118.3.13
Ahava
v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
Shalom. Namaste.
Sama. Pax. Salaam.
Peace. Sat Nam. Solh.
Kwey.
This
week’s Torah Parshah is Toldot. The past
week’s ration is 1:5:0:2+; 1 removal
request, 5 additions, 0 failure deliveries, and 2 emails with positive feedback
(plus numerous positive comments communicated in person).
The
answers to Chayay Sarah are also included with this correspondence.
Shabat
Shalom.
Ahava
v’Shalom,
Peter
--
(Notes
for 118.3.20)
“feminine” typo (laugh out loud)
Potential correction regarding the
telling of the story of meeting between Eliezer and Rivkah
--
Ahava
v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
Shalom. Namaste.
Sama. Pax. Salaam.
Peace. Sat Nam. Solh.
Kwey.
This
week’s Torah Parshah is Vayetze, sharing the striving of Yaakov whilst labouring
within Laban’s house.
Admittedly,
I spend little time proofreading this material before sending it to you. And I notice in the previous week’s
correspondence, I provide an inadvertent, and somewhat humourous, inaccuracy; within Question 3 in the Torah Trivia for
Parshah Toldot, I write: “Where does
Yitzak go when the feminine returns?”
That should read: “famine.” That may be a typo, an autocorrect, or
Freudian or a combination of any of these and additionally. Does anyone else laugh out loud a little J.
This
week’s ratio is: 0:0:0:2+; 0 removal requests, 0 delivery failure
notices, 0 additions, and 2 positive responses with additional positive
responses communicated in person.
The
answers to the Torah Trivia for Parshah Toldot are included with this
correspondence, as well.
Shabbat
Shalom.
Ahava
v’Shalom,
Peter
--
Taking
leap into the “brave new world” from bcc:
to cc: or to:
--
Ahava
v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
Shalom. Namaste.
Sama. Pax. Salaam.
Peace. Sat Nam. Solh.
Kwey.
This
week’s Torah Parshah is Vayishlach, sharing the reconciliation between Yaakov
(Yisrael) and Esau.
The
answer’s for Parshah Vayetze are also included with this email. This week’s correspondence should be
forwarded somewhat earlier than a week ago;
and I am still working on the red eyes J.
Also,
anyone who is interested in taking the courageous leap from “bcc:” to the realm of “cc:” or “to:”, you are welcome to let me know,
directly.
I
thank you for your positive comments and responses. Your continuing feedback is welcome.
Shabbat
Shalom.
Ahava
v’Shalom,
Peter
--
((Comments; Separate attachment/list serv)))
--
Ahava
v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום. नमस्ते.
สมาธิ. Pax. سلم. Peace. Sat Nam. صلح.
Kwey. Paz. Paix. Fred. Siochana. 和平.
мир . Frieden. 평화. 平和. Vrede. Amani. Aloha.
This
week’s Torah Parshah is Vayeishev, describing Yosef’s proclivity amidst dreams,
the sibling rivalry amongst the sons of Israel, and the respective progressions
of Yudah and Yosef, in different lands.
The
responses for the trivia questions for Parshah Vayishlach are also included
within this correspondence.
There
is also the consideration of providing a mechanism for people to share any
additional comments, corrections, and/or explanations of the content that is
provided through this Torah Trivia. Does
anyone have any suggestions?
Shabbat
Shalom.
Ahava
v’Shalom,
Peter
--
Ahava
v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום. नमस्ते.
สมาธิ. Pax. سلم. Peace. Sat Nam. صلح.
Kwey. Amani. Paz. Paix. Fred. Frieden. Vrede. Siochana. мир . 和平.
平和. 평화. Aloha.
This
week’s Parshah is Miketz, an unraveling of deceit, deception, and confusion
amidst the reunion of 12 brothers. The
answer’s to the previous week’s Parshah, Vayeishev, are also included within
this correspondence.
Just
FYI, the words and characters list above are all essentially salutations of,
“Peace and Wellbeing,” respectively from different languages, including (from
left to right): Hebrew, Hindi, Thai,
Latin, Arabic, English, Punjabi, Persian, Algonquin, Swahili, Espanol,
Francais, Dansk and Svensk, Deutsch, Dutch, Irish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese,
Korean, Hawai’i. Suggestions for
additions are welcome.
Shabbat
Shalom.
Ahava
v’Shalom,
Peter
--
Ahava
v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום. नमस्ते.
สมาธิ. Pax. سلم. Peace. Sat Nam. صلح.
Kwey. Amani. Paz. Paix. Fred. Frieden. Vrede. Siochana. мир . 和平.
平和. 평화. Aloha.
