Parshat Shemini- Parshat Parah- What Makes a Kosher Fish

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Shemini begins with Nadav and Avihu, they decide that they want to be closer to Hashem so they want to bring an incense offering, but they go about it the wrong way and Hashem is not happy and shoots them down with a heavenly fire. The nest part of the Parsha is about Kashrus. Hashem commands Bnei Yisroel to be holy people. To do that they have to only eat kosher animals, birds, and fish. Hashem shows Moshe all the animals that ever existed so he can teach Bnei Yisroel what is kosher. I chose to make fish with scales cupcakes to represent the kosher fish Bnei Yisroel can eat. A fish with fins and scales is a kosher fish.

May we all benefit from the wonderful kosher food Hashem has provided us with.

Thank you to my apprentice Ilana for helping me decorate my cupcakes this week

Good Shabbos

Parshat Tzav/ Parshat Zachor and.. Purim!

In this weeks Parshat, Parshat Tzav every morning in the Mishkan the Kohain starts with the Korban Olah, and each morning there is a lottery for who can perform the first mitzvah, the winner performs the terumat hadashen (taking a portion of the ashes). For this reason I decided to make lotto cupcakes to represent the mad rush of Jews running to be the first person of the day to perform the mitzvah (that's why Hashem recommend a lottery system.. look closely it says LOTTO).

This week we will also read Parshat Zachor- to remember Amalek. What is the connection between Amalek and Purim? Haman who was the bad guy in the Purim story was a descendant of Agag, who was the king of Amalek in the time of King Shaul. That is why we read Parshat Zachor before Purim so we can erase the memory of Amalek  ("Remember- do not forget"), and being that Purim comes right after, the word VeNahafoch Hu represents the day. Therefore I made chocolate and peanut butter cupcakes for the VeNahafoch Hu concept, and for the hidden chocolate and peanut butter chips on the inside - Hester like Esther, hidden miracles!

May we all have a Purim filled with happiness and simcha and may we be able to see all the hidden miracles  and run to do many mitzvot!

Also a special shout out to my mom, today is her birthday!!

Good Shabbos and Freilichin Purim!

Parshat Vayikra- Fly on the Wings of a Dove

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Vakyikra we are introduced to 5 types of Korbanot. Olah, Korban Mincha, Korban Shlamim, Korban Chatat, Korban Asham. There are 3 types of  unblemished, kosher and domestic animals and 2 types of birds that can be used for Korbanot. Ox, sheep, goat, mature turtle doves, and young doves.

I chose to make turtle dove cupcakes this week to represent one of the kosher bird to give as a korban to remind us of the greatness of our Avot. May we all follow in the footsteps of our avot and emahot.

Good Shabbos

Parshat Pikudei- The Sky's the Limit

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Pikudei Bnei Yisroel finished the building of the Mishkan. So its now time for the Shechina to move to the Kodesh Hakodoshim. Big clouds come down from the sky and surround the Mishkan from all sides. Inside the Mishkan a thick cloud settles in. This is the cloud where the Shechina will rest.

I chose to make cloud cupcakes to represent the cloud that the Shechina rested in. May we always feel the presence of Hashem surrounding us.

Good Shabbos

Parshat Vayakel- See the Pretty Candles Flickering

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Vayakel, Hashem forgives Bnei Yisroel for the chayet haeigel, and he has decided that he will permanently dwell among his people. But a special home for the Shechina must be built. That is the Mishkan. In order to build the Mishkan, Bnei Yisroel has to perform 39 different types of work. These 39 types of work are forbidden to do on Shabbos. In 8th grade I was taught a song to remember all 39 Melachot by a very special teacher Morah Shoshana Hayman A'H, she was a victim in the Sbarro's bombing in 2001. Thanks to her wonderful teaching skills I will never forget that song.

I chose to make this weeks cupcakes Shabbos candles, so we can remember the sanctity of Shabbos and to remember my wonderful Morah. May we all have a special, meaningful Shabbos

Good Shabbos

Parshat Ki Tisa- Golden Cupcakes

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Ki Tisa it begins with Hashem teaching Moshe how to count the Jews. After Matan Torah, Moshe told Bnei Yisroel that he would be back after 40 days. When that time comes and passes Bnei Yisroel starts to freak out. What if he's dead, there is no food up there on and on and Bnei Yisroel needs a leader. After experiencing the awesome presence of hashem, they need a physical object to be the go between, between Hashem and them. That used to be Moshe, now it will be the Golden Calf. The Eirav Rav pressured Aaron to do something to get the calf made, and they intended to worship the calf, Bnei Yisroel did not have that same intention. so Aaron (who was trying to stall) told Bnei Yisroel to go home and ask their wives for their gold jewelry. Just as Aaron predicted the wives refuse to give their gold. So the men give their own earrings, only the entire Shevet Levi did not give in their gold. They continued to make the calf and the Eirav Rav start making a celebration. Hashem sees whats going no and wants to destroy Bnei Yisroel for idol worship but Moshe begs Hashem for forgiveness of his people. He finally comes down and is greeted by Yehoshua who doesnt know whats going on in the camp because he has been waiting for Moshe. They both go to the camp, Moshe is carrying the Luchot. They see the Eirav Rav and a group of Jews dancing around the golden calf. Moshe throws down the Luchot and yells at the Jews. The next day he burns the calf.

I chose to make golden cupcakes as a reminder for us who is the creator and controls everything and not to let this happen again.

Shabbat Shalom

Parshat Tetzaveh- The Choshen Mishpat

In this weeks Parsha, Parshat Tetzaveh, we take a look at the Kohanim. There are many important things that are talked about in the Parsha, but I chose to focus on the Choshen Mishpat- It is the holiest of all the Bigdei Kehunah. It is a square piece of material that has been folded over to make a pocket. In this pocket Moshe will place the Urim Vetumim. Then 12 precious stones are placed on top of this square that reperesent the 12 Shevtaim.  The chocolate M & M like candies on top of the cupcake represent the 12 Shevatim.

Shabbat Shalom