Adonai is so good to His People! As a few of you already know, I've been a part of the design team at Beth Israel for nearly a year now, as we've been building our new synagogue. From the layout of rooms and traffic flows, to the most detailed interior touches and all manner of aesthetic decisions, to our breathtaking new sanctuary - I've been honored to work with some of the most talented and hard-working people I've ever known - and right alongside my beloved, and visionary, Rebbitzin. It has been, understandably, a very challenging process, but the end result, as with most challenges, is well worth the effort. Exceedingly so! I can't even articulate the joy I'm feeling right now.
I just wanted to share an update (and a small explanation for my absence) with you, as well as give thanks to HaShem for blessing us in so many unimaginable ways. We're finally (completely) finished, and just recently moved in (this week). In fact, our very first services in the new building will be tomorrow and Shabbat. How fitting that the portion for this week is Terumah! Our G-d is astounding in every way - and He will move heaven and earth to dwell among His People!
"And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." ~ Exodus 25:8
Showing posts with label Exodus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exodus. Show all posts
2.23.2012
9.20.2011
Face to face
The Malakh of HaShem found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And He said, "Hagar, maid of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?" She said, "I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai." The Malakh of HaShem said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit to her." The Malakh of HaShem also said to her, "I will so greatly multiply your descendants that they cannot be numbered for multitude." And the Malakh of HaShem said to her, "Behold, you are with child, and shall bear a son; you shall call his name Ishmael; because HaShem has given heed to your affliction. He shall be a wild ass of a man, his hand against every man and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen." So she called the name of HaShem who spoke to her, "You are El who sees me"; for she said, "Have I really seen G-d and remained alive after seeing Him?" – Genesis 16:7-13
Then Yakov was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when he saw that he did not prevail against Him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Yakov's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, "Let me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let you go unless You bless me!" So He said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Yakov." And He said, "your name will no longer be called Yakov, but Yisrael; for you struggled with G-d and with men, and have prevailed." Then Yakov asked Him, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. And Yacov called the name of the place Peniel (Face of G-d): "For I have seen G-d face to face, and my life is preserved." - Genesis 32:24-30
Then Yakov was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when he saw that he did not prevail against Him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Yakov's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, "Let me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let you go unless You bless me!" So He said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Yakov." And He said, "your name will no longer be called Yakov, but Yisrael; for you struggled with G-d and with men, and have prevailed." Then Yakov asked Him, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. And Yacov called the name of the place Peniel (Face of G-d): "For I have seen G-d face to face, and my life is preserved." - Genesis 32:24-30
6.24.2011
Mishkan Among Us
"Seeing in his spirit of prophecy that the time would come when the משכן, 'Mishkan' (the Sanctuary) would cease to exist and the Shekinah would dwell no more in Israel's midst, Moses was anxious to know by what means the sins of his people would then be expiated. The Almighty vouchsafed the information that He would choose a righteous man from their midst, and make him a משכן (pledge) for them, and through him their sins would be forgiven." - Exodus Rabba 35
6.16.2011
A Prophet like Moshe
"The L-RD your G-d will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you,
from your brothers – it is to him you shall listen." ~ Deuteronomy 18:15
The only verse in Torah where Moshe refers to himself as a prophet has long intrigued many. It's an interesting verse, to be sure. Islam, for example, claims it as a prophecy of their "prophet", Muhammad - though it clearly says that this coming prophet will be from Yisrael. We're only able to glean a few things from this passage. This coming prophet will be Hebrew, he'll be "like" Moshe, and we should listen to him, apparently. That doesn't tell us very much. Or does it? Let's take a look at a few of the characteristics that set the life of Moshe apart.
A quick overview of Moshe's life reveals that he was, in fact, a Hebrew (Exodus 2:1) and was sent by G-d to redeem Yisrael (Exodus 3:10). That, already, is a pretty tough act to follow. He was born to faithful Jewish parents while they were under foreign rule (Exodus 1:8). While he was an infant, his life was threatened by an evil king (Exodus 1:16) and, because of this, he was supernaturally protected by G-d in Mitzrayim (Exodus 2:10). Later, as an adult, Moshe turned down power and the opportunity to rule an earthly kingdom (Exodus 2:15). Instead, he chose to remain a humble servant of G-d (Numbers 12:3) and became a shepherd (Exodus 3:1). He was rejected (at first) by his own people (Exodus 2:14 & 32:1), but later accepted by Gentiles (Exodus 2:21). He was a teacher (Deuteronomy 4:1) who revealed the name of G-d, but was criticized by his own family (Numbers 12:1). Moshe performed miracles and gave people bread from Heaven (Exodus 16:12), but at one point, he, himself fasted forty days in the wilderness (Exodus 34:28). He bravely offered his own life to G-d for the remission of the sins of Yisrael (Exodus 32:32) and he was a mediator between man and G-d in a covenant of blood (Exodus 24:8). His face shone with the glory of Heaven (Exodus 34:35) and He saw G-d face to face, unlike the other prophets (Numbers 12:8). Moshe sent 12 spies into the land (Numbers 13:3) and later appointed 70 elders (Numbers 11:16). Moshe lifted a serpent in the wilderness to bring G-d's healing to the people (Numbers 21:9). Because of his obedience, the Torah was given 50 days after Pesach. Strangely, there were 400 years of silence before G-d sent Moshe to redeem his people. Moshe conquered the Amalekites, the greatest enemy of Yisrael, by raising his arms, which held a piece of wood, over his head (Exodus 17:11).