This
week’s Parshah is Vayigash, sharing another reunion and reconciliation between
brothers; this time between Yosef and
his 10 brothers and Benyamin, as well as the reunion between Yosef and
Yaakov. I admittedly experience some
difficulty in discerning the actual census tally of Israel’s descendants,
included within this Parshah; the
evidence of which may be found within the 8th and 9th
discussion questions. And the discussion
questions, overall, seem to be rather involved this week (if you are awake and
inclined to proceed through that point J).
The
answers for the previous week’s Parshah, Miketz, are also included within this
correspondence.
Shabbat
Shalom.
Ahava
v’Shalom,
Peter
--
Ahava
v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום. नमस्ते.
สมาธิ. Pax. سلم. Peace. Sat Nam. صلح.
Kwey. Amani. Paz. Paix. Fred. Frieden. Vrede. Siochana. мир . 和平.
平和. 평화. Aloha.
This week’s Parshah is Vayechi, the final Parshah of Bereshit, where
Israel confers his blessings upon his “14” sons. The answers for the previous week’s Parshah,
Vayigash, are also included within this correspondence.
Whilst I am rather carefully in preparing these Torah Trivia sessions,
and whilst I strive to be accurate and only reference information that is
explicit within the modest knowledge, wisdom, and materials I have available, I
admittedly spend only a certain amount of hours putting this together each
week, I am substantially relying upon English translations, and I am actually
imperfect. I also abstain from
substantially editing and double-checking the information after the initial,
careful rendering. So, all of that is
communicated to welcome anyone to provide any additional corrections and/or
insight regarding the information that is conveyed within these Torah Trivia
sessions.
I thank you for consideration and for your continuing patience and
generosity in abstaining from requesting to be removed from this list serv J.
Shabbat Shalom.
Ahava v’Shalom,
Peter
--
Ahava v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום. नमस्ते.
สมาธิ. Pax. سلم. Peace. Sat Nam. صلح.
Kwey. Amani. Paz. Paix. Fred. Frieden. Vrede. Siochana. мир . 和平.
平和. 평화. Aloha.
This week’s Torah Parshah is Shemot:
fast forwarding a few hundred years, the children of Israel become
enslaved to the Egyptians, and Moshe is sent, along with Aaron, to demand
liberation from Pharaoh.
The answers to the previous week’s Parshah, Vayechi, are also included
with this correspondence.
Shabbat Shalom.
Ahava v’Shalom,
Peter
--
Ahava v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום. नमस्ते.
สมาธิ. Pax. سلم. Peace. Sat Nam. صلح.
Kwey. Amani. Paz. Paix. Fred. Frieden. Vrede. Siochana. мир . 和平.
平和. 평화. Aloha.
This week’s Parshah is Vaeira, delving into the saga between Moshe and
Pharaoh, Israel and Egypt, and beginning the plagues upon Egypt.
The Torah Trivia questions for this week’s Parshah are included with
this email correspondence, as are the answers to the previous week’s Torah
Trivia questions for Parshah Shemot.
Shabbat Shalom.
Ahava v’Shalom,
Peter
--
Ahava v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום. नमस्ते.
สมาธิ. Pax. سلم. Peace. Sat Nam. صلح.
Kwey. Amani. Paz. Paix. Fred. Frieden. Vrede. Siochana. мир . 和平.
平和. 평화. Aloha.
This week’s Torah Parshah is Bo, and the Israelites are “moving on up”
out of Egypt (and yes, that is 4 prepositions in a row, amidst a “Jefferson’s”
reference J). Within this
Parshah, there is the description of the concluding plagues/afflictions against
Egypt, and the commands for festival of Pesach with the matzah and the Pesach
lamb.
In addition to the Torah Trivia questions for this week’s Parshah, the
Torah Trivia answers for Parshah Vaeira are also included within this
correspondence.
Shabbat Shalom.
Ahava v’Shalom,
Peter
--
Ahava v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום. नमस्ते.
สมาธิ. Pax. سلم. Peace. Sat Nam. صلح.
Kwey. Amani. Paz. Paix. Fred. Frieden. Vrede. Siochana. мир . 和平.
平和. 평화. Aloha.
It is good to see so many Shabbat faces during an ordinary weekday,
earlier this evening. May we find
continuing occasions to directly build with each other during special and
ordinary occasions.
This week’s Parshah is Beshalach, filled with marching, camping,
complaining, singing, dancing, and maggots J. Our ancestors are delivered from Egypt and
into the wilderness, and some begin to question the amenities of such. And of course, there is the famous/infamous
splitting of the Reed Sea. Here is a
“featured trivia question” for this week’s Parshah: what part of the day is the Reed Sea parted,
and what part of the day is it closed upon Pharaoh and his army?
In addition to this innovative and spontaneous dynamic of the “featured
trivia question,” there is another adaptation with this week’s Torah
Trivia: I am including the answers to
this week’s Torah Trivia questions within this correspondence (rather than
keeping the answers concealed until next week).
