves (optional)

Sifted confectioners' sugar (optional)

Fresh cut fruits (for garnish)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, and vanilla. Slice the challah in 3/4-inch thick slices. Soak as many slices in the egg mixture as possible for 5 minutes, turning once.

Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a very large saute pan over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Place the cooked French toast on a sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven. Fry the remaining soaked bread slices, adding butter and oil as needed until it's all cooked. Serve hot with maple syrup, raspberry preserves, and/or confectioners' sugar.