Even for an overview, that's quite a list of unusual and incredible attributes for one man's life. How could anyone possibly be like Moshe? I mean, one could try to be like him, but how could they control what happened to them as an infant, or arrange such amazing interactions with G-d Almighty? Most of us would be doing something spectacular if we could achieve any of these things, besides being "criticized by our family". Was there ever a person with a life even close to that of Moshe?
from your brothers – it is to him you shall listen." ~ Deuteronomy 18:15
The only verse in Torah where Moshe refers to himself as a prophet has long intrigued many. It's an interesting verse, to be sure. Islam, for example, claims it as a prophecy of their "prophet", Muhammad - though it clearly says that this coming prophet will be from Yisrael. We're only able to glean a few things from this passage. This coming prophet will be Hebrew, he'll be "like" Moshe, and we should listen to him, apparently. That doesn't tell us very much. Or does it? Let's take a look at a few of the characteristics that set the life of Moshe apart.
A quick overview of Moshe's life reveals that he was, in fact, a Hebrew (Exodus 2:1) and was sent by G-d to redeem Yisrael (Exodus 3:10). That, already, is a pretty tough act to follow. He was born to faithful Jewish parents while they were under foreign rule (Exodus 1:8). While he was an infant, his life was threatened by an evil king (Exodus 1:16) and, because of this, he was supernaturally protected by G-d in Mitzrayim (Exodus 2:10). Later, as an adult, Moshe turned down power and the opportunity to rule an earthly kingdom (Exodus 2:15). Instead, he chose to remain a humble servant of G-d (Numbers 12:3) and became a shepherd (Exodus 3:1). He was rejected (at first) by his own people (Exodus 2:14 & 32:1), but later accepted by Gentiles (Exodus 2:21). He was a teacher (Deuteronomy 4:1) who revealed the name of G-d, but was criticized by his own family (Numbers 12:1). Moshe performed miracles and gave people bread from Heaven (Exodus 16:12), but at one point, he, himself fasted forty days in the wilderness (Exodus 34:28). He bravely offered his own life to G-d for the remission of the sins of Yisrael (Exodus 32:32) and he was a mediator between man and G-d in a covenant of blood (Exodus 24:8). His face shone with the glory of Heaven (Exodus 34:35) and He saw G-d face to face, unlike the other prophets (Numbers 12:8). Moshe sent 12 spies into the land (Numbers 13:3) and later appointed 70 elders (Numbers 11:16). Moshe lifted a serpent in the wilderness to bring G-d's healing to the people (Numbers 21:9). Because of his obedience, the Torah was given 50 days after Pesach. Strangely, there were 400 years of silence before G-d sent Moshe to redeem his people. Moshe conquered the Amalekites, the greatest enemy of Yisrael, by raising his arms, which held a piece of wood, over his head (Exodus 17:11).
Even for an overview, that's quite a list of unusual and incredible attributes for one man's life. How could anyone possibly be like Moshe? I mean, one could try to be like him, but how could they control what happened to them as an infant, or arrange such amazing interactions with G-d Almighty? Most of us would be doing something spectacular if we could achieve any of these things, besides being "criticized by our family". Was there ever a person with a life even close to that of Moshe?
6.08.2011
6.06.2011
The Approach
We have traveled so very far in darkness, but now we discern Your dwelling place before us. We humbly approach Your glorious mountain, as You lovingly approach our ravished hearts. We have come from the cold and barren lands to the green of Har Sinai and the warmth of Your living fire. Our legs thrashed, our feet broken, but hope in You fills our minds, our hearts, our eyes. As You extend Your Arm to give, we extend ours to receive. Through valley and over precipice, the journey has rendered us breathless - fill us with your Ruach. Your breath. Your Spirit, L-RD. Renew us in Your Light.
5.24.2011
Ha Achor
In the previous post, Ha Ayin ("the eye"), we looked at a few of the amazing events in the lives of Avraham and Yakov. These were life-changing (and name changing) encounters with G-d. As we've seen, the text is clear that these instances are not like Enoch "walking" with G-d, Adam hearing the "voice of G-d walking", or G-d appearing as a pillar of cloud. Rather these are physical, tangible manifestations of Adonai where He ate, spoke plainly, and even wrestled - all without smoke, fire, lightning, sounds of rushing water, or wheels within wheels - as everyday as hanging out with the Creator of time-space can be. We, therefore, have every reason to believe that G-d is able to manifest Himself any way that he likes and, in times past, on multiple occasions, He chose to appear in bodily form. But don't take my word for it.
In today's post, Ha Achor ("the back"), we'll explore a few passages from the incredible life of Moshe. G-d seems to have genuinely enjoyed astounding Moshe with His amazing power. The miracles G-d wrought before Moshe's eyes are well-worn territory and fairly common knowledge, even among non-believers. But, with all that is commonly known and has been discussed for centuries concerning Moshe's life, it's surprising to still hear claims that G-d is completely incorporeal. As we'll see, this couldn't be further from the truth.
In today's post, Ha Achor ("the back"), we'll explore a few passages from the incredible life of Moshe. G-d seems to have genuinely enjoyed astounding Moshe with His amazing power. The miracles G-d wrought before Moshe's eyes are well-worn territory and fairly common knowledge, even among non-believers. But, with all that is commonly known and has been discussed for centuries concerning Moshe's life, it's surprising to still hear claims that G-d is completely incorporeal. As we'll see, this couldn't be further from the truth.
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