The thought is that having the answers may “spark” some additional
interest in this week’s Parshah, and people may even have some talking points
to share with others throughout the remainder of the week, and during Shabbat.
I am also including a “Questions Only” version for those who prefer the
challenge. The answers to the previous
week’s Torah Trivia, for Parshah Bo, are also included.
I can also provide that B’nai Jeshurun, here in Pepper Pike, Ohio,
recently begins a weekly “Lunch and Learn” Talmud study session, every Thursday
at Noon EST (the next one being about 12 hours from now), in Beachwood, at Commerce
Park, Building #4, Room 130 (and people are invited to BYO Lunch). Also, Susan Wyner convenes a weekly Torah
study session, at B’nai Jeshurun, on Tuesday mornings at 10:30EST. Yaakov Zalman Labinsky also offers a weekly
class, focusing on Perkei Avot, on Monday evenings at 20:00EST, at the Heights
Jewish Centre Synagogue, in University Heights, within his programme of www.becomingdivine.com.
And in that consideration of weekly studies and the Torah Parshah, some
additional weekly study resources include:
USCJ Torah Sparks: http://www.uscj.org/JewishLivingandLearning/WeeklyParashah/TorahSparks/Archive/Default.aspx.
Shabbat
Shalom.
Ahava v’Shalom,
Peter
--
Ahava v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום. नमस्ते.
สมาธิ. Pax. سلم. Peace. Sat Nam. صلح.
Kwey. Amani. Paz. Paix. Fred. Frieden. Vrede. Siochana. мир . 和平.
平和. 평화. Aloha.
This week’s Parshah is “Yitro,” famous, of course, for the sharing of
the name of Moshe’s second son. J
In addition to this, there is:
the reunion between Moshe and Yitro and the rest of Moshe’s family,
Yitro’s leadership advice to Moshe, and the conveyance of the “10
Commandments.” And that is the featured
Torah Trivia question for this week’s Parshah:
What are the “10 Commandments”?
And actually, during the initial preparation of writing this week’s
Torah Trivia, I have the pleasure of seeing our friends David and Rona Shapiro,
walking by the Phoenix coffeehouse on Lee Road, in Cleveland Heights.
This week’s question include what may be considered as an increased
amount of humour, and the communication of your criticisms or concerns
regarding such is welcome.
Again, the answers to this week’s Torah Trivia questions are also
included within this correspondence, and the discussion questions are listed at
the end.
Your continuing questions, concerns, criticisms, and ‘couragement are
appreciated.
Shabbat Shalom.
Ahava v’Shalom,
Peter
--
Ahava v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธิ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
This
week’s Parshah is “Mishpatim,” delving further into the mitzvot provided for
the children of Israel, including:
servitude, the “ger,” chesed, and lifting the burden of the enemy’s
cattle.
This
week’s Torah Trivia questions involve an additional amount of coordination, and
seem to include an increased amount of cynicism; however, there is also the inclusion of
Hebrew within this week’s questions. The
featured trivia question for this week is:
on how many occasions is the death penalty effectively prescribed within
Parshah Mishpatim, and what are the offences for which it is prescribed?
And
again, the answers for this week’s Torah Trivia questions are also included
within this correspondence. And further
explanations and suggestions are welcome.
Shabbat
Shalom.
Ahava
v’Shalom,
Peter
--
Love and Peace, Family and Friends.
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธิ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
This week's Parshah is "Terumah," where Moshe
receives instruction, from Adonai, regarding the construction of the Ark,
Tabernacle, Tent, and additional items.
Admittedly, I have yet to wrap my head around the
descriptions for the Tabernacle (and this can be evidenced within the
ambiguity, approximations, and redundancy within some of this week Torah Trivia
questions and answers); yet this week's
study does significantly helps.
Illustrations of the Mishkan, without measurements (provided from
Wikipedia), are also included within this correspondence.
The featured Torah Trivia question for this week is: "Within Parshah Terumah, how many
'prominent' items are commanded to be constructed?" And a bonus question (the answer to which I admittedly
have yet to calculate) is: "How
many total items (including planks, sockets, ring holders, and additionally)
are commanded to be constructed, within Parshah Terumah?"
The Hebrew word for this week is: “אמה,” “Ammah”; which means cubit (a measure of length). And another bonus Torah Trivia question for
this week is: “Where, in the Torah, is
the word, ‘אמה,’ first included?” The answer is: “Noach,” Shemot 6:15.
Again, additional Torah study resources include:
USCJ Torah Sparks: http://www.uscj.org/JewishLivingandLearning/WeeklyParashah/TorahSparks/Archive/Default.aspx.
I thank you for your encouraging words; it means very much to me. And, as always, your corrections,
explanations, criticisms, questions, and additional considerations are welcome.
Shabbat Shalom.
