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!