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.