Ahava v'Shalom,
Peter
--
Ahava v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
This week’s Torah Parshah is “Tetzaveh,” where Aaron and his sons are
ordained, and receive some “new threads.”
The Hebrew term for this week is:
“ליהוה קדש,”
“Kadosh l’YHWH,” “Holy to God;” and this
week’s feature Torah Trivia question is (paraphrasing): “what are the general items included within
the Holy garments of Aaron and the Holy garments of Aaron’s sons?”
I am actually
experiencing some challenges with the Word software that I am utilising, which
is why I am forwarding versions of this document in “Word 2003,” “Works,” and
as a PDF file. I am working on
this; and the text of this week’s Torah
Trivia is also included within this email correspondence.
Shabbat Shalom.
Ahava v’Shalom,
Peter
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
ૐ. אמן
--
Ahava v’Shalom, Family and Friends.
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
This week’s Parshah is, “Ki Tissa,” including the infamous formation of
the golden calf, as well as the second provision of the stone tablets.
I provide this warning: compared
to the inundation of quotations within the Torah Trivia iteration a week ago,
this week’s Torah Trivia iteration (including a Steve Erkel reference) may be
perceived as somewhat sacrilegious and exceedingly irreverent. There is the consideration of such work being
the synthesis of respective characteristics from Rambam, Mozart, and that bum
on the street whom everyone fails to see.
Perhaps all that is rather Freudian, self-absorbed and indulgent, and/or
immodest (we may see what this week’s count is for removal requests from this
correspondence list J).
Or, perhaps such irreverent revelry is actually
appropriate, amidst the juxtaposition of the topic of the golden calf and the
current observance of Purim. I digress.
The featured Torah Trivia question for this week is: what ingredients are included within the
anointing oil for the Mishkan, its tools and accessories, as well as Aaron and
his sons?
The featured Hebrew word for this Parshah is: “שקל,” “shekel”: a standard
weight of silver utilised as a means of exchange for products and services,
with 1 shekel weighing approximately 5 grams or 1/5 of an ounce.
“שקל” previously appears within Parshah Chayay
Sarah (Shemot 23:15), where Avraham purchases the burial location of Machpelah
(for Sarah and his family), from Ephron, for 400 shekels (the equivalent of 2
kg, or 80 ounces, of silver). According
to the Financial Times, the current, estimated value of approximately 100kg
(5000 ounces) of silver is 25€, 20£, 30US, 2400¥, or
200 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund. Therefore, the purchase price of 400 shekels
maintains a current market value of approximately .5€, .4£, .6US, 50¥, and 4 SDRs with the IMF; and the half-shekel offering, provided from
each 20+ Israelite male, maintains a current market value of approximately .0005€,
.0004£, .0006US, .05¥,
and .004 IMF SDRs. All of which,
according to the street valuations during my university days, means that silver
is worth much less than weed, although the market value of trees seems to skyrocket
within the past few millennia, and (amidst the potential development of
desalination technology), urine is “king” (and much of these calculations seem
to contradict previous valuations shared within the Torah Trivia iteration for
Parshah Chayay Sarah).
Additional links to Torah Parshah study include:
USCJ Torah Sparks: http://www.uscj.org/JewishLivingandLearning/WeeklyParashah/TorahSparks/Archive/Default.aspx.
שבת שלום
אהוא ושלום,
Peter
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
ૐ. אמן
--
אהבא ושלום, Family and Friends.
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
Perhaps
you may excuse this brief intrusion to the weekly cycle.
I
am writing to inform you of a correction to some of the calculations I share in
the correspondence I forward earlier this past afternoon.
Our
friend, Mikhail Alterman, points out that the current value of silver is
approximately 30US per ounce, rather than per 5000 ounces! This, admittedly, is an extreme difference,
and one that I actually perceive; however
(failing my intuitive “common sense” test), I am excessively fatigued to double
check the figures. So I am remiss for
that error in reading the FT commodities index;
and I thank Mikhail for the correction.
Here
are some recalculated figures:
½
Shekel = ~5 grams (~1/5 of an ounce) of silver
1
Shekel = ~10 grams (~2/5 of an ounce) of silver
--
1
ounce of silver (~25 grams) = ~20£; ~25€; ~30US; ~2500¥;
~200SDR
1
gram of silver (~.05 ounces) = <1£;
~1€; >1US; ~100¥; <10SDR
1
Shekel = <10£; ~10€; >10US;
~1,000¥;
<100SDR
--
400
Shekels (the Purchase Price for Machpelah) = ~4kg of silver = ~20 ounces of
silver
400
Shekels = <4,000£; ~4,000E; >4,000US;
~400,000¥; ~40,000SDR
1
Square Foot of Space in Midtown Manhattan = ~300£; ~400€; ~500US; ~40,000¥;
~3,000SDR
1
Square Foot of Space in Midtown Manhattan =
~40 Shekels
400
Shekels = ~10 Square Feet of Space in Midtown Manhattan
--
½
Shekel Offering (for Males 20+ Years) = <5£;
~5€; >5US; 500¥; <50SDR
US
Individual Mean Annual Tax Contribution = ~10,000US; ~6,000£; ~8,000€; ~800,000¥;
~60,000SDR
US
Individual Mean Annual Tax Contribution = ~800 Shekels
US
Individual Mean Annual Income = ~30,000US; ~20,000£; ~25,000€; ~2,500,000¥;
~250,000SDR
US
Individual Mean Annual Income = ~2,500 Shekels
--
So,
the value of weed continues to surpass silver (yet less severely); and whilst the value of trees remains rather
grounded, it still seems to be reaching higher throughout the millennia; and urine may still be “king.”
I
am rather sober throughout the day, so I abstain from having that as an
excuse. I also provide the continuing
disclaimer that even many of these current numbers are derived from different
data pools, involve substantial estimations, and are calculated by a mind that
is ready for another Shabbat nap. Perhaps
the upcoming Parshot regarding fair weights and measures may be helpful with
any additional calculations J. I appreciate your patience.
Information
Regarding Shekel Measure: Etz Chayim
Chumash
Information
Regarding Currency Valuations:
Information
Regarding Valuation of Special Drawing Rights with the International Monetary
Fund:
Information
Regarding Current Valuation of Silver:
Information
Regarding Land Valuation in Midtown Manhattan:
Information
Regarding US Individual Mean Income Tax Contribution:
Information
Regarding US Individual Mean Income:
אהבא ושלום,
Peter
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
ૐ. אמן
--
118.7.18
אהבא ושלום, Family and Friends.
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
This week’s Parshah is “Tzav,” where the ordination of
Aaron and his sons is described.
The featured Hebrew term for the week is: “כהן,”
(“kohen”), with the plural form being: “כהנים,”
(“kohanim”); respectively meaning
“Priest,” and, “Priests.” The term, כהנים, is
utilised to describe Aaron and his sons, who serve as the “High Priestly Caste”
of the Israelites.
This also leads us to the featured
Torah Trivia question for the week, which is actually a bonus question that is
excluded from the 12 “official” Torah trivia questions for this week: “Where does the term, ‘כהן,’ first
appear within the Torah?” The answer
is: apparently, “כהן” first
appears within Lech Lecha (Beresheit 14:18), in describing King Melchizedek of
Salem, who is described as a “Priest of Adonai the Most High,” “לאל עליון,”; this is immediately after Avram defeats the 4
Kings, and Melchizedek provides an offering.
However, it is appropriate to note that Melchizedek is other than a
descendant of Aaron, and thus is other than a “כהן,” within the Israelite ritualistic manner.
And this leads us to the “super bonus
round” question, which is also absent from the “official” 12 questions: “From what contemporary cultural genre is the
name, ‘Melchizedek,’ recently utilised?”
One answer is: “Melky Sedek” is
the name of a Haitian Hip Hop R & B duo, from within the past 20 years,
belonging with the “Refugee Camp” of the group, “The Fugees,” both of whom are
also younger siblings to the musician and performer, Wyclef Jean, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melky_Sedeck.
שבת שלום
אהבא ושלום,
Peter
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
ૐ. אמן
--
118.7.24
אהבא ושלום, Family and
Friends.
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
This week’s Parshah is a special
reading for Pesach, and is taken from the Book of Shmot. Thus, there is an absence of a Torah Trivia
session for this week. I can provide,
however, a recently compiled, “Hip Hop Haggadah.”
This Hip Hop Haggadah is offered
as a “supplement” to any Haggadah. It is
provided with the intent of “livening” up a Seder and/or providing additional
thoughts and ideas to consider about the purpose and meaning of the festival of
Pesach, and the ritual of the Seder, with special consideration of youth. The Hip Hop Haggadah contains 100+ bars
(lines of prose), including: an opening,
a conclusion, and an introduction to each of the traditional 15 segments of the
Seder (and technically 14, as the respective “Motzi” and “Matzah” segments are
combined). Amidst the many allegories
and euphamisms, the Hip Hop Haggadah is provided with reverence and commitment
to the observance, and practise, of Pesach and the Seder. It is also “hot off the presses,” and still
requires some editing and rhythmic adjustment;
it is provided amidst the consideration of “timeliness.”
Additionally, as many of you may
already know, I am planning to host a Seder for one of the first occasions. And as I establish a practise of hosting a
Seder, I am also establishing a certain tradition, as well. As we know, a traditional part of the Seder
includes welcoming strangers, as well as welcoming Eliyahu; and general themes within Pesach include
slavery, liberation, and the “freedom to obey.”
With all this in consideration, each year I intend to include, within
our Seder, a special topic regarding a contemporary experience of slavery and
liberation within a specific geographic location of Earth and the
Universe; with each year focusing on a
different, specific geographic location.
This year, we are beginning with
Cambodia. And briefly, I can provide to
you that Jewish migration to Eastern Asia (and specifically China) is thought
to begin over 2 millennia ago, via Persia, with settlements established in such
locations as, Kaifeng. Approximately 2
centuries ago, a French explorer finds inhabitants within Cambodia who maintain
certain religious practises, such as dietary restrictions prohibiting pork,
observance of Shabbat, and circumcision.
However, these Cambodians are subsequently identified as Muslims.
And within the past few
centuries, there seems to be an increased amount of interaction between Jews
and Cambodia, particularly amidst European colonial expansion within Asia. Nearly 40 years ago, the infamous Khmer Rouge
regime emerges (“Khmer” being a term referring to an indigenously Cambodian
ethnic identity), and it inflicts horrendous atrocities against the Cambodian
people. This includes a policy of
summarily decimating political dissidents, Buddhist Monks, and anyone who might
pose a threat to the authority of the Khmer Rouge regime. Amidst the torture and killing, an estimated
1.7million people (over 20% of the population) are killed. The Khmer Rouge forced the “disrobing” and
dissolution of vows of all Monks to the extent that, at one point, there is an
absence of any Monk within Cambodia. Eventually,
from the over 60,000 Monks that live in Cambodia near the beginning of the
Khmer Rouge regime, only 3,000 are able to survive through fleeing outside of
Cambodia, and additionally.
As the Khmer Rouge regime begins
the unravel, nearly 30 years ago, one particular Buddhist Monk becomes
increasingly prominent: Maha Ghosananda. Amidst the intervention of forces from
bordering Thailand, and from the United Nations, Maha Ghosananda returns from
his hermitage in Thailand, and organises “Dhammayietras” (“Dharma Walks,” or,
“Truth Walks”) throughout Cambodia.
These annual walks often extend over a 100 miles, for over 2 weeks,
through zones of direct military conflict, and through areas heavily infested
with landmines. Yet, these walks are
also able to establish a semblance of continuity, and seeds of compassion and
reconciliation, amidst the devastated communities of Cambodia.
Maha Ghosananda is referred to as
the “Gandhi of Cambodia,” and is repeatedly nominated for the Nobel Peace
Prize; he also joins the Peace Council,
with Tenzin Gyatso and Desmond Tutu, before he passes away 5 years ago. One teaching that Maha Ghosananda provides
is:
“The suffering of Cambodia has been deep. From
this suffering comes great compassion. Great compassion makes a peaceful heart.
A peaceful heart makes a peaceful person. A peaceful person makes a peaceful
family. A peaceful family makes a peaceful community. A peaceful community
makes a peaceful nation. A peaceful nation makes a peaceful world.”
After the fall of the Khmer Rouge
regime, and amidst the stabilisation of Cambodia, many people from around the
Earth, and particularly Jews, find a keen interest within this narrative. The “killing fields” are a frequent point of
visitation, particularly for many Israeli travellers, who find a strong
parallel between the experience of Cambodians (amidst the killing fields and
the Khmer Rouge), and the experience of Jews (within the Shoah and the Nazis). One Jewish writer, from the “Jewish Times in
Asia,” provides:
“As Jews, we are obligated to pay
respects and acknowledge these atrocities. There is little sense in comparing
atrocities or in entering debates on whether the Cambodians can call this a
holocaust or genocide. The (actuality) is that visiting Cambodia as a Jew
brings about a different perspective, a (True) empathy for their suffering. It
raises the question again, "where was the world when these atrocities were
being committed?" We do not need to be reminded, as Jews, that we can not
turn a blind eye. We have an obligation to never forget. Perhaps this is, in
part, what draws us here.”
Amidst these strong similarities,
the autobiography of Anne Frank is recently translated into Khmer, the local
Cambodian language. Without delving into
dubious competition, there is the consideration of what may be learned, and
what may be gained from such experiences.
A few years ago, a Rabbi with the
Chabad Movement, Bentche Butman, and his wife, Mashie, and family, establish
the first Chabad Centre in Cambodia, within the capital of Phnom Penh. Bentche Butman states that the Chabad Centre
serves a Jewish population of approximately 100 people, as well as numerous
tourists who visit Cambodia to learn about its history. And as such knowledge is gleaned, we, as a
collective of humanity, may further consider how we can improve our interaction
with each other and sustain a proficient harmony where all are free, and all
are righteous.
Just FYI, the International
Vegetarian Union provides the recipe for a Thai rendering of a popular
Cambodian dish, “Samlor Machu” (Cambodian “Hot Sour Soup”); although there is the description that
traditional Cambodian Samlor Macha soup includes ingredients such as, tamarind,
tomatoes, pineapple, and tiliacora triandra leaves. Popular beverages within Cambodia, “tuk
kolok” (shakes), include the respective juice from fruits such as durian,
mangoes, and bananas; and you may want
to consult a Rabbi to determine whether such ingredients and fruits are kosher
for Pesach. For those of us in Northeast
Ohio who are interested, such ingredients and fruits may be available at the
Cleveland Asian Supermarket, on Miles Road (near the previous Randall Park
Mall), and/or at the numerous grocery stores in “Little Asia/Chinatown,”
including the “Asia Plaza,” at the intersection of Payne Avenue and East 30th
Street, in Cleveland.
Articles for consideration
regarding this topic include:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_China
(Brief History of Jews in China);
http://www.sea-globe.com/Regional-Affairs/as-the-tribe-travels.html
(Description of Chabad in Cambodia);
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_people
(Definition of Khmer);
http://www.jewishtimesasia.org/community-spotlight-topmenu-43/cambodia/281-cambodia-communities/1235-whats-jewish-about-cambodia
(Israeli Travel to Cambodia; Quote from
“Jewish Times in Asia;” Translation of
“Autobiography of Anne Frank” within Khmer Language);
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Ghosananda
(Brief Biography of Maha Ghosananda);
http://www.peacecouncil.org/ (Official
Website of the Peace Council);
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/budethics.htm
(Quote from Maha Ghosananda);
http://www.asialifeguide.com/Cover-Story/jews-phnom-penh-cambodia.html
(Description of Bentche Butman and Chabad in Phnom Penh);
http://www.jewishcambodia.com/
(Website of Chabad in Cambodia);
http://www.ivu.org/recipes/eastasia/spicy-sour-j.html
(International Vegetarian Union Recipe for Thai Version of Spicy Sour Soup
[Cambodian Samlar Machu]);
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samlar_machu
(Ingredients within Cambodian “Samlar Machu” Soup);
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodian_cuisine
(Description of Cambodian Fruit Beverages, “Tuk Kolok”);
http://www.camasianmarket.com/
(Website of the Cleveland Asian Supermarket);
http://www.asiaplazacleveland.com/
(Website of Asia Plaza, in “Little Asia/Chinatown”).
Additional articles include:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Vietnam
(Jews in Vietnam);
http://lubavitch.com/news/article/2032517/Blog-Jewish-in-Cambodia.html
(Personal Jewish Autobiography from Living in Cambodia);
http://www.buddhanet.net/masters/maha-gosanada.htm
(Outline of Life of Maha Ghosananda);
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhammayietra
(Brief Description of “Dharma Walks”).
שמח חג
שבת שלום
אהבא ושלום
Peter
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
ૐ. אמן
--
118.7.31
אהבא ושלום, Family and Friends.
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
שמח חג
This week’s Parshah is Shemini, describing the initial sacrifices
performed by Aaron, the punishment of Nadav and Avihu, as well as a specific
set of rules for kashrut (the dietary laws).
The Hbrew term for this week is: “כשרות,”
“kashrut,” referring to the “ritual fitness” of food; the root term of, “כשרות,” is: “כאשר,” meaning, “proper,” and,
“right.” The term, “כשרות,” seems to
actually be absent from this Parshah;
and interestingly, the root term, “כאשר,” appears on numerous
occasions, amidst the descriptions of the sacrifices that Aaron performs, yet
seems to be absent amidst the actual, subsequent description of the dietary
laws that specifically define, “כשרות.”
Whilst its topic may be considered
distinct from the rules of kashrut, this week’s featured Torah Trivia question
is: what item(s) or act(s) does Adonai
prohibit for Aaron and his sons whilst the Priests are inside the Mishkan?
Just
FYI, due to some recent transportation circumstances, I may be absent from
Shabbat services at B’nai Jeshurun; and
there is some uncertainty regarding the duration of such circumstances.
שמח חג
שבת
שלום
אהבא ושלום
Peter
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
ૐ. אמן
--
118.8.9
אהבא ושלום,
Family and Friends.
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
This week we
have a “double-feature” with Parshah Tazria and Parshah Metzora, exploring the
realm leprosy and disease.
The featured Torah trivia question for
Parshah Tazria is: “What is a leper
commanded to declare, upon receiving a diagnosis of leprosy?” The featured Hebrew terms for this Parshah
are: “טמא” (“tumah”), meaning, “impure,” (which is
included within the passage, Vayikra 13:45);
and “טוהר”
(“tohar”), with the feminine, “טהרה” (“tohorah”), meaning, “purity.” The actual term, “טוהר,” seems to be absent from this Parshah,
however, the apparent root word, “טהר,” meaning, “to make pure/to purge,”
appears on over 20 occasions within this Parshah, referencing the purification
status amidst the cleansed leper.
The featured Torah trivia question for
Parshah Metzora is: “Is it OK to touch?”; identifying different objects previously
touched by different types of people/animals, and determining whether a
ritually clean person is able to touch such an object and remain ritually clean. The featured Hebrew phrase for this Parshah
is: “ושלח את־הצפר החיה על־פני השדה,”
(“v’sheelach at hatseepor hacheyah al penei hasedeh”), meaning, “and he shall
set the live bird free in the open country,” which is included within Vayikra
14:7.
“שלח” (“sheelach”), meaning: “to send;
set free;” (transliterations) sheelach
“הצפר” (“tseepor”), meaning: “bird;”
“חיה” (“chayeh”), meaning:
“alive”
“שדה” (“sedeh”), meaning: “field;
open country.”
Additional Torah study resources include:
USCJ Torah Sparks:
http://www.uscj.org/JewishLivingandLearning/WeeklyParashah/TorahSparks/Archive/Default.aspx.
שבת שלום
אהבא ושלום
Peter
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
ૐ. אמן
--
118.8.15
אהבא ושלום,
Family and Friends.
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
We are over “half-way” through in completing the annual cycle of
reading, reciting, and studying the Torah;
and this Shabbat brings the 22nd day in counting the Omer
towards Shavuot.
This week, again, we have a double-feature of Parshot, with Acharei Mot
and Kedoshim:
“Acharei Mot” provides the instructions regarding the offering with Yom
Kippur and rules regarding marital relations.
The featured Hebrew terms for this Parshah are: “כפור
יום” (“Yom Kippur”), meaning,
“Day of Atonement;” and: “עזאזל,”
(“Azazel”). Whilst the actual term, “כפור יום” (“Yom Kippur”), seems to be
absent from this Parshah, the root word, “כפר,”
(“kipper”), meaning, “expiate,” is included within Vayikra 16:30, in the actual
command to observe the High Holiday of Yom Kippur. Whilst there is traditional disagreement
regarding who/what “עזאזל” (“Azazel”) actually is, “עזאזל” may be understood as the described destination towards which
the 2nd sacrificial goat (who carries the sins of the children of
Israel) is let loose within the wilderness.
The Torah trivia question of the week, for Parshah Acharei Mot, is: can you describe the number of occasions that
Aaron’s name is explicitly communicated within this Parshah and the number of
occasions that Moshe’s name is explicitly communicated?
“Kedoshim” addresses “being Holy,” and imparts specific mitzvot for
living a righteous life (including economic, social, and familial
interaction). The featured Hebrew terms
for this Parshah are: “קציר” (“katseer”), meaning, “harvest;” and: “הארץ” (“ha eretz”), meaning, “the land” (and specifically referring
to Eretz Israel, the Land of Israel, the Promised Land). “קציר”
appears within Vayikra 19:9 - 10: “ארצכם את־קציר ובקצרכם”
(“v’vakatserakom at katseer eretzakom”), meaning, “When you reap the harvest of
your land;” and this is communicated
within the context of the mitzvah to leaves a portion of one’s agricultural
fields unharvested, allowing for the impoverished and strangers to eat from
it. In addition to this passage, the
root term, “ארץ” (“eretz”), meaning, “land,”
also appears within Varikra 19:23, within the term, “הארץ”
(“ha eretz”), meaning, “The Land;” in
describing how children of Israel are to cultivate newly planted fruit trees
upon entering into “הארץ,” “The Land,” “the Promised
Land;” “Eretz Israel,” “ישראל ארץ.”
The Torah trivia question of the week for Parshah Kedoshim is: can you describe to whom a person is to show
favour when judging a dispute between 2 people?
שבת שלום
אהבא ושלום
Peter
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
ૐ. אמן
--
אהבא ושלום, Family and Friends.
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
Just FYI: it seems as though the
Torah Trivia iterations that I provide for this week and the previous week are actually
1 week ahead of the Torah cycle; and it
appears this week’s Torah Parshot are actually “Tazria” and “Metzorah.” Thus, I refer to the correspondence I
previously provide a week ago for these Parshot, and the Torah Trivia I just
recently send, for “Acharei Mot” and “Kedoshim,” may presumably be saved for
next week.
The lack of coordination may be substantially attributable to my
personal ignorance, the diversion from the Torah cycle during the observance of
Pesach, some misinformation that is provided to me, and my absence from conventional
Synagogue services this past Shabbat. I
appreciate your patience.
אהבא ושלום
Peter
שלום.नमस्ते.สมาธ.Pax.سلم.Peace.Sat Nam.صلح.Kwey.Amani.ειρήνη.Pace.Paz.Paix.Fred.Frieden.Vrede.Siochana.мир.امن.和平.平和.평화.Aloha.
ૐ. אמן
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